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When the time will come to create and craft your next BIG idea, give planning the importance it deserves. Whether you are launching a new product, developing a marketing strategy, designing a new blog, or building your online reputation, planning will make sure that, when your project is completed, you’ll feel just like Steve Jobs launching the iPad… pretty darn good!
You may think that planning is boring, but you are wrong my friend. On the contrary, planning enables you to finish with a project that is pretty close to your initial idea. It allows you to enjoy the moment of creation and avoid having to resort to a Plan B. Let’s see how.
Get Your Shopping List
After screaming Eureka!, you’re next step is to break down your project into specific activities. If you’re developing a new product, you will need to think about how you will design and manufacture it, how you will market it, and what kind of after-sales service you will offer.
Build a list of all the tasks you will have to accomplish within each category. It doesn’t matter if you can’t list them all. Try to be as comprehensive as possible. This is what Charles Gilkey calls concreteness in his post on the the 5Cs of Completion. Once you have in hand that great shopping list, it’s time to prioritize. Pick three or four tasks that require your attention and get moving.
Now you’re asking why the list is important? Now I’m answering. Because it enables you to clearly visualize your priorities, pinpoint which tasks depends on the completion of another, and monitor your progress.
I Need Tools Guisela!
I hear you! I hear you! There’s no need to cry. You need tools. Dry your eyes and read carefully because I found some for you. If complicated project management tools make you having convulsions, I suggest that you have a look at Tim Ferris’ dreamline. It’s a very simple document focuses on a few priorities at the time. It also helps you to break down your projects into precise tasks so that you can get things done. You can find this dreamline document on Tim’s blog.
If your project is big and includes smaller projects, look at a free software called FreeMind. FreeMind is not really a project management tool, but it permits to schematize your ideas and projects. You put down all your ideas and can see how they are interconnected.
If you’re more familiar with project management, you can always rely on software, such as MS project. You can even find templates of Gantt charts on Google docs.
Who Are Those Strangers? They’re Your Team Members!
Now that you’ve defined your game-changing idea and that you know what needs to be accomplished, it is time to turn to your team of partners or assistants. That’s the best part. It’s time to delegate! If you’re not used to it, here are a few tips.
If you’re one of those who want to do everything alone, it’s time to have a chat. You are the creator right? The almighty project manager? Then stop wasting time on jobs that could be done more rapidly by others who have the skills and experience. Examine your list of activities and delegate them based on your team members’ skills.
Clearly explain to your teammates the result you want and when you want it. If necessary, ask them to explain the task in their own words to make sure they understood. That’s interactive communication and in a project, it is crucial. If you screw up that step, you’re going to have bigger problems down the road.
Time to Question Yourself
Before launching your project, set yourself precise milestones where you’ll review the progress made and question your approach. Don’t question the whole raison d’être of your project, question some of the tasks or your process.
This is a pretty important step. It helps you to rapidly adjust your plans when you encounter unexpected problems. It allows you to improve on things that went wrong. It eliminates the need to have a Plan B because your Plan A was, in the first place, well-thought and flexible.
How to Create and Have Fun
If you remember only one thing from this post, remember the advantage of having a good plan. You’ll have more time to spend on creating and less on troubleshooting things that went wrong. And when your project will materialize exactly as planned, you’ll fell like Ritchie Valens singing La Bamba for the first time… pretty darn good!
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Original photo by oddsock
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah La Bamba….bon sur tousles plans….planifiés comme improvisés
Hi Jean-François,
You can count on Ritchie!
With La Bamba, everything goes smoothly
Thanks for stopping by!