When it comes to learning... PLAGA
When it comes to learning… PLAGA.
That’s right: People Love A Good Acronym!
If it’s catchy enough, it’s easy to remember. And if it’s easy to remember, it’ll be easy to implement as well.
This week, I dedicate my Top 4 to my favorite productivity acronyms; two that I learned early in my career, and two that I created.
As someone who helps others create compelling content, these are all ones that I use with them repeatedly to keep them on track.
Top 4 Productivity Acronyms
SMART
My first “teachable” acronym was in college. I was in a leadership class and learned how to create better goals.
S = Specific. The broader the goal, the less likely it will be achieved. Instead of saying “run faster,” say “run a 6-minute mile.” Instead of saying “eat better,” say “commit to a vegan diet.” This way, you eliminate any uncertainty about how you plan to accomplish it.
M = Measurable. Breaking your goal down into intervals or benchmarks ensures that you can easily measure your progress as you go. This also goes a long way toward a couple of other important “M’s”: Motivation and Momentum. Using the previous running example, this could mean shaving ten seconds off your mile time every two weeks.
A = Attainable. A goal without a realistic plan is just a wish. People don’t act on wishes; they just hope for them. So if you’ve been running a ten-minute mile for years and now want to reduce it to six in just a couple of weeks, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
R = Relevant. Why is it important for you to attain this goal? How does it tie into your other priorities? If the reason isn’t big enough or related to your existing lifestyle, the chances that you’ll remain engaged throughout are slim.
T = Timely. Set a deadline to every goal. When will this be accomplished? Without that, there’s nothing in place to keep you accountable to reaching it.
SWOT
Later, when I began managing teams, I discovered SWOT as a way to analyze both individual performances as well as existing projects.
S = Strengths. What are you doing especially well? How can you maximize those strengths?
W = Weaknesses. What are your biggest challenges or blind spots? Where do you need help or guidance in those areas?
O = Opportunities. Based on your strengths, how can you leverage them into future opportunities?
T = Threats. Based on your weaknesses, what could potentially occur if they go unaddressed? What future concerns do you have that can be proactively dealt with?
DIE
When I taught English composition as a professor, I created two acronyms that I often chunked together for essay assignments; not just because it covers the start (ideation) and end (proofreading) points of the writing process, but because they are morbidly memorable:
DIE, SCUM!
D = Describe. (AKA: What do you see?) When first sitting down to write, it’s important to set the scene. What events are taking place that will eventually lead to your take (i.e.: the thesis statement). Paint the picture as vividly as possible so the reader can get transported into the story with you.
I = Interpret. (AKA: What do you think?) What can you construe about what’s taken place? What does the evidence point to?
E = Evaluate. (AKA: What do you feel?) Here’s your chance to insert your own voice into the piece. Do you approve or disapprove? Did it evoke some sort of emotion or reaction within you? Of course, if the material you’re creating is meant to be objectively written, you will likely skip this step.
SCUM
And then, once you’ve completed your first draft, you need to go back and check for SCUM:
S = Support. Whatever your central idea is, it needs to be backed up with irrefutable facts and evidence. If you want us to buy into what you’re saying, we can’t just take your word for it. (A valuable tip for today’s politicians, too!)
C = Coherence. Simply enough, does your writing sound like how you would say it? Does it fit the tone and style of your intended audience? Do the words flow naturally, or is the page filled with choppy or run-on sentences? (This can also be where you reference another favorite acronym: KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid) Checking for this can be as easy as reading it back out loud.
U = Unity. Does all of your supporting content tie back to one clear central idea? Or does it deviate into another topic? For example, if your thesis is about how to write more effectively but then you reference an anecdote about your pet dog, you’ve gone off course.
M = Mechanics. Pretty cut and dried here. Is it grammatically correct? No misspelled words? Formatted the right way? With so many tools out there today, it eliminates the excuses to not get this part down. I’ve looked through hundreds of resumes and, no matter how impressive someone’s background is, if there are multiple obvious errors, it goes right to trash.
By having these in your instructional arsenal, not only does it provide more engagement in your materials, but it allows the information to be more digestible, as well. And if you create your own, it also makes you the expert on the topic in a way that’s unique to anyone else!
For those needing help implementing any of the aforementioned acronyms (or perhaps to come up with some of your own), I offer personalized coaching and accountability sessions. Book a call with me here.
Until next time,
JG