The problem with project management is that there is too much to keep track of. It’s easy to lose focus on what you’re supposed to do when you have five different tasks asking for your attention at once. It’s time to end the confusion and get organized. Let’s do it together.

When I was looking to organize my projects (such as running this blog), I investigated the best project management software and landed on an old favorite of mine: Notion. I’ve owned the app version of Notion for a few years now because I was fed up with the limitations of the note taking app that my Android provided. Once I realized there was a web version of Notion, I organized all my projects there. The move was seamless considering Notion has the ability to create your own to-do list, task managers, document hub, and many more. Here’s a look at my tasks page for this blog post:

It didn’t take long to get adjusted to the online system. Before I knew it, I had a tab for each blog post, each assignment, and future projects. From within each task, you can create a subset to-do list which can help break down larger responsibilities into smaller sections. In the setup, you can label what type of task it is, whether it is in progress, the due date, and how much effort it would take to complete. This is a great way to organize your thoughts visually, so the second you look at the color-coded list, you know exactly what must get done and when.

Having the tools to get projects organized is nice, but not until you know how to use them. 

In her videos with ProjectManagement, Jennifer Bridges teaches the audience how to build habits to make them successful. Say you have developed your skills in a project management software like Notion and are hired into a team at a design firm. How do you show off your skills and integrate into the team? Bridges shares some great tips in her video “7 Work Habits You Need to Succeed.”

In short, the seven habits she lists are:

1. Be Coachable 

2. Don’t Gossip or Blame 

3. Be a Problem Solver 

4. Be Dependable 

5. Build in a Buffer to Allow Time  

6. Be Prepared Not to Know Everything 

7. Use Your Phone Accordingly at Work 

When you’re finally integrated into the workplace, how do you motivate yourself to go through the mountain of monotonous tasks? TED-Ed released a great video on how to stay motivated.

In this video, they state that breaking down big goals, taking action (no matter how small), and harnessing community support are the best ways to get out of your funk and to keep working.

Here’s a handy recap to think on when managing your next project: 

• When planning your projects, find the best tool to help you organize tasks so you have all the information in front of you.
• Stay motivated by breaking down goals and completing them one at a time.
• Work well with others by being willing to take criticism, solve problems, and be dependable.