Jason Womack

I wouldn't work without (WWW)

When was the last time you thought of something to tell someone...but, they were not "right there?" You know, you're at home, and you think of something to tell someone at work. Or, you're out at a movie, and you think of something to tell a work colleague. Well, what do you do? Call them? IM them? Send an Email? Type a text message?

 

Here's an experiment: For a few days, "bunch and discuss."

 

 

Here's the idea: Since there is a constant stream of thoughts you have that come in at all kinds of random times. In traffic. At dinner. While you're in line at the coffee shop... and, during these thoughts you no doubt think of someone you need to talk to - in life, or at work.

 

So, get a note card or dedicate a page in your notebook to a single person you talk to A LOT. Surely, you could implement this at work, save a page for your boss, a couple of co workers, and pershaps a direct report or intern or new hire. And, you can diecide if you'd like to do this for your life as well. A page for your coach, your financial advisor, your spouse, your kids...

 

Then, when you think of something to tell one of those folks, simply turn to the page and write it down. See if you can rite down a few things during the day to see what it would be like if you "bunch and discuss." I have found this to be a great way to save time and bring them the information you need, as you need it.

 

I think it makes more or most sense to interrupt someone one time with 3 or 5 things to discuss, more than 3 or 5 times with one thing to talk about at a time. Personally, I wouldn't work without agendas. Give it a try just for 5 days, and see what you come up with!

The Santa Barbara MIT Enterprise Forum

On February 15th, 2012, I shared the stage with four amazing entrepreneurs and business thought-leaders in Santa Barbara, speaking for the MIT Enterprise Forum. The event was titled, "Effective Startup Management: Featuring Paul Orfalea"

For just over 2 hours, the discussion turned this way and that. The entire event was dedicated to not just the startup founders in the audience - and those who will undoubtedly watch the video recording later on - but also to the concept itself: Entrepreneurship as an economic engine.

The entire evening event was hosted and moderated by Jacques Habra, General Manager at Noospheric, LLC. He asked pointed questions, allowed us to get "off-topic" from time to time, and clearly outlined a pathway toward success that incorporated the experience and viewpoints of all of us on stage.

Sitting as both a participant AND observer, I walked away with a few insights.

 

First: The numbers matter. It was fascinating to me the high, high importance Paul put on "knowing your accounting." His advice was to keep the numbers SO current, that at any time you could write "them on the back of an envelope." When Jacques brought up the statistics on how many business fail in the first 1, 3 and 5 years of business, Paul was quick to point out that there is a lack of financial literacy that he is watching plague startup companies.

Second: The roles of Founder, Owner, Manager and Worker are critical to identify, define and (my viewpoint) redefine. Paul continued to reiterate the significance of understanding the objective importance of clarifying the role and purpose of leading an idea/product/organization. Personally, I left the event with a renewed focus on stepping much more into an "owner's" role of our growing company.

Third: The "great work" doesn't just happen. Paul, Joe, Kathy, Jacques and I all agree: There is a time to focus on one thing, and there is a time to focus on all things; but, while doing one, don't try to do the other. Paul said, and I quote, "I don't believe in an open door policy." What's amazing to me is that in this age of collaboration, interruption-rich work environments and a business culture that accepts (or is it expects?) access to you 24/7, there may just be the OPPOSITE of ADD/ADHD going on… I think there a significant issue we're going to have to solve is the negative effect of THIS disorder: "Distraction Surplus."

If you were going to give some advice to a founder or group of people about to "start up," what would YOU share?

No, I'm not going back to sleep

I've been up since 4:17 (at least that's what the bed-stand clock said). I'm running another 5-day experiment this week...

Sure, I've set the alarm to "wake me up" by a certain time every day. But, the trial I've got going is: "I'm getting out of bed when I wake up - no 'wake up, turn over and go back to sleep' for me - just for this week."

I'm already finding a few things


M: ore

M: eaningful

M: e


First off, I'm getting a little bit more done. More of the good stuff. This week, early each morning, I've written some cards, read some of the book I'm currently in (The Singularity Is Near) drafted speaking points for a radio interview on my next book, and gotten to the gym 1 out of 5 days.

