Tag: Project Planning

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Outdoor Project Time is Here (For Now)

Summer is winding down. Soon Fall will be here. Bringing shorter days, cooler weather, and typically more rain. There a some outdoor projects, like painting, caulking, sealing, and glazing, that are best accomplished during the longer, dryer days of summer. But since time is running out, let’s see what steps we can take today to get some of these projects done.

  1. Start with a list. Take a walk around your property with a notepad and a camera. Write down and take pictures of what could use some work.
  2. Take a close look at painted or stained materials such as wood siding or decking, or metal objects such as railing or metal sheeting.
  3. Look around windows and doorways for lose caulking or weather stripping.
  4. Inspect driveways, walkways, and patios for faded or worn sealer.
  5. Prioritize your list and decide what you’d like to accomplish yourself, and what you’d like to find and professional to tackle.
  6. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the tasks, watch a few YouTube videos to see if it’s something you’re comfortable doing.
  7. Have your notes and pictures available when discussing the projects with the professionals. The picture will be very helpful, whether at your kitchen table or the paint counter at the hardware store.
  8. Don’t forget your protective equipment. Always protect your eyes from dust, debris and chemicals. Protect your hands with the right gloves for the task. And protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV.

  9. Put your tasks on your calendar. It really helps to have a reminder.

Let me know what other outside tasks you consider best done during the hot, dry weather!

Good luck and be safe.

Check out www.StepsForToday.com for other helpful hints on home maintenance and project planning.

And remember to take the next step…
Mitch

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The Year of Reclamation

Last year at this time I posted about New Year’s Re-solutions. This year I’m making a focus to reclaim those areas of my life which seemed to slipped in importance, or had to set idle, while other matters were tended.

Just about everyone has some aspect of their life to which they’d like to devote some time and attention; but they’ve put it off due to more pressing matters. It may be cleaning out an old closet, learning a new skill, focusing on health, organizing your household information, or returning to an old hobby. Whatever it is, you now want to reclaim time in your life to get it done.

Well you know were going to have to make a plan….with steps…for today. It’s kind of a thing here. So get a piece of paper, or create a file on your device, to keep these steps fresh in your memory.

  1. Divide you sheet into 3 columns.
  2. At the top of each column, write one of your reclamations and draw a line under it.
  3. Next, write the steps you’ll need to take to complete the project. Be as specific as you can. You may want to include steps such as researching solutions, making phone calls, arranging daycare, or whatever it’ll take to get the project completed. When finished you can put an order to them by assigning an number to each step.
  4. Under each heading, write down what you’ll need to accomplish the task. Will you need a carpenter, dumpster, working area, supplies, education, help from others, etc.? Draw a line under these items.
  5. Now you can prioritize your top 3 reclamation projects . Order them by which you need to complete first to last. Mark the order at the bottom of the column.
  6. Mark your yearly calendar with the completion dates for each step in the project. Write these dates next to the step on your sheet as well.
  7. Last, I highly recommend telling others of your intended project. By making a public exclamation of your reclamation (a Rexclamation if your will) you create an expectation within yourself, and others, to complete the project. If they’re willing, they can become your accountability partner; tasked with reminding you of your project steps and dates.

So let’s take your vision to 2020. (Sorry! I just had to…) and make it the year of reclamation.

So what are some of your Rexclamations?

Visit the store at https://www.stepsfortoday.com/product/rexclamations-worksheet/ for a free, downloadable, copy of the worksheet described above.

As always, thanks for reading.
And remember to take the next step…
Mitch