Stop Trying to Fix Yourself. Fix the Process Instead.
Working towards and achieving our goals can be challenging. Sometimes, we think that we need to try harder, be more disciplined, be better somehow, and no matter how hard we try, our progress and results fall short. We may try different approaches and tactics but our results still fall short. There is a pitfall that we can easily fall into which is to think that if we can fix ourselves, we will become better, and then we will be able to achieve our goals. The flaw in this thinking is that it assumes that there is something wrong with us that needs to be fixed in order to succeed. This flawed thinking results in a never-ending journey to fix ourselves so that we become good enough, but no matter what skills and knowledge we acquire along the way, it’s never enough.
Instead of getting stuck in an endless pursuit of fixing ourselves, we need to start accepting ourselves the way that we are. We are not broken and we don’t need fixing. While we aren’t perfect, there is also nothing wrong with us. The real issue is that the processes that we have been following to achieve our goals don't work for us. The processes aren’t the right fit for the way that we are. We need a different process that works with our strengths and our weaknesses.
We need to assess our processes to identify which parts are effective and which parts are ineffective. A process is effective if it produces desired results for that step, stage, or milestone. It’s ineffective when it produces undesirable or suboptimal results. Once we have identified which processes are ineffective, we need to find or invent processes that work for us and produce the desired results. This can take some trial and error. We may need to get help from other people to invent the process or to be part of the processes.
Here are some variables to consider when searching for or creating a process that’s effective. Changing some of these variables may be the critical piece for turning an ineffective process into an effective one.
The time when a task is done. Some of us do certain types of tasks better at certain times or on certain days. One person may be best at creative work in the morning while another person is best at planning or goal setting on a Friday afternoon.
The physical environment influences us and either encourages or discourages certain behaviours. Choosing an environment that is conducive to our tasks helps with productivity. Consider the sounds, smells, aesthetics, and comfort of the environment. Are there distractions or temptations to do other tasks that need to be eliminated?
Some of us work better in different social environments such as collaboratively in a team or alone in a quiet office. If you work better with people, then forcing yourself to work alone is counter-productive. If you don’t have a team to work with, you can get help from others in the form of an accountability buddy, use a coworking space, or services such as Focusmate or Goove where people meet over a video call to set their set their individual work goals and they check on each other’s progress. There are other similar tools with different features.
Sometimes we take on projects and tasks that really require more people and we tricked ourselves into thinking that we could get it done with fewer people. We need to reset our expectations of what we can do and either change our plan and timeline or find people to join us to get the project or task done.
Sometimes we don’t know what to do and get stuck. Or we’re trying to accomplish the task without knowing what we are doing, resulting in mistakes and wasted time. We should seek out the information to learn what we need to through research, advice from people with experience, or advice from experts in that area.
It’s okay that we aren’t perfect or good at everything. Sometimes we need help from other people, tools, and infrastructure so that as a whole we are effective.
About this blog
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