by Shawn | Apr 28, 2021 | Podcast
If life is like a box of chocolates, then my head is often like a lottery ball hopper. You know that hopper with all the 42 balls or whatever and they’re all bouncing around in there. And then, suddenly, one of them finds its way to the magical exit tube and floats up and then out the chute.
That’s kind of like ideas for me.
I never know when an idea is going to float up out of the tube and into my brain.
And if I don’t have a good way to grab a hold of it then it might just drop back down into the hopper.
If you’re like me at all, sometimes one of the biggest challenges is not necessarily coming up with an idea, but capturing ideas and being able to actually do something with them.
So I thought I’d at least share some of the ways I’ve done that… and it is always evolving, but I thought maybe some of these might be helpful. And I’d love to hear what you do as well. I know a lot of you have some great thoughts on this.
Here goes. And a quick note. This system goes for new ideas that pop up as well as reminders and notes I need to remember through the day.
So, I kind of look at my idea retention system like some kind of fleet where there is a mother ship and then reconnaissance ships.
My mother ship is my laptop or desktop. That is where I both process information from the reconnaissance ships as well as enter some information straight up as well.
My reconnaissance ships on the other hand take many forms.
– My phone
– A notepad
– A sticky note (I love these — check out episode 11 to find out why).
– Even writing on my hand in a pinch.
The purpose of the reconnaissance ships is to gather the information, capture the ideas and thoughts and bring them back to the mother ship to be processed.
Let’s talk about each of these.
My phone, as you’d imagine is used in a few different ways.
The nature of my job in manufacturing is that I’m often on our plant floor looking at a machine or troubleshooting and investigating a quality concern.
More often than not, I’ll take a picture to capture some of these things since… you know… a picture is worth… I think it used to be a thousand words but I’m not sure how inflation has affected that over the years. Just to say, a picture fills in a lot of gaps that words can leave behind.
I love that I can grab whatever detail I want with my phone’s camera, including slow motion video or whatever will help capture that thought or idea. When I get back to my desk, I’ll connect up my phone to my computer to put those pictures in a folder or at least log the notes or ideas in my log. I’ve also sometimes just synced my photos over as well.
I also use my phone to capture ideas via Evernote or Trello. Check out episodes 23 and 33 for more on those. Trello is probably my go-to here for quick ideas where Evernote I might use to dictate a longer note.
I also carry a notepad around. I may use it for notes but sometimes more to sketch out ideas on paper that would be harder for me to verbalize.
Same thing. When I get back to my desk I’ll transfer those into action in some way.
Sticky notes are similar. If someone stops by or I get a phone call I may just use the sticky note as an intermediate way to grab that idea or note and then
And then if I have to I’ve even written notes on my hand.
Then, when it comes to an organization system for processing the ideas and notes, I have a master Excel file with both a log tab and an interactive To Do tab. I use the log tab to enter notes, decisions, and general things I might want to search for later.
The To Do tab is my place for putting specific items that I want to knock out or address later. It has a lot of functionality that you’d find on some apps (due dates, assigning hours, etc), but I like it because I have total control over how it functions and can adapt it as my needs change.
For some things, I’ll also keep a Trello board going as well. I have one for general household things I know need to get done or remembered as well as a few other simple ones with ideas for podcast episode topics or resources.
So, there you have it. Like I said, though it’s always evolving the one main thing is that I’m one way or another able to capture that idea or thought that pops up before it vanishes forever into the depths of my brain.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. You can shoot me an email at shawn@shawnwashburn.com.
I’d love to connect: website / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
by Shawn | Apr 27, 2021 | Podcast
Today is a special day. It’s my birthday. I guess it fits since life is a process and full of relationships with people.
Either way, I wanted to take a few minutes to just share some thoughts on this day. 48 thoughts to be exact. One for every year of life. Enjoy.
48 Thoughts About Life From 48 Years of Living
1 Don’t be afraid to change. You never know what can happen on the other side of fear.
2 Don’t waste your life trying to like kale chips. Spoiler alert: you never will.
3 Enjoy beating your boys in basketball when they’re little. Once they’re bigger than you, it won’t happen very often… but it will still happen
4 Take time to do the things you enjoy. It will energize you in ways you didn’t anticipate and fill your tank.
5 Friends are a gift. Find ones that value you and build into those relationships.
6 Listening is a skill. It’s not about just hearing words, it’s about caring about the one who is sharing them.
7 Eating green beans as a kid won’t keep you from going bald. And sometimes bald grandpas lie to their grandsons. Just saying. #baldisbeautiful
8 Rainbows are like a glimpse into an alternate universe.
9 I’ll always be amazed by how a newborn comes out and can put a death grip on your finger without even trying.
10 Laughter truly is the best medicine. Next time you’re down, watch a movie or youtube clip that will make you laugh until you cry.
