TL;DR Monthly Recap

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“Remember too that your time is your one finite resource, and when you say “yes” to one thing you are inevitably saying “no” to another.” — Andrew S. Grove

This month’s topic came out of pure selfishness. I was in the middle of an episode of complete overwhelm. I was juggling about five different task list documents, losing track of everything, and getting very little done. I took a full day off to recoup, then spent the following day relooking EVERYTHING. The things I had to get done, how I approached tackling them, and their overall priority placement in my life at this time. The next few days were spent rebuilding a system that worked for where I was at that moment. 

The exercises I captured in the posts for this month are variations of exactly what I did. I stacked my deck, kept some things, tossed some things, and decided what needed to be done now and what could go on a backburner. Will my new system last forever? Probably not. I have been here many times before. I know no system or approach is permanent.  The magic is not the daily workflow that is landed on, it is being able to recognise when I go off course, and having a clear path and system to get me on track.  

TL ; DR

If you missed any of this month’s posts, here’s the short version. 

• Personal Development –  “Doing the most” can leave us exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck. The question comes down to are we really placing our attention where it matters most to us? Sometimes what we need is a simple and practical exercise to help regain control. Read more… 
• Mind Your Money Matters – Often we ask our money to do too much. We try to divide very limited resources across too many priorities. Then we end up making little progress on any of them.  A dollar can only be spent once. Asking your money to do the most can slow down your progress. It is time to start building a plan that actually works for you. Read more…
• Business – Companies often find themselves trapped in a cycle of doing more, while making less progress. These companies are not lacking effort. They are lacking the focus on how to deploy their finite resources to execute their goals. Read more…  

I heard someone explain that with modern autopilot systems, pilots don’t actually have to fly the plane. The plane has its course charted. The pilot’s job is then to monitor and manage the forces and conditions that will naturally put the plane off its planned course. Of course, they still have their role in overall vessel safety and communicating with the tower. They aren’t just chilling for the entire ride. 

I like to think that we have to manage our lives, goals, and objectives the same way. With clear goals, we already know where we want to go. The rest of our job is to manage the conditions that pull on our finite resources. Those external conditions and our ability to manage them is the difference between success and struggle.    

If you know where you want to go, but keep finding yourself pulled off course, it might be time to take a closer look at what is competing for your finite time, attention, and energy. And, if you are not sure of your destination, that is fine too. 

If you are in either category, and would like support creating clarity and building the plan that works best for you and where you are, reach out and let us talk. 

Lessons From…

A Podcast

I listened to an episode of Melisa Liberman’s podcast. Episode #265 on growing your lead generation pipeline (If you’re a solopreneur or independent consultant, I suggest you follow her. At least take a listen to this episode). 

The episode spoke of the various approaches to manage your client outreach. I’d been trying out a few on my own and it was a process I was convinced I hated. Melisa said something that struck a chord. She said that you have to find the approach that works best for you and do that. Also, don’t try too many different approaches simultaneously.

If you asked me 5 minutes before I listened to the podcast, I would have told you the same thing. Yet, I couldn’t apply it to this thing I had been going up a steep hill with. I needed that external view and someone giving me a different perspective. I thought client outreach could only be done one or two ways. She spoke of eight different approaches, and I saw there were different ways I could get the same thing done. And among those eight, there were a couple that fit me perfectly.

My Take…

We create unnecessary struggle because we become attached to one method of achieving a goal. 

That said, I took away two main lessons from this: 

1. There are multiple paths to the same destination. If one feels forced, unsustainable, or frustrating then it is time to explore alternatives instead of pushing harder. 
2. Even when you think you know, and outside perspective can reveal options we cannot see ourselves. 

 Stay curious. Stay learning. Stay listening.