How do you deal with intimidating tasks?

I get home, open a beer and start breaking it down to working units. Things I understand I make a note of. Those I understand I write down questions on what it is I dont get so when I ask someone I have tangible questions to pepper them with. Then its time for research. Nothing is new under the sun. Then have two more beers, write a few emails to people who might help and call it a night. Rinse and repeat until I am confident enough to smash it. Not really a trick, but does the job. At least for me.

I go to my room, hug my knees and sob a little bit. Let's be honest, sometimes the task looks shitty bad and putting on a brave face is a complete lie.

So, when I'm done sulking, I build bad prototypes that break and try to iterate on them. There are failures but if you accept them, they are not all that daunting. Don't be ashame of not knowing, be ashamed of not trying.

And yes, breaking it into smaller steps and mapping the unknowns help, but sometimes you don't even know what are the things that you don't know. I'm talking for those situations.