Oh, I have plans. I have plans of plans. I have plans that step in for those plans of plans that didn't have a plan for those people who don't understand what plans are.
And with all that planning, there is no real strategy. It's that junk dopamine hit, you know? It feels like I did something, I did technically do something, so clearly it is done, right?
Yeah... about that.
But then my sparkling little trauma brain has always defaulted to this reaction since I was seven. I had to account for the chaos of my family and make sure there was a way around "teh dum" we often ran into.
Loved these last two posts. I often get stuck in the "perfectionist" zone, which is, I freeze because I haven't figured it all out yet when I need to release an idea (a plan for a workshop for example). I kind of make it up as I go too, but with great fear, and feeling like a failure (as if everyone else had I figured out and I'm the only one pretending, imposter syndrome here). So thanks a lot for sharing these stories! That gives me hope and a sense of uplift :)
“I often get stuck in the "perfectionist" zone, which is, I freeze because I haven't figured it all out yet when I need to release” <— this. My old choir director/liturgies had the right idea: “if somebody picks up the crucifix (that leads the procession of the priest in at the beginning of Mass) and starts walking, the rest will happen.” Pick up the thing and start walking, and see what happens. It might just be pretty darned good.
It’s the “trying out ideas in my head” zone. Really. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. (unbridled optimism in the face of evidence to the contrary is my superpower.)
I like it. It allows for imperfections, less self-censuring, and having more fun in the process! Will try this positive reframing. Thank you for sharing Eileen :)
Thanks so much for sharing these very real experiences!
I’ve heard of people releasing something without building it first. Gosh! That sounds soooo scary! But the adrenaline rush must help you get over the line. I’m sure it helps you test the idea to see if people want it, before putting in all the work.
You’ve given me a lot to think about. Especially about moving forward imperfectly.
Fascinating, I have a year-long course built on a similar premise... There was no strategy. At that time, what I love started feeling like a "have to", I craved writing like oxygen and all the "strategies" felt like a cold dead hand on your neck, gently warning to do things... the right way. The right way that is as non-existent as this dead hand. When you reduce people to robotised and predictable work, this is how you destroy the expression of art. And we often do it to ourselves.
I am (was?) a strategic planner. It was my business. I believe I would describe your strategy above as the ‘fake it till you make it’ strategy. It sounds like you’re really good at this one! 😂
It would give me hives, but sometimes it’s the best approach. My challenge is the opposite. Stop planning and just dive in! Great post.
Strategy is some sort of arcane magic I don’t grok at all. Not because it’s arcane magic (other arcane magics are fine), but because my brain just doesn’t work that way. It’s nice to know there are others of us out there!
There's a great phrase, "emergent strategy," which I believe was coined by adrienne marie brown (she wrote a book of the same name). It puts strategy in the context of systems theory, which allows for things to continually unfold in unexpected ways, and multiple factors to impact one another. All that to say -- I think you're on to something with this. A 'strategy' to be truly effective has to have some flow to it, has to respond to the realities of the moment, not be set in stone.
I was one of the participants of the Empire Building Course and I loved it! It felt very 'alive,' and probably because you were making it up as you went. So I actually love the idea of lack of strategy, or at least a fixed strategy, as a core value.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Last year I presented at a conference. My first talk, about accountability, was thoroughly laid out, with slides, notes, etc. I'd practiced it with test audiences. But in order to get free admission, I had to present twice. For the second talk, I decided to do a goal-setting session where we'd talk through people's goals and...stuff. I never really got far planning that one.
My first talk was boring AF. No one seemed engaged at all. I felt awkward.
My second talk, entirely done by the seat of my pants, had people riveted! Everyone stayed for the full two hours and some people even got emotional as they talked about their challenges. It was super inspiring for me as well as those there. I had one guy come up to me after the session and we talked for a while. Later he told me, with tears in his eyes "You changed my life." Just being myself and speaking from the heart worked.
Not sure I learned a good lesson about preparation there, though...
Loved the references to your earlier work, was very nostalgic since I've been reading you since the very early days of the manifesto! Reminded me of our meeting in a university in Delhi too. I happened to be visiting India from Australia at the same time you were there and giving a talk (I think to promote your side hustles book?) and I took my cousin along and we had a bit of a chat with you after. Still a fond memory so many years later. 😊
Loved the references to your earlier work, was very nostalgic since I've been reading you since the very early days of the manifesto! Reminded me of our meeting in a university in Delhi too. I happened to be visiting India from Australia at the same time you were there and giving a talk (I think to promote your side hustles book?) and I took my cousin along and we had a bit of a chat with you after. Still a fond memory so many years later. 😊
Oh, I have plans. I have plans of plans. I have plans that step in for those plans of plans that didn't have a plan for those people who don't understand what plans are.
And with all that planning, there is no real strategy. It's that junk dopamine hit, you know? It feels like I did something, I did technically do something, so clearly it is done, right?
Yeah... about that.
But then my sparkling little trauma brain has always defaulted to this reaction since I was seven. I had to account for the chaos of my family and make sure there was a way around "teh dum" we often ran into.
