The Productivity Show

The Power of Actions: How to Break Down Big Projects into Manageable Steps (TPS525)


Listen Later

Ever feel like you have a huge project looming, but you just don’t know where to start?

Whether launching a big presentation, tackling a software implementation, or planning an event, the key to making progress often lies in breaking it down into bite-sized, manageable steps. But let’s be honest — while the advice to “just break it down” is popular, many of us struggle with exactly how to do that effectively.

In this episode, we’ll walk you through the strategies that turn overwhelming projects into actionable plans.

We’ll explore the mechanics of breaking things down — from clarifying your vision to reverse-engineering your steps. Plus, we’ll share real-world examples of common projects that might feel daunting and how to make progress one small, doable action at a time.

Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/tps.

You can find links to everything we share in the show notes at theproductivityshow.com/.

Cheat Sheet:

Become a member of TPS+ and get ad-free episodes a week before anyone else with other great bonuses like the famous “One Tweak A Week” shirt.

  • Top 3 Productivity Resources [2:19]
  • What are the steps to break a project down? [8:56]
  • How do you break down a big presentation to management? [14:41]
  • How do you break down a software implementation project? [28:46]
  • How do you break down organizing a big customer event? [38:58]
  • How do you learn from a project and improve next time? #kaizen [43:27]
  • Links:
    • 25X Productivity Coaching
    • Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done by Charlie Gilkey
    • Parallels
    • ChatGPT mobile apps
    • Clarity.fm
    • Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson
    • Otter.ai
    • Productivity Academy
    • The Productivity Show on Youtube
    • The Productivity Show Youtube Clips
    • Become a member of TPS+
    • Take the Productivity Quiz
    • If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts or your favorite podcast player. It’s easy, you’ll get new episodes automatically, and it also helps the show. You can also leave a review!

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Productivity ShowBy Asian Efficiency

      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6

      4.6

      489 ratings


      More shows like The Productivity Show

      View all
      Daily Creative with Todd Henry by Todd Henry

      Daily Creative with Todd Henry

      517 Listeners

      Coaching for Leaders by Dave Stachowiak

      Coaching for Leaders

      1,459 Listeners

      Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life by Erik Fisher

      Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life

      841 Listeners

      The 5 AM Miracle: Healthy Productivity for High Achievers by Jeff Sanders

      The 5 AM Miracle: Healthy Productivity for High Achievers

      728 Listeners

      Getting Things Done by GTD®

      Getting Things Done

      455 Listeners

      Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement by Justin Malik

      Optimal Living Daily - Personal Development and Self-Improvement

      3,062 Listeners

      How to Be Awesome at Your Job by How to be Awesome at Your Job

      How to Be Awesome at Your Job

      1,038 Listeners

      The ONE Thing by Keller Podcast Network

      The ONE Thing

      1,113 Listeners

      Best of Both Worlds Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

      Best of Both Worlds Podcast

      774 Listeners

      The Modern Manager by Mamie Kanfer Stewart

      The Modern Manager

      182 Listeners

      The Daily Stoic by Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

      The Daily Stoic

      4,825 Listeners

      The Anxious Achiever by Morra Aarons-Mele

      The Anxious Achiever

      577 Listeners

      It's About Time | Time Management & Productivity for Work Life & Balance by Anna Dearmon Kornick

      It's About Time | Time Management & Productivity for Work Life & Balance

      241 Listeners

      Deep Questions with Cal Newport by Cal Newport

      Deep Questions with Cal Newport

      1,317 Listeners

      Best Laid Plans by Sarah Hart-Unger

      Best Laid Plans

      796 Listeners