Are you overwhelmed by your Spring Cleaning (or any major task on your plate)? The best thing to do is START.
BUT WHERE? I hear you ask. Right here. Right where you are.
BUT HOW? If you don’t like this answer, I have others, but the way my brain works, sometimes I have to Corral the Chaos, and the best way to do that is WRITE. IT. DOWN. and get it OUT of my brain box. From there, I can put it in front of my eyeballs, see it, and then deal with it. Making an actionable, efficient list is usually my answer.
HERE’S how…but first you have to know what you want to do.
Write it down. Identify it. Own it. You want it. Are you ready to get it? Let’s go!
1. Identify the Big Task.
I’ve talked about this before and offered a handout called EAT THE ELEPHANT, which I am happy to do again [COMMENT or DM me to get it!]
The idea is simple: break a big task into smaller, more manageable tasks to make progress more noticeable and efficient.
2. Break [the Big Task] Down
I’m working on a new novel. That might be my big task. From there I can expect some or all of the following categories. These can become my Subtasks:
- Drafting
- [Self]-Editing
- [Outside]-Editing
- Front Matter
- Back Matter
- Cover
I try not to break down a Big Task into more than 6 Subtasks, so really check if your tasks could be combined. For example, I could totally combine the Editing and the Front/Back Matters if I needed to, but this breakdown is the most helpful for me. Use what works for you.
3. Break [each Subtask] Down [again]
Then it’s time to break down each Subtask. Again, I try not to let this get out of hand, but here’s where you can go crazy with those tasks. These are ACTION ITEMS and they can be sorted by priority.
If you get stuck, I recently heard/saw a useful Acronym that I’ve further adapted:
ABCDE
A: ACTION ITEM -Alpha task- do this NOW.
B: BE READY – Beta task – do this NEXT.
C: CONSIDER – What’s next? – what’s the following MOST IMPORTANT task?
D: DELEGATE – give this to someone else.
E: ELIMINATE – don’t do this at all OR shift it to the next week/category/priority level.
Rinse and Repeat
If you get stuck, return to your list and see if you can BREAK DOWN any items any further.
If not, try LABELING everything with ABCDE and
PRIORITIZING the As, Bs, and Cs.
Finally, CONTACT ME! I CAN HELP!
What’s Next:
PAPERBACK PROMO: COMING SOON (MAY)! PRE-ORDER Signed copies on my WEBSITE!
EDIT SOBER and LIVING WRITE in JUNE 2026 (GROUP)
If you’re looking to start a NEW DRAFT, NEW ROUTINE, or EDIT a current project, LET’S TALK about LIVING WRITE or EDIT SOBER, starting JUNE 2026 (for groups, but asynchronous courses are available)!
INTERESTED? [Contact me or COMMENT the Course Name you need!]
LIVING WRITE and EDIT SOBER are 5-week courses that include a guided journal with practical prompts and exercises to keep you moving forward every day for more than a month.
In just 5 weeks, you’ll have…
a new routine, “Dirty Draft,” or both with LIVING WRITE!
a READABLE draft worthy of beta readers or an editor with EDIT SOBER!
CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS
ASD Draft 1: NEW GOAL: 50K-word draft by May 1, 2026!
Words so far: 11,905
It’s been going well. Most of the words have been dumped with some revision, but I am now entering a stage where I have to produce more connecting material. Wish me luck!
HAPPENING THIS MONTH
Tuesday Evenings: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST
Creative Collective: NEXT MEETING (tentatively): MAY (the) 4 (be with you), 2026 @7:30 PM
In Other News
Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.
Start or Finish today. I can help.
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