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 »
A colleague sent me an email this morning. She had read Agile and Lean Program Management, and especially liked the section called “Potentially Useful Practices.” She told me she thought of them as “pup”s and was going to use that idea for a talk she was developing. She talked about cute puppies—which one was a
When Are You Serious? Read More »
I want to improve at many things: my exercise, my writing, my teaching, just to name three. When I reflect back on my progress—or lack thereof—I ask myself if I’m doing my part. Wanting is not enough. I have to do my part. Sometimes, my part is to show up and do the work. (See
Are You Doing Your Part? Read More »
I’ve been working on several things these weeks, slowly moving them to done. I have workshops for Agile 2016, books in progress, monthly columns, and my non-fiction writing. As I reviewed previous workshop designs, I realized I’m a lot better at designing workshops than I was, say, ten years ago. Since I’m in a huge
How Are You Better or Worse? Read More »