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#ProdChat – 10/9/13 – Making Progress With Uncertainty

#ProdChat – 10/9/13 – Making Progress With Uncertainty

  1. Welcome to #ProdChat, the weekly #productivity conversation! goo.gl/Uk35l | Today’s Topic: “Making Progress With Uncertainty”
  2. So, let’s start with introductions! In a tweet, introduce yourself. #prodchat
  3. Many aspects of life create uncertainty when accomplishing projects and goals! Today, let’s discuss how to manage in uncertainty. #prodchat
  4. Q1: DO YOU MANAGE WELL WITH UNCERTAINTY? WHY, OR WHY NOT? #prodchat
  5. Expect heavier than usual tweeting from me for the next hour while I participate in this week’s #prodchat
  6. I do well if I have a clear objective. Sometimes in uncertainty you need to stop and understand the direction you will take #ProdChat
  7. A1: I do well if I have a clear objective. Sometimes in uncertainty you need to stop and understand the direction you will take #ProdChat
  8. Q2: HOW DO YOU HANDLE WAITING FOR OTHER PEOPLE? STAY PRODUCTIVE WHILE WAITING ON DECISIONS? #prodchat
  9. A1: I think I manage with certain kinds of uncertainty. LOL. I like “clear objectives” to use @apinaud‘s words. :) #prodchat
  10. @rsidneysmith A1: I tend to be impatient when uncertainty kicks in. I try to remain calm #prodchat
  11. A1b: However, sometimes moving in a general direction (even if it’s not clear-cut) can be liberating and exciting! #prodchat
  12. A2: The only thing that you can do while waiting for others is to track it & send reminders. Sometimes find someone else to do it #ProdChat
  13. Hey guys! Sorry I’m late. :) Michelle here… productivity enthusiast… #ProdChat
  14. @michgunn Hey, Michelle! We are slightly behind because of Twitterverse drag (read, API issues, methinks?). LOL. :-P #prodchat
  15. A1 managing uncertainty… I’ve learned to think through projects so I’m somewhat prepared for multiple outcomes. #ProdChat
  16. A2: If it’s essential to moving forward, I make a task to followup with that person on a regular basis until I get answers. #prodchat
  17. Totally agree! Need to have clear goal to be open to multiple paths! MT @apinaud: A1: I do well if I have a clear objective… #ProdChat
  18. @michgunn thanks it had been a long day. I wasn’t sure the words I pick works #ProdChat
  19. A2 I put the item on a “waiting for” list to remember to ping them about it at an appropriate interval if no answer by then #ProdChat
  20. A2a: A colleague has a knack for making decisions in absence of others and stating “you were indecisive; we had to move forward.” #prodchat
  21. A2b: Use that unilateral tactic with great discretion! LOL #prodchat
  22. Totally!! RT @apinaud: @michgunn thanks it had been a long day. I wasn’t sure the words I pick works #ProdChat
  23. Q3: HOW DO YOU MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE ECONOMY OR YOUR FINANCES BEING UNCERTAIN/UNSTABLE? #prodchat
  24. A3 if I wait for the economy and/or my finances to be certain and/or stable I may never do anything. So I act and don’t wait #ProdChat
  25. @rsidneysmith A3: I cut back on the more expensive items and purchase store brand supplies #prodchat
  26. +1RT @UbaTheDiplomat: @rsidneysmith A3: I cut back on the more expensive items and purchase store brand supplies #prodchat
  27. A3: A friend offered a budget strategy: If you have inconsistent income, take each and divide it by 12 months. Act accordingly. #prodchat
  28. @UbaTheDiplomat That’s a great strategy! Those store brand discounts can add up at the checkout total! #prodchat
  29. A3 I try to review my finances more regularly when things are unstable. Otherwise I forget to be conscious about spending #ProdChat
  30. @rsidneysmith Yep. Stores offer rewards programs that give discounts on items #prodchat
  31. A3 Also I assume always is and always will. So I use less than what I produce and pay attention to mindless expenses #ProdChat
  32. Like! MT @apinaud A3 I assume always is and always will. So I use less than what I produce and pay attention to mindless expenses #ProdChat
  33. A3: I have a habit of reviewing all balances (checking, savings and credit) every morning. I feel knowing is half the battle! #prodchat
  34. @rsidneysmith I have seen really highs and really lows. You do the best you can and act with common sense #ProdChat
  35. @apinaud I totally get that. I have watched many cycles myself…I tend to be much more on the reserved financial side. #prodchat
  36. Q4: WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT GETTING PROJECTS/TASKS MOVE FORWARD WHEN YOU’RE MISSING INFORMATION? #prodchat
  37. @rsidneysmith A4: I just have an assistant inform me on information missed and I move forward with the project at hand #prodchat
  38. A4 you will never have all the information you need. Sometimes you just need to move. 1/2 #ProdChat
  39. A4 Collect the info you can and make the best decision possible. Sometimes you need to act with the info you have on hand 2/2 #ProdChat
  40. A4: Best guess or hypothesis is not better than the real data to move forward, but sometimes it’s what you need to use. #prodchat
  41. A4 I try to keep the parts of the project not dependent on that missing info moving forward while following up for the info #ProdChat
  42. A4a: I inch-worm in those cases…move a little, see what happens, collect data, course correct, then move a little more. #prodchat
  43. A4 the most important think is not regret the decision when NEW information come to your hands. 1/2 #ProdChat
  44. A4 be kind and remember you took the best decision you could with the info/tools you had 2/2 #ProdChat
