Are you working on something BIG right now? If you are, my guess is that your to-do list is a mess, some part of you is afraid the project will fall apart, and your stress level is through the roof. You are simply overwhelmed.
As a human being, you have an amazing ability to do this to yourself over and over, all because you consistently overlook basic principles of time management that are easy to forget when you’re in the heat of a major project with intense deadlines.
The reality is this—if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, you are simply being foolish. Being overwhelmed is proof that your perspective has been knocked totally out of whack.
Why?
Because overwhelm is nothing more than a product of becoming too focused on the big picture…when all you really need to worry about is what you must accomplish in the next 15 minutes.
How to Master “Small Bite” 15-Minute Tasks
You can reverse the creation of any project, no matter how huge it might seem, into small components that can each be done in 3-to-15-minute chunks of time. And if you think three minutes can’t be a long time, try jump roping for three minutes. I bet you can’t do it. I’m serious. You cannot do it. Time it. Three minutes is longer than you think.
After working in the publishing industry as both a manager and an author for over 30 years, the example I always come back to is writing a book.
When you reverse the creation of a book, you see that each one is made up of chapters. Every chapter is made up of paragraphs. Every paragraph is made up of sentences. Every sentence is made up of words. Every word is made up of letters.
With that in mind, think about the big project YOU want to start (or are currently working on), and do the following:
1. List the 10 main components that make up your project. Pick one and hone in on the one aspect of that component on which you can spend the next 15 minutes. Self-publishing an eBook might look like this:
- Create a list of titles.
- Write the “back cover” copy.
- Write the content.
- Hire someone to edit the content.
- Find a graphic artist to design the cover and lay out the pages.
- Convert into .epub and .mobi formats.
- Upload to Kindle, Nook, and iBooks stores.
- Write sales copy.
- Hire someone to create a landing page.
- Promote, promote, promote.
Some of those tasks could be totally scratched off your list with 15 minutes of intense work. If you spend 15 minutes creating a list of titles, you will at the very least create a wave of momentum that will keep the ideas coming for the next 24-48 hours.
2. Ride the motivation. The funny thing about motivation is that it only truly comes after you start working and creating movement. Despite the millions of “motivational” books, programs, and speakers out there, the truth is that none of that stuff provides real, looong lasting motivation.
Think about it—when do you feel motivated? Before you sit down and make yourself start working on something…or after you’ve pushed through those initial feelings of discomfort and the really good ideas start to flow?
Once you hit that wave of motivation, keep riding it. Every 15 minutes, move on to the next 15-minute task.
3. Realize that you’re halfway there. One time in high school I was totally stuck on writing a term paper. I had all these ideas, but wasn’t sure of the direction I wanted to take. When I asked my teacher for help, he offered a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since.
“Robert,” he said, “just start. Starting is half finished.”
Start. Right now. No matter how unsure of yourself you may be. Take that leap forward, list your 10 tasks, and pick the one thing you’re going to give 100% of your focus to for the next 15 minutes. If you stay focused on the 15-minute moment in front of you, you can forget about feeling overwhelmed.
So often we completely overestimate what we are capable of doing in the next year…while drastically underestimating what we can do in the next 15 minutes. This moment is all you have. Don’t underestimate its power.
What will you do with the next 15 minutes? Yes, I literally mean the NEXT 15 minutes.
Great article!
In the next 15 minutes I will start the car, pack some snacks, feed the stray cat in the backyard, leave for work, stop at gas station, pump gas, continue on to work.
Thank-YOU for reading, Heidi! Sounds like an active next 15 minutes. Repeat this process throughout the day and you’ll be amazed at all you’re getting done by the time it’s over!
This is a great point. Several weeks ago I posted on my blog “Why the Big Picture is Overrated” – The Big Picture is so big it becomes overwhelming. We are more effective when we are able to post small. – For my next 15 minutes – (Actually an hour) I am off to lunch and I will read something not work related
That’s awesome, Jon! Glad to hear we’re on the same wavelength. 🙂
Thank you Robert for a great article!!! For me overwhelmed = confused. Focusing on one task 100% takes that confusion away. Thanks again.
