So What Projects Are You Working On?

istock_000006031387xsmall Today I made a list. It’s a list of things I’m currently working on and projects that I could potentially work on in the future to earn more money. As you know, I have my LEED exam prep website, my iPhone app company, the Smart Passive Income Blog, and 5 other things that I’ve mapped out and have actually done some research on how much I would have to invest to execute them. I have 8 things on my plate that could potentially help me get to retirement sooner.

It’s tough to think about all 8 “projects” at the same time – I think that’s the problem I’ve had ever since middle school when we were first introduced to attending more than one class per day. I knew I had homework for Math, Science, English and Band, so I had difficultly choosing which one to work on and when. Yes, I would get everything done, but not one at a time. Usually, it was by working little by little on each.

Now that I’m a “grown-up” (I guess…) I understand that in order to succeed while working on your own ventures is to put all of your hard work and effort into one or two things at a time, instead of spreading yourself thin on multiple projects. I still have a problem with this, but I’m getting better at realizing what my priorities are and focusing on just a few things. I have 8 things, yes – but I’m only focusing on a few right now. The others are “back up plans” or “things to do when the other things are on auto-pilot”.

I think about my family, money, savings, time, and personal fulfillment when prioritizing all of these things. It’s different for each person, so you’ll have to take a moment to think about what’s important to you and what potential hardships, experiences and outcomes (good and bad) that may result from each of your projects.

But wait…what if you don’t have any projects?

Then…I guess you’re not giving yourself a chance for something better to happen, better than where you’re at. If you’re happy with where you’re at – then I envy you. I’m on my way.

Like I always say…the harder you work, the luckier you become.

So what projects are you working on?

Posted on : May 9th, 2009

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18 Comments (Click Here to Leave a Comment Below)

Reply J on May 9th, 2009 at 10:30 am

Hi Pat,

Long time reader. First time commentor. I don’t have a blog or website, but you’ve been inspiring me. I love the graphics that accompany each post. In this case the man standing on the arrow, but all the previous ones too. They are so cute. Where do you get them? Every day I read your blog and I want to know, but I never got around to asking. (This is my first day commenting on any blog ever!)

I enjoy reading your blog and wish you even more success!

Reply Pat on May 9th, 2009 at 10:46 am

Hi J! Thanks for your first comment! The graphics I get from http://www.istockphoto.com. I feel the graphics do add a bit of character and personality to each blog post. Thanks again and I wish you all the best!

Reply Camille on May 9th, 2009 at 10:53 am

I’ve got a LOT of projects I’m working on over next year or so. My strategy is to make one thing the main project, and I set aside a little time to do fifteen minutes of focused work here and there on other projects.

Reply Steve on May 9th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

Projects: real estate acquisition, e-book development, blog development (niche sites)
In addition to my 1.5 jobs, those keep me busy. I do make sure that I am taking time for my family, as my recent father son vacation with my son (posted on my Facebook) will attest, but I’m a firm believer in multiple profit center creation.

Reply LS on May 9th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

I don’t know if I could count all of my projects, I might miss one or two. I have found that the more projects I have, the less progress I make with any of them. But, it’s still important to remain diversified. Anyone who has been self-employed for any amount of time can tell you that relying on just one source of income is far too dangerous. I think the real trick is finding the number of projects that you can safely handle without getting too diluted but still keeping enough so that you aren’t relying too much on any one.

Reply pfincome on May 9th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Projects – My site PFI, eHow, eBook, affiliate marketing campaigns, niche blogs (1 new one per month), a blog network, etc.

Way too projects many so little time! I had also been told growing up how great multitasking is, but I find it to be counter productive at times. Trying to focus one completing one project gets difficult because while I am working on one, I am thinking about the others.

