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Unfortunately when the tasks and assorted paraphernalia associated with those projects converge, overwhelm sets in.
That's when the Bucket System can be a lifesaver.
Here's a step-by-step plan: Step One - Set Up The set up for the Bucket System is simple: gather a dozen or so medium sized boxes or plastic containers large enough for letter sized paper to lay flat in the bottom.
If the containers are clear, it's an added bonus.
You'll need a dark marker and some tape as well as sheets of office paper.
Make your Bucket System eco-friendly by using the back of discarded paper from your recycling bin.
Step Two - Choosing Your Projects On one sheet of paper, write down all the projects you are currently juggling: a "mind dump" of your projects.
Then put a check mark beside the 10-12 projects that are the most disorganized, need the most attention, are the most pressing or have a lot of pieces and parts (books, folders, CDs).
Step Three - Making your Buckets In big letters, write the names of those top 10-12 projects on the recycled paper - one project per sheet.
Then tape one sheet to each one of the "buckets" you collected in Step One.
Line up the "buckets" on the floor or counter so you can read the names of all the projects.
Step Four - Sorting your projects Each of the projects has its own collection of "stuff" which is probably scattered all over the room/house/office.
Start with the room you work in most to begin sorting the papers and paraphernalia into the appropriate buckets.
A bucket labeled "Womens' Retreat" might capture a couple of books, a folder with information printed out from the internet, a spiral notebook you used for notes and an ad you used for your last retreat.
Gradually widen your search for things to put into the buckets.
Retrieve those far-flung objects and deposit them in the appropriate bucket.
If you find objects that belong to a specific bucket but are in use, make a placeholder for that object.
For instance, the new book you are reading about retreats now lives on the nightstand beside your bed.
Rather than move it to the bucket, write the name of the book and its location on another recycled sheet of paper.
Put the placeholder in the bucket so you remember to find and use the new book when you work on the next retreat.
When you finish reading the book, you can replace the placeholder with the book.
Note: as objects are sorted into their respective buckets, you will find things that do not have a bucket yet.
Don't let them pull you off track! Simply create another bucket, label it "Sort Later" and let it capture the misfits.
You can return to that bucket when your current projects are complete.
Step Five - Using Your Buckets Now that you have sorted your projects, it will be much easier to find things related to the project at hand.
When you are working on a particular project, simply pull out the bucket with its label and take the next step on the project.
As projects are completed, recycle the bucket for another project or discard it so your buckets become more manageable.
Over time you will find that some buckets are used a great deal, others will barely be touched.
Be ruthless about culling unused buckets - that will give you permission to start NEW projects with less guilt.
Step Six - Maintaining Your Buckets Some women can store their bucket system inside a closet or under a table.
But ADD women know that if something is out of sight, it's absolutely out of mind.
They must store the buckets in a visible and accessible location.
Stack the buckets neatly and keep them near your desk or in a corner of your workroom.
Priorities shift over time, so set an appointment for a Bucket Review each month.
Add to the current buckets and/or recycle the completed project buckets for new ideas and more juggling! The Bucket System is simple but powerful for ADD women.
It keeps projects materials together, but in plain sight.
And it gives visual cues about where to find the pieces and parts that might otherwise be lost in the inevitable ADD shuffle.
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