Quote:
Originally Posted by BlairL  I've been putting off reading these comments., but from the looks of what you have written:
1. I need to work out why I want to do this project (or dont, as the case may be)
2. I need to make a schedule
3. I need to just get started. Even a small bit. (that was in the articles too) |
We also told you to read books on the subject. I personally think that that was the most important bit of advice, and it's precisely what you seem to have missed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlairL When I sit down to work on it, Im unsure where to start, its unpleasant because Im so unsure, and then I start checking mail etc to avoid it. |
I know the feeling. Sometimes figuring what the task is is a task larger than the task itself.
So make that
part of the task. In fact, it may be
most of the task. Once you have that figured out, the rest may be more mechanical and simple.
Take your time to figure it out. It may seem a simple, quick thing to do and so you may be unwilling to take the time it actually take to do it.
So, if the task is figuring what the task is, what can be done about it? Here are a few thoughts:
- see if you can find an example of a similar report done by someone else, and use it as a template;
- talk to someone else who has done it before and knows more than you do; ask them for a few hints, or answers to your questions, or even if they are willing to supervise you in the process.
You can also try to figure what to do from "first principles". What is the goal of the report? What is the audience? What are the main points I want to convey? What are the main take-home messages I want people to have? Can you make each of those a section? Can you spend time preparing an outline?
Also, write a deliberately crappy report first, promising yourself you are not going to let anyone see this version. After you write it, your are going to have a more concrete idea of how you can improve it.