Like many people, I’m approaching the New Year with some
thoughts of things I’d like to change. Some improvements I’d like to make. Some personal innovations – or more aptly, “renovations.”
From that perspective, I’m asking,” How’s my personal foundation looking?” Seems like my
foundation could use a little shoring up.
Remembering the “Power of Now,” perhaps
mindful awareness of this moment can help me to focus and identify
opportunities. I believe it was Jon Kabat-Zinn who said, “If you can be present
in this moment, there is the potential for the next one to be exponentially
better. “
That kind of awareness is one of the 5 behaviors common to
successful innovators, according to the authors of The Innovators DNA a
book based on detailed investigation of how innovation happens.
My framework
for Personal Innovation borrows some tools from the authors of The Innovator’s
DNA:
By asking more questions, and observing the way things are more intently, opportunities for change become clearer. I’m sure you have different resolutions for your new year, but maybe you’ll get some ideas from my path. Here are some of my questions and observations:
What do I want to be doing with my time? Continuously learning and sharing new
knowledge and processes for living well.
How that going? Not
nearly as productive as I would like! I’m
often distracted and spending time on things that aren’t important.
Why is that? Taking a step back to get a better perspective,
and relating to my experience in the
corporate world, a few familiar tools jumped out.
1. Clutter clearing. Focusing on key objectives and the related
activities is much easier if obstacles are identified and cleared away before
pushing forward. For me this means both mental and physical clutter… Where are
my comfort zones?
2. Time management.
Not just allocating time and prioritizing, but recognizing how to optimize my
best times. I’ve started to observe how
I feel – what time of day do I consistently write best? What time of day am I learning better by
reading. How does eating more at lunch
make me feel? What time of day does exercise feel energizing, instead of
tiring?
3. Just do it! There’s an old saying, “Luck hates the
slow and loves the bold.” Or as Dr. Wayne Dyer writes: "Excuses begone!"
This will be a good year to overcome my tendency to hesitate. That’s not to say I don’t want to approach new directions with caution, but when adequate analysis, research, and soul searching are done, it’s time for me to stop “dawdling.” (Wonder where that word came from?)
This will be a good year to overcome my tendency to hesitate. That’s not to say I don’t want to approach new directions with caution, but when adequate analysis, research, and soul searching are done, it’s time for me to stop “dawdling.” (Wonder where that word came from?)
Hope this gives you some ideas. Happy New Year!
