Jason Womack

Are you productive? Are you creative? Is it an "Either / Or"???

Personally, I love how email works. You see, I can be sitting here and just like that I’ll get an email from a friend (thanks Brian!) with an awesome question like:

“How do creativity and productivity relate to one another?"

Ok, so I’m going to be very transparent with you: They’re tied together like the strands of wire that create the cables that suspend the Golden Gate Bridge.

That’s how they’re related...

Now, I can almost see you from there. You just rolled your eyes. You’re thinking something like, “But Jason, I want to be free to create. Being productive - even just thinking about being productive - pulls me out of my creative space.

In the book, “Your Best Just Got Better,” I wrote: 

We use words and phrases to let others know what we think about creativity, possibility, goals, even our own performance preferences and methods.

Consider even a casual conversation like this one:

Friend 1: “Hey, how are ya?”

Friend 2: “Not bad. How are you?”

Friend 1: “Busy. Seems like I’m always behind. Too much to do, you know?”

Friend 2: “Oh, wow, I know. I’m completely stressed, too. In fact, just last week I had to . . .”

Try to be creative, without being productive.

And, try to be productive, without being creative.

I think what we’re facing isn’t a defining issue; I believe we’re facing a meaning issue...

Let me share a story... Just last week, Jodi and I were DEEP in a discussion (ok, it was on the verge of an argument) about a single aspect of our business that was causing us stress. (If you really want to test the value and strength of your relationship with your partner, start a business together. It's awesome!)

We were facing a deadline, and we needed to “be productive” quickly. So, what did we do? We talked “about” producing; we didn’t try to produce. Did you catch the subtle difference? We gave ourselves benefit of thinking before doing. We stood in front of my office white board and filled it with ideas, possible avenues, and a brainswarming process of idea generation. 

Then what did I do? I sat at my desk, and I organized that thinking. Again, I wasn’t doing…I was dancing in the space between “Productivity” and “Creativity.” Do you give yourself that gift? I call it, “Put it where I’ll find it again."

It took about 30 minutes. I loaded up my “Evernote” notebooks and stacks with all kinds of tasks, projects, outcomes, areas of focus, and then...

And then we returned to the table where the discussion began. (It WAS about 3 hours later…) There, in about 15 minutes we uncovered a solution to the part of a project that was driving us crazy. It was a SIMPLE solution, so simple in fact that had we just focused on “being creative” or “being productive,” I don’t think we would have found it.

You see, for me the SOLE purpose of "Being Creative" is NOT to actually produce anything.

Production, productivity, producing something is actually pretty easy.

To me, thinking is one of the most critical components of creativity. I've got to let myself have the time, the space, and even the tools to THINK and then I can be a bit more creative. When I’m overwhelmed by the unfinished, in motion, disorganized “stuff” all around, I simply can’t do that. 

And, when it comes to producing, I need to stop - one a week or once a month at the minimum - and think…create…dream…wonder.

• Creativity: the use of the imagination or original ideas
• Create: cause (something) to happen as a result of one's actions 
• Productivity: the state or quality of producing something
• Producing: cause (a particular result or situation) to happen or come into existence

The best thing I ever did, and I suggest you do this too, is to study what the meaning behind those words is to me...

What do YOU want to create…and, what do you want to produce?

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Make Every Meeting Count

Are you willing to do the work? I mean, "ready to fail"?

The value of your reputation...do you know it?

3 Ways Leaders Build Trust

Who are you working for...And, what are you doing?

How fast, and how far, are you going?

A colleague of ours in Omaha, NE sent an email a while back. In there, he listed out a few questions for Jodi and I, and this is the one that got me thinking:

“What are you working on?"

On the one side, I can get all proud of myself and make a LONG list of my areas of focus, my projects and deliverables, and the oh-so-many tasks I have to do...

On the other hand, I had to stop and think. Several journal pages later, I wrote this question “Who are you working for, Jason?"

