Monday, March 12, 2012

Knowing when to stop and rethink things


Sometimes we plow ahead figuring that we know exactly what we are doing, only to run into a major obstacle that we didn't think would even be in our way. This is something that happens to the best of us, and now I am trying to tackle a larger project and have decided to take that step back and rethink my process of doing the work before I run into the major obstacle.

As a project manager, I understand that I should be writing out my tasks before I start the project, instead of just plowing right into the work. So here I am just starting to tackle this project, and I am doing what I should be doing and listing all my tasks that lay ahead of me for this project. Yes, I am going to be giving myself a deadline as to when I would like this project completed by. It also needs to be tested, so that is going to be another thing that I will need to determine how that is going to be done.

Once the project has been completed, I know that there is still going to be lots of work ahead of me, but at least the big changes are going to be done.

Now to sit back for a while and work on designing my project plan and see the most efficient way I can accomplish this project. Taking one step at a time is the best thing I can do, so maybe the next day or two are going to be the evaluation days instead of just making things work.

Knowing when to stop and rethink things is the best thing you can understand. Why spend days and days working on something only to discover those days have been wasted and you need to start over.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Setting Priorities

Lately, things seem to have been a little busier than they have been for me, but I am getting so much better at setting priorities and then working through things.  Knowing how to set the priorities and focusing on one thing at a time does really help.

Some of my goals for this year have been getting worked on, while some of the other goals have been ignored as I try and get work done first.  I am learning to ensure that I do take some time for myself because I have realized that if I don't take time for myself, I am not able to focus on the tasks at hand.

Everyone needs to take time for themselves from time to time to ensure that they can recharge their personal battery.  Sometimes a break away from the many projects on your plate can really help you refocus on the multiple projects and get the work done on all of them.  A break can be a day to yourself where you do something for yourself, or it can be as simple as just curling up and doing nothing.

Remember, set priorities and ensure you focus on what is important first to ensure that everything gets done, and you don't end up just spinning your wheels and accomplishing nothing.