One of the biggest mistakes I see female entrepreneurs make with their calendars and to-do lists is not knowing the difference between tasks and projects.
It’s true.
Whenever someone is stressing over their calendar or to-do list, I usually find that it’s because they’re filled with the WRONG things.
And that’s a problem.
But don’t worry, I can help! 😉
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TASKS AND PROJECTS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Three of my founding beliefs for The Productivity Zone are:
- calendars should be manageable and not overflowing,
- to-do lists should make you feel invincible instead of overwhelmed,
- and you should be attacking your workdays, not letting your workdays attack you.
Which is why, today, I’m unveiling the key differences between tasks and projects you need to know so you STOP filling your calendars and to-do lists with the wrong things and STOP overwhelming yourself.
Because filling your calendars and to-do lists with the right things means checking things off like a boss!! 🙌🏻
[bctt tweet=”The biggest mistake female entrepreneurs make with their calendars and to-do lists is not knowing the difference between tasks and projects.” username=”productivityzne”]
THE DEFINITIONS OF TASKS AND PROJECTS
Let’s start with the actual definitions of tasks and projects…
Task (noun):
A piece of work to be done or undertaken.
*The key thing to note here is that a task is A PIECE OF WORK to be done or undertaken.
Project (noun):
An individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned and designed to achieve a particular aim.
*The key thing to note here is that a project is AN ENTERPRISE that is carefully planned and designed to achieve a particular aim.
Now let’s get to my definitions of tasks and projects… or rather analogies, which I think will help you better understand the difference!!
Projects are the motion picture. Tasks are the scenes that make up the motion picture.
Projects are the photos. Tasks are the pixels that make up the photos.
Projects are the headings. Tasks are the bullet points underneath the headings.
Projects are the plan. Tasks are the action steps that make up the plan.
Projects are the whole pizza. Tasks are the more manageable slices.
Projects are made up of lots of tasks. Tasks are just one (easily accomplishable) step.
With all that said… Can you see what mistake you might be making with your calendar and to-do list?
Ding-ding-ding!
Projects should fill your calendar. Tasks should fill your to-do lists.
WHY KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TASKS AND PROJECTS IS IMPORTANT
This should be fairly obvious at this point, but just in case…
Knowing the difference between tasks and projects means having a calendar that is MANAGEABLE and a to-do list that is actually ACCOMPLISHABLE.
So often we fill our calendars with tasks (leaving them overflowing) and our to-do lists with projects (making them overwhelming). It’s no wonder we don’t get as much done as we would like and end up spending a lot of our most productive time kicking ourselves for not getting more done.
But there’s a better way, an easier way.
Related Post: How to Get Absolutely Anything Done
[bctt tweet=”Knowing the difference between tasks and projects means having a calendar that is MANAGEABLE and a to-do list that is actually ACCOMPLISHABLE.” username=”productivityzne”]
HOW TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TASKS AND PROJECTS WORK FOR YOU
It’s time to CHANGE the way you look at your calendar and to-do lists.
You can start by recognizing that projects can easily be broken down into tasks (whether many or just a few) and that tasks should be easily accomplishable in one step. (If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by a task, it’s probably because it’s too big. Break that baby down until it doesn’t make you feel that way.)
Last but not least, always remember to put projects on your calendar and add tasks to your to-do list, and you will be good to go, my friend!!
Pro Tip: Don’t try and cram too many projects or tasks into your days, weeks, months, or even years. You can still check those projects and tasks off like a boss if you spread them out. 😉
Related Post: How I Built My Website in a Weekend
Let’s make a vow right here and now to make getting things done EASIER on ourselves!! Enough with the overwhelm already!! Know the difference between tasks and projects and make it clear on both your calendar and to-do list which is which so you can get more accomplished!!
