9 Laws of a Project

If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner, you probably have a project.

Or two.

Or three.

Or fifty-eight.

I'm not talking about your daily to-do's or the actual work you do with clients and customers. I'm talking about the bigger projects that move you and your business forward.

Redoing your website.
Creating a new product.
Designing a 13-part eCourse to go along with an existing product.
Creating a speaker packet.
Sending out speaking inquiries.
Writing your book.
Publishing your book.
Creating a marketing plan for the next six months.

These aren't quick to-do's that you can put on Thursday's task list and expect to cross off by the end of the day.

These are big honkin' mammoths that have plenty of moving parts. By design, they span a time frame and are made up of many action steps.

And usually - and this is the problem - they're important, but not urgent. They don't fall in the realm of getting back to a client or doing client work or writing your ezine, even.

They're to move you forward and help you reach your bigger goals.

But since they're not urgent and they don't need to be done TODAY, they can slip away on a daily basis. To get these projects done (and want to do them because you believe in them - more on that in Law #1), you need to follow the 9 Laws of a Project.

Law #1: You must be clear on why you're even doing this project in the first place - on your purpose and the desired outcome. If your desired outcome isn't tied somehow to a big WHY or your values system, you won't be motivated to do it. In other words, "Because it's the right thing to do" or "I should do it" isn't enough to make you really do the work you need to do.

Law #2: A project cannot get done without commitment. If you aren't going to commit to it, then just get it off your list and out of your mind now. If something is stopping you from committing to this project with your entire being, go back to Law #1.

Law #3: Consistent work and attention breeds movement, motivation, and momentum (the 3 Ms). It's amazing to see what happens when you work on your big project once. The next day, you want to do it again. You have more ideas. You're excited. But you have to dive in that very first time. And then keep on keepin' on.

Law #4: A project must be broken down into its smaller tasks. A typical project is too big to get done in one fell swoop, and it usually feels way overwhelming. If you can break it down into the smallest pieces possible, it will be easier to tackle and maybe even be fun. (Examples of small, doable tasks: Email graphic designer to get estimate. Brainstorm title for new program. Work 15 minutes on book.)

Law #5: A project must be worked on in the way that works for you. Don't want to start writing your self-help book from the introduction? Start in the middle where you're being called to start. Really want to get out your sketch pad to design your new program? Then do it! Think better when you're dictating than writing? Get a recorder and talk away!

Law #6: Follow your energy. If you're being drawn to a certain piece or task in your project, then do that. If you resist this natural inclination and force another action, your results will be much less powerful. And you'll find yourself slogging through instead of flying.

Law #7: A project does not get done without actual work. Schedule time to work on your project. Time won't magically appear. This also helps with Law #2 - committing to your project.

Law #8: Your project needs to be a priority in your daily life, as much as can be. Our daily life is filled with in-the-moment priorities: the call from the child who needs to be picked up early (or late) from rehearsal, the car breaking down, calls to doctors and dentists, daily work. The stuff that's important, but not necessarily urgent (your project), constantly gets pushed aside. Make your project a priority; for example, consider doing a task in your project first thing in the morning, instead of checking email.

Law #9: A project must be protected. No one else will protect it, and others may not understand why it's even important. Don't rely on them, and certainly don't rely on the Dream Smashers. Try to surround yourself with Dream Catchers instead. And YOU are your primary Dream Catcher.