Do you have big ideas… but struggle to make them happen?
I can’t count the number of projects I’ve never started, or not done properly, or been up at all hours trying to finish by a deadline!
Why does this happen?!
Because we don’t project manage properly, that’s why.
Today’s guest is here to save us from all of that! Kate Hutcheson of the Efficient/Creative has turned her years of project management experience to helping creatives like you and me work out how to get big things done.
She outlines a super-simple method for you to follow in order to plan and execute your next project… properly!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Quotes and highlights from this episode:
- It is possible to be creative and organised by using project planning.
- When working on a project, you can reach a point of resistance when a task becomes challenging or you don’t know what to do next.
- Project management assists in combatting resistance.
- To begin, write down the tasks that have to be done to reach your goal.
- Making decisions are actions so include these in your brain dump of tasks. Not making decisions halts your project and creates resistance.
- “You see the decisions you have to make as actions you have to take” {Kate}
- Making a decision that is good enough for now is better than waiting to make a perfect decision. You can always change your mind or refine your decision later.
- After completing your brain dump, take all of your tasks and shuffle them around to create a rough chronological order.
- As you order tasks it is likely you will identify other tasks that are missing. Add these in.
- After you have all your tasks ordered, estimate time for each task.
- “People have a tendency to under estimate the amount of time tasks will take them” {Kate}
- Be realistic with your time and include a buffer. This is especially relevant if it is something you have never done before, something you are not very familiar with or something you hate doing.
- Now you have your plan keep it somewhere handy where you can see it all the time.
- “Mark your progress as you go so you get those little wins” {Kate}
- If you get stuck on a step, break it down even further until there is a small enough task that you are confident you can complete.
- “If you are creative and scatter brained all is not lost. You can be organised and creative!” {Kate}
- Jess and Kate recommend the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Find Kate at The Efficient/Creative.
