The even pages…they’re a surprise. I have to turn one over to get there.
Each morning I wake up at 5123, I read a daily note. Different than (the old) Sunday Note from MGM that I used to write, these are short. Deep. Meaningful. Often impactful. But, on “even page” days, I have a different ritual. See, the even pages are on the left. So, I have to turn one over to get there.
My process is I hold the corner of the page and breath in … twice. I ask a question, whatever jumps to my heart. Lately, the questions have been bigger. Deeper. More meaningful. Searching for impact.
Maybe it was because I read some feedback a leader sent me about a program I ran. Or, that I got to help a couple of colleagues hone their presentations. Maybe because big changes are coming to my life - personal AND professional ones. Whatever it was, my question was answered when I turned today’s page:
PS: The book is “The Daily Stoic.” I bought it the first Monday I lived in Montomgery, and have read the “daily” every morning I’ve woken up at home. I *did* get the kindle version - it was $1.99 at one point - but for some reason the words on a page speak to me differently than on-screen.
I’m concerned about something I’m hearing a lot more from my peers, my friends, and my coaching clients. In an almost habitual way, some people around me are bypassing “reality” and leaping forward, toward a future I’m afraid will surprise some of them. Or worse, does not turn out the way they’d assumed.
Raise your hand if you’ve said ANYthing like the following over the past couple of months:
“I can’t wait until things get back to normal."
“I wish we could hurry up and get back to meeting in person."
“When can we just go back to our regular lives?"
“If we could do this [whatever ‘this’ is] in person, it would be so much [fill in the blank: easier, better, more, etc]."
Now really, if you’ve said something like the above I want to sit down (most likely across the Zoom screen!) and share a conversation with you. The first thing I’d do is give you short responses (my opinion, of course!) to each of those four sentences above. Here they are:
They’re not going to, ever.
Be VERY careful what you wish for.
We’re not going to, ever.
Be VERY careful what you think about that.
Not even a year ago, I read the book “The Art of Gathering” and felt my life literally shake beneath my feet. I’ve re-read that book [I do practice speed reading, even made a course if you wanna take it!] 4 more times since then. Every time, I walk away with two thoughts:
How we meet and why it matters…matters.
Ms. Parker wrote this book before the pandemic!
Now, if you don’t have time to read an entire book, just do an Internet search for some of her videos and podcasts. In a half-hour or so, I can “almost” promise you’ll get an idea or two. Whether you listen to hear ideas or make your own, I have a couple of challenges for us all to take on over the next 6 months or so. Here they are:
First, reflect deeply on the life you had “before” the pandemic. What parts of that were hard? Off course? Good? In line with your dreams? Over the next 6 months we’re going to be tested. Restrictions will soften, opportunities will increase, and we’ll have the chance to do more of the “things” that make life worth living. Be VERY careful about going backwards…now is the time to leap forward.
Second, make it matter. Make every meeting, every date with your significant other, every parent-child outing, every long run, yoga class, carpool to work, and flight for vacation, worthwhile. What does that mean? What does that mean to you? What does that mean to me?
I have a philosophy, and it’s pretty simple. It shows up in two sentences: (1) Every good thing has happened to me because of the people I’m surrounded by, (2) I am one awkward eye contact glance away from a new best friend. So, when we do get back to meeting in person, I’m going to do a LOT more looking around, making eye contact and looking for that connection, that spark between us. Will I find it every time? No. Do I anticipate finding it more than before? Absolutely.
And, third, reflect deeply on what you want. Want you want to be. What you want to have. What you want to do. The future is heading our way. Or, we are stepping into the future. Either way, we’re going to look in the mirror in a few months, I want us all to look at ourselves and ask: “Is what I’m about to do today worth it?"
When I’m concerned, I like to talk with people. My hope is that by sharing my concerns with you here you’ve been sparked to share YOUR concerns. Sit down with a friend, or send me an email. Let’s keep talking about this stuff!
"I am using the 'So that' process every day to be more productive at work."
What are the "So thats..." that drive you to do your best work for the individuals, groups and organizations you serve? You know... as author and TED Speaker Simon Sinek asks, "WHY? do you do what you do?"
Do you have important things to get done? Do you want to be more productive and reduce your stress at work? Think differently, and you will get more done.
Last week I spoke to two groups of managers in Seattle, Washington about the topic: "Optimize Your Time and Focus to Get Momentum."
My intention was to demonstrate how important it is to think differently and plan out the different "sizes" of projects to start and changes to make. When I coach leaders to achieve success while working in alignment with their purpose, we use a tool called “So that…”
What's the purpose of you working as hard as you do, worrying about problems that need to be solved, and raising your opinion - and your voice - about what's happening around you?
Get Started Here
Sure, you are working on many projects, but right now choose one meaningful project. It could be personal, or something at work to get done. Open your Momentum Journal, and write 3-5 "So thats."
Here's an example: I am working on my 5th book this year.
"I am writing another book so that:
recently promoted managers have a field guide to achieve success in their first 100 days;
our past and current clients have new material to offer to their staff through the book, website, workshops and coaching programs;
we have new articles to publish in magazines;
we have new material to share for free via social media and podcasts;
I think differently about my coaching practice."
Different Kinds of Thinking
Continue thinking of three different "sizes" about the project. Do this to be more productive, reduce your stress and work in alignment with your purpose. Whether you chose a personal or professional project, you can go up and down the scale of thinking.
Large Thinking: The WHO. Describe the community and specific reasons they will benefit when you are finished.
