The Visual Click

Hooray for us! We have just completed a project and the weight is finally off of our shoulders. Weeks or months of hard work finally put to wraps. We can finally take a deep breathe knowing that our job is done and give ourselves a pat on the back.

But, before you tell all of your buddies you can go out for beers tonight you might want to take a peak at the schedule ahead!

So don’t hit the power button just yet! Before you turn off your computer or laptop there are some things you might want to check and prepare first:

Check those backed up emails!

It happens to all of us. We get so focused on the task at hand we sometimes neglect our incoming emails, quickly marking them as read in hopes we remember to read and respond later.

Well before you run from your computer after completing the current project, have a second look at those emails. Make sure there are no immediate responses needed. Maybe even respond to a couple of them that arent urgent but require your communication. Knock out a few of those little tasks before you go and relax.

Update your ‘to do’ list

This is where you can reward yourself in the accomplishment of finishing the project. Click that completed box in your to do list! Soak it in…mmhhh…ahhhh… but before you close it lets update it and plan accordingly.

Take a look at the pipeline. What the project schedule look like now? Make sure all due dates are up to date and that you haven’t fallen behind on anything. Plan your schedule ahead of time. Don’t wait until you come back from your break to start planning.

Quickly prep for your next project

The hardest part of jumping back into things and starting a new project is just that, starting the project. We can avoid this by quickly prepping for the next project on the list before running off.

• Open your planning documents
• Open any applications needed
• If it’s a design project maybe start a new photoshop file and maybe just simply drop their logo in to give you a starting point
• If your next project is coding quickly set up some base templates to have when you return.

There are many easy things we can do to jump start the next project so it’s easier to put it into drive when we return.

Talk about the next project not the completed one

Everyone always wants to share about the project they just completed. Which is definitely necessary, but before we do that let’s share with people what’s next and in the pipeline. Get your mindset focused on the future and new projects. Start getting excited about those and then share the good news of your finished project.

And finally… take that break!

Yes, we do need to clear our heads. It’s always good to step away for a bit and let your mind rejuvenate. Take some time to do other things and talk about things other than work. This will allow you to come back with a fresh outlook and a willingness to work and be productive.

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Staying productive in this industry is so important. It’s very easy to get sidetracked and/or procrastinate. I recommend trying to these simple methods to help eliminate those times.

If you have any advice or tips please share! I can always use the reminder and alternative solutions!!