Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips
There are many processes available to solving problems and and working situations. Despite all our advances in methods and processes, still the best method in many cases is to focus on the problem, commit resources, and solve it.
Here’s the secret step to solving any problem:
Solve it
I was reminded of this insight today as [...]

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by Dwayne Phillips
Some people don’t know what they want until they see it. This can be agonizing for those of us who decide what we want and then do it. There is a way for the two of us to work together.
The conversation usually proceeds like this:

Me: You tell me what you want, and I [...]

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by Dwayne Phillips
I perform better when I feel better. I can decide to feel better thereby improve my performance.
Have you ever had the opportunity to (safely) crash someone else’s car? To spin the tires? To do a 180-degree spin? I had the good fortune to do that about 30 years ago. It was great fun [...]

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by Dwayne Phillips
When faced with a situation on a system-building project, we can find an approach that will work. We can also find many other approaches. Do we choose the better approach or one we personally like?
Several years ago, a professional soccer player spent a few afternoons helping to coach one of my son’s soccer [...]

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by Dwayne Phillips
We use process on projects. Aargh, process can be irritating and it can be precious.
We are still snowed in here in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. The main roads are clear now, but six to eight inches of snow remain in my yard. Most of us here are sick of the [...]

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by Dwayne Phillips
Analysis paralysis is where I sit and think a long time about what I should do. I recommend against such. Instead, experience has taught my that in most cases the best thing to do is one thing, and then the next, and then the next.
This has happened to me about a thousand times [...]

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by Dwayne Phillips
I am working a on process improvement this week. I wish I could state a brilliant insight. Alas, all I have is, “let’s try harder.” That reduces to having good people spend the time necessary to do a task well.
Blogs don’t always announce breakthroughs in any field of endeavor. Let’s downgrade that one:
Blogs [...]

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