Identify Projects Quickly

Develop the unique skill of differentiating between to-do list action items and small projects. In the All the Hats We Wear project management system, a project is any action or goal that takes more than 90 minutes to complete. If you can’t complete it in a 90 minute session, you identify it as a project. 

For example, I came up with an idea for a podcast episode theme. I want to share the lessons about psychology we can glean from cults and cult leaders. As soon as I thought about it, I decided to make it a project and doing so made me have a more exciting and stress-free relationship with the outcome. I knew it’d require some measure of research and preparation. Now I gave it breathing space and that felt good. If I continued thinking of it as a to-do list item, it’d feel like a chore and very daunting one at that!  Once it’s a project, you can apply the 7 stages of project management to it. 

7 Stages of Project Management:

1. Identify the Spark. What’s the emotional connection you have with this endeavor?

2. Gather. Begin collecting all resources related to your project.

3. Brainstorm. Ask a lot of questions.

4. Structure. Decide on the major components. 

5. Action. Roll up your sleeves and do the work required. 

6. Refine. Make it sparkle by repeatedly making small improvements and adding clarity. 

7. Celebrate!

The Secret to Super Productivity

If you want the secret to accelerating your productivity simply fold a stack of towels. That’s right! The key here is to train yourself to take action without having opinions about everything as you act. Grab the closest, most logical towel and fold it - then repeat. Don’t allow yourself to wonder if you should fold the blue or green one first. We have wayyy to much inner dialogue going on all day long and usually it’s just gumming up the works. It’s slowing our efficiency and draining our energy. If you catch yourself having an opinion while folding towels, start over. Next, apply this approach to a 15-minute session of organizing your workspace. Get into a flow and move quickly and seamlessly from one action to the next. Apply this to brainstorming and you’ll be shocked how it will get you into a state of peak performance within minutes. Don’t let yourself have a split second to allow yourself to ponder whether an idea is good enough to be written down. The instant the thought comes, jot it down. Try it and tell me how it affected your personal productivity! Follow me on your favorite social media platform for more productivity tips!

Ep 96 - What are the Characteristics of a Visionary? Dr. Paul Farmer Case Study

Focus on the role of Visionary

Visionary (definition) - Thinking about or planning for the future with great imagination or wisdom

Dr. Paul Farmer

Changed how the world thought about healthcare for the poorest people

Social medicine - can’t just treat the person, you must treat the person’s environment

Ep 95 - The Most Powerful Time Management Skill You’re Not Using

How to create your own role list

Why you must make a role list

Transitioning effectively between roles

Roles and crisis

Choosing future roles

Sharing my role list

Your roles are like a musician’s setlist

Create inspiring role titles

The power of identity in goalsetting

Roles and goals

Assessing your roles

Brainstorm your attributes for each role

Roles give you permission to spend time on things that are important to you

• PDF: Role quadrant

Diorama, role energy, role transition, Atomic Habits - James Clear, mini-mission statements, project management

Ep 94 - The Genius of the Rubber Duckie: Jessica Wang, Software Engineer, on Work Life Balance in the Tech Industry

Jessica is a software engineer that's been working in the tech industry for 3 years - first starting at Microsoft working on OneNote, and now as a frontend developer at Doordash finding ways to help new restaurants get set up quickly with delivery solutions. Outside of work, she enjoys binging Netflix shows, staying active with sports and running, and making TikToks.

Ep 93 - Confronting My Addiction: Sharing My Self-Development for You

Phew! There's a lot in covered in today's episode. Hear how a wide range of stories in today's news related to the purpose of my self-development company. I took a raw approach today and that was to do the episode for myself! But in doing it for myself, I'm better to do it for YOU! And there's that addiction that I had to stare down.

