Managing personal projects like home improvement, hobbies, or creative goals can feel overwhelming without a clear system. Notion offers a flexible platform to organize every aspect of your projects—from ideation to execution—keeping everything in one place. With customizable databases, kanban boards, and reminders, you can track tasks, budgets, materials, and progress efficiently.
Whether you’re remodeling a room, planning a garden, or organizing a craft project, Notion can help streamline your workflow and boost productivity. This guide walks you through step-by-step strategies to manage personal projects in Notion, including best practices, templates, and tips for tracking every detail.
Key Takeaways:
- Notion allows you to manage personal projects with task databases, timelines, and kanban boards.
- You can track deadlines, materials, budgets, and progress visually.
- Setting reminders ensures you never miss a step in your projects.
- Use templates like the All-in-One Life Planner Template for faster setup.
- Collaboration and notes help track ideas and share updates with family or friends.
Why Use Notion for Personal Projects?
Personal projects often require juggling multiple moving parts, including:
- Tasks and subtasks
- Materials and budgets
- Deadlines and timelines
- Notes and inspiration
Notion’s flexibility makes it ideal for tracking all these elements in one workspace. Unlike sticky notes or paper planners, Notion allows you to:
- Link tasks to deadlines
- Add notes, images, and checklists
- Use formulas for budgeting or progress tracking
- Set reminders and recurring tasks
Using a structured template like the All-in-One Life Planner Template can save time and provide a professional layout for your personal projects.
Step 1: Set Up a Personal Projects Database
Start by creating a database to organize all your personal projects:
- Create a new Table Database titled “Personal Projects.”
- Add properties like:
- Project Name
- Start Date / End Date
- Status (Not Started, In Progress, Completed)
- Priority
- Budget
- Materials / Resources
- Notes
This allows you to manage multiple projects simultaneously without losing track of details.
Step 2: Break Projects Into Tasks
Large projects can feel overwhelming if you don’t divide them into smaller steps. Use a linked database for tasks:
- Add Task Name, Due Date, Priority, Status columns.
- Link tasks to the main project in the “Project Name” property.
- Set reminders for deadlines or recurring actions.
Example: Home Renovation Project
- Project: Kitchen Remodel
- Task 1: Design layout (Due May 5)
- Task 2: Buy materials (Due May 10)
- Task 3: Install cabinets (Due May 20)
Step 3: Use Kanban Boards for Visual Progress
Notion’s Board View is ideal for tracking project phases. Create columns such as:
- Not Started
- In Progress
- Completed
Drag tasks between columns as they move through the project. You can also use the All-in-One Life Planner Template for pre-built kanban layouts.
Step 4: Track Deadlines and Timelines
Use Calendar View or Timeline View to visualize deadlines and ensure projects stay on track.
- Calendar View: See due dates for tasks and milestones.
- Timeline View: Plan phases of larger projects over weeks or months.
This is especially useful for complex projects like home improvements or multi-step hobbies.
Step 5: Budget and Resource Management
Include a Budget property to track expenses, and use multi-select properties for materials or vendors. Formulas can calculate total costs, ensuring you stay within your planned budget.
Example:Total Cost = Material Cost + Labor Cost
Keeping your budget in Notion avoids surprises and helps with financial planning.
Step 6: Add Notes, Images, and Inspiration
Use Notion’s flexibility to add rich media:
- Upload images of inspiration or before/after photos.
- Add links to tutorials or reference guides.
- Include notes about challenges, materials, or ideas.
This creates a comprehensive record of your personal project journey.
Step 7: Set Recurring Reminders and Updates
For ongoing projects, recurring reminders help maintain momentum:
- Weekly check-ins to update progress
- Monthly budget reviews
- Task reminders for specific deadlines
The All-in-One Life Planner Template already includes reminder structures, which you can adapt for project management.
Step 8: Collaborate and Share Updates
If your personal project involves others (like family or friends), Notion allows shared access:
- Assign tasks to collaborators
- Enable comments and feedback
- Track progress in real time
This keeps everyone informed and accountable, making teamwork more efficient.
Step 9: Review and Reflect on Completed Projects
After a project finishes, use Notion to reflect:
- Record lessons learned in the Notes section
- Add photos of completed work
- Track total time spent and costs
- Evaluate successes and areas for improvement
Documenting completed projects helps improve planning for future ones.
5 Common Follow-Up Questions
1. Can I use Notion for both small and large personal projects?
Yes, Notion is scalable. From DIY crafts to home renovations, you can structure tasks, deadlines, and resources accordingly.
2. How do I prioritize tasks within a project?
Use the Priority property and filters to show high-priority tasks first. Kanban boards also help visualize what to focus on.
3. Can I track multiple projects at once?
Yes, create a master database with each project as a row, and link individual task databases to track multiple projects simultaneously.
4. Are there pre-made templates for personal projects?
Yes, the All-in-One Life Planner Template provides ready-made sections for projects, tasks, timelines, and budgets.
5. How do I integrate project tracking with daily routines?
Link tasks to your daily planner or habit tracker in Notion to see project deadlines alongside personal and work responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
Notion is a powerful tool for managing personal projects, whether it’s home improvement, creative hobbies, or goal tracking. Using databases, kanban boards, timelines, and reminders ensures every step is organized and progress is visible. For a ready-made, structured setup, the All-in-One Life Planner Template is an excellent resource, saving time while keeping projects on track and organized.