Day 1 Start at the Slippery Slope

by Barbara Martin

in Planning

first day alternative right brain planning process uses an image Day 1 Planning a Big Hairy Project that Scares Me Half to Death

Beginning a new project, especially a daunting one, is hard. Turning vague ideas and boundless possibilities into concrete steps can seem like an impossible leap. I have been struggling to start this big new project. I finally realized I am scared to death. I don’t like to fail, and maybe this might fail. On the other hand, maybe it will be incredibly wonderful. Who knows? Do you have a crystal ball? Me neither.

Sometimes there is no clear place to begin but at the beginning of things or in the middle of things or at any random location where you find yourself. In other words, to start exactly where you are.  For me today, this is to admit I am intimidated and possible terrified. It all seems too hard! (Click on the photo to see it bigger.)

So today I began my seriously playful planning by: quickly selecting an image and writing on it about how I feel about starting this project. Took about five minutes, tops.

How I selected the image: intuitively. I noticed it in the incoming junk mail and tore it off the cover of a brochure. Then I folded it strategically and glued it into a reclaimed empty notebook (NOT ON THE FIRST PAGE!!!  How could I put what I am not sure it is at the front of the book?!); wrote on it; wrote a little more.  That’s it.

If you are wondering how to get started, maybe you could try something like that? An image that catches your eye, a couple notes, and call it done.

ps There is no way to do this wrong. You can put the nice picture on any page you like. And you can use any kind of picture you like. You can draw your own or cut one from a magazine. Whatever works for you is fine.  And this is not Art with a capital A. It is messily playful —  like doodling or squirting mustard on a sandwich. Just sayin’.

{ 1 comment }

Kim May 19, 2013 at 9:42 pm

I love this idea! It’s even simpler that the little collages I make and journal on. I am going to try this. Thank you so much for sharing what you’re doing.

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