If I allow myself to stop and think about the size of this project, I can easily get distracted and discouraged. The only way I can manage it is to break it down into easily digestible pieces.
To me, it is a matter of hull, deck, interior, electrical, mechanical and rig. See, that was easy. It is manageable. Anyone can wrap their head around 6 things.
So, as I have mentioned before, we will start with deck as it currently leaks at most of the fittings, so to prevent further damage, we need to fix it.
And what does that entail? Remove all deck fittings, fill all the holes, fix the wet core, strip the existing paint, prime with an epoxy sealer and paint. See, that was easy as well. Only 6 steps.
Okay but removing all of the fittings is a big job. Sure it is but it is only 6 easy steps. Remove the fasteners holding the fitting in place, gently pry the fitting loose, clean all of the existing caulk off the deck and the fitting, bring the fitting home, perform any repair or renovation required and finally, store it away until it is ready to be re-installed. Again, only 6 steps! Are you seeing a pattern yet? 😉
I can go on indefinitely until I have broken it down microscopically,  if I need to, but as long as I keep to the 6 step process, I will be fine.
There are times when I do break it down to that level of detail, typically when I am tackling something that I do not know well, like mechanics or electrical, but usually my written to do lists are somewhere in between the first 2 levels of 6. However, I do try to think things down to the microscopic level but I seldom record it.
I do most of my thinking when I go to bed. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I start running through the details of my next job. I break it down into 6, and then again each of those steps into 6 and on and on. When I do run into a stumbling block, I do some research whether that be on the net in a book, and then I incorporate the new knowledge into that evenings rehearsal. I will sometimes tackle the same project for weeks at a time in my head, before I actually start it.
The admiral regularly asks me, “How the hell do you know how to do that? ” My common response is because I am a guy, and guys know stuff. This response usually is not met with a kind response but it is fun none the less. I don’t think she would actually believe me if I told her the truth.
Now that I stop and read what I have written, I guess it is a form of self visualization similar to what athletes use, mixed with a deep meditative state induced from repetitive zen like thought patterns and deep breathing.
Ah bull shit, I’m a guy, I just know it 😉