Eat your own dog food

Overwhelmed by too many Trello columns, I faced up to the baggage of the intricate processes I was using at work. Finally, I snapped. And it was for the better.

I was juggling too many tools, too many prompts on my calendar, too many lists within each tool. I was so used to ignoring my own prompts that I didn't even think to delete or change them.

What made me snap was trying to figure out a good way to organise my thoughts to take on a new team and to get into a habit of writing. I was overwhelmed not being able to just write stuff down in a sensible place while constantly being haunted by lots of sensible places from the past which no longer quite fit right. Fresh starts have a good way of dusting off the old and making you take a good look at yourself.!

So, what next? I chuckled at myself for not delivery managing myself and letting my own processes get so out of hand - when did that happen?! Then I applied what I knew would be medicine for me, a good retro. I had listened to Scrum Master Toolbox podcast earlier that day where Shaun Bradshaw had explained the power of the Mad/Sad/Glad retro template to tie feelings to discussions of issues. Recognising the feelings involved can make people want to do something with the issues rather than leaving them as is - this is powerful shift towards action just by shifting the terms of conversation. I felt that this is exactly what I would need to hold myself to account, so I held a quick 5-min Mad/Sad/Glad retro for myself.

I found I was sad I'd left things get so messy but there was also glad that there was a foundation of good things to build on. The complexity that I'd built up made me mad, so mad! Why? Because it made everything futile. Simplifying everything (at least for some respite) was the clear next step. Ultimately, the exercise reminded that we are always changing (like our teams) and it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling that you have achieved lasting change on things you feel resistance to (what Michael Bungay Stanier calls 'Hard Change' in The Advice Trap) as it is always a process of becoming that you have to show up for - much like fitness isn't achieved but is a constant practice.

So, step back, reflect: what one thing have you told your team recently that you have not done yourself? Maybe it's time to eat your own dog food.