Comments on: Space, experience, trust: Thoughts on life without a plan

By: Susie Wee

Susie Wee — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:45:14 +0000

Hi Emily,

I love the honesty in your articles.

Regarding “planning”, the most relevant career advice I give is “Be strategic. Be opportunistic.” You should definitely be strategic in your career, but you should also give yourself room to jump on opportunities that arise. My most significant achievements have come from “opportunities” that were not in my plan!

Susie

By: lisa aka thebeadgirl

lisa aka thebeadgirl — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:35:21 +0000

Emily, loved the article…appreciated the transparency and introspection as well as your ability to articulate how you have traveled from point A to point B.

I believe flexiblity and planning is the key. You do need a goal…whether extremely well thought out and planned or just a simple sentence. You need to know what tools you will use, you are capable of using, and how much time you can feasibly put into achieving those goals.

But then you need flexibility….being able to be swayed a little, not necessarily from your goals but possibly the trajectory you “planned” on taking. With social media blazing a trail at record paces, a trail no one is quite sure where it will end or turn or blossom even more…we need to be adventurous with the ability to embrace.

THAT is what has changed the face of my business and molded my goals for the next year into something that excites me. Will those goals change? maybe. but then again…that’s ok!

thanks for writing emily!
lisa

lisa aka thebeadgirl’s last blog post: SummerTime Leather Necklace with a Funky Combo of Sterling and Copper

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:22:41 +0000

Ryan and Scott, thanks for reading, and I agree with both of you. We can’t move forward to new ways of working if we don’t part with some of the more traditional, linear ways of measuring success. There’s an interesting collision happening right now — the rough economy is demanding we reconsider the usual ways of doing business, a multigenerational workforce is bringing lots of new and varied perspectives to how things get done, and a diverse younger generation is reshaping expectations about work/life balance, entrepreneurialism, and flexibility. I’m really excited to see where all of this takes people and our communities over the next five to ten years…

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:36:27 +0000

Nice, very well said. Also, well said Ryan… performance, output, and results are the most important part of measuring ones worth. Times are changing. :)

By: Ryan Montgomery

Ryan Montgomery — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:23:43 +0000

Your point about measuring results as opposed to time when determining ones success, is spot on. This idea applies directly to a shift in mindset at many companies who are starting down the path of working from home, or telecommuting. The question, “If I don’t see you show up at 8 and leave at 5, how do I know you’re working?” – is answered simply “By measuring my results.”