đź‘‹ Hey there!
🚅 This is issue #50 of the Double E Bullet where I share two action-packed bullets to help you go from full-time founder to part-time CEO.
I’m a huge fan of Keanu Reeves! Whether it’s bending the space-time continuum in Matrix or unleashing the killing machine in a dapper black suit in John Wick, he’s the one hero that’s nailed the ability to bring focus amongst the chaos.
The chaos isn’t always him battling his enemies but the chaos that appears when Neo notices a beautiful woman in a red dress; I’m referring to an iconic scene in the original Matrix movie where Morpheus & Neo are in a training program and as Morpheus is guiding him through this sea of people talking about the dangers of the Matrix, Neo’s attention happens to get snagged by a woman in a red dress. This mesmerizing distraction serves as a metaphor, reminding us that even the most alluring disruptions can pull us away from our mission.
BULLET ONE
🧠Now, let’s transpose this cinematic intensity to a different setting – your meetings.
Just as Keanu’s Neo battles adversaries in The Matrix, you find yourself wrestling with your own brand of chaos: the “woman in the red dress” moments that can turn your meetings into a maze of distractions. As Part Time CEOs, mastering the art of effective meetings is non-negotiable.
Here are my 4 strategies for avoiding the woman in the red dress moments and running effective meetings
- Set Clear Objectives: Define the purpose and objectives of the meeting in advance. Having a clear agenda helps participants stay focused on relevant topics.
​No agenda, no meeting! - Designate a Facilitator: Appointing someone to lead the meeting instead of yourself can be a game changer; it helps the team member level up and lets you get away from playing the role of the cop in every meeting. The facilitator can gently guide the conversation back on course if distractions arise.
- Parking Lot: If distractions come up, create a “parking lot” for ideas or topics that arise but aren’t directly relevant to the current discussion. This ensures valuable insights aren’t lost while maintaining the meeting’s trajectory and scheduling offline meetings for those items.
- Time-boxing: I love the concept of time-boxing and it adds a new dimension when used in meetings. Allocate specific time slots for each agenda item. This time-boxing technique encourages focused discussions and prevents topics from dominating the conversation.
So, there you have it – your guide to taming the moments of “red dress” chaos and embracing meetings that leave you feeling like a Part-time CEO.
BULLET TWO
đź“š The Must-Read Book on Effective Meetings – Death By Meeting
Talking about effective meetings, the truth of the matter is that most meetings are usually too long and more often than not, unproductive; which is why I loved reading this book by Patrick Lencioni. The book talks about the 4 unique types of meetings that every Part-Time CEO needs to be aware of so they can make the team more engaged and successful.
Short on time? Watch this video interview with the author to get a quick summary.
🧨 DHIREN’S UPDATES 🧨
As I find myself immersed in the third week of my much-anticipated month off, I couldn’t help but pause and reflect on this uncharted journey of intentional slowdown. While the allure of an extended break initially felt like a breeze, I must admit that breaking free from that relentless rhythm of packed days has been more challenging than I anticipated.
I’ve encountered numerous moments where the urge to dive back into my bustling routine was undeniable. The habit of packing each day with tasks, meetings, and milestones is deeply ingrained, and the siren call of productivity is hard to resist. However, as I’ve leaned into this month off, I’ve gradually discovered the beauty of simply being.
The lesson to share – embracing a slower pace, even for the most driven among us, is a testament to our commitment to holistic growth. So, whether you’re taming your inbox, strategizing for your part-time CEO journey, or simply taking a moment to catch your breath, remember that sometimes, slowing down is the most audacious step forward.
That’s all for this edition! What was your favorite bullet?