Scott Perry - The Process: How to Get Work Worth Doing Done

The Process

How to Get Work Worth Doing Done

Scott Perry

Copyright 2019 Scott Perry

All rights reserved.

A Shipping Machine

The only purpose of starting is to finish, and while the projects we do are never really finished, they must ship.Seth Godin

What is productivity, really ?

Its not just getting things done. Everyone gets all sorts of things done daily. After a day of doing things, most are exhausted, But some get remarkable work done every day and appear energized by the effort. Wouldnt you like to be like one of those people? I decided that I did.

Since graduating from Seth Godins altMBA program two years ago, I built a brand, on Amazon, and published over 100 blog posts and broadcasts.

This work fulfills me and serves others. And Im just getting started.

My family, friends, fans, and followers frequently refer to me as a shipping machine and ask, How do you do it?

In this little handbook, I reveal exactly how I approach every endeavor in which I choose to engage. Its a process that cultivates excellence while making a difference. An approach that you can start employing right now .

The Process helps you get the right things done with and for the right people for the right reasons.

Are you ready?

Lets go!

Love the humble art you have learned and take rest in it. - Marcus Aurelius

Preface - Whats it for?

If you dont know where youre going, any road will get you there. Lewis Carroll

Intent matters. It matters a lot .

The more clearly you state the purpose of your effort, the more likely you are to achieve it. The more clearly you define who your endeavor serves, the more likely that effort will impact them as you intend.

But what about when youre not sure about what to do or who to serve?

Answer the questions Whats it for? and Whos it for? as best you can. Sometimes the answer might simply be To figure out what and who this damn thing is about. Thats okay. Then do your best to do just that.

You can ask these questions about any idea or task. Its grounding. It encourages presence and mindfulness. It provides clarity, focus, and purpose.

I was introduced to this approach of asking Whats it for? and Whos it for? through Seth Godins online programs. I currently coach in two of them. I share these questions because they work.

If your work matters, you will face challenges. The answers to Whats it for? and Whos it for? will encourage resolve and resilience as you face them.

Whats this handbook for? To help you enhance yourself through work that elevates the lives of others. Whos it for? People like us engaged in endeavors that make a difference. See the power of these questions? They help you decide what and who is and is not, worth your time, attention, and talent.

Keep these two questions top-of-mind in everything you do. Theyll ensure your progress and your feeling of flourishing every step of the way.

Being clear about what we're doing and why is the first step in doing it better. - Seth Godin

Before You Begin - Agency

We should always be asking ourselves: Is this something that is, or is not, in my control? - Epictetus

When things are going your way, its easy to believe that how your work unfolds is entirely up to you. When things are not going your way, its seductive to believe that its someone or somethings fault.

Both approaches are self-serving and a bit delusional.

Agency can be as intoxicating as it is elusive. A healthy approach involves being honest about who is responsible and for what they are accountable.
The truth is, very little is within your control, but at the same time, you do control everything required to maintain your sense of well-being and prosperity.
You ultimately control two things. You decide how you choose to perceive yourself, others, and your circumstances. You also control what you do next.
Perception and action are yours to define. Everything else is beyond your control.
However, many things beyond your absolute control are within your influence.

Putting yourself on the hook for your choices, decisions, and actions may sound like a cause for anxiety, but its actually empowering. You get to select how you frame or reframe your situation and your relationships.

Do this with intention and integrity, and you have a chance to realize the change you seek to make. Regardless of the outcome, youll develop resilience and will.

Pay attention to what is, and is not, within your control as you step into whats next. Even more important, look for the opportunities and possibilities where you can influence the results you seek.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. - Viktor Frankl

Introduction to The Process

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. - Colin Powell

The process Im sharing is one I developed by emulating those creatives, leaders, and teachers whose work inspires and influences mine. Some of them are quoted in this handbook.

This process is also still a work in progress. Thats because work worth doing is never really done. Theres plenty of room in this process for you to pick and choose and create iterations that work for you.

The Process involves these five steps: Vision, Mission, Goal, Strategy, and Tactics.

These are terms you might use all the time. I find that they are often confused or conflated. I offer a working definition of each that serves the process and then the elements that make for a compelling statement of each.

The idea is to work from the big picture all the way down to the very next step with absolute clarity. Work worth doing is done with integrity and intention for the greater good. If your work enhances the lives of others, you too are served.

Heres a thumbnail description of each step:

Vision - the world you wish to live in and work toward.

Mission - the unique way youre positioned to help fulfill your Vision.

Goal - the next specific project your delivering to fulfill your Mission.

Strategy - the means or plan to achieve that Goal.

Tactics - the smallest viable steps to try and test for executing your Strategy.

I also included case studies based on my experience and that of historical or recognizable doers of work worth emulating. I also add tips for moving forward with the process efficiently and effectively. Finally, I conclude with a metaphor to help you stress less and thrive more in doing more work worth doing.

Now, lets unpack the process and start getting work worth doing done.

A good process produces good results. Nick Saban