When NPR asked people to describe 2009 in one word, the results made an interesting word cloud, but not a pretty picture.How to make a better 2010
One of the benefits of a “tumultuous,” “bittersweet” and “fubar” year is lessons, made memorable by the circumstances in which we learned them. Here are some of mine:
If it doesn’t work for you, stop doing it
Even if all the cool kids are doing it. Select some strategies and try them out – really try hard. But, if you’re not getting any results after months of effort, you have to bail.
The most frustrating part of 2009 for me was investing $2,000 in a system, working it to the letter and getting poor results. The most gratifying? Investing less than $45/mo in two systems that WAY overdelivered.
I’m not saying the cool kids’ system doesn’t work. I’m just saying it didn’t work for me.
You have to be willing to say, “I tried it and, maybe it’s me, but I’m throwing that one out and moving on.”
If it works, who cares why or how?
As long as it’s aligned with your values, go with what works. A medical intuitive has mostly cured my dog’s previously-debilitating allergies. How does it work? Is this for real?
All I know is that it works.
Same thing with my business. Everyone else pays for expensive booths at the trade show. I just visit them to network. Those who shelled out a bunch of cash and spent the day looking at tumbleweeds instead of prospects leave with about 38 fewer branded pens; I leave with lots of business cards. It works.
Do you know what’s working?
Seth Godin has organized a new ebook called What Matters Now. I loved the story by Chip and Dan Heath on Change. The point, they say, is to ask, “What’s working well, right now, and how can I do more of it?” That makes positive changes happen better than trying to come up with a whole new solution.
Before “craptacular” 2009 fades from memory, go find the gold nuggets of what worked. How to know?
Look where each new client or customer came from. Look back through your notes, calendars and email to see what you learned and what got you excited. Where did you gain energy from your business?
The most important part: Be curious
I had a wonderful coach who talked about learning in action. There was no right or wrong, as I’ve been saying; there was only “what works for you.”
Learning in action means studying yourself, without judgment, as you’re working. Learn how you function by observing yourself doing, rather than speculating or theorizing.
“Be curious,” she’d say. About what?
- Your schedule. I had ambitious plans, but I’m a “time optimist,” so we didn’t know how much I could actually get done. Rather than saying, “You’ll never get all that done,” we’d be curious. That’s how I learned which tasks were quick and which took me more time.
- Your tasks. I love to try new ideas in marketing. That means a lot of little failures, but also little successes. It’s the best way to make your own customized marketing toolbox.
- Your mindset. One of my clients notices a little voice in his head that tells him he’s not good enough. Be curious about when your voices speak up. Do you find they’re active when you’re hungry, angry, lonely or tired? (H.A.L.T.) Take care of yourself and you may hear them less.
Lately my clients have been asking about time management systems. As in: how am I supposed to run a business, market it, create products, serve my clients and still have time for a life?!
I’ve tried a lot of time management systems for creative people including http://teuxdeux.com/ and http://todoodlist.com/
Now, I use a combo of Outlook calendar scheduling and paper lists. It works for me because I know nothing happens that isn’t scheduled on my calendar. And, I also know that scribbling tasks off a list makes me happy.
The main thing isn’t the tool. It’s to learn what works for you, and to find a system that supports your natural style.
Take it one step at a time in 2010
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your empire won’t be either. When I’m starting to get overwhelmed, I just tell myself, “My job is to know my next step and take it.”
One reminder for me is number sequences. Whenever I see 1-2-3, I think “one step at a time.” So, 12:34 on the clock, or 123 on someone’s license plate is my cue to relax.
What reminders do you need to keep around to help you with overwhelm? What things can you be curious about? What’s your idea for making 2010 your best year ever?
Please let me know in the comments below.
Photo by Sara.Nel
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Samantha
From a whole bunch of recent experience, I’ve noticed that overwhelm is a result of to many conflicting priorities, so what I’ve learned / learning to do is ‘back to planning’, establish what is important and then do that (with the whole 1 step at a time thing)
More than than I have found that using a system (whatever works for you) that takes projects from project schedules to weekly schedules and ends up as daily tasks helps beyond compare.
Curious
I am becoming more and more curious about social media, oh and also living until I’m 120 – so many things to do and see and eat …
Later
Paul F
I love “time optimist” that is me! As a high quickstart and abysmally low follow through (according to the Kolbe index) I tend to be allergic to organization systems, however, I’m using all the follow through I have and implementing a system where I create a quarterly wish list of projects I want to accomplish for each of those months, then take the current month and create a priority list for the current week and that’s broken down into a very manageable daily list–whatever doesn’t get done today gets bumped into tomorrow. It helps me prioritize and get things done. But I also keep it flexible by allowing myself to change stuff around at a moment’s notice–my quickstart self thrives on risk-taking and improvisation
Also, I’ve picked a theme song for 2010 so whenever I feel overwhelmed or unsure about something I can ask myself “does taking this next step feel like my theme song?” if no, I drop it, if yes, I turtle step my way to building my Rome.
Paul, conflicting priorities is a great way to put it. I find conflicting values a problem too – which do you want more, and which is more valuable to you. I’m glad you’ve found a system that works for you. Good luck with that 120 thing.
Hi Emiko. A theme song? I love it! Whatever keeps you aligned and focused is cool. Turtle step. hehe
Samantha, I loved this post! My top three motivators and guides for 2010 are–*Mike Litman’s quote: You don’t have to get it right, you just have to get it going (does this put a halt to procrastination!) *Your quote: If it doesn’t work for you, stop doing it (and I apply this at the outer and inner levels–it really can’t be only about outcomes–fun, fulfillment, and service that matters to you and those you serve make a huge difference for all involved!) *The Pareto Principle: 20% of what you do creates 80% of your success. So, figure out what this is and apply 80% of time and energy (and enthusiasm!) to that 20%–and be flexible. This 20% will change as you grow and evolve. Over and under all of this is: If it’s not fun and/or fulfilling, and you are not passionately committed to what you’re doing, why are you doing it (or who are you doing it for)?
Joyce, thanks so much sharing your top movitators. I too find I just can’t do it if it hasn’t worked or I don’t love it.
You’ve added two great questions there at the end, which I don’t think anyone (but an insightful coach) ever asks, “Why are you doing it?” Because you think you should? Because we always have? Because we don’t know what would happen if we stopped?
“Who are you doing it for?” The clients who really appreciate you or the ones who are never satisfied? A disapproving teacher or parent?
Thanks for contributing to the discussion, Joyce. Hope to see you here again