Nigel Buxton Update
Lighten up! Unload the unnecessary July 2005

 
  Dear Nigel,

Energetic projects or running on reserve

Projects go forward because we give them attention, this is their energy. The moment we stop doing work on a project, it has no new energy: but it does have a long-life reserve battery, so that no-one is allowed to really forget about it. This little battery sends out a reminder periodically that there is this project still hanging around that may need action.

So when a project has effectively stopped, because no-one knows what to do or when an activity has to be done (deadlines may have gone by the way as priority was given to other more urgent projects), a part of the mind remains tied up remembering that there is a project open and some action is required.

 
 
Out of mind onto paper

The moment you put pen to paper, list you projects that have run out of gas, and you decide what action is to be taken you will have a sense of lightness about you - like some weight has been shed from the baggage you have been carrying around.

Lighten up?

If you are getting ready for a summer break; and the work-schedule is becoming a little more tranquil: do you want to "lighten up"?

 
 

What is an unfinished project?

An unfinished project is a project you have started or initiated that has not been finished and has, for some reason, run out of steam (include any project of this type you are involved in). The acid test to determine if it is an "unfinished project" is to ask, "Do I know the next step on the project and/or has the next step been scheduled (when it is to be done by)?" If you do not know and it does not have scheduled dates - it is an unfinished project.

Take a clean piece of paper write and write down all the unfinished projects you have. You as individual and You as manager, entrepreneur, professional, or whatever your occupation is.

Put everything on the list - even buying a new light bulb for the fridge (that is one of mine!) - that you plan to do, but keep putting off.

To complete or to terminate the project - that is the question

Now you have a comprehensive list, you can decide to complete or to terminate the project.

"Complete" may mean redefining the project after considering why/how it got stuck, and relaunching with the energy of a new project, or just setting a time schedule for the steps to be taken to get it done.

"Terminate" means that the only time or energy to be spent is to make an orderly withdrawal. If termination means taking some actions then treat that like a new project.

Do you want to lighten up?

I work with people in business who want to do more with less - to make a greater contribution with less effort - to be more themselves with less holding them back.

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Kind regards,


nigel
phone: (00386)-031-674-924