“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” ~Mark Twain, American author & humorist
And the rest of the quote goes: “The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”
Duh.
I tend to over-complicate things. Spend too much time staring at the big picture and letting it overwhelm me. Then the “I can’t” thoughts ramp and before too long, I’m accomplishing nothing.
Sometimes it’s the simplest truths that make the biggest difference in our lives, isn’t it? Rather than try to tackle the big picture — the whole thing, that never-gonna-get-it-all-finished everything — all I need to do is get started. Or, as my husband likes to say: Do the next thing.
Getting ahead is as brilliantly simple as that.
In Your Words: It’s Monday. Got a lot to do? Don’t worry about finishing — don’t think about Friday. What one thing do you need to do to get started?
Comments 36
Your hubby and my hubby would get along great. My hubby always says that “if you’re worried about something, get to work on it. Start on it and you will feel better.”
I agree. We just need to take it one thing at a time.
🙂
Loree,
It’s the truth.
The challenge is when there’s a lot of “one things” waiting.
The reality is you can only do one of them at a time . . . so ya gotta pick one.
I LOVE this! This has been my motto ever since we said yes to adoption. Because there about a million cajillion things to get done and when I look at all of them, I start to hyperventilate. But if I look at just one thing at a time, if I look at just one day at a time and figure out what to do that day, then I’m good! I can do that! God is the MASTER at giving us our daily bread.
Katie,
I can’t even imagine all you have to do as you walk the adoption path … praying for you.
And yes, thanks for the reminder of looking for (and expecting) only “our daily bread.”
I do try to break down big projects, and yes, they are so much more agreeable when they are in small bits. And not so overwhelming. Like putting a collection together for a book – just work on one story at a time. Before you know it – collection done (or getting there, anyway!).
How did writer Anne Lamott say it?
Bird by bird. Bird by bird.
Good quote. I need to review my submission for DT therapy one last time and then lots of poetry for a gentleman I edit for. It will be good to approach both bit by bit.
One thing at a time … and then you get started. Sounds like a fun Monday …
🙂
That’s soooo refreshing to hear and to think about. Like you, I tend to get overwhelmed if I look at everything I have to. Today, my one thing is to work on rewriting a chapter in my novel. Thanks, Beth! Have a great Monday.
So true!!
First thing I’m going to do? Change out of my pjs. 🙂
You’re ahead of me, Coleen!
😉
Like I tell my daughters: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. This morning, my bite is finishing the synopsis to send to Susie.
Another thing I tell them: If there’s something you have to do, but are dreading it…do it first. Get it out of the way. Makes everything else so much easier.
I like both of those thoughts, Pat.
Now, what am I dreading?
Hhmmmm …
Coming back to read later, but wanted to share a couple of thoughts. Hopefully they’re not also shared above me. 🙂
First, that whole eating the elephant thing–so helpful to break things down into bite-size–accomplishable tasks.
When I taught, I’d create units beginning with the big picture. Then, I’d break that down into subpoints (think outline). Then, I’d break those down into the steps needed to eventually accomplish the big picture. 🙂
Using Susan May Warren’s resources to prepare to write has been so helpful in learning how to write a novel. This week, my goal is to write the last few scenes and write “The End.” I’ll begin that by writing one scene at a time. 🙂
Yay! Jeanne. There’s just something about writing The End. I’m so proud for you.
Having watched you systematically write scene by scene by scene, I know you’ve worked hard to get to “The End.” Jeanne.
You’re almost there.
How shall we celebrate?
🙂
I’m going to think on that and get back to you. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder, much needed!
🙂 I needed it as much as anyone else.
When I’m in situations like this I like to reflect on…Bob. Ever seen What About Bob?
Baby steps. Baby steps. 😉
~ Wendy
What About Bob: One of my husband’s favorite movies.
🙂
Love this – Yes! Baby steps…. I will now have Bill Murray in my head all day as I work… 🙂
I too am one who looks at the entire task and is overwhelmed to the point of paralysis sometimes. “Do what’s next” seems a no-brainer to some, but a needed reminder for us all-or-nothin types. I have a weird system for doing my work (church office manager doing everything from bookkeeping, recordkeeping, publicicity, media prep, preschool administration, webmistressing, etc etc) : I tend to want to get everything done at once, and don’t want to forget something, so I am often seen with 14 or more piles of work around me at my L-shaped desk. I tend to try to do them all at once. Yes, I know, this is ridiculous. But I’ve not been able to change this compulsion, so I’ve learned to roll with it. I sometimes flit from stack to stack keeping at the piles until they’re all done. Helps keep me focused, maybe. Or maybe I just like to look like I’m really busy. 🙂
What’s the next thing? Oh, shower. Yes, I believe I can do that…. 🙂
Hhhm. Methinks I need an L-shape desk. Right next to yours, Camille.
🙂
Excellent advice, Beth. I needed to hear it. I tend to focus on a whole task at once and feel overwhelmed when what would serve me better is putting my detail-oriented mind to work on one small portion.
Glad this quote helped you, Keli. I need the reminder too. This is a new favorite quote.
Good stuff, Beth. And sooooo fitting for a Monday. The one thing I need to do today to get started: Focus. I had an emotional jumble of a weekend (not bad, just roller coastery 🙂 ) and now I just need to FOCUS. (And probably have another cup of coffee too) 🙂
And so the next question is: What are you focusing on, Melissa?
#1.
#2.
#3.
😉
I have a zillion things to get done but here I sit:) Thanks for the encouraging words!
Me too … back to my zillion. Hope you’re zillion things get whittled down.
🙂
I love this, Beth! I’m all about chunking my big to-dos into little manageable pieces. 🙂
🙂
I sometimes overcomplicate things by looking at the whole picture instead of the small steps needed to get it done. This year, I’m trying to look at the smaller steps first.
Is it working, Stacy?
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