The sun sets on another day and another completed project…

The day has finally come!

You’ve finally finished that project you’ve been working long for several weeks and months.

You’re ready to move on to a new challenge, perhaps something bigger and better.

Before you start on your next endeavor, there’s a few things you should wrap-up from your recently completed project.

Today’s post offers a few tips to help you successfully close the doors on a completed project.

Archive and/or save project materials.

• Wrap up your project by appropriately saving your work.
• Save and/or archive a final version or two of your work, be it in hard copy or digital format in an appropriate folder or storage location. Archive any supportive emails, texts or other documents.
• Shred, recycle or delete any sensitive paper or digital materials, including notes and drafts. You should also place any other materials you’ve used back in their proper storage locations.
• Clear your desk or workstation of any remnants of the project so you can begin working on your next endeavor with a clean slate.

Wrap up finances.

Do you have an unpaid invoice hanging about? Do you need to make a payment, balance your checkbook/books, or just check on the status of an account or payment? Take the time now to settle all financial obligations and involvements related to your project.

The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to recall minute details and sort through all the different complexities of your finances.

Communicate with others.

Communication is key when working on any project. It’s even more important to let people know a project has been completed so they aren’t left hanging or in a lurch.

Whether you’ve been working with one person or a bunch of people, consider sending a final “project closed” and/or “thank you” email to mark the occasion. Thank everyone for their time and let them know the project has been completed successfully.

This way, there will be no doubt as to where the project stands — it’s finished.

Celebrate!

You’ve worked long and hard on your project and should take time to celebrate your accomplishments!

You don’t have to throw a giant gala ball in honor of your achievements (of course, you can certainly do so if you so choose), a small celebratory gift will suffice.

You could treat yourself to your favorite latte, buy a new eBook, take a stroll through the park, go to the movies, take a relaxing soak in the tub, etc.

Now to you…what project or projects have you successfully completed recently? Join in the conversation and leave a comment below!