Every journey starts with a first step. That frightening, anxiety-ridden first step. Why do we pause?
- Are we scared?
- Are we prudent?
- Are we frozen?
I learned that the first thing to do is to reduce the directions to take with the first step. Should I go north, south, east or west? If you know what direction you don't want to go, that increases the possibility of going in the right direction.
OK - how do we take this notion and apply it to our work?
- To do good work, you need to do things you have never done before - take a risk.
- This journey, takes a 'first step.'
- Decide what direction you are going to go. This involves deciding such things as:
- What are the company's goals for this journey?
- Who can I get to assist me on my journey?
- How much effort am I willing to put in?
- Are you all-in or just surviving?
- When is it due? You will need to match the effort to the time available.
The other item I learned is that you cannot eat an elephant in one bite. What does that mean?
- Break the larger/longer journey into smaller easier trips. Take your project and separate it into smaller sub-projects.
- Anxiety is reduced when smaller steps and more goals that can be reached are created. Anxiety is what stops us from taking those uncertain steps on the journey.
Your life's journeys need to be nurtured, but can not be fully realized without taking the first step. Take a step today.
This post was originally published on David’s blog Connecting the [Data]…
David Haynes, NCARB, PMP, LEED AP
Ideate Director of Consulting
David is a Registered Architect, Project Management Certified Professional, who previously had his own architectural practice and was President of a commercial design–build construction company for 15 years. A graduate of University of Arizona, he has worked as an Architect, contractor, developer and as a national construction manager for a national retailer. David currently provides business process analysis, data integration, and change management solutions for AEC clients across the United States involved in the design and construction industry. Follow David on Twitter.