When to…2 types of learning

An idea that has been solidified for me is that there can be a time for exploring, messy, curiousity learning AND a time for intentional, focused, action-oriented learning.

Action-oriented learning is for times like goal planning, skill development or as part of a project delivery. It sounds obvious when to do that style of learning but there are some topics that I find start off as curiousity time then change to a goal…but it’s not clear when you are in the midst of it. Reflecting on this past year and preparing for next year, this has been an idea that I’ve been bringing awareness to which type of learning I am in any moment: curiousity vs action-oriented.

The first is easier to do and enjoy. It comes naturally. The second can be trickier to make the shift from curious learning to action-oriented learning.

As I look at plans for next year and setting up my planners, tools, etc., I am looking at how to enable easy switching from one style of learning to the other and creating triggers to move from one style of learning :)

Key step for big ideas

When you have a big idea/goal/change, it can be tempting to jump to make a plan and take action. The idea might happen in learning something new that then inspires a big idea. For the ambitious, self-development enthusiasts that get big ideas regularly and are comfortable with going after it, it can become a regular process of big idea to planning to action.

A key step can get missed…

Collecting and examining what is out there already thoroughly while still keeping momentum.

A Market Audit is a scan of the marketplace. It’s researching what is out there in the world. It can be done thoroughly yet quickly enough to keep energy moving forward. What if the ‘planning’ stage is shortened and instead some of that time is used to collect/learn from what is already out there, in a deliberate, consistent way prior to taking action on doing the big idea/goal/change. What I have found has helped is having a template set that already has it laid out of what information is key to collect across multiple sources. It’s a 1-pager for collection, by source. A general rule of thumb I have used is 4-8 sources/items/profiles. This can be done within the rest of life within 2-4 weeks. Check out the tools page for an example. Test it yourself. Then make it your own. Everyone is different which is important in finding the tools that work for you.

Why templates?

Complexity is the enemy of execution. Putting an idea into action can be daunting. I love what I do because I enable others to put ideas into action by making things simpler. I want people to enjoy and excel at work. And often noise and complexity gets in the way of enjoying what we do and excelling in our work. We get bogged down.

Templates are a way for us to focus on what’s important in a project, task, research, etc. The right template isn’t one-size-fits-all. It is thoughtful, thorough and practical to the individual and tasks at hand. When I provide clients with processes, templates and other tools, it is a start. It is to guide their next stage as they ask for more of themselves and their teams to take on goals in new, better ways. It’s exciting for me! It feels good to see the weight lifted off their shoulders of how to tackle this next goal because they have the tools to take it on easier and better than before.

Templates direct initial work AND they are tools for building consistent, intentional thinking in work.

Using templates reminds us of what’s important, where to focus, when to move on, when to stop and generally train a new rhythm for working. A rhythm of work that once consistent and the skills are there, can lead to the skills to work smarter and develop one’s own templates on the fly for tackling any and all tasks, quickly and effectively.

Keep it simple

Trackers can be so valuable and can apply to many tasks, projects, goals, etc. There are so many great things to include in a tracker and to gain from a tracker.

Challenge becomes to keep it simple. I am a big proponent of 1-pagers. Keeping to 1 page is a great way to cut things to the most important. Also, knowing that you can change it later. A tracker or 1-pager for now or for the next 3 months can work for now then can be updated for the following 3 months, year, whatever. Things evolve and change regularly. So go with it, use it in a positive way. If you start going over a page or the sections for entering info are getting smaller and smaller then stop and kindly call pause. I find this doesn’t take extra time….now. It takes practice to call pause, close your eyes and ask ‘what’s important right now? What’s the goal for the next 3 months for this area?’

I am setting up a new tracker right now for a new initiative and I’m doing exactly this. And I love it!

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Minimum Viable Product or MVP is a business concept that is great for getting clear on what is most important for a product. What is core to the product?

Many great entrepreneurial stories start with someone talking about their MVP that they launched then had traction on and kept moving and developing and improving on. It is a great concept that can be applied beyond new product launches - new service, internal operational change, marketing activity or anything. Focusing on the core, helps us to see what’s most important than evaluate whether we are addressing it.

A coaching client has launched 3 (maybe more) mini-businesses and it’s awesome! She is very analytical and has high standards yet she has found the ability to just throw it together and go for it. They have all been mini-businesses which have given her freedom to try it with little investment. I launched a business years ago that I put together in 2-3 months and went on to run it for 3 years before passing it on to new ownership. It was a phenomenal experience and I still have new insights on it today. It started by thinking what was core to being able to launch that business then acting on making that happen. That became my MVP which once launched was actually confirmed as a good offering that people wanted. Improvements came over the years but the MVP got it off the ground by focusing me on what was most important.

Thinking of the minimum needed for an idea to launch is a great way to cut through the complexity and get at it.