Thread by @BaileyDeBarmore

THREAD: How do you plan for BIG projects? I just planned out my writing schedule for my dissertation proposal and thought I'd share.

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Step 1: What's your weekly schedule look like in terms of PRODUCTIVITY BLOCKS? (shoutout to @CharlieGilkey for introducing me to these - check out his free block planner!) 1/n

Bailey, what's with all the shade? Light gray = potential time off (hello weekend 😎) or may not always be able to write (hello walk-in stats consultant job! 🤓) Dark gray = when I can't write because of journal club, peer led, etc. but those don't occur weekly. Or gym time! 2/n

Step 2: What are the divisible parts of your project AND what are some deadlines? You can start big (overall sections) or start small (do Step 3 then Step 2).
3/n

Step 3: Divide those project sections into smaller bits that can be accomplished during 1-2 productivity blocks
4/n

Bailey, more colors? You're killin me!
-- Wednesdays are RED for me because I have 3 blocks (versus usual 1-2)! So RED for power through! And on Thursdays, we send drafts (blue). 5/n

What do you mean you send drafts?
-- Part of my strategy with my chair is to know his schedule pretty well aka "when should I send you drafts to read?" His answer was Thursdays! It was nice to build that in to the schedule. 6/n

Step 4: Feel better about accomplishing a key planning step! And bask in your spreadsheet glory. 7/n

In addition to communicating with your chair so that you're being as efficient as you can (like with drafts), build in FLEXIBILITY. I don't have any orange (work) blocks on the weekends, and some sections span 2 workdays. I may work some weekends, but I don't have to!

How have you tackled big projects? Does it differ if it's mostly writing versus analysis-manuscripts? [END THREAD]