How to Break Down BIG Goals and Move Into Intentional Action
We, as humans, tend to overcomplicate things. We think we can do all things for all people, so we take on more than we can really do.
We also like to focus on the big stuff and forget about the little things that move us forward. We see the elephant on the table and worry about how we’re going to eat it…it’s SO BIG! So, the elephant stays on the table, decomposing, and we sit there starving.
Learning to break things down and simplify them is a skill that will help to remove any overwhelm.
How to break down BIG Goals when you feel overwhelmed
I had a client who was going through some legal stuff and was overwhelmed by a response that was sent. She needed to craft her own response, but was so taken aback by their words that she couldn’t see the forest through the trees. So we went through the document, line by line. (Note: I am NOT a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV)
In the first pass, we allowed for the emotional response to show up and flow through her on each line. When we completed that phase, we went back through the document to determine what evidence she needed to pull from her archives.
By the end of it, she was calm, collected, and knew exactly what her next steps were. She even had FUN pulling all the things together, being able to laugh at the situation knowing she had all she needed.
It also gave her the opportunity to clean up some things on her side that were a little off. Things she knew weren’t quite right at the time, but worked in the moment.
By allowing a first pass, with all the emotion being felt, we were able to give validation and space for that to be expressed. Then, when we went back through it, we could focus on just the facts, not the emotions.
How to break down BIG Goals into manageable steps
It’s the same with any goal…there will be an emotional response. ‘Ooo! That’s exciting!” “um, maybe it’s out of reach.” “I can’t do that because…” “What will they say?”
Fear, anxiety, staring into the unknown all make looking at a goal or project seem overwhelming. Allow yourself to feel the feels and give them space to be. Cry, scream, yell, twitch, shake…LET IT OUT!
Come back to the table and take things line by line, section by section. Look at that elephant and pick a spot. “The foot” provides the foundation and tools for future work. “The leg” provides the structure and strength to stand your idea up. “The trunk” gives you the flexibility, dexterity, and power to move things around.
Each item on your list can be broken down into smaller, more manageable and meaningful steps. Doing this allows you to realistically see your timeline and gets you into action, one small step at a time.
Why breaking down BIG Goals builds momentum
Sometimes you just need to take the first step, however small.
I recently started roller skating again. I used to be really good…going backwards, spins, skating on one foot, dancing, etc.
But things have changed. 😜 The body is a different shape, the muscles haven’t worked like that in a while, etc. When I first put on skates again, it was all I could do to just STAND there.
So, I just stood there, watching all the kids zoom around. And then I sat down. Then I stood again, still wobbly, and moved to the next chair…and sat. Then I went a bit further…and sat. It took me 2 hours of getting up, going a little distance, sitting down again before I made it around the rink once. I called it a day and gave myself a Goal’d Star™!
The next week I did it again, this time I made it around the ring twice. The next week 5 times. The last time I went I counted 10 revolutions of the rink. I’m still wobbly and a bit unsure, but I’m getting there!
By breaking things down into their parts and pieces, you start to see the pattern of accomplishment. You can lay out the roadmap to get the thing done. The steps are easier than the whole thing. Know the BIG picture, focus on the steps.
You do not have to conquer the whole elephant today. You just need to pick a spot and begin. When you break big goals into smaller steps, you move from swirling emotion into grounded action.
If you are ready to map your BIG Dream into clear, meaningful, doable steps, download the SCAMP Planner. It will help you organize your thoughts, clarify your next move, and create progress you can actually see, so you can keep your eyes on the horizon, your hands on the wheel, and your foot on the GAS.🏎️🏎️🏎️