“When considering a new project, it might help to make three lists:
- A list of everything that has to be true for this to be a good project (things you can look up, research or otherwise prove).
- A list of all the skills you don’t have that would be important for this project to work (things you can learn, or hire).
- And a list of everything you’re afraid of, or things that are essential and that are out of your control.
On paper, it’s a lot easier to find the real truth.” Seth Godin
I was talking to a parent who has a child in the midst of doing a research paper. Our conversation reminded me of my school years and the dread that would come over me when I had to do a research paper. As I look back, the step-by-step process we had to follow and the deadlines we had to meet were great training for “real life”, but back then, I dreaded every moment of it. If I had done what Seth Godin suggests above, I would have probably unearthed some hidden doubts about my writing abilities, my under-developed ability to synthesize information, and my fear of having my mother, an English major, critique my paper. Having known that, I might have rallied my resources differently and not waited until the last minute to do it all. Hindsight is 20/20!
I don’t write research papers any more but I do have to work on projects and tasks all day long — we all do. When you are faced with a significant task or project, consider these three lists … it might be the difference between a stressful or stress-free experience!
