Reach for t’Sky

Season 1, Episode 8: You Want Me to Do What? By When?

Do you remember that gut-wrenching feeling when you're given a massive task with an impossible deadline? Oh, right, that was only yesterday. It’s that sinking feeling in your stomach, the cold sweat, the "How am I supposed to do that?" moment. Is it dread? Overwhelm? Maybe a bit of both. This is where effective task management comes to the rescue.

That sinking feeling is a natural reaction, but it doesn’t have to control you. The secret? Take a deep breath, break the elephant down into bite-sized chunks. Prioritise, plan, and execute. The key to managing overwhelming tasks is to make them manageable. Don’t look at the whole mountain; focus on climbing the next ridge. Identify your priorities, set realistic goals, and create a clear action plan.

When I think back to the times I was handed a daunting project, it wasn’t the complexity of the task itself that stressed me out—it was the feeling that I didn’t have a roadmap. Once I broke the task down, monitored progress, and consistently updated stakeholders, I found I could achieve much more than I thought.

The ultimate goal is to build your reputation as Mr Reliable—the one who gets things done, no matter how tight the deadline. Over time, this reputation will set you apart in any professional setting, as reliability and accountability are highly valued.

So, how do you tackle these moments? Prioritise, plan, execute, and don’t forget to communicate. Monitor your progress, adjust your plan as needed, and report back regularly. Your goal isn't just to finish the task, but to build a reputation for reliability and excellence.