Clarify what you are really trying to do. In other words, at the end of the day, what will you accomplish by doing this?

Are you trying to :

a. Answer a question?

b. Resolve an issue?

c. Make a decision?

d. Produce something?

Once you are clear on this, then proceed to the next step.

Highlight what “complete” looks like. Or in other words, describe what the completed work looks like.

If it’s:

a. An answer – what would be the characteristics of ‘the right answer’? how would you know it is the right one? Does it matter where the answer comes from?

b. A resolved issue – what would this look like? Does it mean some sort of agreement from people who are involved? Who are these people? What are they expecting from the resolution?

c. A decision – similar to a resolved issue but involves not just agreement but also acceptance as a decision may ultimately lead to actions on people’s part.

d. A product – What does each part of the product look like? Who gave the requirements for it? Who accepts the quality of the product? Can you describe what quality means for it?

Once you can describe what you will have when you complete what you are doing, proceed to the next step.

Evaluate where you are and check why you have not progressed

a. What do you need to proceed? A related decision? Information? Material?

b. Do you need help with something? Do you need someone with the right skills or someone to explain a difficult idea?

In other words, know what is stopping you. Once you do, you can :

Address the stumbling blocks by laying out the set of steps that will get you to overcome them.

If it’s a decision, do you know who the best person is to make it?

If it’s an answer, do you know who is best able to give it?

If it’s a material you need, do you know where to get it?

If it requires skill you don’t have right now, do you know who can provide it?

If you do not have the answers to the above, do you know who might be able to?

Then ask the question “when do you need it?”.

Once you’ve listed these steps down and know when they have to be done, you can lay out your plan.

Take action – Do the steps.

Carry out the steps and see where your plan takes you. If you did the previous steps correctly, you should end up in a better situation than when you started.

Lastly, review where you are now after you’ve done the CHEAT. You might need to repeat the cycle until you finally complete what you are trying to do.

Cheating is a vicious cycle with the cheater ending up in a worse state after the cheat.

On the other hand, CHEATing is a improving cycle. It is quite similar to the Japanese Kaizen

approach. It is also consistent with the principles in the Can Do CODE.

A principled ace up your sleeves.

Stay tuned. This should be awesome!

Fun in 8

Here’s a picture that does shows it all.

The Popcorn Jump

Ralph was successful in his campaign (as were other members of ARISE) so we asked him for an interview as we wanted to find out how we were able to help.

This is a short recap  of that interview.

the Camp “What did you gain from attending 2 of the Camp’s workshops?”

Ralph: “I have gained simple but very useful techniques for planning and management. Some of these are the RACI, DRAW and mind mapping tool. these techniques really aided me much in times when i plan for the student council events. in fact, i used mind mapping so as to come up with a specific plan of action for my campaign during elections. this plan of action placed me on my position now, chairperson of the engineering student council. I actually shared these tools to the members of my council and they too are now using it to plan and execute events. ”

the Camp – “Would you say that participating in this kind of activity is something that someone your age should consider? Why (or why not)? What sort of person would gain the most from this? ”

Ralph - ‘of course. this activity will really help students. it is quite timely since companies right now are not looking for scholastic leverage but rather on skilled and talented individuals. in the real world, grades are only considered next to skill and talent. the skill and talent i am talking about is the experience gained from organizing events and managing people. this is what the students should be focusing on other than academic standing. the experience gained from handling positions will help a lot in their future careers. and with the activities offered by can do camp, you are assured that you really can do all of these stuffs.”

the Camp – ‘Is this something you would encourage a friend/colleague/family member to do? How would you say it to them?‘

Ralph - “this activity made me a better leader”

We are proud to say we are glad to have helped you Ralph. Thank you for your words. Good luck!

Learning the concept is much more effective because our students participate!

Working on group exercises drive the point much faster (and people do retain more after) and makes for a more enjoyable time together.