Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Jumpstart a Stalled Project

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Jumpstart a Stalled Project There comes a point in many projects were momentum just stops. Why does this happen? Well, sometimes we’re paralyzed by uncertainty or a general loss of interest and passion. Other times circumstances are rocky, and the team would rather do anything else than work on the project. Or, we’re overwhelmed by the mountain of to-dos. Although the project stall is a common phenomenon, you can’t allow yourself to fall victim for too long. After all, the last thing you want is for your manager to find out about your lack of progress and put you in the doghouse. You also don’t want him to lose trust that you can manage complex assignments independently. How can you extricate yourself? Seek objectivity You may be having trouble pushing past an obstacle on your project because you are too close to it. Gather some key materials and approach a trusted friend, peer adviser, or mentor in your industry who has nothing to do with the project currently. Outline the situation, ask for her advice on how to proceed, and see if the fresh perspective will lead you to a solution you hadn’t thought of yet. Get your right brain on Step away from the laptop and the online tools for a moment. Commit a block of time in an environment that’s conducive to productive thought, and clear your head. Make a conscious effort to stop thinking about the project and engage in a creative activity. Play a game with a child, draw a picture, or work a puzzle. Turn on Pandora or read a poem that resonates with you. Return to the project a few hours later and see if new ideas have presented themselves. Like what youre reading so far? Visit the full post at Intuits Fast Track blog.