Week 22.02 Throwing an S Curve

Full confession: I am a massive fan of Whitney Johnson. I was fortunate to meet her five years ago when she was one of the first members of 100 Coaches and have been a friend and fan ever since. I have not had a chance to speak with her for the last few months because she has been heads down working on her new book Smart Growth, which releases this week. But I listen to her excellent podcast, Disrupt Yourself, (here's a link) ?which usually has unique and insightful guests. This weeks' guest was Whitney being interviewed about an HBR article she wrote.

Whitney has a fantastic body of work, built on the idea of the S Curve, which in her own meta s curve she described in Build an A-Team evolved into Disrupt Yourself, and now explores how it can be used for growth in Smart Growth . In short, the S Curve of Learning comprises three phases, the Launch Point involving being challenged and developing competence, the Sweet Spot when competence is achieved, and there is an acceleration toward Mastery, and the top of the curve is when Mastery is achieved. The phases correspond with the struggle to learn, the exhilaration of gaining expertise, and the eventual boredom of not being challenged at which point (or perhaps a little before) it's time to start a new S Curve.

I think of Whitney at this time of the year because it's a good time to bring my S Curve lens out to examine as many aspects of my life as possible. What parts are in the middle slope phase (hopefully many!) in which there is the feeling of exhilaration, what areas are getting a little stale, and which ones am I investing in new growth? You can do this simply for yourself. Start by thinking about a few aspects of your life and then plot them on the S Curve. It is straightforward, intuitive, and illuminating. As you do that, think about your curves as your portfolio of life and create the optimal mix for yourself.

Now consider relationships. Where are they on their Curves? Where do you want them to be? When you see them through this lens, you can make an evaluation and then make adjustments if necessary. At any time, it may be ok to be in any phase. Perhaps you are both feeling comfortable in the relationship, and so you are coasting in Mastery. Or maybe you are bored and need to start a new Curve (like starting a new hobby together). You can use this at work with your job or as a leader with your team.

The pandemic has disrupted our lives and bent our curves. Like a Black Swan, this is unusual but not irregular. Significant disruption is often waiting for us around a blind turn. Like any good portfolio, it is worth rebalancing it from time to time. The S Curve is fluid and dynamic and can be applied to work, family, and ourselves. Whitney gives us the tools to consider the stages of all aspects of our life and determine where we are and what is required of us now to move forward so when life throws us a curve, we can make it an S Curve.

How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters from Michael Bungay Stanier finally lands Tue, Jan 11, 2022

Unlock your greatness. Set a goal that matters to you―and to the world

With?The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier penned the bestselling coaching book of the century. With?The Advice Trap, he showed you how to tame your Advice Monster. Now, he’s here to help you reclaim your ambition and motivation to become your best self, driven with purpose and meaning.If you are ready to get unstuck, to figure out what you should do that matters, to unlock your best self, to take on a project that you know is yours―you need to know?How to Begin.This is your practical guide to finding the focus and courage to set a Worthy Goal: one that lights you up, compels you to grow, and serves a bigger game by being thrilling, important and daunting. You need this now. You get it here: How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters: Bungay Stanier, Michael: 9781774580585: Amazon.com: Books

Increase the Impact You Have at Work Without Adding More Hours from Liz Wiseman

If you're feeling burned out, it’s natural to assume that you need to lessen your workload. But research suggests that burnout isn’t always a function of too much work; it's often the result of too little impact. Fortunately, you can increase the impact you have without adding more hours. First, invest in relationships that make you feel valued and psychologically safe, and avoid workplace politics and drama at all costs. They feel like a waste of time and just add to the exhaustion you feel. Next, look for ways to increase the level of challenge — not volume — of your daily workload. There is a strong correlation between being intellectually challenged and job satisfaction, so seek out projects with visible impact and a scope that will push you to stretch yourself and learn new skills. Finally, take on a leadership role on your team — either formally or informally. Where are there leadership vacuums in everyday moments? Who on your team seems to be in need of mentorship that you could possibly offer? Adopting this kind of responsibility could reenergize you when you're feeling like your work isn't leading to meaningful results.This tip is adapted from?“Is Your Burnout From Too Much Work or Too Little Impact? ,”?by Liz Wiseman

Say It Skillfully? OUR VOICES – Curtis Martin, My Deal with God

Say It Skillfully? is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 110 is the 19th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field—helping everyone live to their full potential. In hearing the life journeys of people you might not otherwise encounter, listeners gain an empathetic understanding for what may be a very different experience of what it means to grow up, go to school, struggle, work and live in our world. The aim is for you to see a bit of yourself in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. In Episode 110, Molly is joined by NFL Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin, who talks about pivotal people and moments in his life and career and how they shaped him. Curtis shares what it was like growing up in one of the most violent neighborhoods in the country, inside an even more volatile household with a mentally unstable father who was abusive toward his mother. By the time Curtis was 20, nearly 40 of his friends and relatives had been murdered, including his beloved grandmother. He talks of looking death in the eyes more than once and believes his life was spared by a miracle (one involving a direct plea to God.) He’s open about how he used this trauma as fuel to turn his life around and how it gave him an ability to see outside of himself and put himself in other people's shoes to help them change their lives. While his NFL coach, Bill Parsells, was literally the 1st positive role model he ever had, he also recounts a not-so-positive coaching experience that changed his life's trajectory! You may be surprised to hear how football was NOT a passion…and what it took for Curtis to realize why football came into his life. He shares the one word that captures his essence, and an off-the-charts example of how he uses this to serve others.?Say It Skillfully? OUR VOICES – Curtis Martin, My Deal with God Tuesday, December 14, 2021 (voiceamerica.com)

The Great Exhaustion by Tatiana Oliviera Simonian

If you find yourself running on empty, I’m here to tell you that the antidote to your sense of shame or the low self-esteem brought on by a lack of productivity?is probably not working harder. It might not even be a new job.* The antidote might actually be more friends, more family, more rest, more love, more exercise that you actually enjoy,?more writing music , more baking, more dancing, more time for healthy food, more?30 for 30, more stupid projects around the house you keep meaning to do, more art projects, more family and more quiet. If that sounds incredibly basic to you, then it’s probably the right path. Sit with it.

The Great Exhaustion. What If Beneath The Great Resignation… | by tatiana | Womentorship | Dec, 2021 | Medium

Quote of the week: Carlos Castaneda: "The aim is to balance the terror of being alive with the wonder of being alive."

Week 21.02 Ready For Some Common Sense ?-?One year ago this was inspired by the launch of Martin Lindstrom's book, Ministry of Common Sense

And, as always, thank you, Marshall, for making all of this possible.

With love and gratitude

Scott