[CCU] #63 Valuate Your Progress

VALUATE

When
I first started to write this newsletter, I suddenly began to wonder if VALUATE
really was a word. Yep! It is. Phew! Thought I might have hallucinated it.

Anyway,
my Canadian Oxford Dictionary tells
me Valuate is a transitive verb and is related to the words valuation and
evaluate. Naturally, I wondered, "What
the heck is a transitive verb?" Boy that took 6 readings to understand –
now I remember why: a) I hated grammar, and b) never conceived of being a
writer.

Here’s
your grammar lesson (feel free to skip this bit). Transitive verbs are verbs
that have or require a direct object, e.g. I saw (verb) the house (direct
object of the verb). Whereas intransitive verbs do not require or have a direct
object, e.g. look (verb) at the sky (object). Clear as mud, right. Truthfully,
I can’t see (verb) the difference (object) between the two. 😉

Okay,
back on track.

The
ability to valuate or measure is critical to your career. Why?
<!–
D(["mb","

\n

Think\nabout it. When you plan a trip, for that matter any kind of journey, you have a\ndestination. You certainly want to get there. And, you have a plan – and likely\na map. \n

\n

Well,\nthe same is true with your Creative Career. You've created a career PLAN. You\nhave an objective, a destination in mind. You have a path you're going to\nfollow. And, you may have created some kind of map to guide you. \n

\n

Now\nyou're about to start down that path. Wouldn't it be useful to know that as you\nfollow your plan, "you're on track?"\n

\n

That's\nwhy you need to master the Valuate competency. Valuate is about tracking\nprogress – so, you can get where you want to go. \n

\n

Here\nare some thoughts about how you can develop your ability to Valuate: \n

\n

1) Measure What's\nImportant \n

\n

If you were an ordinary Joe or Jill, looking for a\nnew job, it would be easy to measure progress. You'd likely keep track of\nthings like how many resumes you sent out, how many interviews you had, and so\non. But, you're no ordinary Joe or Jill. Nope! You're a Genre Buster^(TM) and you're\nboldly carving out a whole new career. So, what can you use to measure\nprogress? \n

\n

“,1]
);

//–>

Think
about it. When you plan a trip, for that matter any kind of journey, you have a
destination. You certainly want to get there. And, you have a plan – and likely
a map.

Well,
the same is true with your Creative Career. You’ve created a career PLAN. You
have an objective, a destination in mind. You have a path you’re going to
follow. And, you may have created some kind of map to guide you.

Now
you’re about to start down that path. Wouldn’t it be useful to know that as you
follow your plan, "you’re on track?"

That’s
why you need to master the Valuate competency. Valuate is about tracking
progress – so, you can get where you want to go.

Here
are some thoughts about how you can develop your ability to Valuate: 

1)  Measure What’s
Important

If you were an ordinary Joe or Jill, looking for a
new job, it would be easy to measure progress. You’d likely keep track of
things like how many resumes you sent out, how many interviews you had, and so
on. But, you’re no ordinary Joe or Jill. Nope! You’re a Genre Buster^(TM) and you’re
boldly carving out a whole new career. So, what can you use to measure
progress?

<!–
D(["mb","Let's think about what goes into a career plan to\nsee if we can identify some measures. \n

\n

I try to avoid clogging my brain and wasting time\nby tracking minutiae. So, I track 'higher level" items or important-to-my-success\nitems like: mini-projects, e.g. the sections of my website that I need to\nwrite; the weekly issues of my newsletter. \n

\n

2) Make It Tangible \n

\n

Remember the T-word? Tangibilize. Yep, part of\nmaking a useful career plan is to look for ways to create both tangible steps\nwe can make AND tangible marker points we can later use to Valuate progress. \n

\n

So, what could you use for marker points? \n

\n

As much as I don't like LISTS, there is one great value\nto having a list. You can TICK things off the list when you complete them.\nFeels like progress; even if it's not. 😉 The secret though for Genre Busters^(TM)\nand other creative types is to create lists of CRITICAL actions, critical\nsteps. \n

\n

I use a piece of software called Life Balance to track all my career\nand coaching work projects and tasks. What I like about Life Balance is the\nability to show projects and tasks side by side next to my weekly calendar. So,\nI see both the things I want to do and where I've scheduled them in the week. \n”,1]
);

//–>Let’s think about what goes into a career plan to
see if we can identify some measures.

