2101: How to Complete Your Projects by Karl Staib of Dig to Fly on Productivity Habits

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[00:01:00] This is Optimal Work Daily. How to Complete Your Projects by Karl Staib of digtofly.com One of my weaknesses is putting the finishing touches on a project. I can develop, design, write, and create, but can't put the fancy on a project, that extra touch to make it shine.

[00:01:19] I hired an editor to help me with the Unlock Your Superpowers manifesto. It's coming out very soon. I'm great with ideas and concepts, but not very good with finishing the product. I get bored and want to move on. So I make less money in the short run, but in the long run, it's paying off. She helps me clean up, polish, and put the bow on my projects. Her superpowers complement mine, and it's worth every dollar.

[00:01:43] The next step was to find a great designer. Once again, I have superpowers in structure and layout, but not so much with colors and images. I hired a local designer to help me create something beautiful, something so special that people couldn't help but want to share it with their friends. This was only possible by understanding my superpowers, but also my Project Kryptonite. You have superpowers that aren't being used very well because you don't have the right people around you.

[00:02:08] You need superheroes in your back pocket. Follow these steps to build your network so you can make growing your career easier and more fun. 1. Unlock Your Own Superpowers A deep understanding of your own superpowers is a must before you begin reaching out to find other people to help you. When you understand what you do well, it makes it easier to exchange superpowers. The key is to have a mix of passion, focus, and strength throughout your daily actions.

[00:02:36] 2. Learn Your Project Kryptonite Every large project has certain tasks within it that weaken you. These are your Project Kryptonites. You can usually spot a Project Kryptonite by how hard you try to avoid doing the task. For example, I do not like editing. It's hard enough to write something unique and interesting. I struggle with going back over posts and finding missing connection gaps and grammar errors.

[00:03:00] This is where you need to leverage other people's superpowers. You need to give these tasks to other people who enjoy the work and do a better job than you. What tasks do you find yourself avoiding? 3. Ask People in Your Network for Help The key is not to directly ask them for help, unless you are really good friends. It can put both of you in an awkward position. I suggest just asking them if they know anyone who can help you with your project. Then they can volunteer themselves if they want to, or offer up someone that might be able to help you.

[00:03:30] You'll probably be pleasantly surprised by the quality of referrals that you will get from friends and family. No one wants to be the person who recommended a dud to you. You can ask people directly or post on one of your social media accounts. I see this happen a lot on Facebook, especially for car mechanics. 4. Know the Value You Will Give in Return If people help you with a certain part of your project, then the next part is understanding how you'll reward them in return. Do you pay them? Do you thank them, depending on your relationship with them?

[00:04:00] Or do you offer to help them with a project? There should be some kind of reciprocity that takes place. When someone holds the door open for you, you smile and or thank them. People want to know you appreciate their hard work. The more time and energy they give you, the more important it is to show them your gratitude. And 5. Set up a trial period with your potential superhero Not everyone you think is amazing is a good complement to your skills. It's best to test out the idea of working with them.

[00:04:28] When you ask them for help, make sure they understand that you are just working on a trial period. I tested out a few editors before I found one that I clicked with. The other editors were very good, just not a good fit for me. You might want to try 30 to 90 days. Whatever the trial period is, make sure you have enough data to understand if they are a good fit for you or not. Try giving them different types of projects that challenge their superpowers in different ways. You'll see whether they are a good fit for you or not very quickly.

[00:04:57] Superheroes are everywhere. Friends, family, and co-workers can all be very helpful if you give them a chance to help you. Don't be afraid to be clear about your expectations for a project. As long as everyone understands the goals, it makes for a much easier time working together. Just ask for help and remember to reward them so they understand how appreciative you are. If you plan on making money from the project, I would suggest paying the person. If it's a hobby project, a small gift or heartfelt thank you can go a long way.

[00:05:30] You just listened to the post titled, How to Complete Your Projects, by Karl Staib of digtofly.com. And thank you to Carl, who helps entrepreneurs understand their struggles and then turn them into stepping stones. In 2010, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was then laid off from his job a short time later. And while those were difficult situations, he calls them blessings in disguise. Since then, he's stopped doing work that doesn't fit with his passions, and instead now focuses on things he truly cares about.

[00:06:00] Carl is the author of the book Bring Gratitude and has a lot to offer on his site, which again is dig2fly.com, and I have it linked in this episode's description for you. By the way, dig2fly means dig deep to fly high. But that does it for me here today on Optimal Work Daily. I hope you enjoyed today's post from Carl, and I'll see you back here tomorrow, where your optimal life awaits.