The Jumbo Shovel Approach:
Phew! I just got in from shoveling the driveway. Last winter I used a jumbo-sized shovel but I barely got anywhere with a huge amount of effort. This winter I pulled out a smaller shovel and am able to zip across my driveway. Sounds silly, but being able to move quickly really keeps me motivated.

A similar approach can be used when juggling multiple projects.

All too often, we use the jumbo shovel approach. In other words, we try to make traction on countless projects at the same time.

Weeks go by and we end up making very little progress on any one project. Often, we’re simply spread too thin. Not only is this exhausting, but it is de-motivating as well.

Focusing on One or Two Projects:
Limiting our focus to one or two projects is the best approach. With more than that, we end up spending too much time managing projects and too little time getting things done. (And we can start to fool ourselves that we’re being productive, when really we’re just busy.)

What if we Must Juggle?
Yes, there are times when we must juggle multiple projects. Given that, I suggest a few approaches:

  Delegate or recruit help.

  Put a project on the back burner.

  Re-negotiate deadlines.

  Block time in your schedule for your projects. The beginning of the workday often works well.

  Hunker down to push a few projects through to completion – and then resume a more reasonable pace with one or two projects.

A Final Thought:
Don’t get left out on the cold this winter. Use the smaller shovel approach and focus on just one or two projects at a time.