Whatever you are working on, and whatever the meaning of good, cheap, and fast is in that context, it’s always important to remember that you can’t have them all at the same time.
Focus is key. And again, just like yesterday, the more people are involved in that project, the more important it is to give them clarity.
When you have a project that matters, it’s silly to keep it to yourself.
Much better to share it, to go over ideas and obstacles with other people, to celebrate successes with those involved and analyze failures with those you trust.
But you also have to keep mind that everyone has an opinion, and everyone has their own experience.
So, if you plan to try everything that comes up in these conversations, even when it is with somebody who clearly have something to contribute, you will soon be lost.
Note that the more people are involved in the project, the greater the confusion will be.
Sometimes you get asked something that it is not possible to deliver or something that you do not know how to deliver. And then our natural inclination is to overdo, split hairs, change plans, stress us and others, look for additional information. Everything in the attempt to find the answer.
A good reminder is that “I don’t know” is always a viable starter in these cases. It builds credibility, it opens us to learning, it welcomes new possibilities, and it accepts the idea of failure.
Perhaps some people will not accept it as an answer.
Good luck trying to make them happy in one of the other ways.
If you live in the Western part of the World – or in most parts of Europe, at least – tomorrow is the day when life goes back to normal. After the presents and the food, after the hopes and the holidays, after forced conversations and much needed connections, most will go back to their office and move on with their regular life.
Be prepared, because sometimes it’s tough. Holidays – and particular Christmas holidays – tend to be dreamy, they bear a feeling of commitment and new, they open up possibilities that go beyond the 9-to-5.
So, be aware of this gap, and be ready to welcome back your routine and take with you whatever it is that has made the past holiday special. There is certainly a place for it between meetings, projects, and commuting.
When we feel pain, when we face a new crisis, when we are down and hopeless, everything becomes short term.
How will I wake up tomorrow? What will I do with this pain? How will I ever raise my head again? What is next for me?
Most of our thoughts deal with what is happening here and now. Either trying to push it away – how can I feel better? – or expanding it beyond its own boundaries – it will always be like this.
A different approach might be putting the moment in perspective. Looking at it and keeping it finite.
What am I feeling now? How likely is it that I will still feel the same next week, next month, next year? How many things will happen that will change how I feel? Was I feeling the same last week, last month, last year? Have I ever felt this way before? What did happen then?
Moments come and go, and it’s up to us for how long we want to hold onto them.
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