What are you holding on to?
My to do list, like yours, hovers between 10-30 never-quite-done items. Some big (figure out taxes), some small (take out trash), some personal (pick up toothpaste) & some work (send proposal). About two years ago, when my list started to rival a medieval scroll, I exasperatedly decided I had to find a solution. That's when a friend sent me an interview with Michelle Penczak outlining an "I do" list. After one run through, I was hooked.
What You'll Need: A pen, a highlight, a piece of paper.
The "I Do" exercise:
- Brain dump. List every to do item you can think. List one off tasks (change the car oil) and repeating tasks (weekly grocery run). List all work tasks as well as personal ones. If your list is extremely long that's ok.
- Ask Yourself: "What tasks can only I do?" "What tasks specifically require me?" These are usually high-level or in person tasks such as talking with your accountant, managing your credit cards, going to the dentist or choosing a new computer. Highlight every item that only you can do.
- Evaluate. Look at what's left on your list. Is there someone (a partner, parent, coworker, kid or assistant) that can help you with that task?
After completing my first "I Do" list I came to the realization I am horrible at delegating. I have a false sense that I am the most qualified person for every job. It often shows up like, "Well it's faster to just do it myself," or "It will take longer for me to show them I'll just do it," or the self-absorbed, "I do it better."
Michelle's simple exercise displayed my complete and utter inability to delegate. Now that I saw my glaring problem, what was I going to do about it? What was the big solve?!
But this is Michelle Penczak's superpower. She knows how to clear away the busy work to focus on the big work. It was this superpower and her own very sticky problem that led her to start Squared Away.
Michelle is a military spouse. This role comes with the responsibility of moving at a moment's notice whenever her husband gets reassigned. As a career-minded powerhouse, Michelle would gain forward momentum at a company only to be told months later her and her husband were being transferred. Discouraged and disappointed, Michelle knew she wasn’t alone. There were other well-educated, highly talented spouses whose careers were getting placed on the back burner as they followed military family members. Michelle also knew that her superpower of solutions was unique.
It was through this killer combination that Michelle to created Squared Away a virtual assistant company employing and empowering military spouses to pursue their careers from anywhere in the world. Garnering recognition from NBC News, Good Morning America and The NY Times, Michelle is a beacon of wisdom for leading a team, managing remotely, and empowering yourself and others.
Michelle's secret to success — make room to grow by letting go of the small stuff. My power packed conversation with Michelle can be watched in full here but here are some of her highlights of what works.
- Am I creating leaders or followers? Squared Away focuses on creating leaders, not followers. Michelle is so committed to the process her team has strict rules to never ask for her permission. Instead, they present what they intend to do and she offers feedback.
(Note from Kim: This is the opposite of what we’re taught in corporate. However the only way to develop leadership is to try it. Reminds me of the saying: Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll never go hungry.)
What is the next thing you want to learn? How to set better boundaries. (Note from Kim: I still think Jason Feifer had the best advice about saying no and setting boundaries discussed in this newsletter if you missed it!)
What is one thing you would have done sooner? Delegate tasks to my team. I was running every department of Squared Away at one point, since appointing directors I’m able to focus more on my family and personal well being.
What is your best advice for leading remotely? Read Turn The Ship Around by David Marquet. When I let go and finally learned a hands off approach to management my team became empowered and began to thrive.
CHALLENGE FROM MICHELLE:
Try The Calm app. I didn’t think I needed meditation, but it’s been so helpful and relaxing. The kid version, Moshi, is equally as amazing!
CHALLENGE FROM KIM:
Once I started delegating tasks my business opportunities exploded. By clearing away hours of busy work I was able to spend time on the big work that moved me forward. I now hand off as much as possible to my amazing Squared Away assistant, Shelby. I challenge you to really look at your to do list & ask, "What is on this list that someone else could do? What can I let go of?"
You can learn more from Michelle on LinkedIn or check out the Squared Away website. Tell her I sent you! ;)
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Wireless Connectivity Marketing, NXP Semiconductors
3 年Wow, so impactful. What hit home for me is the rule that her team never asks her for permission. Given that I like to color outside the lines, like my friend Frank Rogers, my manager might lose some sleep over this rule. I suppose that's why the second part of that is to present the idea and ask for feedback!
Warehouse Operator at 3months
3 年Thanks for sharing
Founder & Creative Director, Bright Ideas Only | Tar Heel | Sun Worshipper | Believer in working hard (from anywhere), and playing harder (everywhere).
3 年We ?? Shelby Merryweather! And Michelle Penczak has built an incredible team over at Squared Away.
Founder , Hardware Inventor , & Developer at NIBLS Intelligent Portfolio (Blockchain Application) & NIBLS Hardware : Biometric Tech+Ball , Goal Sensor , ECG Wristband E-Wallet (TOKEN: NIBLS Coin) [AWS funded App]
3 年??
"" Love me or hate me, both are in my favor. If you love me, I will always be in your heart. If you hate me, I will always be in your mind." William Shakespeare.
3 年Kim, thank you. It is sometimes very difficult to discriminate as to what is relevant and for what purpose. Some of us(me)hold on to old projects files out of habit, that may have proven profitable had all the stars been aligned, others went south for multiple reasons. If you have a strong attachment to a particular project file, set it aside and review at a later date set a time to review it in the future. Keep names and project specifics at a minimum, but regardless of your feelings about a file, know that the world evolves so quickly that what may have been relevant a only a year ago is ancient history. I also highly recommend time dating in writing with a signature and witness if possible any innovation you might have come up with if you cannot immediately act on it. I speak from experience on this. Be very wary of anyone you link to on any social media network, your thoughts and hard work are easily pilfered. But above all move forward as a truly great American humorist and speechifier Will Rogers said, " Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. "