OT-How do you stay focused in one car? (kinda long)

I suffer from the too many projects scenario,I manage to allocate useful time to each project and make progress.There is no single car that I have to have, I have a shopping list of cars I would like and if the one on the list comes along at the right price and there's space in the yard I bring it home.
Oh well thats my HRA (Hot rods Anonymous)confession,I'll take my meds now.

 

I like that explanation (excuse)! I have got to remember that. I can use that.

 

I keep a specific goal in mind - not of what the car has to look like, but what it has to do.

I've got a Model A frame/bed and other parts sitting in my garage, that was going to be a race car in the $2006 Challenge, but just found a 28 Chevy that will be easier to finish, since its more complete. I know it has to be on the road by the end of October, since thats when the competition is. I've got no good excuses if its not ready. It won't be "finished", but it'll be good enough at that point. Afterwards, who knows, I'll probably do some teardown and reworking when my budget is more open.

At the same time, I have two other "toys" sitting around. My rallycross car has to be ready to compete in the season opener on April 29th. Fortunately, its "finished", but will still need some prep work after winter hibernation. I am tempted to sell this one, and pickup another one to start playing with soon, though. The final toy is a 78 Fairmont, which I intend to use as a fun crusier, and eventually a competitor in the Silver State Challenge, hopefully in '07.

I have a hard time building a car on the "When its done, its done" system. If you are also like this, pick a specific event you want to have someting built by, and write up a list of everything that needs to be done by then. It doesn't have to be a race or races, like mine, it could easly be a cruise-in or car show. Then start in on it, and just keep up the pace you need, knowing that you have a target date that you have no ability to really change. It cans be a little stressful at times, but its a great motivator for me.

One disadvantage though of having all these projects is the need to shuffle stuff around, and a general lack of space to move around in. Thats another thing to think about. 1 project in a two car garage gives you lots of manuevering room, so you aren't constantly having to move things out of the way, or working in really tight quarters.