It can be easy to get overwhelmed because of To-Do lists and feel like you’re drowning under Sticky-Notes; it can be difficult to know where to start with your workload — especially if you have multiple projects on the go.
Even if it feels like you are working hard, your productivity can drop as your stress levels rise, but understanding the difference between Projects vs.Tasks and breaking Projects down into Tasks can very quickly help you to regain the control of your work.
Projects vs. Tasks — The difference?
A project is…
… a piece of work with a defined beginning and end; having a specific goal/objective; takes place within a pre-arranged timeframe.
A task is…
… a defined piece of work within a project; it can be seen as a ‘unit’ of a project.
A project is bigger and includes multiple tasks.
A task is a single thing that you can do in one session.
This is where a lot of people get confused.
They try to work on big projects, without understanding the importance of breaking them into tasks. For some people, this works, but for most of us it doesn't work. This is a recipe for overwhelm and feeling confused about your work.
The solution? Recognize the distinction!
Look at your list right now — is it full of projects?
Take a minute and see how you can break them into tasks!
It can be so simple! A magical recipe that will increase your productivity and improve your workflow.
Final thoughts…
A project will typically require formality, such as justification, management approval, etc. On the other hand, a task should be something simple that you could do in minutes or hours, maybe a day or two at most.
One essential aspect we can add here is that the project should also have many people involved whereas a task is quite often one person.
Confusion occurs when we treat a project as if it’s a task. If you’re struggling to cross items off your to-do list, this might be the reason.
A good understanding of the two concepts is essential for you to do your job well and for your productivity to increase.
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