11 No matter how you’ve screwed up today, tomorrow is always a new day with new opportunities to make things right.
12 Question the status quo. Be willing to step on toes when they need it. This is where breakthroughs happen.
13 Learn about the Five Love Languages and how you’re wired. It will help you understand so much of life and relationships.
14 Don’t let the fact that “someone is already doing it” keep you from trying something new. If ten different pizza places can coexist in a small city, then there’s room for your take on your idea.
15 Being a dad can be hard and you may not know if you’re doing it right. Just pray, love well, be there, encourage and know that those seeds will grow.
16 Always believe that there are things you can learn. From any situation. From anyone. At any time.
17 You were created for a reason. You were God’s idea and your value comes from Him. No one can take that from you.
18 When you feel like giving up, don’t… yet. Pray first. Seek wise counsel. Sometimes we need to end things. Other times we need to push through.
19 I believe in Heaven, all food will be fried but will also be good for you. It just makes sense.
20 I think parts of Heaven will look familiar. I believe that the best things about Earth will be in Heaven. Just without all the junk.
21 When this world fails to satisfy us, disappoints us, lets us down… as C.S. Lewis puts it, “the most probably explanation is that we were made for another world.
22 Always be curious. Never stop asking why. Turn over the rocks in life and see what is underneath them. Find out what makes the world tick.
23 Encouragement is one of the greatest forces we possess. You never know the power of your words to change the course of someone’s day… or even their life.
24 Be a reader. Learn from your peers, from those who have gone before, from those who think differently than you. Be willing to be challenged.
25 If you’re feeling stuck, try a new perspective. Go take a hike, go for a drive, take a walk. Spend some time away. Then approach with new eyes.
26 Marriage is a blessing. And marriage can be tough. Give the benefit of the doubt. Love well. Always put your spouse first. Don’t hold grudges.
27 None of those things are easy. But worth it. Even if you feel like the only one fighting for your marriage, don’t give up. Keep loving and trusting.
28 Make plans. But make them subject to change. Don’t miss the journey on the way to your original destination.
29 Sometimes this world won’t make sense. Remember that it is a broken world and not how it was designed to be.
30 Bacon is amazing. That’s it.
31 I’m a few years past 45, but Five for Fighting was right that I often feel like I’m “chasing the years of my life” (from their song 100 Years)
32 When I feel lost in life, God always brings me back to the Bible. Everything I need to hear is there if I’ll listen.
33 Music has a way to move us that few other things can. Let it move you.
34 We were made to create by a Creator. It’s in our DNA. Whatever that is for you, get busy and do your thing. Share your gift with the world.
35 Forty eight thoughts is a lot. I thought I’d be done by now, but I’ve still got thirteen more. So here goes…
36 If you love someone, don’t waste an opportunity to let them know. You don’t know which time might be your last.
37 Never forget your firsts. They hold a special place in your life. First car. First job. First love. First time eating bacon (which might have been your first love).
38 Don’t be selfish with what you’ve learned. Find people coming behind you to build into. Teach, encourage and inspire.
39 Look for opportunities to serve. And then do so without expecting anything in return.
40 Take risks. Try something new. Push your boundaries. Mental and physical.
41 Take time to rest. Take a nap. Sleep longer. Don’t over commit. Unwind.
42 No one will understand you like Jesus. No one will give as much for you as He already has. No decision will be as important as following Him.
43 Begin each day by surrendering your plans and asking God what’s next. You never know how He’ll impact your life or others in the hours that follow.
44 Treasure your kids. Find out what makes them unique. Love them where they are, unconditionally. Be there for them. Have fun with them. Listen to them. Laugh with them. Trust them. Lead them.
45 Life is happening all around us. Slow down or you’ll miss it.
46 Make a difference in life. Leave a lasting imprint in the lives you encounter.
47 Trust God
48 Also, trust yourself. More often than not, your gut feeling is the right one. Go with it.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. You can shoot me an email at shawn@shawnwashburn.com.
I’d love to connect: website / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
by Shawn | Apr 21, 2021 | Podcast
So, there is something that drives me crazy. I’ll admit it.
It’s when I’m doing something in the kitchen and I find myself getting back to the counter from the fridge only to realize that I forgot to grab something when I was there.
So I go back to the fridge, get the thing, and then get back to the counter and shake my head because I also forgot that other thing from the pantry right next to the fridge.
So, it’s back to the pantry, back to the counter, back to the fridge… on and on.
I think it’s the inefficiency that kills me. The thought that I just wasted that time and movement when I could have cut out some steps.
And the same thing happens every day in businesses across the world.
Today, we’re going to look at the Waste of Excess Motion.
In episode 13, we introduced the concept of the 8 Wastes, a Lean Manufacturing idea that splits up the different kinds of wastes in our organizations into eight specific areas.
