Projects and tasks at work can take so long that they drain the life and joy of doing the said job.
It can most times lead to tunnel vision or writer’s block which is such a devastating state to be in. Its timing is also not the best as they seem to creep up when there is so much to be done.
In the end, they breed the feeling of fatigue, being overwhelmed, and frustration.
The output thereafter is never quite the best and most times dotted with mistakes.
To do away with these menaces that make work more of a chore than joy requires a functional working strategy. The technique has a basic structure that continues to evolve with the task at hand. This basic format looks a little like this:
Research
The fastest way to kick things out of the to-do lists is by doing a deep dive into what the project, client, or task is about. Google, read widely in-depth about the thing you are working on. This gives you insights that give a better comprehension of what the project is about. Insights then open you up to a world of endless ideas. Ideas that are backed up with solid rationales.
A quick tip, constantly check your brief as you research to stay on track. Insights are the golden tickets to faster and well-thought-out strategies, no matter what the project or client is.
Brainstorm
Don’t die alone. Get your colleagues, friend, or your boss involved in your task or project. Talk through your idea or strategy and pick their brains on how to best handle the challenge at hand. Never feel shy to ask for help even if your office hasn’t embraced teamwork as part of its office culture.
Boldy walk to a colleague’s desk and ask politely to pick their brain. This way you’ll eliminate mistakes caused by biases, get ideas faster, and finish the job faster with minimum mistakes.
Archives
Some jobs or projects tend to be similar to others worked on before. Hence, look back at some of the strategies that worked, judge if it befits the one at hand, and tweak where necessary. The success of that last project actually becomes a great solid rationale as to why the strategy/idea is ideal for the client.
Time management
Being pressed for time is the cherry on top that makes tasks look and feel more complicated than they actually are. To avoid this last-minute rush, allocate time to different stages of the project or job. A simple flow could involve doing; the first draft, second draft, and final draft.
Don’t just wake up and show up for work. Get intentional about how you carry out your tasks to eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed.
