I have a serious problem, and I’m sure a lot of you can relate. I have too many ideas and I try to do too many at a time. I used to think “I have too many ideas and not enough time,” but I was going about it the wrong way. There’s no use in whining about our limited time, so I changed my tone. The real problem isn’t that I don’t have enough time, or even that I have so many ideas – it’s that I try to do them all at once.
Since I’ve started blogging, I’ve seen the potential to build up a piece of online real estate (yes, a fancy word for a simple blog) into a platform to explode your idea into something awesome. I’m sure you can relate to the thrill of watching your subscribers, AdSense, or visitors reach record levels – it’s exciting!
But…it’s like crack. (No, I’ve never used crack, but you get what I mean :) ) Once you find success with one idea, you get inspired to do it again and seek out that same high you got from the first one.
If you go about it in the right way, you can really build up an empire of great sites built from excellent ideas. If you go about it in the wrong way, you can really screw up your primary blog, and feel defeated by the lack of results.
Bringing Life to Your Projects Without Feeling Overloaded
Use the momentum of the idea to ‘write it out’
You’re going to keep having ideas for books, e-courses, and other websites. There’s no question about it. (In fact, I just thought of an exciting new idea this weekend and wanted to get started right away! But I didn’t ;) ) We normally hear people say, “Write down the idea and walk away,” but you know how difficult it is to step back from a fresh idea! That’s why I like to take 30 to 60 minutes and ‘write it out.’ If a new idea is threatening my current project, I’ll use the momentum to outline my thoughts for the project in one or two pages. Then I save it in a folder called “new ideas” and get back to it when I’m done with my current project.
The power of focusing on one project at a time.
There’s no question in my mind that you can get more done when you focus on one task at a time. I’m a serial-multitasker and usually try to juggle quite a few projects at once. My first year of blogging felt a little like that, and I felt like I was always playing ‘catch-up’ on my ideas.
My focus really sharpened after FinCon11 and I accomplished more in the last two months than the previous 14. I also saw my adsense double and my visitors more than quadruple. Why? It’s because I stopped spreading myself too thin. The biggest help to boost my focus was to write out my goals and put them in a place where I can see them every day. Next to the goals is a little quote “Is what I’m doing right now the very best use of my time?” Asking myself this question and looking at my goals is the motivation I need to keep on task.
Holding to a deadline makes a world of difference.
There were two major goals that I wanted to tackle for the last year: create 6 months worth of email autoresponder messages and create an eBook teaching others how to coupon. Month after month I would put these goals on the backburner because I’d let other new ideas take the lead. There was a huge flaw with my goals – I wasn’t setting a timeframe to get them done.
Once I refocused my energy on one project at a time and set a clear deadline, everything seemed achievable. Within three weeks, I was able to create 16 email autoresponder messages – a goal I had wanted to achieve all year. The excitement of crossing that off my list propelled me into my second goal, which will be done by the end of January. In just one month, I started and finished my 5,000 word eBook that teaches people how to coupon. Words cannot describe how good it feels to overcome that feeling of project overload.
The point of sharing my two goals isn’t to boast about my accomplishments. Many of you have done even greater things this past year! If there’s one thing I realized, it’s that the concept of managing ‘project overload’ isn’t new or revolutionary. What’s new about organizing your thoughts, focusing your goals, and setting a deadline? Absolutely nothing. But if we don’t do it, we’ll be stuck in the same rut chasing our ideas until we feel burned out.
This is a challenge for you to realize that your biggest goals can be done in less time than you think if you stop letting the new ideas overshadow your main goals. Are you up for the challenge?
What goals do you want to achieve this year? If you’re brave enough, share them in comments!
Photo: Heavy Load, Olympia, Greece. Sam.
Thanks for an encouraging word about setting writing goals. I have made a bit of personal progress on keeping to a writing schedule and have done well with it, but I am not sure that is the same as having goals–bigger goals like the two big projects you mention.
I can resonate with you about letting successive ideas overwhelm me–too many projects doesn’t help me accomplish as much as I would prefer.
Sometimes the small goals like a writing schedule give you momentum to tackle the bigger goals. I’m usually most productive when I’m on a tight schedule – especially when it comes to writing.
I wrote a post last week about how I want to get more organized, keep things clean, more clutter fee, and make sure things are taken care of around the house. I put together a month-by-month task list that, if I hold to it, will make things around the house a more ‘automatic’ process. I know it’s kind of a vague idea, but honestly the idea of keeping on top of things has always seemed a mountain I couldn’t quite climb, and if I could do this, it would be a huge accomplishment.
The clutter free tip is something I need to focus on a little more. Having a clean working area keeps you from getting distracted. Good tip MB.
Really good tips Tim, I am a culprit of chopping and changing too much sometimes because I get frustrated and bored. Doing one thing at a time seems like the slow way to get things done, but in reality it is the only way I have found to really get them done all the way through to completion!
Boredom can be a big challenge for ‘idea people’. The excitement is in coming up with ideas, but implementing them often includes a lot of boring steps,which can be discouraging.