I try to avoid clogging my brain and wasting time
by tracking minutiae. So, I track ‘higher level" items or important-to-my-success
items like: mini-projects, e.g. the sections of my website that I need to
write; the weekly issues of my newsletter.

2) Make It Tangible

Remember the T-word? Tangibilize. Yep, part of
making a useful career plan is to look for ways to create both tangible steps
we can make AND tangible marker points we can later use to Valuate progress.

So, what could you use for marker points?

As much as I don’t like LISTS, there is one great value
to having a list. You can TICK things off the list when you complete them.
Feels like progress; even if it’s not. 😉 The secret though for Genre Busters^(TM)
and other creative types is to create lists of CRITICAL actions, critical
steps.

I use a piece of software called Life Balance to track all my career
and coaching work projects and tasks. What I like about Life Balance is the
ability to show projects and tasks side by side next to my weekly calendar. So,
I see both the things I want to do and where I’ve scheduled them in the week.
<!–
D(["mb","

\n

So, what do I use as marker points? \n

\n

Well, I try to pick 'projects' and task that are\nbig enough to be worth doing, that are important to my goals, but that aren't\nso small they will clutter up my list and OVERWHELM me. The KEY then I've found\nfor Genre Busters^(TM) is to LIST the projects and tasks that are IMPORTANT and to\nlist them at the LEVEL of detail that's critical for success. \n

\n

For example one of the repeating tasks on my\ncalendar is, "Write CCU Ezine". While it's booked on my calendar for Friday's,\nsometimes, like this past week, actual publication time slips. But, I want it\nlisted ON my calendar because it's a critical component of the "My Work" LifeGoal. \n\nAnd.\nit's there to be a visual reminder – just in case I get busy (don't want to\nforget something so important). \n

\n

3) Measure Qualitatively \n

\n

What if what we need to measure isn't Tangible?\nWhat then? \n

\n

A project, a task, an objective – those are\ntangible. Those are easier to measure. But, some there are things you and I\nwant to feel like we are making progress on but that aren't so obviously measurable. \n

\n

How do we deal with those? \n“,1]
);

//–>

So, what do I use as marker points?

Well, I try to pick ‘projects’ and task that are
big enough to be worth doing, that are important to my goals, but that aren’t
so small they will clutter up my list and OVERWHELM me. The KEY then I’ve found
for Genre Busters^(TM) is to LIST the projects and tasks that are IMPORTANT and to
list them at the LEVEL of detail that’s critical for success.

For example one of the repeating tasks on my
calendar is, "Write CCU Ezine". While it’s booked on my calendar for Friday’s,
sometimes, like this past week, actual publication time slips. But, I want it
listed ON my calendar because it’s a critical component of the "My Work" LifeGoal.

And.
it’s there to be a visual reminder – just in case I get busy (don’t want to
forget something so important).

3) Measure Qualitatively

What if what we need to measure isn’t Tangible?
What then?

A project, a task, an objective – those are
tangible. Those are easier to measure. But, some there are things you and I
want to feel like we are making progress on but that aren’t so obviously measurable.

How do we deal with those?
<!–
D(["mb","

\n

For example, I've long struggled with my ability to\n'sell'. I've worked hard to improve. But, how the heck do I measure my\nprogress? One way is to use Subjective measure. For example, I could rate my\nability to sell on a Subjective scale from 1 to 10. Where 1 means Abysmal and\n10 means "I'm A STAR!" So a year ago I would have rated myself a 5. Now, I\nmight rate myself a 7. \n

\n

You might argue with me and say, "That's nonsense. It's a subjective measurement!" Yes, it is subjective. But what's\ninteresting, is that psychological testing has proven that these subjective\nmeasures are accurate in relation to each other. That means, that regardless of\nthe number you assign, the change in value is accurate. That is, if you assess\nan improvement – you have improved. \n

