Every creator faces the same challenge: too many ideas, too little time. I call this "the prioritization problem" – the eternal struggle to decide which projects deserve our limited attention and energy. As my digital garden grows, this challenge becomes increasingly apparent.

The Project Multiplication Effect

Creative work has a peculiar property – it multiplies. One project invariably spawns three more:

1. You start building a website
2. You realize you need a custom component library
3. That requires a color system
4. Which would benefit from a design documentation site

Suddenly, your single project has become four interconnected ones. Each feels essential, each calls for your attention. Without a system to manage this multiplication, overwhelm quickly follows.

Signs You Have a Prioritization Problem

You might be suffering from prioritization issues if you:

• Start new projects before finishing existing ones
• Feel guilty about abandoned work
• Can't remember all the projects you've begun
• Regularly switch focus mid-task to something "more exciting"
• Have a to-do list that never seems to shrink

The 3-1-Later Framework

After years of project whiplash, I've developed a simple framework that provides both focus and freedom:

3 Primary Projects These receive dedicated time blocks and consistent progress. They align with your core goals and deliver the most value. Commit to making measurable progress on these before anything else.

1 Experimental Project This is your creative playground – a space for pure exploration without pressure. It satisfies the craving for novelty while containing it within boundaries.

Later List A documented collection of ideas worth pursuing someday. By capturing them externally, you free your mind from the burden of remembering while honoring their potential value.

Implementation Tactics

To make this framework practical:

1. Weekly Review: Reassess your project categories every week
2. Time Blocking: Allocate specific hours to primary projects first
3. Celebration Ritual: Mark the completion of projects before beginning new ones

Digital Garden Integration

My digital garden serves as the perfect ecosystem for this approach. Each project has its own garden section:

• Primary projects get regularly tended spaces
• The experimental project has a "greenhouse" for rapid growth and testing
• The Later List becomes a "seed catalog" of documented possibilities

This visual metaphor helps me maintain perspective. Not everything needs immediate attention – some ideas can remain seeds for future seasons of work.

By embracing this framework, I’ve found clarity in my creative process and the joy of finishing what I start.