The Friday Recap: Use your Tools Well


This entire week we have been talking about tools that we can use to implement our data strategy. We spent a good bit of time reviewing data roadmaps, how to find help implementing them, and what to do to keep morale high.  Like Fridays in the past today we are looking inward.  How does all of this help me in my personal life?

If we take away all of the "business" stuff from a data strategy what do we end up with?  A plan to meet a goal.  In relation to work this goal has to do with moving the organization forward in some direction.  For us that goal provides benefit to ourselves and our families.  So if the data strategy is a plan for us to achieve a personal goal how do we use these tools in our personal lives?

  • Build the strategy.  The obvious first step is going to be laying out the strategy.  And where do we start with that?  We need to know what the goal is.  Do you want to move your family into your first home?  Are you ready to start your small business?  Sounds like it is time to talk to the stakeholders and settle on a direction the family is going.
  • Communicate.  You are all probably tired of me saying that word, but if you take anything away from me I hope it is the knowledge that you have to talk and listen to each other. Executing a personal strategy is no different.  If you are working towards your first home and the wife wants a baby there will be problems.
  • Lay out the roadmap.  Once your household is all on the same page with the end target it is time to document how you are going to do it.  Will you be cutting out extras like movies and dinning out?  Do you need to get up earlier to accomplish tasks outside of your normal routine?  Decide what tasks everyone will be taking and write it down.  
  • Review your progress.  Once you have started working on the tasks on the roadmap make sure to circle up with the family regularly to check on progress.  By tracking each members progress you will know where to focus when there are issues.  This is also a great time to evaluate if you are all still pointed at the same goal or if the strategy needs to be adjusted. 
  • Get help when needed.  At times we may be hitting a wall when we are trying to make progress on our goals.  Maybe we need to level up our skills to get the next job, or we need guidance on how to get that next lead.  If our knowledge is limited then it is time to start looking for resources.  Maybe a family member has been successful at what you are trying to do, or maybe there is a web forum that has the steps that you need already broken out.  The good news is there is an abundance of information out there, and the bad news is that there is an abundance of information out there.  Take your time at this step and evaluate your choices before you act.  And remember if someone is offering you something that seems to go to be true, it probably is....
  • Prepare for the disappointment.  There is not way around the ugly truth that in our personal lives we will face setbacks and other disappointments.  Dealing with imperfect people will always cause issues but if we go in knowing that we may have to adjust our processes or extend our timelines we will fair better.  We have to be flexible with the path we take to get to the end result.  We can also use the same techniques as we would in the office.  Lets make our mile markers small, maybe even very small at the start.  Lets start getting some fast wins early to build that momentum that we will need when we get to the mountain.  And do not forget to celebrate those wins.  Maybe you take the family out to dinner when you hit one of them or how about a movie night?  The family will certainly share in the losses so make sure they also share in the wins.
At the end of the day your family is why you drive data strategies so hard.  All of the things we do at the office is for them.  Remember to give them the same amount of fire.  Work towards your families goals with the same intent as your business goals and you will achieve them.  With communication and by sharing in the wins and losses your family will grow closer and closer.  Soon you will find that you have a team behind you as you pursue your personal goals far stronger than your business team.  With your family supporting you nothing will stop you.

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