The end of the year can be stressful for both business and personal reasons. Many people have year-end projects that can be overwhelming unless you have solid planning. Having a plan can help you identify what needs to be done, how much of it to do, how much it'll cost, and how much time it'll take. You can use Project Management tools such as a Work Breakdown Structure and Network Diagram to quickly and easily create a visual map. Here's how:
1. Grab a pad of sticky notes
2. On each note, write:
a. What you need to do using a simple verb-noun description of the activity (e.g. buy gifts).
b. Duration of effort for that activity (e.g. 4 hours)
c. Cost of that activity (e.g. $150)
d. If needed, break that activity down into smaller pieces (e.g. what gifts to buy, for who, the cost per gift, and how long it'll take).
3. Sequence your sticky notes in an order that makes to you.
By having all the information above you'll know what to do, how long it'll take, and what your budget is. If anything doesn't fit, you'll be able to adjust your plan accordingly and refer to it helping you stay organized, focused, and less stressed. Have a happy December!
