“The biggest mistake people make is not realizing that success is a slow build.” Tim Ferris
I’m getting ready to travel this week.
I’ll be on the road for nearly three weeks. A lot of suitcase space is required, and a lot of planning so that I’ll have what I need when I need it.
I’ll confess this is not my strong suit (or dress or sweater). I never realized that “suitcase” was slightly gendered, but I digress. Planning and executing reliable processes does not come naturally to me, and I tend to be better at handling the one thing we are going to do next. I’m good at getting myself and others started, getting us onto the launch point of the S Curve.
But once we’re onboarded, what next? How do we build momentum along that S Curve? What process do we have in place? That is, in some ways, what is happening in our business right now. We have started. We’ve moved from the launch point and are heading into the sweet spot. And that requires a different set of skills.
We talked a few years ago with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, about how to tell when an idea becomes a project that requires its own management system. It was a fascinating conversation (which you can listen to here). Still, it also made me curious and want to talk with Jennifer Smith, the CEO of Scribe, who is all about documenting process. You can learn more about her journey on the podcast.
Because once you’ve started and hit the sweet spot, personally or in your business, if you have no process, you lose. Jennifer shares that figuring out how to be on the launch point takes a LOT of your time. You need people in mastery and the sweet spot who can help you and transmit organizational knowledge quickly to get you up to speed. But neither they nor you can spend so much time figuring out the launch point that individuals are being overtaxed.
The other observation is that we talk about people having different superpowers. Maybe your superpower is the launch; maybe it’s figuring out what S Curve you should be on in the first place. Perhaps your superpower is that you can work out the process and how to implement it once a successful start has been made.
Maybe your superpower is that you can create order out of the chaos of a big idea.
Where are you on your current project curves?
–– Are you at the top, trying to figure out what curve is next? Are you good at figuring out new things to do?
–– Are you trying to gather the courage to start that new thing? Or is that kind of courage a natural strength?
–– Perhaps you are in the messiness of a launch? Do you have a good ability to take on new challenges without getting overwhelmed?
–– Or have you started at the launch point, and in the face of the typical messiness, are you utilizing people who are available and willing to help you turn all that wonderful chaos into order?
I’m curious. I’d love to know.
As always, thanks for being here!
Whitney
P.S. If you think this newsletter would be useful to someone you know, or to your team, please share it!
P.P.S. Did you know the Disruption Advisors team supports individuals and teams all along the S Curve through keynote speeches, executive coaching, workshops, and more? Check out our website to see how we might be able to support your growth journey!
