April 30, 2025, Issue #10

Hello!

I hope this message finds you well. I have added a new feature to my newsletters. For those of you who do not want to spend another moment in your inbox, I've started recording an audio version. I'm not reading word-for-word, so you may get a little extra.

Don't let today's topic have you saying, "Oh no, not THIS again." I am taking a different approach.

All the best,

Laurie McAleenan

Virtual Assistant

Task Owl Va, LLC

Rather listen than read? Click to listen to the audio version of this topic

Listen Now!

The Real Reason You’re Stuck — And How to Break Free

Six simple tactics to move your project forward with confidence.

Nearly every day, clients and prospective clients come to me with a big idea or project they want to tackle. Some are brimming with excitement, others with concern. Either way, some jump right in while others just seem to stall.

Procrastination is something we’ve all been guilty of now and then. (My particular form of procrastination includes chocolate, reading, and some form of social media.) It can even be leveraged as a creative device within projects. (More on this at another time!)

Whatever the specifics, I have found that it most often stems from a perception that their project will be difficult, expensive, or confusing. The keyword is perception.

How, then, can we get moving when stalled on a new project? Here are some tactics that have worked for me.

Know what you need to know and what you don’t. There are some projects where it is essential to understand exactly how something is set up. There are others where you only need to know enough to keep things going. Take setting up an email newsletter, for example. If setting up Mailchimp or Constant Contact is not intuitive for you, and you’re wasting hours doing something you don’t love, let someone else do the initial setup. You can still handle it monthly from there, even if you were not the one to build it in the first place.

Ask the question: What other information do I need? Sometimes we need to do research to get started with a project; sometimes we already have all the information. If you need more information, decide specifically what that is and make a plan to get it. If you have everything, look at it all together so you can see the big picture of the project to feel more confident.

Don’t ask for too many opinions. While it’s nice to have the support of family and friends, ask yourself how much they really know about the decision you’re trying to make. When it comes to logo design, for example, I trust my designer, not my friend who’s good with colors (even though she may have a strong opinion). When it comes to choosing software to run my business, I listen to others who have made this decision before me. Asking for too much input is often just another way of procrastinating.

Break the project down into categories. Something like redesigning your website can seem like a huge task. But if you break it down, you’ll see more manageable chunks of work. In this case, start with the homepage and make a list of what you want to include – things like Facebook and LinkedIn social media icons, a headshot of yourself, a testimonial from a client, and a link to your calendar. The point is, be as specific as you can.

Don’t keep the details in your head – write them down. When I don’t have a written plan, I can spend hours spinning my wheels trying to remember what I’ve done and what to do next. Spend time upfront to write a detailed plan in order to see the entire project. It will save time and work.

Leave perfectionism behind. It’s better to get started and improve the work rather than wait until you have every detail just right. You’ll learn as you go and make it better over time. Businesses evolve all the time – so develop the improvement muscle and you’ll be able to stay current with what your business needs.

Overall, the hardest part of any new project is getting started. Apply these six simple ideas to shift from not doing to doing!

Book Recommendations

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones 

by James Clear

If you're nodding along thinking, "Okay, okay—I really do want to start that project," then let me point you to one of the best resources I’ve come across (and am still working my way through... slowly... like, one sticky note at a time): Atomic Habits by James Clear.

This book is packed with science-backed tips on how small changes lead to big results—which fits perfectly with the six ideas I shared above. Whether it’s breaking a project into smaller tasks or building momentum with mini habits, James Clear makes it all feel doable (and even kind of fun?).

Full disclosure: I haven’t finished it yet. But I’m committed to progress over perfection—just like you. And I believe in showing up authentically, even if that means admitting I sometimes highlight books more than I read them. 😅

Give it a read—or a skim. Either way, I think you’ll find it encouraging and actionable.

Shop Now!

I may receive compensation if you purchase this book through my link.

About Task Owl VA

Hi, I’m Laurie McAleenan, the heart behind Task Owl VA

I help solo entrepreneurs and small business owners keep their businesses running smoothly by handling the details that take up time and energy.

When you’re managing everything on your own, it can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it all yourself. I take care of the tasks, keeping you from focusing on where you're needed most.

To introduce me to your business and find out if my services are right for you, book a free 30-minute call.

Book Now!