Strategize Organize LLC
Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 9
Background
I have conversations with clients about getting things done and planning their time. These conversations are so interesting because once people start talking and reflecting they start making insights. I don't tell people what to do or how to think about something. When people take a bit of time to identify and reflect, often they have a sense of how to move forward. Perhaps the biggest thing that I bring to the conversation is a partner in the conversation who listens, asks a few questions, but mostly importantly, brings curiosity not judgment. I think that it can be hard to watch ourselves with curiosity and without judgment. But it is in fact quite easy for me to listen to my clients without judgment. My clients show up, think, talk, and experiment. How can anyone judge someone for that?!
Below is a chart. I tried to capture and name what happens in a conversation that I might have with a client. I've named the process "FITER." It seems that people like acronyms to help remember ideas, so that's what I came up with. I do like the idea of "FITER" because we can become more fit (healthy) as we move through this process, and I have to admit that I have a Honda Fit, and I affectionately have named it "FITER".
The Chart
The chart gives three examples of how someone might move through FITER. After the "R" (Reflect), you can circle around and move through the process again.
| F |
I |
T |
E |
R |
| Something is not FEELING right, OR something feels very right. |
IDENTIFY an area or time period to think about. |
THINK about what happens. What do you think about it? |
Choose some-thing to EXPERIMENT with. |
REFLECT on what happened with curiosity, not judgment. |
Here are some examples:
| F |
I |
T |
E |
R |
| I don't feel like I'm getting anything done. |
First hour of day. |
I know the sorts of things that I do, but I'm not sure how long they take. I want to gather some info.
|
I'm going to see how long it takes me eat breakfast, throw in a load of laundry, empty the dishwasher, and clear the counter. |
Those things together took me an hour. Wow, I guess I am getting something done. I'm not going to try and fit anything else in unless I take something away. |
| I love how I feel when I get up at 6:30 a.m., and I feel unsettled when I get up later. |
6:30 a.m. |
When I go to bed by 10:30 p.m., I can get up at 6:30. |
Stop watching videos by 10:00 p.m. and get a glass of water. |
I stayed up until 12:00. Hmmm, I totally forgot that I was going to try and go to bed by 10:30. I'm going to remind myself tonight with a post-it. |
| I'm not happy about my inconsistent suppertime. |
Suppertime |
I eat at all different times. I wait until others are ready and I eat with them. I want to be more consistent with my suppertime. |
I'm going to try eating supper on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. |
This felt a lot better because I had more time after supper. I'm going to experiment with adding Wednesday. |
Summary
By approaching our organizational challenges with a process that addresses our feelings, identifies a particular time period, thinks about what happens in the moment, experiments with solutions, and reflects on the outcome, we increase the chances of acting, and we feel better about ourselves in the process. Join me in becoming more curious, less judgmental and, of course, FITER!
Take care,
Susan
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