Propose what you want to do...

Recently I wrote a blog outlining the three steps for getting things done and wanted to take some time exploring the steps a little deeper — what will make this even more fun is my friend Renée Cormier is writing a complementary series of blogs to help with the exploration (see her blog).

I thought I’d start with the first step in the process of getting things done, because unlike a Quentin Tarantino* film, it is important to start at the beginning:

Propose what you want to do

The operative word in this step is “propose” and is important for two reasons. Firstly it’s a verb so it represents action and that’s what getting things done is all about, and secondly, the word represents what needs to be done:

pro·pose [prəˈpōz] VERB — put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others.

At the heart of this is the need to put forward an idea — you need to articulate and illustrate what you want to do. You need this to be done in a way that it’s easy to understand and speaks to how you will measure success with respect to your goal; It is also important to remember your proposal (idea or plan) needs to either solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity. Proposing what you want to do needs to be as tangible as possible (in a figurative sense for sure, or better yet, literally — everyone likes to play with a prototype).

As part of my thought process (and before I started writing) I read Renée’s first blog and she had outlined five points for consideration:

• Too much change is counter-productive.

• Making a decision is still better than never making a decision.

• Choosing to make the best of your circumstances is a great way to make sure you are successful.

• Do what makes your heart sing.

• Do what scares you a little

At first I couldn’t help but think these weren’t really points that help you get things done but rather considerations for establishing goals; that’s when I took a deep breath of recognition that I’d forgotten one of the most important steps regarding getting things done — establish your goals and objectives. In my own defence, I did bury the important of goals (and their alignment) as I expanded on the step, but Renée had reminded me that establishing goals and objectives should be the first step (it seems I didn’t really start at the beginning after all).

With some quick revisions, I am now suggesting there are four steps to getting things done —

✔ Establish your goals and objectives

✔ Propose what you want to do

Debate what you want to do and make a decision how to proceed

Execute on what you want to get done, and do it

I always appreciate Renée’s thinking and blogging — it has helped me develop my own thinking and ultimately some of the blogs I write. I am better for it. This is a nice segue into my next blog on step three don’t you think? I can’t wait to read what Renée has to say because I know it will be thought provoking.

iamgpe

*If you are not familiar with Quentin Tarantino, he is a great writer and director who seems to start many of his films in the middle of the story.

Maybe I should ... so I did

Not so long ago I was dared to start “vlogging” and even wrote a blog about it titled “Maybe I should”. It may be open to interpretation if I’d actually been dared but at the very least it needs to be reviewed to set the tone so you can decide.

Out of the blue I received the following LinkedIn message, or as I like to say, “the dare” —

“gpe !  saw your latest post. Sooner or later you are going to end up on a business video on the airplane entertainment system.  Best wishes...” *

Some would say it was nothing other than acknowledgement of one of my blog posts or maybe a humorous idea never to be realized. For me, knowing who wrote it, I saw it as a an idea to be capitalized on, if only to try and make it happen — I’d show him. Although I admit there are a couple of hurdles I’d need to overcome. Probably the biggest is I don’t like having my picture taken (let alone live action) , and was it even feasible I could make a video without throwing up? (Let alone offer anything that is of interest and develops my brand)

Looking for inspiration, I turned to my file of inspirational quote and came up with this —

“The most effective way to do it is to do it” **

So I did…

I made three videos to “pressure test” the idea, the concept, the utility, and if I could endure myself. The proposal on the table (with myself) was to develop a number of representative videos to determine if the whole idea could be a viable addition to my marketing channels.

Because these were meant to be concepts I was not concerned with —

• Production values

• My “longish” hair ***

• The background

• The camera angle (although I was trying to be creative)

I was more concerned with —

• Could I endure being in front of the camera?

• Could these videos be done in one take?

• Was I “sensical”?

• Could I develop something that I could used in my “marketing mix” ?

As mentioned, I filmed three videos but had to discard one because I missed a line that was important to the central theme of the story I was telling. The other two are attached for your entertainment (and comment) because how these videos are received will become an important determination for what comes next.

Will I become the king of airplane entertainment? Who knows? What I do know is you have to start somewhere.

iamgpe

*I have modified the quote slightly to protect the innocent

**Amelia Earhart said this

***I got a hair cut two days after making these videos and look much better

Three simple steps for getting things done...

I will admit the title I chose made me cringe a little because I’m always a little suspicious about anything that touts an easy road. How does the saying go again… oh yes, “Anything worth doing is never easy” (or something to this effect). And here I find myself suggesting you can get things done in three easy steps — obviously a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do”. I will admit at this point even I’m a bit curious to hear myself out… before proceeding with some harsh condemnation.

In reality, after some consideration, the steps for getting things done are simple, although progressing through the steps will be complex, and sometimes very complex. So maybe it seems I’ve been a little to premature with suggesting any harsh condemnation. In fact, let’s just shelve the whole idea because I think I’m really onto something.

Propose what you want to do

Debate what you want to do and make a decision how to proceed

Execute on what you want to get done, and do it.

Isn’t this so universally classic… something so simple, yet so difficult — somewhat analogous to starting something and believing it all can be said in in 500 words (or less). I’m not sure if this is overly ambitious or just arrogant. I suppose I should have entitled this, “Three simple steps for getting things done… PART I”

iamgpe