How I feel about starting new projects #NabloPoMo

Our bookcase refinishing project

Sometimes starting new projects in our house can seem very overwhelming.  It seems we have more projects to complete than hours in our day.  In order to complete these projects, I have started focusing on the 5 following steps:

1. Breathe first.  I don't know about you, but my mind is always racing with thoughts.  Thoughts on what, how & when to get things done.  I sometimes just need to remember to breathe in order to slow down and hone in on where to begin.

2. Focus on the task at hand.  It is easy to get sidetracked by emails, phone calls, mindless TV or any # of things.  Decide what you are going to be working on and stay on task. 

3. Think in 15 minute increments.  In our home it is often hard to find a full hour to concentrate solely on a project, but we can usually find a few 15 minute time slots throughout the day.

4.  Enlist the help of your kids.  This is dependent on age, of course.  Can they give you tools, help you paint or wield a hammer?  After all, how else will they learn how to do a task unless you show them?

5.  Set realistic goals.  Again, if you are like our family you may not even get one project completed in a day's time let alone 5. Break your project down into baby steps.  For example, maybe I can't get my bookcase completely painted in one day.  But, I might be able to get it sanded today, primed the next and painted the following day. 

How does your family find time to get your projects completed?