August 30, 2010 39 Comments

Projects on My Plate

I was just looking over all that I’m doing. It’s quite a jumble. Here’s me right now:

It’s quite a pile of things to consider. Some of them are growing. Some are waning. Others don’t take a ton of time. Some take way more than I wish. Luckily, I’m passionate about all of them.

Sometimes, people see me as a blogger, some guy just throwing out half-baked ideas here. I’ve got quite a maelstrom brewing around me of smart people, amazing ideas, and incredible opportunities. How do I manage it all? I do my best to keep the quilt of time pulled tightly to me. I do my best to eliminate wasteful activities. I do my best to do my best.

What’s on your plate? How do you keep it all together?

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  • http://reallifemadman.blogspot.com Marjorie Clayman

    I’ll give a prize to whomever tries to compete with that list :D

    As for me, I’m just trying to do one thing…take over the world so I can help it out.

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/grimblazer Steven Ramirez

    Wow, with all those activities, how do you maintain clarity around your brand? Just curious.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      My brand might well be synonymous with action. I’ll tell you what drives SOME of it. There are lots of people TALKING ABOUT social media. I’m doing it. I’m making it work for various companies. So, to do that, I take a lot of things onto the plate.

      I’m not the smartest. But my brand focuses on being helpful. With more experiences comes more opportunities to try new things.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      My brand might well be synonymous with action. I’ll tell you what drives SOME of it. There are lots of people TALKING ABOUT social media. I’m doing it. I’m making it work for various companies. So, to do that, I take a lot of things onto the plate.

      I’m not the smartest. But my brand focuses on being helpful. With more experiences comes more opportunities to try new things.

  • http://conniecrosby.blogspot.com Connie Crosby

    I’m a lot like you, Chris: I have about 30-40 projects/commitments on the go at any one time. Speaking, writing, committee work, organizing events, plus oh yeah the client work that puts food on the table. When I am feeling good I like to have lots to do, and I am so gosh-darned excited about all these possibilities. I see lots of interplay and connections between the projects, which is another reason why I take so much on. When I am tired it can seem overwhelming. I am learning to become incredibly organized, do things in advance when I can, and to pull some great people around me who can help. I am also learning to say “I am full up right now, try me again in 3 months”. Balancing it all is a challenge!

    Cheers,
    Connie

  • http://alexisgrant.com Alexis Grant

    Wow. This makes trying to write a book and start a business and figure out where I’m going to live feel a little bit less overwhelming.

  • http://www.arielmarketinggroup.com Amy Tobin

    As cliche as “Great Minds Think Alike” may seem, I was just writing a blog post entitled “Control Your Calendar.” When I managed reps. one of the key things I’d teach them is how to control their time instead of allowing it to control them. They always say “if you want something done, hire the busy guy.” I’d hire you if I could afford you:)

  • http://www.arielmarketinggroup.com Amy Tobin

    As cliche as “Great Minds Think Alike” may seem, I was just writing a blog post entitled “Control Your Calendar.” When I managed reps. one of the key things I’d teach them is how to control their time instead of allowing it to control them. They always say “if you want something done, hire the busy guy.” I’d hire you if I could afford you:)

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/grimblazer Steven Ramirez

    That’s great—actiing, being helpful, trying new things. To me, that’s what social media is all about. Much appreciated.

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/grimblazer Steven Ramirez

    That’s great—actiing, being helpful, trying new things. To me, that’s what social media is all about. Much appreciated.

  • http://www.robertbcairns.com/ Rob Cairns

    Chris, you have lots on your plate. I really believe time management is the issue when you have allt his going on. Which time management system do you use?

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I use the simplest in the world. Put first things first. Every day, I try to work on the main things first. That and egg timers.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      I use the simplest in the world. Put first things first. Every day, I try to work on the main things first. That and egg timers.

  • http://www.jerseysol.com nfl jerseys

    Life looks like a box of chocolate, you do not know what will happen in the future.Your article deeply moves me and really give me a big surprise.

  • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

    I think this type of activity caters to a certain type of individual. I’m the same way, love to be busy, have my hands in many projects at once. I like to be well rounded and constantly stimulating the mind with new ideas and activities.

    The part I’m concentrating more and more on now is directing focus to the projects that matter the most and are the most fulfilling for me, and saying no to those that are not.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      It’s a smart way to do it, Tim. I wish I could figure that out.

    • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

      It’s a smart way to do it, Tim. I wish I could figure that out.

  • http://twitter.com/nancimurdock Nanci Murdock

    I’m underwater with everything I have to do and I don’t even have a product or a job or a book… But it is all very exciting. I cannot remember any time in my life that I have been this excited about my projects. Thanks for sharing what is on your plate. It has encouraged me to write it down and maybe prioritize. All fun. All passionate.

