Six B’s of Successful Project Management

The Jopwell Collection @jopwell

Have you recently started a business or a new project and felt lost, overwhelmed, or uninspired? These six Bs of successful project management could be just the recipe you need to find sustainable, healthy growth. Use these categories as a template to create a flexible yet supportive container for development and intrinsic motivation. 

Blocks

In a constant hustle culture where we are prized for our ability to multi-task constantly (which science has shown isn’t possible), it is hard to find time for deep concentration. Blocks are a tool you can use to create sacred space for focused thought. Use whatever system you need, such as calendaring (but be careful not to set the perimeters too tightly, allowing for flexibility), to hold space for you to think unobstructed and uninterrupted. Come prepared with an intention and purpose (why you are here and what plan to take away from your block of time) and a clear understanding of what a successful outcome will look like. Silence your phone, light a candle, and play some music. Take time to set the stage with a mini ritual that helps bring focus and attention to your block of concentration. Even if your block is 20 minutes, 20 minutes of focused time is way more productive and fulfilling than an hour of interruptions. 

Brainstorms

Sitting down for a block of time often takes a few minutes to transition into a focused state of work. That is where a quick brainstorm can help activate creative brain function. Invite creativity into all forms of these brainstorms. How you brainstorm is totally up to you, so have fun and explore (sketch, bullet, free write, walk, diagram, brainstorm with a friend, make lists with post-its, meditate and see what arises, etc.). Set five to ten minutes to activate your brain and enlist your creativity. Think of brainstorming as an icebreaker for creative focus and energy.

Breaks 

Downtime is just as significant as focused active time. You need to allow space for your subconscious to go to work, weaving together connections, generating new ideas, and simply slowing down. Just as you might schedule in your blocks of focused time, schedule in time for self-care, downtime, and relaxation. This time off includes mini-breaks throughout your block periods and longer breaks such as lunch with a friend, a dog walk, or a gym trip. You will be amazed that you can do more when you do less. If you are interested in the science behind this, check out this excellent blog post by coach and neuroscience trainer Ann Betz. 

Boundaries

What do you need to let go of, say no to, or communicate to others? When starting a new project, it is beneficial to establish your list of to-dos and don’ts. Boundaries are also only good if you express them to others. Make sure whatever you need to communicate is clear, shared with purpose, and consistent. The earlier you establish clear boundaries in a project, the easier they will be to enforce down the road. These boundaries should reflect your values and priorities, such as when you work, how you work, and in what fashion you work. Take time to clarify what this means for yourself and anyone else who might be affected by your parameters. If you are working with a partner on a project or balancing other people’s needs simultaneously, instead of being authoritarian with your boundary creation, co-create a structure that works for everyone (but don’t give up on what you truly need to be successful). The more you can anticipate a problem in the future, the more you can mitigate a problem in the present. Boundaries are about attention and focus, not perfection. 

Bites

“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” While I don’t condone eating elephants, this proverb has a lot of truth. If you feel overwhelmed or unmotivated to tackle a big project and, as a result, blame yourself for your lack of progress (hello, shame spiral), start with the foundation and work upward. Instead of listing out all the things you need to do to accomplish your goal, which can quickly escalate, begin by focusing on a minor action (or bite) you can take to make the most significant impact in the present. The more small bites you take, the more momentum you will generate and the more confidence you will build in your ability to take on an overwhelming project. Bites are a helpful reminder to stay in the present moment whenever possible to alleviate anxiety and dread of the future. You can prove to yourself you are capable of any change you hope to see by tackling the problem with small incremental changes. Biting off more than you can chew can give you an initial burst of enthusiasm, but eventually, you will have to swallow. For sustainable growth, start very, very small. Challenge yourself to go even smaller. The opportunity is not in quantity or scale but in steady, consistent impact over time.

Bursts 

Think of bursts as mini-challenges. They are moments to test yourself and stretch. Bursts can be a helpful framework for pushing yourself to be slightly outside of your comfort zone in a tolerable but noticeably uncomfortable space. Use bursts throughout your creative process to inspire, motivate, and grow your capability. A burst can be small in focus ( I will post one more IG reel this week) or large (I will launch my course one month earlier than planned). It is totally up to you and your goals. Just make sure your burst is attainable realistically. Saying next month, I will go to the moon might not be actionable. If it is, more power to you; please update us on how the trip went! Bursts should be fun, playful, challenging, but realistic stretches designed to fuel your resilience and determination.