This semester, I am working on bringing a PRSSA chapter to the University of Tulsa. Being someone who does not usually say “no,” I raced toward the opportunity to activate the chapter on campus. Planning meetings, piles of paper, hoops to jump and strands of e-mails woke me up to the avalanche of detail that tumbles from high goals. How will we get funding? Who will speak at meetings? How can we attract members? Where can we hold meetings? Left and right the details came charging, and I’m learning how to tackle details before becoming buried.

I know my PRSSA effort is just one of the many big projects I will have to handle. The PR world brings ongoing challenges that require keen attentiveness to detail. Whether a news conference, presentation or client event, successful execution comes down to details, details, details.

Personal experience and guidance from others is the best way to learn, so here is my advice on how to tackle the detail avalanche before it falls:

Make a plan. When faced with a new project, you may be excited or anxious to immediately jump in and start working. Even if the undertaking is time sensitive, making a plan is imperative. By considering the details first, you will save time later by being prepared for what is to come. Create goals and set timelines with specific actions that should be completed. Remember the simple four W’s – know who is doing what, where and when and how each action will be completed.

Foresee the unforeseen. Surprises may be fun for birthdays, but not for public relations. Planning requires a certain amount of foresight. Although we can never fully predict what is to come, we can prepare for potential snags by playing out all the details. Think out possible scenarios for what could go wrong and possible consequences for each action.

Stay calm and focused. Grade school teachers were right with their “attitude is everything” mantra. If stress and negativity take over, performance will go by the wayside. Focus on the plan and don’t let the details consume you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. As awesome as it would be to morph into a PR superhero capable of conquering all details, we cannot always do it all. If you start to feel the avalanche quake, don’t be afraid to seek support from co-workers and those around you.