The waste of motion is a biggie because when your processes are causing your people to move more than they need to to accomplish a task, not only is it taking extra time but it’s also sometimes taking up more floor space and adding excess movement as well.
Each of those ultimately take small bites out of your productivity that add up over time and attack your bottom line.
So, what are some ways you can start to reduce this waste of motion?
Before I answer, let me say that there are both physical applications to this as well as electronic.
Let’s start with the physical.
Take a look at a physical workspace or process in your business. Think about anywhere where people have to move in some way to accomplish a task.
Maybe you have people manually assembling parts. Look at the layout of their work center and see if there is a way you could rearrange their machines or their stations to cut down on their motion. Could you move things closer or change the order of operations to help them be able to batch more of their movements?
Or maybe there are processes in your organization that require you or someone else to walk farther than is needed. Could you rearrange office layouts or change procedures to eliminate the need to deliver papers around? Could a call or slack message take the place of an in-person visit? What if your team member could take better pictures or visually communicate an issue to save a meeting or visit?
Now think about your own physical office and desk. Could you rearrange files or items on your desk to reduce your motion? Could you move those post-its or pens, your files or reference sheets?
And finally (and we may certainly revisit this one later), what about your computer. Your desktop, file system, email folders and emails? We may only be talking about your mouse moving and clicking and not so much physical movement, but there could honestly be more wasted here than anywhere. Hunting for files or emails. Excess clicks or moves because structure could be improved. More automation and intuitive files like… you know… your Excel files (shawnwashburn.com/excel).
If you don’t do anything else today related to all of this, at least try to put on your “wasted motion” glasses and let yourself see everyday activities in this new light.
Then make it a goal to try to attack just one area this week. Then one next week. Etc. And you’ll start to see that you’ll gain momentum and see some really improvements in your productivity and efficiency.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. You can shoot me an email at shawn@shawnwashburn.com.
I’d love to connect: website / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
by Shawn | Apr 20, 2021 | Podcast
On today’s episode, I’m excited to introduce the first of many guest answers.
Today’s guest is my good friend Kent Sanders. Kent is a ghostwriter and host of the Daily Writer podcast. He is a gifted writer and his podcast is a great source of daily encouragement, inspiration and wisdom for anyone who wants to grow in their writing. Kent’s also just a great guy as well.
Today’s topic is email. Email, though it can be a powerful communication tool, can also be a struggle sometimes and make itself a bigger hassle than it’s worth. I asked Kent for some tips that can help business leaders be more effective in their email writing. Here’s what he said:
[KENT ANSWER]
I really appreciated Kent’s tips and they already gave me some things to think about as I thought back on some of the emails I sent out this past week… and cringed a little bit :).
I encourage you to check out Kent’s podcast, The Daily Writer, on your favorite podcast player. I like it because it’s just a few minutes each day but he always has something new and thought provoking to share. And if you’d like a good community to help you go deeper with your writing, check out his Daily Writer Community out at dailywriterlife.com
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. You can shoot me an email at shawn@shawnwashburn.com.
I’d love to connect: website / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
by Shawn | Apr 19, 2021 | Podcast
Today, we’re going to have a little fun and this episode is going to be a little bit longer than normal. Today, we’re going to talk about the workforce solution you didn’t know you needed.
Right now, as you hear this very sentence, there is a business office that is struggling. Maybe it’s yours.
You’re struggling to find the right team member. You’re looking for someone with confidence, curiosity and determination who can come in and transform the way you do business.
Meanwhile, across the country (or maybe just around the corner), there is a young mom of a toddler that is also struggling.
She is struggling with the tiny human that has come in and turned her life upside down… both with his cuteness that melts her heart and with his insatiable appetite for destruction that melts her energy and hope.
COINCIDENCE?
It’s not hard to look at these two situations and see that there is a perfect solution for both parties staring us, defiantly and with a little jam smeared on his cheek, right in our face.
What if?
What if that toddler is exactly the kind of worker that your office needs?
And what if the toddler being out of the house is exactly what that young mom needs right now?
I’d like to propose 3 reasons why the toddler would be a great fit for any office… and 1 reason why they wouldn’t
1. TODDLERS ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS
The very thing that drives every parent of a young one crazy is the exact same skill set that is missing in so many workplaces.
They’re willing to ask “Why?”
It’s the power of asking questions that is so often missing in our current workforce.
Good questions are preferred, but in this day and age, any questions will be accepted.
We live in a world where fewer and fewer people know how to dig deeper, to do a little investigative work or to solve a problem or come up with something new.
Often, when encountering a roadblock or just a tedious task, typical employees just rely on their own personal Google (read “supervisor”) to solve everything for them.
