Special projects can fit into a lot of the categories we’ve already talked about, but they have one thing that may differentiate them from others in those categories. They all have an end goal. Sure, they may fall into the category of volunteering, or a hobby, or even spring cleaning. But it is that end goal that gives us a sense of purpose and a sense of accomplishment. And you can do each of these things without having an end goal.
Special Projects vs. Volunteering
Of course volunteering gives a sense of purpose. You’re helping others, or a cause. But the end goal can be a bit more nebulous. You’re not going to necessarily see a change in the environment. But there are some types of volunteering where you can actually see – in real time – the affects of your hard work, making them more akin to a special project.
Take Habitat for Humanity, for example. You see the house come together and become a home to a family in need. Once the house is complete, the project is complete – until you volunteer your time to help build the next house. Or tutoring. I tutored a boy struggling with 6th grade. We had an end goal: for him to pass the school year. He did pass and that goal was achieved – a goal both of us had. The project was complete, until next year when it was time to tackle 7th grade.
Special Projects vs. Hobbies
Just as with volunteering, you don’t always have a tangible end goal with a hobby. I mean, if your hobby is reading, I suppose the end goal would be to finish the book you are reading, but that would make it feel a bit more like homework than something you enjoy doing. More of a chore. But there are hobbies, or parts of hobbies, that do have an end goal.
Take gardening. If you have a garden, it is an ongoing projects. You have to weed, water, and fertilize regularly to keep your garden healthy. No one wants a dead garden. But a project with an end goal in sight for your garden may be to redesign or replant a section of your garden. That has a tangible end goal. Of course you will have to maintain it once it is planted, but once it is planted it is complete until you decide to redesign or replant it again.
My husband’s hobby is always a project. He loves to take boat and completely redo them so that they are his dream. He does everything from the wiring to bring them up to date, the engines, controls, and displays. And, most importantly, always installs a kick-ass stereo and speaker system. But eventually the project is completed; he has achieved his goal. And once the project is completed, he enjoys the boat for a few years until he is ready for his next project and sells it to find a new project. Because trust me, we do not need a fleet of boats.
Special Projects vs. Spring Cleaning
The term “spring cleaning” implies that there is a specific end goal in mind, but that isn’t always the case. Your “spring cleaning” could be something that is ongoing, like making sure the baseboards are cleaned monthly or the windows. These are ongoing battles that need to be done regularly. But cleaning out the garage is very definitely a special – albeit not always fun – project. Hopefully when you have finished, you’ll be able to fit all of the cars in the garage again. Or maybe you have a child that has just left for summer semester of college. What a great time to go through his or her room and clean everything out! Unfortunately, depending on when your child comes home and for how long he or she stays, this may be a more than once in a while project.
But college brings up another special project that doesn’t fit into the above categories. There is a lot to do to get ready to send your child off to college, especially if you’re child is going to be a freshman. Every year, unless you were smart and rented a storage unit close to campus, there is the job of getting everything together. If your child is a freshman, chances are you are figuring out what is needed and buying all of it. This is a huge project in and of itself! But, once your child goes off for the school year, the project is completed. It’s not necessarily fun, but you are helping to prepare your child for the next step of life which is what you have been working toward for the last 18 years. So it’s very fulfilling – if not a bit sad at times.
So find your special project with a purpose. And hopefully it is something that you enjoy doing, that is fun for you. It will help you discover a whole new purpose in your life!