Agreed, Abilene! None of us work well when we are truly overwhelmed. It leads to a lack of certainty, missed deadlines, and eventually unhappiness. Thank-YOU for reading!
I agree that bite-sized pieces are the easiest way to avoid overwhelm and to get focused on each task. Your advice is great! My next fifteen minutes will be working on my weekly email newsletter and I think motivation might be a good topic 🙂
Thanks, Stacey! Love it. Here’s to your next 15 minutes…they sound very productive. 🙂
I love this, thank you! I’m nearly always feeling overwhelmed, but I was surprised that at the end of reading your post I actually managed to accomplish something pretty big in less than 15 minutes!
Try http://blog.mytasker.com/ as well. It got
some great ideas and some good perspectives on
things.
Dread is really a position wherever you merely explain to the reality.
-Clive Barker
Thrown away junior is best by far the actual any smart and profitable retirement years.
-Meatloaf
Look for the facts, no matter where it is situated.
-Metallica
The particular irrational person feel together with small mind and also speak
with broad lips.
-Charlie Face
There isn’t any expertise that is not electrical power.
-Mortal Kombat 3
We still have too many hung juries and never adequate put defendants.
-Dennis Callier
Conservatives would like live babies just for them to increase the crooks to possibly be lifeless soldiers.
-George Carlin
The effectiveness of the actual Constitution is completely within the willpower of citizen to guard it.
-Albert Einstein
Almost any strategy, it doesn’t matter exactly how the wrong
way conceived, in the event that plainly implemented, surpasses inaction.
-U. Utes. Infantry Manual
Affection can no longer go bad a young child versus sunlight might be
created by way of a ocean connected with gas.
-L. Ron Hubbard
A fan can be a nut who’s something to believe inside.
-Dean Koontz
If Lord exists seriously isn’t since critical since whether or not some sort of
perception inside God exists.
-Daniel Knutson, SG-1
People who help to make calm trend impossible will make thrashing revolution inescapable
-John Y. Kennedy
A tax-supported, mandatory academic method would be the full type of this totalitarian express
-Isabel Paterson
An individual’s an individual, regardless of precisely how modest.
-Dr. Suess
Puritanism: The actual haunting concern that will a person, anywhere, could be content.
-H. L. Mencken
Person could be the only animal of which blushes… or must.
-Mark Twain
Good sense is not everything widespread.
-Voltaire
Exactly why is it that will, being a tradition, i am more comfortable discovering a pair of males keeping firearms in comparison with positioning hands?
-Ernest Gaines
Resist significantly. Obey very little.
-Walt Whitman
Some sort of patriot would be wise to prepare yourself to guard his region against it is federal.
-Edward Abbey
Reporters are puppets. These people purely interact to the yank of the most extremely effective strings.
-Lyndon Johnson
Mothers and fathers can merely provide advice or maybe wear them the suitable pathways, nevertheless the ultimate developing of your model’s persona is based on their very own hands.
-Anne Honest
Thou shalt maintain practically nothing above cause along with judgement.
-The 2nd Commandment associated with Adept Galen
Thou shalt query everything; nothing is earlier mentioned
difficult task.
-The 2nd Commandment involving Master Galen
Get older is usually an matter regarding head above matter.
If you don’t intellect, it doesn’t matter.
-Mark Twain
A casual wander over the lunatic asylum signifies that faith
doesn’t verify everything.
-Nietzsche
University snowboards nowadays go after by themselves to broaden their own mission well beyond education.
-John Gary. Roberts
Fundamental The legal, U. Ohydrates. Gigantic The courtroom
The top issues within life are usually illegitimate.
There’s no time for it to discriminate; dislike each and
every motherfucker that is as part of your
technique.
-Marilyn Manson
Your Nationwide Junior Protection under the law Association
: Check out these people, motherfucker!
Now i am wanting to similar to people, it is merely and so tough for you to weed over the
ridiculous ones.
