"There is a lot to be said for just starting..."

For more on this post, click here: veritas+biz+life.

Start-up or Shut-up

There is a lot to be said for just starting; I am impressed by anyone that has decided to shake off the chains of our societal structure and start up a company--exchanging the illusive feeling of security for one of uncertainty.

Bravery is surely involved, because many around you will tell you...

I read this post recently, and thought of our own move away from "employee" and on to "entrepreneur." When Jodi and I decided to start our own company about this time last year, we went through a "Q&A" as well as a "QA" exercise.

The Question and Answer period consisted of us asking the "real tough" questions like:
    Who are we?
    What can we offer?
    How can we make a difference?

The Quality Assurance aspect was made up of other questions...

We ran through the beginning of a "Productivity Appraisal." This is a process I use in working with groups in large organizations as well as individuals running (or starting!) their own organizations. Notice, each question is designed to apply to the personal as well as the interactive levels of work and workflow. Here they are:

Do people trust you?
When you make a promise, do people KNOW you will manage your agreement all the way to the end?

Do you prioritize?
How do you design each day so that you get to spend the most time on the Most Significant Things?

Are you growing your skill set?
What have you done this week to build your essential knowledge and understanding of your areas of focus?

Do you recharge?
How do you disengage and regain and build the energy you need to perform at your best?

I enjoy using these questions, as each time I ask them of myself I come up with answers and ideas to further engage and ensure that I'm getting the right things done.