Restart to Update
When prompted by my laptop, phone or any other device to update to the latest version of its software, I was used to hitting postpone several times, sometimes for multiple days. Usually because I needed to complete something I set out on doing at that moment. Lately I have got into the habit of doing this and similar such minuscule tasks instantly. The story below explains why I believe even doing something as simple as this instantly is important (spoiler alert: it frees up mental space).
There is no doubt that, when it comes to business, innovating is key and tracking innovation and the changing needs of your clients/costumers on an ongoing basis is crucial to business survival. Most of us will have heard of the failures in adapting business models to changing market dynamics (read: changing costumer needs) by Kodak, Blackberry and Blockbuster.
Innovation and the in-market tracking of all innovative disruptions in your industry, think for example of banking group ING and its launch of Yolt to go with the Fintech market flow in the UK, means you and your team can assure your longer term business strategy. Regardless as to whether you are an associate in a massive multinational or a Managing Director of a small marketing agency, it will keep your strategy aligned with market dynamics, existing customers and stakeholders alike.
Beyond business I believe the same holds true for our personal ‘professional brands’. Your personal successes and failures, longer term career trajectory and current job role being highly interwoven, these all play an important part in your personal development. Something I would like to refer to as ‘personal innovation’. With time consistently growing into an ever more scarce commodity* it is key to know what and where to find information to stay up to date with. Thinking beyond our remit, our ‘personal go to sources’ for knowledge and that what it is we are doing right now, it is important to allow for side projects to fit into our busy schedules, to focus on our longer term personal innovation strategy.
People process a lot more information, do more and generally try to squeeze more into our days than ever before, hence time scarcity becomes a real issue. It leads to lower productivity levels as we try to squeeze too much into our days leaving uncompleted tasks that potentially (longer term) could lead to anxiety and/or other mental health issues. Far off are we from Keynesian predictions of shorter working weeks as these are actually turning out to be the opposite. A culture of ‘hustling’, posting Instagram stories of late night working and being overworked seemingly segregate the successful from the unsuccessful. ‘Doing more’ also is not limited to those of us who don’t have children. For example, working mothers now spend more time with their children then stay-at-home moms did in the 1970s.
So first and foremost, also adding a personal development plan outside of all that you are already doing requires focus. I would never argue to give up leisure time activities (also bearing in mind the importance of ‘niksen’, time during which you do nothing at all) yet I am positive there will be some activities which you could cut back on or completely rid with. Perhaps these are what I call ‘procrastination activities’ (e.g relentlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed because you don’t want to do the dishes) because you might feel overwhelmed by all the things you want to do but seemingly don’t get to do, hence my suggestion of doing those minuscule tasks instantly to free up mental space.
If you are a parent, I would argue there is a possibility of fitting in 2 hours a week. If you are not, my advise would be to do as much as possible on your side project or even do multiple side projects, on which to spent at least 4 hours per week yet no more than your mental state will allow at any given time in your life (‘Work less, grow more’ is a blog post I soon aim to publish).
So where to start with such a side project? Well, I would say identify whatever it is you dislike about your job and find the positive opposite. Or it could be something you do in your current job (or outside of work) which you particularly enjoy. For example, a key focus point for me right now is teaching myself how to code, and given my keen interest in data analysis I have decided to learn Python. Being at the start of something entirely different to your area of expertise (read: restart) can be daunting yet allowing yourself time and fitting it around current responsibilities will mean you are on track to learning that what you really enjoy.
In exchange for spending 2,5 hours per week on this course I’ve cut down my time spent on other things, including Twitter, Instagram and Netflix. That said, I still habitually find time to relax, read a book, spent time with my son (most important) and try to find a good 15 minutes every day where I do nothing (while I’m awake). Finally, do not be afraid to allow yourself to shift timelines on personal projects where possible, allowing shifts also means that you are more likely to complete something.
Do share whatever it is you would love to start off with as your side project in the comments or on Twitter. I’ve noticed it really helped me get motivated! As always likes, shares and/or feedback are more than welcome.
*= We now process a lot more information on a daily basis, do more and try to squeeze more into our days than ever before. Think early Keynesian predications of shorter working weeks in the future actually turning out the opposite where a
