Many of us only think of “projects” as the big, visible work commitments: the big seasonal project, the hiring sprint, the new book draft. We forget that personal projects count, too.

‘Round here, anything that takes time, energy, and attention is a project. There’s nothing inherently different between a personal project and a professional/work project in this regard. The distinction between your personal self and your work self isn’t helpful here: there’s one you, with limited time, energy, and attention.

Projects like moving, renovating, getting your kids back in school or college, figuring out your new health insurance, or moving banks all take time, energy, and attention over time, aren’t going to happen on their own, and will displace other projects. They thus count as one of your Five Projects.

It turns out that being sick is a project, too. I’m writing this in late September, having just navigated my own three-week sick project, which is what prompted me to finally put this framework on paper.

One of the more frustrating aspects is that it’s simultaneously disruptive, not something you can control, and something you probably didn’t plan for. It barges onto your plate and takes up a project slot whether you acknowledge it or not. When you don’t count it as a project, you’re still trying to juggle five other projects plus an invisible one that’s draining your energy, attention, and morale.

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