fail to succeed – report card, week 4.
December 9, 2008
Fail early, fail often.
That’s what it says at the top of this blog. The words will mean something different to every person who reads them.
To me, it means, “fail to succeed”, or rather, “fail, in order to succeed”.
Think of it as the 80/20 rule applied with a twist.
Look at the things you have in front of you, that you want to do.
That you think you want to do.
Cut 80 percent of it, the 80 percent that probably won’t get you where you really, really want to go.
Intentionally “fail, in order to succeed”, although you’re not really failing – you’re just choosing not to do it.
Work at the 20 percent, and re-evaluate that as you go along. You may be able to cut 80 percent of that as well, and 80 percent of that.
Eventually, you will be doing only the important things.
I am doing this right now, as I go along on my current path, constantly evaluating and re-evaluating the importance of what I am doing.
Back in November when I started this 6 week exercise, I had some intentions in my mind of participating in NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month.
About three or four days into November, I chose to “fail” NaNoWriMo, so that I could succeed at other things that will really, really get me where I want to go.
And I don’t regret it one bit.
I am proud that I chose not to do it, actually.
I suppose in a sense I “failed” to do much here other than report on all the other stuff I have been doing, which is why I thought I’d explain it in this way. I am certainly not ready to give up on this blog yet; it has lots of potential I believe – and in no small part due to all of you.
So thank you once again for coming along for the ride.
Anyway, to the report – how did I do after last week?
- I continued to write every day as best I could (missed one day – oops).
- I exercised *every single day* (yeah!).
- We also either read to our kids or at least did something interactive with them.
- (Which reminds me, I’m getting them that game Sorry! for Christmas – I can’t wait to say “Sorry!” all the time… they’re gonna hate me by the end of the holidays…)
- Thursday and Friday were both Thinkfests at Friar’s house, and we’ve refocused our efforts a bit – things should start to really move now.
- I updated some of my paperwork for my NZ immigration, and so now I’m just waiting for one more piece.
- Job applications – I have two cover letters drafted at home right now – granted, I didn’t send out anything yet. However – I have a really good shot at these, in my field, and it is worth taking the time to get it right rather than just sending them out quickly (“fail, in order to succeed”).
- On to niche blogging – I will have the pleasure of working on a new blog with one of the great people I have met at this place! I won’t spill the beans quite yet because we’re just getting things set up, but stay tuned – I am very excited about it!!!
I’m not sure if this qualifies me for an A- yet. Almost, perhaps.
Maybe I will ask the Technoviking.
(He failed to put on a shirt so that he could succeed at making the music dance to him!)
For this week (which has already started… late report again, bad Brett…) – more of the same!
- Writing.
- Exercise.
- Time with family.
- Thinkfest with Friar.
- Get those job applications out (first one is due next Monday!)
- Niche blogging in the background.
(Wendi, did I miss anything?)
Can I do it?
Hell yeah!
I like you focus on the 20%, and then again the 20%. Too often we bog ourselves down with crap and distractions. It’s nice to hear someone say, I’m ok with failing at that. It’s actually very refreshing.
Keep us informed about your niche blogging topic.
Neil’s last blog post..Qualities of Leadership
Brett,
I give you a solid A for the week! You were focused, you used your time wisely, you kept your priorities in order and you got another area firmly going on being a consitent habit. You now are going on a full month of exercise without breaking the chain. AWESOME!!!!
You are smart to focus on the 20%. So many times we GOAL-oriented people spend more time writing new goals then actually working on the old ones. We are starters, not do-ers. You are being a great do-er!
I will review our page for anything that may have slipped between the cracks, but your list is the 20% and our top priority for the week. So that is where we will focus the energy!
You are doing great Brett. Really-
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Lessons from Scrooge
Brett, don’t forget down time, by yourself, no distractions.
Remember your walks with “The Duke” in the snow? They centered you. Just you and your thoughts.
I’m taking my own advice today and going for a walk at lunch, even if it is raining.
Francis
Francis Kopke’s last blog post..Mechanic
sorry- checking follow-up comments, I forgot to do that!
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Lessons from Scrooge
Brett,
I think you are really doing a great job with this “report card project”. I think you are very brave in making yourself accountable, to open yourself in this way. I think about writing a post about making oneself accountable – may I link to your post, then?
@Neil,
I know that it really works – a lot of other people advocate doing the same (a former VP at our company used to say, “stop doing a particular task, if no one notices after a month, don’t do it anymore” – it is part of what Tim Ferriss talks about in his book too).
The 80 percent is often “fun stuff”, and while we do have to do fun stuff, we have to make sure that the fun stuff has a purpose.
(Doing random fun stuff is good if it helps us recharge for later, for instance.)
