Category: Blog Post

Is your responsibility.

That’s it.

That’s the post.

What being thoughtful is for?

It’s a way to get the customer to think “that’s right” as they work through their issues. It’s about getting to the outcome that matters.

Now that we know what we are looking for –  let’s clear the air.

Thoughtful doesn’t mean long or slow. A thoughtful handoff can be frictionless, ruthlessly efficient. 

A mistake I see leaders make is thinking the work it takes to be empathetic as the same as being empathetic. 

And it is hard work.

Thoughtful isn’t about the output, thoughtful is about the outcome. 

As a leader – it’s part of your job to seek stability and provide as needed.

This doesn’t mean constant stability – it means provide as needed.

Do it too much and your a savior – great, you’ve made your ego happy but created a bottleneck.

Don’t do it at all and you’ve crafted a team of mercenaries- those that survive will leave when the moment suits them.

Remember – as needed.

If you are looking for permission – you’ve got it.

Go ahead.

Do it.

And if you are feeling frisky – let me know how it goes.

Today is a cold day in May in New York City.

Finally, I can justify keeping my winter clothes around.

Which I know is nonsense, but emotionally I am tied – I needed the justification and I got it. Rationally it doesn’t work, but in my head – I feel good.

How does a story about Adam’s long sleeve “game” in May matter to the person reading this? Well – ask yourself this question:

How can my current (customer, boss, VC, etc.) feel the “finally” in your favor, even when it isn’t rational?

How can you get the emotional tie-in to your work?

How do you have them close the gap?

Human beings aren’t rational.

Opportunities without context are traps.

So when asked for advice about opportunities, my response always is an ask to reflect the things you will not put up with.

Why?

Frustration and resentment.

You’ll be frustrated you are breaking your own code and you’ll resent everyone for it.

The worst part is your brain and body know what they are even if you don’t vocalize them. They keep score.

Soon you’ll have that “ugh” feeling you get when you walk in the door, even when it’s beautiful outside.

Be clear in what you don’t want. Lead with it.

If you are worried about what others will think – you miss out on opportunities to mitigate risk.

Why play with short money when you can avoid problems and just play it out with what you know.

In this case – if I am unsure about more than fifty percent then just get the fifty.

Or you can opt to just not play at all.

(H/T – Farnam Street – https://fs.blog/2014/06/avoiding-stupidity/)

I got to early morning Yoga today and feel amazing.

Glad I pushed myself to it.

Great reminder that physical exercise should happen a little sooner than you want it to.

Anywho –

Our frustrations are often the result of our ego, the past, or some mix of the two. I think back to a recent frustration – someone complaining about an outcome I warned them about.

My frustration is my ego and past there – “why didn’t they listen to me.” If I wallow in it then I lose the initiative – every interaction is now based on my feeling of frustration.

I’m feeling pretty good about my chances at having a fun weekend.

Severe food poisoning isn’t great. It seems to be behind me though. That makes me happy.

Anywho – releasing a project is a major milestone.

Treat the release with respect.

It’s the projects birthday! Celebrate.

Today is the first day I’ve felt anywhere close to normal since contracting food poisoning.

Even trying food again. :-D.

Anywho – one thought before I crash again. The majority of craft, the stuff that gets you good, seems useless to people who are not involved.

Yes, you need to show up everyday and sit around sometimes. Yes, you do need to hurry up and wait. Yes, that 30 minutes of scales matters.

Noncraftspeople only see the show.