Apply Agile Practices in Your Life and Be Happier | Cynthia Kahn | TEDxBartonSpringsWomen

Summary

This video script explores the agile process applied to both business and personal life. It teaches three key principles: defining what's truly important, focusing on completing work rather than just ticking off tasks, and recognizing when it's time to pivot. Using real-life examples like commuting, the speaker demonstrates how to apply the agile mindset to daily routines and career choices. The script also shares a personal story of overcoming challenges, such as a cancer diagnosis, and how adopting agile principles led to a more fulfilling life, focusing on creativity and balance between work and personal well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on what’s truly important: Identify and prioritize the most critical tasks and outcomes to stay relevant and competitive.
• 😀 Embrace the agile process: The agile methodology helps pivot quickly when things aren’t working, ensuring continuous progress.
• 😀 MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Apply the 80/20 rule to business by focusing on the 20% of efforts that yield 80% of the results.
• 😀 Avoid task overload: Concentrate on completing significant work instead of checking off tasks on a to-do list.
• 😀 Small steps, big impact: Start small, evaluate progress, and pivot when necessary, even if you don’t have all the facts.
• 😀 Apply agile to daily life: Use the agile process in personal routines, such as preparing for work or navigating the commute.
• 😀 Recognize when to pivot: If you’re not achieving your goals, it’s important to reevaluate and change course accordingly.
• 😀 Success is personal: Define your own version of success, not just based on others' expectations or societal standards.
• 😀 Work-life balance is key: Shift focus from corporate ladders to personal happiness, family, and meaningful activities.
• 😀 Personal transformation through agile: After a life-changing event like cancer, apply agile principles to create a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'Minimum Viable Product (MVP)' in the context of business?

The MVP refers to focusing on the most important tasks that will generate the majority of the outcomes. It’s based on Pareto's 80/20 rule, where 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. The idea is to prioritize what truly matters and avoid unnecessary tasks.

How does the speaker suggest we should handle task lists?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on completing work rather than simply checking off tasks. It’s about setting clear goals before making a task list to ensure that the tasks you complete are truly aligned with your larger objectives.

What personal routine does the speaker use to demonstrate agile principles?

The speaker uses their own morning routine to illustrate agile principles. They highlight how, even in a rush, they prioritize essential tasks like making coffee, brushing teeth, and dressing, while adjusting other activities based on time constraints, which mirrors the agile process of pivoting and adjusting as necessary.

How do GPS apps relate to agile principles?

GPS apps use agile principles by continuously assessing the situation (like traffic or road conditions) and adjusting routes in real-time to ensure the fastest possible commute, similar to how businesses pivot and adapt to changes to stay relevant and competitive.

What was the wake-up call that led to the speaker's change in life focus?

The speaker’s wake-up call was being diagnosed with breast cancer. This life-altering event caused them to reevaluate their priorities and apply agile principles to shift their focus toward personal happiness and creative pursuits.

What does the speaker mean by 'defining what's truly important'?

Defining what's truly important means identifying your core values and goals, focusing your energy on what matters most, and avoiding distractions. For the speaker, this included prioritizing art and family over corporate success.

How did the speaker apply the agile process to their career?

The speaker applied the agile process by shifting from traditional corporate work to consulting, reducing work hours to achieve a better work-life balance, and pursuing personal passions like art, demonstrating the value of being flexible and adaptable in career choices.

What is the significance of the speaker’s art and consulting pivot?

The pivot to art and consulting symbolizes the speaker’s commitment to focusing on their true interests and well-being. They stopped pursuing traditional career advancement in favor of personal fulfillment and creativity.

How does the speaker apply agile principles to their artistic endeavors?

The speaker applies agile principles by continuously adapting their artistic process, experimenting with different mediums, and evolving their style. This approach allows them to stay relevant and grow in their artistic journey.

What lesson does the speaker want to convey to the audience regarding life and work?

The speaker encourages the audience to apply agile principles to their own lives by defining what's truly important, focusing on meaningful accomplishments, and being willing to pivot when necessary to stay relevant, healthy, and happy.