Five ways I hope to NOT to screw up in 2009 (a look back at mistakes made in 2008)

January 18, 2009

Andy Wibbels wrote “Five Ways You’ll F*** Up 2009,” a look back at the things he wished he’d kept in mind in 2008. I mentioned to him via Twitter that he should make this a meme. So he did. So here I go.

Five ways I hope to NOT to screw up in 2009 (a look back at mistakes made in 2008)

1. I hope to not work so close to deadlines. When was the last time you missed a deadline, worked late to meet a deadline, or made others anxious because you were approaching your deadline? (I’m talking about realistic deadlines.) The number of times I have said “crap, that’s due next week and it involves five other people?” is lame and saying ‘sorry about that’ is even lamer. (or is that more lame?)
2. I hope to not gravitate so easily to shiny objects. I do not regret diving heavily into social media in 2008. As an analyst covering the space and trying to make sense of it in the context of instructional design and learning it has been so, so valuable. However, I think at times, usage was not proportionate with production.
3. I hope to not expect other people to value what I value. This is a tough one to admit to. It goes something like this: Someone working in the learning industry says, “I just don’t get it.” or “what are you talking about?” “It” (and the answer to “what”) is the wiki, blog, microblog, social networking service, DVD, PC, remote, texting, instant messaging, fire…you get my point which I’m clearly exaggerating. See, I think learning professionals can no longer separate education and technology. And I get frustrated (sometimes even disgusted) when others don’t see that (which seems very immature and judgmental now that it’s in print.) And, it’s totally contrary to my job to help people how to learn! But I’m passionate! I want others to be passionate! I just shouldn’t expect others to share that.
4. I hope to not spread myself so thin. In 2008 I overextended myself. While I’ve never been a “I can do it all” type, more often than not I’m a “I can do almost all of it.” I can be super productive for a stretch and then hit a bump and find myself frazzled. I’ll say no more in 2009.
5. I hope to not be my own worst enemy. Does anyone else out there sabotage themselves? Not good enough. Could’ve done better. Should’ve… Why did I say that? “I’m no expert…” So silly. We’re all experts. What am I trying to prove and why the heck am I kicking the living sh*t out of myself?

So, there we are then. I hope five of you (or more) take time to look back at the things you wish you didn’t screw up in 2008. Blog optional.

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  • http://daveswhiteboard.com/ Dave Ferguson

    I work far too close to deadlines. Sometimes I spend far too long trying to clarify the big picture, and then I’m playing catchup. What’s worse, that takes away the chance to rethink what I’ve already done (no time); experience tells me that being able to cycle back and reframe often pays off.

    But not when you have to have to think in by 8 the next morning.

    How others perceive your passion is situational, I think. If you’re a person who likes trying out the new, then the enthusiasm of others is welcome. If you’re a person who expects that the new will have drawbacks just like the old did, then you’re perhaps more skeptical.

    “Own worst enemy?” To me, that’s “own worst critic,” and not in a good sense. My own experience with depression has taught me valuable lessons, though I don’t always retrieve them or apply them well. I have long had a wish to be a guru, but it just ain’t gonna happen. The best that I can do is say, “here’s what I’ve found.” Not “here’s the answer to all your problems,” not “my masterly of the literature,” not “I am a black belt in these five fields.”

  • http://daveswhiteboard.com Dave Ferguson

    I work far too close to deadlines. Sometimes I spend far too long trying to clarify the big picture, and then I’m playing catchup. What’s worse, that takes away the chance to rethink what I’ve already done (no time); experience tells me that being able to cycle back and reframe often pays off.

    But not when you have to have to think in by 8 the next morning.

    How others perceive your passion is situational, I think. If you’re a person who likes trying out the new, then the enthusiasm of others is welcome. If you’re a person who expects that the new will have drawbacks just like the old did, then you’re perhaps more skeptical.

    “Own worst enemy?” To me, that’s “own worst critic,” and not in a good sense. My own experience with depression has taught me valuable lessons, though I don’t always retrieve them or apply them well. I have long had a wish to be a guru, but it just ain’t gonna happen. The best that I can do is say, “here’s what I’ve found.” Not “here’s the answer to all your problems,” not “my masterly of the literature,” not “I am a black belt in these five fields.”

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com/ Janet Clarey

    Although I didn’t come out and say it, that ‘chance to rethink’ is (I think) the real downside of working too close to deadlines. When I do have a lapse of one or two weeks to take another look and improve, I’m always much happier with the end product.

    We’re a lot alike on your last point – being your own worst critic. However, there’s a lot more conversation lately about expertise today: no one is. So perhaps we’re better off with ‘here’s what I found’. The self-described gurus may find themselves being criticized more often.

  • http://www.brandon-hall.com Janet Clarey

    Although I didn’t come out and say it, that ‘chance to rethink’ is (I think) the real downside of working too close to deadlines. When I do have a lapse of one or two weeks to take another look and improve, I’m always much happier with the end product.

    We’re a lot alike on your last point – being your own worst critic. However, there’s a lot more conversation lately about expertise today: no one is. So perhaps we’re better off with ‘here’s what I found’. The self-described gurus may find themselves being criticized more often.

  • http://newmiddle-earth.blogspot.com/ Ken Alan

    T?n? koe Janet!

    An interesting list of hope nots.

    Your point 3 is great one. I shows true perception to even be periferally aware that what you see and are passionate about may not be what others notice. I learnt that one a few decades ago, yet I forget what I’ve learnt from time to time and need reminders.

    I often think ‘if only I could improve my empathy’ when really it’s their empathy that deep down I thinking needs improving :-) . But there’s nout so queer as folk. And isn’t it wonderful that we’re all diffeent?

    From point 5, you are obviously a perfectionist – that’s just my observation, so don’t take offense. Another might see it differently ;-)

    Catchya later

    Ken Alans last blog post..Blogging, When A Thing Is Worth Doing Badly

  • http://newmiddle-earth.blogspot.com/ Ken Alan

    T?n? koe Janet!

    An interesting list of hope nots.

    Your point 3 is great one. I shows true perception to even be periferally aware that what you see and are passionate about may not be what others notice. I learnt that one a few decades ago, yet I forget what I’ve learnt from time to time and need reminders.

    I often think ‘if only I could improve my empathy’ when really it’s their empathy that deep down I thinking needs improving :-) . But there’s nout so queer as folk. And isn’t it wonderful that we’re all diffeent?

    From point 5, you are obviously a perfectionist – that’s just my observation, so don’t take offense. Another might see it differently ;-)

    Catchya later

    Ken Alans last blog post..Blogging, When A Thing Is Worth Doing Badly

  • http://informl.com/ Jay Cross

    On #2, gravitating to the shiny is not the problem; it’s disengaging when the payback is no longer there. In your work, you can’t exactly shut out looking at new stuff.

    When I get caught up in #5, I recall a friend’s advice — actually, it was a command — “Never put yourself down.”

    Also, it’s important to keep in mind the natural human tendency to amplify the negative and downplay the positive.

  • http://informl.com Jay Cross

    On #2, gravitating to the shiny is not the problem; it’s disengaging when the payback is no longer there. In your work, you can’t exactly shut out looking at new stuff.

    When I get caught up in #5, I recall a friend’s advice — actually, it was a command — “Never put yourself down.”

    Also, it’s important to keep in mind the natural human tendency to amplify the negative and downplay the positive.

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