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Are You Ready for a Project Weekend?
August 3rd, 2007 by StephenPosted in GTD, GTD with ADD, Global Microbrand, Lifehacks, Project Weekend |
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I am sure that you all have big plans for this weekend, right? Perhaps a ball game, a barbecue, some fishing, or just relaxing with the family. Summer is nearly over for those with children that will be going back to school in the next few weeks, so there is not a lot of time left to enjoy their company.
But what about those projects that you have on your @Home list that remain to be completed? Wouldn’t it be nice to get a couple of those checked off before the beautiful summer days are gone? Never fear, it’s not too late. Take some time today to plan a Project Weekend this month.
Set an appointment with yourself
I have offered this tip before, but setting an appointment with yourself is a great way to make sure that some of the “back-burner” things get taken care of. Some of the things that many of us like to put off because there are more important things that need to be done:
- Yardwork
- Painting
- Cleaning out the family car
- Replacing the filter in your AC unit
- Catching up on the Personal Development reading
- Updating your resume
As you can see, there are a range of activities that will occasionally get bumped by bigger, more important work. But the little things need attention too. So mark down some time for next Saturday (and/or Sunday) as the Project Weekend in your Calendar and make a list.
Reward yourself for a job well done
Not too many of us relish the thought of sacrificing a weekend to mundane (or undesirable) chores. This can decrease your motivation and enthusiasm, not to mention that of your family! So at the same time that you make out your list of Projects to accomplish, make a date to celebrate. Do something nice for yourself and your helpers - go out to dinner, see a movie, go to the park, whatever. Make sure it is something fun, and something that everyone can participate in and enjoy.
What will you do with your weekend
Here is the reader participation part of the program: Leave a Comment below with some ideas for things that you could do if you scheduled a Project Weekend.
Be sure to include your e-mail address!
I will send an e-mail reminder to each of you on Monday morning, 13 August. You can then reply with your accomplishments and I’ll put together a summary post. Pictures of your projects are welcome, in fact, “Before” and “After” pics would be the best. Be sure to include your plans for your success and your reward.
Thank you and have a great weekend!
If you found this post useful, please share it with your friends on Twitter using the tinylink http://tinyurl.com/5aej5l. Thanks, I appreciate it! Feel free to comment below, I enjoy discussing these ideas. ~@Stephen
Get involved with the 
August 4th, 2007 at 4:19 am
My project: Create a habit list
As a matter of fact, I find that I get around doing something so easily by turning it into a “project”… duh!
On the other hand, my Next-Actions lists work quite well for me. So: my project will we to create a list of habits I want to develop. Just tidbits I may add to my Next-Actions lists from time to time - or even complete them without any reminders. As defragmenting the harddisk has value even if interrupted, these habits shall result in a more defragmented home or life state. You know: this 2-minute-do-it-immediately type of things.
Oh, I forgot: would you please remind me on August 13th to start with this project…? ;-)
August 10th, 2007 at 12:54 am
[…] There is still time to join in the August Project Weekend Collaboration: […]
August 13th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
My weekend projects for August are tied into events calendared - some long ago. For example, last weekend was attending a wedding in the moutains (wonderful get-away), this weekend is taking a concealed carry handgun course, and next weekend is participating in my church’s major fundraising event. Still, making an appointment with myself for honey’do’s is a great way to attempt completion - as long as I stick with the appointment. Too often it is tempting to re-schedule home chores with more “fun” events! Maybe I need to work on a “habits” list as well! LOL
August 13th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Hi Stephen,
thanks for the reminder. The project went quite well - also thanks to your contribution. I’ve gathered a list of 16 new habits, and I’m considering to print it out and attach it to the fridge door, so I can add a check mark whenever I complete one of the habitual tasks. Some of the habits:
1. Rotate your posters.
2. Prepare some fruit and serve it to your loved one(s)
3. Reward somebody by adopting one of his or her tedious tasks.
4. Clear a single horizontal surface.
5. Drink one glass of water.
…
I’ve posted the whole list at http://www.evomend.net/en/home-2minutes-15-new-habits-you.
Instead of a plain “fridge list”, we can more sophisticated tools:
- the Seinfeld Chain, online. See http://smarterfitter.com/chain
- Mark Shead’s Habit List. See http://www.productivity501.com/habit-list/308/
- Joe’s Goals List. See http://www.joesgoals.com/
Thanks for the inspiration, Stephen!
August 14th, 2007 at 5:24 am
Thank you Claire and Rolf for participating! My own Project this weekend was to get some reading done, and spend some quality time with my wife. Both were astounding successes.