-Becker
Ten My very own A kind of fortification — So near becoming cool,
it truly is alarming.
Coalition In opposition to Institutionalized Child Punishment
North america never permit a lack of just about any actual threat
spoil a superb anxiety.
-Danny Harkins, Cracked. com
Inside a society by which it is a meaningful offense being completely different from the neighbor the simply evade
is to not ever enable all of them learn.
-Robert Any. Heinlein
My partner and i doubt in the event that you can find virtually any reasonable people to
whom the saying ‘fuck’ will be specially diabolical, revolting or
even absolutely unacceptable
-Kenneth Tynan
Orthodoxy suggests definitely not pondering – not being forced
to believe
-George Orwell, “1984”
Man salvation is based on the actual arms of the wonderfully
maladjusted.
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ..
Our existence begin to conclusion the day all of us turn out
to be muted regarding stuffs that make any difference.
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.
When you are correct you cannot become too radical;
when you find yourself incorrect, you are unable to become far too traditional.
-Dr. Martin Luther Double, Jr.
Almost nothing in most the planet can be a lot more dangerous
compared to truthful prejudice in addition to thorough stupidity.
-Dr. Martin Luther Double, Jr ..
Illuminate folks, generally, as well as tyranny and oppressions involving
mind and body may fade like state of mind for the dawn regarding day.
-Thomas Jefferson
The man whom scans very little is much better prepared compared to the
guy that states nothing but newspaper publishers.
-Thomas Jefferson
The particular can with the persons may be the only respectable basis associated with virtually any govt,
and to guard it’s totally free term need to be each of our first thing.
-Thomas Jefferson
If I am just wrong, explain to us I am completely wrong. Never consult everyone about protocol.
-Dr. Gregory House
Feel away from package, and then rape this pack, shit in the box in addition to gentle this burning, and then rape it again.
-Anonymous
Of bad men religious awful adult men will be the worst.
-C. S. Lewis
I hold this that a little rebellion, sometimes, is an excellent factor, so that as needed from the politics planet as thunder or wind storms inside the real.
-Thomas Jefferson
Those who might surrender vital liberty to buy slightly temporary security, ought to get not liberty or safe practices.
-Benjamin Franklin
Respect to scared view never out of cash a new cycle or liberated any man heart and soul.
-Mark Twain
Provided that government entities can be perceived as doing work for the main benefit of the children, the people will probably contentedly withstand virtually any curtailment regarding freedom along with almost any starvation.
-Adolf Hitler
It is the stupidest kids who definitely are one of the most idiotic as well as the stupidest grown-ups that are one of the most grown-up.
-C. Ersus. Lewis, The actual Gold Easy chair
Should you converse the truth, possess a single feet inside stirrup.
-Turkish adage
The very first Change features put up any walls among community center and state. Which wall membrane has to be stored high and also impregnable. We’re able to not say yes to the particular tiniest break.
-Justice Hugo Black color
Meaningful indignation: jealousy with a halo.
-H. Gary the gadget guy. Wells
We have to value one other fellow’s faith, nevertheless solely in the perception in order to this level that individuals regard the theory in which the spouse will be beautiful and also his / her youngsters intelligent.
-H. L. Mencken
Nobody will be more absolutely week, far more absolutely any target, when compared with they who are able to not opt for nor adjust nor escape the protectors.
-John Holt
Many good realities start off while blasphemies.
-George Bernard Shaw
The terrorist can be anyone who has any blast yet can?t have the funds for the oxygen power.
-William Blum
Disobedience, from the face associated with individuals who have study historical past, is usually man’s original virtue.
It truly is as a result of disobedience which development has been manufactured, through
disobedience and through rebellion.
-Oscar Wilde
Madness within people is usually one thing uncommon; however in
communities, celebrations, nations, in addition to epochs
it’s the guideline.
-Nietzsche
Disobedience could be the legitimate groundwork of freedom. Your obedient must be slaves.
-Henry Brian Thoreau
We must question the tale reason of having a great all-knowing all-powerful God, who results in bad mankind, after which blames these people pertaining to her own blunders.
