So it's been over a year now that I have been working for Microsoft as an IT Pro Advisor. When people ask how I like working for Microsoft and how I like my job - I always respond "it's awesome!".  Here I am, working in a position where I can connect with IT Professionals across Canada (and the world in online form) in diverse communities and help them out to use and understand technology. Ultimately I hope to make them more productive and provide better service to their clients / customers and make their business more agile. These benefits extends out to communities as a whole since as IT professionals - we look to local and online communities to help us solve issues both technical and non technical.  You get out what you put into the pot.  I meet a lot of people, customers, friends, colleagues in this job and the level of "connectedness" and the number of "conversations" goes up each and every day. Don't think I am complaining - I love this part of the job - but I do admit that it has increased my workload of following through and following up.

As IT Professionals we're constantly being tasked to do things by our colleagues, bosses, friends, family and even ourselves. "I need more time to get things done", "I'm stuck in firefighter mode at work - reacting instead of proactively planning" and "Sometimes there is so much to do, I can't keep on top of it all".  Sound familiar? 

As part of my initial "orientation" training that takes place for all new hires into Microsoft, there is a portion of a day in a one week course that is designed to help you take control of the anarchy and give you the basic tools to manage the pending deluge of information and work that awaits. It's a system created and delivered by a company called "Mission Control". (www.missioncontrol.com).  It was an eye opener, but unfortunately it only scratched the surface with how the process worked and how to implement it - since it was a compressed edition that was part of a larger orientation session. I made a mental note to check it out again sometime, but I proceeded to continue to work and organize my day / life the same way I had since I could remember.

Fast forward to a year later. Tens of thousands of emails into my inbox, meeting requests, growing kids, family responsibilities, more public events, more user groups, more professional organizations, more client visits…. etc…etc…etc… I want my schedule back - heck, I want my life back. I want to get it all done (I've since learned this isn't possible <g>). I want to take control. Wait a second - what about the Mission Control system I heard about during my MS orientation session?

A couple of months ago I did a quick MSN search turns up www.missioncontrolcanada.com - HEY, a Canadian connection.  AWESOME. I digested the site and got in touch with Paul Gossen based out of Vancouver. We talked and I learned about how the system has worked for him and how it can work for others and for organizations and understand what slant the Canadian sub has for implementations. It was a great connection and re-ignited my interest in the solution.

To make a long story short - I managed to be in the same city at the same time last October where a local workshop was being offered. I attended and I am now trying to live my life using their process. My thoughts? Amazing. It is so simple to grasp the concepts but at the same time so challenging to change my habits that have been ingrained for YEARS on how I work, live and relate to others at work and at home.

As an example - when using the MissionControl system, I can now fully dedicate myself to spending time with my son and daughters without thinking (or trying to multitask) about the X number of things that used to be on my mind.  When I sit down and work on delivering some content to a user group or public event - I am 100% focused on the best possible delivery and engagement with task at hand.  It is unbelievable.

Fast forward to the new year - 2 months post workshop. I should be in fine form with all my stuff under control and using the system. I admit it - I've slipped off the wagon and only partially committing to the system due to holidays, sickness and other BAD excuses.

My New Years resolution? Get back at it!  How is this possible? I'll tell you…. In an upcoming post or two about my personal experiences with re-implementing the system.  I strongly suggest you check it out (www.missioncontrolcanada.com) - it will change your life and will change the way you handle things at work and at home.