Your best just got better

"What just happened?" - Why I love the debrief process...

Yesterday, I got to work with an incredible group of leaders here in New York City. Their vision for where they are going, and how they are going to lead their people in that direction is inspiring...so much so, that I've signed on to continue working with them...

One of the reasons I enjoy this partnership is their commitment to the development process. Step by step, after each milestone, and as a result of a "big rollout" this week, they build in time to debrief everything!

“Hindsight is 20/20,” and yet few people take advantage of this wisdom systematically. How often do you take the time to do a thorough Debrief? Many people don’t do a debrief session because they are already busy working on the next project.

The purpose of the Debrief is to find better ways of doing things by identifying mistakes and clarifying objectives. Two important outcomes of this process are (1) to learn and hold onto what works and (2) to share and teach best practices.

Here are 4 topics to address during your Debrief session:

1. What worked especially well?
2. What aspects did not work? What assumptions did we make? What areas needed more support?
3. What were the big(gest) risks we took? Did we take enough risks? How could we better prepare for “surprise factor?”
4. If money, time and resources were not a factor, what would we do differently? What features, benefits or “goodies” would we add to the event? Describe in vivid detail this ideal scene in terms of wild success and flawless execution.

Most crises can be anticipated with the right planning and attention. If you’re shaking your head and saying, “No, we’re always in crisis mode,” then you need to implement this immediately and build it into your culture. You don’t have the luxury of not requiring this essential aspect of productivity management. By making the debrief session part of the complete process, you add an effective planning tool to your management ability and to your organization’s future.

Another recommendation to read, "The Dip"

A "blogging-colleague" of mine, Buzz, recently wrote about his experience reading one of my favorite books of all time: The Dip, by Seth Godin. In fact, the first time I read it was when a friend of mine, Joe Bruzzese recommended I check it out!


One of the sections of the book was especially significant to me: The piece on "seeing it, before you see it..."

"Persistent people are able to visualize the idea..."


Thanks, Buzz, for reminding me about this great (like you say) little book!

When You Know You Know, What's Going On?

I am regularly reminded that prioritization is paramount to effective personal productivity. Choices drive our actions, perspective opens doors and interest changes focus. At any given moment you will decide what to do, at a certain level of intensity, with some degree of integrity.

Priorities change, due dates move, and budgets are redefined; how does your own personal management system keep up?

Have you clearly defined and mastered your own methodology to make better, higher priority action decisions? I believe the way to make the best decision about what to do at any given time is to first review all the options.

With more appropriate choices, what you do at any given will be the default priority.

For the first time ever, over 500 readers! Thanks everyone!!!

If you look toward the upper-left hand side of this page, you'll see how many people are reading this blog...

Last Friday I hit a milestone! For the first time in 2008, we had more than 500 people reading! Ok, it was just barely over 500! But, it still counts!

Thank you EVERYone who reads regularly...I appreciate you "tuning in," and hope to bring you info you can use to Make Things Possible!

An amazing day in Ojai, bike racing, sun and friends!

WOW, what a day.

Here's a picture of the 45+ racers (the race after mine).
I did "ok" this morning, not as fast/far as I planned, but more than last year!

Attempt number two: Garrett Lemire Memorial Race... 04/13/2008

Well, it's been a year (and a few days) since my first attempt at a Grand Prix bike race. Here's the link to the  Garrett Lemire Memorial Race. Those of you who saw the video last year know I didn't finish the race...the hardest competition I've participated in to date!

So, I'm gonna line up with the "boys" at about 7:30 this morning. Wish me luck!

PS: The video from last year's race:

"Why don't you just tell them what they should do?"

Ok, so this is a "little thing," that's actually a BIG thing, but some-thing I need to address regularly with my executive clients...

Often, clients will ask if I can simply put together a list of "productivity systems," and just share those from the stage. When we discuss the pros/cons of telling people what to do, I am challenged by the following prompt:

"If I show a system - some procedure - to the group, and they go to use it and for whatever reason it DOES NOT WORK, they may discount the entire presentation."

Those of you reading this who are invited to speak in offices like this one know that the opportunity we have is great: We bring information to people who may be able to use it in a way that enhances their communication skills, their personal organization strategies or their work/life balance experience.

Just a few "tricks" to gain an extra 10 minutes tomorrow

Well, for those of you reading this (and if you pass this on to anyone else), you're going to read about some of my own productivity secrets. In a seminar last week in Santa Barbara, I talked with three managers about how they "just need about 10-15 minutes a day more, then [they] could get it all done!"

So, here are some ways to get that time. If you practice any of these to expertise level...I'll challenge you with the biggest challenge so far: If you save 10 minutes, what would YOU do?

Make an errand list, review your cupboards and cabinets before you go to the store.
I have found that if I pause and open a drawer or two (desk) or the fridge or cupboard, I generally have an "Oh yeah" moment. It sounds like this: Oh yeah, I need to buy new Zebra pens and some trail mix for my next trip.

Make an agendas list and write down AT LEAST 10 subjects to discuss with each person.
I have an "agenda" with everyone I am in touch with regularly (family, friends AND clients). About once a week, I simply review that inventory and ask myself, "Am I ok NOT talking about any of these things next time I see that person?" Over the past 10 years, I have dropped the problem I used to have, it sounded like, "Oh man...I forgot to tell Susan about the upcoming event. Oh well, I'll just remember to tell her next time we talk..."

Use speed keys on your computer.
Whatever program you're using, learn 2 speedkeys THIS week! I use a couple of "macro" programs, and have found that in the kind of work I am in (knowledge management, knowledge brokering) I need to be able to reply to people more completely, and more quickly. Not having to type everything word-for-word really helps me get it done!

Could that really be Southern California?

Last night at dinner, I was describing the Ojai Valley. It's spring (already!) And the hills are still green.

On a bike ride last weekend, my friend and I stopped a couple of times to take photos. Here is one, looking west/north toward the Los Padres National Forest.

I took this picture with the camera in my BlackBerry Curve, from the shore of Lake Casitas.

If you've ever wondered if CA is worth visiting, I always say YES! Where we live there is a LOT of open space, a tiny bit of traffic, and inspiring and interesting things to do.

(Stay connected via our newsletter, we're in the initial planning stages of coordinating a "personal/professional" development off-site program. It is tentatively scheduled for early fall. And, it will be in Ojai, CA!)