Making Big Projects Seem Smaller

A while back, I wrote about some of the things my day job taught me that I wanted to apply to my costume making. At work, we use the "backlog" system to help take big projects and rationalize what needs to be done when. So, I started applying that to my projects. I made a table that looks something like this:

1. I list up to three projects that I really want to finish in the first column. More than that and anyone would go mad!

2. For each project, I list what I need to do in very simple terms. Example:

a. choose bra cups

b. build side panels

c. build straps

d. cut covering fabric

e. apply covering fabric

f. embellish cups

g. embellish side panels

f. embellish straps

g. cut lining fabric

h. line

3. Then, for each one, I GUESS how much time each task will take to actually finish each step and get to a stopping point. Note it by the item. Let's assume this is a SIMPLE, non-beaded bra, where I will sew on a few pieces to embellish, and I am sewing base pieces by machine. Times are GUESSES only.

a. choose bra cups - 10 minutes

b. build side panels - 20 minutes

c. build straps - 10 minutes

d. cut covering fabric - 5 minutes

e. apply covering fabric - 45 minutes

f. embellish cups - 20 minutes

g. embellish side panels - 20 minutes

f. embellish straps - 15 minutes

g. cut lining fabric - 5 minutes

h. line - 45 minutes

4. Now, to use this, you and I both know that there are some things that are dependent on other tasks -- you know I can't line the thing until I have finished everything else. But, I could build the side panels before I choose the cups. So, now I can say, "I have 30 minutes to sew, which task can I finish in this time?" and then I pick something that I can do in that period that is not dependent on another task. And, I can see where i can do some of these tasks in different environments, like embellishing or other hand sewing while waiting in a doctor's office (done it!), riding along on a car trip (done it!), or watching TV with your beloved (done it!).

I like this method because it makes me feel like I have accomplished something, and it really helps me to sort through which things I need to get done by X date, allowing me to re-prioritize things that are or are not important. (Do I really need to use THAT beading pattern that takes forever?)

(modified from comments on bellydanceforums.net)