This changed things up a bit, and thinking continued. I wrote down the names of people, of associations, of communities, and of organizations. I was positively overwhelmed.

Positive: consisting in or characterized by the presence or possession of features or qualities rather than their absence.

Overwhelm: have a strong emotional effect on

Did you ever see that Brene Brown TED Talk on Vulnerability? (LINK here) In her work, Brene poses very specific questions. As you read these two, I invite you to identify “your own who.” That is, think about the people around who impact/affect YOU being the best you you can be...

How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? 

How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?

So, here’s the answer to that question:

We just launched our 21st Get Momentum Theme at www.TimeToGetMomentum.com. 

The Get Momentum Coaching program is for a global community of leaders. It is the most exciting product we have to offer.

Each month we serve as coaches to leaders, entreprenuers and friends around the world. What do we do? We identify a “Leadership Skill" that we all need to improve such as "Public Speaking," "Managing Meetings Effectively," or even "Health and Wellness Choice Making."

Throughout the month, we offer a Master Class online, a one-on-one coaching call, and a Momentum Module workbook that members write in as they learn how to Be Better.

On top of that, http://www.WhereIsWomack.com, I travel around the world leading workshops on topics of Leadership, Momentum and Creativity in the Workplace. But, again, it’s not necessariy the “What?” of what I’m doing, but the “Who?” I get to work with throughout the journey. 

Get Momentum attracts life-long learns, self-starters, and people who know that they make a difference every day. 

Make Every Meeting Count

It's the first Wednesday of 2015, and I'm heading to a "calendared event," call it a meeting if you will...

And, I'm writing specifically to invite you to join Get Momentum today.

Can I tell you why?

Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that there are 11 million meetings held every day in America. How many of those did you attend or lead?

Have you ever stopped to ask, “What does a successful meeting look like?"

Do you have big decisions to make this year? This month?

Are the meetings you attend as effective and efficient as possible?

This month, leaders like you are becoming more effective Meeting Managers.

Get Momentum members worldwide are learning the secrets of more successful meetings.

Click here to download the ENTIRE Get Momentum Leadership Coaching curriculum.

 

There are FOUR areas leaders need to focus on to become excellent meeting managers. This month, we cover how to:

Prepare for an effective meeting

Lead an effective meeting

Attend an effective meeting

and Follow Up effectively

 

Imagine if your meetings were more efficient and effective.

Join Get Momentum today and you can attend tomorrow’s 45-minute Master Class titled: 

“Plan, Lead and Attend Better Meetings."

I know that meetings have a bad reputation. Think about it, everyone loves to complain about meetings. But here’s the thing…meetings aren’t going away anytime soon.

 

And Get Momentum members I’ve talked to say they spend 20-30 hours a week planning and attending meetings. If your schedule is anything like this, you know how consuming and important it is.

Having more efficient, effective and productive meetings could save you 20% of the time you’re currently spending. That equals 4-6 hours that you could get back into your life.

During tomorrow’s Online Global Webinar “Master Class,” Get Momentum members will learn:

1. How “Decision Fatigue” negatively affects your ability to lead effectively.

2. At least 3 of the 5 skills effective managers know about running meetings.

3. The impact that “Checklists” - and examples - have on meeting management.

 

AND, studying the month-long Momentum Module this month, you’ll learn how to effectively plan and prepare for a meeting, keep the meeting on track, manage any problems that arise, and properly follow up afterwards.

There is plenty of time to sign up as a member so you can be on the live Master Class that's happening this Thursday, January 8th. We present the Master Class as a webinar twice each day, once early in the day, and once in the evening…we RECORD the Master Class so you can watch it later when you have time.

 

Basic monthly Get Momentum Membership is just $99/month. I know you'll get more than 10X the value you pay to be a part of it.

Click here to join...

3 Ways Leaders Build Trust

People work better with people they trust.