0.52 Break-through in my journal

1.20 Confronting my addiction

2.54 Include bits of dialogue in your journal

4.50 Steph Curry award

5.35 Doing the podcast for me, for you

6.20 Meditation in the morning

7.00 Kelp forest and the imagination

7.35 Sandy Block, Master of Wine

9.20 Russia and China

10.20 Jerry Strong, actor - role transitions

11.20 Blue Mass at church

12.52 Hymn/tornado

13.30 Crawl, walk, run

15.20 Chanel's new CEO

16.40 Campbell Soup on the rise

17.15 Learned to be an astrophysicist on Youtube

17.50 Monolith demographic

19.05 Charles Morris, economist

20.15 Transition figure

21.15 My current role list

24.15 Bonbons and purpose

26.00 Global beliefs

27.20 Willy Wonka inspiration

27.40 National Film Registry

Ep 92 - Big, Bold, and Bodacious Brainstorming

Go behind the scenes today for an exclusive look at an actual brainstorming session. Follow the wandering path of a big idea I had for my business so you can do the same! Discover how to ride the wave of your imagination and follow your inspiration wherever it decides to lead you.

Brainstorming tips and brainstorming techniques:

• You’re first idea - or first few ideas - may need not be the one you want (keep pushing through the process).

• Never self-edit while brainstorming - all ideas are welcome - no matter how zany.

• Spend as much time as needed for each idea and don’t be afraid to bounce between ideas.

• Be open to seemingly unrelated thoughts - they may give your primary idea some structure and parameters.

• Sometimes clarity comes out of chaos.

• The more you feed your mind with inspiration in life, the more fuel you’ll have while .brainstorming. ie/ Learned this in the book I’m reading, oh - here’s a concept I heard in an interview last night, here’s an image from a movie I saw…

• Dark thoughts just may have a place in your idea if you flip them.

• Brainstorming is like a little kid dumping out her favorite toys on the carpet to select from.

• Free yourself from time constraints (allow past, present & future considerations). Widen your playing field.

• Problem/solution approach is a powerful brainstorming technique.

• Open the floodgates for questions in your thinking. In fact, you’re mind moves so quickly - you may not even get a full question in your mind - you’ll skip to solutions!

Here are my notes for this podcast episode:
* Deep dive into an actual brainstorming session

* Start with one idea but the focus is completely different!

* Initial spark idea: driving by a big company building  - what if I could tweet the CEO instead of wasting time with 100s of people beneath him/her in the organization chart, concentrated message

* Activities for kids and how some of them are run

* Support group focused on goals, mission, balance, and sharing would be much more beneficial to kids than many organized kids’ activities

* My company wouldn’t have a vested interest in my ego or success (ie/bringing home a championship) 

* Focus would be interaction and fostering friendships, building one another up, be a model for what is possible!

* The kids’ benefits would be the primary goal not trophies and banners on my wall

* I won’t drain kids/families then toss them aside when they’re too old to give me more $

* I can be a positive force for ages 10-110!

* The core concept is the role starburst from center

* Weekly Support group feel

* Monthly/quarterly, annual - retreats?

Party/youth retreat feel, conference, uplifting - celebration, positive, Tony Robbins Unleash the Power Within, solution-focused

Different groups for kids & adults, teen groups

Flow chart upon expressing interest: 

Intro info/take-in, roles, goals, p-h-i, mini-mission statements/purpose, projects on your plate, planning system, accountability, journaling, accountability partners?, group projects? 

MODELS:

Self-dev. support group

Ben Franklin group

Landmark immersive courses

Network of experts to refer clients to - main role categories (financial, relationships, mental health, tech,. MT, art Tx, family, entrepreneurial..), featured presenters/speakers?

Like a book club

Covey

Tony robbins

AA: Defined format!

Zoom support groups - meet regularly - open world-wide!!

Certifications for group facilitators

Mastermind format?

Workbook (like/AA that people can follow and fill-in their responses to assignments)

Have group format on a poster in the meeting room

Dark influences:

Scientology

NXIVM

Good! Dark side helps set parameters

Cult-like: Jim jones, dianetics (l. Ron Hubbard)

Hostel: bloodhound tattoos

Flip it for good!

