The 100 Day Project is starting this Sunday, February 23! (Scroll down the page if you’re asking, What the heck is a 100 Day Project?)
At the beginning of the month, I taught a workshop on creating analog planners and life logs. One of the many layout frameworks I shared is the concept of a Time Ladder. As I’ve been planning and thinking about the upcoming 100 Day Project, I realized it would be a great tool for tracking and reflecting on the experience alongside the project.
Time Ladder Journal Framework
A time ladder is a way to see any project unfolding and acts as simple project planning. It can be used for projects with clear timelines or projects that are less defined.
This is meant to be drawn in a dot journal planner or any regularly used notebook. Dates represent the passing of time and create a “ladder” in the middle of a page. The segments can be broken up however you please. Generally, the time is broken up into reasonable chunks of time to track. It could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
Use the left side of the page to plot out key points in a project. On the right side of the page keep track of what was done. This could include important convos and the surprises that inevitably happen when working on a project with a longer timeline.
Benefits
Planning key tasks
Keeping track of tasks and activities further out in a project
Visually see progress being made on a project
Use as a self accountability tool
Adjusted Time Ladder for the 100 Day Project
This is a twist on the tool for use alongside a 100 Day Project.
Instead of it being a tool of tasks, the left side can be a record of what was worked on or made each day. Use the right side for reflection during the project, which encompasses a significant chunk of the year.
Benefits
A record of creativity
Visually see how much time is left in the 100 Days
This could serve as an alternative to posting images every day on social media if you want to keep a project less public
Note feelings and insights as the project progresses
Internet research shows Bill Westerman being the originator of the Time Ladder concept.
What is The 100 Day Project?
Pick a creative expression and make time to do it every day. The benefit of doing it during the “official” time window is knowing others are doing the project, too. There are opportunities to share and find each other’s work. Tons of support info can be found on the official Substack.
My biggest 100 day project tip
I’m really looking forward to the time I’m carving out for creativity this year.
That’s my biggest tip! I think of the project as a daily reminder to take time for creativity. I don’t define my success with the project by having done the thing every single day. That might sound counterintuitive to it being a project about doing something every day. But sometimes doing the thing includes thinking about the thing and needing to take a break from the thing.
As a participant for 10+ years, I’ve written about my project tips here. Last year, I flashed back to all my projects on Instagram.
Offering one-on-one support for The 100 Day Project
It can be incredibly rewarding to experience completing a 100 Day Project. The first project I outlined for myself was very simple. I found that after I knew I could complete a project, it was a lot easier to take on the tip I shared above. And subsequent projects have felt easier and easier.
If this is your first time doing the project or you’ve struggled to complete a project in the past I’d love to help you! Lets get your project started and keep it going this year. I’m offering free 30-minute 1:1 support sessions. We’ll chat through your project and potential obstacles and ways you can set yourself up for 100 days of creativity.
This is an open offer from now through the first 25 days of the project (March 19th, 2025). Just reply back to this email (or message me if reading in the Substack app), and we’ll get started with scheduling some time!
On the horizon
2/23/2025
The official start to The 100 Day Project
4/6/2025
Inky Monoprints workshop @ Arch Art Supplies
(Tickets on sale early March)
This is a sampler class of drawing, watercolor, pointed pen, and printing concepts. Perfect for creating sketchbook memories and postcard souvenirs. Read what I wrote last year about the workshop.