    One day I will make $$$ but not in a rush…

  • http://sportymonkeycreations.blogspot.com Sportymonkeycreations

    Wow, that actually looks like some very interesting and diverse projects. And definately more knowledge; which is always a great thing.

    My plate is much smaller I’m afraid. I’m a rather spontanious and spunky writer, which is not a bad thing; in fact it makes my writings a little less mind-pulling. I do put thought into my work, very much so, but it is more along the lines of something I remembered doing as a child or starting a tutorial on creating a haunted house on a budget( which is my only project right now).
    Keeping it all together? I will get back to you on that one LOL. Seriously though, I think creativity alone keeps my blog in unity. Sure I have a few oddball peices just thrown out there like last weeks garbage.But if its less than a handfull of times, then I beleive it will be okay and not look like I have the rantings of a red headed wild cat. LOL :)

  • http://sportymonkeycreations.blogspot.com Sportymonkeycreations

    Silly question, how do you crontol time when kids’ time controls you? Only teasing, and love your blog!! Definately a good read also :)

  • http://www.discount-nike-shoes.com/ Ladies

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  • http://www.dogwalkblog.com/ Rufus Dogg

    Why is “Father and husband and guy – life” last?

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    To make you wonder if I even care about my family.

    • http://www.dogwalkblog.com/ Rufus Dogg

      Or to illustrate how broad your shoulders are, carrying all of the above :-) I don’t think the order matters as life roles place better on a flexible web rather than a list.

  • http://linkedin.com/in/joesorge Joe Sorge

    I find that I’m afraid to even write my responsibilities down like this. It can’t be a good sign. I often take inspiration away from this blog because of your ability to illustrate your thoughts in a list or map. Seems like that’s my first step.

  • http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress John Richardson

    Thanks for sharing your list, Chris. I have a lot of similar projects in the works, and I’ve found two things that help. For the important ones, I set a twelve week goal and keep track of my progress. Twelve weeks seems to be a magic number, as it is a time frame that allows you to do amazing things, but also short enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The other is working in focused time periods on one project at a time. I personally like 48 minute blocks (80% of an hour) with a twelve minute break. They say that most people fritter away 60-80 percent of their time each day on unimportant activities. Using a focused work plan with a twelve week goal can really change your life. I have a couple of worksheets on my blog that can help anyone set up a twelve week goal and get started.

  • http://bcox.me Brandon A. Cox

    I wrote an article not too long ago on “this is the age of many hats.” I think we’re seeing more and more professionals straddling multiple roles, and doing it fairly well. But it really isn’t anything new. My grandfather worked in a factory, got home in the evening and ran a general store, and overnight and in between everything else was a volunteer fire chief.

    We juggle. It’s what we do.

  • JeanmRussell

    Nice list. I find little mind maps useful, especially for showing relationships…add a little venn diagramming… like group all writing things together. However, all that writing is also based on having experiences and gathering new knowledge. This may not be titled under an organization but the rest of it depends on this activity.

    If you gave a percentage to each of these things… what percentage of your time is not on this list and what are you doing with that time?

    Personally I cycle through – following my bliss which ends up adding projects/commitments, then I start tracking it all, refine and trim to fit, deliver and close projects, start again. I like using a personal kanban which I customize with my own symbols and groups.

  • http://www.twistimage.com/blog Mitch Joel – Twist Image

    Move that last one right up to the top where it belongs :)

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Forget those monkeys. : )

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    That’s how I got it even vaguely streamlined the first time. Mind maps and figuring out how I was allocating hours was everything to me. : )

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    Quite so. I can juggle a wee bit. : )

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  • http://www.blackfridayplanet.com/ William Hushburn

    The father and the husband is I think the most heaviest position of all.

  • Anonymous

    While I am still in high school, I tend to balance a lot on my plate, as you do, Chris. I get asked quite often how I find any time to myself and to be with my friends.My job, school, family, extra-curriculars; my parents ask me quite often why I add another activity to my long list and it is actually because I love to be busy. As it seems many people out there do, as well.

  • Anonymous

    While I am still in high school, I tend to balance a lot on my plate, as you do, Chris. I get asked quite often how I find any time to myself and to be with my friends.My job, school, family, extra-curriculars; my parents ask me quite often why I add another activity to my long list and it is actually because I love to be busy. As it seems many people out there do, as well.

  • http://www.coopersbarnyard.com Frankie Cooper

    Wow that is a lot of responsibilities. Right now I’m in the process of getting a few websites redesigned, word press blogs setup, support help desk redesigned, and a forum setup. These have become a harder task than originally planned for.

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