Overcome Project Fear, Start Your Project Today!
If you are anything like me, you have more ideas for projects than you know what to do with. Personally I’m always thinking up new ideas and concepts for websites I’d like to start and always putting them on the back burner for fear that they will fail or take way too much to complete. Apparently the old saying “You never know until you try” has never resonated with me. Over the past 3 years or so I’ve probably started (more like barely started) over a dozen different projects only to lose interest or never fully commit to starting them. What’s the problem? Fear!
It’s hard to admit, but yes I am afraid of my own projects. Afraid that they will take too long to complete; Afraid that they will never be successful; And afraid that I don’t have the knowhow to do everything that needs to be done to make them successful. I’d like to think that I’m not alone and that those of you that have never really had a largely successful website are having similar fears and doubts. But the better thing to think about is how to overcome these fears and take the necessary actions to bring my ideas to life.
So how can beat our fears and kick our procrastinating habits to the curb? Well there are a few tips which I am starting to employ that are making project management easier and my fears disappear:
1. Divide and Conquer – The saying that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” has always had some wisdom behind it. Any project worth doing probably isn’t going to be completed in days or weeks, but will probably demand months of your time. It’s disheartening when you pour months of your own time and effort into a project only to see another 8 months of needed work and time to see it to completion. Instead of looking at the project as a whole look at the project as the sum of its many parts.
Simply put, take the project and divide it into smaller, more manageable tasks. Map out your project and list all of the little steps it takes to get to your final goal of project completion. Then take the items you KNOW you can complete from the list and complete them one by one. Be sure to cross them out when they are completed to get the sense of accomplishment.
2. Incentivize Your Tasks – It’s human nature to have the “What’s in it for me?” attitude. Why should I complete this task or how will I benefit from doing this? Besides the end result of having your project completed and hopefully becoming successful, consider rewarding yourself as you complete milestones and cross things off your list. By telling yourself that you get to go out to a fancy dinner or get to have 1 day of complete video game vegetation if you complete one of your tasks, you will WANT to complete the tasks even more.
3. Embrace Mistakes – One of the things that I’m learning more and more each day is that you are bound to make mistakes. They are simply unavoidable. Instead of letting them bring you down and instead of using them as a reason for not moving forward on your projects….embrace them! Realize your mistakes and learn from them. Use what you’ve learned to not make the same mistake again and to help your next project or phase of your project succeed.
The moral of this post is to simply move forward with your projects no matter what. Don’t let yourself use fear as an excuse. If you truly think your project has the potential to succeed then what do you honestly have to lose? Perhaps its a few months of your time and some money. Are you willing to exchange that for the possibility of making it big? As far as I know, those who have made it big didn’t sit back and wonder IF they should start their next project or IF they were capable of completing it. They set their goals and went for it.
What are your fears? Do you have any projects that you have yet to start due to procrastination? I’d love to hear your take. Leave a comment!
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My Roomie @ Blog Weekends
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1
July 15, 2008
Great article packed with solid advice.
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2
July 15, 2008
I was there at one point. My first big programming project that just didn’t take off like I just *KNEW* it would lol. And I put months and months into that project. It’s still around and has about 11,000 registered users but nothing like I imagined for the market potential.
That was very discouraging, but when Justin learned to program and we made a few successful websites, I realized there’s no reason not to try. Plus once you have some passive income, it’s a lot easier to find more similar revenue streams.
Some websites fail, thats just the natures of the business but you have to try. Great post Erik.
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3
July 15, 2008
I think tip #2 is the best of all. Too often we think of making money as the incentive for moving ahead with projects. But, the money doesn’t come in quickly and we get disillusioned and try something else. I think you’ll have a better chance of success if you use something as a motivator and reward, as you’ve described. Great tip!
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4
July 16, 2008
[...] pretty true of me, except for the reason. My reason is mainly time and energy. Still, it’s a nice little read with common sense [...]
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5
July 18, 2008
Sometimes when I have projects in mind, I do it right away. Or I document it right away, I hate having to lose them… i love the post! thanks!
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6
July 18, 2008
Procrastination is a major issue for me! I have some many really good ideas and just taking the time to do them has not happened yet.
Actually one project I just finally started I put off for over a year. Now that I have started it, I have not gave it my all. I did at first, and recently have slacked off way to much.