I will let everyone know shortly about the first niche blog soon!
@Wendi,
Thank you very much my friend – you are really a great help with all of this stuff. It is interesting when something becomes habit – even though a few times I’ve been tired, I can’t go to bed without exercising now. I just have to do it even if it is the very last thing in the day.
If there is anything I can do in return for this, you just let me know.
@Francis,
I hear you. That is (usually) my Friday nights (though I went to see Friar last Friday, and that was okay too).
I often walk at lunch myself – it is nice. And you can’t underestimate how well a few minutes in a quiet, dark room can work.
Yes, I miss those walks (I miss “The Duke” too) – I especially miss those walks you and I used to take that winter in Brantford, with the dog. That was pretty cool, wasn’t it.
I hope you enjoyed your walk – take care my friend.
@Ulla,
Thank you for your vote of confidence! It is keeping me on the straight and narrow for sure, and I do plan to expand it as I go along.
By all means, please feel free to link back to this post – that would be great! The more people who can learn from this, the better.
Techno-Viking Rules! I saw him on you-tube.
If I ever met him, I’m buy him a beer.
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Revised Zodiac Signs
@Friar,
I think Canada needs Technoviking for Prime Minister – never mind these other yo-yos, out with Harper, down with everyone else…
Come on Technoviking – Canada needs you
Small Minds Discuss People
Average Minds Discuss Events
Great Minds Discuss Ideas
When you and I went for a walk we always discussed the last item. When I got home my wife would ask how you were, how was your job, how was your wife and I could never answer her, because I never asked you.
That tells anyone who reads this blog all they need to know about you.
Francis Kopke’s last blog post..Mechanic
Francis,
Thanks my friend – I really do miss those walks.
Oh, and the man who was discussing ideas with me, was you
(Great minds think alike.)
@Francis
Small minds discuss people…smaller minds discuss celebrities.
….But Viking minds discuss SMASHING.
(At least, that’s what Olaf told me!)
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Revised Zodiac Signs
@Friar,
Olaf should know, he’s Technoviking’s brother…
When my children were small I would build stuff for them with blocks and they would smash them.
Now they are older and they build things and I smash them.
What does that say about me, vikings and walks in the snow?
I dunno but I will run for Prime Minister and fix all of it. But I’m not sure which Prime Minister I’d be, 1, 3, 5, 7 or 11. (I love math jokes.)
Francis
Francis Kopke’s last blog post..Someone is making a buck.
@Francis,
I’ll vote for you, that’s all I know.
And you would be 2^(43112609)-1 Prime Minister, because you have such a big heart…
(That’s the largest known prime number – it has 12978189 digits and was discovered in August of this year.)
@Francis
Your kids will probably keep trying to build stronger and stronger things, to see if they can resist Dad’s smashing.
That’s a good way to train them to be engineers!
@Brett
I’m going to run for Pry Minister instead (excuse me, while I get my crowbar)
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Revised Zodiac Signs
You succeeded in November, as far as I’m concerned.
And Chuck Norris could take him.
Matthew Dryden’s last blog post..Gravity Twisted: The Next Page
@Friar,
You’re the “Friar” – that makes you the “Fry Minister”, right?
@Matthew,
Thanks.
And you’re probably right – as everyone knows, a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick could power the country of Australia for 44 minutes.
Brett,
Wow. This report card really agrees with you. From strength to strength, as far as I can see. New Zealand better watch out—Nuke-Viking is on his way.
Creating those daily habits is the hardest blasted thing, and that’s where you are refusing to fail. Keep it up!
Well, I failed to get to bed at a reasonable hour, but I succeeded in getting a Viking boot in the rear, last thing before bed. I’ll have dreams of failing, to succeed. Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
Francis,
“When I got home my wife would ask how you were, how was your job, how was your wife and I could never answer her, because I never asked you. That tells anyone who reads this blog all they need to know about you.”
To me it says two guys were talking. Am I missing something?
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Mail Bag: Are Holiday Cards OUT?
[...] fail to succeed – report card, week 4. at 6 Weeks [...]
I don’t know Brett. I think maybe a solid A or even an A+. You’re really on the move! I love watching these events unfold. It’s so exciting!
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Where to Find Inspiration for Creative Writing (Art Begets Art)
@ Kelly,
Two guys talking, about ideas, concepts, philosophies.
If Brett wanted to tell me that his kids were sick, wife was angry, job sucked, he would. I don’t pry.
Same goes for me. I can tell Brett anything, I don’t wait for him to ask. But the best part is that Brett never judges, not even once.
Next time you are with your friend, pick a topic and discuss it. Don’t descend into gossip, politiking or complaining. Just look at the topic from all angles. Its amazing what you will come up with together.
