GarthBox

The problem with leading the critical path is that we often follow it.

And following, is much different than leading.

Following is to go in order, to walk the dotted line, to lean on the deadlines.

Leading is thrashing early in support of each step on the path; it’s setting every station up for success.

It’s having the paperwork ready. It’s mocking up what success in that step could look like even though it’s not in your job description. It’s finding ways to save others time for the sake of the project at large (and their sanity).

The schedule is never the schedule as long as we’re willing to stretch, step out of our comfort zone (or sequence of stage), and thrash early.

The critical path in project management is great, but could it be better?

Stay Positive & That’s Up To You

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Some things can be observed and learned rote, but not the important things.

The things that require emotion and foresight and connection and persuasion.

No one starts off soaring with work that matters.

They flail and then they fly.

Stay Positive & Time To Leap

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Any time you think you’re not doing what you need to be or you’re doing the wrong thing or something seems easy or is taking too much time, graph it.

Up to down is the effort it will take to accomplish the task. A lot of effort or very little effort.

Left to right is the amount of time it will take to accomplish the task. A lot of time or very little.

Plot your tasks and prioritize the fast and low effort tasks.

That will free you up to do one of two things.

Figure out how to break the long and a lot of effort tasks down into short sprints or it will finally give you the time and energy to tackle the long run, high effort tasks..

Sometimes (most of the time?), we need to clear the road so we can drive the distance.

Graphs keep us on the hook to do so.

Stay Positive & Go

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When you don’t show up, you do yourself a disservice.

You allow fear to win and you start from scratch in the habit of overcoming it.

When you don’t show up, you miss out on learning, trying, failing, communication, connections–everything that makes us feel fulfilled at the end of the day.

More importantly, though, not showing up hurts the organizer and lowers the value of all those who did show up.

You’re not just ripping yourself off, you’re ripping others.

If someone calls on you, please show up. If you opted in, it’s even more important you show up.

Stay Positive & Nothing Breaks Trust Faster Than Not Showing Up

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You’re more likely to reach for the alcohol if it’s in your view. Same for sweets.

Likewise, you’re more likely to reach for vitamins if they’re in your view. Same with vegetables. (Curse the freezer.)

There are obvious actions you can take to stay hygienic.

There are actions you can take to stay healthy in the digital era, too.

• Remove social apps from your phone and only log on from a laptop.

• Keep your phone in the living room when you go to sleep, in your bedroom when you’re eating and off when you’re out with friends.

• Don’t read the comments on your content or the content of anyone you admire. Rather, don’t read the comments at all. The sincerest forms of communication won’t be found in the comments section.

• Look up when you’re walking in town, in the state park, into the door of your work and to your desk.

• Cut two things from every email you write. The anger and the length. No one makes the time to read every word and they’ll read it in the worse voice regardless of length.

• If you’re logging on, make sure you create something that someone will appreciate. Don’t simply sulk in all that others are doing.

Stay Positive & Wash Your Hands After, Too

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There are a few times the magic disappears.

It often disappears when a robot can do it.

It disappears when it’s too manufactured.

It disappears when you use a human without humanity.

It disappears when it’s shared with the wrong person.

And, most of all, it disappears when your heart wasn’t in it.

Stay Positive & It’s Never Too Late For A Gut Check

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It doesn’t get owned in a day.

Nor does it get owned when you put your name on it.

It’s not owned when someone else signs off on it or when the certificate comes in the mail.

You own it when you’ve “owned it” again and again and again.

You’ve owned it when no one can say that someone else might own it.

When you think about it, it’s quiet rare for someone to truly own something.

But when they do, you remember them.

Stay Positive & Usain, Elon, Michael, Sam, Stephen, Banksy, Seth, Tim

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