Reply MoneyEnergy on May 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Hey nice blog, found it through my friend pfincome above here; I know what you mean about how to determine what to work on and when. I’m in grad school. I currently have three major projects plus one smaller one, and that’s on top of my blog stuff. It’s all spread out and nervewracking sometimes; but you’re right, you have to do only one thing at a time. In fact, that’s kind of the only way you can do it, even if you’re flipping back and forth. I love having several things on the go if there’s no immediate deadlines for any.

Reply Joe on May 9th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

Currently working on WunderCreative.com. It is a website that showcases my web design and graphic design portfolio. I am currently using friends, family and twitter to spread the word and build my portfolio. Once I have a few projects under my belt, I hope to grow even more!

Love following your blog, Pat. Very informative and down to earth!

Reply MattjDrake on May 11th, 2009 at 5:44 am

Hey Patrick,

I have been juggling a few projects as well and trying hard to stay focused on one at a time. My primary has been my iPhone apps this year, but over the past few months I have been trying to get some momentum with my website and hope to get my first ebook out next week. Your site has been very inspiring, nice work.

Reply jay on May 11th, 2009 at 10:01 am

I’ve been working on six or seven major projects all at once for the last few years. Most of them getting started then I come up with something else. With all of them I imagine how much better they would be if I didn’t have a day job (or the freelance gigs I have going).

I’ve got a social network, basecamp type thing, iPhone app and a bunch of other small things going.

A recent computer failure makes me want to pick up my cloud computing idea again. Anyone want to invest?

Reply Craig on May 11th, 2009 at 10:03 am

I’ve been working on my movie blog/video log and have been spending more time with that. I would like to work on developing an iphone app, but don’t think I have the money to go into it. After I get an iphone and win your competition of the summer then maybe that will help out, ha.

Reply Enrique S on May 11th, 2009 at 10:07 am

I’m currently concentrating on my blog, which I launched in February. I’ve done some reading about affiliate marketing, and may start something on Squidoo. Other than that, just a lot of research on alternative income streams.

Reply Maria @ Residual Income Web on May 11th, 2009 at 11:33 am

I have a list of projects for long-term passive income, too — niche sites, another ebook, more content articles — right now I’m putting most on hold to focus on an exciting venture, which has great potential but requires quite a bit of up-front research and writing.

Reply DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com on May 11th, 2009 at 5:44 pm

I love juggling projects and clients– three reasons:
1) Keeps me from being bored
2) Gives me ideas I can use on other projects
3) Increases the odds of success in my favor

Reply Michael Ponte at Prosperity Real Estate Investments on May 12th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Great post Pat!!!

I seem to find myself constantly thinking in over drive….so many things to accomplish so little time.

Projects I’m working on:

1) Creating my Blog
2) Social Networking
3) Ebook – thanks for the inspiration with this Pat.

Reply Tom Freeman on May 17th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

A really interesting blog post and I can certainly relate. In the past I’ve always had far more ideas, than patience to follow through with them all. I’ve since discovered that it is much better to concentrate on ideas a little more, rather than flitting to the next one too quickly. Variety is the spice of life, but it’s also important to remember to maintain focus.

Reply Tom Freeman on May 17th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Oh and I forgot to mention, but I’m currently working on my websites for sale marketplace, webchalkboard.com. It’s a site that’s been in the wings for ages now, but I’m making a concerted effort to promote more, as I think there’s a real need for a decent marketplace for buying and selling websites, rather than just the forums currently in use.

Reply Tammy Gray on November 18th, 2009 at 5:14 am

Well im still working my way through blogs, but had to put a comment in here, even if it is 6mths since the last comment above.

I have around 6 projects, which by the way, were all started 3weeks ago, lol.

Ive always had trouble with working on so many things at once,and on many occasions in the past I have given up all my ideas for some semblance of peace in my poor little head.

However, now im trying something new. Its called organization, apparently. Im working on a system that I have nick named “time slots”. For me it means that I dedicate more hours to my main projects and a couple of ours to the others.

Its been working for the last 2weeks and if I make it to the end of the month I will give myself a reward. Like a good bottle of wine!