Day 10 – March 6, 2007


Not focused - Putting Energy in the wrong places

My big lesson over the past few days has been in figuring out where to apply my energy. I know what I should be doing, yet I’ve gotten off course by getting obsessed on the technology track.

I am so keen on getting this technology piece resolved – to simply pick up the phone, make a call, push a couple buttons and make clean recordings.

Instead I am now sitting with two hybrids, a mixing board, 4 computers (including a new desktop system), a computer system that is slow and likely going to need repairs, two different speaker systems, and a few days lost.

I am “close” … but I could spend another week getting closer and closer, and still not have what I want. I need to cut to the chase here:

Forget about getting all the recording stuff done. I could waste days and days more on that, and it still won’t serve me. I need to simply hire somebody to me get it dialed in. And that’s going to have to wait until after launch.

The computer system will have to be “good enough” for now. Just record Diana’s conversation with the cordless phone or the landline (I have a few gadgets that should enable me to do that). And with the ability to crank up the microphone on the headset, I should be able to get a fairly good mix.

But what is it about this obsession to just keep hammering away at something until I get it done? I could be at least one – possibly two – days ahead of myself if I could just see the big picture, change the things I can, forget the things I can’t, have the wisdom to see the difference, and the self discipline to step away and move on.

I’ve got a coaching call with Diana today, and I think that will be the focus of my call. Where do I do this behavior? Is it a fear of admitting I can’t do something, clinging to a “I can do it myself mode” … what?

So, today, back to the business. I have my list together of what the products are. Shall I just not bother with the desktop for now, knowing that it’s probably going to need some upgrades, possibly a disk wipe and clean install, etc?

That makes the most sense. Just use the laptops for now. I know where everything is, all the accounts are set up, etc. I can deal with the desktop issues once I’m launched.

Buy some more time with Rich and BSW … I simply don’t have the time right now to throw at trying to figure out this technology piece. I’ve got to get this business running.

So there’s the lesson – be able to stand back when necessary, look at the big picture – where you’re headed - admit when technology has the better of you, let it go, hire the experts, and move on.