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Keeping projects moving with kids, etc.

I put a white board up in my garage. Just having all the remaining or next sequenced tasks listed keeps me from floundering while I try to decide what to work on next.

My board has two major columns; titled Clean and Dirty. Under “Clean” I list all the jobs I can get into the garage for 15 minutes at a clip and get something done on my project, but be able to walk out and get involved with a kid, a meal, etc. These may be time consuming, but easy (and clean) tasks I can walk away from and pick right back up again later on. Sometimes I’ll sneak in from work and knock-out a clean job or two before anybody realizes I’m home.

“Dirty” jobs are those that I jump on when I have an hour or an afternoon to work and I know I have time to get involved in and not worry about stopping. Also, those jobs where I’ll be getting dirty hands, clothes, etc., and I won’t want to stop to clean up.

Just having a list handy lets me maximize my shop time. Optimizing the list so I can quickly and easily find tasks to accomplish lets me keep the project moving when I don’t have much time to work.

I know it sounds simple, but the white/chalk board beats the heck out of a paper list that always gets misplaced.

Jack

Comments

Tyler H:

I love my 9mo-old daughter more than anything in this world, but her arrival has definitely put a dent in my car hobby. This is a great suggestion. I think I'll pull the whiteboard off my wall at work and bring it home. Clean/Quiet and Dirty/Noisy might be better headings. A nap is a terrible thing to waste. :)
May 25, 2008 2:32 p.m.

Redhornet:

Excellent idea. I'm implementing this straight away. Having a big board in the garage will also keep me motivated to get my project done because I'll see the list everyday. Really awesome idea.
Jun 13, 2008 6:04 p.m.

11s42k:

This is a great idea. One tip for the new parents out there: the first year is the hardest. Each month gets a little easier after that. Once they can feed themselves, time starts to come back. Nobody told me this in the beginning, and it seemed like life as I knew it was going to be gone for 16+ years. It was a difficult adjustment. Mine just turned 8 and 11, and now I have more shop time than I have in the last 11 years. I can turn the radio down in the shop and listen to them rip around the yard in their kart while I work. Plus, when there is a “tiny hand job”, there are 4 small hands on call! They also enjoy vacuuming and claening car windows, which not only keeps them busy, it gets another item off the list. Erik
Jun 18, 2008 11:26 p.m.

SoloSonett:

One idea that has helped me keep on track: Try and spend 5- 15 mins Every day with your project. Even if it's adding to your list. Or picking up and cleaning around your work. You will find most days will run into an hour or so, but even if it's only 15 mins, you will be amazed how much gets finished. Remember how to Eat an Elephant… one bite at a time!
Jun 25, 2008 12:30 p.m.

ww:

A white board is going up in my garage tonight! Having 3 kids (5, 3 & .8), trying to keep any of my myriad projects moving is a challenge.
Aug 26, 2008 12:43 p.m.

Fishwerkes:

We have scheduled “shop night”(s)… My wife has a night she goes and does her crafts with her Mom and company… and I have my night to go out and work in the shop to get things done… (Usually coincides with some other crappy TV show I dont give a rip about). This can also lead to your buddies having their shop nights at the same time.. so be aware that shop night can morph into beer and bench race night.
Nov 26, 2008 9:34 p.m.