Next Actions for creative, time intensive projec

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'm new to GTD - just listened to it on my audible Otis last weekend. Just one question that was nagging me while i was listening. what do you do with next actions for creative, time intensive projects? I mean, how can I break it down further - or generally speed up and be more productive?

I'm a freelance radio producer, recently I've been doing promotional documentaries for businesses and organizations. My projects have about a 10 week time frame. My work format is probably similar to any independent creative professional, so any freelance writers, film producers, whoever, I'd love to hear your input.

Is this an effective next action:

"Write script"

Because that could take me a half hour or it could take me all day. Seems like I'm a perfectionist and time just flows by. Then I have no time for anything else.

Or even
"brainstorm ideas for script"
"write rough draft"
"Finalize draft."

NO matter how clean it looks on my next actions list, the actual doing of the thing seems so unpredictable.

Thanks for this forum!

Gregory

 

[helenjc]

Gregory
Hi and welcome to this great forum.
I think a lot of us struggle with the same issues.
For example have a look at this post
http://www.davidco.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=360
There were some very inspirational suggestions posted here which I am grateful for.
I've also found mind mapping to be quite helpful for breaking things down to chunks and capturing any flying thoughts about projects to then turn into mini projects or next actions.
In particular a lot of us were taken with and have implemented Frank's 'mini outcome statement' suggestion for defining projects.
Let us know how you go. I myself would love to post up all my projects and get someone else to define them for me - it's really difficult I find but I'm sure it's something we will eventually find easier.
cheers Helen

 

[Jason Womack]

Re: "Next Actions" for creative, time intensive pr

Just one question that was nagging me while i was listening. what do you do with next actions for creative, time intensive projects?

I mean, how can I break it down further - or generally speed up and be more productive?

A trick I use is time or quantity. For example, "Brainstorm at least 7 story-board sections for next article"

I'm a freelance radio producer, recently I've been doing promotional documentaries for businesses and organizations. My projects have about a 10 week time frame. My work format is probably similar to any independent creative professional, so any freelance writers, film producers, whoever, I'd love to hear your input.

Is this an effective next action:

"Write script"

Because that could take me a half hour or it could take me all day. Seems like I'm a perfectionist and time just flows by. Then I have no time for anything else.

Sounds to me that "Write Script" is the project. (Identify-able, successful outcome. Then, the next actions simply line up to make that happen. An author-friend of mine takes large sheets of butcher paper and storyboards the entire book he's currently working on. (He's done this for over thirty books on financial management!) At the far right side of the large sheet of paper is an icon representing the BOOK. Then, throughout the middle are the steps, components and/or sections to get there. THEN, he takes pieces of those parts and works through next actions. Sometimes, an hour at a time, sometimes a day at a time, sometimes he takes the whole day off!

Or even
"brainstorm ideas for script"
"write rough draft"
"Finalize draft."

NO matter how clean it looks on my next actions list, the actual doing of the thing seems so unpredictable.

Here is where identifying the NEXT action is so powerful. Even if you can't do it now, what would you do to start again? "Doing" a project is just like reading a book. Until the book is finished, you keep a bookmark to let yourself know where to start reading next time you pick up the book.