Presentation at Global Tech Women Voices 2015 Conference

1. Strategies for Keeping a Laser Focus
on Your Vision
Without Going Crazy
Lisa Kaczmarczyk, PhD
Evaluation and Assessment Consulting
www.lisakaczmarczyk.com
@lisakaczmarczyk
Voices – March 9, 2015

4. I needed a strategy that:
Provides feedback
Supports boundary setting
Stresses prioritization
Is easy to maintain
Is flexible
Reduces stress
Drives the vision
Works day to day

5. 3-Level Activity Prioritization
Level 1. Ongoing Projects & Tasks
Level 2. Weekly Activities & Tasks
Level 3. Daily Activities & Tasks
Strategic Time Organization
for the Solopreneur Using:

6. 3-Level Activity Prioritization
for the Solopreneur
Level 1: Ongoing Projects & Tasks
(it’s more than a list)
Initial Creation: Hardest part, but not that hard
Maintenance: Simple; it’s a daily habit

7. Brain Dump all Projects
Leave nothing out – Categorize them
Professional - Current Concrete Projects
Project A
Project B
Project C
Personal - Current Concrete Projects
Project A
Project B
Future Projects (2 – 3 yrs out)
Project A
Maybe Sometime I’ll do this

8. Ongoing Projects
Example Brain Dump
Current Concrete Projects
Professional
- UX Speakeasy Board / Meetups
- Voices Conference
- Franklin School District – Evaluation
- SciComm
- Lacework Inc. - Evaluation
- ACM Inroads Magazine
- ACM Ed Council Diversity Task Force
…

9. Brain Dump all Tasks for Current Projects
Leave nothing out – Assign them
Professional
Project A
Task A
Task B
Task C
Task D
Project B
Task A
Task B
Task C

10. Brain Dump all Tasks
Leave nothing out – Assign them
Professional
Project A
Task A
Task B
Task C
Task D
Project B
Task A
Task B
Task C
What have I forgotten?
How many projects do I have?
What needs to be added?
Which ones generate income?
No Wonder I’m Going Crazy
Is it relevant to my vision?
Am I really working on it?
Should I keep it?

11. Ongoing Projects and Tasks
Example with Tasks Added
Last Reviewed & Revised: 2/27/2015
Current Concrete Tasks and Projects
Professional
- Voices Conference
- Test run logistics : March 2
- Finish slides: by March 8; send to DK
- Do presentation March 9
- Franklin School District – Evaluation
- Analyze spring Pre surveys
- Analyze spring Post surveys
- Write up Pre survey results
- Write up Post survey results
…

12. 3-Level Activity Prioritization
Level 1: Ongoing Projects & Tasks
Level 2: Weekly Activities & Tasks
(when the rubber hits the road)
Friday afternoon – last thing

13. Ongoing Projects and Tasks
On Friday identify priority tasks
Last Reviewed & Revised: 2/27/2015
Current Concrete Tasks and Projects
Professional
- Voices Conference
- Test run logistics : March 2
- Finish slides: by March 8; send to DK
- Do presentation March 9
- Franklin School District – Evaluation
- Analyze spring Pre surveys
- Analyze spring Post surveys
- Design interview protocol
- Schedule 6 interviews
…
Priority for the coming week

14. Priorities For Next Week
Franklin – Eval:
- Analyze spring Pre surveys : Tues, Wed
- Analyze spring Post surveys: Friday
Voices:
- Presentation: Monday
Inroads AE meeting
- Send out agenda: Tues
- Facilitate meeting: Wed
- Put up doodle for next meeting: Thurs
SBC legal workshop: Tues am
PRISM:
- Skype call: Wed
- Prep for call: Wed am
…
Write out Next Week’s Priorities

15. Instills Organization
Provides Insight
Creates Boundaries
Removes the Fluff
Allows for Scribbling
Chuck It Next Friday

16. 3-Level Activity Prioritization
Level 1: Ongoing Projects & Tasks
Level 2: Weekly Activities & Task Organization
(Friday afternoon – last thing)
Level 3: Daily Activity & Task Organization
(keeping it real)
(Every weekday afternoon – last thing)

17. Flexible
Focused
Fast

18. Clear what didn’t get done
Very satisfying
Chuck it at the end of the day
Flexible
Focused
Long Term Learning tool

19. Friends who think you don’t work
Dangers, Warnings, Pitfalls
Obsessive compulsive list procrastination
Expecting to
Get It PerfectNot asking for support
Talking to yourself
Back sliding

20. • Keep the Ongoing Projects & Tasks List Up to Date
• Weekly Activity Priority Generation: 10 Minutes
• Daily Activity List Generation: 5 Minutes
• Ongoing Projects & Tasks Updating: Mere Seconds

21. • Keep the Ongoing Projects & Tasks List Up to Date
• Weekly Activity Priority Generation: 10 Minutes
• Daily Activity List Generation: 5 Minutes
• Ongoing Projects & Tasks Updating: Mere Seconds
• Schedule Meetings F2F OUT - EVERY Day
• Know the 2 out of 3 Rule for when to hire help:
- You’re truly lousy at something
- Help saves at least 2: Time, Money, Stress

22. • Keep the Ongoing Projects & Tasks List Up to Date
• Weekly Activity Priority Generation: 10 Minutes
• Daily Activity List Creation: 5 Minutes
• Ongoing List Updating: Mere Seconds
• Schedule Meetings F2F OUT - EVERY Day
• Know the 2 out of 3 Rule for when to hire help:
- You’re truly lousy at something
- Help saves at least 2: Time, Money, Stress
Declare Certain Times Off Limits for Lists
Don’t Obsess Over Any Of This

23. 3-Level Activity Prioritization
Level 1. Drives the Vision
Ongoing Projects & Tasks
Level 2. The rubber hits the road and sticks
Weekly Activities & Tasks
Level 3. Keeps it real
Daily Activities & Tasks
Strategic Time Organization
for the Solopreneur using

24. It’s Your Vision
Be Laser Focused and Not Go Crazy
You Can

25. It’s Your Vision
Be Laser Focused and Not Go Crazy
You Can
Thank You