Next-to-Nothing Goals
I saw a Ted Talk by Christine Carter recently discussing the concept of "next-to-nothing" goals. The idea is to learn a new habit by setting ridiculously small goals that will move you to the larger goal. It could be something as simple as walking for just one minute as a goal toward becoming a runner later on.
In my book Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and Techniques for Effectively Managing Your Database published by ASAE, one of the tips is "Spot Check Your Data." In that tip I suggest taking a minute or two during the day to "scroll through your contact list" to see if you can identify any errors in the data (e.g., duplicates, typos, etc.). This is a great example of a "next-to-nothing" activity that can have a real impact long-term.
I write frequently about weeding the garden in data management. Spot checking your data is another way to keep the weeds away. Make it one of your "next-to-nothing" goals.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Don’t miss this year’s DAN Science Fair!
Don’t miss this year’s DAN Science Fair! I’m taking a break from my weekly tips […]
Just start. And it’s never done.
Just start. And it’s never done. Last week I had the opportunity to lead a […]
Don’t ask if you’re not going to answer!
Don’t ask if you’re not going to answer! In the past week, on three different […]
Seek forgiveness rather than permission
Seek forgiveness rather than permission “Seek forgiveness, not permission.” I can’t remember when I first […]
Is a 360 degree view necessary?
Is a 360 degree view necessary? “A 360 degree view of our members should NOT […]
Why data matters
Why data matters I write about data because managing our data effectively will help us […]
It’s about process
It’s about process I’m in the midst of adding an AI agent to my website […]
Data integrity reports
Data integrity reports I speak and write a lot about data integrity reports. So I […]
The most important training tip
The most important training tip I’ve been sitting in a lot of database training sessions […]
Be careful about getting tangled
Be careful about getting tangled “We had done a lot to tangle ourselves up.” – […]