You’re on the hook to deliver something outstanding, within a short timespan. In fact, the project you’re on is more important than last, with many stakeholders waiting for results. Not only that, the resources promised to you have been reduced.

What do you do?

• Cower in your office for days, hoping your project manager delegates it to someone else.
• Agree to deliver, though silently reducing features or quality
• Call the cavalry and outsource that bad boy!

In the past, all were options. In today’s climate, hardly! you will need to strap on your hard hat and decide how to take the plunge. If indeed impossible, the rewards will come either through recognition or experience.

Plan loosely

Gather and make a few assumptions about the project, imagining that the capabiities to do the task exist in your team. Map out the steps you’d take if working on the project alone and notate instead which team members would need to own that piece…oh yeah don’t forget to brainstorm-you should be familiar with this.

Dig In

Now, take back the assumptions you made earlier and tackle the first part of the project, no matter how long you think it will take you. By now, you’ve overcome the most difficult obstacle: STARTING!

Step back

As you revel in having led the charge, analyze the progress you’ve made and re-assess the project relative to total output. Teammates should now be able to help you increase momentum. The momentum needed to begin spinning is much greater than the force needed to keep the wheel spinning.

Re-engage

Now that you understand the project ecosystem and have had a swing at some deliverables, your role should be clear. This assessment buys you piece of mind. Peace of mind you need to be creative. Piece of mind you need to do your best work with confidence. Awareness of your progress in relation to due dates comes with the continued stepping back and re-engaging yourself.

Go work out

Break off when you’re having the most difficulty and progress is slow. By completing the workout and trading some stress for some sweat, you’ve increased endorphins and allowed your mind to create new neural paths. You’ll need these to overcome obstacles and keep morale high.

Even if deadlines are at risk, when you’re able to think on your feet, everyone’s better off. Don’t sacrifice quality to meet deadlines if you can help it. Be sure to allocate more time than you need, so that you can practice creatively managing your project output.

Wrap up

Make the project 120% complete while celebrating your achievements! Not only have you overcome your fear of challenge, you’ve managed to keep your brain flexible. Your team has more respect for you, and your next project will be even more rewarding. No two projects will be alike, so you’ll need to repeat the creative project strategy to reap the best results.