Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been consumed with a slough of awesome, fun, and affordable projects I’d like to do around the house. All this is great until… you become overwhelmed by all of the project options and then you just can’t manage to decide what projects you want to take on first. Apparently, our laundry room overhaul has left me feeling creative, ambitious, and excited!
Since I’ve become so “motivated,” I’ve decided that it would best to step back and take a look at our home holistically, and filter through all of the ideas, projects, and plans to create a prioritized plan with which to approach my to-do’s. Sounds like a good plan, right? I think so!
Now you’re probably wondering how I’m going to do this effectively, so here’s what I’ve got…
- list project ideas
- approximate project costs
- develop broad, big-picture goals for our home (yearly)
- detail short-term, smaller goals (aka- weekly, monthly, etc.)
- plan larger home purchases we hope to make
- create over-arching budget for projects
I don’t know, and maybe it’s just me, but I think law school might have ruined me… I tend to overthink information on occasion! But, in all seriousness, this “list” of projects will include more than just DIY, you can certainly expect some organization plans that involve personal finances and lifestyle efficiency. I’ve always been a fairly organized and efficient person, but I truly believe this is now essential to my DIY project planning.
ANY FEEDBACK ON MY PROCESS? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SO OVERWHELMED BY IDEAS AND INSPIRATION THAT YOU HAVE TO STEP BACK AND CREATE A “PLAN?” ANY INPUT/RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
I too have so many projects (big and small) that I want to tackle, it’s hard to know where to begin! My Husband & I decided we’d focus on one room at a time and at least get the big things done in each room before we start getting distracted by all the little things we can change\add.
I think having goals is a good thing, it helps you to stay on task and I don’t know about the rest of the world but I know I am more productive when I have a deadline rather than “eh, whenever.” (even if it’s a self-imposed deadline).
Good luck organizing and making a game plan!
goals and one projects at a time is always a good plan, but deadlines really make the difference! I often balance multiple projects at once because some require down-time between steps, so I can get more done if I tackle multiple things, but without deadlines and a plan, I might ADD my way to too many projects and not a great outcome! Good luck to you as well!
Boy I am with you, overwhelmed! One thing I struggle with is spending the money and what if I am not so good @ my new venture then my $ is down the drain and my ego. Also now that I am searching out all these endless blogs with so many wonderful ideas and clever and talented people I am beginning to think-what is wrong with me? Why am I not inventing, discovering and a creative genius? I mean really is everyone making millions but me? I feel so intimidated to even try every one seems like they have perfected everything they try. Here is alittle suggestion it’s free and you know they say it is worth what you pay. How about choose 1 yearly project work on some each month. Pick 1 monthly project and work one one day of each week. Pick one weekly project and work on each day of the week. Seems like a possible plan to me- let me know what you think Best of Luck!!! Bye the bye I think you are great
Julie, you are too cute! let me assure you that no blogger is really making millions, and it’s only through interacting and seeing other inspiration that we all become inspired ourselves! It’s one big creative community, and I assure you that the more time you spend within it, the more inspired and creative that you’ll become. You’d be amazed! I want to assure you that all of us make all kinds of mistakes all the time and nothing is perfect, but it can be the more you practice. I hope you’ll find some inspiration and tackle some fun projects!
Hey I am feeling inspired daily, and I have done several small projects. I have learned some origami and made some cute hearts that I mailed to my Valentines little girls and my girlfriends I did in non traditional colors since in my circle I am the only one who likes pink or red so I did orange and a cool patterned paper with the peace sign for my fiance’s children. I have tried 8 new slow cooker receipes. Did I mention we live on the road with his job so there is no home sweet home. I made a darling planner after a post I read on “Living In Bainbridge”-her’s was around sixty my around 30ish,I am making pom poms by hand and currently getting ready to take on tassel making. Thanks for writing me it is such a bright spot in my day
that’s awesome Julie! Sounds like you have some unique challenges and have found a way to make the absolute best of it!!! You are totally awesome and don’t give up your craftiness!
I think you plan sounds smart. I’ve definitely been in the “consumed by rethinking” category…more times than I care for. My problem, too, is that I flitter about like a butterfly and never really finish anything. So, my goals include sticking with one room til its done. Can’t wait to see all that you have planned…
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
sticking with one room at a time is always a good plan and it’s particularly rewarding because you see greater progress, faster!
Ashley, law school has ruined us all.
Yet, at the same time, it has made us more aware of what we do and more careful about how we do it. So really it has ruined us only because it forced us to take off our blinders, and in my mind, that is not ruined at all. 
On another note, lists and plans are how things get done!
isn’t that the truth!
I think you have a great plan. I call what we have project A.D.D. lol I have so many ideas and so little time to do them all. I had to write a list of what projects I want to do and then prioritize them by what needs to be done sooner rather than later. I also figured out how much some things cost and have already started saving money for them so that when I’m ready to get them done, I have some money to put towards it. For me, list-making is the way to go – it’s a great way to visually see what needs to be done and in what order. Good luck!
Thanks! lol… project ADD sounds like the perfect diagnosis to me! I’m definitely making a list, including supplies and costs so that some proper budgeting and planning can happen!
I would seriously embrace the thinking process. Especially for those who worry that they’ll finish their project, spend the money, and then find it’s not suited for your family. You’ll end up doing it all over again. It’s very important, once you feel you’re getting near to having your project finished (in your head-finished), to live with the plan (in your head). As you use that closet, pantry, toy storage everyday, imagine reaching for the items-are they convenient? Imagine putting them away again, is it clear where everything goes? As your family uses that area, imagine if the process is simple enough for even your sloppiest to handle. Can children reach? In my experience, under-thinking is much more expensive. You might even want to find some boxes awaiting recycling to take the place of the future “cute” ones to see if your plan works.
I have to say that one of the best things about DIY and paying cash for everything is that it takes time. Why is that good… because of exactly what you said! It forces us to live in our home, understand it’s uses, and take the time to make the best decision about how we want to use our home! Do-overs are totally not fun! Since we don’t have kids (yet), but know that we may in the next few years, we’ve definitely been keeping that in mind when it comes to the planning process. You have a very good approach and I love your explanation! Honestly, I am so thankful to have time to step back and analyze and plan- in fact, I’m almost happy-dance level excited about it!