Author: Winston Ash

by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Better Questions

The thought struck me hard. Like a lightning bolt.
 
Maybe I don’t need the answers. Maybe I need better questions.
 
The pursuit of knowledge. Of truth. The way forward.
 
Will I ever know all? No. But, I will know more.
 
And my quest began. My mind ached for knowledge. More and more.
 
No time to relax.
 
I poured over books. Took classes I thought I didn’t like. Read everything, always. And I didn’t form opinions.
 
I analyzed. Looked for patterns. And searched.
 
That consumed my days. Bit by bit. Each story, article, and headline. Consumed, analyzed, and categorized.
 
Will I ever find answers?
 
. . . . .
 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Slow Down to Speed Up

David Allen, founder of GTD, wrote about this recently. I took this advice to heart. My actions were creating more chaos than good. Not focusing enough on getting the right things done; focused too much on completing any task.
 
So I took a break. A step back. And from this higher perspective, I am able to see what is important. By refocusing I am able to re-prioritize the entire inventory of outstanding actions. I see the world with a new filter; makes me think I’ve reached a new level. Instead of being on the rubber meets the road level; i’m at the take-off level and the results prove it.
 

Week in Review: 6/26/2017 – 7/2/2017

 

3 Major Goals Done This Week

  • Updated my tracker and created my July Habit Tracker;
  • Reorganized all outstanding commitments and took the time to rank them; and,
  • Enjoyed my personal time without thinking about work or business

What Went Right This Week?

  • Created a Daily Log that allows me to see what’s done or needs doing;
  • Started a learning path for Computer Science, Business, & Entreprenuership that levels me up; and,
  • Spent quality time focused on my home life.

What Went Wrong This Week?

  • Had hard conversations with co-workers;
  • Allowed outside influence to dictate my emotions for two days; and.
  • Fell off the wagon in regards to my fitness.

3 Goals for the Upcoming Week

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

With Flexibility 

That’s how all systems need to be built.

Frameworks and guidelines, not rules.

Change is inevitable.

Plan for it. Expect it. 

Build in the unknown. Work through uncertainty. 

When your system can handle life’s challenges; it is the right system 

 
by Winston Ash on Founder Journal

Habit Tracker

Completing my habit tracker is a great feeling. My brain fills with endorphins; I get the light-headed feeling of accomplishment.
 
Each item down means I’ve made progress somewhere. Things important to me are getting done daily.
 
When I fall down on getting things done, my tracker is my runway to keep me grounded.
 
Each week I jump into the fray, yet each morning I plan my attack.
 
[Tweet “The system works, I work the system.”]
 

What’s on my tracker?

 
Standards. Items that I need to get done that ensure I maintain my quality of life. Chores, errands, and hygiene items that while not forgotten; can fall to the bottom of my priorities list.
 

Why?

 
An interesting question with many answers. Because I need to see it on paper. Because my brain loves the recognition. Because organization brings order from chaos. Because without a place to return to I would wander. Because I want to. Because I can.
 
 
by Winston Ash on #Manager

Learned Ethics

Aristotle wrote, “the works produced are by nature better things than the activities”.
 
For me: the work I do must be my best because that shows who I am. Not only the work but the way I complete it. My process and ability show through and there is no doubt to my competency. Self-doubt is the only negative. Yet I let it go once I take action.
 
Think with clarity. Act with purpose. My mind’s eye removed the veil that was covering my thoughts. With the veil gone I can see the patterns I missed before. The patterns show me the path. And I move. Fast, sudden action in the pursuit of my goal. I realize when I write down my actions and review what I’ve written, patterns emerge.
 

What Did I Discover?

 
Finance, budgeting, and planning are things I enjoy doing. The process of digging deep into the numbers brings back that childhood smile. The smile, all teeth, that feels the glow of solving a problem. Problem-solving is the ultimate pattern recognition. From nothing, I grasp a solution that fits – the mating of problem and solution. And, behold; it is glorious! To me, that is the basis of winning. Winning is the game.
 
The second part of that feeling is executing a well-laid plan. I remember football. Sweating buckets on the field during practice, to arrive on game day. Ready. Before every contest, the nerves start. What if I suck? What if I’m not good enough? What if I lose? And each time I find my truth. The outcome will be what it is; the amount of work I put in before will determine how ready I am. And no amount of second-guessing now will change that. To myself I say; get some, this is your time, this is your moment, and you worked your ass off for this. That’s enough to get me moving. Doubt never stood in my way, the self-talk is my motivation.
 
by Winston Ash on #Manager

Character Flaw

 
We spent the day going over our character traits. I learned a lot about the way people view my actions.
 
Being vocal with a group is not one of my strong suits. I am self-aware enough to know this. My comfort level reaches zero when I have to speak in front of a group unprepared. I’m not intimidated by the group; more likely, I am scared I will appear uneducated.
 

Should this be my reaction?

 
No, and to be honest I’m not happy about that. Fear driven by shame is not anything that I want to accept or embrace. My feelings spring from my thoughts, which need to change. Shame is an unacceptable feeling. In my book, shame rates low on the totem pole. It is not helpful. It doesn’t help me improve. And I don’t need it.
 

The Cure

 
Speak up. I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been doing this for years. And my record speaks for itself. The time passed for silence. My voice will sound loud and proud.