My Private Island Renovation Project

First, I love this question! Maybe, but isn't it best if everyone is a little crazy? ;-)  We have one life to live, and if we don't make big bets on ourselves, who will? I have a very supportive network of friends and family around to motivate me when I'm feeling overwhelmed, and a few who can throw in a helping hand when my two hands are not enough.

Renovating an island chalet is a huge project, but, I'm a firm believer that even the biggest tasks can be broken down into manageable steps.

So, how did I tackle it? Well, one of my favorite tactics is to backwards plan. It sounds simple, yet it's incredibly effective. I started by picturing the finish line: my birthday celebration on Labour Day weekend, that was my North Star. To keep things organized, I relied on a couple straightforward tools:

• Low-fidelity mockups: These were just simple sketches and notes, nothing fancy! 
• A Gantt chart: This was my timeline superhero! It helped me map out all the tasks, see dependencies, and track my progress. It kept me on schedule and helped me identify potential bottlenecks early on.

It wasn't always smooth sailing, but having a clear vision and a structured plan made all the difference. I'm incredibly proud of what was accomplished. It just goes to show, with a little planning and a lot of heart, you can turn even the biggest projects into many sweet successes!

FB Marketplace, Canac, local suppliers, and Ikea were my go-to places for materials. All materials, including the oversized patio doors and metal siding and roofing, were transported using a 14-foot aluminum boat!

Ultimately, it's about having the confidence to say, "I'll figure it out!"  That's a skill anyone can cultivate.  This island renovation project has been a masterclass in resourcefulness and self-belief.  I didn't start with all the answers, I started with a vision and a willingness to try new things.  My approach is simple:

• Trust yourself: You're capable of more than you think.
• Be relentlessly resourceful: Don't be afraid to ask for help. People love to share their knowledge, and if you don't have any handy friends, YouTube is a goldmine!
• Embrace the risk: I constantly weigh, "What's the worst that can happen?" against "What will I regret more: trying and failing, or not trying at all?" That perspective shifted everything.

Managing a project of this size is about problem solving and empowering yourself to learn. Every challenge has been an opportunity to build new skills. It's not always easy, and there have been plenty of setbacks, but each step forward is incredibly rewarding. 

I can answer this question a few ways. 

1. The short answer: 160 - 175 days (approx. 5-6 months) of actual work 
2. The other short answer: 4 years, from the end of 2020 - 2024
3. The real answer: When passion drives a project, it's never truly finished. There will always be new ways to create beauty, and make life a little easier in the space.

Yes! This is the beauty of having a background in Product Management - I was always working towards an MVP (minimal viable product). Based on the fact that all 12 guests were coming from out of town, it was fairly easy to prioritize the work.

1. All my guests needed a comfortable place to sleep
2. All my guests needed to have a place to cook and eat
3. All my guests needed a comfortable place to gather indoors
4. All my guests needed a functioning toilet

The last one is funny, but I was 'lucky' to have an outhouse, in the sense that it allowed me to take the time I needed to finalize the bathroom design instead of rushing into something I don't love. Also, I wasn't eager to connect the water one month before I would have to winterize it.

I'm still learning, but I can certainly share a few!

1. Mother nature is powerful, respect and be prepared. Each year brought new challenges, from destructive wind and waves, to flooding and tornadoes, I found it extremely important to keep loved ones informed, and have a backup plan for everything.
2. Few things in life are as important as community. Be sure to nurture those relationships.
3. It can wait. I'm usually the person who wants everything done yesterday, but sometimes life gets in the way, and that's ok.