Consider what you want to be known for (Question #1 from our book Get Momentum) and add to your strategic plan - or your Wish List! - by strengthening your WHY. Again, open your Momentum Journal and write more than just what you want to be known for and the task list of things to do to get there. Add to that journal entry with a list (more than 25?!) of reasons WHY you want to be known for doing that project you’re working on.
Oh, and if you’re a member of Get Momentum from anywhere in the world, please watch all the way to the end of that video Jodi recorded. Remember that offer you get as a member? (Here’s a reminder…)
When it comes to making things possible, how do you work together…together?
In our work as Executive Coaches and corporate leadership facilitators, we know how important it is to balance a healthy dose of focus on the present with time, energy and focus spent on the future. But, now do you do that?
Do you have important things to get done? Do you want to be more productive and reduce your stress at work? Think differently, and you will get more done.
Last week I spoke to two groups of managers in Seattle, Washington about the topic: "Optimize Your Time and Focus to Get Momentum."
My intention was to demonstrate how important it is to think differently and plan out the different "sizes" of projects to start and changes to make. When I coach leaders to achieve success while working in alignment with their purpose, we use a tool called “So that…”
Recently, a client texted:
"I am using the 'So that' process every day to be more productive at work."
What are the "So thats..." that drive you to do your best work for the individuals, groups and organizations you serve? You know... as author and TED Speaker Simon Sinek asks, "WHY? do you do what you do?"
What's the purpose of you working as hard as you do, worrying about problems that need to be solved, and raising your opinion - and your voice - about what's happening around you?
Get Started Here
Sure, you are working on many projects, but right now choose one meaningful project. It could be personal, or something at work to get done. Open your Momentum Journal, and write 3-5 "So thats."
Here's an example: I am working on my 5th book this year.
"I am writing another book so that:
recently promoted managers have a field guide to achieve success in their first 100 days;
our past and current clients have new material to offer to their staff through the book, website, workshops and coaching programs;
we have new articles to publish in magazines;
we have new material to share for free via social media and podcasts;
I think differently about my coaching practice."
Different Kinds of Thinking
Continue thinking of three different "sizes" about the project. Do this to be more productive, reduce your stress and work in alignment with your purpose. Whether you chose a personal or professional project, you can go up and down the scale of thinking.
Large Thinking: The WHO. Describe the community and specific reasons they will benefit when you are finished.
When I wrote my third book, Your Best Just Got Better, I had a wall of pictures I had taken from magazine covers and printed from websites. They were all the people I had wanted to send a copy of my book to for their endorsement. Some people I knew, some people I had not met yet, and the common denominator was simple: EVERY person was in a position to ask hundreds or even thousands of other people to read my book.
Medium Thinking: The WHAT. What is a "rough draft" picture of the deliverable? Describe in detail what it will look, sound and feel like when the client or community uses it.
When we launched v3 of the Get Momentum Leadership Academy, I had (on the same wall in my office, of course!) printed out 13 different "Requests" from current members. Throughout the rebuilt of the website and revision of the materials, we constantly referred back to that information asking ourselves, "What do our members want from us?"
Small Thinking: The HOW. Open your calendar and choose (this week) a 75-minute block of time to talk about, plan and work on that project. Create the desk/office space you need to have a successful practice session.
Getting Things Done isn't just about managing time anymore. Back in the early 2000's, I was a GTD facilitator and coach; I helped people organize their office, empty their inbox and make lists of things they had not done yet. What do I know after having facilitated more than 500 days of those seminars in 6 years?
Time is not the ONLY factor that limits your ability to get things done. You need to add in three other elements:
Environment
Ability to focus
Energy Available
Where Are You?
If you need to work without distraction, you might need to move somewhere for a day (or an hour...or a week!). If you want to Get Momentum on the project, create the environment you need to get it done. Find a conference room you can sit in at lunch. Sit in your car for 15 minutes in the morning. Invite someone to meet you for coffee to talk about your project and brainstorm how it will help people you want to serve.
What's Distracting You?
Notice, I did not say "Who?" I said "What?". That is, if you go to that place you CAN focus, you do not want anything left on your mind that will distract you while you are there. Want a tip? Take this one that you can read about in David Allen's book, Getting Things Done:
"...you will want to collect anything else that may be residing in your psychic ram."
How do I do it? Before I start any work session (writing, planning, thinking, even facilitating a workshop!), I make a hand-written list of at least 30 things that are on my mind. When I do this, it lets a part of my mind relax so I can go to work. Later on, I will come back to and look at that list to see what I need to do.
