Some set-up suggestions

  • Use a consistent title for your documents. The example below is my go-to

    • #1 (document version number) Title DD/MM/YY

  • I like to export a PDF at the end of the session and keep a Master document in Word. This helps me track progress, see my process and stops me from going back to do “just one more thing”

 

Off ramp explanation

So, you’ve engaged with a project, you need to stop and are trying your hand at Off ramping for the first time. At the end of your document title your section, I generally use “Off ramp” or “Follow up” The off ramp includes two sections; what you were able to do and what you need to do next. With both these points try to be clear, specific and succinct.

Depending on the project and how I engage with it I may or may not schedule a time and day to follow through. If I do, I will link it to a calendar that will remind me to do it, if I don’t feel like or can’t engage, I reschedule it in my calendar for a later time/day.

 

Off ramping (example)

  • What was done:

    • I started writing a resource explaining on/off ramping

    • X hrs X mins (can include how long you spent on the project)

  • What to do next:

    • Continue writing resource; On ramping example

    • One to three dot points should be plenty and about a sentence or two long

  • Schedule next session: Optional

    • DD/MM/YY @ HH:MM

    • In online/paper calendar

 

[PRETEND THIS IS A NEW DOCUMENT FROM HERE]

 

#2 On-off ramping resource 30-05-25 (example)

 

On ramping (example)

  • What was done: I started writing a resource explaining on/off ramping

  • What to do next: Write “On ramping example”

Your off ramp, will become your on ramp for your next session. You can copy the “Off ramp/Follow up” section straight in your next document, feel free to leave it in (or not) and re-title it “On ramp/Follow through” as seen in example above.

Thank you for reading through to the end, I hope you’ve found some of this useful. I would encourage you to try and keep the basic structure as described for a short time before you change anything to drastically to find out what does and doesn’t work for you via practice.

Off ramp (example)

  • What was done: I finished this resource 

  • What to do next: Send this resource to clients

  • Time spent: 2 hours 50 mins 

#1 On-off ramping resource 30-05-25 (example)

Why give this a go?

This technique can be a useful when working on long term projects, tasks you can only engage with in small amount and/or has lots of intricate steps. The idea being that it will help you re-engage after a having a break.

There are two basic ideas that underpin this skill. One is to increase positive feedback by acknowledging what you were able to achieve and the second is to reduce working memory by writing down your next step(s). Both these factors can also help to maintain motivation by reinforcing good habits, combating procrastination and making re-engagement easier.