My Architectural Designer friend and associate, Bridgette, is amazing. Not just because she has flat abs....
....but because she is a true visionary. She and her husband Steve are the masterminds behind many of the projects I've been a part of, including the TV studio we've been working on. I have learned so much from her - and one of the biggest is the importance of construction documents.
No project is ever started without a set of drawings that detail how things will be built, what materials will be used, and how it should be finished out. Now, the great thing about Bridgette and Steve is that they can create a set of simple documents on the back of a napkin if they have to. It doesn't have to be fancy....just clear. When everyone - the framers, electricians, contractors, painters and decision-makers - has their own copy of the documents, they all can work from the same frame of reference and are able to perform their tasks well. The docs are always on site in a prominent location, and are referred to often as the project goes along.
A set of construction documents is simply a detailed plan to go by.
This is the time of year when households are often in need of a set of documents - a simple plan that everyone can work off of. It might be a color-coded calendar in a central location, or a menu plan on the fridge, or a housekeeping schedule that helps things run smoothly. Whether you have school-age children or not, it seems like August/September are perfect months for evaluating your game plan, making some adjustments and setting some goals.
Today's Small Thing is to produce a "Construction Document" of some kind.
Bridgette always uses colorful pencils and pens to help make hers come to life, but you don't have to be that fancy. Simply take a few moments to think about what you'd like this day (or week or month) to look like, and jot it down. If you're struggling to figure out what to cook each night, how about a menu plan for the week? If you're bogged down in too many "To Do's" why not make a priority list to help you get the important things done? If your house is a disaster and needs a complete overhaul, employ your family as "independent contractors" and give them a set of plans to work from so it's not ALL on you.
Here are some helpful links:
How to make a housekeeping schedule
What kind of "construction document" will you make today? Having a set of plans will help you reach your goals and empower you to start living the kind of life you want to live.
Song of the Day: Back in the Saddle Again, Gene Autrey
