Being a good "Boss" to yourself.

Do you ever think of yourself as being "your own boss" in a very real separate "boss and employee" sense? Trust me, it's a great mindset, even if you're just running your life and not your own business. 

I LOVE trying new product ideas, but it wounds me if they're launched, and then no one cares about them. In 2021 I decided to be braver in trying new materials and designs. I was worried it could be a risk leading to disappointment, so I tempered it with "managing" myself more closely. That meant I'd stop, take the time, and make myself do research before jumping in, and then put the boot in if I realised I was overthinking or procrastinating.  

How can you be a good boss to yourself? If it's planning a product launch, or redecorating the hall, stairs and landing...

• Think "If someone I managed came to me and pitched this project, or raised this concern, what would I want to ask about, check, suggest?"
• Then ask yourself questions like; Why do you want to do this? How will you check the costs and requirements? What's the realistic timeline? What are possible problems? What's the reward for success going to be?
• Plan! Writing things down, setting dates, include rewards for completing stages. Imagine you have to show someone else this information, which is great to spot missing details.
• When in the project, if something is overdue, or won't hit deadline, stop and ask yourself; What's stopping you moving on? How would employee-you explain this to boss-you?... 

Of course I get impatient, but I remind my employee-self that this time is valuable. If it showed the product wasn't viable, or that I'd need to borrow two pairs of ladders for painting, that saved a load of future pain. Boss-me could then congratulate myself on being a thorough and smart employee.

Like many things in life, not every product launch or plan in 2021 went as expected. A few were, honestly, a bitter disappointment. At those times I treated myself like I'd want a good boss to treat me.

• No panic, no harsh words, no beating yourself up.
• A pep talk, and an honest analysis of what happened; Was there a clear plan? Did it go to plan? What went well? What didn't go well? What was in or out of my control?
• Then a bit of a review for what has been learned, what to do differently or be aware of in the future, and now get on with the next job!

​It mostly works, but I'll be honest, there are times where I felt really bummed out, and boss-me just needs to let employee-me have a bit of time to process the feelings before switching to plan B, and that's OK. That's what I'd want from a good boss.

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Do you have upcoming plans and projects where talking to yourself like a good boss, and working like you've got someone keeping an eye on your progress would help you be more effective? I bet you do, and you may be surprised at how much better the process and the results feel.