Jill of All Trades

THE WHY for my goal is a synergy of these three philosophies:

1) To be really good at something you need to devote thousands and thousands of hours at it,  like Jiro Dreams of Sushi


2) The concept of being an expert generalist


3) Emilie Wapnick’s Ted Talk AJ referenced in her blog… Multipotentialites





What is the common element for all three? A willingness to explore one’s pursuit in-depth and strive for perfection. Constant reflection on what is being pursued while focusing on the end result… with the understanding that the end result will never be perfect.

Seeing both the forest and the trees is how to navigate the back country. When exploring new country, do the research as thoroughly as possible. The more you learn about where you  are going, the better the experience and the less chance you will get lost. Never focus so much on your navigation tools that you stop moving. Never stop observing as you move. Look up from the map. Look up from the GPS. Note when you cross a bridge, when the forest changes from Hemlock to Pine. You get the picture, smell the forest, feel the path change from soft fir needles to hard basalt scree.


WHAT does my customer care about?

Making sure that her dreams are executed according to plan, utilizing the best talent for the task at the lowest cost possible.

My customer needs to be able to trust that I if I don’t understand what exactly she needs (maybe she doesn’t either) then I will work hard to make sure I don’t miss the mark. Conscientiousness and attention to detail while keeping the whole project in perspective. With added insights into other applications when they arise.

My customer does not always have enough time to do a project brief and trusts that if there isn’t enough information from her I’ll research it and provide options on my “best guess”

My customer knows they won’t be surprised by the bill. They may even feel guilty that they got what they wanted with so little pain. But not so guilty that they won’t call again.

My customer likes to feel like they are sophisticated and want someone who respects and admires that sophistication.


Providing the magical utility

Is defined in my new short term goal. A web presence that makes it easy to tell what my skills and talents are. How they have been implemented and how to connect with me.



UPDATED SHORT-TERM GOAL


Establish coherent and up-to-date web presence.

Dream: make it look as awesome as some of my most accomplished competitors/colleagues.

Benefits

Immediate way to earn more money doing what I know how to do and am paying for (office, accounting and software escalating costs)

Make family happy.

Pay off debts.

Feel better about the future and saving for retirement.


Obstacles

See previous posts. Lots of these. Need to stop focusing on the obstacles. Remove the shoulds, feel gratitude and PROCEED!

Tend to get side-tracked then feel discouraged. Stay focused.

Spend the money I need to make this happen. Have to spend money to make money.

Computer work is getting more difficult/strain on body. Take breaks to move and stretch. Coordinate activities so that I’m not behind computer for more than 8 hours straight. Too much hyper-focus is not working for me.

Skills/Knowledge required

Graphic design, programming, knowledge of important websites and best practices for establishing presences.

Feedback from both colleagues and clients on the effectiveness of the presentation

programming skills to accomplish best/professional presence.


Groups to work with

Colleagues, former employers

Catalyst group

Family


Plan of Action:

• Take no more than 1 hour to revisit web presences of folks who do similar work, remembering to go with my gut. If it doesn’t feel like me, don’t “mimic” the look and feel/presentation. Stay true to my own method of presentation and accomplishment. Revisit old notes on good portfolios and check out new ones. Can continue to do this throughout this process but will NOT get lost/side-tracked and take too much time. STAY FOCUSED on the goal.

• Buy tutorials for the bumps. This is worth the investment. Can afford to spare the money to speed up this goal but research which are the best/most efficient products before purchasing. Time limit for this also: one hour each product at most.

• Contact and research colleagues/employers web presences. Katy, Nicole, Sue, Val, CJ, Michele, Lisa. Ask if they would review and let me know if it is accurate/effective presentation of my work. Maybe take them one of my client gifts as incentive to really spend time on this as they are all so busy. Remember to thank and even remind.

• Redesign and update portfolio website first

• Set up and refine Linkedin, Facebook, twitter, slack any others that I find relevant on the way

• Appropriate portrait

• Set total time per day limit so I don’t get burned out/discouraged and I’m doing other things to keep me on track with my joy/passions. Try to keep total time to 30% of my day, this may need to change to 30% of week? Review this often


Timeline

End of month for having all portfolio up

Ongoing for updating/establishing web presence on other channels