-Gene Roddenberry
The problem while using the planet will be that this stupid tend to be cocksure as well as the wise are rich in doubt.
-Bertrand Russell
Patriotism is the best conviction that this region is finer quality than other countries since you also were being given birth to inside it.
-George Bernard Shaw
We mistrust those individuals who understand therefore nicely exactly what God wishes these phones complete since My spouse and i discover it generally coincides because of their own dreams.
-Susan M. Anthony
Each and every state figuring out it offers the only legitimate religion and also the just rational system connected with federal government, just about every despising every one of the other people, each a rear end and not suspecting the idea.
-Mark Twain
As soon as good adjustments come about of all time, while good ideas are participating, generally the majority is inappropriate.
-Eugene Sixth is v. Debs
Us residents accustomed to roar similar to elephants pertaining to freedom; today most of us bleat like sheep regarding safety measures.
-Norman Vincent Peale
Everyone’s focused on stopping terrorism.
Very well, there is a really easy approach; cease taking
part in the item.
-Noam Chomsky
Democracy is usually 4 wolves as well as a lamb voting about what to get with regard to lunch time.
-Ambrose Bierce
The history regarding liberty is usually a record involving amount of resistance.
Bicycles regarding freedom is often a history connected with limitations of governmental energy, not necessarily this boost of the usb ports.
-Woodrow Wilson
All of us hold this petty robbers in addition to designate
the great versions to help community place of work.
-Aesop
Within issues involving conscience, regulations regarding
majority doesn’t have any area.
-Mohandas Gandhi
That will which can be wrecked because of the real truth must be.
-P. Chemical. Hodgell
The difficulties that you can get nowadays is not resolved by the level of convinced that made all of them.
-Albert Einstein
Innocence is ignorance inside a frilly white dress
-Julio Gutierrez
Web design manager, ASFAR
Any deceive will make the rule, as well as each and every idiot will certainly mind the idea.
-Henry Mark Thoreau
Logical fights tend not to generally work on non secular people; or else, generally there would be not any religious people.
-Dr. Gregory Home
Off tyrannies, the tyranny best regards worked out for your beneficial regarding their persons could be the many oppressive.
-C. Ersus. Lewis
In the event that Christ were in this article, there is one thing he would not necessarily end up being: a new Alfredia.
-Mark Twain
People shouldn’t be scared with their government authorities.
Governments needs to be scared of the persons.
-V regarding Vendetta
If consumers are excellent simply because they anxiety abuse along with
expect a reward, next i am the apologies great deal in fact.
-Albert Einstein
Recognized SnipeMe. com Myspace
Ethical busybodies usually are acquiring the properly good concept
household and also using it like a value regarding censorship the same technique ‘states’
rights’ ended up being accustomed to conceal racism within the mid-sixties.
-John Rich waters
Moralizing and also morals usually are a pair of solely different things and they are usually within entirely families.
-Don Herold
It can be greater to understand the actual galaxy since it really is compared to to help remain throughout delusion, on the other hand satisfying and encouraging.
-Carl Sagan
In case most of us are unable to consider intended for themselves, in the event we are resistant to be able to question specialist, subsequently we live merely putty in the palms of people with electric power. However, if the people are generally educated as well as style their unique opinions, after that those in energy help us.
-Carl Sagan
With or devoid of religious beliefs, you should possess great people doing nutrients and wicked individuals performing bad items. But for great visitors to do bad points, of which takes religious beliefs.
-Steven Weinberg
Never ever feature for you to malice that will which can be properly discussed by means of ignorance.
-Hanlon’s electric shaver
Almost any completely state-of-the-art incompetence is
actually indistinguishable from malice.
-Grey’s Law
Genius often have it is restrictions, although silliness is not therefore impaired.
-Elbert Hubbard
We find requested easily brain when a person uses up the tunes. I am just simply flattered that individuals need to.
-Corey Cruz
Government entities in the Country is not in any feeling launched within the Orlando Religious beliefs.
