Put Your Pen at the End: The Power of Working Backwards

 Put your pen at the end and work backwards.

That trick works when you are trying to find your way through a maze. Instead of starting at the beginning and muddling your way through, put your pen at the end and you'll see the pathway unravel itself as you work backwards to the beginning.

It's also the way I start every leadership workshop I have the privilege of facilitating. I'll look at the group and say, "Imagine it's the end of the day, and you're looking back at the 6 or 7 hours we spent together today. . . how will you know this has been a valuable time? What will have to happen for you to walk way feeling this was a good use of your day?"

It's a great question because it helps me hear their definition of what success will look like. What is most valuable for them, what will be most helpful for them?

I'll often write their "wins" on the white board, and then come back to them throughout the day. They in essence are setting the agenda, and helping chart our course. Their ownership of the agenda for that day goes through the roof.

Put your pen at the end and work backwards. It's a great philosophy for completing mazes, and in workshops or projects or team goals. Start with the end in mind. . . what will success have looked like? And then work backwards to the steps that will get you there.

Love to hear your thoughts on this, and whether you have used a version of this question in your context before. Have an amazing week and know I'm cheering you on!