Rachelle’s System

Transitioning from one year to the next is inevitably a time when we think about wrapping things up and planning for what’s next. I was sharing on stART how much this project management system helped me do that this year when I realized I hadn’t posted about it here (though I did share it with subscribers!) I’ve been working with a new way of managing my workload and it has made all the difference!

Earlier this year my dear friend Rachelle, aka Magpie Girl, shared how she manages her projects and it immediately opened up a whole new level of ease and productivity for me! It’s simple, visual and celebratory. Yum!

Rachelle writes each project she is working on on a slip of paper and then puts it on her bulletin board. When it’s done, she puts it in her FTW (“for the win”) pile.

I loved it.

Of course, I had to make it my own – and I invite you to do the same. Our systems work best when they are grounded in our personal take.

Here’s how I did it.

Projects in Process

I pulled an old magnet message board from the basement and turned it into my project board. I cut out a visual marker for each of my projects, having fun cutting shapes and adding colours. I wanted it to be easy to read and inviting to look at. Every project that I am actively working on is on that board – from the courses I’m developing to the retreat to the guest posts I’ve committed to writing.

And just to be sure that I don’t over-stuff with projects (As I am wont to do. You too, right?), I also have one card that holds all my “regs” (i.e. coaching, the podcast, this newsletter), so they are part of this visual system.

Because each commitment takes up physical space on the board, with just a glance I can feel in my gut whether my workload is reaching capacity or whether there’s room for something new.  It also keeps my priorities right in front of me, each and every day.

Completing Your Projects

And when something is done, I get the great joy of taking it off the board and putting it in my celebration box. Removing it from the board is like a deep sigh. I can literally see the space that has opened up. Sometimes I love that spaciousness so much I even give myself some breathing room before adding something else to the board!

And what a delight to watch the celebration box fill with completed projects in the form of colourful circles and triangles and stars! So often we just step over what we’ve accomplished. An ever-filling celebration box is tangible evidence of just how much has gotten done! There’s no mistaking the gold-star check-mark joy of completed projects. Now that’s an energy booster!

I know so many of us struggle with too many yeses and a too full schedule. I’m finding this system really supports me in maintaining a sustainable level of creation. I hope this tactile and visual approach helps you creatively and sustainably get things done too.

Enjoyed it? Share it.
Email It | Tweet It | Stumble It | Digg It | Save to Delicious