3 Big Thoughts for This Week - Week of April 2, 2023
This is my first post of three things I’m thinking. Hopefully, this becomes a weekly exercise. Thus, I'm hoping I can describe my own thinking and let my readers into my headspace.
I’m really trying to get into the writing habit. I don’t consider writing a weakness, but I’m not sure it’s a strength for me yet, either. My frequent thought partner Shawna often says that writing is about clarifying thinking. With that as my inspiration, I’ll post three things I’m thinking about each week. Hopefully, by doing so, I can describe my own thinking and let my readers into my headspace.
Thus, here are three things that crossed my mind frequently this year. Many teachers are thinking about wrapping up the school year and state testing. As a coach and designer, this is when I start thinking about the next school year. As many ideas bubble up, I’m noodling on these 3 Big Thoughts this week.
Strategy
I can be a bit impulsive sometimes. I follow energy and pick up work because it seems interesting to me. Sometimes, I lack strategy. However, developing a strategy is crucial to achieving long-term success. A well-thought-out strategy can help to
Define overall goals when taking on new work.
Prioritize tasks and map those tasks over time (bonus for considering contingencies to that task)
Ensure sufficient time and resources exist… which brings me to my next thinking point…
Capacity
Capacity refers to the ability to handle a certain amount of work without becoming overwhelmed or sacrificing quality. I’ve reflected on initiatives that maybe haven’t gone really well. It’s often because of capacity. Not enough time, not enough resources, not enough people. I try to recognize my own capacity and set achievable goals. This helps stop me from being a hole in the strategy. Of course, this is also crucial to preventing burnout and ensuring I can consistently produce high-quality work.
Impact
The impact of your work is a measure of its effectiveness and value. When allocating my creativity and my capacity, I have to consider how my work will affect the audience I’m seeking to serve. This can help ensure that my work meets needs and adds value to their lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while impulsiveness can sometimes lead to exciting work, I need a well-thought-out strategy. Additionally, understanding my capacity and the impact of my work can help ensure that you produce high-quality work that meets the needs of your audience or stakeholders.