Inevitably, when you review your draft, there is an opportunity to change something, usually for better. And after you have released your work, there are still areas to improve.
But if you stay in the review mode, you will not release your work. Review, but be courageous to share your work. Sometimes, the world works with your imperfections, and finds value in the gaps.
For different people, the start of a project might be different, and is influenced by the stake each person has in it. For the client who initiates the project, the project starts with the initial idea, a definition of the problem or an opportunity worth exploring. For the contractor, hired to deliver the product, or part thereof, the project starts when the client says: “Here, I want you to do this for me.”
As with any exchange in sports or anywhere, it is important that both know about the handover, and what to do when the ball or baton has passed from one to another. A poor handover means that the ball or baton is dropped, and it is much harder to reach the goal of the project.
Taking the time to understand why we are doing this project together, and how each person contributes to the goal, helps to anticipate and prepare for a smoother handover, and, ultimately, a better project outcome.
You set your priorities, and you don’t develop a plan for dedicating time to your priorities, it just might be that you will end up doing other things.
A few minutes at the start of your day, or the end of your day, to plan out what and how you will focus on what’s important to you, can help.
There will be interruptions and unscheduled appointments. If your schedule is already in place, you can accommodate new requests without compromising your plan.
Just like many people, I did not realize the impact of good middlemen. From real estate brokers, car dealers, to middle managers, they play a crucial role in reducing the costs of doing business.
In a world were we need to specialize to thrive, a good middleman adds value by reducing the hassle of looking for buyers or sellers, meeting and qualifying leads. And, just like you are an expert in your domain, a good middleman is an expert in reducing transaction costs for you.
If you do not have the time and expertise to get value for your money, you may need a good middleman.
Time never seems to be enough. You barely meet someone who couldn’t use an extra minute in a day, let alone an hour. But why is this so? After all, we have had 24 hour days all our lives, and surely we should be masters of time. Yet so many of us are rushed, looking for the magic bullet to squeeze more out of our days.
Maybe, before embarking on your next project or task, it is worth asking yourself whether the work you are about to do matters. If the answer is no, dump it, and move on to the next project. Your to-do list will be so much shorter, and you would have freed up time for what matters most. Maybe then, you will be a little less rushed, and a bit more focused on your goals.
Random Walks 