Effective leaders know that there’s a lot to be gained (and learned) from listening, but they don’t always have the time to “go there.” Three questions make it easier to build trust at work.

1. What do they need?

When meeting with someone, it’s easy to fall back on traditional “negotiation skills” as you seek the end goal. On your way to the meeting consider their needs, and where they are coming from. This is a way to build rapport without really having to “do” anything.

2. How can I notice them? 

Most of the people you interact with are starving for positive attention. Specifically, they want to be noticed for the contribution they make, for the good work they do. Notice what people are doing and catch them doing something right. Acknowledge them with a specific example of how their work is helping the company.

3. What “worry” is on its way?

During an especially difficult part of a hike I was on last year (the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, 52-mile/2-day Grand Canyon event) one hiker was struggling. He did not stop talking about hard it was. So, I asked him to tell me what he could imagine his kids (ages 9 and 13) would be doing in a decade. He refocused his energy! For 2 hours, he thought and talked, hiking through the difficult uphill section of the climb.

Effective leaders notice when the people around them could use a little support, need to be noticed, and are challenged by what’s right in front of them. It’s your job as their trusted leader to make it easier for people to do their best work.

Practice asking these three questions, and see how it improves your interactions this week.

The value of your reputation...do you know it?

I bought and read the Kindle edition of “Reputation Economics: Why Who You Know is Worth More Than What You Have” during the few weeks after Joshua and I began emailing each other back and forth in late 2014. And THAT was after I’d seen his TED Talk on “Crows” years before, heard him speak live in Camden, Maine at the PopTech conference, and followed him for a while on Twitter.

Before I read someone’s book, I like to know a little about them if it’s possible!

While I was reading Josh’s book, I emailed him to ask if he’d ever have time to meet while I visit New York (I’m still working in The City 3-5 days per month…). Success! He said yes. So, I read and highlighted my way through his latest book. I highly recommend all the Get Momentum members read this book; it offers a user-based case study on WHY we need to be conscious of our “Reputation,” both personal AND professional.

“So what are reputation economies? It’s actually pretty straightforward–they’re exchanges that use more (or other) measures than just financial currency.”

 

...to continue reading this FBR, click here

Are you willing to do the work? I mean, "ready to fail"?

Hey, you, it’s 2015. I know that may be obvious to you, but for a moment let that thought roll around your brain. Recently someone referred to “10 years ago) and I realized my thought was, “Oh, back in the 1990s." Then, I had to do a double-take. 

11 years ago was 2004

When you go to “rewind and review" mode, what comes to your mind? Knowing a bit about how the psyche works, I know there’s a fight - at least a tennis match - that occurs mentally. The binary choice is between:

Remembering the wins, the good times, the successes.

Remembering the losses, the bad times, the failures.

Now, you tell me: Which ones come to your mind first? You know the saying that Tony Robbins drilled in to our minds in his tape program 20 years ago, right? (I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I first listened to one of his programs; he was known as Anthony Robbins at the time!)

“We move toward pleasure, and away from pain."

Listen, Robbins was NOT the first person to say that, nor will he be the last. Look at anyone living. Or dying, if you have someone in your life fighting right now. They are looking to get better; feel better; be better.

We SHOULD study our failure.

There’s SO much information in our failures, it’s amazing. Before I share with you the three things to think about when you consider failure, let’s take a look at what failure provides.

Failure means:

1. We stepped in to the unknown.
2. We attempted something bigger.
3. We were focused on something new.
4. We believed it was possible to get there.

What would YOU say #5 is? Leave it in the comment area below; I’m going to pick one commenter and provide you with a 7-day membership with full access to the HABITS theme at Get Momentum.

What can we learn from failure?

There are three things that we can learn from our failures. When we can look back on what happened and realize that by taking that step toward what we didn’t know how to do, we put ourselves in a position to grow, and go further…faster. You’re the kind of person who wants this, believe me...

