This infographic arrived in a newsletter. The only context provided was that the newsletter is primarily for small-scale entrepreneurs.
It’s good advice for lots of people. But my first reaction was: this is terrible advice for so many people!
For instance:
Single parents trying to make ends meet with two jobs.
Single parents with a job and evening classes.
Single parents full stop.
People with ADHD like me have plenty of focus but it goes off in unhelpful directions. I don’t need more focus. I need tools to help me manage my focus.
Watch what happens when the graphic is changed from prescriptive to descriptive:
Now my defences are down. Now I’m curious. I’m interrogating myself. Is time the issue? Is focus the issue? Is craving more productivity the issue?
This is why I’m a big fan of the phrase ‘for me’, as in, ‘What worked for me was…’ When you say ‘for me’ you grant your listener freedom to decide whether or not it’s for them.
Another good thing about ‘for me’ is that it can save your work from death by a thousand caveats. You don’t need to list all the people your story may not help. Tell your story with context. Tell people what worked for you and trust that it will resonate with the right folks.
—Jeff
New Death Cab for Cutie? Say less!
I need more focus most days, but having more time wouldn’t hurt either.
Grow slowly
Skyler