Questionnaire for the "too many projects, not enough time" crowd

[vacationtime247]

Admin note: copied this post from this thread, since I figured there are lots of members who will get a kick out of it: 1986 VW Golf is now in my possession.

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Wow, this sounds familiar. Fix one thing, two more break. Repeat until the entire car has had a ground up restoration. Sounds like you've come a long way since beginning.

Since you are also part of the 'to many projects, not enough time' group. A few questions.

1. Do you work on the same project until finished, or jump from one to the next?

2. Having a lot of projects usually means having to many cars, bikes, engines, etc. Do you find yourself hoarding parts? Things you may never use again, but it's to good to recycle?

3. Are your projects and garage organized or scattered?

4. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of things needing fixed? Or are the projects something you look forward to working on?

5. Once you complete a project do you look to get another shortly after completion? Or drive and use the completed project for a while before moving on to the next?

VT247

[Christ]

Originally Posted by vacationtime247

Since you are also part of the 'to many projects, not enough time' group. A few questions.
1. Do you work on the same project until finished, or jump from one to the next?
2. Having a lot of projects usually means having to many cars, bikes, engines, etc. Do you find yourself hoarding parts? Things you may never use again, but it's to good to recycle?
3. Are your projects and garage organized or scattered?
4. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of things needing fixed? Or are the projects something you look forward to working on?
5. Once you complete a project do you look to get another shortly after completion? Or drive and use the completed project for a while before moving on to the next?
VT247

1. My projects are personally therapeutic. I normally work on one, each, or all of them, as time/money/interest permits. Generally, I'll do small things to completion (kitchen sink swap), but complex things take more time, and unless they have a deadline, are done as the mood arises (when the moon aligns with the nexus of earth, and so on...)

2. I do hoard parts and related items for projects I want to work on, want to start, or just generally have interest in. However, other than theitems which are absolutely critical, I've no trouble unloading stuff on anyone who also might use/need it. Sometimes, I but great deals specifically for that purpose, such as the 8 hanging lamps I just bought from Lowe's... $50 retail, I'd take $15 each and still make a profit.

3. I'm not lucky enough to own a garage yet, and sure to the need for more space, the camper I store stuff in is a bit disorganized at the moment, while I remove partitions and cabinetry/appliances (also for sale). I store copious quantities of project material in my father's barn, though, and most of my projects are in the same place, so fairly organized.

4. It really depends on the project. My house (12x60 MH) bugs me because I see so much wrong, and get disgusted quickly. My personal projects are therapeutic, however, and when I gain interest in working on the house, that also can be. Except in emergency cases, I don't work on things until I want to, which is party of the reason I have so many things to work on. I may want to work on something I don't currently have, so I get it.

5. I always pick up projects as I find them, without regard to the others... So when I complete one, it normally gets used for it's originally intended purpose, be that keeping for personal enjoyment, selling for profit, etc, but I'm always working on _something_.

Hopefully that gave you some of the answers that you and others were looking for.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by vacationtime247

1. Do you work on the same project until finished, or jump from one to the next?

Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump...

2. Having a lot of projects usually means having to many cars, bikes, engines, etc. Do you find yourself hoarding parts? Things you may never use again, but it's to good to recycle?

Hoarding instinct present and accounted for, sir!

You forgot to mention bicycles & boats though. (I'm an equal opportunity acquirer of transportation items.)

But I make a genuine effort to keep it in check, and so far it has applied only to bicycles.

Mostly because the rule is: if I can't store it inside the garage, I can't have it. Bikes are a little easier to find a spot for

3. Are your projects and garage organized or scattered?

Both, at varying times. But mostly scattered lately. Messy garage is the sign of a creative mind, or something. Or a lack of discipline. Or something.

4. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of things needing fixed? Or are the projects something you look forward to working on?

All of the above.

5. Once you complete a project do you look to get another shortly after completion? Or drive and use the completed project for a while before moving on to the next?

What is this "completed project" of which you speak?

[Arragonis]

1. Do you work on the same project until finished, or jump from one to the next?
Jump, but also with an eye to how many I've unfinished that Mrs A remembers...

2. Having a lot of projects usually means having to many cars, bikes, engines, etc. Do you find yourself hoarding parts? Things you may never use again, but it's to good to recycle?
Again until Mrs A goes looking for something, then I have to have a clearout.

3. Are your projects and garage organized or scattered?
One location (home). Many hiding places. Its amazing how small (or indeed large) something can become when disassembled.

4. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of things needing fixed? Or are the projects something you look forward to working on?
I hardly ever get to work on them, then I make a to do list. Which is the same to do list as last time as I never got past that part before running out of time.

I'm good at lists though, I get the lists made right through to the end.

5. Once you complete a project do you look to get another shortly after completion? Or drive and use the completed project for a while before moving on to the next?
I'll let you know when that happens.

[MetroMPG]

Oh, this is going to be fun. Arragonis: I laughed. Loved the list comments!

I swore off lists about a year ago after I LOST (gasp) my big to-do list. (My initial reaction was followed immediately by an unexpected sense of relief & freedom! ) Now I operate on the idea that things will get done when they get done and leave it at that. (My clients may be less likely to share enthusiasm for my new philosophy, but so far, so good.)

[Daox]

First off, you can NEVER have too many projects, but the time thing is an issue as well as money.

Originally Posted by vacationtime247

1. Do you work on the same project until finished, or jump from one to the next?

I usually work on a few at the same time. If I'm waiting on parts or something for one I'll work on the other. I also like having a choice of working on what I want. If its electronics one day it might be mechanical stuff the next.

2. Having a lot of projects usually means having to many cars, bikes, engines, etc. Do you find yourself hoarding parts? Things you may never use again, but it's to good to recycle?

Of course! Better to have sitting around than have to buy. It also helps to know others that are the same way. You can share parts and your storage space grows.

3. Are your projects and garage organized or scattered?

Usually scattered, but in an organized way where I know where stuff is.

4. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of things needing fixed? Or are the projects something you look forward to working on?

Very rarely do I feel overwhelmed. I normally look forward to working on the projects. The stuff that NEEDS to get done always gets worked on first, and thankfully they usually don't pile up.

5. Once you complete a project do you look to get another shortly after completion? Or drive and use the completed project for a while before moving on to the next?

I usually start the next project while working on the current one.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I swore off lists about a year ago after I LOST (gasp) my big to-do list. (My initial reaction was followed immediately by an unexpected sense of relief & freedom! ) Now I operate on the idea that things will get done when they get done and leave it at that. (My clients may be less likely to share enthusiasm for my new philosophy, but so far, so good.)

I have a similar policy for the 2-3K of work emails I come back to whenever I take a day off which is pragmatic and at the same time easing the pressure.

I delete them all.

I calculate that

i) people knew I was on holiday, they got a message saying that

ii) if it was very urgent they called someone in the office and got it sorted

iii) and if it is still important/urgent they will come back to me - after all the message did say when I would be back.

Of course the ones marked 'Boss' have to be handled differently, but luckily for me they seem to be allergic to email usage anyway.

[nemo]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

What is this "completed project" of which you speak?

I knew some once, who knew some one that "completed a project". Didn't even run out of time or money.

[Christ]

I have heard of that guy...

[hamsterpower]

I know someone who routinely makes lists of her "to do lists".