How Much Energy is Left?
Ok, so are you a morning person? An evening person? Do you get energy by being around people? Alternatively, when you work alone? There are two ways of looking at this third prompt:
1) How can you boost your energy on the front side of a work session; or
2) How much energy do you have, and what are you good for?
Look, I am a morning person. I know it, my wife knows it, my friends know it, and I have even trained my clients so that they know it! If anyone around me wants the BEST and most I have to give, they know to plan something in the morning. However, this does not mean I cannot work later in the afternoon, or into the evening.
If I am going to work at my non-prime times, then I will have my tricks and tools handy that help me stay engaged when I need it most.
You are not going to find a one-size-fits-all when it comes to being as productive as possible. Start by identifying your "So thats..." and continue by making sure you are thinking at all the levels you need. Use this “So that…” process to think – and work – productively and purposefully.
How can we fix what's going on in #Charlottesville? We have to think differently: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-size-thinking-doesnt-fit-all-jason-w-womack-med-ma on @LinkedIn
Like you, I work for my income. As a business owner, my bank account is a DIRECT reflection of my ability to provide a service that someone else will pay me for.
If the answer is YES, then I have to deliver that work. I then send an invoice. Then, I wait (sometimes a little, other times a lot). During that time, I’m paying my own expenses, keeping our staff and contractors paid, as well as paying the taxes (yes, even on the outstanding invoices!).
So, when I have to make a financial decision to GIVE UP $10 or $50 or even $100, you MUST know that choice hit my bottom line. So, why would I willingly give American Airlines $200 of my money? Let me explain...
A while ago, a friend-of-a-friend asked if I wanted to contribute a “video course” to a entrepreneur she knew was creating a Channel of expert-led classes. The preliminary details sounded good: I’d fly to their city, be in their studio, have them edit the course I teach, and best of all…the content would be based on our newest book, “Get Momentum."
As we got closer to the date, I made my plans. I blocked the day off the calendar - turning down other work that had come in along the way - as well as made my travel arrangements; including a non-refundable airline ticked with my airline of choice: American Airlines.
Then…things started unraveling. With less than 3 weeks to go, I got an email, with a link, to review the “Contract.” Well, I immediately forwarded a PDF version of the contract I’d received (THAT was an issue in an of itself!) to my corporate attorney.
NOTE: Please, if you are in business for yourself - no matter how small - have an attorney on your side.
Ok, I’m going to make this next bit really, really short.
Three emails, and 4 phone calls later (between the “video course” folks and my attorney) it turned out that the fine print of the contract was going to open up (a) some liability, and (b) my content would be free for them to re-edit and re-use.
Well, I had purchased a non-refundable ticket from American at $323. So, I had to make the big decisions to:
NOT sign the contract.
NOT fly to Austin
NOT get a $300+ dollar refund
Give up $200 to American Airlines as a “change fee” the next time I want to use that ticket.
And, you know what? I’m happy. That $200, sure it eats at Jodi and my “bottom line.” We won’t be able to do “SOMEthing” this month, cause we’re 200 bucks Short. BUT, in the long term it was the best choice.
This month (Monday, August 7th and Monday, August 14th), Get Momentum member Stephen Collins (living in Canberra, Australia) is leading 1-hour long Emotional Intelligence Mastermind sessions through an online, global meeting room.
Emotional Intelligence is the POWER that helps you be a more effective leader.
When you learn the skills of team building and collaboration, everything is better.
How well do you work together?
And, what could happen if you deliberately focused on building a higher performing team? Of course, your workplace would be a better place to work; projects would get done faster, and often better. But what about home? Wouldn't it be nice if you were on the same page more often with your spouse...your kinds? And, what about in your community? Are you a volunteer in an organization that could use these skills of Emotional Intelligence.
Are you still wondering if you need to attend this Mastermind session?
Here’s my challenge to you: Open your Momentum Journal, and write a page or two to answer this question:
Would you like to empower others, increase your productivity and trust those you work with do their best every day?
By the way, according to research the benefits of YOU learning Emotional Intelligence include:
You will communicate better,
You can reduce anxiety and stress,
You will know how to defuse conflicts,
You can improve relationships,
You’ll have more empathy with others, and
You can more effectively overcome life's challenges.
If this sounds like something you’d like to participate in, just click below to add the event to your calendar:
