Most people I know, clients and colleagues alike, have more than a handful, sometimes into the dozens of projects they want to be working on right now. In truth, I’m sometimes in that category as well. A project hoarder.
Problem is, having all those projects on the agenda simultaneously erodes focus, increases stress and reduces productivity. It’s ok to have many projects you want to do, but not as okay to be actively working on a dozen at a time.
Projects are like rolls of toilet paper. You really only need one at the moment you need it. You really only need one waiting in the wings. And when you do find that you need more, it’s not all that difficult to replenish your stock.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post. You are right, there’s no need to have 20 rolls of toilet paper on hand at all times.
Thanks for writing this Mary!
Thanks, Russ. A client sent me a New York Times article about hoarding and I was….inspired!