« Toolbar PR Update Time | Main | Google Beta-Testing Site-Targeted Ads »
Too Many Tangents
April 23, 2005
Okay, I'm doing it again. Just when I think I've got things down, and some focus and much needed direction, yet another idea(s) hits me and off I go.
This latest round of new ideas has hit me hard. I just registered another batch of domain names. The issue, of course, is when on earth am I going to find the time to do something with all of these ideas?
My to-do list is now a huge mish mash of projects (just started, glint in my eye, halfway there, maybes, should I's). I need to start prioritizing but there are just too many enticing things I want to do and try.
So I've decided I'm going to take some time to work on a new plan of action, one that will let me play with all these new ideas but at the same time get some things done.
Kevin Humphrey has some sort of a secret plan using his kitchen timer, so he won't let me borrow it *sob*.
It's just as well. I need one of my own anyway.
Bookmark this: BlinkList | del.icio.us | Digg it | Furl | reddit | Yahoo MyWeb
Posted by BJ at 04:05 PM in Time Management | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/69656/2333907
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Too Many Tangents:
Comments
Well BJ,
I currently use a kitchen timer as well...I'm like you, I have a lot of pots cooking at the same time and it can be frustrating. But I am the type of person who gets bored easily when I'm focusing on only one thing...
What I've done is split up the tasks required by each project, I set my timer for 1 hour, and I literally move from task to task. 1 hour working on a project, 5 minute break, 1 hour working on another project 5 minute break...get the idea?
I find that the 5 minute breaks really help me a great deal not to get burnt out (and ever 3 hours, I take a 30 minute break)
Posted by: Teli | Apr 23, 2005 6:12:41 PM
My problem is that while I'm working on one project, inevitably I will get about a dozen ideas for new projects, about 95 percent of which are so enticing that more likely than not, I'm off on yet another tangent. And we might be ten minutes into the allotted hour :)
But I'm working on it!
Posted by: BJ | Apr 24, 2005 12:10:28 AM
Hey BJ,
You appear to be a fellow victim of the affliction known as "Idea Virus". Insidious disease isn't it?
One trick I've been using lately that seems to help is to keep a small notebook beside me that's devoted exclusively to ideas. When they come up, I jot them down real quick, and then go back to what I was doing. Get them out of your head as soon as possible and then re-focus.
Then...make sure you block out some time on a regular basis to spend on researching your new ideas. This is an important part I've found. If I know that there will be a point within the next day or two when I can 'play' with them, I find it easier to drop them while I'm busy with the 'task-at-hand'.
And my 'secret' timer thing? It's basically the same as Teli's ;). A trick that I picked up from Lynn Terry. Pick your projects for the day, set out 'blocks' of time for each and then focus on one at a time using the timer to keep on schedule. I'm finding it's helping with my own 'focus' issues. I'm not perfect yet, but each day is a lesson and each day I try and take a couple more steps in the right direction.
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 24, 2005 3:35:45 PM
I do have an idea journal, Kevin, but you know, I never thought to promise myself time to play with my ideas later on. That's something that sounds promising. I do jot all my ideas down but maybe if I tell myself I'll be able to do something with them soon, it might do the trick.
Posted by: BJ | Apr 24, 2005 3:52:52 PM
Hi BJ
Completion is really hard for ideas people. They want to be starting something new all the time and get easily bored when it comes to the implementation phases. I'm like that too and I have found, being a manager in a day job situation, that the only solution that works for me is to hire task focused, disciplined finishers! The'll never have the imagination to do what you do but they'll do the things you hate and will get the job finished. I think there are ways to apply that in the WAH situation too if there's a bit of cash available. Using services like Elance or hiring a local book-keeper (I HATE accounts, tax returns etc. with a passion) are just a couple of ideas that spring to mind. But whatever solution works for you, I guess I'm suggesting that instead of being constantly frustrated at our tendency to to want to fly off in new directions all the time, we should work on putting arrangements in place that allow us to attend to our beloved tangents with a clear conscience!!
Gerry
Posted by: Gerry | Apr 24, 2005 6:27:31 PM
Gerry, I LIKE that idea! Hiring someone to do the tedious parts of implementation. My main problem is that I've tried to hire assistants in the past (for my offline work) and none of them (I tried three different people at three different times) worked out very well. I found it to be even more hassle than doing things myself.
But maybe I should be looking for specialized help ...
Posted by: BJ | Apr 24, 2005 7:03:42 PM
I laughed as I read your post BJ. I've been suffering from a fit of domain buying fever this last week.
I'm using DirectNic as my ideas notebook. :-)
Oh well, better too many ideas than too few I guess.
Keep it coming BJ.
Posted by: Phil Tanny | Apr 24, 2005 7:20:42 PM
Seems I have been plaqued with Idea Virus as well ;) Its so exciting and yet Not... lol
I am taking the next day or so to re-gather my thoughts and figure out what needs to be done first. I have a notebook full and only so many hours and life has been getting in the way;)
Posted by: Chrissie | Apr 24, 2005 9:25:38 PM
It looks like the Idea Virus is running rampant among us! :)
Phil, that's one of the most unique methods for keeping track of ideas that I've heard of! A bit too expensive for me, but it sounds like it might work well. Mind you, I've got domain names squirreled away for prosperity that are all of a sudden coming up for renewal.
Chrissie, I know exactly what you mean about "life getting in the way". Somedays I want to say to the kids, "what do you mean, you need to eat? Didn't you just have a yogurt?". (Of course, then they always come back with, "Mom, we always have yogurt. Yogurt for breakfast, yogurt in our lunches, yogurt for dinner. We're getting tired of yogurt.")
Posted by: BJ | Apr 25, 2005 9:19:11 AM
Ha!
Around here its "poptarts" atleast yogurt is of the healtier variety ;)
My problem is I get derailed so easily... So when I multitask the laundry and kids while working, it gets rather messy lol
Posted by: Chrissie | Apr 25, 2005 12:01:43 PM
Oh, Chrissie, don't get me started on the whole multitasking thing - I'm not even going to tell you the things I've put in the fridge that definitely don't belong there!
Posted by: BJ | Apr 25, 2005 12:04:59 PM
My domain buying habits are out of control! I have a bunch of up renewal and now I have to decide which ones to keep and which ones to let go. Oh the decisions!!!
Posted by: rent games | Apr 25, 2005 4:57:04 PM
