Is it still on the list?
“I still haven’t made progress”, I thought to myself.
Every Monday morning, I set aside time to make my plan for the week. I reflect back on the previous week, progress towards goals I set for myself and the wins and challenges from the last 7 days. Then I look towards the next week, decide what I want to prioritize, and lay out my plans for the week.
I do all of this in a paper planner, which helps keep me focused. And it also means that when something doesn’t get done in the day or week I have planned, I have to manually add it to my list for the next.
In this particular planning session, I was bemoaning the fact that “craft room” was still on the list.
It had been on the list for weeks, but I hadn’t made any progress. So I needed to add it to the list yet again.
Can you relate?
With my background in product and project management, I’m no stranger to a prioritization challenge. I started with confirming with myself that this is, in fact, something I want to tackle. Check, I know that when that space is in order, I feel more creative and inspired, and I’m more likely to take on a variety of projects.
Next up, it was clarifying my goals for this particular task. The room had become overrun with extra supplies, items that had no set home yet, and things I hadn’t put away when I last used them. I decided to narrow my focus to “tidy up” - putting things away and creating homes for those things that didn’t yet had one. Everything else would go on my list at a later date.
With those quick checks out of the way, I realized that my biggest challenge with that particular “to do” task was that it felt a bit overwhelming. I wasn’t quite sure where to start.
Has this ever happened to you?
Getting started on a task or project that isn’t super straightforward can often feel daunting. It’s easy to over think it…I could start here, but maybe it would be better to start there, or maybe I need to get that thing or do this thing or decide this other thing before I can do this task.
We postpone starting that status update because we think we need to find out what our audience wants in the report.
We delay submitting applications because we think we need to craft the perfect custom cover letter.
We wait to take up running until we find the perfect training plan.
If you find yourself unsure where to start on an overwhelming task, here are three ways you could approach it:
Start with what’s valuable
Sometimes looking for the most important part of the task or project gives us a place to focus. What’s one thing that, once complete, would create the biggest impact?
Perhaps you’re preparing for an upcoming vacation. What is one task you can do today to best set up your team for your planned absence? Maybe you’re getting ready to host a friend from out of town. What’s the most important thing you could do to show your friend how excited you are to have them in your home?
Start with an easy win
Often, once we have a little momentum, making more progress becomes easier. Is there an easy place to start to get things going?
Maybe you have a goal to get to inbox zero. Can you easily delete some messages to get to a more manageable starting place? Perhaps you are looking for a new home. Is there a listing that jumps out that you can look at first, to start exploring what’s out there?
Start with what’s interesting
Sometimes we get stuck because what we want to do and what we feel we need to do first are different. But starting with what seems interesting may be the right place to start, if it gets us going.
Perhaps you’re prepping for a big presentation. Would you have the most fun if you started by picking out a couple of photos that align with your topic? Maybe you need to start packing for your trip. Would taking the tags off the new backpack you bought be an enjoyable first step?
For me, I took the third approach and gave myself a 30 minute timer to do whatever seemed interesting in tidying up that craft space. I put away some supplies for the fun projects I had recently completed, threw a few things away, and organized a few things for projects on deck. While I didn’t get through everything in that time, I made a little progress and feel a bit better about what’s left before I can check “craft room” off my to do list.
Which method will you use to get started on something on your list?
Should we talk?
You’re here. You want to be there. I can help.
Let’s talk. Book time, and we’ll figure out how to get you unstuck and get going.
How will you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
August 7 2025
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
Book your free strategy session.
