Process over Product
TL;DR:
Take a lesson from the US Navy Seals. “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast”
Focus on your process to make better product more consistently and will less time.
One of my Facts of Life Book Manifesto items is “Process Over Product”. As I’ve been working towards the aim of publishing something every day this month (see below - still on track!), I’ve been thinking a lot about this statement.
I beat myself up the most for “product” issues. When I hit publish and go back a day or two later and see an error in something, I berate myself. Yet, at the end of the day, these errors arise from process issues.
In the most glaring error I discovered this week, I recalled that I had not done a final editing pass over the document. I was so excited to hit publish and move on to the next thing that day that I simply published without a final edit. I hadn’t followed my own process.
As a mathematician, errors came for me in two forms - applying an incorrect algorithm and not working in an orderly manner. Plus, for some reason, 2*3 was always 5 instead of 6 - but that’s an aside. Applying the incorrect algorithm was a learning issue. I hadn’t done the required work to learn which process to apply. Not working in an orderly manner though was about process. It kicks in especially when I feel rushed. I remember one specific Linear Algebra exam in which I erased the page so many times so that I could start fresh that I actually made a hole in the page and had to retrieve paper from my notebook to attach to the exam. Had there been more shows about the US Navy Seals on tv back then where I would have heard the phrase, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” perhaps I would have slowed down and taken time to use the correct process the first time.
I’m planning some tweaks to my writing process this week and they are all process things. But, in the end, I hope they lead to better products. Where do you need to slow down to go faster? Where do you need to tweak a process to make your products better?
3 Things You Might Find Interesting
What I published this week: I have successfully published every day in June thus far! Based on what I’ve learned from keeping up with this streak, I’m planning to put some tweaks to my writing process to make it less laborious this week. Here is what I published:
How I Connect Obsidian Daily Notes to my Calendar, Task List, and Digital Journal
Should Debt Consolidation Play a Role in Ending Debt for You?
3 Keys to Answering Questions “Right” In Your Next Job Interview
Moving Files in Obsidian - Series Intro and Core Capabilities
Build Your Budget - A Comprehensive List of Possible Budget Categories
Better tasting water without the chemicals: I am trying to drink more and more water - particularly as I make Intermittent Fasting more and more a part of my life. This includes being aware of what I put in my body including chemical sweeteners. I have been free of them in my drinking mixes for water thanks to True Orange water enhancer. These come in orange, grapefruit, lemon, and lime flavor. I’ve tried all but the grapefruit and love them all. It’s just enough flavor without any of the added chemicals. It also doesn’t make my blood sugar spike when I drink it so it’s perfect for adding just a bit of variety into all of my water.
Ham4Ham with Sweeney Todd: I am a Broadway fan, although due to a planned trip getting cancelled during COVID, the closest I’ve come to Broadway is walking down the street. I take in shows when on National Tour but still haven’t seen a show on Broadway. Last night was Tony’s Night and Gayle caught me up on the Ham4Ham collaboration with Sweeney Todd. My love for Josh Groban doesn’t make me want to see Sweeney Todd but I loved watching all the actors have such a great time together.
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