It is on my goal list however! So I will get it fully running and hopefully make some extra money from it.
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7
August 4, 2008
Erik,
I liked your first point. I call that eating an elephant - one step at a time.
If we divide a large task into many smaller ones and work on them a little everyday, we’ll eventually get the large task completed.
Another issue is that sometimes we can get so involved in tasks and projects that we need to step back and consider how we can most effectively spend our time. We can’t do everything so we need to concentrate on projects with the best opportunity to return our investment of time and money.
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8
August 8, 2008
Thanks. This made it much easier to keep going with my blog.
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9
August 10, 2008
interesting site it learns me a lot…
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10
August 10, 2008
thanks for the information….
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11
August 12, 2008
Thanks, as a new blogger I get frustrated with watching my stats creep slowly up. It’s easy to start thinking “Well, now that I know a little bit more about it, I can start another blog that will be better!
But I think the one I have is pretty good, and I’m going to stick with it.
Thanks for the sound advice.
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12
August 13, 2008
I realized there’s no reason not to try. Plus once you have some passive income, it’s a lot easier to find more similar revenue streams.
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13
August 13, 2008
mhm… point 2 seems to be there automatically in my eyes: getting money is my motivation.
and point 3… mhm.. it’s like “embrace your enemies” - not an easy thing to do -
14
August 22, 2008
Nice post! You have clearly explained how to overcome the project stress.This can help many people,who are facing with this problem.
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15
August 24, 2008
I think that their should be more content like this on the net trying to get you to go against procrastination. All you need is that slight boost (like this post) to get you started on a new project. Then it’s all up hill from there.
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16
August 25, 2008
Thank you for your post, as well as the little comic. I look forward to future reads.
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17
August 25, 2008
After re-reading this article I realize these tips are really great. They flow into eachother and make sense. It’s still hard to do a project when you could be spending time vegetating though, no matter what the incentive.
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18
August 25, 2008
This is a great article. It has always been important to start projects without fear.
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19
August 26, 2008
i have been working oh wait i mean thinking about working on this fish tank i have i really want to get it done now thanks
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20
August 26, 2008
this is dead on for me. i have literally dozens of projects/ideas all written down on scrap paper and shoved into my ‘idea’ book.
i have found that fear isn’t so much a demotivator as much as I let my A.D.D. get the better of me and have difficulty preventing myself from moving onto the next ‘project’.
the way i am getting around this? i have taken ONE idea, and made it a hobby. something i can throw a little effort at here and there to keep it going long term.
just another suggestion for others out there having a hard time sitting on one idea like me!
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21
August 27, 2008
Thanx for the informative post Erik, hoping to read more post from you like this…
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22
August 30, 2008
im gonna implement some of this myself. better pick up GTD again!
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23
September 2, 2008
Nice read ty
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24
September 2, 2008
reminds me to pick up Getting Things Done.
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25
September 3, 2008
Hello Boys & Girls, like the Deisgn of this Page. Pretty Nice.
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26
September 3, 2008
Very nice post, still skeptical about making the first step.
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27
September 4, 2008
procrastination gets the best of me, and the other bad thing - laziness. Thank you for this post. I needed some motivation.
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28
September 5, 2008
Nice post and thanx for sharing, its cool, hoping to read more post such like this in the future from you
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29
September 5, 2008
interesting site it really learns me a lot…
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30
September 5, 2008
thanks for the information…
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31
September 6, 2008
thanks for the information….
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32
September 7, 2008
have a nice weekend to all!!!!!
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33
September 9, 2008
Hi,
I think there are nothing to worry about it.If you have a good knowledge to slices your entire works into some pieces then there will be easy to handle all the works efficiently.
Regards
Gopal -
34
September 9, 2008
Sometimes when I have projects in mind, I do it right away. Or I document it right away, I hate having to lose them… i love the post! thanks!
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35
September 9, 2008
Nearly each week look in I here and read with large interest the interesting and always well written contributions. Today I would like to leave gladly to a greeting from Thuringia in Germany!
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36
September 13, 2008
Thanks
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37
September 14, 2008
I have that same problem. I just can’t seem to get started on things. It really does help me a lot to divide up the work into small chunks and give myself a reward for each one.