Rather than ask “why didn’t that work?” or “why do we do things this way?” or “what would happen if…?”, they just plod through and try to get things done, inefficiently or not at all.
But that toddler… oh man… what that little boy could do for that office.
From day, one he’d stagger in there, look around and start firing off “Whys” like bullets from his pint-sized six-shooter.
“Billy, you need to fill out a PRN before you can do the TFSP, but you need to use that computer there…” “Why?”
“Billy, that’s just the way we’ve always done it…” “Why?”
“Billy, you can’t just eat the sugar right out of the packets…” “Why?”
A toddler would be that disruptive force that would bring about real change by questioning the status quo and allowing people to re-imagine what their work could be like.
He would be awesome.
2. TODDLERS ARE WILLING TO SAY NO
If asking “Why” is a toddler’s peanut butter, then loudly proclaiming “No” is their jelly.
Like a 25 pound prize fighter, “No” is like their upper cut to their question-asking jabs. “Why, why, why….NO!”
Knockout.
One skill that can be hard to master for most people in the workplace is this very ability to say “no”.
We all want to be helpful, to go the extra mile, to do our part.
But along the way we add on extra tasks to an already full plate, thinking that we can do it all.
Or we agree to a deadline that we know we can’t meet to try to make someone happy or to look good in their eyes.
But too often all of this leads to the opposite. Deadlines get missed, workers get stressed, the workload falls off the overloaded plate and onto the floor.
And that’s where the toddler comes in.
First, they will eat that workload straight off the dirty floor because that’s what they do.
But then, they will begin to do one of the things that they do best. Say “No”.
They’ve been practicing this skill since they could first speak the word….
“Billy, let’s get your shoes on…” “No!”
“Billy, stop throwing spaghetti on the wall…” “No!”
“Billy, it’s time to go to bed…” “No!”
Drop Billy into that office and he’d have no problem working efficiently and staying focused and on-time.
“Billy, I know you’re trying to finish the Miller project, but can you give me a hand with this?…” “No!”
“Billy, I need you to come to this two hour meeting where we’re going to plan out what we’re going to discuss in our four hour meeting next week…” “No!”
“Billy, we just had to order another case of glue because you ate the last one. We need you to stop…” “No!”
Billy would be the “Noer” that you’ve needed in your organization, to
Billy would rock that.
3. TODDLERS ARE PERSISTENT
Often our greatest breakthroughs come right after we’re about to give up… but don’t.
Unfortunately, many workplaces like yours can struggle to build that into the culture. To not give up when things get tough.
That’s when the best ideas often come — when we’ve exhausted the “logical” solutions or feel like there just isn’t a solution at all.
That’s when innovation dips into our decisions, our conversations, our meetings and when change truly happens.
When that persistence is missing, things just stay the same, productivity slowly takes a nose dive and companies aren’t as able to offer their best to their customers.
But where can you get someone with that kind of “not-back-down” attitude?
Enter our little friend the toddler.
Toddlers have a will like no other and will keep banging against that wall until it comes down or they get what they want.
They’ve never met a roadblock that they didn’t think they could get past.
Drop them into your office and sick them on your toughest project and they will push and strain and plug away until it gets done.
Barriers, rejection and resistance just seem to melt in the wake of the determined toddler.
They will get their way. And if you can get them on board with your company’s mission, they will wear down anything that opposes them.
Just ask anyone in your office who has ever had a toddler taking up residence in their house, or holding a standoff in the busiest part of the mall… or at bedtime.
Yep, toddlers have exactly the type of “don’t give up” attitude that is needed today to keep your team and initiatives moving in the right direction.
Okay, so, even though toddlers bring with them these three awesome strengths, there is still one big drawback:
TODDLERS ARE MESSY
I’m not exactly sure how to put this, but toddlers like destruction.
Imagine a tornado meeting an earthquake and having a baby. A literal baby.
Unleash that offspring into your office and within minutes every drawer will be ransacked, every door opened, office supplies everywhere, plugs unplugged coffee spilled, and more….
That new little teammate will jump from one crime scene to the next, giggling all the way.
Oh, your vendor brought in donuts? Oh, I think you meant sugar-coated, smashed up floor pucks.
New box of paper clips? Wonder how many can he stick into your USB ports at once.
New cartridge of ink toner? I won’t even describe what’s about to happen there.
You get the picture.
If you can survive the mass destruction and weather that storm, the upsides will far outweigh the mess. I think.
Well, there are still some barriers to all this. Child labor laws, ADA for toddlers in the workplace, purchasing all shatterproof equipment.
But, boy, once those are in place, just find your nearest frazzled toddler parent and you’ve got your next great employee ready to come in and make things happen.
Just make sure you get stocked up on the Cheerios first.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode. I’d love to hear from you. You can shoot me an email at shawn@shawnwashburn.com.
I’d love to connect: website / LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