When I wrote my third book, Your Best Just Got Better, I had a wall of pictures I had taken from magazine covers and printed from websites. They were all the people I had wanted to send a copy of my book to for their endorsement. Some people I knew, some people I had not met yet, and the common denominator was simple: EVERY person was in a position to ask hundreds or even thousands of other people to read my book.
Medium Thinking: The WHAT. What is a "rough draft" picture of the deliverable? Describe in detail what it will look, sound and feel like when the client or community uses it.
When we launched v3 of the Get Momentum Leadership Academy, I had (on the same wall in my office, of course!) printed out 13 different "Requests" from current members. Throughout the rebuilt of the website and revision of the materials, we constantly referred back to that information asking ourselves, "What do our members want from us?"
Small Thinking: The HOW. Open your calendar and choose (this week) a 75-minute block of time to talk about, plan and work on that project. Create the desk/office space you need to have a successful practice session.
Getting Things Done isn't just about managing time anymore. Back in the early 2000's, I was a GTD facilitator and coach; I helped people organize their office, empty their inbox and make lists of things they had not done yet. What do I know after having facilitated more than 500 days of those seminars in 6 years?
Time is not the ONLY factor that limits your ability to get things done. You need to add in three other elements:
Environment
Ability to focus
Energy Available
Where Are You?
If you need to work without distraction, you might need to move somewhere for a day (or an hour...or a week!). If you want to Get Momentum on the project, create the environment you need to get it done. Find a conference room you can sit in at lunch. Sit in your car for 15 minutes in the morning. Invite someone to meet you for coffee to talk about your project and brainstorm how it will help people you want to serve.
What's Distracting You?
Notice, I did not say "Who?" I said "What?". That is, if you go to that place you CAN focus, you do not want anything left on your mind that will distract you while you are there. Want a tip? Take this one that you can read about in David Allen's book, Getting Things Done:
"...you will want to collect anything else that may be residing in your psychic ram."
How do I do it? Before I start any work session (writing, planning, thinking, even facilitating a workshop!), I make a hand-written list of at least 30 things that are on my mind. When I do this, it lets a part of my mind relax so I can go to work. Later on, I will come back to and look at that list to see what I need to do.
How Much Energy is Left?
Ok, so are you a morning person? An evening person? Do you get energy by being around people? Alternatively, when you work alone? There are two ways of looking at this third prompt:
1) How can you boost your energy on the front side of a work session; or
2) How much energy do you have, and what are you good for?
Look, I am a morning person. I know it, my wife knows it, my friends know it, and I have even trained my clients so that they know it! If anyone around me wants the BEST and most I have to give, they know to plan something in the morning. However, this does not mean I cannot work later in the afternoon, or into the evening.
If I am going to work at my non-prime times, then I will have my tricks and tools handy that help me stay engaged when I need it most.
You are not going to find a one-size-fits-all when it comes to being as productive as possible. Start by identifying your "So thats..." and continue by making sure you are thinking at all the levels you need. Use this “So that…” process to think – and work – productively and purposefully.
How can we fix what's going on in #Charlottesville? We have to think differently: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-size-thinking-doesnt-fit-all-jason-w-womack-med-ma on @LinkedIn
Peter Drucker's Five Most Important Questions provides insightful guidance and stirring inspiration for today's leaders and entrepreneurs. By applying Drucker's leadership framework in the present context of today's leaders and those who lead with them, this book is an essential resource for people leading, managing and working in all three sectors—public, private and social. Readers will gain new perspectives and develop a solid foundation upon which to build a successful and bright future.
They will learn how to focus on why they are doing what they're doing, how to do it better, and how to develop a realistic, motivational plan for achieving their goals. This brief, clear, and accessible guide — peppered with commentary from distinguished management gurus, contemporary entrepreneurs and dynamic millennial leaders —will challenge readers and stimulate spirited discussion and action within any organization, inspiring positive change and new levels of excellence.
You make things happen; you make things possible; you make things better. Because of you, I wrote the book in the first place. Again, because of you, the book is in the top 1,000 list on Amazon!
Here on a Tuesday morning in Ojai, CA I’m asking myself: “What can I do for them?"
AND THEN...
And then I came up with an idea. Ready?
Order 15+ copies of the book for your team, your company, your community. Email me the receipt - [email protected] - and I will schedule an ONLINE WEBINAR “chat with the author” for your group. It will be a Book Club meeting like now other… (that’s a $2,500 value)
Order 150+ copies of the book, and I will automatically enroll UP TO 150 people in www.GetMomentum.co/about for a month. (That’s a $29.00 per person value!)
And, order 1,500+ copies of the book - don’t worry, place the order and Amazon will do what it must to deliver them to you! - and I will fly anywhere in the United States and facilitate a 1-day leadership event. (a $20,000 value) Plus, I’ll enroll up to 100 leaders in www.GetMomentum.co/get-momentum at the Professional Level. (That’s a $149.00 per person value!)
We’ve just published a 34-page eBook that teaches you how 8 successful Get Momentum members create the conditions necessary to succeed at work…and in life.
Would you recognize it if you saw it? The feeling of momentum...
You know, when you get an idea, implement it, and it works! You get that blog post or chapter written. A customer leaves a raving review of your service online. The manufacturer you’re working with gets you what you need on time AND on budget.
Wouldn’t it be great if you knew how to create momentum?
I met Mike Rohde while I was in Portland last month; we hit it off, and decided to trade books with each other. Here's the Book Review I wrote on The Sketchnotes Handbook.
Hope you enjoy reading this review (and, go get your own copy; it's AWEsome!).
