The idea to finish everything in just one sitting is a great idea. My problem is then when something is done this fast I feel like it could not be great. My brain says when you are doing a project you need to give it time. Start, come back to it and again and again. I love this idea you are talking about and it is like parkison law but on steroids :D
I think making things "great" is fine AFTER you've figured out how to have a successful business! But I think getting that momentum by being fast and impatient at the start is key.
Great hack Jonathan! Your episode made me realize that the moments I got things done quickly in the past were when I gave myself a very short deadline (I have to get this done before 2 pm today). Challenge is to turn this into a habit and get this way of working in my system.
I like your workshop idea for helping individual consultants. Looking forward to hear more!
In the episode you talk about “just sitting down and getting stuff done”, and I feel that you’re referencing the very concept behind Design Sprints, which, in a way, made AJ&Smart: You sit down on a problem with a time boxed 5 days and commit to a prototype test at the end of the week. This works because unlike usual brainstorming, product discovery, scrum sprints, etc. are continuous efforts that remind you to do small pieces continuously (because big ones are expensive and risky) but the product is then “never done”.
The “just do it” approach works for anything in life really: todos, career building or personal/family stuff - life always gets in the way, and if you don’t have clear goals, you will drift with the flow outside your control.
Just wanted to share the observation, thanks for another “thinking piece”.
Hi Jonathan. Excellent episode! I've blocked off next week as a "focus week" in my calendar to push ahead with building my business. Inspired by your podcast, I will now be completing at least one "1-sitting activity" every day of that week. Fingers crossed.
Jonathan, you just inspired me to publish updates to my LI profile I worked on today. I set aside today to tighten my LI, but as always, I ended up with a long list of things that needed to be completed before I could actually publish anything: webpages created, testimonials collected, and God-knows-what-else. And I was listening to your podcast as I was wrapping things up for tonight and I just thought - seriously, a whole day for just edits to the profile! I can add those things later but I can publish what I have now. And that's what I did (new tagline and About section). And yes, some accountability - shit will always be happening and there is more that can be done. But if I don't do this fast I will have to take another unfulfilling job...
I like your idea of an in-person multi-day marketing clinic where you actually create your first funnel and all assets needed for it. Maybe you can throw in some in-person facilitation practice rounds and a professional photographer to take those action shots of you actually facilitating something IRL. What blocks me / slows me the most are assets, case studies and other credibility stuff: client names, testimonials.
Great episode, this really hit home. I do deep work in a few hours that have definitely been my best work. I created entire processes for companies in a single sitting that they used for years. I also worked with the same company to go in circles around something for 6 months until you're completely bored of it. I think 90% can be done with a great flow and push to get it done. The tweaking can come later if needed, but a push to get the major part of it done is most of the battle where you think you need a month.
For the workshop - I would definitely be interested in getting things done on the spot with coaching help. I think I'll actually ask our workshopper community in Berlin to do this as a test to push each other to work on something in an afternoon and get feedback and be forced to come out with a single goal completed.
Have you found that entrepreneurs are more scrappy when they need to be—like when they can’t make bank this month? I’ve heard multiple stories of “FUCK, we need money now!” and then they start to call and message people.
We need to schedule a bunch of small events for a new community. I thought the right way was to do it "organically", but just before listening, I decided I was just going be a weirdo and message everyone I knew this afternoon and see if I can just book a ton at once. After hearing about the ticket strategy, I feel like less of a weirdo.
Also, I just ran a Resolution Refresh a la Monica Krol's LDJ adaptation (Inner Circle post), and now I'm planning to add further instruction, "choose something you can set up in one sitting," to the last Create Experiments exercise.
So - I find this to be SUPER true. I can't always get stuff done in a day, but I DO get stuff done and it takes far less time than it pretends to take in our head. I also will make public announcements with dates included -- you have until that date or you will have egg on your face. AND I HATE TO LOSE.
Thanks for the tip -- From now on, I will also keep thinking about it.
The idea to finish everything in just one sitting is a great idea. My problem is then when something is done this fast I feel like it could not be great. My brain says when you are doing a project you need to give it time. Start, come back to it and again and again. I love this idea you are talking about and it is like parkison law but on steroids :D
WOW you win the award for fastest commenter!
I think making things "great" is fine AFTER you've figured out how to have a successful business! But I think getting that momentum by being fast and impatient at the start is key.
