DISQUS

Eric Hamm | Motivate Thyself · 9 months ago

Excellent post! I love the analogy of just shoveling our work around, never really getting anything accomplished. I can easily get caught up in:

"Looping between checking statistics, checking email, and then responding to other people’s requests."

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It sounds like you're not into shoveling which is great for your clients! :-) Eric

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

I get caught up in the loop between stats, emails, and requests. But I've figured out a way to just limit it to one hour per day or so. Giving me the rest of the time to be doing actual work that adds value. :)

Daniel Richard · 9 months ago

Someone who can write 50 pages of stuff that an owner doesn't know little about it also shows that what himself perceived as good work isn't what it seems for another.

Unless that other consultant was really shovelling clouds. Haha.

Great write up! You are surely a better choice of a consultant. :)

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Thanks Daniel. You're right, I think the other consultant probably had some great stuff in there, but it wasn't as valuable for the client. Perception!

Lance · 9 months ago

Hi Nathalie,

It's gonna catch on - focusiness...you're starting a revolution here - it's just a matter of time...

So...yes, I've shoveled clouds - too many clouds! This all reminds me of a concept I've read about in the past by Stephen Covey - one of the quadrants in our life is the important but not urgent. Because it's not urgent, it becomes easy to put it off. And that's what I see when I think of more 'down the road' goals. They are very important - yet easy to pass on for now - because it all down the road...until pretty soon we've reached that road, and haven't done anything.

What I think you covered so well here is the idea of specific, measurable, and actionable - having these areas covered makes success much more likely.

And - there's a company out there (the one you're now working with) who's lucky to have you - you're doing it right Nathalie! Best of luck with it all...

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Hi Lance, I do hope that "focusiness" is going to catch on. :)

Absolutely! Sometimes it can be important but there are more pressing matters that require our attention.

I think you're already well on your way, I know because I've read your writing, and it takes some motivation to get that out there and into the public's hands. :)

Happiness Is Better · 9 months ago

Hey Nathalie,

Great post! I've probably been shoveling clouds in the blogger portion of my life. I've been putting too much focus on putting my posts in the world of social media. I've cut a lot of that to put more emphasis on content. I've also started waking up earlier to put more time into writing.

-Dustin

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Hi Dustin,

I can totally see myself in your description of the blogging cloud shoveling. I've recently taken a more "content first" approach, and I'm already feeling the benefits. I like what I'm writing more, and it's more real than just another "top 10 ways to..." type of post. ;)

Keep up the awesome work!

GoEverywhere Team · 9 months ago

Organization is a big deal, and it becomes a bigger deal the less organized you get. What we sometimes miss is the need to not only organize our computer or our desk, but our thoughts.

A great tool that has helped me out quite a bit and helped me to avoid the cloud shoveling is my webtop that allows me to access everything with a single password.

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

You've got it: it's important to organize our thoughts too! :)

Mary/GoodlifeZEN · 9 months ago

I love the term 'cloud shoveling'! It's true that we are often moved to do what is least effective, instead of using our time to move things forward.

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Thank you Mary! Like you said, sometimes the stuff we chose to do might seem like a good investment for our time or energy, but it's not what moves us forward. :)

Daphne · 9 months ago

Nathalie,

I LOVE this post. I'm a big fan of concrete, actionable steps instead of fluff, and you've explained it so well here. Congratulations on getting the job too!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Thanks Daphne. :) From what I've read over at your blog, you're definition an action taking kind of girl. Way to go!

JustinSMV · 9 months ago

Great post here! Getting caught up in shoveling can lead to nothing being accomplished..I think you are an amazing consultant and your posts show that..your clients are lucky to have you!

Evelyn Lim · 9 months ago

I definitely like the idea of making our goals clear and specific. Taking concrete actions is better than spending too much time sitting around and not getting started. A 50-page report looks great on paper but has not much use if no action is being taken. Great post!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Thanks Evelyn. I agree, it's easy to twiddle our thumbs thinking we're making progress, when we're not doing the stuff that matters. :)

carla · 9 months ago

I sometimes fall into that trap (like today) by doing too much of the mundane tasks but not really getting much done. This is a good reminder for me to keep keep my eye on my goal - that would help me keep much of the "clutter" out.

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Don't worry Carla, I think it happens to everyone. My day has been about a lot of mundane tasks, but as long as I set some time aside for "the important stuff" I know I'll feel much more satisfied with my day. :)