-Treaty associated with Tripoli
Write-up 11 (1797)
Give SnipeMe Some Fucking Internets!
What can possibly be a fact with out research is usually dismissed without evidence.
-Christopher Hitchens
Folks should never pledge allegiance on the government; government entities should pledge allegiance on the individuals.
-Michael Lind
Reserve your directly to consider, pertaining to even to consentrate wrongly surpasses not to believe by any means
-Hypatia associated with Alexandria
Wizard’s Primary Rule: Individuals are dumb. They may
imagine the lie possibly since they want it to be accurate or even due to the fact they may be scared it really is legitimate.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s Next Guideline: The maximum injury can be a consequence of the most effective objectives.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s 3rd Guideline: Love policies purpose, Pertaining to far better as well as with regard to more painful.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s Fourth Principle: There’s magic in genuine forgiveness; within
the forgiveness you offer, although more
so in the forgiveness you get.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s 6th Rule: Intellect exactly who accomplish, not merely exactly what that they say, for deeds will betray some sort of sit.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s 6th Rule: Really the only sovereign it is possible to permit
for you to concept people is actually motive.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s 7th Tip: Living may be the long term, not yesteryear.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s 8th Tip: Are worthy of triumph.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s 9th Concept: Some sort of contradiction can’t exist in
fact. Certainly not to some extent, neither in whole.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s Tenth Guideline: Willfully rotating besides the facts are treason to be able to one’s
home.
-Terry Goodkind
Wizard’s Eleventh Rule: You are able to destroy people who converse reality, but you can’t destroy the truth itself.
-Terry Goodkind
I am moving from how far better train our students for you to precisely how at low costs we could take action.
-Tim Callahan
Specialized Relationship associated with Ga Tutors
Each and every creation imagines itself to be a
lot more brilliant in comparison with the one which journeyed ahead
of it, and more advisable than one that comes after that.
-George Orwell
Lets abolish the phrase ‘childish’ mainly because adults usually bring about the largest issues.
-Adora Svitak
For any simple nevertheless amusing interval [Dance Boogie Revolution] seemed to be the subsequent
major ‘Threat To your Children. ha That will let you know every little thing you need to know in relation to those people reports.
-Cracked. com
Youngsters can be misused on the youthful – Guru will be lost around the older
-Jackie Ferro
Chief executive, NYRA Nanuet
War is actually abundant old adult males guarding their house by sending middle type and reduce school teenage boys off of in order to perish. The idea generally may be.
-George Carlin
While one individual suffers from some sort of misconception, it can be known as insanity. Whenever many people experience a misconception it is known as any Faith.
-Robert L. Pirsig
Initial, whilst you had been sleep yesterday evening, 40, 000 children died connected with hunger or maybe disorders related to malnutrition. 2nd, almost all of you don’t supply a shit.
What is worse can be that you are more distressed
with the truth that I explained shit in comparison with the fact that
40, 000 kids past away yesterday.
-Pastor Tony Campolo
Never ever become a spectator involving unfairness or silliness.
Search for discussion in addition to disputation with regards to individual cause.
-Christopher Hitchens
Skepticism empathy; favor pride for you while others.
Don’t be afraid for being believed conceited or even egotistical.
-Christopher Hitchens
Consider danger involving imagining by yourself. Far more joy, simple fact, elegance, as well as information can come for you because of this.
-Christopher Hitchens.
Fairly! I thought this was a really wonderful post. Thanks a lot for ones supplied info.
Greetings! Beneficial advice on this post! Is it doesn’t
tiny alterations that leave the greatest modifications. Cheers a whole lot pertaining to discussing!
Hello there! This kind of write-up couldn’t end up
being prepared much better! Examining this particular post reminds me personally involving my previous bedroom lover!
He or she often maintained talking about this.
I’ll forwards this article to help him or her. Convinced he will have a very good go through. Thank you intended for expressing!
Howdy, I do think your site might be possessing internet browser compatibility issues. While i take a look at your site throughout Firefox, the item looks fine although when opening in Ie, it’s got some overlapping.