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38
September 15, 2008
oh boy, doesn’t this bring back memories, haha.
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39
September 15, 2008
This is my first time checking out your blog and I’m happy I wandered along and found it. I work at a small start-up, and I find many of your tips could and should be applied to the way I get about my work.
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40
September 17, 2008
I think what you are saying happen to me also. Are you a perfectionee? Perfectionee got this problem of scare this scare that, and at the end of the day, they got nothing done.
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41
September 18, 2008
Hi, I found your blog on this new directory of WordPress Blogs at blackhatbootcamp.com/listofwordpressblogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, i duno. Anyways, I just clicked it and here I am. Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. James.
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42
September 18, 2008
Nice post! You have clearly explained how to overcome the project stress.This can help many people,who are facing with this problem.
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43
September 18, 2008
You know my feeling is everyone wants to start to day, but they don get the opportunity or the space too……
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44
September 19, 2008
That was very discouraging, but when Justin learned to program and we made a few successful websites, I realized there’s no reason not to try.
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45
September 21, 2008
Interesting read.
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46
September 22, 2008
Thanks, as a new blogger I get frustrated with watching my stats creep slowly up. It’s easy to start thinking “Well, now that I know a little bit more about it, I can start another blog that will be better!
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47
September 25, 2008
Thanks, as a new blogger I get frustrated with watching my stats creep slowly up. It’s easy to start thinking “Well, now that I know a little bit more about it, I can start another blog that will be better!
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48
September 29, 2008
Sounds great looking forward to it ! this is really nice mate! good job! Thanx!
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49
September 29, 2008
I think tip #2 is the best of all. Too often we think of making money as the incentive for moving ahead with projects.
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50
September 30, 2008
Great article. It gives good views and concepts on the subject. Keep up the good work there.
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51
October 1, 2008
Good article.The information prior information about the topic.thnks for sharing it.
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52
October 3, 2008
nice post, very inspirational and just want I needed to read at the moment
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53
October 5, 2008
I actually have a project I’ve had floating around in my mind for a web application that is absurdly simple, but I’m afraid that if it actually is successful I won’t have the time or resources to scale it appropriately. I pretty much agree with you that I’ll never know if I don’t try, and hopefully I’ll be launching it soon!
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54
October 6, 2008
Thanks for this post! It seems like some of us are built for creating ideas and beginning projects… but the challenge lies in completion and follow through. I appreciate hearing the comments of other readers and have found this blog to be very inspiring!
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55
October 6, 2008
I agree with you. The insights you have so provided here helps and I have enjoyed this post. More power Erik!
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56
October 8, 2008
I have using project pier for a last couple of months. It helps to share documents online with other users and set project management. This is a great way to get started
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57
October 11, 2008
Everyone feel the fear the same before it starts. But the fear goes away after some time.
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58
October 11, 2008
That is really a very awesome. I have a good time reading your article.
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59
October 12, 2008
Awsome approach
Hope to Have More In the Future -
60
October 13, 2008
I’d like to change a word from a famous saying: It’s better to have tried and lost than never to have tried at all.
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61
October 15, 2008
Some great project tips, now if only I can follow them! Thanks for the informative post.
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62
October 16, 2008
The thread is good, but I find the best way to start a new project is head on, this way you can work through any concerns whilst your on the project. This will help in reducing the time you think “should I…or shouldn’t I?”
Tony Bradley.
CEO -
63
October 17, 2008
Its not starting thats difficult is the trying to complete the project thats killing me. >.<
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64
October 17, 2008
Great advice. Kicking off a new project can often be the biggest hurdle. I use the divide and conquer approach via todo lists with lots of mini incentives like - have a cup of copy once the list is completed, go for a stroll once I’ve done task number one etc.
As far as completion goes - I try to define a set of completion criteria and once those are met - jobs done - and time for a big incentive (holiday, night out, drink down the pub.. etc.) -
65
October 17, 2008
I am always thinking up new ideas and concepts for websites I’d like to start and always putting them on the back burner for fear that they will fail or take way too much to complete. Apparently the old saying “You never know until you try” has never resonated with me.
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66
October 20, 2008
I like your site, this post is very good, see you soon
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67
October 20, 2008
Thank you, is my first visit, nice pages, i will come back, but with time.
