GarthBox

A lot of projects get held up when arguments take place.

Should it be this way or that?

It’s worth pausing to determine if that argument is worth slowing the project over.

Does what’s being argued about matter in this phase?

More often than not, it can be argued about later.

When we shrug off the discussions that don’t need to be had right now, we actually allow the process to iron things out. In letting things take their course, the arguments rarely end up happening.

By all means, have conversations about making the work stronger, but have them when it actually matters.

 

Stay Positive & Is Now The Best Time To Speak Up?

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First and foremost, it’s worth investing our time in people.

Reading, too.

When the going gets tough, it’s worth investing our time to keep going.

Consider investing time to respond rather than react.

Often it’s better to invest the time in polishing our work; in most cases it’s perceived as lazy (cheap) not to.

It’s worth investing our time in the why of all we do and the who we are doing it for.

Time is finite and the gap between negative and positive ROI for it is thin.

That thinness makes it easy to slack, to rationalize more input that produces less output.

The neat thing about where we invest our time is that we can choose where we invest.

For better or worse.

 

Stay Positive & Don’t Spend Your Time, Invest It

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When someone says “something always comes up last second,” it’s hard to believe that can’t be course-corrected.

The problems we face that cause us to thrash near the deadline can often be prevented.

Yet, after the thrash, after the fire alarm, after the mad dash at the end, the pain is gone and we begin to convince ourselves, “That wasn’t so bad” or “At least it’s over with now.”

Thinking like that is exactly why the work loop begins again with the next project (and ends just the same).

Better to thrash early, set your own earlier deadline, put the pressure on the project to force the breaks early and to provide cushion on all the other items that need to happen before it goes out the door (proofing, approvals, feedback from others, etc,.)

Doing something fast doesn’t mean it’s not done well. What matters is when you do the work fast.

 

Stay Positive & Sooner Is Better

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No doubt the work gets better when it’s done with intention.

Even more important is the system and culture we build when we work with intention.

Intention, though, requires us to recognize when we’re doing busy work, when we’re filling the void for the sake of filling it, and when we’re checking boxes because it looks like we’re intentionally doing work (even though it’s often not work that matters).

Intention is as much about the pause and response (not plow and react); it is fully focusing on the why of a task from the moment before we start to the moment after we ship.

The key for intention is in all the breaks along the journey, the gut checks, the reminders.

A moment to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing as well as who you are doing it for.

 

Stay Positive & Intention Creates Attention In The End

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A trick of the writing trade I’ve learned is to write unexpectedly.

That often means two things.

Write a lot of options, more than anyone would guess you would. Put more on paper, bring more to the table and win at the numbers game.

And then, cross out or toss everything that could have been expected.

If another person could write it … if another brand could post it … if another would anticipate it then get rid of it.

What’s left is the truth, the way you see it.

Turns out the way you see it, the real way, is often the way it resonates with others.

 

Stay Positive & Unexpected Writing Says “I See You”

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It’s not societal or generational that we want to find the fast lane.

We want success now. We want love now. We want the project to launch yesterday.

The fast lane, though, can’t be found by preparing more.

The answer isn’t in some book or blog post.

It’s not about being handed enough money or finding the greatest mentor.

The fastest way to launch your idea, succeed in your mission, ship your dream is to start.

It all gets easier when you start. It builds momentum. It puts you in the fast lane.

Start.

And when you’re unsure of what to do next, start again.

And when you feel like you’re going nowhere, start again.

And when you finally cross the finish line, start again.

 

Stay Positive & Keep Starting

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I’m working on the “story” page of the craft beer bar I’m opening.

With great energy, I want to write about the gent who told me not to open one. That he fueled some of my anger (read: passion).

It’s true. He did. There’s not much like a critic who tells you that you can’t do something.

Except there is. Someone better. Someone more energizing. Someone who tells you you can.

If you’re tracking the names of all those who have made an impact on you while you pursue your dream. It’s hard not to note those who have stood in your way, but please don’t disregard those who have helped you along.

It’s a more fun list to keep track of, more energizing, more important.

Take a look at every best selling book. No author wastes a word on those who don’t deserve it.

Better to spend time on/with/next to/giving to/remembering those who do.

 

Stay Positive & Give ’em A High Five Whenever You Can

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