![“[The Father] contemplated everything from before its
beginning, from eternity pondering it in His mind;
hence each thing receives its being at a determinate
time according to His timeless and decisive thought
[…] and image and pattern.”
—St. John of Damascus (+749), qtd. in Florovsky, “Creation and
Creaturehood”
God: Project Management Expert?](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/knowyourselfafconference2017-170613203647/85/Know-Yourself-An-Orthodox-Approach-to-Time-and-Project-Management-9-320.jpg)
Know Yourself: An Orthodox Approach to Time and Project Management
- 1. Dr. Nicole Roccas, editor and consultant Ancient Faith Writing & Podcasting Conference June 2017 Know Yourself An Orthodox Approach to Time and Project Management
- 2. • Overall objective of this talk: 2-3 new strategies or pieces of highly useful information about yourself • Introduction – What is a writing consultant? – 3 ways Orthodoxy informs my/ our work – What is Project Management? • Getting to know ourselves – Quiz – How we relate to expectations, habits, and goals as creative professionals The Plan
- 3. • Writing consultant= someone who helps writers write – Improve particular writing techniques (collaborative editing) – Navigate the writing process – Stick to writing goals • Free resources and contact information: – www.thewritersloom.com What I do
- 4. Three Orthodox Principles for Managing Creative Work Part I:
- 5. Three (Orthodox) Principles for Managing Creative Work 1. Knowing yourself is the key to progress 2. Fruitfulness is more important than “productivity” 3. All of life is creative… γνῶθι σεαυτόν nosce te ipsum know thyself
- 6. Creativity: the quality of creating; the ability to bring something new (and good) into existence that was not there before. The creative process can take countless forms, including: – Enacting order from chaos – Making something out of nothing – Inducing hope in despair – Choosing discipline/ effort over neglect – Choosing to care rather than not care (despondency) – Choosing to manage your projects rather than fly by the seat of your pants All of Life is Creative
- 8. • “the discipline of applying knowledge, skills, tools, and/ or techniques to meet the requirements of one or more projects.” • Involves intentional planning and monitoring before, during, and after the project’s duration. • Is part of the creative process. What is Project Management?
- 9. “[The Father] contemplated everything from before its beginning, from eternity pondering it in His mind; hence each thing receives its being at a determinate time according to His timeless and decisive thought […] and image and pattern.” —St. John of Damascus (+749), qtd. in Florovsky, “Creation and Creaturehood” God: Project Management Expert?
- 10. “I would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and then five minutes solving it.” —Albert Einstein (apocryphal), when asked how he would budget his time if he had one hour to save the world.
- 11. • Project management: the DISCIPLINE of applying knowledge, skills, tools, and/ or techniques to meet the requirements of one or more projects. The Problem with Project Management
- 12. The Four Tendencies for Creative Professionals Part II:
- 13. The Four Tendencies according to Gretchen Rubin
- 14. The 4 Tendencies as a Map Upholder Questioner Questioner Obliger Rebel Obliger Rebel
- 15. • Depression • Unusual life circumstances • Too much on your plate Things that can get in the way of your tendency
- 16. PITFALLS • “Obligation Creep” • Obliger Rebellion Obligers Key issue: fuzzy boundaries
- 17. (O) Journaling and Self-Reflection Questions • What do I aspire to? What task(s) need to be done on a regular basis for this aspiration to bear fruit? • What external expectations distract or hinder me from those regular tasks? • What choices are available to me when external obligations “just come up”? • In what ways does perfectionism drive my tendency to oblige? • How will being faithful faithful in my big thing serve others? How can I invite others into my big thing? • What conflicts will I face this day/ week between my needs and those of others?
- 18. (O) Strategies to Clarify Boundaries • Journaling and self-reflection • Formulate goals as opportunities to invite others into your aspirations – How can your spouse/ household help you? – Work with a coauthor • Delegate as many things as possible that tempt you to take more responsibility than necessary • Cultivate external accountability* around internal expectations
- 19. PITFALL • Analysis paralysis Questioners Key issue: fuzzy questions
- 20. (Q) Three forms of analysis paralysis 1. Researching at the expense of writing 2. Overanalyzing goals and/or process to achieve those goals 3. Second-guessing the validity of your project, goal(s), ideas, etc.
- 21. (Q) Strategies to Clarify Questions 1. When researching at the expense of writing: – Write first draft with as little research as possible. – Mindful research – Inquiry- rather than topic-driven – Self-reflection: “What is my question? What would an answer look like?” – Set time limits on research. – Begin a “questioner” journal. 2. When over-analyzing goals and writing process: – Build monitoring sessions into your work routine. – Ask: What is one thing you could improve? – Try, test, revisit.
- 22. (Q) Strategies to Clarify Questions 3. When second-guessing self, life, vocation, existence, etc. – Talk to 1-3 people about your doubts. – Agree to write now, have existential crisis later. – Journal or self-reflect: – Where/ why do you feel vulnerable or exposed? – See a counselor! (I do!) When in doubt: KEEP WRITING.
- 23. PITFALLS • “Commitment Creep” (sometimes paired with myopia) • Over- or under-commitment Upholders Key issue: fuzzy expectations
- 24. (U) Strategies to Clarify Expectations • Formulate goals as limits or parameters • Think about tasks in terms of opportunity cost • Structured planners or project management software • Use external accountability* to formulate expectations • Journaling and self-reflection questions: – What am I myopic about right now? What is this preventing me from upholding? – What ideas, projects, or expectations do I feel a sense of commitment toward? – What will I have to give up to do X? Is this worth it to me?
- 25. PITFALLS • Expectation fatigue= when even the hint of expectation (external or internal) is met with resistance or exhausting. Rebels Key issue: fuzzy desires
- 26. (R) Strategies to Clarify Desires • Backward strategizing—start from what you want • View goals and your process as an opportunity for self-expression • Build spontaneity into your workflow – Work in different places, or at different or unconventional times – What about editorial deadlines? • Work with a structural/ developmental editor or ghost writer • Avoid: – Accountability groups, especially ones with strict/ regulated expectations – Standard to-do lists. Try: can-do, want-to-do, or even “I-bet-you-can’t…” lists
- 27. • What tendency do you most identify with? Why? Was this the same as the result of your quiz? • Which strategy or talking point most applied to you? Why? • What is one strategy or talking point you heard today that wouldn’t work for you or doesn’t apply to you? Why? Group Discussion Questions
Editor's Notes
- #6: Knowing yourself is the key to progress Not just as writers but as project managers Most self-help literature (esp self-help for writers) is written for a very small segment of the population Fruitfulness is more important than “productivity” All of life is creative…
- #17: Obligation Creep: gradually become more committed to others’ goals, expectations, wants, desires (perceived or actual) at the expense of your own aspirations or even self-care. Extreme: you are more in touch with what other people want or aspire to themselves than what you want or aspire to. More extreme: burnout; obliger rebellion. Key issue: fuzzy expectations; under-developed ability to structure and weigh goals in relation to one another.
- #18: Before we talk about strategies, it is important to spend time in self-reflection to get a better picture on your relationship to others and your interpersonal boundaries.