How To Get It Done When It Feels Like "Someday, Maybe"
David Allen's "Getting Things Done" method calls this the "Someday Maybe" list.The Agile framework refers to this as the "Icebox."It doesn't really matter what you call it, as long as you've gone one.It's a list that has all of those projects you know you need to do at some point but either aren't fully hashed out enough to be important or aren't urgent enough to make it to the to-do list.The tricky part, though, actually isn't writing the list. The tricky part is only having one list and remembering to revisit it every 6 months or every quarter, or in whatever interval you find functional.
2 Minute Action:
Create an Icebox in iOS reminders, Trello, Google Keep, Evernote, or whatever task management tool you use.This is it. This is your list. You're not allowed to have duplicate lists (not even one digital and one physical).Only one.Now set a reminder on your phone, or in Slack, or wherever you set reminders, to run through this list once a quarter.The future is much more likely to happen, now.And that's what it's all about, right? Putting the odds in your favor?
The First Thing To Do When You're Disorganized
You've got more emails.The phone is ringing.Your boss walks in and tells you about 3 things you need to do.. . .Does any of this sound or feel familiar?This is one of those classic cases of "fire of the day" management style.
When I've brought the Agile framework into a new team, the first thing that we do to help alleviate this is 2 fold:
- We discuss the Eisenhower Decision Matrix
- We put up a Scrum Board.
The Eisenhower Decision Matrix helps the team prioritize/triage the tasks coming in. It helps them respond and focus on the important stuff instead of trying to react to every loud, shiny alarm bell.Here's a picture I've used before that is easy to follow. Photo credit goes to ArtofManliness.com
The Scrum board puts tasks into three categories: To-Do, Doing, Done.
"To-Do" (later we'll call it the Backlog) is the place for tasks that we know we need to get done eventually and they might not be super clear or well defined yet."Doing" (later called the Sprint Backlog) is ONLY for the tasks that we know we need to get done in the next week or two. In order for a task to be ready for the sprint, it needs to be prioritized, have a task owner, and it needs to be defined enough that someone can "check the box" and say it's done.The "Done" column is, you guessed it, for completed tasks. This allows the manager to walk in and quality-check everything that's ready to go.Whether you're on a team or not, this structure allows you to take control of all the crises and respond to only the critical ones.The other cool benefit?You feel more calm and collected because you've suddenly got a lot more control over your workflow.
2 Minute Action:
Draw up a scrum board real quick. 3 columns.It can be on a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or on a napkin.Fill it with all the tasks you've got in your face.You will be amazed at how this simple framework will help you categorize and start to prioritize your work.
A Fast Way To Ensure You Lose Your Team
“You’re not acting like you want to be here!”“We’re leaving right now!”“Well then get your act together and let’s go!”I unplugged my headphones and listened more closely.I was running in the park and overheard a mom yelling at her daughter.Her daughter was obviously exhausted and had no interest in continuing on, yet Mom demanded that she keep running and keep up.Let me first say: I am NOT a parent and this is not about judging people.The reminder that I experienced in this moment, though, was about something related to this outrage.There are a lot of similarities between parenting and managing, so stick with me here for a sec.If you need to tell, demand, or bully someone to get your way or make your point: you’re a jerk.Thats it.Steve Jobs is one—but I talk about him all the timeJeff Bezos is another one, for installing the ruthless, cut-throat culture at Amazon.What is success if it means hurting the people on whose backs your project is built?You have to make your own ethical decision of whether or not the ends justify the means.Just consider how much more productive happy and fulfilled people are. Consider the reduction in turnover. Consider the extra hours they’ll gladly stay because they believe in something.
2 Minute Action:
Recognize someone right now.It can be in person (always better), or by text/phone.Be specific.“Great job” and “atta boys” will not be effective.Example of specific:“Bill, when you responded to Susie in that meeting by saying you’ll stand by the suppliers, I just wanted to high give you from across the table. It’s that kind of response that really encapsulates our company values and moves the needle on sales. Really proud of you.”People who are happy, fulfilled, and recognized will fight by your side to the death.You can’t buy that—you can only coach it.