Loved these last two posts. I often get stuck in the "perfectionist" zone, which is, I freeze because I haven't figured it all out yet when I need to release an idea (a plan for a workshop for example). I kind of make it up as I go too, but with great fear, and feeling like a failure (as if everyone else had I figured out and I'm the only one pretending, imposter syndrome here). So thanks a lot for sharing these stories! That gives me hope and a sense of uplift :)
“I often get stuck in the "perfectionist" zone, which is, I freeze because I haven't figured it all out yet when I need to release” <— this. My old choir director/liturgies had the right idea: “if somebody picks up the crucifix (that leads the procession of the priest in at the beginning of Mass) and starts walking, the rest will happen.” Pick up the thing and start walking, and see what happens. It might just be pretty darned good.
“Liturgist,” not “liturgies.” Stupid autocorrect.
Thank you Eileen. I know, but sometimes the fear is so strong that it's paralizing. Stuck in procrastination zone :)
It’s the “trying out ideas in my head” zone. Really. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. (unbridled optimism in the face of evidence to the contrary is my superpower.)
I like it. It allows for imperfections, less self-censuring, and having more fun in the process! Will try this positive reframing. Thank you for sharing Eileen :)
Thanks so much for sharing these very real experiences!
I’ve heard of people releasing something without building it first. Gosh! That sounds soooo scary! But the adrenaline rush must help you get over the line. I’m sure it helps you test the idea to see if people want it, before putting in all the work.
You’ve given me a lot to think about. Especially about moving forward imperfectly.
Fascinating, I have a year-long course built on a similar premise... There was no strategy. At that time, what I love started feeling like a "have to", I craved writing like oxygen and all the "strategies" felt like a cold dead hand on your neck, gently warning to do things... the right way. The right way that is as non-existent as this dead hand. When you reduce people to robotised and predictable work, this is how you destroy the expression of art. And we often do it to ourselves.
I am (was?) a strategic planner. It was my business. I believe I would describe your strategy above as the ‘fake it till you make it’ strategy. It sounds like you’re really good at this one! 😂
It would give me hives, but sometimes it’s the best approach. My challenge is the opposite. Stop planning and just dive in! Great post.
Strategy is some sort of arcane magic I don’t grok at all. Not because it’s arcane magic (other arcane magics are fine), but because my brain just doesn’t work that way. It’s nice to know there are others of us out there!
I’m a brilliant planner- I love diving into the detail and I get a very special dopamine hit looking at a great plan with lots of lists.
My adhd self not once looks at those plan. I take the spirit of it and run with it.
Often, later, I’ll find an old plan and realise I had already thought through some of the obstacle I encountered.
I often wonder what it would be like if I stuck to my own rules😂
So Relatable!
Awesome, Chris. This speaks to the power of action, so often the hardest step.
There's a great phrase, "emergent strategy," which I believe was coined by adrienne marie brown (she wrote a book of the same name). It puts strategy in the context of systems theory, which allows for things to continually unfold in unexpected ways, and multiple factors to impact one another. All that to say -- I think you're on to something with this. A 'strategy' to be truly effective has to have some flow to it, has to respond to the realities of the moment, not be set in stone.
I was one of the participants of the Empire Building Course and I loved it! It felt very 'alive,' and probably because you were making it up as you went. So I actually love the idea of lack of strategy, or at least a fixed strategy, as a core value.
I signed up for the Empire Building course! I've been following you for a long time and continue to find your work inspiring.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Last year I presented at a conference. My first talk, about accountability, was thoroughly laid out, with slides, notes, etc. I'd practiced it with test audiences. But in order to get free admission, I had to present twice. For the second talk, I decided to do a goal-setting session where we'd talk through people's goals and...stuff. I never really got far planning that one.
My first talk was boring AF. No one seemed engaged at all. I felt awkward.
My second talk, entirely done by the seat of my pants, had people riveted! Everyone stayed for the full two hours and some people even got emotional as they talked about their challenges. It was super inspiring for me as well as those there. I had one guy come up to me after the session and we talked for a while. Later he told me, with tears in his eyes "You changed my life." Just being myself and speaking from the heart worked.
Not sure I learned a good lesson about preparation there, though...
I'm making up life as I go lol
"What are some ways that YOU make it up as you go?"
Pretty much all of it :)
Loved the references to your earlier work, was very nostalgic since I've been reading you since the very early days of the manifesto! Reminded me of our meeting in a university in Delhi too. I happened to be visiting India from Australia at the same time you were there and giving a talk (I think to promote your side hustles book?) and I took my cousin along and we had a bit of a chat with you after. Still a fond memory so many years later. 😊
Loved the references to your earlier work, was very nostalgic since I've been reading you since the very early days of the manifesto! Reminded me of our meeting in a university in Delhi too. I happened to be visiting India from Australia at the same time you were there and giving a talk (I think to promote your side hustles book?) and I took my cousin along and we had a bit of a chat with you after. Still a fond memory so many years later. 😊