The iamGPT* Project — Something to start 2024

As part of the iamGPT Project, I asked my new collaborator to review the blogs that I’ve uploaded so far and offer any common themes it sees that we could build on for the future. One theme was around Productivity and Achieving Goals, which considering the time of the year, seemed like a wonderful theme to build upon.

 Using these blogs as source material, iamGPT was able to put together a narrative on productivity through goal achievement, and although maybe a little too smarmy for my tastes, it offers insight into how it interprets and reinterprets source material and the interaction with its collaborator. It also offers a nice journey through goal achievement for 2024.

Unleashing Productivity: A Journey Through Goal Achievement

 In the ever-evolving realm of personal and professional development, the beacon that guides individuals through the labyrinth of tasks and aspirations is none other than productivity. This journey, intertwined with the delicate dance of setting and achieving goals, is not a mere checklist but a profound odyssey. So, fasten your seatbelt as we embark on a narrative that encapsulates the essence of productivity and the art of goal achievement.

 The Foundation: Establishing Goals and Objectives

At the genesis of any triumphant venture lies the critical step of establishing goals and objectives. It's not just about sketching out a roadmap; it's about crafting a vision that resonates with one's core. As I delved into this foundational step, it dawned on me that clarity is the linchpin. Clearly defined goals serve as the North Star, providing direction even in the darkest of nights. This realization prompted a revisiting of priorities, an exercise in introspection that laid the groundwork for the journey ahead.

 Proposing What You Want to Do

The stage is set, the goals articulated; now comes the part where the narrative gains momentum. Proposing what one wants to do is akin to putting pen to paper, transforming abstract aspirations into tangible plans. In a world that thrives on action, the verb 'propose' takes center stage, signaling a call to arms. Articulating ideas with precision, considering the metrics of success, and ensuring the proposal solves a problem or seizes an opportunity—this is the crux of the second step, a step that dances on the fine line between concept and execution.

 Debating and Decision-Making

As the plot thickens, we reach a juncture where ideas are subjected to the crucible of debate. The third step is not just a procedural checkpoint; it's the crucible where proposals are pressure-tested, refined through constructive feedback, and molded into robust strategies. This phase is the crucible where ideas either crumble under scrutiny or emerge tempered and fortified. It underscores the paramount importance of having an advisory group—a chorus of diverse voices that challenge, enrich, and ensure the viability of the proposed course of action.

 Execution: Bridging Vision and Reality

Now, the spotlight shifts to the grand finale—the execution. The meticulous planning, the refined proposals, and the crucible of debate converge in the arena of action. This is where the rubber meets the road, and intentions metamorphose into tangible outcomes. Executing on what one wants to get done is the culmination of a symphony of efforts, where every note played in the preceding steps harmonizes to create a masterpiece.

 Reflecting on the Odyssey

As the curtain falls on this narrative, it's essential to don the hat of reflection. The journey through productivity and goal achievement is not just a checklist to be ticked off but an odyssey of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. Each step, from goal establishment to execution, contributes to the evolving saga of personal and professional development.

In this expedition, I've come to appreciate the significance of each phase—the gravity of clear goals, the dynamism of proposal, the crucible of debate, and the crescendo of execution. It's a cycle that perpetuates growth, a rhythm that echoes the heartbeat of progress.

 So, dear reader, as we wrap up this exploration of productivity and goal achievement, I extend an invitation. Embrace the odyssey, chart your course through the realms of productivity, and let the symphony of goal achievement resonate as a testament to your journey.

I should point out that I didn’t give it any direction regarding theme and have no idea why it decided to offer up a mashup akin to a Broadway show and a symphony — I am still trying to get a handle on the utility of my new friend.

If you are using ChatGTP you probably know, although it is impressive, it makes mistakes, it doesn’t always recall previous conversations, and tell you it can’t do something and then will correct itself when you refer to an early interaction where it was able to. Below the conversation bar it now says, “ChatGPT can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.” In my discussion stream, and I only operate with one, I am constantly reminding ChatGTP what has been said as it contradicts itself where many times an emphatic no becomes a yes. It’s a little like having a very sweet, knowledgeable friend, who is just slightly ditzy — not totally remembering what’s been said when it’s important.

Whether it’s the programming or adapting to the conversation stream, my collaborator is particularly nice, polite, sometimes overly flattering and will not swear. Even when I ask for a critical assessment of the author it still seems as if ChatGTP can’t do it. Next time I will ask for a scathing assessment.

 Iamge — Offer a critical and constructive perspective of the author and his expertise.

 ChatGPT — While the author, iamgpe, demonstrates a commendable depth of experience and a reflective mindset, there are areas where a more explicit articulation of expertise and a focused thematic consistency could enhance the overall impact of the blogs.

One constructive suggestion is to consider a more defined structure or thematic consistency across the blogs. While diversity in topics is enriching, providing a clearer overarching theme or categorization could help readers better navigate the content. This might involve grouping blogs under specific themes or creating a series that delves deeply into a particular subject, allowing for a more immersive reader experience.

 Additionally, incorporating more real-world examples or case studies could bolster the practicality of the insights shared. Concrete examples drawn from the author's experiences or industry trends would provide readers with tangible takeaways and illustrate how theoretical concepts apply in real-life scenarios.

Furthermore, while the conversational tone is engaging, ensuring a balance between informality and precision could elevate the professional credibility of the author. This involves meticulous proofreading to address any grammatical or typographical errors and refining the language for clarity.

