The Visionary's Journey

*welcome

February 2008 l Volume 1 l Issue 2 l a monthly publication by erin curran coaching

Hello!

Here we are at the end of the second month of the year and I can't believe how fast time has passed.

I'll be honest, I've been struggling to "get my ducks in a row." And I tell ya' I've learned that obsessing over the rows is the most effective way to NOT get things done and to delay the realization of a vision!

Why is this so? Because at least one duck always says "phooey'!

So I dedicate this issue to the phooey-shouting ducks and the well intentioned, though misguided attempts to get them into rows!

Humorously,

Erin Curran, CPCC

Certified Professional Co-Active Coach

www.ErinCurranCoaching.com

*feature article

Does Your Duck Say 'Phooey'? - 4 Tips On What To Do When Your Ducks Say Phooey To Being In A Row

Are you struggling to get your ducks in a row? Trying to get everything in order before you take some sort of action -maybe leave your job, launch a new initiative, start a business. Are you delaying the realization of a vision?

If you know the frustration of trying to get your ducks in a row, getting everything just right, all taken care of the way you want it to be, then you'll enjoy this cartoon by Victoria Roberts' (published in a 2004 issue of Real Simple magazine).

The caption with it reads:

"I have one duck here that says 'Phooey' to being in a row."

Ah, don't you just love it!?! Try as we may, things don't always go as we want them to.

But you know, the problem isn't that the ducks won't line up, it's that we delay action until they do. And reality check, they probably won't ever line up as perfectly as you want!

So what's going on? Why are we so obsessed with getting everything so perfectly lined up?

Yes, it makes good sense to organize and plan before you launch into something new. But when we become a slave to perfection we put our lives on pause and deny our visions the chance to transform from possibility to reality!

You may wonder "well then what should I do?"

Here are my 3 tips on what to do when the ducks say "phooey":

1) Dismiss, delay or delegate some of the ducks. Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations and want everything to come together all at once. Things take time and that's okay. So decide which ducks really do need to be lined up now and which can be dismissed, delayed or delegated. Now let them go so you're not distracted from your purposely chosen little duckies!

2) Create a flexible system to help you organize the tasks, milestones and deadlines related to your ducks. Once you get clear which ones you are going to be working on, you do need to do some planning. Flexibility is key here because you will be learning and discovering as you go. Make your plans adjustable. (See below to read about a system that I just discovered and has been working wonders for me!)

3) Get some creative perspective on the situation. Are you enslaving yourself to ego-fueled perfection when you demand that everything be lined up before you act? If so, then you are locking your mind into a perception of "the way things must be", as if there is no other way that it could be. But there are always other ways things can be done. What if the ducks got into circles, or maybe pyramids? Or what if you let them play leapfrog. What would it be like if you brought a little creativity into the process?

4) Develop a sense for when the rows (or circles and pyramids) are 'good enough' and it's time to go! So two ducks just sat down, one is doing a cartwheel, and three others are gossiping in the back corner. But you do have the majority of them at full attention, and deep down inside, you know this is good enough. It's time to go!

So now, what will you do differently with your phooey-speaking ducks?

*tool spotlight - Basecamp

I just discovered the coolest project management system! I didn't know it but I had been looking for this for the last three years. It's called Basecamp and it can help you manage your projects, organize to-do lists, set milestones, even share information with collaborators in a flexible and adaptable manner.

This web-based application offers several monthly packages ranging in price from $0 to $24/month on up. The more you pay, the more projects you are allowed to create. All packages include a free 30-day trial.

I've been using it to clearly delineate all my projects in development - a few new Journey of Transformation products, a self-coaching program I'm planning to release next month, a special campaign I'm envisioning for April, and a few more. [Yes, I dismissed a few "ducks" (projects)!]

For each project, I made to-do lists, in some cases, several lists. Boy was that helpful to be able to do a brain dump and have it all in one place! Then I set-up milestones indicating completion dates for the major stages or each project.

Once I was done I could see all the milestone on one calendar, which helped me see whether I'd set-up realistic timeliness or if I'd be splitting my attention between too many things (something I do sometimes!).

Of course you could do all this with a regular calendar and notebook, but there's something so elegant and visual about this system. Plus I hate erasing things when I make changes!

There some are other bells and whistles that I'm still learning about (file sharing, whiteboard, granting access to collaborators/partners), but even if you only use the to-do lists and milestones I think you'll be surprised at how much mental clarity you create!  Check it out!

*paying it forward - Inspired Teachers

As I mentioned in the last issue, each quarter I will donate 5% of the proceeds from coaching and product sales to a Global Giving Project.

I spent the last week reviewing the database trying to decide which project to choose for this quarter. It's a toug

h decision because there are so many fantastic projects and important needs.

Ultimately, I chose a project in honor of a coaching client who believes that as a teacher it's her responsibility to not only teach kids their ABCs but to teach them to be productive members of society.

So, I am pledging my financial support to the Center For Inspired Teaching, The Center strives to inspire lasting change in the way students are taught by providing professional development programs for teachers. These teachers are equipped with practical and effective teaching strategies that will engage students in meaningful and academically challenging work in some of our toughest communities.

To learn more about The Center For Inspired Teaching and other projects at Global Giving go to http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/700/proj624a.html?RF=widget_large624.

The Visionary's Journey is a monthly publication for vibrant visionaries on the journey of transformation. Each issue includes tips and tools, gathered for you by Erin Curran Coaching. Expect to awaken your vision, increase your self-awareness and be inspired to take thoughtful action!

Erin Curran is a certified life and career coach offering individual and group coaching services, as well as self-directed programs and products that will help you bring your vision to life. Whether it's a vision for infusing your work with more meaning, your life with more consciousness, your relationships with more connection, or your community with more peace, Erin Curran stands ready to be your trusted partner, confidant and guide.

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