Starting Big Projects

[Panic57]

I have a list of projects scribbled in a notebook or on a folder on my computer that are waiting to be finished. But I keep dragging my feet because a part of me is scared that I won't finish what I started or it won't end up looking as great as it does in my mind. Just the thought of starting those big projects stresses me out so much because of the great possibility of failure and that no one will like it. So I lie to myself that it's okay that I wait until my skill is where it needs to be. But then I become anxious at the thought of what if I die having not done anything. Thats worse, so whenever I start projects I always have two sides of me being anxious that I'm not good enough and the other afraid I'll die worthless. Does anyone else feel like that when they start projects?

 

[CarlosTL]

I have a list of projects scribbled in a notebook or on a folder on my computer that are waiting to be finished. But I keep dragging my feet because a part of me is scared that I won't finish what I started or it won't end up looking as great as it does in my mind. Just the thought of starting those big projects stresses me out so much because of the great possibility of failure and that no one will like it. So I lie to myself that it's okay that I wait until my skill is where it needs to be. But then I become anxious at the thought of what if I die having not done anything. Thats worse' date=' so whenever I start projects I always have two sides of me being anxious that I'm not good enough and the other afraid I'll die worthless. Does anyone else feel like that when they start projects?[/quote']
It is always hard to start from scratch. The most painful thing is going from zero again, not just merely starting a new thing. The feeling of apprehension is normal, there this thing called the "impostor syndrome", it is when you think your less qualified than others to do this (when in fact you perfectly are), everybody has it, well at least a good 40 or 60% according to some studies.


What I do to mitigate the fear of failure or disappointment is to start and do many things at the same time. When one fails it doesn't pain as much. That rejection email or that disappointing result you get becomes just a dot in your day/week and you quickly forget about it because you have so many other things going on.

 

[taco]

The most important thing for me to do on big projects is to break them down into small pieces that can be completed in sections or milestones. A huge project is very daunting and it makes even normal people anxious and worried, so it really does a number on us. But if you can break it down into small reasonable parts and give yourself a reasonable deadline it will definitely help manage the stress. I have always had that worthless hangup too, but once you start completing the little sections, it gives you more confidence on the following parts.

 

[John Snort]

As @ Taco suggests, you should break down your projects. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Don't look at the finishing line as you'll get discouraged. Just get started on the sub-projects (one you've broken down the big project to smaller ones, that is). The trick is setting realistic achievable goals. The progress you make will motivate you to keep going.

 

[sidney]

I'm quite an optimistic person, so I always think that with effort and attention to the big picture and small details, I think that my project will turn out ok. Worrying will get you nowhere, you know? So I think that the best thing to do is to concentrate on working on the project and do not entertain thoughts of failure.