That is exactly how I feel a lot of the time. I get bored with “ironing out the details”. I hate rote work… I wish there was a need for just an “Idea Consultant”. I would be that girl. I’m chuck full of ideas. :-)
Agreed! I am working on a big idea with a friend and we email each other with ideas, thoughts, etc. but we have to push each other to hold meetings and make the next move. It’s hard. But with this first blog, I’ve realized I can see something to completion (or keep it going) so it makes me want to do more stuff! It’s addictive to finally follow thorugh!
Great reminder. I plan on planning a great plan about my plan this weekend….:)
Hope your plans don’t change :)
AHH! My entire life is project overload. It’s definitely a little overwhelming.. I need to finish all of the projects on my plate, but having a plan to finish them smoothly is certainly important!
I hear ya! If you get discouraged, remind yourself of what you HAVE accomplished. Sometimes that’s encouraging as you look at the big list of To-Do’s.
Even though it’s been said before we always need reminding. I have/had the same problem you were having. I am slowly refocusing my attention and not spreading myself too thin. It has already paid off by having a really good start in January.
Good for you, Jai. Glad you’re seeing results already!
Hey Tim, I’m the same way…..way too many ideas I want to work on all at once, coupled with a heavy project load already! But new projects can be so exciting!
I find a good technique is to put every project and major task into a table and list out the effort and potential payback (or penalty for not doing) each task. I then step back and re-prioritize to make sure I’m working on the things that are really important……I find it all too easy to get wrapped up in a trivial task when my time could be better spent.
The ‘necessary but not urgent’ tasks can really be distracting. That’s one of my biggest challenges of keeping focused. There’s so many little things that can easily take my attention away from what I really need to do.
This is definitely my problem! I’m have too many “goals” and am not focused enough. It leads to a cycle where I over commit, try to do it all, spread myself thin, then crash and burn, only to start the cycle over again when I get re-motivated. I really like the idea of a new idea journal or folder. Of course, this year I’m trying a new strategy to outsource some tasks which will hopefully alleviate me and offer more time – only to fill that time up with more responsibilities. I’m doomed! :)
Nah, you’re smart! Outsource the things that are taking up your time and refocus on the stuff that really matters. Gotta love outsourcing :)
Whenever I have a new idea for a new project I tell myself that I can start working on it when I finish whatever I’m working on at the moment. That usually gets me going and gets the current to-dos done, as I’m reading to take on something new.
I think there’s a lot to be said for focusing on one thing at a time, or even 1 thing at all. I know that whenever I divide my time, I have a “transition” between each thing I do and thus get less done (as a ratio of all that I want to do) opposed to picking one thing and seeing it through.
Good point about the transition time, JT. I’ve noticed that ‘resetting’ your mind after getting distracted takes up more time than you think.
I’m still trying to get a handle on the blogging “requirements” before I’m able to branch out. I want to start making some income from my site this year and I’m trying to stay focused.. Especially since I have a full-time day job. If I didn’t, I’d probably set an egg timer and spend an hour on each project.
It’s surprising how much you can get done in an hour if you force yourself not to use any more time than 60 minutes. It’s a challenge I like to make for myself often.
Great tips tim – I think the deadline is key. I found that if I dont have a solid deadline for myself, I’ll just continue to let things go by, then get mad because I havent done anything!
Tim, Excellent actionablesuggestions. NOw, back to my list :) And to prioritizing!
Great tips. I think that this has many implications. The stress can be decreased when you are practical regarding expectations, time and resource availability, and deadlines.
Good post Tim. I have a bunch of ideas as well, but haven’t been able to execute them. I feel like I don’t have any time at all. I probably have to refocus and figure out what the best use of my time is. The baby is such a time sink. :)
Great post! I try to set times where I work on one thing and one thing only and then take a 1 minute break…. in this case, to read a fantastic post. I do like the idea of write it out and as an academic find myself doing that all the time!
Good reminders Tim. I felt that overload all through November and December last year. But I’ve found some balance, and have been making a real focus to do one thing at a time. My big goal was getting my eBook launched, and I did just that!
Hi Tim,
Great post! I also realized I was spreading myself too thin when I was noticing I wasn’t getting things done as fast as I wanted to. I would be in the middle of working out the details of a real estate rental purchase, watching my son, trying to write an article, and catching up on emails and list goes on and on. Until I placed a deadline on projects and put some on hold I didn’t see progress. So now I feel like I finally have my formula that works!
2012 Goals:
Join the Yakezie challenge
Publish a great quality and content article a week
Purchase at least one more apartment building with a minimum of 6+ units
Hopefully I succeed! :)
Awesome results, Tim! It’s great too see quantifiable results from just getting serious about something very specific. I’ve also set a goal to get my autorespoder going, so now it’s time to just sit down it do it like you did.
Hi Tim, good to hear that someone else has change dthe way they do things (and how effective they are) by focusing on only one thing at the time. I did this (in my day job, I am afraid) and have completed so many pieces of writing that otherwise were about 80% there. Should keep it in mind more generally. Thanks again.
Hey Tim, yah this is a common problem with anyone in business or any kind of online business. It is very difficult to structure time without structure – in other words you need a plan!!
