Steps to Help You Get Over Procrastinating on a Home Project
Do you have a project you want to tackle but keep finding a new reason to push it off? I call this Project Paralysis.
This is us with our main floor bathroom. And it’s not like we’re doing anything difficult. It’s being painted. We have the supplies we need, but it keeps sitting there incomplete. That’s why I joined the ORC; this great group gives me the inspiration and accountability to see a home project, like our main floor bathroom, through to the end. If you’re new here, thanks for scrolling over this way! I’m Sara-Lynn, the Inspired Decorator.
So this isn’t the first time I’ve suffered from project paralysis. My husband and I think of a great reno idea, get started on it, and then run out of steam before it’s half done. Then it sits like that until a fire is lit under our butts.
In our first home we completely gutted the main bathroom down to studs while I was pregnant. And as the due date kept getting closer, it seemed like we weren’t getting closer to finishing. No word of a lie, my husband finished installing the toilet 2 days before my water broke! We didn’t even have the door back on the bathroom, but we at least had working plumbing.
I’ve since discovered that if I want to get a project complete, there are a few things that I need to do. If you also suffer from project paralysis aka project procrastination then this may help you too.
Steps To Get Your Project Completed
1. Set a deadline.
If a project doesn’t have a deadline then it’s more likely to float around incomplete for a long time. The ORC has helped me by setting a completion date of June 25.
2. Break it down into steps.
Sometimes a project stays incomplete because we are intimidated by how big it seems. If you break it down into smaller chunks then it won’t feel as large. And you might find there aren’t as many steps to complete it after all. By combining this step with step 1 you can keep making progress. So set a date to have your prep work done by, then set another date to have your painting done by, and set another date to have the baseboards installed by, etc.
3. Gather up all the required supplies.
By having everything on hand to work on your project you are less likely to be distracted while working on it. No side trips to the basement to find a scraper only to discover your basement floor could use a sweep, and the bookcase could use organizing, and the toys need to be tidied…or even worse, a distracting trip to the building center!
4. Create an inspiration board or mood board.
I like to do this with my projects at home and for clients. This gives everyone a vision for the end goal. Keep working towards that goal. Look at your board whenever you need the motivation to tackle your project and get it done!
5. Take before and after photos.
If you start feeling discouraged take a look at the before picture and see how far you’ve come. Keep your goal in mind. It’s also really fun to compare your before and after down the road when it’s been completed for a while. Be proud and show those results of your accomplishments to your friends and family!
Get Over Project Paralysis
I hope these project management tips help you get over your project paralysis. Projects of any size can be intimidating. But you are capable! You can do this! Keep your goal in mind, pick away at your project, and be sure to send me photos when you’re done!
The best way to do that is by signing up for my email list so we can stay connected!
And if you want to see how my ORC main bathroom project has been going, here are my other project posts: Week 1– Week 2– Week 3- Week 4– Week 6– Week 7– Week 8
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