I used to think I was hot stuff (I typically, at least in my head, use a different word for “stuff”) – my youth, arrogance, and straight-up ignorance fueled my pride, ego, and wiped everyone off the boards before I would give them time and attention.
Something has changed, dramatically, and I’m not sure when it began but I think I like it (thank God!). You see, I woke up this morning, hopped in the shower, and began planning out my day as well as what I was planning on writing and publishing as well as the teams that I have to lead and inspire.
I thought about all the things that I had going on as well as all the things that needed to get done. I realized my list was about 10-12 explicit things that needed answers so that I could continue to move forward, build momentum, and kick serious tail.
The problem was that I didn’t have any of those things answered and I had no idea how to solve them – not even a hint of an idea. I realized that my schedule for the day was covered with nearly 100% ambiguity and I didn’t know jack.
I just hung my head and I realized that most of my job is dealing with exactly that: Not knowing much about anything and managing ambiguity and trying to piece together some sort of coherent vision, strategy, and a plan of execution.
When the heck did it all get twisted? When did this change occur? At one point I thought I had it all together (when I thought I was hot sh*t) and that I had a solution for nearly everything but looking back on the last few months I’ve been operating in shades of gray.
Things are getting done but the amount of times I could say that I knew what was going on is really at an all-time low.
Like I said, I really like it, but this morning was one of “those” mornings when you wake up a bit differently and you see a bit more clearly about what’s really going on. I’m not shocked by reality and I didn’t slip and bump my head – I just had a brief moment of clarity as I shampooed my hair.
There are times when we’ve got everything figured out and when things are humming along like a Formula One race car and then there are times when you realize that your still in the race but the Formula One car has been replaced by your grandmother’s cadi – but you’re still asking the deville to go 220mph.
Or something like that.
Have a great Friday folks. Work through ambiguity and be the hot stuff that you really are – just don’t fool yourself in believing that you’ve got it all figured out; you don’t, and that’s ok. Love it.
Great *stuff*, John.
I love the challenges of ambiguity and the adrenaline rush of having no idea what I’m doing, but still needing to DO something.
Godspeed today. I’m sure it will be epic.
Ha ha, welcome to my world. Graphic artists spend half their time trying to get things from people so they can get started on the work! It can be tiresome, but once it comes and you get to get started, you have a short memory and suddenly love what you’re doing! And now, onto my 170+ advertiser phone calls I have to make… all trying to retrieve the parts and pieces to design ads with!
Happy Friday!!!
This reminds me of something Jared Spool recently said on Quora: http://www.quora.com/Jared-Spool/Posts/My-answer-to-How-do-I-become-a-Usability-Expert
There are people who claim to know everything. And there are people who are constantly trying to figure stuff out.
I’m definitely in the latter group, and totally okay with it.
Thanks for the post!
There’s no way I cannot have an awesome Friday because I’ve been waiting for this day all week and now it’s finally here.
What??? You mean you don’t always have your crap together? What happens if the teams that look to you for leadership find out?
Chris
I think people who have the courage to admit they don’t know everything are the ones who learn, grow, and ultimately accomplish the most.
Besides, in the unknown lies adventure. Keep trying to figure things out John!
Is it okay if my wife thinks I’m hot stuff?