“Forget It! What’s the Point?” 5 Insights for Getting Things Done with Ease, Grace and Joy

Over the last 3 weeks, I launched my second book, “Forget It! What’s the Point?” on social media and then live in Jamaica. I am now into full execution mode for my book tours. It’s a great time for me to stop and reflect on my journey with this book over the last year or so, and some of my insights that I believe are relevant to leaders about implementation – or as I prefer to say, getting it done.

The book is the culmination of my Creative Writing program at the University of Toronto. I presented my submission to the review panel in January upon which I was awarded my certificate. A big exhale and celebration – and then straight into getting it ready for publication. And now I have published – another big exhale and celebration – but wait! There’s more, much more – I have to market it! Anyone who has ever written and published a book will know there are a maelstrom of details that drive big-picture, detail-averse people like me, crazy. And, I muse, it’s the same with the implementation of any project or plan – the “devil is in the details”.

But I wanted to share my stories, so my aversion to baby step by baby step planning took a backseat. And that’s my first insight:

1. What is your why? Why did I so desperately want to publish this book? When I published my first book in 2007, there was one HUGE, compelling WHY – to give my mother the most amazing 90^th birthday present. This WHY, drove me past any obstacles with ease, as it was so compelling. What was the WHY of this new book? It is this: to share my experiences of letting go and claiming joy so that others might look at their lives, see what’s holding them back, let them go and be free and joyful. I pondered doing a Part 2 “how to”, after presenting my stories as Part 1. But decided against it, as a big part of my WHY, is helping people to look at their lives and come up with their own solutions.
   • Insight for leaders: When you are planning the implementation of projects and initiatives, make sure to figure out and articulate the big WHY as that will keep you and your team focused and motivated when challenges arise (they will – guaranteed).
2. Milestones: My coach, Nick, was amazing at pinning down my milestones and making sure that they were aligned with my launch date. In our fortnightly calls, if I reported missed milestones, he would refocus me with this question: “So how does this affect your launch date?” and then we would rework the milestones.
   • Insight for leaders: set your milestones and make sure they are aligned with your ultimate completion date. Make sure that your team knows (best to set those milestones with them) and that you review regularly. And if you miss a milestone, know that it’s not the end of the world. Recalibrate, with the ultimate end date in sight
3. Detailed task lists: I am a list-lover. I thrive on lists as it’s my way of dealing with my detail-aversion. But this project took my list-making to a totally different level. Nick insisted on every item being noted – nothing was left to chance – even “Buy outfit for launch” became a “to do” item. Thanks Nick for allowing me to go shopping guilt-free!
   • Insight for leaders: Create detailed task lists. Drill every item down to its minutest detail. That way, you leave nothing to chance. And there is great satisfaction in checking off those micro-tasks as they are complete. “Progress is happiness.”
4. What’s non-negotiable? It was my dream to have Archbishop Desmond Tutu write my Foreword. I had no other name on the list. I remember Nick asking me: “So if the Archbishop can’t do it, who do you want?” I replied: “There will be no foreword.” And I was very comfortable with that. (the book has a foreword).
   • Insight for leaders: Make sure that you are your team understand what the non-negotiables are. This ensures that you do not waver if challenges arise, because you and your team are already clear on what you will do/not do.
5. Ease, grace and joy! Throughout the process, I affirmed ease, grace and joy DAILY and for every task! If I felt my energy lagging, noticed worries creeping in, or a milestone or task was seeming impossible, I exhaled and affirmed: Ease, grace and joy. And that’s exactly what happened.
   • Insight for leaders: As you lead your team through a project, make sure that you take care of your own mindset, and manage your energy. If you are feeling stressed, the team will feel it.

I often find that when a client completes their Strategic Plan, after a rigourous, stimulating yet tiring process of consultation, brainstorming, analysis, collaboration and decision-making, there is a loss of momentum. Incorporating the above into your implementation will keep you and your team on track, and get the job done.