The Seed Sower Coach

Learning New Tricks

“We’re doing twice the work we used to do and getting paid the same.”

“This new machine’s not as good as what we had before.”

Are these common refrains from your work environment? Although we’re all no doubt busy, I tend to find that the underlying issues have more to do with technological frustration and change more than most other factors.

Consider the first statement, which essentially addresses the “do more with less” argument. It is entirely true that nearly all of us are and are required to be more productive than we were 20 or even 10 years ago. Yet, look at the tools that are now at our disposal. Computer speeds are faster than ever. A single cell phone has more capability than the early computers that helped us land on the moon. Groceries and other goods are delivered to our doorsteps often within a day or even hours of ordering. Scientists developed an immunization for a threatening and sometimes deadly virus in less than a year, far exceeding our expected standards.

So yes, most of us are doing more than we used to do, yet with the aid of technology. If we are still where we were in 2001, we have simply not kept up.

Still, learning how to Zoom, text, or even email can be uncomfortable propositions for many. The reward for first tackling the challenge and then succeeding at it can be immensely rewarding.

In my work in college football, basketball, baseball, and softball for ESPN I provide statistical data and observations to the “on air” broadcasters during the course of a telecast. Basically the job description summary is to share information during an event that will enrich the production and allow the announcers to come across as even more informed and up to date than they already are.

Although sports has slowly made a return during Covid, the broadcasts are different. For one, there may or may not be fans in attendance. Further, the on air talent may not even be present, announcing from a room or basement in their home or some other venue. The same goes for me: out of the events I have been assigned and worked thus far in 2021 all have been from my home office in Florida.

I recall my very first remote production a few months back. Admittedly not as technically proficient as I would like to be, I was overwhelmed at how I was going to adapt, produce quality information, and communicate it effectively. From that experience, I developed a step-by-step formula that not only worked for me, but that I believe can apply to many of the challenges any of us face to make them seem not so intimidating. If I may share:

1. First of all be grateful that the powers that be have demonstrated the confidence in your abilities to entrust you with the responsibility. They may very well see or know some things that are not so readily apparent to you.

2. The long-time question and adage of “how do you eat an elephant?, “one bite at a time,” is very helpful. Break the project down into smaller increments.

3. Seek advice next from those who may have some experience with the same or a similar challenge.

4. Begin tackling the undertaking from the perspective of what you do know. For me that translates to studying game notes and statistics from a variety of websites and transferring that information into the format and tools with which I have most familiarity.

5. Next, tackle the technology options that are most comfortable. For me that is Zoom. In my instance it also meant acquiring two laptops to begin with—one for the live game broadcast and another in which to communicate notes specifically to on air talent.

6. A third laptop was then to be added to the equation in order to receive “live” or current statistical information.

7. Assure that internet connectivity is strong and that there is reliable back up, such as a cell phone “hot spot” in order to remedy a communications void.

8. Speaking of the cell phone, it plays a role in continuing to serve as a communication device, however, through an app that allows the ability to talk to the announcers and production truck, much like a headset at an on site event.

9. Finally take a deep breath, say a prayer, have a good show, and feel gratified that you did it.

Resourcefulness feels good. These sophisticated times of ours also provide a reminder that none of us are ever too old to learn new things. It is good for me to get a taste of obstacles similar to those I task to my coaching clients.

What is the new challenge that you’re going to take on?

The Seed Sower

The 168 Hour Work Day

July 30, 2021

How often do we hear it said, “I wish I had more hours in my day?”

Recently a client remarked that I came across as calm, poised, and self-controlled. Before another word came to his lips, my immediate thought was how I had successfully fooled him, but that’s for another day.

Seriously, his next comment came in the form of a question and took me somewhat aback: “how do you plan out your schedule?” Rhetorically, I asked the same question of him in order to put his query into context. Our tools were eerily similar: paper daily planners with appointment times for each day, space to note assignments, and a prioritization level for each of those projects.

As I explained my system, I was suddenly surprised by the differentiation. It was not apparent on paper, but rather was predicated more by philosophy and actually perspective. Instead of considering my calendar a “daily” plan, I viewed it more from a “weekly” standpoint. As a result, rather than approaching time as a “24-7” I was addressing it as “168-1.”

Granted, there are necessary givens. Rest, for one, is needed daily and that tends to occupy about 30% of the week. There are also going to be times when rest does not come easily. Fortunately, there’s not anxiety about lack of sleep: there will be another chance to try again in less than 24 hours.

The need for nutrition and sustenance also factors into our time. A fairly liberal allowance will take up another 10% of the week in food prep and consumption. Personal hygiene and exercise can comprise 10% more of our syllabus. Add to that tending to our spiritual life, relationships, and friends and we’re probably now obligated to some 100 hours in a week. True, that’s a lot of time, but that still presents 68 more hours, or roughly the remaining 40% of our week.

First of all, I need to mention that self-employment is a great advantage providing scheduling flexibility. Still, the caveats of trying to deliver a high level of customer service still apply requiring copious self-discipline. My employer is the customer and the goal is to exceed their expectation in order to enjoy the privilege of retaining employment. Further I would add these ingredients:

1. A workweek for me typically begins late Sunday afternoon, and involves planning for the week ahead. An added benefit is that jump starts the week and alleviates some of the “Monday morning dread,” although I’m fortunate to love what I do.

2. A daily component is marketing and prospecting. Communications and correspondence is chiefly limited to the five “working” days of the week, in deference to potential customers and not engaging them on their weekends.

3. Appointments are scheduled at anytime as early as 7 am or as late as 8 pm, given that clients are scattered throughout each of the North American time zones. That does not connote a 13 hour day, however. Rather, times are spaced to allow opportunity for administrative work or personal activities during the course of a day. In addition, with two sources of secondary employment I am also factoring other work commitments into my schedule. During times of air travel, work can always be done on the plane.

4. Flexibility of scheduling also takes into consideration unanticipated interruptions. A plan cannot be so rigid that changing priorities are not adjustable. An unexpected encounter may well be a sacred intersection presenting itself, leading to a surprising and beneficial outcome.

5. I give exercise a high priority. Fortunately that also allows time for deep thought processing about potential ground to cover with a client, presentations to be prepared, or writing, such as this blog. I generally blog about every three to four weeks and usually break it up into several sessions of outlining, organizing, writing, polishing, and reviewing again before there is a finished product. Ideally I’ll do a blog in about an hour, although sometimes it may take as little as 45 minutes and another time two and a half hours.

6. I find the early parts of my weeks are generally heavily front-loaded so that by Thursday afternoon or Friday morning I am beginning to ease into the weekend.

7. Throughout the course of my week, I’ll continually examine the business. Aside from a scheduled appointment, what client merits contact? How am I measuring up to the mission of my business and the values I want to espouse? What administrative tasks are in the future that I am thinking about right now, that I might proceed with attending to now? What adjustments should be considered in order to remain not only focused, but fresh as well? What new lesson learned can be applied?

As is the case with each of us there are hills and valleys. That goes with anything that we cherish and enjoy. The greatest reward for me far outweighs those valleys, however, positively delighted when a client makes a discovery or comes to a resolution. Not far behind that is the honor that comes when someone seeks advice as did this recent client, his return gift being the impetus for this story.

The Seed Sower

Learning from a Podcast Master

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

Planting seeds of confidence . . .

The 168 Hour Work Day

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Learning from a Podcast Master

Kirk McCarley, The Seed Sower Coach

314-677-8779