The “I’ll Do It Next Week” Project… and How to Actually Finish It

by Shawna Curee, Content Manager for LevelUp2Lead

I’ve been thinking a lot about how draining it is when you feel something hanging over you. I noticed it for the first time when I had this plant (it was a Rojo Congo Philodendron, for all you plant nerds) that was slowly declining. It was such a slow process that at first I thought it was all in my head. I kept asking Brian and Ashton, “does this plant look droopier today than it did yesterday?” Their answer was usually some version of “uhh, I’m not sure…” with a blank look on their face. I started taking daily pictures, and sure enough, in incremental little bits, it was getting worse every day. 

I know it seems silly, but seeing that plant continue to decline no matter what I did or how hard I tried to help gave me a really clear picture of the mental pressure a constant reminder can be. I brought this up to Wes and Kristy during our quarterly strategy meeting, and they had this genius idea…more on that in a sec.

So, you know that one thing you keep meaning to do? The task you keep sliding into the next week’s planner like it’s a little nomad with no permanent address? It’s the same thing. That constant reminder that says, “nope, didn’t get it done this week…again.” Even though it might not feel like it’s actively stressing you out, it’s still hanging there over your head like a tiny storm cloud.

I’ve noticed something very interesting. It’s rarely something huge. It’s usually just important enough to matter, but not urgent enough to demand your attention. Which is exactly why it never gets done. So this year, instead of rolling that nagging task straight into next month, we’re doing something about it:

We’re hosting an End of Year Sprint.

Okay… What’s a Sprint?

Think of it like a weekly date with the thing you actually want to finish, but never make time for.

It’s a Zoom-based focus hour, once a week, for three weeks. It’s a chance for you to give yourself permission to protect one hour a week to do something that will lighten your mental load.
 Here’s how it works:

 1. Sign up for free here

 You’ll be emailed a link for each of the 3 dates. Come to 1 or as many as you’d like. Don’t forget to add it to your calendar so you don’t forget about it. Choose your project and get ready whatever you will need, so once you log on, you’re ready to sprint.

 2. Join the Weekly Zoom Room

 The meeting structure: 5 minutes of motivation, 25 minutes of quiet work, 5 minutes to rest your eyes, get a drink, or whatever you need, and then 25 more minutes of quiet work. It will be a webinar style Zoom, so no pressure to be camera ready. 

 3. Set Your Goal for the Hour

 Optional: share your intention for the session with the group for clarity and accountability. 

 4. Sprint Together

 We work silently, but we’re together getting things done. You bring the project; we’ll bring the timer, the structure, and the encouragement.

 5. End With Momentum

 You close your laptop (or file away forms, or walk out of your office) feeling lighter and clearer. Imagine that. 

Why It Works 

Most of us don’t struggle with the ability, we struggle with the space. We tell ourselves, “I just need a few uninterrupted hours…” and then proceed to have zero uninterrupted hours for the next six weeks.

A sprint solves that. You’re not doing it alone. You’re setting aside the time and treating it like a very important meeting. 

Protected time + community + clarity = progress.

Grab your spot and let’s finish the year strong!
Sign up for free today