Yes I agree. I am like a recovering overthinker and this has given be food for thougth. Thank you!
Looking forward to seeing your first "one sitting" product!
Great hack Jonathan! Your episode made me realize that the moments I got things done quickly in the past were when I gave myself a very short deadline (I have to get this done before 2 pm today). Challenge is to turn this into a habit and get this way of working in my system.
I like your workshop idea for helping individual consultants. Looking forward to hear more!
I'd be interested to participate in workshop you mentioned
Great to hear! I still dont have a real plan for this, just some broad ideas
In the episode you talk about “just sitting down and getting stuff done”, and I feel that you’re referencing the very concept behind Design Sprints, which, in a way, made AJ&Smart: You sit down on a problem with a time boxed 5 days and commit to a prototype test at the end of the week. This works because unlike usual brainstorming, product discovery, scrum sprints, etc. are continuous efforts that remind you to do small pieces continuously (because big ones are expensive and risky) but the product is then “never done”.
The “just do it” approach works for anything in life really: todos, career building or personal/family stuff - life always gets in the way, and if you don’t have clear goals, you will drift with the flow outside your control.
Just wanted to share the observation, thanks for another “thinking piece”.
Jan
You're right actually! The Design Sprint is absolutely a "one sitting" style method!
Two things:
1. My business partner and I are the target for your doing it now workshop event. Would be interested.
2. The idea that 'Okay' is good enough - especially in the beginning - is something I need to remind myself way more often.
1. Great to hear!
2. Ok is definately better than not executing at all!
Love it!
Hi Jonathan. Excellent episode! I've blocked off next week as a "focus week" in my calendar to push ahead with building my business. Inspired by your podcast, I will now be completing at least one "1-sitting activity" every day of that week. Fingers crossed.
Jonathan, you just inspired me to publish updates to my LI profile I worked on today. I set aside today to tighten my LI, but as always, I ended up with a long list of things that needed to be completed before I could actually publish anything: webpages created, testimonials collected, and God-knows-what-else. And I was listening to your podcast as I was wrapping things up for tonight and I just thought - seriously, a whole day for just edits to the profile! I can add those things later but I can publish what I have now. And that's what I did (new tagline and About section). And yes, some accountability - shit will always be happening and there is more that can be done. But if I don't do this fast I will have to take another unfulfilling job...
I like your idea of an in-person multi-day marketing clinic where you actually create your first funnel and all assets needed for it. Maybe you can throw in some in-person facilitation practice rounds and a professional photographer to take those action shots of you actually facilitating something IRL. What blocks me / slows me the most are assets, case studies and other credibility stuff: client names, testimonials.
"In one sitting" is how I became a great customer to my osteopath 😂
Toilet restrictions aside though, I like this idea.
Great episode, this really hit home. I do deep work in a few hours that have definitely been my best work. I created entire processes for companies in a single sitting that they used for years. I also worked with the same company to go in circles around something for 6 months until you're completely bored of it. I think 90% can be done with a great flow and push to get it done. The tweaking can come later if needed, but a push to get the major part of it done is most of the battle where you think you need a month.
For the workshop - I would definitely be interested in getting things done on the spot with coaching help. I think I'll actually ask our workshopper community in Berlin to do this as a test to push each other to work on something in an afternoon and get feedback and be forced to come out with a single goal completed.
Have you found that entrepreneurs are more scrappy when they need to be—like when they can’t make bank this month? I’ve heard multiple stories of “FUCK, we need money now!” and then they start to call and message people.
hahaha actually yes, im similar :D
👊🏾
We need to schedule a bunch of small events for a new community. I thought the right way was to do it "organically", but just before listening, I decided I was just going be a weirdo and message everyone I knew this afternoon and see if I can just book a ton at once. After hearing about the ticket strategy, I feel like less of a weirdo.
Also, I just ran a Resolution Refresh a la Monica Krol's LDJ adaptation (Inner Circle post), and now I'm planning to add further instruction, "choose something you can set up in one sitting," to the last Create Experiments exercise.
So - I find this to be SUPER true. I can't always get stuff done in a day, but I DO get stuff done and it takes far less time than it pretends to take in our head. I also will make public announcements with dates included -- you have until that date or you will have egg on your face. AND I HATE TO LOSE.
Thanks for the tip -- From now on, I will also keep thinking about it.
You're so right, I also like to make public announcements that cannot be moved!