monthoutro – From the desk of Adam Thomas

This month was a rollercoaster

From quitting my job to learning how life is without an alarm clock, January 2016 had surprises that I didn’t account for. So, the theme of Questions this month was an apt one. I spent most of my time this month learning things all over again, and there were a ton of questions that I got to ask.

As I wrote in the intro to this month, questions are a great bridge to improve communication and context. This month proved it. I asked a lot of questions, and received some serious answers. Some answered, some are lingering, but all in all, I am much better for the experience.

Wins This Month

Calendaring – Last year, I constantly missed when I tried this habit. This month, it all clicked, if for no other reason I knew I couldn’t do anything if I didn’t calendar it.With no schedule (from no work) I needed something to anchor me. Book Support: Deep Work from Cal Newport.
Experimentation – I tried a bunch of things. Learns a lot. Having the courage to try things opens so many doors. This might end up as a monthly theme in the future. Book Support: Do Over – Jon Acuff
Vulnerability – I was particularly happy about my ability to keep myself open with my newsletter. I talked about my fears, how uncoordinated I was, and ultimately how things aren’t going perfectly. (If you want to join the newsletter click here)

Losses

Note Taking – I didn’t get a chance to do any note taking this month. I always see Marc Andreessen doing it during conversations, and it seems like a good tool.
Reading – I slowed down on my reading this month. Both my reread and my new reading list.

Books

Videos

I never got that ‘prepared’ thing

Being prepared never struck me as something that I needed to do. I loved the idea of playing the game off the cuff. Preparing is for people who aren’t in it for real, B players who think they got it, but they don’t.

I am glad you get older, so you learn how you get to see how wrong you were when you were younger.

I made this blog completely ahead of schedule this month. I cut my videos ahead, and I did my newsletters ahead of schedule. Just that alone allowed me to batch my work and experiment, which I think created a better blog to follow (hey…pictures and big type). Being prepared facilitated the change.

That was the big lesson this month, that preparation allows you freedom. I never would have come up with that idea unless I prepare, which gave me time to sit back and look at this blog holistically, instead of trying to create posts. So, come prepared.

Wins for the month

Production Time – Wow, I didn’t notice how much time you add by doing things early. I got a chance to take a holistic look at the things I did, and they came out better.
- Lesson: Try to get as much out as early as possible, and take a look at it before you get it into the world.
Questions – Being prepared leads to better questions. Do the reading and get that much more effective.
- Lesson: Ask questions constantly. Ask questions before, during and after if you can. They make you sound better, and you learn a lot more.
Content–I saw everything get better.I opened up new avenues (hello Tumblr,LinkedIn,and Instagram), and learning every day through experimentation.
- Lesson: A holistic view gives you a wide berth, then you connect. Content also feeds on itself. Produce more and more gets produced.

Losses for the month

Calendar – I still haven’t done this one yet. I kicked it for a few days, but then I lost it again.
- Lesson: Try different angles. There is more than one way.
Buffer–I got weird about this. I don’t know if it’s the right way anymore, but I never pursued this.
- Lesson: Take more time to focus on the things that don’t feel right.

Important Posts

Books

Videos

Note: Still experimenting with this post. I took out the notes for the other themes. Thinking about how do I add them here with more value than just a list. Added videos….so version 1.3?