If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, use these six pointers to make sure you meet with success.
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Today, I’m hanging a door. I’m not a carpenter, but I can get the job done and I’ve learned that what I need to know to successfully hang a door can pretty much apply to anything I want to achieve in life.
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A carefully thought-out plan can save tons of wasted time and lots of headaches.
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I figured out what I’d need, made a list of tools and supplies, and visited the lumber store. After getting together everything for the project, I took it all to the job site and laid it out to make sure I had every single item for the job.
The way I can best get a job done is to focus totally on what I’m doing and stay as focused as possible. I like the acronym for focus that goes like this: Follow One Course Until Successful. Being focused helps me to be successful with just about any task.
To make sure I stay focused while hanging my door, I’m going to do the following:
- Shut off my phone.
- Keep the work area organized and tidy.
- Have a drink and snack available.
- Think of safety first (use safe ladders, proper shoes, safety glasses, shields in place on my tools).
- Have a device available (so I can go online for a ‘how-to’ in case I get stuck).
- Take a short break every two hours or so.
After doing lots of jobs like hanging doors, I’ve come to the conclusion that similar guidelines apply to almost any project, even getting a website up and running or starting a new business. If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, use these six pointers to make sure you meet with success.
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1. Make a Plan: Even though this is the first step, this is where a lot of guys fall flat. If you think like I do, you just want to get the job done. So many times I’ve jumped into something, thinking it’s a good idea, but not entirely thinking it through and making a plan. A carefully thought-out plan can save tons of wasted time and lots of headaches. Allow yourself to spend some time in the planning stage. Talk to people in the know. Write your plan down on paper and review it over a few days or weeks. Make sure your plan includes a specific start date; otherwise, you may never get to it.
2. Gather The Resources You Need: This may include tools, software or even setting up an office. As you move through each step of your project, you’ll need to add to your list as your needs change. Putting the word out that you’re looking for certain things for your project can be a good idea. Sometimes what appears will surprise you.
3. Ask for Help: Nowadays, there are many ways you can outsource for most projects. Having started several businesses in the past, I can say that not asking for help was sometimes my weakness. I thought I needed to do everything myself. My advice is to make two columns on a piece of paper. One column is titled, “Things I Like To Do and Am Good At” and the second column is titled, “Things I Don’t Like To Do.” Sort the jobs you will need to accomplish into the two categories, and then think about how you can outsource the jobs you don’t like to do. A friend or relative may give you a hand, or you may get help from an online outsourcing site. You’ll likely still end up doing some jobs you don’t like, but this is a good start.
4. Stay Organized as You Go: This is important for any sized job. Generally, the more organized you are, the better your chances of success. Make lists and post them to remind yourself of where you’re at and where you’re going. Being organized will help you stay one step ahead of the game. One word of warning, you need to be organized, but you also need to take necessary action and move quickly. Find the balance. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back like it has for thousands of guys with good intentions.
5. Evaluate Your Progress and Adjust Your Course: Sometimes you will need to change direction slightly, just as the pilot does who is allowing for a tailwind. In most cases, your destination will remain the same, but you’ll need to be flexible enough to make changes during your journey.
6. Celebrate Your Success: Sometimes I’ve skipped this step and later concluded it is one of the most important. It can give you confidence for your next project and give you a chance to stop and enjoy your accomplishment. If you’re working on a larger project, celebrate the steps you’ve achieved along the way. Rewarding yourself will give you the spark to carry on and reach your ultimate goal.
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This sounds crazy, but now that my door project is finished, I want to jump around, do a dance and sing a happy song. The new door swings perfectly, the deadbolt locks securely, the knobs work the way they’re supposed to work and the space around the edge of the door is even.
Yay. Now I’m going to focus on celebrating my success.
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Photo: Flickr/ CAHairyBear
