I read Jerry Weinberg’s Advice to New Graduates and thought I would ask this question about unlearning. I had to unlearn many things when I started to work. Here are some of the highlights: The myth of the one-person project. I had to depend on other people to finish work I started. Unlike school, I never […]
What Do You Need to Unlearn? Read More »
I am a reviewer for the experience reports track for Agile 2017. I finished evaluating all the proposals in the track last week. Here’s what struck me: too many proposals didn’t have enough information for me to accept them. The conference has guidelines for a good proposal. Too many proposals didn’t follow the guidelines. The
Why Not Ask for Help? 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’ve been thinking about support these last few weeks. I have found support networks quite helpful, both for my emotional and physical needs. Some people don’t want support. If you try to help them, you inflict help. Sometimes, I don’t want support either. When I lean on a door to open it, I use my
How Much Support Do You Want or Need? Read More »
I’m teaching a writing workshop. Writers have all kinds of problems. A common problem is the feeling of Imposter Syndrome. “Who am I to write this? Will anyone believe me? Is it valuable?” Imposter Syndrome arises when you think you’re not capable. Or, that your success arose from luck, not your hard work. There’s a
How Confident Are You? Read More »
Warning, I have a little politics in this post. It’s politics season in the US. For me, the presidential race is the ultimate reality TV show. I can’t look away, even when I’m horrified. Republicans (self-described as conservatives) discuss religious discrimination and walls as a way to keep us safe from terrorism. Democrats (self-described as
How Much Protection Do You Want? Read More »
I saw the movie Nashville this past weekend. Somehow, I missed it when it came out back in 1975. The movie’s premise is: It’s difficult to live an authentic, congruent life. Beware of people selling easy solutions. There are no easy solutions. We may have to change to get what we really want. I often
When Is It Time for You Adapt to Something New? Read More »
I love serendipity. I was drafting this post and read Dean Wesley Smith’s post about Starting Late. I’m practicing my fiction writing. Nothing to publish yet, still working. And then I thought about all the other things I started in 2015: Online workshops More non-fiction writing, including 2 books Pair-writing with several new-to-me authors Walking
When Is It Too Late to Start? Read More »
Early in my speaking and consulting career, I doubted my abilities. I was concerned I wouldn’t give a good talk. I was worried I would let my clients down. Now, I’m concerned about my ability to write fiction that people will want to read. When you doubt yourself—even when you have the skills—you suffer from
Do You Ever Doubt Yourself? Read More »
I was at a client event this past week with several other consultants. Over a dinner, we discussed some of our choices—when did we say yes and when did we say no. I said something like this: “I have been saying yes more often to new and different experiences, as long as they meet certain
When Do You Say Yes? Read More »