Motivated by a Kick In The Ass
January being the time of the new year’s resolution, turned leaves and all that, I thought I’d give you all a Kick in the Ass. Not literally, of course. That would be difficult to do over the Internet.
Actually, it’s about a club. Hmm, that could also be taken wrong.
Allow me to introduce the KITA Club.
Recently I resurrected a concept that I and some friends started after we graduated from art school. At the time we kinda missed all the deadlines and accountability which came from the structure of school, so we formed a small group to collectively kick each others’ asses. In the nicest possible way, of course.
What I get out of it (and how it works):
- Increased motivation and focus – Each time we meet I have to share some goals with the group. This forces me to take some of the ideas swimming around in my head and condense them into workable goals for myself.
- Increased results through support and accountability – by sharing goals with the group, I’m more likely to achieve them. Their job is both to support me (ideas, feedback, referrals to resources, etc.) and to kick me in the ass. I sometimes refer to this as “calling bullshit”. If I’ve been saying I want to get to something for ages but I haven’t, they can call me out on it. Either I have an issue that needs resolving around it, or it’s not important and I should drop it.
- Fun. It’s really a lot more fun to be working on your “stuff” together than alone.
It is what you make of it.
When I suggested starting this with new friends on the Sunshine Coast, Charlene (event planner and big ideas gal) drilled me for details. “How often did you meet?” “What was the format?” “How did it work?”
I don’t really remember how it worked the first time round (maybe it was the beer/wine drinking we enjoyed in our downtown-eastside Vancouver studio). But it doesn’t matter – the point is you make it whatever works for you.
This time round, we’re meeting monthly. Yesterday was our 3rd meeting and each one so far has been different. (Note to self: don’t start new groups in November. Waaay too much going on for consistent attendance.)
Yesterday at KITA I shared my Goal Words for 2009:
- Balance (life-work, working IN vs. ON my business, etc.)
- Zen (be in the moment)
- Growth (personal, professional, relationships)
- Joy (all in the name of Joy)
I also shared some specific goals that I’ve made along those themes. Charlene and Wendy (the biggest loose leaf tea lover I know) really liked this idea and we agreed to email each other weekly with our goals.
And lest I forget, the new planning tools I’m trying out from Charlie at Productive Flourishing also intrigued the group. Way to go, Charlie!
There’s my KITA club in a not-so-small nutshell. Have you done anything similar? How do you work on your goals and stuff? I’d love to hear about it.
Posted: January 6th, 2009 under Life.
Comments: 4
Comments
Hey, thanks for sharing those aids with your group. I’d be interested in any feedback you get from them – I really am trying to make them so that they are as helpful as they can be.
Also, I wonder if ideas go to the same place they come from? I can’t return to that post – it took me a few weeks to get the earworm removed. Great, I hear the tune now.
Comment from Charlie at 12:45 pm, January 7, 2009
No problem! I think what you’re doing is great so I was happy to share it.
Hah, seems I have a new earworm almost all the time. One of the guests I had over Christmas specializes in giving them out in such a sneaky fashion. Tiny little whistle of a few bars and you’re done for a day. Gah!
Comment from Tzaddi at 12:53 pm, January 7, 2009
I miss art school… the drive and the determination (inspired most often by an impending crit), the camaraderie born of the standard-issue RISD lack of sleep, and the intellectual inspiration of being around 60 amazing people every day.
My now is similar, both in design and function… I work in a big open space that has a distinct studio flair that is not unlike the setups on RISD campus, and we work collaboratively.
There’s something not quite the same though… I suppose this is why it’s real life and not college.
I’d love to have something like what you talk about. I’m moving in 2 short weeks 1,700 miles away to Colorado… perhaps I’ll find some community there with whom I can kick butt…
Comment from Elisa DelBonis at 6:39 pm, January 31, 2009
Hi Elisa, welcome!
I miss it too at times, for all those same reasons. Funny, final year at college I was dying to get out, sick of some of the aspects of it. We always remember the good stuff I guess!
Good luck with your move. I hope you can find / make some supportive community there too!
Comment from Tzaddi at 3:48 pm, February 1, 2009
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