Do you have a personal project that’s been sitting on the back burner for a couple of weeks or months?

Looking to turn things around, get things done and finally put a smile on your face?

In this post I offer a few ideas to help you be more productive when it comes to accomplishing personal projects.

Uncover what’s holding you back.

Whether you’ve been meaning to plan your wedding, start new exercise regimen or finish a half-completed woodworking project for the longest time, chances are something is hidden beneath the surface. Now’s the time to be brutally honest with yourself so you can clear the air and get your project moving in earnest.

What’s holding you back? Do you not have a specific  goal or completion date set? Are you hesitant about picking up additional materials, doing more research, or reviewing your original plans?

Make a simple plan.

A wonderful thing about personal projects is that you already have a vested interested in seeing things succeed. You want to create things, learn new skills and have new experiences. To make the most out of your excitement and enthusiasm (and reduce boredom), keep things simple. Instead of poring over complicated spreadsheets or task lists, just make a plan of three small steps to take in the upcoming week. For example, if you’re stuck on that woodworking project, you might jot down, “Buy sandpaper,” “Sharpen tools” and “Clear off workstation.” Complete each task in order and then jot down a new set of tasks for the following week.

Track your progress.

While tracking and recording information might be second nature to you at work or school, it might not be the case in your personal life. Consider creating physical notes of where you are in your project. Use a note taking app, write in a journal or diary, make voice memos, or make a colorful progress poster or chart. Having a physical record of your progress can be quite motivating to see where you’ve been…and where you’re going.

How about you? What personal project are you ready to finally accomplish? What steps are you going to take right now to get one step closer towards achieving it?  Join in the conversation and leave a comment below!