\n

So, if you can't find a way to create tangible\nsteps to measure progress, consider using a Subjective Rating system. \n

\n

The key point is: Valuate your progress so you stay\non track! \n

\n

\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d\u003d \n
A SPECIAL TREAT IS WAITING FOR YOU THE SECOND WEEK\nOF JANUARY \n

\n

I've just confirmed a brand new Genre Busters^(TM) Success\ninterview with a very special woman. \n

\n

The\nonly thing bland about this multitalented young woman is her name – Sarina Nicole\nBland. Nicole is a graphic artist, web designer, intuitive healer, Tarot\nreader, and NOW gourmet foodie. Nicole was born and raised in \n”,1]
);

//–>

For example, I’ve long struggled with my ability to
‘sell’. I’ve worked hard to improve. But, how the heck do I measure my
progress? One way is to use Subjective measure. For example, I could rate my
ability to sell on a Subjective scale from 1 to 10. Where 1 means Abysmal and
10 means "I’m A STAR!" So a year ago I would have rated myself a 5. Now, I
might rate myself a 7.

You might argue with me and say, "That’s nonsense. It’s a subjective measurement!" Yes, it is subjective. But what’s
interesting, is that psychological testing has proven that these subjective
measures are accurate in relation to each other. That means, that regardless of
the number you assign, the change in value is accurate. That is, if you assess
an improvement – you have improved.

So, if you can’t find a way to create tangible
steps to measure progress, consider using a Subjective Rating system.

The key point is: Valuate your progress so you stay
on track!

==============================================

A SPECIAL TREAT IS WAITING FOR YOU THE SECOND WEEK
OF JANUARY

          I’ve just confirmed a brand new Genre Busters^(TM) Success
interview with a very special woman.

The
only thing bland about this multitalented young woman is her name – Sarina Nicole
Bland. Nicole is a graphic artist, web designer, intuitive healer, Tarot
reader, and NOW gourmet foodie. Nicole was born and raised in
<!–
D(["mb","Trinidad.\nYou'll find some of her original and tasty fusion recipes at her Blog www.TriniGourmet.com \n

\n

If\nyou've haven't already subscribed to the entertaining and informative Successful\nGenre Busters^(TM) Speakers Series DO IT NOW! \n

\n

Send\na blank email to gb-interest@awber.com \n

\n

Until\nnext time, \n

\n

Lyle Lachmuth MS\n(Organization Development) \n
The Unsticking Coach^(TM) \n
Your Talents > Your\nCareer >> Your Life >>> Your Way! ^(TM)\n

\n

Turning Point\nStrategies \n
\n\nBox 72140 RPO\nGlenmore Landing | \n\nCalgary, \nAB \nCANADA \nT2V 5H9 \n
E: LyleTLachmuth [at]\nGmail.com \n

\n

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER \n

\n

To subscribe to this\nnewsletter, send a blank e-mail to ccu-ezine@aweber.com \n

\n

You are subscribed as Lyle T. Lachmuth | The Unsticking Coach\nat “,1]
);

//–>Trinidad.
You’ll find some of her original and tasty fusion recipes at her Blog www.TriniGourmet.com 

If
you’ve haven’t already subscribed to the entertaining and informative Successful
Genre Busters^(TM) Speakers Series DO IT NOW!

Send
a blank email to gb-interest@awber.com 

Until
next time,

Lyle Lachmuth MS
(Organization Development) 

The Unsticking Coach^(TM) 

Your Talents > Your
Career >> Your Life >>> Your Way! ^(TM)

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

To subscribe to this
newsletter, send a blank e-mail to ccu-ezine@aweber.com

PRIVACY POLICY:  I will not rent, trade, or
sell your name and contact information to anyone, at any time, for any reason!

CAVEAT:
CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED and its publisher, are not engaged in providing
therapy. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only.

CREATIVE CAREERS
UNLEASHED may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety only, including
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Copyright 2006 Lyle T.
Lachmuth, All Rights Reserved