Hey Reader,
I wanted to share something that we do with our mastermind groups inside the EDUpreneur Community. I think it's powerful and you should consider utilizing it.
This isn’t a deep-dive or a formal workshop. It’s just the basics so you can actually use it.
At its core, this exercise is about reflecting in order to find some clarity to improve decision-making and keep focused on what’s important to your business.
You can do this exercise once a year, once a quarter, every 6 months, or even monthly or weekly if you’d like.
I prefer to do it twice a year. Once in June or July, and then again at the end of the year (or start of January)
What you’re going to do is reflect on all the things you do for your business, and all the work you have done over the last [enter timeframe here].
So for me, I would look back at the last 6 months, and then work through these 4 pieces.
Start - What do I need to START doing?
These are things you are not currently doing that would move your business forward if you started doing them. This can be implementing new habits, creating new systems, launching new offers, tweaking your workflows, or putting new strategies in place.
This could also include things like starting a podcast or newsletter, or starting to track specific metrics, etc.
Rule of thumb: If you put it here, you’re committing to action, not just liking the idea. Things that fall in this box need to take priority. You need to start doing them.
Stop - What do I need to STOP doing?
These are the thing that are costing you time, energy, money, or focus without a meaningful return. This is usually the most uncomfortable section, but also the most valuable. If nothing shows up here, you probably weren’t being honest.
Things that can end up in this box can vary widely. It could be a mindset thing (I need to stop second-guessing every decision I make) or related to a particular activity (I need to stop trying to post on every social media platform) or based on data (I need to stop spending time on my podcast because it’s not generating any value).
It can vary and it can be difficult. But this one is really important.
Continue - What should I KEEP doing?
What’s already working and should be protected?
This shouldn’t just be the things you enjoy (although they can be here for sure), or the things that are easy, but also the things that are actually creating the results you want and the results your business needs.
These should be backed by data, whether empirical or emotional. Based on hard facts, or recognized well being.
Consider - What should I CONSIDER doing?
This is the one people misunderstand. Consider doesn’t always mean “someday” or “when I’m ready” although it can.
For me, though, consider means “this idea MIGHT belong in the start column, but I need to think through it first.”
These are new ideas, new projects, changes, or opportunities that:
- Could be a positive impact
- Might be worth starting soon
- Need a little more thinking, testing, feedback, or research before committing to.
When something falls in this box, you should be able to ask yourself “What needs to be true in order for this to move to the Start box?” and then be able to answer that question.
How to use this exercise
So that is the basics on the exercise. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you work through it.
- Keep it simple. Don’t overload each column.
- Be specific. Being vague usually doesn’t lead to action.
- Revisit it regularly. Like I said, at least annually. I like every 6 months, but I know several people who go quarterly.
- The true purpose is to get to better decision-making…not to come up with more ideas.
This exercise can help you refocus, simplify things, find some clarity, and move forward with a bit more intention.
If it’s only created and not used to guide your next steps, though, it basically just becomes a nice-looking list that doesn’t lead to much.
Like any exercise or tool, it only helps if you put action behind it.
I hope this helps.
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~ Jeff
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I appreciate you.
Jeff Gargas
COO / Co-Founder, Teach Better Team
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P.S. When you're ready, here's how I can help:
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