Genuine Curiosity

Author Dwayne Melancon is always on the lookout for new things to learn. An ecclectic collection of postings on personal productivity, travel, good books, gadgets, leadership & management, and many other things.

 

Do you like a speckled ax?

I'm reading Walter Isaacson's "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" right now, and it's interesting how relevant it is to some of the things I'm focusing on (and struggling with). I'd always heard that Franklin carried a notebook with him, and that he wrote down his virtues (core values) and systematically worked to improve himself in those specific areas.

What I didn't know was how tempted he was to not do those things. For example, one of the virtues he struggled with was:

"Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."

Hey - that sounds like something I'd like to do, and something I work on!

How relieved I was to find out that Franklin had trouble with that one, too. According to Isaacson's account:

[Franklin] likened himself to the hurried man who goes to have his ax polished but after a while loses patience and declares, "I think I like a speckled ax best."

I certainly identify with that one. Pick up this book (click on the title above to see it on Powell's, the best bookstore in the world) if you haven't read it - it's very well done, and great for aspiring productivity geeks like me.

Next time I'll talk about how Franklin kept score to track how well he did with his Virtues.

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Caution: Merging traffic

One of the challenges I've encountered with all the workflow and prioritization techniques I've used and studied is around how to "merge" it into your life.

There are a several aspects that have been challenging to me:

Merging my new workflow into projects and activities already under way

Merging my new approach into effective interactions with others who aren't using this new workflow

Merging new (hopefully better) habits into my old habits and weeding out the old habits that are counterproductive

If I combine bits I've picked up from Covey, David Allen, and others, my key take-aways for how to manage this merge are:

Use your new method diligently for at least 21-30 days to help establish it as a habit.

Make your new systems and associated commitments visible, if you can - for example, let your family and at least some of your co-workers know what you're up to (and why you might be acting funny).

If you want to go a step further, find a "workout partner" that will take on the new system with you.

Keep the system as simple as possible (or as complicated as necessary, but no more than that) so you don't give it up because it's too hard to maintain.

Begin with a clear "short list" of things you want out of the new system - whether that's better life balance, improved productivity, increased focus, better results, more meaning in your life, etc. - and track progress against that short list.

Keep track of the "wins" as you go - they will help you keep going (I've heard that every time you play golf, there usually at least one shot you make that gets you back out on the course the next time - look for those shots in your life, as well).

Share what you learn with others. This has a couple of benefits - you get more moral support, and by teaching others you are compelled towards mastery of the topic.

If you have problems, don't give up. Get back on your program and spend some time reflecting on why you lost momentum, and what you can do to tweak (or trim) your system to make it less likely you'll get stalled again. This is "Weekly Review" time for GTD, and "Sharpen the Saw" time for Covey-ites.

My list is just scratching the surface - what have you learned?

The bottom line is that all of this is worth it. A friend of mine this week reminded me of a verse from Proverbs: "You use steel to sharpen steel; and one friend sharpens another." - I think it's a good symbol for how we need to find the right ways to improve ourselves, and our friends can help.

And you can always hope that you're the friend that your friends turn to when they need sharpening.

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Finding your voice

I recently bought Stephen Covey's new book "The 8th Habit" and have been spending some time listening to it. I must say, it is certainly thought-provoking. The essence of the book is divided into two parts:

1. Find Your Voice

2. Inspire Others To Find Their Voice

This book is all about anchoring your actions and decisions to your values and passion, and about providing encouragement and opportunity to others to give them a chance to make Meaningful contributions. Easier than it sounds, of course, but a very inspiring concept.

I've always remembered Covey's statement that a vital aspect of success in life is "Integrity in the moment of truth" - something it's easy to forget when the pressure is on and short cut approaches become more attractive.

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