  45. A4 And if I’m missing info, but not sure what info is missing, I reach out to the people who might be able to fill in the blanks #ProdChat
  46. @michgunn That’s a great point! There’s usually someone you know that might have better information than you have at hand. #prodchat
  47. I’d also suggest the agile approach… take steps but reassess often. Then integrate the info as soon as you have it. #ProdChat
  48. Yeah. Learned that from managing projects I have no technical knowledge in… you have to rely on others to fill in the blanks :) #ProdChat
  49. Always asking The Google. ;) RT @rsidneysmith: A4: When it doubt, Google it. Lol. #prodchat
  50. @michgunn Good suggestion! Agile method can really be a huge help in those cases. Don’t be afraid of change. #prodchat
  51. Q5: WHAT PHYSICAL RESOURCES MAY BE UNAVAILABLE WHEN YOU’RE MAKING PROGRESS? WHAT DO/COULD YOU DO? #prodchat
  52. A4: Also, communities (like coworking spaces) where you can turn around & ask technical questions is great! cc @coworkingwiki #prodchat
  53. Right, but it also means you’re not forging forward with your head down & ignoring the input that’s continually coming in. #ProdChat
  54. A5 Well, for a remote project with no internet, you could pre-load your computer with all necessary reference materials. #ProdChat
  55. A5: I consider Web access a physical resource, so many times I need to download things locally so I have a backup in those cases. #prodchat
  56. A5 I used to keep a paper project file and bring it with for meetings. I could always lay my hands on the needed files. #ProdChat
  57. A5: I frequently need to print things and am on travel…I use ePrint (smartphone app). Brilliant. Plus FedEx Office & Staples. #prodchat
  58. A5 I tend to avoid paper. So Scan the info gets into my hand since I am #iPadOnly all gets there #ProdChat
  59. A5 people… assuming internet connection, you could always Skype/chat/g+Hangout/webex #ProdChat
  60. A5 I once had a software project with programmers in three different countries. We co-worked live on Skype. Brilliant!!! #ProdChat
  61. @apinaud I like the idea of having paper, but *also* having the digital version available so when I’m away from paper I have it! #prodchat
  62. @apinaud Ha! Today I was digital and ran out of power on all my devices (laptop, iPad, iPhone). #LeftMyPowerSupplyAtHome :( #ProdChat
  63. Q6: WHAT OTHER UNCERTAINTY HAPPENS IN YOUR PRODUCTIVITY? TWEET THEM SO WE CAN HELP WITH STRATEGIES TO MAKE PROGRESS. #prodchat
  64. A5: Also, with the new sharing economy, services like @ZipCar and such, allow you rent anything from your neighbors inexpensively. #prodchat
  65. @michgunn Forest Gump used to say Sh*t Happens. I charge my iPad every night no matter what. Usually the juice is enough #ProdChat
  66. @michgunn Oh, man! I hate when that happens. I wish there were power kiosks in cafes! #NYC #StartupIdea #prodchat
  67. @apinaud yeah, me too. I think iOS7 is killing my battery life. And my laptop needs an upgrade. Sadness. ;) #ProdChat
  68. A6a: My biggest uncertainty is my clients. If they have a *real* crisis and need me, I have to step in and manage… #prodchat
  69. @michgunn that happen to me in the iPhone. Too many location stuff active #ProdChat
  70. A6b: with usually limited information, because they cannot expain what’s wrong or why the crisis is happening. #prodchat
  71. A6c: I have created a checklist for questions to ask in each typical situation. It has helped reduce so much anxiety, etc. #prodchat
  72. Yeah. I turn that off to conserve sometimes.RT @apinaud: @michgunn that happen to me in the iPhone. Too many location stuff active #ProdChat
  73. @apinaud I’m thinking about buying one of those iPhone cases with a battery built into it. Have you tried one? cc @michgunn #prodchat
  74. @rsidneysmith I find client training on the back end of a project so helpful. And over communication during the project! #ProdChat
  75. @rsidneysmith @michgunn I try one on the iPhone 4. Mophie I think. I use to rely on it. Make the phone bulky #ProdChat
  76. @rsidneysmith @apinaud Seems like a good idea, but you lose the form factor of the phone. I’d rather carry a cord and plug. :/ #ProdChat
  77. @michgunn Yes! Client training on the backend creates a rate of compound return, so future issues can be streamlined! #prodchat
  78. @michgunn I don’t mind a bit of bulk, or at least carrying the case in case I need to grab it and put it on on-the-run. @apinaud #prodchat
  79. @michgunn @rsidneysmith I have one battery that I can use to charge the iphone. It isn’t a case, just an extra battery. universal #ProdChat
  80. @apinaud That’s always going to be an uncertainty! Learn to use that bit of British gov’t propaganda…”keep calm, carry on!” #prodchat
  81. @michgunn @rsidneysmith but when I am on the move, I miss the old case even if make the phone bulky #ProdChat
  82. @apinaud And, when they do “bad” things…just keep repeating, “I love my children. I love my children.” ;-) #prodchat
  83. @apinaud @michgunn I hear ya…sometimes having the phone plugged in creates friction for me…because I need to be on-the-go. #prodchat
  84. Exactly “@rsidneysmith: @apinaud And, when they do “bad” things just keep repeating, “I love my children I love my children.” ;-) #prodchat
  85. Thanks #productivity folks for today’s #ProdChat! Join us next week for another exciting topic with @apinaud guest-hosting!
  86. Well, guys, thanks for another fun #ProdChat! Sorry I was late, but glad I could join. :) See you next week. Have a great week!

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