If you’re feeling overwhelmed or that progress is slow, it may help to look back at last year, when you probably felt the same.
A good question to ask is “How much capacity do we have now, compared with this time last year?”
Ultimately, this question is about contribution and impact – are you getting more done, to a better standard, and with better results?
But look also at the available inputs:
- People and their skills
- Relationships inside and outside the organisation
- Your reputation and wider network
- Processes and systems that enable you to get more done with the same or less effort
- Money and physical resources
If your capacity is growing – if you’re doing more with the same or less resources or effort, if you have more good people working on the right things with increasing independence – you’re probably on the right track.
If it’s not – if you find yourself with fewer resources, fewer good people and partners, working harder but achieving less – it’s time to re-evaluate what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Most of all, it’s time to find friends and champions.
Such a simple question/observation but one I haven’t done before in this way. What a great way to do an end-of-year review with a team!
Thanks John! Yep, this is one that gives me hope amidst the madness : )