I simply wanted to provide you with a simple
minds upwards! Various other and then that will, great blog site!
Acquiring study this kind of My partner and i considered it turned out very helpful.
My spouse and i enjoy you making the effort as well as attempt to put this informative article collectively.
We once more find myself personally investing approach to long equally looking at along with
commenting. Nevertheless what exactly, it
had been still worth it!
In the end, what a fantastic web page and also
useful content, I most certainly will post incoming link – book mark that web site?
Regards, Audience.
Hello! I could truthfully have sworn I’ve visited your blog
just before however after going through a number of the article My spouse and i
realized it’s new at all to us. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted
I ran across the item along with I’ll always be book-marking
and also examining returning generally!
I’d ought to examine along with you right here.
And that is probably none factor I usually carry out!
We delight in reading the article which could help make persons believe.
In addition, appreciate it pertaining to permitting me personally in order to review!
I desired to help thank you just for this fantastic understand!
! I definitely savoring each and every amount of the item I’ve an individual saved to look at fresh material anyone post…
Hi, I truly do consider this particular is a superb blog. When i found it in Google, i am going to return once more. Cash and also independence is actually the easiest method to adjust, may well people be rich as well as assist others.
This blog is probably somewhat useful due to the fact I’m at the moment developing a good world wide web flowered web page – though We are simply starting therefore it’s definitely rather little, not like this site. Can certainly url to a few of the content the following while they are quite. Many thanks significantly. Zoey Olsen
Thanx for your work, maintain the excellent perform Excellent perform, My goal is to take up a small Blog site Serp course perform with your site I’m
hoping you like it blogging and site-building while
using well-known BlogEngine. web. Thethoughts an individual convey are really wonderful.
Wish you might appropriate a lot more posts.
Your style is distinctive in comparison with a great many other persons.
Thanks a lot regarding submitting when you’ve got the chance, Suppose I’ll simply just get this saved.
two
Those are your own house alright!. Many of us at the very least have to get these individuals
stealing photos to start out blogging and site-building! These people probably merely does a graphic lookup as well as got them.
They seem excellent even though!
I bought great information through your web site
Great lineup. I will be backlinking to the present good article in each of our site.
Maintain the favorable producing.
This is the very good ideas specifically
in order to these not used to blogosphere, brief as well as correct information… Cheers with
regard to discussing this place. Important examine write-up.
I couldn’t fight commenting
Saved like a preferred, I adore your blog!
Excellent publish. We are experiencing several most of these complications.
Method great, many legitimate points! My partner and i get pleasure from you
making this post offered, all of those other website is additionally good quality.
Employ a exciting.
Good wordpress blog the following.. It’s difficult to acquire high quality producing such as the one you have nowadays.
I truly enjoy individuals like you! be aware
That is a subject matter all around our heart best wishes, where
by are generally your own speak to facts even though?
I adore your site.. good colorings & theme. Performed anyone develop this site yourself?
Plz respond back again while I’m looking to develop my very own
web site along with wish to understand wheere u bought this from.
thank you
Hi there, only essential one to know We this individual added your
internet site to my Google book marks because of your current page layout.
Nevertheless critically, I believe your website features 1 in the latest topic We?
? ve came across. It particularly can make studying your blog drastically
less complicated.
I adore this any time individuals get together along with discuss ideas,
fantastic web site, continue.
Excellent information. Lucky everyone My spouse and i accomplish with your website unintentionally, We bookmarked the item.
they blog ended up being how to claim it… pertinent, eventually a thing that helped me.
Many thanks
Anything is extremely start and very obvious description
regarding concerns. had been genuinely facts.
Your internet site is incredibly practical. Thank you intended for expressing.
I’d really like to help thnkx to the work you’ve got
place in publishing this site. I am hoping identical high-grade post through a person in the upcoming at the same time.
Actually your own resourceful composing abilities offers prompted
me for getting my weblog today. Actually the blogging will be spreading their wings swiftly.
Your jot down can be a good example of the item.