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68
October 21, 2008
That is very informative and interesting post. I liked your first point. I call that eating an elephant - one step at a time.
If we divide a large task into many smaller ones and work on them a little everyday, we’ll eventually get the large task completed.
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69
October 21, 2008
This is classic material that one should start their project immediately, but quite a few might not take part in the procedure since it can be postponed. A good way to counter this from occurring is to remind individuals that postponing a project is a guaranteed way for the project to become stopped.
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70
October 22, 2008
It’s so true, so often it’s difficult, but you just have to bite the bullet and go ahead with your ideas. Do or die, as they say.
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71
October 23, 2008
I think there are nothing to worry about it.If you have a good knowledge to slices your entire works into some pieces then there will be easy to handle all the works efficiently.
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72
October 24, 2008
I was there at one point. My first big programming project that just didn’t take off like I just *KNEW* it would lol. And I put months and months into that project.
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73
October 25, 2008
Hey great post . Thanks for this.
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74
October 27, 2008
I came over from your other blog. Nice domain name by the way!
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75
November 3, 2008
I just got a new website. Did the whole thing using TaskUs (www.Taskus.com
). I’m starting to believe in this personal
outsourcing thing. -
76
March 5, 2009
A new project is like diving in to a freezing swimming pool, you just don’t know how cold it is and it is this fear that restricts us all.
Embrace new challenges as they make us stronger.Dave Williams.
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77
March 29, 2009
Delaying starting a project is one of the worst things you can do, as this gives your brain time to internally talk you out of it, creating negative thoughts, making you feel anxious about it.
All I can say, is if you feel good about the project, just go for it and hoave no regrets - EVER!
John Hulyton
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78
April 13, 2009
thanks good nice
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79
July 2, 2009
Danke für die Informationen
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80
July 27, 2009
Some great tips to keep in mind, thanks
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81
July 30, 2009
Great advice you have here. Thanks for sharing! It will be easier for you to handle these kind of stuffs if you are used to it and if you are really determined for your work.
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82
August 7, 2009
great article, thanks…
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83
August 31, 2009
I have using project pier for a last couple of months. It helps to share documents online with other users and set project management. This is a great way to get started
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84
September 7, 2009
Hey , nice to meet you
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85
September 24, 2009
I think “embrace your mistakes” may be the most important. I’ve envisioned hundreds of projects over the years, developed many of them and still I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to try them all. What I’ve learned, however, is that not all of them work, but learning from what was wrong with the project and applying that new-found knowledge to the next project that’s launched is key. I am, however, one with whom “you never know until you try” resonates quite a bit!
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86
October 7, 2009
Yep, this resonates with me… the fear factor…
I think it’s your rule #1 - divide and conquer - that works best for me.
Thank you for sharing… good to know I’m not alone…
Thanks: Rob -
87
October 19, 2009
Fear of failure is the biggest threat to motivation. That’s why I always try to urge people not to TRY, but to DO. Trying os going forward with the intention to fail. Nike really said it best: Just do it, and don’t let anything stop you.
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88
November 2, 2009
Going back to my point made earlier, it’s getting started and overcoming the fears that is the hardest part, but I assure all the weary, muster up enough courage to get going and you’ll be well on your way.
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89
December 3, 2009
Im not a shy person or anything.Its just that I get really nervous when I have to speak in front of crowds.This is also affecting my decison about going back 2 college.I get nervous when I have to speak in front of the class about a project I did or when the teacher calls on me to answer a question.I dont have any problems socializing though.my main problem is that I get real nervous when I have to speak in front of the class.
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90
December 21, 2009
Great post!! This post defintely deserves a 5*. I am so impressed to see people taking their time out of their
hectic daily schedules to to write out an article rich with information with the sincere intention of helping
others. Visit my site if you are in need of free money from the government.Kudos to the author!
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91
January 5, 2010
Great post!! Killing procrastination is a biggest achievement and it needs a lot of discipline and focus. I completely agree with point 2 and 3, thinking that way will definitely help overcome fears. Its like eating a frog, the more you look at it you feel sick and you keep pushing it to the next day, its best to eat the frog immediately and get over it. Eat the frog and procrastinating will only make it worst. Thanks for sharing such an insightful article, it was a great read, will come back for future posts.
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