Major undertakings, like purchasing a house or car, DIY projects, or applying to colleges, can be overwhelming.

We fear making wrong decisions, and the sheer number of steps can feel like a test of endurance.

Being methodical can help you rise to these challenges and produce better results with less stress.

Here are five strategies I used during a recent car search that apply to any big undertaking.

1. Define a Process and Execute It

Recently, my car died, and I had to find a new one. Within a couple of days, I developed a habit of searching Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist several times a day.

It quickly became a set routine. I'd search three times a day, using the same filters, and fire off messages to sellers with generally the same questions (how long they'd owned the car, was the title in their name, and what was the VIN).

Being methodical usually involves creating a process that you trust will eventually lead to an acceptable result, and then committing to executing it over and over. This reduces a lot of mental load, and helps when you don't know exactly how long something will take or how many attempts you'll need to make.

2. Use Math to Frame Your Decisions

Numbers can help us frame situations more objectively. For example, I was paying $250 a week for a rental car while I searched, so that helped me see the value of a faster decision. I didn't want the hunt to drag on for weeks, but I also knew I shouldn't........

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