Goal: Create a masterpiece life by blending and nurturing roles

Transition roles throughout day w/ intention and purpose

Focus on how decisions made by HATS are in alignment with the greater good of the customers (unlike Swarm that has kids pay hundreds for warmup outfit, uniform, outfits and thousands for travel)

Not forgetting the value of competition or the values of pursuing big goals like a championship

Group as a safe & positive Ice-breaker for kids

Allows introverts to shine, too - equanimity throughout the group’s format

Learn and apply Social skills & networking that lead to  lifetime rewards and relationships

kids adopt a “be-of-service mentality” - ie/ Giving /receiving role category

U don’t have to know urself deeply or know what u want to do with ur life - but ur learning an approach that’ll get u there 

Non-profit?

NITWITS:

How would the groups deal w/ toxic people?

Staffing and hires: keep bad apples away, deal with toxic people that may try to monopolize groups?

Maybe the HATS process and program itself could make for a good filter for bad apples - u have to prover u have done self-work to get hired!

Be transparent! - act w/a pure heart (up and down the company)

Which steps do I have to take as architect and designer of this self-development business? (Like E-myth)

Scott Snow is a productivity expert, speaker, podcaster, and life coach. He is the founder of Think Like a Musician, whose purpose is to help you learn the time management skills you need to be joyful, productive, & fulfilled in all areas of life. He teaches a unique and innovative approach to managing your crazy, busy life. It's a musician's approach to time management and work-life balance. Call 774-230-3928 now to customize a training for your organization or to inquire about coaching availability.

Ep 91 - The Billion Dollar Woman: How Sara Blakely, CEO of Spanx, Set Huge Goals

In today's episode, you'll hear how Sara Blakely built a billion dollar company from five thousand dollars cash. We'll explore thinking big, setting huge goals, and having a vision to carry you through challenges, even though, others may laugh at your idea. You'll hear creativity tips gleaned from the classic film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and we'll end with a goal challenge for you that will give your life direction and momentum.   

Podcast Outline:

1:00 Sara Blakely, CEO, Spanx Goalsetting 

Sara set a goal of having her company be worth $20 million dollars back in 2000. She recently sold the majority stake of her company for $1.2 billion dollars. She has a wonderfully unique and authentic presence in many of her television interviews. She’s quite an inspiration for any entrepreneur.

4:26 Learn from Successes Productivity Tip

You’ve been told to learn from your mistakes but can you learn from your successes, too? Absolutely! Here are four questions you can ask after each success to foster more and more successes in your life.

5:16 Famous Pep Talk

Journey’s mega-hit, Don’t Stop Believing, got its start as a pep talk from father to son. Hear the fascinating story of how this 80s Rochelles anthem was created.

7:18 Elizabeth Holmes - Theranos, CEO

Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of Theranos, showed immense promise. So much so that she received hundreds of millions of investment money to build her company. 

8:49 Willy Wonka Vision and Creativity

You’ll hear many examples of creativity and inspiration from this segment on Willy Wonka. Maybe you’ll be inspired to hang up a golden ticket in your work area to keep you on tract with your vision for your life. 

15:49 Roles & Goals Self-Development Challenge

Here’s a challenge that will help you gain clarity and direction to your busy life. Identify your 15-20 roles. There are 4 types of roles: mind/body/spirit, giving/receiving, personal & professional. And for each role you’re invited to brainstorm a few goals for each role. 

There are 5 types of goals: 

Action - ex/ I meditate for 20 minutes 

I Am / I Have - ex/ I’m a world-class problem solver

Deadline - By 12/31, I’m scuba certified

Skys-the-Limit - ex/ I took a ride in Air Force One and went in the presidential motorcade

Combo - 

ex/ 

I’m a professional speaker ((I Am / I Have)

I make 20 phone calls to book speaking gigs

By 4/1, I presented at the AMTA national conference

Referenced links:

Sara Blakely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SCthQ226hM

Game of Thrones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXpHvhjUzAI&t=295s

Scott Snow is a productivity expert, speaker, podcaster, and life coach. He is the founder of Think Like a Musician, whose purpose is to help you learn the time management skills you need to be joyful, productive, & fulfilled in all areas of life. He teaches a unique and innovative approach to managing your crazy, busy life. It's a musician's approach to time management and work-life balance. Call 774-230-3928 now to customize a training for your organization or to inquire about coaching availability.

