Hey, Creative LJ Peoples!

[allizon]

Maybe this is only an issue for those of us who are all ADD, maybe not, but:  

When you're thinking about/planning/even vaguely considering a Big Project, one which can't possibly be done in a week or less...how do you get started on something Big?  How do you know where/at what point to dive in -- how much planning or prep work is enough?  How do you measure your progress?  Or maintain your enthusiasm for the project and not let it just all...drift away?

I'm very curious here.  I want to do something Big but can't seem to keep my focus on any one project long enough, so I wonder if I'm just Doin It Wrong.  Help?

ETA:  So I successfully completed National Novel Writing Month -- I did just over 53,000 words in 30 days.  That was Big, right?  But it also had a very small window attached to it, and an external deadline (of a sort).  So I can sprint toward Big, but I think the kinds of Big Projects I'm vaguely thinking of here aren't so much sprints as marathons.  I clearly need marathon planning/training.  :)

ETA 2:  As I was responding to various comments below, a link to this post about discipline on Zen Habits popped up for me in Twitter.  Thanks, Universe!

Comments

[badlittlemonkey.livejournal.com]

I've tried breaking down projects before into smaller and smaller bits until it they were manageable chunks...and then still never made any progress after that. But you're right, I think doing that to some degree or another would be very helpful for the organizing; then I just have to get the motivation part down. Thank you!

And assuming that at some point I'm actually going to meet you -- it seems inevitable -- I'd love to talk to you about this kind of thing. :)

[veek.livejournal.com]

Oh, we definitely have to meet more than in passing at parties. (I'm pretty sure I've been in the same room with you.)

The external accountability bit that Molly mentions is also very useful; aroraborealis offered to do that with me when I was writing my dissertation, and I didn't even know her very well, but I found this super helpful. I'd also be happy to "hear" about your progress on IM, or something. :)

[badlittlemonkey.livejournal.com]

(I'm pretty sure I've been in the same room with you.)

I would wager the chances of this being true are very, very strong. I hope next time it happens, we actually get formally introduced and talking happens. :)

I'm really getting the sense that this external accountability thing will have to be a big part of it. I think that previously when I've tried it, it's been more of a general "Hey, world, I'm gonna do this thing!"...but I don't have one person or a small group of people that I appoint as my Ass-Kickers General. I think that would work much better. So thank you (and aroraborealis!) for the idea! (And I just might take you up on being one of those people!)

[rintrahroars.livejournal.com]

I'd be honored to be an ass-kicker general. I have boots!

[badlittlemonkey.livejournal.com]

Sweetheart, you are always Ass-Kicker Number One. I think my problem before was that I didn't put enough specificity on what I needed from you. I intend for that to change next time.

Also...hey, nice boots! ;)

[concrete.livejournal.com]

work breakdown into laughably simple steps, and dedicating time in my calendar to work on them for a (short) time works for me.

[badlittlemonkey.livejournal.com]

Maybe that's part of what I'm missing...the scheduling. I'll break tasks down, write 'em down and everything, but still don't dedicate time to getting them done. I think I'll give that a shot. :)