Many years ago I had the same issue. A client who ended up becoming my business coach and she set me up with a “Purposeful Schedule”. This is essentially an Excel file that blocks out the hours of the day. FOr example from 900 to 930am I check email, from 930 to 10am I comment and do social media. And from 1030am to 4pm I write. Tuesday is blocked as a marketing day, and Wed to Friday afternoons are blocked for web production. It really doesn’t matter how you do it, it just gives you a sturcutre you can follow.
The thing I like about the purposeful schedule, is that its flexible. If I need 1 hour on Monday for email, then fine. I do that and just get back on track at the next time. One of the biggest wastes of time is checking email all day long – only allow for an hour a day blocked in the morning and evening, and the rest of the day get to work and ignore the inbox! This has been a successful solution for me :)
Cheers
The Dividend Ninja
My problem is that I always try to multitask and get overwhelmed by doing ten things at the same time. The power of focusing on project at a time is huge. It releases a tremendous pressure and, in fact, it is a more efficient way of taking care of things. Great article!
Oh, I know this all too well. As I have started a number of new sites within the past three months. I find that I can do it all by focusing on one or two aspects at a time. Then, when that is accomplished, I move on to the next focus. I keep track of my results and progress with to-do lists and such. My tunnel vision both helps and hinders me in many ways. :)
Great post Tim. I can easily relate to the project overload you describe here. It’s tempting to tackle all the ideas that you think might work, or be fun. I sometimes wonder how uber successful people manage, like Sir Richard Branson. My best guess is that they surround themselves with talented people and form partnerships, alliances, and outsource. I’m trying a new strategy for producing a blog this year, I’m working with a partner. I’m discovering there’s a lot of upside.
Great advice! I need to slow down my multi-tasking for sure. I’d rather do one thing well than five things sub-par. My current goal is to meet the Yakezie challenge and be beyond the 200,000 mark. I’ve done a little backsliding on my numbers the past couple days, but I think that’s normal and I’ll just keep working on it.
Nice post! I often have multiple projects going at my full-time job. I would highly recommend the book Getting Things Done. It helped me prioritize, organize, and delegate! I love the combination of todoist.com and the Doings app too.
I am pretty good about multiple projects I put them on my list and work my list until I get all of them done. Sometimes, the goal is more difficult.and I do not make as much progress as I would like. I want to crack the WiseBread 100, but my increased traffic is almost as satisfying. I am also trying to increase my blog income.which may be easier.You post makes me reflect on my priorities.
Hi,
Great article. I’ve just started writing my blog but I can already see what you mean. I’m excited by watching my audience increase exponentially day by day and it is addictive.
My goal this year is to get my Alexa ranking to under 200,000. I’ve a long way to go. Furthermore I want to monetise my blog once I reach this point.
Wish me luck. All tips and advice welcomed!
Pardon me if you already are, but you should take a look at the requirements for the Yakezie Challenge, and if you think you can stick to the requirements, you should join. In about 3 weeks I’ve went from 7.5million on Alexa to 475,000. You might also move to a self-hosted WordPress platform (since you just started the transition shouldn’t be tough).
Looks like you’ve got some good content so you are on the right track there. Let me know if I can help.
This might sound a little ignorant but what do you mean by “self-hosted WordPress platform”? Yes I am signed up to the challenge. :D
Rather than turn this post into a how-to, feel free to email me or start a new post in the Forums. I’m happy to help.
I sent this one right to a friend and have received a continuous stream of thank you’s ever since. Great tips.
I take on wayyyy more than I should at any given point in time, but I think that is because I like keeping busy. I also like getting a project off the ground and finding people I can delegate tasks to. I have assembled a fantastic team where I can sit back and not stress over the day to day operations of any business/project. I think this may have something to do with the project manager in me.
This is a great point about the importance of staying focused. I have the same problem as you, Tim … I spread myself too thin, and end up accomplishing less than I could if I buckled down and focused on only one or two key projects.
Writing it out is the biggest thing I can do. I think it’s the simple calming practice of it, the methodical pen on paper? I don’t know. Great tips!
[...] Yakezie shares how to overcome project overload. [...]
It’s not only time management, it’s simply a matter of time first and foremost. If you have the time, then you can apply the proper management strategy to accomplish the most.
good stuff Tim. this is a very common issue many entrepreneurs struggle with. the sooner one gets clarity, the sooner one is able to stay focused on the goal.
Thanks for the great tips. I have to manage multiple projects at work and getting them done can be a challenge. I agree with BTI- time is definitely a factor in success.
Love your advice. I’m working on what I need to be doing, streamlining ideas, and focusing them into cohesive thoughts. Thanks for the inspiration!
As an academic I am always busy so I use to do lists and work in timed increments, be they timed or the length of my
wash and dry cycle.
Yes, I think it’s very important to set deadlines and not spread your energies too thin. I have jumped head-first into something only to get bored later on. The slower and steadier path works out well, though.
I try and make tiny steps so that I feel like I’m accomplishing something along the route, but I get easily overwhelmed and in all honesty, the constant validation helps.