I had several experiences in the past weeks: requests to write and speak as a consultant. And, a fascinating doctor problem. I’ll start with requests for my expertise. When I receive requests for my expertise (writing, speaking, reviewing, consulting), I evaluate those requests with certain guideposts: what fits my values and interests. What do I […]
What Guideposts Do You Use? Read More »
I’m in a writer’s workshop this week, having a blast. We write a lot: openings and short stories. Since it’s a fiction workshop, I feel quite vulnerable as a writer. I’m learning how to write fiction. I can’t tell if it’s any good. I can’t tell if my author voice is working. I’ve been receiving
What’s Your Context? Read More »
I’m teaching my writing workshop this month. I made a point of explaining the difference between cycling between parts of the document and rewriting. I often cycle. I realize I forgot to say something key at the beginning. Or, I started the piece with one idea in mind and it morphed into something else. I
When Do You Refactor or Restart? Read More »
I have a head cold. I’ve had this for almost two weeks. My cough interrupts my sleep (and Mark’s) almost every night. I’m seeing the doctor again today, to make sure I don’t have something other than a head cold. (I didn’t last week.) The problem is not the head cold. The problem is this:
What Do You Do When You Just Don’t Want To? Read More »
I flew from Boston to Seattle last week. When I was growing up, I don’t think this particular cross-country flight existed. If it did, it probably took longer, was much more expensive, and was more comfortable. (I’m not slamming the airline. It’s a fact that seats are narrower, closer and there are fewer amenities on
What Do You Take for Granted? Read More »
My friends and colleagues tell me that audio books are a Big Deal. I believe them, although I still read in ebook and paper. So, I had audio books made for Predicting the Unpredictable and Agile and Lean Program Management. Predicting doesn’t have too many images. Agile and Lean Program Management has a ton of
What Do You Optimize For? Read More »
One of my coachees has a common problem. He has a ton of work he doesn’t want to do (the shoulds). He has some work that gives him joy that he wants to do. He has too much work overall. He’s stuck. He can’t quite get anything done because the work he wants to do
What Should You Do First? Read More »
I’ve been in a couple of Fitbit challenges to see who can walk “most” in a work-week. I’ve enjoyed them and have pushed myself a little each week, to see if I can do just a little bit more every day. One of the problems I have is that by Friday, I’m tired. I’ve been
How Do You Persist? Read More »
I’m curious about many things. I bet you are, too. I’m curious about how people make choices, what they see as options, what they choose to measure. I’m curious about how things work. I feel as if the world has so much variety and my biggest choice is how to sample all the wondrous things
How Do You Feed Your Curiosity? Read More »
I made a big mistake the other night. I was doing maintenance on my mailing lists. I was quite excited about deleting people who were no longer valid subscribers. I deleted too many people and screwed up the Create Adaptable Life mailing list. I fixed it, and that got me thinking about several things: I am
When Do You Stop Working for the Day? Read More »