My guess that Brett’s Thursday nights with Friar are like this.
Francis
Francis Kopke’s last blog post..Someone is making a buck.
@Kelly,
It seems to be really working, the habit building. Just a few more to build this week and next, then this crazy machine will be self-sustaining… and I’m still smiling, so that’s a good thing
Hey, as usual, if I’ve inspired you, then it’s just me paying you back for the help you’ve given me in that area.
@Melissa,
Hey, thanks! I’m glad that this is entertaining in some way too – I probably won’t stop reporting on progress at the end of the 6 weeks because the encouragement I’m receiving is incredible.
@Francis,
You are the same – anything I need to say, I can say. It is pretty cool, isn’t it?
And you’re right, the Thursdays are just like that – well, you had an idea of what they are like when you came to visit me and Friar came over to my house. Just some guys, talking about ideas, concepts, philosophies (and playing TrackMania).
If we all lived a bit closer, you’d be the missing piece to complete the triad.
Francis—I am the worst “woman” ever as far as that goes. I never ask anything about people’s lives or say much about mine and we talk for hours! Just giving you a hard time.
Brett’s Thursday nights? I picture all that, “And a beer. In a tree…” (Bob & Doug MacKenzie reference—too subtle?)
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Hang In There!
Kelly – you pretty much nailed the Thursday night thing
I think Friar even has that on vinyl somewhere (I think I saw it in his collection – and if he doesn’t, I have it!)
@Brett and Kelly
Oh, Man..that takes me back…to 1981, back in my last year of High School (Kelly was probablyi in kindergarten).
I do have the Vinyl…and actually, I bougth the CD this summer (in the bargain bin).
Hey, we can listen to it on Thursday night! (TAKE OFF…eh?)
1. Eighth grade, thankyouverymuch.
2. Why wait? Click here!
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Hang In There!
Definitely a solid A this week. I’m learning what’s the important 20% and what I can fail to do for the rest of the time. Of course the important 20% is actually the stuff I’ve been avoiding doing and the other 80% is what I futz around doing…
Hmmm… time to get focused maybe?
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Measuring the Changes: Lab-Rat Wrap Up Part 1
@ Friar I won’t tell you I was 3 in 1981!
@Brett – Good Job! You seem to be progressing along nicely, actually very nicely. I wish I could get as focused and organized as you are. Anyone got a secret potion!!
Jenny’s last blog post..Doing What’s Right
I think Brett has pulled off a wonderful scam here.
But I feel it is my duty to step in and set things right.
Just because Brett writes about it doean’t mean its true. In fact he is a lazy SOB who pays some other guy (me) to write his Blog for him.
He hasn’t lifted a finger in years.
In fact, he is a diabled, unemployed black dude from a trashy ‘hood in Cleveland.
Geez Brett, enough already, time to tell the truth.
The only 20% he does is the interest on the loans to crack heads he sells to.
Francis
Francis Kopke’s last blog post..Someone is making a buck.
@Jenny
Gee, thanks for making me feel OLD!!!
@Brett
Francis is right, you know.
Pretty good scam you got here.
You write about what you’re GOING to do. And everyone writes in, sobbing tears of gratitude, and they praise you for inspiring them.
Yet we never see any concrete evidence that you actually DO anything.
(Even during our beer nights, we just TELL each other what we’ve done or what we’re GOING to do).
But at the end of the evening, there’s no indication we accomplished anything useful (except for a few cheesy Viking cartoons….at least I have THOSE).
Maybe we’re being too generous with your “Report Card”
Mabye you deserve a Dee Minus….(???)
Friar’s last blog post..Vintage Friar Toons #4
@Friar,
Hey, we’ll have to play it tomorrow night! Oh, and I have the movie “Repo Man” for us to watch, if you want to take a break from the Thinkfest…
@Alex,
Hey, thanks! I’ll take the “A” then
Oh, believe me, I know about doing the other 80 percent. That’s why I took almost all of the games off of my computer last night… I was having this little problem with a game called Midnight Club 2, you see… *blush*
(I still have a couple – hey, I need some down time!)
@Jenny,
Thanks for the encouragement! Hmm, my secret potion is either coffee, tea, beer or wine
pick your poison to suit your needs at the time!
Seriously though, you can do this too. Just write it all down and start at the top.
@Francis & Friar again,
You buggers! You ratted me out!!!
Technoviking is on his way to your house, where he will blast you senseless with his bone-crushing techno beats, and steal your beer…
(He’ll be bringing it back to my house, so if you want a beer, come on over!)
Olaf says to TechnoViking:
NYARRRGH…Bring in ONNNN!!!
(The Beer Awaits!)
Friar’s last blog post..Vintage Friar Toons #4
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