Keeping Track When Things Are Hoppin'

If anyone has missed my blog posts lately, you can blame my rep. She's been working overtime keeping me working overtime.

When I've got several projects in varying stages of completeness, it really pays to take some time to organize each project before I begin.

I start by printing out all the specs for the job, and I break the job down into tasks. Then I make a chart so I can check off each task as I complete it (this can be as simple as something I write out on a piece of paper or as complex as an Excel spreadsheet for larger jobs).

I have a magnet board next to my desk, and I use it and magnetic bulldog clips to keep track of all open jobs. I clip the specs and my checklist together for each job. I also keep a calendar on the magnet board which lists all the due dates for the various jobs.

Not only do these preliminary steps keep everything organized, but as I check each task off my checklist and due-date calendar, I get a good visual of how much I've already done and how much (or little) I have left to do.

I know Patrice Barton makes similar tools when she has a large project and Heather Powers keeps a running to-do list to keep her projects on track. I'd love to hear what tools other people have devised to keep their project(s) organized.

Comments

[deb]

Oh, to be so busy one needs a magnet board & bulldog clips to stay organized. Can't wait for that to happen to me. I'll go buy my magnet board tomorrow just to be ready!!

Congratulations, Janee. I can't wait to see all your books!

Deb

[violetismycolor]

Glad to see a blog post, but I am happy that you are busy for a good reason. As always, it is great to get tips from you.

[patrice]

Congrats on all your projects, Janee!

Oh, you forgot to mention the very fun step in the system, the "paycheck dance." You know, the happy dance you do when your check arrives in the mail and you get to mark off the invoice as "paid." Uh oh, do not tell me I am the only one who does this......

[Barbara Johansen Newman]

Janee, can I fly you to Bosotn to help me? My system? Chaos! I don't know how I get done what I get done. I have a sense in my head of what I have to do, and pray I can keep track. Papers fly all over. I can't often find specs. Boy, you sound organized to the max. Send some organization vibes my way, will ya?

[Barbara Johansen Newman]

Oh, and regarding the paycheck dance that was mentioned above? I am the worst of all on that front.

[Barbara Johansen Newman]

Janee, this was actually my post, but poor [atrice got the bad credit for being disorganized!!

Anway, "can I fly you to Bosotn to help me? My system? Chaos! I don't know how I get done what I get done. I have a sense in my head of what I have to do, and pray I can keep track. Papers fly all over. I can't often find specs. Boy, you sound organized to the max. Send some organization vibes my way, will ya?"

[wynlen]

It's great to hear you have lots of jobs!
I use a to-do list to keep organized. I make a plan for each month where I write down what I'm going to do each of the weeks in that month. I keep my plan on a document on the desktop of my computer, so I can see it all the time. Works pretty good!

[Ginger Nielson]

I agree, it is wonderful to be so busy that you need such great organization. Ahhhhhhhh .... someday.
Your website is delightful!

[Paige Keiser]

beg beg beg beg - more Art & Soul posts please!!! beg beg beg beg