Organizing your work load

Have you ever been working on a project that has a rushed time line, but the clients just won't do their part? They expect the job to move quickly but then won't take the time to focus on the project or won't visit a showroom when they say they will, or push meetings for xyz reason.

Have you ever had clients who are in no rush, but are very prompt with everything, quickly find what they like, and go to showrooms in a timely manor, but have a ton of time in the world?

Have you ever had clients in no hurry at all that seem to just disappear?

Have you ever had all 3 types of clients at the same time?

Every type of client is equally as valuable, but I find myself wanting to work more on jobs where clients are prompt, even if I have a ton of time to get their drawings done and the hurry up and wait clients need theirs done asap, and at a loss as to what to do with the disappearing acts. I keep writing to do lists (my pro tip for the day... TO DO LIST TO DO LIST TO DO LIST! WRITE THEM DO THEM) and finding my self jump to items lower on the list simply because I want to work on that project over another - simply based on how the clients are reacting. I even find myself putting clients ahead of others who are slow at making decisions but are clearly trying. They ask for my feed back or to see something another way, or pop in to the showroom to drop samples off and end up staying and reviewing design options. The the question is - how to juggle the various speeds and needs?

In a dream world, those with time would be the ones disappearing, those in a hurry would make decisions fast and prompt. No in a dream world, everyone would be fast and prompt at decisions!

So how does one balance the work load? How does one force themselves to follow a to do list? Well it's simple - just do it. This is how I do it:

1) write to do list

2) rank each item in order of importance

3) rewrite list in said order of importance

4) keep a "radar" section for the disappearing jobs or misc you have done but are waiting to hear back on

5) stick to To Do list

I blame my pregnancy brain for allowing me to jump around recently, but I guess as long as everything get's done it's OK to do the fun stuff first right?