Second, I'm steeping (like a tea bag in water) in meaning. Spending time early in the day on what is important and ultimately significant to me has been fascinating. The key has been NOT to jump in to social media and email, and to focus in on those pre-defined MITs from last night.

Finally, this is my "me" time. Do you have some scheduled for this week?

Sunset, at 38,000 ft

Flying from Wichita to Dallas last week, my seat mate got up (he had the window seat) long enough for me to snap this photo with my Hipstamatic*.

I'm lovin' the way that the light bounces across the horizon in this picture.

I started carrying a camera (of course my iPhone has an incredible camera already built in) "almost" everywhere I go. It's a big one, a nice one, and one that I can continue growing in to as I learn more and more about this craft. I was at brunch with a colleague a few weeks back, and she asked me, "Why do you carry the 'big' camera as well as the one on your iPhone?"

I shared with her my theory: Because I carry this camera, I'm more likely to notice more of the details. I see new shots. I pause - and often stop - when I might normally just keep on walking. Oh, and a side-benefit I never saw coming: I find that the camera acts as a conversation starter with people around me.

In all, wearing a (albeit a little) hat as a photographer has enriched my life. I'm noticing more of the details...

*Yes, I did take a picture of the sunset with my Sony, as well.

Who is on your team?

Last week, Jodi Womack spoke at an event sponsored by the University of Memphis called, "Lunch With A Leader."

One of her main topics was building up what she calls Team You. The students had many questions, and I captured a couple - along with Jodi's responses...

?
How do I start building the team I will need after I graduate?

A
Start now. Begin by establishing your professional profile on LinkedIn (online), attending networking events like this (in person) and make a business card or print up a booklet that captures what you're interested in and all about (in print).

Begin letting people know right now what you can anticipate looking for 1, 2, or even 3 years from now.


?
What can I do if some of the people in my network are not as supportive of me as I change and uplevel my goals?

A
First, read chapter 5 of Jason's book (thank you, Jodi!) 'cause it's all about doing just that. Then, look around and focus on the 90 days. In that time, invite one new person a week to a coffee or lunch. Think about it, if you meet one new person a week, in 3 months you may be able to find one or two GREAT connections to add to your team.


It was great to see Jodi in action, and from the group surrounding her at the end of the presentation, students asking her even more questions, I believe they enjoyed their time as well.

How close is that next idea?

Ideas present themselves ALL the time, sometimes even while we’re focusing on something else.

I’ve subscribed to the DANA.org “Brain in the News” periodical for years. Seems like each issue gives me something else to dive in to. Sometimes it’s memory, other times dis-ease, and occasionally a groundbreaking study or technology.
But, what I can count on is the opportunity to read and think and connect. And, that is what happened here. As I was reading, I was reflecting on just how big it all is. I recognize the fact that everyone is looking…for the methodology, the system, the right way to do “it” (whatever “it” is). Gather 10 of us productivity experts in a room, and I wonder what we’d agree on as the universal…

What do you think?

Hey, I hand-wrote some of the steps/stages/phases I think we go through in a day. What do you think about the labels…and the order? Let me know…

No, you can NOT have it all

Is your focus spread across things you're thinking about, projects your managing AND to-dos you're prioritizing?

I call those the three "kinds" of work we all have to engage in during the day. One suggestion I make to clients is that they separate those and address them specifically as independent "pieces" of work through the day. It's easy, you can do this with three pieces of paper (or in a spreadsheet online).

One thing this does is show you - in very specific terms - if you're spread out "too thin." Ideally, I have found, there will be a connection through the three kinds of work. That is, what I'm "doing" is a task leading to an outcome I'm "managing." And, if I do attend a meeting, read a book, engage in a conversation or have time to go on a long walk, I'm going to think bigger thoughts about that project. When you start tracking these three together, you can start to eliminate, delete, delegate or put off anything that doesn't address all three of those things...

Increase your effectiveness, "Focus on Fewer." Fewer problems (but bigger ones), fewer projects (but more significant ones), fewer people (but more important ones), fewer meetings... you get it.