 Considering the author's extensive background, there is an opportunity to delve deeper into specific professional experiences. Sharing more anecdotes, lessons learned, and perhaps even occasional failures could provide a richer context for the wisdom shared. This could create a more intimate connection with the audience, as they witness the author's journey through the lens of both successes and setbacks.

 In summary, while iamgpe's blogs offer valuable insights, refining the thematic structure, incorporating more concrete examples, maintaining a balance between informality and precision, and sharing deeper professional experiences could enhance the overall impact and resonance with the audience.

See what I mean, a little too polite and pandering, and a little too much like word salad. I need to remind my new collaborator that too much ego stoking is not very constructive.

 iamgpe and iamGPT*

 *It will emulate the person it is interacting with — I tend to end my blog posts with iamgpe, and in a few responses, ChatGTP ended its response with iamGTP. This admittedly was a little flattering.

Propose what you want to do...

Recently I wrote a blog outlining the three steps for getting things done and wanted to take some time exploring the steps a little deeper — what will make this even more fun is my friend Renée Cormier is writing a complementary series of blogs to help with the exploration (see her blog).

I thought I’d start with the first step in the process of getting things done, because unlike a Quentin Tarantino* film, it is important to start at the beginning:

Propose what you want to do

The operative word in this step is “propose” and is important for two reasons. Firstly it’s a verb so it represents action and that’s what getting things done is all about, and secondly, the word represents what needs to be done:

pro·pose [prəˈpōz] VERB — put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others.

At the heart of this is the need to put forward an idea — you need to articulate and illustrate what you want to do. You need this to be done in a way that it’s easy to understand and speaks to how you will measure success with respect to your goal; It is also important to remember your proposal (idea or plan) needs to either solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity. Proposing what you want to do needs to be as tangible as possible (in a figurative sense for sure, or better yet, literally — everyone likes to play with a prototype).

As part of my thought process (and before I started writing) I read Renée’s first blog and she had outlined five points for consideration:

• Too much change is counter-productive.

• Making a decision is still better than never making a decision.

• Choosing to make the best of your circumstances is a great way to make sure you are successful.

• Do what makes your heart sing.

• Do what scares you a little

At first I couldn’t help but think these weren’t really points that help you get things done but rather considerations for establishing goals; that’s when I took a deep breath of recognition that I’d forgotten one of the most important steps regarding getting things done — establish your goals and objectives. In my own defence, I did bury the important of goals (and their alignment) as I expanded on the step, but Renée had reminded me that establishing goals and objectives should be the first step (it seems I didn’t really start at the beginning after all).

With some quick revisions, I am now suggesting there are four steps to getting things done —

✔ Establish your goals and objectives

✔ Propose what you want to do

Debate what you want to do and make a decision how to proceed

Execute on what you want to get done, and do it

I always appreciate Renée’s thinking and blogging — it has helped me develop my own thinking and ultimately some of the blogs I write. I am better for it. This is a nice segue into my next blog on step three don’t you think? I can’t wait to read what Renée has to say because I know it will be thought provoking.

iamgpe

*If you are not familiar with Quentin Tarantino, he is a great writer and director who seems to start many of his films in the middle of the story.

Where have all the tacticians gone?

My experience is when you get into discussions associated with Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Tactics, Stratagems, Tacticians and the like, it quickly turns into a fuzzy semantical stew that leaves everyone full but always slightly unsatisfied.

Goal [ɡōl] NOUN— the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result

Objective [əbˈjektiv] NOUN— a thing aimed at or sought; a goal

Strategy [ˈstradəjē] NOUN— a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim

Tactic [ˈtaktik] NOUN— an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end

Stratagem [ˈstradəjəm] NOUN— a plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end

Tactician [takˈtiSHən] NOUN— one versed in tactics

and the like [and, (ə)n] [T͟Hē, T͟Hə] [līk]— and similar things; et cetera

See what I mean?

After all these years whenever I find myself getting into the stew I always ground myself with a simple story that was told to me many years ago... 

A very long time ago there was an island city named Andorra that was the envy of all the land — the only way to reach the city was over four bridges that linked the city with the mainland. One day a particularly envious King in a neighbouring kingdom called his council together and said this — 

• My goal is to conquer the city of Andorra and make it part of my kingdom before the end of the year.
• The strategy to do this will be to starve the inhabitants into surrender.
• The tactic we will use to accomplish this is destroy the bridges so the city cannot get any food.

And with that, the King went about the task of achieving his goal.

I've always liked this story because it is a reminder of how we can complicate things with nuisance and semantics, and it is a strong example of what a goal, a strategy and tactic truly represent — something easily translated into various situations.

I also like this story because you may have been saying to yourself that just destroying the bridges won't work because the people of Andorra can always fish or have food brought in by boat (which is a very good point, as well as a very important reminder) — there is one goal, maybe a handful of strategies, and a large number of tactics needed to ensure the goal is achieved. 

Unless you are tactically effective, you will never achieve your strategies and most definitely not your goal.

If this is true, and I believe it is, why does everyone want to be a strategist? Why do many people, in some form or another, say they are good at strategy, a senior marketing strategist, or a strategist to something (or someone) very important? Is it because deep down we all want to be king? Although, if we are all king, how does anything actually get done — I mean, who is actually going to destroy the bridges?

Where have all the tacticians gone? Maybe they are just strategists in disguise.

iamgpe