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When we get assigned big projects at work or school, they can feel overwhelming. Especially when you’re assigned a project with a lot of steps and a far away due date, it can be difficult to know how to start. Moreover, when you have a lot of time, it can be difficult to know when to start, and to find the motivation to do so. The steps outlined below are designed to help you dive into big projects feeling confident that you can tackle the challenge and complete it on time.
One of the most important things to remember when assigned a big project is to start the planning process right away. This does not mean that you need to start the actual work immediately, but having a full understanding of the scope of the project is essential to knowing how much time to give yourself. Additionally, the longer you put off starting the project, the more overwhelming it will feel. For this reason, you should follow the steps listed below the day you are assigned a big project to ensure you are fully prepared to complete it on time.
When diving into a big project, it’s important to know all of the requirements you need to meet. Review whatever requirements you were given, whether it’s a printout, digital instructions, or an email. If the requirements are not written out in a simple list, write down a list of each of the requirements that you can easily review.
Once you’ve reviewed everything that is required of you, you should then break the requirements into sections. For example, a project that requires you to write an essay and create a poster might have separate requirement sections for research, writing, and poster-making. A big presentation might have separate requirements for research, content, and presentation skills. Figuring out the different groupings of your requirements will help you plan and prioritize your work.
Once you’ve determined the different sections of your project, you should place them in the order in which you should complete them. While the order of sections might seem obvious, thinking through these sections and writing them out will help your brain begin to organize the steps necessary to complete the project. This step helps prime your mind to do the real planning work of completion.
Once you have determined the sections of your project and the order in which you should complete them, you are ready to think about the specific steps needed to complete your project. For each set of requirements, there are likely to be multiple steps. For example, research might involve setting up a note-taking document, gathering sources, taking notes, and verifying that all necessary information has been found. The more requirements the section includes, the more steps it is likely to include.
Once you have a full understanding of the steps necessary to complete your project, you should list out any materials or resources you might need for each section. Are there certain people you will need to help you? Do you need access to a specific software or database? Are there physical items you need to purchase like a posterboard or printer paper? Consider all of the supplies you’ll need to complete your project and make a plan to acquire them when you reach the section for which you need them.
Once you have determined all of the steps necessary to complete each section of your project and the resources you need, you should estimate how much time each section will take. In this estimate, include any time needed to gather resources and supplies. Although you might not know exactly how long it will take, you should consider things like how long it typically takes you to read an article, how long writing takes you, and how many steps are involved in gathering supplies. It’s a good idea to overestimate your time to ensure that you give yourself enough time for each part of the project.
After determining the amount of time each section will take, you should review the due date for your project and make a plan. Look at a calendar and think about the time you have available to you in your week to work on your project. Then, use your time estimates around completion to make a plan around completing each step. Set target dates for completing each section, giving yourself a bit more time than you need but ensuring that the whole project will be done on time. Consider other things you might have going on that will prevent you from working on the project, and be sure to only utilize the time you have.
When planning out your project, schedule celebrations for each milestone you reach. You might give yourself a reward or plan a relaxing break in between each milestone. Planning this celebration ahead of time will help motivate you to get started and continuing to celebrate your milestones will help motivate you to keep going. At the same time, be sure to give yourself grace if you don’t complete a section of your project by your target date. If you miss a target date, use the opportunity to remake your plan and consider whether your time estimates need to be adjusted. Each deadline is an opportunity to reevaluate and celebrate your progress, but it’s not a time to beat yourself up. Remember to give yourself grace and focus on continuing to make progress until you reach your goal.
Planning and starting big projects can feel daunting for anyone. These tasks are especially challenging for teens struggling with their Executive Functioning skills. YA Success Coach offers personalized support for teenagers in developing the skills needed for success. We focus particularly on organization, time management, and goal-setting, developing systems that are uniquely supportive to your child’s specific needs and providing them with the individualized support they need to help them stick to these systems. Contact us today to learn how our coaching can empower your teen to tackle big projects with confidence.
Having a conversation is the first step to helping your child realize their full potential and set them up for success!