Deciding to delete specific projects can improve our productivity. By working on the “right” projects, we don’t feel overwhelmed by the endless tasks on our to-do lists. Professional organizing colleague Julie Bestry tweeted, “Fridays, weeks before holidays, and the end of the year are good times to declare bankruptcy on projects that don’t fit your goals.” She is right! Every so often, it is a good idea to examine both long- and short-term projects. Here are a few tidbits of advice to help you in deciding to delete projects that just don’t fit.

Off-Brand or Low Rate of Return

If you’ve clearly defined your mission, vision, and values, you’ll quickly know if a project is off-brand. You might really like the idea, and maybe the subject is trending right now, but you must think long-term. If the project doesn’t help build your brand and business, delete it.

If you don’t have or will not have the resources to complete this project, deciding to delete it might be the best option. Or, perhaps you have the resources but feel that a project will have a low rate of return. Again, delete it from your list.

Outdated or Not Interesting

If your project took advantage of the latest trend, ask yourself if the idea is still trending. With the speed that fads travel through social media, it may be out-of-date before your project even launches. Delete these items from your project list.

If you started a project but are not interested in completing it, let it go. I’m not advocating that you delete all boring activities because some are necessary and useful (e.g. improvements in your accounting system). Those projects that you were once enthusiastic about, and you now think, “meh”? Delegate them to a team member, or delete them altogether.

Uncoordinated

Projects are started, but there is no coordination between parts of the project. Team members can’t figure out who is responsible for which part – or if they are even supposed to be involved with the project. In short, there has been no project management. Sometimes people don’t manage a project because it falls into one of the above categories, and subconsciously, we know it isn’t worth the effort. Deciding to delete these projects will lift the weight off your shoulders. If you examine the project’s goals and objectives and determine it is worth pursuing, then plan it appropriately. Break it down into tasks and assign tasks to team members.

You don’t have to finish every project you start. Deciding to delete projects that no longer serve you from your to-do list is very liberating. What you are working on now should propel your business forward. If you need some assistance deciding what to let go of or need help restructuring projects you’d like to keep, contact the Out of Chaos team through our website.

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