When you look back on the last decade or so, what do you remember the most? Was it something you wanted to do, but didn’t? What about a goal you worked on, but didn’t turn out like you’d hoped it would?

If you DON’T achieve what you set out to accomplish, do you call it:

Failure… ?

Before we go much further, let’s take a look at what the dictionary says “Failure” is:

lack of success; the omission of expected or required action; a lack or deficiency of a desirable quality

For a moment, I want you to take on the feeling you had when you experienced something that you feel was a failure. For a moment, let that roll around your mind, and your body. What comes up for you? Is it chronic and lasting? Sharp and acute? Can you see it in your minds’ eye, or hear the conversation going on? Personally, the one I am focused on right now is all-encompassing. I can literally feel myself balled up in a confused state of discomfort and loss...

 Now, with that feeling of experience right there, let’s look at the three things that we learn from failure:

1. Lack Success

Success, such a subjective term. When you pull to mind that failure you experienced - at least for me and the one I’m thinking of - it is a matter of what you wanted NOT matching the experience you got. Hmmmm, what an interesting position to be in. You know, I’ve seen more people spend SO MUCH time explaining that they didn’t get what they wanted, and how they really wanted it. They avoid discussing what they really SHOULD be talking about…how they were not (1) educated, (2) informed, (3) equipped, or (4) persistent enough to get it.

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”
- Bruce Lee 

In my book, Your Best Just Got Better, I share a story that BJ Bedford Miller told me about her making the United States Olympic Swim Team (after “failing” at the Olympic Trials twice!). When I asked her for some of her “secrets” to success, the two she gave me were: Stay Focused, Do the Work Necessary. If you only read once chapter of that book, start with Chapter 4. That chapter is written, and the activities are designed, to give you the step-by-step experience you need to stay focused on what you need and take advantage of the next two lessons in failure.

2. Omit the Required Action

Who are you? You’re a leader. You own a small business. You’re a parent. You serve the community. You influence others. You’re you...

Then, one day you wake up and realize it’s not enough. You want more. You want to BE, and DO, and HAVE more. But, you’ll have to recognize that the effort you’ve made to get you HERE is not equal to the work it’s going to take to get THERE. Where is your there? More responsibility? More employees and customers? More, better student-athlete? More community involvement? You get the point…more is more.

“Apply what you know: Just knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do. Test your self all the time.”
- Bruce Lee 

I’ve stopped reading the “quick tips” articles that abound on the internet. I don’t need another 4 ways to do this, 7 things to have to get that, 3 factors to avoid if… you get the point. I already know what I need to do, the biggest decision I have to make is whether I will STOP doing some of the things that get in my way of doing what I need to do. Oh by, that’s a big decision to make...

3. Lack a Desired Quality

When you’re moving toward a new level - a new position professionally, a new circle socially, a new experience emotionally - you’re going to have to check (and test) your qualities. I’ve seen some of the most determined and “hard-headed” people you’ll ever meet. And, I can usually tell you within a few minutes of talking with them if they’re going to “make it” or not. Now, of course “making it” is completely an opinion I have made up that may or may not have any value to add to their experience…but, here’s how Bruce Lee put it:

“Be flexible in your approach, learn from everybody and everything, don’t get locked in a particular style.”

What you have, who you are, what you do, where you go, when you experience joy, how you live over the next 60 months is going to come down to the 5 or so people you’ll spend time with. Look, you want to change your life? Change who you spend time with. You want to find new work to earn an income? Find people who have the kinds of experiences at their work that you would be interested in having?

Careful, don’t just try and find someone with a “JOB” you recognize, that’s rookie.

Want to know how I do it? I’ll email you one of my tactics, just send me a note via the contact page at Get Momentum…just click here.

Failure…it’s the experience you get to tap the “reset” button and go at it anew. If you can dream it - said Napoleon Hill - you can achieve it. Just remember to be yourself, to do the work necessary, and to always - ALWAYS - strive to be better.