Lesson Three: Choosing a project

How did it go with the mind mapping last week? I’ve been teaching this powerful method for years. Most people love it, but some don’t. If it’s not your bag, don’t worry about it.

Hopefully you have a sense of all the projects you could work on and some actions they require. You might be wondering: Why did we go into project management mode instead of just leaping into one of the projects?

Because we love the beginning idea phase of projects so much, we often fail to get a livable sense of the scope of the project. We are prone to adding more projects onto our plate without realizing how much bandwidth is required.

I am SO guilty of this over-enthusiasm. But year by year, I get better at managing my time, focus and energy on things I can actually make happen. This step today has led me to so much greater satisfaction and I hope it does for you too. Let’s work our magic, shall we?

Step one: Get a lay of your Projectland.

Scan your mind map of your possible projects or your Projectland. You should see:

4-5 categories representing areas of interest for youseveral projects or ideas in each of those areas of interestaction steps for at least a few of those projects

Step two: Drill down 

Now, here’s the part where we use our magic aka intuition. Let’s soften our focus and feel into it. All of these ideas represent your unfiltered enthusiasm for what you want to write and create. It’s good to get it all out and to savor your exuberance. We LOVE this sense of possibility. Let’s take steps toward bringing our brilliant ideas into reality.

Look for the categories or projects that feel most exciting to you now. Don’t over-think it. Just get a felt sense of what’s right for you NOW. Mark with stars, stickers or colored marker those items that feel most compelling now. Mark as many as you want.

Now, make an additional star next to the things you want to work on this year. You may not complete the project within a year but you can put some attention there.

Repeat this process with the question:

What do you want to focus on in the next six months?Then ask again and make stars for projects you want to get to in the next three months.Then one month.

What do you notice? Which specific projects have the most stars? If you’d like, free-write about your experience with this process, taking note of any fears or concerns that may have arisen.

Next week, we will look at how to choose which projects to work on and how to make sure you have space in your life for them.

If you want to chime in on how this is going for you, leave a comment below.

Focus, Follow Through and Finish group meeting information

Don’t forget, we have a group video conferencing call next week where I will answer questions you have about this process.

You can call in from your phone or join via computer where you will be able to see me and your fellow participants.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 27th at 4:00 pm PST, 5:00 pm MST, 6:00 pm CET, 7:00 pm EST.  (Convert to your own time zone here.)

Here are the details about how to join the call. Save them so you’re ready next Wednesday.

Use this link to join from your computer: https://zoom.us/j/839866399

If prompted to enter a meeting id:  Meeting ID: 839 866 399

Or call in by phone: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) 

International numbers available 

Till next week,

p.s. This is adapted from a lesson I teach in my Make Writing a Happy Habit class. If you’re enjoying this process, you may love my Make Writing a Happy Habit class. It focuses on helping you set yourself up from the micro to the macro in your writing life. By the end of six weeks, you’ll be set to enjoy a year of fun and productive writing. The syllabus and all the details are here.

Maybe you just want to write your you-know-what off in February. Good! Join us in the Free-Write Fling. Snag your spot in our classroom here. 

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