Yesterday we said, “Advice is context-dependent”. Good advice for some people may not be good advice for others.
Questions are not context-dependent. So here’s a great question for anyone, and one that will help you recognize good advice for you –
What are you optimizing for?
Some people may be doing all they can to get good grades and graduate. Some are trying to get a promotion. Some may be trying to raise great kids, or finish a marathon or to compete in an event. Some are spending most of their time and attention trying to buy a house, or get married or learn a new skill. Some want adventure, some want to travel right now, some want to save money and learn how to invest, and so on.
What are you optimizing for right now?
Love this question! I’ve been investing a significant amount of free thought time in a very similar vein for some time now, but I really like this encapsulation of the objective.
Optimization is KEY to so many aspects of success, efficiency, return on investment, etc.
I will invest some focused time on this question today and through the weekend. This phrasing perhaps helps to set the aperture to a different perspective of the goal – how can I best do what I’m best suited to do, or how can I adjust to best do what I’m currently doing until other opportunities present themselves?
Thanks, Larry! Have a Great Weekend!
Go, Ross!
Great coaching question.
and thanks for shout out!
Now focused on aging well, staying healthy for as long as possible, being sure to have enough resources throughout retirement, and connecting with my loving family and friends as much as possible. Life is good!
When I ask myself, “What am I optimizing for?”, it leads to other questions…
– Is it my optimal role or function, or is it sub-optimal for my KSA (knowledge, skills, and abilities)?
– Is my CURRENT role or function my OPTIMAL role or function, or is it just a comfortable distraction from my optimal role or function?
– Can one legitimately optimize for a sub-optimal role or function?
– Put another way, if the role or function you’re in is sub-optimal for YOU, can you be optimized IN that role or function, or are you just optimizing the PERFORMANCE of that role or function while being sub-optimal yourself…? (i.e., going through the motions)
– Are you being your BEST YOU, or are you just performing the best you can while your best you suffers / languishes in the effort?
– Does having the character (integrity) to optimize a sub-optimal commitment help you optimize in other areas of your life? (I think ‘yes’ as long as this type of sub-optimizing doesn’t become a pattern in your life under the guise of sacrifice.)
– Does this serve as a good or bad example for others seeking to optimize their own personal and/or professional lives or AORs (Areas of Responsibility) if they don’t know the ‘back story’ of why you’re content to be sub-optimized at this time or in this endeavor?
Lots to meditate on in this simple question… Thanks for making my brain work today, Larry!
My once a year Owners Club Vacation!!