Finish Any Project by Designing it into Three Stages

Any project you can think of can be designed and more readily finished by recognizing that it has three essential stages – a beginning, middle, and an ending.

Whether you are writing an article, cleaning out the garage, or starting a new business, you intuitively know this to be true.

Logically, most folks start at the beginning.  They are anxious to get started and just decide to figure things out as they go.

While this may be an effective strategy for taking a leisurely walk or bike ride, it’s not the best approach when the quality of the finished result needs to work well – to fulfill a definite purpose.

I’d like to suggest a different approach that will speed up the design process – and make your execution much easier and faster.

Design the Ending First and It Will Work Out Better

I’m in the process of writing a book that I have started more than once.  In fact, I wrote 50% of the book before I realized I didn’t know with absolute clarity where I was going.

More importantly, I had not fully explored all of the possible outcomes. When you start with the ending you get a very clear picture from which you can then work into making a reality.

Using my book publishing project as an example, I began to explore its contents in a creative way – and decided that I did not have to follow the traditional rules.  This helped me to think more deeply about how I could enhance its value for my readers.

This helped me to get more clear about the needs of my readers.  I began to think a lot less about the book and more about folks like you – small businesses that want to keep your online marketing simple, while still getting practical results that move your business forward.

When you design the ending first you can get intensely focused on what matters most – the user experience and the value that is derived from your successful project.

Design the Middle to Be Clear About the Necessary Steps and Ingredients

Once you are clear about the finished product, you can really get creative about how to get there.  This means you don’t have to do all of the work yourself.

You’ll likely discover that involving others will make your project better.  How will you involve them?  What’s in it for them?  These are the kinds of things that will easily come to mind.

When you are writing a book you are challenged with what to include – and what to leave out. One of my aha moments was to keep a running list of ideas that come to me every day.

Those ideas will be a valuable resource that will accelerate my progress. If I happen to get stuck, I’ll sift through my inventory of ideas.  They are there if I need them.  If not, I’ll use them on the next project.

But why wait for that? How about using your intermediary ideas in a new project that brings more energy and focus to your major project?

This way you can have that feeling of accomplishment that keeps you energized.  You know this feeling.

Long-term projects are often abandoned because you cannot see the finish line – or because you run out of energy. Starting with the ending helps you see that finish line, no matter how far off it is.

Completing an intermediary project empowers you with a sense of accomplishment that inspires you to keep going.

Design the Beginning to Hold Yourself Accountable

Here’s what I wrote for the beginning of my project:

Be fearless – and have fun.

Be relentless – don’t stop.

Get emotional – go deep.

Laugh off the naysayers.

Make everything easy – but do the work.

“Write” when you are running, or biking, or taking the dog for a walk.

Find the right habits.

The beginning of every projects feels like work. The more you can make it an enjoyable, personal challenge, the easier your work will be.

The inspiration for this article came from a formula a screenwriter shared with me about how every successful film is created.  Here’s the formula:  Somebody does something and it works out.

Somebody is the main character of the film.  You are the main character of your project.

Doing something well requires a cast. Get the help you need to make your project easier.

Most films have a happy ending.  Start with that and you will more effectively build the process for effectively achieving it.

What is the one project you have been putting off that you would really like to finish?

Leave a comment below or share this with your social community on Facebook or Twitter.  You may also wish to try the Google+1 button in the red bar at the bottom of your browser.

Until tomorrow,  Jeff

Photo Credit: maxintosh
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