With everyone spending more time at home, many people are embarking on home improvement projects that, alas, never seem to get finished. Like that half-painted laundry room or the closet organization system that’s still sitting in its box. We all have them. So why is it so hard to follow through to get them done?
“While the fabulous remodeling shows on TV transform a space from disaster to dream in under 30 minutes, in reality, there is much to consider when attempting this feat in your own home,” says Dawn Mahan, founder of PMOtraining.com, which helps teach people the fundamentals of successful project management—whether that’s at the office or around the house. “People just want to jump in and get started, and then wonder why they find themselves at The Home Depot 47 times.”
So what home improvement projects might benefit from pre-production prep? Mahan suggests that redecorating a room, cleaning up the garage, remodeling a bathroom, landscaping, or pretty much anything that doesn’t involve one tool and 10 minutes could all benefit.
“If you have something that is bothering you about your home and you have an idea for how it could be better, it will help you accomplish your goal by applying a few professional project management techniques,” says Mahan. “That way, you can get what you want, when you want it, for a cost you are comfortable paying, all while keeping your blood pressure in check.”