As usual, you’re juggling a lot of things at once. You’re managing creative projects, work projects, family projects. You have a lot on your plate but you get lost in the daily details. You keep adding more and because you don’t have a sense of the whole, you live in a state of overwhelm and stress.
The problem? You don’t have a solid sense of everything that you’ve committed to, so you keep saying yes.
The solution is simple. Draw a visual of your ‘plate.’ I use a mindmap for each month so I can see at a glance what I’ve committed to.
Mindmap your plate
At the end of the month, do a plate map for the following month. In a page in your work journal, put the name of the month in the middle. In circles or boxes around it, name your projects. From each of those projects you can list out tasks to complete each project.
I don’t list ongoing things like client work, administrative work, or miscellaneous things like commenting on blogs and in forums. The map tracks major projects that require immediate attention and focus to complete them.
There are at least three ways this helps you be sane with your commitments:
Reality check. Seeing my big projects on the page helps me know when I’ve taken on too much. Throughout the month I can flip back to the plate map and get a quick reminder of my focus when days threaten to dissolve in minituae.
Just say no to shiny new things. When new opportunities arise, I can check my plate map to see if I can truly add anything more.
How did it go? At the end of the month, I go back to the page and check in to see if I completed my projects. If not, they go onto the next month. Like this, month by month, I am able to manage multiple projects and complete things without feeling overwhelmed.
The numbers. Here’s a bonus. Last month I added a list on the plate map of my estimated expenses for the month. At first I thought this kind of thing didn’t belong on the plate map. Then I realized it was a simple way to see that month’s expenses at a glance, and also to see how what I was working on related to my finances. (If I were really doing that thoroughly, I’d add income as well.)
Try it – place everything you’re trying to consume on one page in a notebook or online document. What do you see? How do you use visual planning techniques to get things done?
I’ve been doing this for over a year now using a similar CPM (Critcal Path Method) borrowed from years of working in a commercial construction office. It works because it’s a ‘visual’, not just words, and quickly lets you see why it’s OK to say “No” to yet another commitment that you really can’t do justice to. I highly recommend!
Pat,
I’ve never heard of CPM. I will check it out. I’m glad you find it valuable to see things as a part of planning. It’s so helpful to get things out of our heads and down on paper, and there’s so much more than lists and outlines!
Thanks for reading and sharing what works for you.
Thank you for this post today, Cynthia- I really needed it! I have lots on my plate and I plan on doing this to help me see the big picture and help structure my days a bit more.
Barb,
It’s a week later; did you try it? What results are you noticing?
I’m accustomed to doing a monthly plan (I plug major projects into my calendar monthly/weekly). But this visual way of doing it is really appealing. I’m going to try it! Thanks, Cynthia.
You’re welcome, Sue. This reminds me a little of Nick’s todoodlist – where you can only put so much on one page; any more is tilting you toward overwhelm.
Funny how simple paper and pen can provide such powerful solutions!
🙂
This is absolutely brilliant! I’m such a visual person. The traditional “to do” list never seems to register that I’m doing too much. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Hi Cynthia! I have used a mind map for writing, but never for organizing or seeing my monthly projects. I am going to give it a try. Thanks!
How’d it go, Carol? How did it help you see your schedule in a new way?
Thanks for another nice post Cynthia, Mindmapping sounds like a fun way to plan ahead- I use a bit of doodling when I’m doing this too 🙂 usually speech bubbles and thought bubbles mixed with a bunch of cartoon characters to spark some light-hearted smiles when I put a new task down.
Kylo,
I love the idea of your speech and thought bubbles. It can be so helpful to remember playfulness. Your comment reminds me of how personal a mindmap or journal can be. There aren’t any rules but what you make – and I think that’s one of the biggest benefits of keeping a journal – you are entirely at liberty to be as messy or goofy or linear or….as you want.
Thanks for your kind words and thoughtful comments! I love your sculptures.
This is a great idea (and one I’m going to implement), but my comment is actually about your site. It is simply beautiful. The elements made me immediately feel happy and comfortable, but then I saw your cancelled postage stamps for Facebook, et al, and I was just blown away. I might just have to contact your designer next time I do a redesign.
Thanks, BH! That’s very kind of you. I’m so glad my site moved you. I wanted it to feel like a comfortable and interesting place to hang out. My designers totally ‘got’ it. They are Intuitive Designs and you can access them from the link at the bottom right of the site.
Thanks again, and keep making your beautiful photos. With such great art, you don’t need a lot of design for your site. 🙂
I love this approach!!
I use Mind Maps quite often for different projects and have different sections of my notebook for clients, work projects, personal projects and family stuff etc. but this is a great way to consolidate everything and see the headline items for each.
I can see how this will help me to hit the ground running on those rare days when I have a chance to catch up with myself!
Thanks Cynthia. 🙂