The Hardest Part of a (Learning) Project? Getting Started.
Erika Moree
I help organizations improve performance with learning technology and technical training solutions.
There is always That Project. The one that you need to do, but are not 100% sure how to tackle it. You put it off, telling yourself, I am going to schedule myself some time to put a strategic plan together. Or, now is not the right time, let me get some smaller items off my plate first.
Thinking about scope and scale of projects can be daunting, and the ADDIE model teaches us we have the have the whole plan up front before we get started. Don't get me wrong, there are times when that is the solution! To me, sometimes, it feels like I am at the bottom of Mount Everest and cannot see the top. So overwhelming! When analysis seems quite impossible? Don't do it the "traditional" way.
Getting started is more important than getting everything 100% "right." I am a fan of backwards design (design with the end in mind) so some level of analysis is critical (why am I doing this? Is this a problem learning will solve? How will I measure impact? Who needs to know about it?) . Then, think about what you can do to move the project forward in the next week through small executable steps. Do them. Succeed. Fail. Either way it is growth.
Reflect and decide on your next executable step. Repeat the process. This refocuses your energy on the steps in front of you, totally doable! And shifts your focus from trying to see the top of Mount Everest. Once you get 2-3 weeks in, you will find clarity and scope!
When you are confident in your strategic direction and learning strategy, not having answers on individual projects works a-okay! There are more structured project management approaches to managing these projects (Agile for Learning Design, Lot Like Agile Methods Approach (LLAMA) which I rely on, but many times? I just put one foot in front of the other, until the "full mountain" is in view.
Professional Speaker, Author, Virtual Training Pioneer. Transforming “blah” into “aha” moments for your virtual learners and remote workforce!
4 年I can relate to this as I put one foot in front of the other to the finish line on my second book! It's been tough to tackle, but this has been absolutely true for me: "Reflect and decide on your next executable step. Repeat the process. This refocuses your energy on the steps in front of you, totally doable!"
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4 年Great insight, Erika Moree!!!! ?? #Learn #Innovate #KPC #everythingispossible #eip #Thrive
Instructional Design | Training | Consulting | Solutioning
4 年Nice article. Brings to mind one of my favorite quotes: "It always seems impossible until it's done". Getting started is always better than psyching oneself out wondering how it's going to play out. A long, long time ago a mentor told me every difficult project looks like a huge elephant that someone's just told you to swallow. Don't focus on the elephant at all, or even on the swallowing bit - it'll freak you out. Just start with something simple and doable - like deciding on the cutlery you want to use. That's a start - and once you start, you're on your way. Bon appétit! ??