Systems, not goals. Words, not many. – SCN Encourager 1/10/2014
I feel like a doofus.
In the last four days, I’ve written 1701 words to you about New Year’s goal-setting and resolutions.
I tapped into the views and opinions of respected experts. (For once.)
I even tag-teamed Michael Hyatt with Barney Fife – something the WWE’s Vince McMahon wouldn’t have dared to try.
And I also presented an alternative perspective which pointed out that developing SYSTEMS (placing your focus on those things you do every day) will foster more long-term joy and satisfaction for you than painstakingly charting out your annual goals on a spreadsheet.
Dang, I thought this week’s Encouragers were destined to secure a premier place in the SCN Chronicles.
Unfortunately, I lost the password that gains me access to the SCN Chronicles, and besides, it doesn’t make any difference now. I just heard the doofus bell clang.
Social change agent Chris Brogan says we should set our individual direction for the New Year in “three words.”
Thanks, Chris.
Where were you on Monday… about 1698 words ago?
You could’ve saved all of us a bunch of time.
Believe me, Chris, I get your concept.
Choose three words that are uniquely yours. (Your hopes. Your dreams.)
Think of them as simple reminders for the direction you want to go.
And then use them as “mini beacons” to light your course as life’s storms come your way.
Tell me you’re kidding, Chris.
I see a big problem —
What am I supposed to do now with my pad of paper and the “to do” lists I keep writing and re-writing and re-re-writing-writing?
Take it from me, Chris – your basic “three words” model won’t work at all for real-world school communicators.
Murphy’s Law #248 from our handbook states that given the choice between two paths, we are duly bound to choose the most convoluted and the one that requires the most meetings.
And furthermore, Murphy’s Law #248-H states that whenever a school communicator attempts to decide three simple words to serve as a directional reminder or an advertising tagline, it is a certainty that a crisis will pop up before the final selection of word two; thus negating the the entire process and forcing it to be reset.
But I can’t blame you for not knowing this.
You’re not a school communicator.
Our ways are not easily understood.
Your advice may be great and inspirational for other professionals.
Not us.
Other professionals will read your ideas this weekend.
We won’t.
How could you possibly hope to connect with us?
Your company doesn’t even have “snow days.”
Tom Page, SCN
