Where do I start?

Sometimes the hardest thing in any project is just getting started. When you're faced with multiple high-importance needs from various departments, being a marketer (or someone who is in charge of the budget) can be taxing... to say the least.

One thing that I try to practice is building simple outlines for each project that I've got on my plate first before I take any steps. This usually does a couple of things: relaxes any project paralysis that I may have, and gives me clear direction of what I need to tackle first. 

For example, I was recently in a board room describing the need for a position that has never existed at the company and had an answer for every question thrown at me. I knew that the room would be full of big personalities and I had a very limited amount of time before I lost their attention, so I had to be smart with the slides that I put forward and be compelling enough that they'd want to take action.

I did this by outlining all of the facts and then poking holes at it from every angle. I had an advantage because I knew exactly who would be in this meeting and how they might respond to the data. 

For me, this process takes a few days. I like to work in stages and let the project evolve. That way, I've got plenty of time to think through the possibilities and the best possible way to present the information at hand. And keep in mind, things will definitely change along the way - that's just the nature of any project. Allow for time for things to change naturally.

Sometimes, just getting started is the solution as simple as it sounds. Get something on a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or a spreadsheet and go. The answers will typically work themselves out or the questions will lead you to the people who can help.