Slow Tech

The mixed blessing of enhanced technology includes faster turnaround times, greater expectations and a blurred line between work and personal time.  When you’re on the receiving end of this super-fast responsiveness it can be awesome. If you’re the provider it’s often exhausting and stressful.

After Spike and I met speaking at IgniteBoulder (watch Spike and Cindy), we decided to build an app together and the Daily Debrief was born. The idea came from seeing many of my coaching clients struggle with making progress on an important, but not always urgent goal. Their “homework” often involved staying connected to that goal by checking in every day with:

What worked?

What didn’t?

What’s one thing you can do tomorrow to come a step closer?

The Daily Debrief App provides that critical, low-tech introspection on your ever-present, high-tech device, along with some added features for gaining insight.  Partnering on a software development project could easily have been one of those exhausting and stressful situations.

Daily Debrief Opening Screen

Spike and I acknowledged that we both had pretty full plates already and this project should be fun, which meant:

  • No arbitrary, crazy-making deadlines.
  • An enjoyable, iterative process that allowed us to create as our learning unfolded.
  • Relaxed meetings at Atlas Purveyors where the first agenda item was catching up on kids, vacations and our other jobs while drinking good coffee.
  • An appreciation for each other’s priorities, which allowed the  Daily Debrief App to be fluid in its place in line.

As a result:

  • We gained useful feedback from  3 rounds of testing.
  • Spike had time to figure out how to program features that we thought would have to be in a later version, e.g. syncing “tomorrow’s one thing” to your calendar.
  • Spike and I still like each other 😉

It may not be the norm, but given our goals, moving at this slower pace sure made for a satisfying experience. There are still options for choosing the intensity we bring into our lives, even in a “get it done yesterday” world.

Next up? Spreading the word and getting people to try it! Would truly love your support:

Like and Share on Facebook

Get it on iTunes!

In appreciation, I’ll buy a cup of coffee (via Facebook Starbucks gift card) 

for the first 10 people who email their iTunes receipt to me. Thanks!

 

 

Share

Tiny Yeses Add Up to Big Things

In our current state of perpetual overwhelm, many are trying to regain some control by setting boundaries and learning how to say no. This conscious choosing is a great strategy. As part of greater mindfulness, however, don’t lose sight of the possibilities that hitch a ride with a Tiny Yes.  

 Tiny Yeses might look like:

  • Helping out with a colleague’s project
  • Taking a class in a new area of interest
  • Becoming the social media voice for your organization

Tiny Yes!

Years ago, despite a new business, toddler and traveling husband, I gave a Tiny Yes to joining a task force at our community foundation.  This would satisfy my philanthropic itch and might also be good for business.  Within a few months, the committee chair had to resign and I was asked to lead the group.  Gave another Tiny Yes.  Got more involved in the community and met many interesting people.  One of them asked me join a board for a local nonprofit.  By now I was getting the hang of these Tiny Yeses.

Over the years, what started as a small, somewhat scary commitment has led to involvement on 3 boards, including a 2 year stint as board president.  I love being involved in my community, meeting incredible people I might not have encountered otherwise, and expanding my professional skill set. Once I couldn’t have imagined fitting all of this in, now I can’t see my life without it.

After awhile, if you’re energized by the Tiny Yes it won’t even feel like something extra. You’ll probably be looking for ways to become even more engaged and proficient. Pretty soon, you’ll actually have built a track record and some expertise. I’m not suggesting unfettered yessing, just “yes” to something that intrigues and excites you. Relatively recently, I gave a (naive) Tiny Yes when asked to speak at Ignite Boulder.  One of the other speakers is a terrifice programmer whom I’ve partnered with to develop an iPhone app. (The Daily Debrief productivity app will be off to the Apple store by May.)

Where might a  Tiny Yes take you?

Share

Ignite Boulder 11

A few weeks ago a friend called and asked if I’d be willing to speak at the upcoming 11th Ignite Boulder event.   Apparently, someone had bailed last minute and they were scrounging for a replacement.  I was flattered and naively said yes.

Later I found out I was one of 15 presenters who, according to the Ignite Boulder website would:

“have exactly five minutes to teach something, enlighten us, or simply inspire—backed by twenty slides auto-advancing every fifteen seconds.

Okay, that made it a little more stressful.  Then I found out the audience would be comprised of 1400 really smart, forward-thinking people who quite possibly would’ve had a few beers beforehand.  It became a lot more stressful.

Surprisingly, it was one of the most fun things I’ve done in awhile.  There was tremendous support and humor among the organizers and presenters as we grappled with an unconventional format that we knew would lead to some gaffs.  I feel like I should have an “I survived Ignite Boulder” t-shirt.

Here’s the you tube  link to my bit on The Benefits of Grumpy Enthusiam.

Check out some of the others too.  I found these particularly worthwhile:

Josh Fraser on Snakes and Staircases

Ceci Ervin on My Polish Catheter

Ryan Wanger on 10 Selfless People Who Accidentally Changed the World for the Worse

Enjoy!

Share