Deadline Paralysis

I have noticed over the years that I can easily paralyze myself. When there is a deadline at work, and the ability to meet that deadline is in the hands of people outside of myself- I panic. I end up in a constant circle of checking Facebook, CNN, Chess and Soccernet. This pattern can afflict me for days.

Most likely this affliction stems from knowledge that the company has missed many deadline. I know that a properly functioning executive would address the issue of deadline issue head on, but I won't.

Part of the reason I won't is because the person responsible for meeting these deadlines is a long term employee who is just as much a reason for the success of the company as the failures of the company. In many ways I feel the company is what it is because of this person. I truly am grateful for this person.

When I look at WHY we are missing deadlines, I can easily find a few specific reasons:

• The project wasn't thought through enough in the beginning;
• Communication of what is expected between team members is poor;
• There isn't an ability to effectively estimate work that is required.

The profitability and reputation of the company is at stake. Yet, here I am, paralyzed...again.

Distractions Everywhere

I often get distracted. I don't mean a few times a day, I mean many times an hour.

There can be a few reasons for this:
1) Concussion- My concussion in the Summer of 2015 has had many effects on my life, and short term memory loss could be one of them. I don't believe this is the case however for a variety of reasons I won't get into here;
2) Technology- Plenty has been written about the technology's effects on cognition;
3) Genetics- My mother always complained that she was so interested in so many things that she didn't focus in depth on any one thing;
4) Boredom- I am going with this one, primarily because I have observed that when I choose to focus, there is no issue with distraction whatsoever.

So if I am choosing to NOT focus, is that because I don't know what to focus on? Or because I don't want to focus on what I should focus on?

I feel as though I know what to focus on- that's pretty simple:

1. My health (eating right);
2. My family
3. New business

So then I am choosing not to focus on the items that are clearly defined. That says all sorts of bad things I am sure.

Speaking of new business, a few ideas and some meaningful action this week. Some of this success comes from a change in strategy.

In the past, I would come up with a plan, get all my ducks in a row and only then make progress. Instead, I am going to take a two pronged approach-- make meaningful progress while a plan is being made. Wish me luck.

Goals for today:

1. No added sugar;
2. 2 hours of billable time;
3. 30 minutes of reading;
4. Frank conversation with Donavon about missing deadlines 

What does the marketplace want?

I think a lot of my frustration at work has been because...for the first time in my career, I am not sure what the marketplace wants.

It is easy to sell something that the marketplace wants. You simply differentiate yourself from your competition, get in front of people, and a percentage will work with you.

However if you don't know what the marketplace wants, you can't start the process.

I listened to a pitch from a company that hosts/manages Moodle installations for clients. They aren't a big company (research says about 7 people). They don't even have a great pitch.

They simply have defined a nitch that the audience wants...and are out promoting it.

I could easily come up with SOMETHING niche to pitch. Something in the cybersecurity space, or in the analytics space. The problem comes when you need to take a company with you. That involves getting buy in from senior partners and executives.

Strategy and Positioning

First a goals update.

75% (3 of 4) yesterday.

No added sugar was thrown out the window shortly after writing the blog post because our office had two birthdays and thus two birthday cakes. Happy Birthday to Bryan and Janet. Of course, because I have no willpower, this meant indulging. Hey, three out of four ain't bad.

I was able to make tangible progress on a new business piece. Specifically, a webinar on ADA compliance requirements for Websites.

The good news is that yes I made progress. The bad news is that we don't have a viable positioning or direction for the company. I know this is poor leadership on my part and I regularly beat myself up over it. I have been beating myself up over this FOR YEARS.

I made need outside help on this. I feel as though I can't see the forest from the trees as it relates to our positioning.

Goals for Today:
1) 30 mins of French
2) 30 mins of Reading
3) No added sugar
4) 1 hour of new business time
5) Do something nice for Katie

Average of the 5

There is an old adage that goes something like the following.

"You are the average of the 5 people you most associate with."

I have been thinking about that quote specifically (does work life count?) and also thinking a bit about my "network."

So I have started to build a list of folks who could lift me- either by inspiring, motivating or challenging me.

Unfortunately it is a small list right now. I wonder if that says something unto itself. The good news is that each person provides slightly different contributions to my life.

While I am at it, I thought I might as well prepare a list of those for whom I am grateful. A much larger list to be sure.

My lists:

• Hynes
• Penczak
• Ruser
• Connolly
• SHL

Grateful list:

• KT
• WM
• KM
• SAM
• CAM
• MEM
• SK
• CR
• DY
• ST
• MA

Goals for today:

• 1 hour spent on new business
• No added sugar
• 30 minutes of French study
• 30 minutes of reading

Trying something new

It was great to find this blog and read through some of the old posts. The half ironman was a time where I had goals, had purpose and achieved something over a long period of time.

Having read a good bit recently about the mental health benefits of journaling, I thought that this blog might be a good vehicle to start.

So "Trying to Tri" (the original name of this blog), will now become "trying." The theme will be broader than just physical fitness.

Perhaps this will lead to as much mental strength as the previous incarnation did physical strength.