Tag: effectiveness

A Few Thoughts On Challenges

Carl Setzer
Challenges Ahead

I’ve been asked, many, many times if “x” will present a challenge. And, far too often, the context of that is “kill the project”.And that’s the wrong thinking. EVERY project will have challenges. Internal, external, whether inertia or outright attack, things will rise.

Before running away from challenge, we need to remember value. What are we trying to bring to life with the project? And then dive deeper into the cause of the challenge. Can it be overcome? At what cost? Does this negate the value of the project?

I’ve bought into the notion that “everything in life is easy if you’re aligned with the universe”, and that “challenges are signs of divine disfavor”. Perhaps not quite as dramatic as this, but the point’s still there. Challenges shouldn’t be existential. Anticipate they’ll come and remember your why, and you won’t descend into fear driven chaos.  

I need to remember to “Sharpen My Saw”

Carl Setzer

I tweeted this earlier today:

So, here’s a bit more insight. I’ve known for years the importance of taking care of yourself. What’s called, in Franklin Covey parlanence, Sharpening Your Saw. This analogy states that the lumberjack who never sharpens his saw, doesn’t take care of his tools, slowly loses his effectiveness and, eventually, the tools, the saw in this case, fails.

It’s easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the world, of my modern life. My office is running pretty short-staffed right now. (If you’re interested in working with us, all our open positions have been posted on our Facebook page.) There’s so much to do, it seems indulgent to take some time for one’s self.

Yet, we…well, “I”…need to remember that not taking care of myself means decreasing effectiveness and eventual collapse. I’m not some strange superbeing who is exempt from all the rules that others are bound by.

I spent my morning journaling time considering this. Most of my refresh time has been reflexive. I want to shift to a more deliberate approach. The main reason is to avoid hitting the proverbial wall and THEN trying to figure out how I get more energy. No, I’m going to spend time daily doing things that feed my soul, that rejuvenate me and make me better. Substituting coffee (or worse) only creates a bigger problem down the road.

So, what do you do to recharge your soul? That gives you zip in the morning? I’d love to hear what works for you. I delight in hearing what inspires folks. So, drop me a note below.

Always seek to grow

Carl Setzer

Always seeking growth

And to manage all my fears

Become what I want 

It’s frightening, at times, to always seek growth. It requires constant reminders to watch for fear, the temptation to be comfortable. As a writer and artist, I see how critical it is to push boundaries. Mine as well as others. Perhaps mine are the most important boundaries to smash through. Destroying that which holds me back, which robs me of joy. 

Podcasts, Walking and Getting My Act Together

Carl Setzer

One thing I’ve long enjoyed doing: walking while listening to podcasts. I love how I can be selective of what I want to hear. There are so many out there, with only a little effort, I can focus on whatever my “big rocks” are right now.

I’ve been working on making some life changes. Things like eliminating debt,  truly managing my career (as opposed the series of happy accidents it’s been to this point).

In support of that, I’m focusing my energy on positive change, on listening to people who are moving the needle, so to speak. Sure, I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up. Actually, I’ve come to abandon that mindset. I’m focusing on what I want to do now, and what I want to do next. I’m thinking my career focus shall be “I make cool shit happen”. What do you think?

Today, during my walk, I listened to Gary Vee (aka: Gary Vaynerchuck, if you’ve not heard of him). I share with him the consternation of folks my age whining about millennials. But that wasn’t the biggest thing. Gary is always reminding you that you’re empowered, that you can make your dreams come true, and that it’s not easy. That’s why it’s called “work”.

I’m reminded, yet again, that taking on the challenge of driving my life comes with fears. Fears of the unknown, of failing, of looking like a fool. Yet everyone who’s done anything of real value in this life has faced all this. It’s been done before, it can be done now. It can be done by me.

Below is the link to the podcast in question. Let me know if you like it, the thoughts you get from it, or any other podcasts you recommend. I’m looking forward to hearing about it.

 

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