Hi everyone!
There’s a topic I’ve been meaning to share here for a while, which should interest the Focused crew, which is the topic of public journaling.
I’m a creative director in the games industry, leading a team of other directors and production professionals, and my job is to maintain the creative vision of the games I direct. A fun job although one that requires juggling a lot of plates at the same time.
On a previous project on which I was both creative and art director, I was under heavy stress (I suppose having a baby at the same time also didn’t help, athough I keep thinking she’s what keeps me sane, but that’s another topic ). Following the recurring suggestions from the Focused podcast to look at journaling, I started, three years ago, to journal every night.
In the context of a project that was putting me under a constant stream of problems to solve, it was a way for me to lay the day in front of me in the calm of my own head and get a clear picture of what happened so I could come to the next day fully prepared and clear of mind, rather than be in quick reaction mode all the time.
This worked well and I became quite the evangelist of the practice to my peers and colleagues.
But I started something new back in November, by making my “Captain’s Logs” (yeah I really called them that because I know no shame) public to the team and my own boss, the studio head.
I though it would be a good way for everyone to have a direct connection to my head and understand how and why I reach certain conclusions when comes the time to make decisions.
And so far so good. I’ve sent out one such log every night, without fail (I’m quite proud of that one, although knowing it will be read adds to the pressure) and I’ve only received positive feedback, ranging from people getting a deeper understanding of my own process and ideas, to appreciation from those who may not be involved in the decision making.
As for including my boss in here, besides the fact we’re also in friendly terms and have an informal working relationship, this allows him to have “dailies” of my project without needing to meet every day. It makes our collaboration more fluid.
And while I was worried it would dilute the sort of things I would dare say in these logs, it hasn’t been an issue. I’ve actually used those as a secret tribune to point out concerns, both team-focused and studio-wide, triggering interesting and fruitful conversations.
There you have it, and here’s my question:
I was wondering if anyone here did the same, had been doing it for longer than I have and perhaps found some insights I haven’t reached yet. What do you think?
Cheers!
m.