Agenda Item for 5/17/2013

Topic: It's About Time: Budgeting

If you can't manage your time effectively you're unlikely to achieve your goals. People in transition seem to have no difficulty meeting commitments to others but a lot of difficulty with their commitments to themselves. There's a lot of reasons for that. Not having clear goals, not respecting themselves and their own time, not being good about to estimate the time things will take, ove-packing their schedules, and of course - procrastination.

Using a "time as money" analogy. I've noticed a limited resource is managed better than an unlimited one. Those who are currently employed seem to have less problem with time management. With the bulk of their time given over to their employer, those with jobs seem forced by constraint to manage their remaining time better. Perhaps the better you are at managing your time resources the more employable you are which limits your time making you better at managing time. (correlation v. causation - I don't know)

This week I'm introducing the start of a four week project for OCA attendees that includes learning, planning, training, monitoring, and peer support all focused on helping us get better at managing time. We're going to align what we do with what we need to do. We're going to treat time like money. A fixed allotment is available to spend and we're going to determine where to spend it so that it does us the most good.

The recommended book: The Now Habit (Amazon Link) We'll be reading and discussing. My hope is that having a lesson absorbed from multiple perspectives will draw out more useful lessons than if each of us were to read it on our own and not discuss it. (I know I'll certainly get more value from it than if just let someone else share their "lessons learned" without having read the book myself.)

This week's topic: How will you structure your time three weeks from now? two weeks from now? and next week? We're going to work on our specific plans for the next three weeks in an exercise called "Week of Intention".

(Exercise handouts available at meeting)

Something Interesting: "Setting Priorites"

Something Interesting: Don't be upset...

Something interesting: "I have a cow in my pocket"

 Fun question from over on Quora:
"What's the craziest thing you ever said (or did) at an interview and still got the job?" (Link)

My personal favorite: Richard Waddington

"I had been with the same company for over a decade and decided it was time to move on, so this was my first job interview in a very long time.  I was more than a little stressed out about it...  Suit? Cleaned and pressed.  Tie? Tied and straight.  Shoes shined.  Socks match.  Ok, time to go.

As I'm heading out the door, my daughter (who was about 4 at the time) rushed up and said "Daddy, take this for good luck!" and handed me a little plastic cow from a barnyard play set.  I gave her a big hug, and rushed off, hoping I wouldn't be late.

After several hours of being poked and prodded technically, and feeling pretty good about it, I'm sitting across from the VP of HR, a middle aged woman wearing a conservative suit, who says "I've heard good things from the interview team, but I do have one concern..."

Uh oh...

"...You look like a pretty straight-laced guy, and, well, things get a little crazy here from time to time.  How do I know you'll fit in?"

Without thinking I blurted out, "I have a cow in my pocket!"

There was a moment of very awkward silence, and I was convinced I'd just blown it, but I found the cow, and set it on the table.  Another second or two went by before she burst out laughing.

I got the job."

Agenda Item for 5/10/2013

Job Search 202: Getting It Done

I got back from Chicago on Monday and have been scrambling to get back into a rhythm of productivity. I'd love to tell you I'd finished developing all the exercises that follow on the model for career development I outlined two weeks ago but I can't. I'd love to tell you I'd finished the working draft of the marketable skills exercise that I began 5 months ago but I can't. I'd love to tell you I'd finished writing my working biography or any number of case studies I've outlined but that languish in my writing project folder but I can't. (It's not that I haven't gotten anything done It's that bragging about those things doesn't help me get other stuff done so I'll skip telling you about them.)

Sooooo… That inspires today's topic:

This week's topic: Getting it done. What have you been working on? How are you blocked? How can we help you get past your block? Resources, connections, advice, planning help, insightful questions, a kick in the butt, a pat on the back. Let us know what you need to keep you moving forward.

DISCUSSION TOPIC:  "Getting it done"

Agenda Item for 5/3/13

NO MEETING THIS WEEK

I'm in Chicago this week doing some exploring. (And a lot of eating)
So won't be there to facilitate our meeting.

If you're interested in something to think about check out my blog post:
"Do or Do No; There is No Try" (Link)

Something interesting: An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth

 Bruce Mau's 1998 Manifesto that guides his firms design process and how the firm interacts with the world. An inspiring read.


An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth (Link)