Ep 90 The Small Business Simplifier: Marie Leslie, Business Consultant

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur and do you have the skills you need to grow your business? In today's episode, you'll learn many tips for building your business. Marie Leslie, business consultant, for her company, Small Business Simplifier, will give you unique insights into growing your company and serving the people you’re meant to serve.

You'll learn the following productivity tips and business lessons:

* How to know if you're an entrepreneur at heart

* How Marie grew her Twitter account to over 20,000 followers

* Incorporating affiliates into your business

* Learn if you are a broadcaster or communicator? (Hint: only one will build your business)

* Essential books about entrepreneurship

* Journaling as an essential tool for your business and for the vision for your company

* Goalsetting and prioritization

Listen to the podcast:

Podcast Outline:

1:40 Small Business Simplifier

7:30 Productivity Skills

10:15 Social Media Tips

15:25 Getting Clients

17:00 Recommended Entrepreneurial Books

18:30 Tik Tok and Teen Entrepreneurship

24:18 Benefits of Journaling

25:30 Affiliates

27:00 How Often to Post on Social Media

28:25 Triberr

29:45 Messaging and Marketing for Your Business

30:45 Selecting Your Target Audience

33:50 How to be More Fulfilled at Work and Home

Marie Leslie's Book Recommendations:
Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days - Chris Guillebeau

The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future - Chris Guillebeau

The Money Tree: A Story About Finding Your Fortune in Your Backyard - Chris Guillebeau

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine - Mike Michalowicz

E-myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It - Michael E. Gerber

Related links:
Triberr

Chris Guillebeau

Side Hustle School

Small Business Simplifier

Scott Snow is a productivity expert, speaker, podcaster, and life coach. He is the founder of Think Like a Musician, whose purpose is to help you learn the time management skills you need to be joyful, productive, & fulfilled in all areas of life. He teaches a unique and innovative approach to managing your crazy, busy life. It's a musician's approach to time management and work-life balance. Call 774-230-3928 now to customize a training for your organization or to inquire about coaching availability.

Ep 89 - Peak Performance: How to Knock it Out of the Park!

Do you want to be a peak performer at work and in all the roles you play? Let's start with the fascinating quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen. He focuses on extremely detailed issues of the mechanics of his movements with his coach. He excels at distilling large amounts of information into essential shards. Josh says there are two types of players in the NFL: those who figure it out and those who get figured out.

One curious tool for becoming more productive is to DO NOTHING! Your body and mind need ample time for clean up and restoration. Neuroscience research confirms that we need to take mental breaks. Also, activities that allow for us to meander in our thoughts are helpful. Italians call it "dolce far niente" - the sweetness of doing nothing!

One pundit said President Biden's presidency will be as transformational to the extent that he transforms himself. All politics aside, I love this idea of working on yourself first.

Satoko Fujii is a talented composer with some fascinating ideas about peak performance. She approached composition as the discovery of music that already exists. She knows it doesn't pay to be a copycat of someone else. If you can't be authentic, nobody has a reason for buying your record.

The new book, "Two Beats Ahead: What Musical Minds Teach Us About Innovation" by Panos Panay and R. Michael Hendrix looks amazing. It shows how legendary musicians have demonstrated innovation throughout their careers - including David Bowie, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake. One takeaway is the value of establishing the right environment for key players to perform well. Managers should control the environment, not people.

Here's the Projects-at-a-Glance tool I mentioned in today's podcast.

Podcast Outline:

1:18 NFL and Performance

4:00 Do Nothing!

4:54 Transformation

5:50 Japanese Composer

7:20 Two Beats Ahead book

9:40 Share Your Deadlines

Scott Snow is a productivity expert, speaker, podcaster, and life coach. He is the founder of Think Like a Musician, whose purpose is to help you learn the time management skills you need to be joyful, productive, & fulfilled in all areas of life. He teaches a unique and innovative approach to managing your crazy, busy life. It's a musician's approach to time management and work-life balance. Call 774-230-3928 now to customize a training for your organization or to inquire about coaching availability.