tired product managers make tired products

A product manager trainer who shall remain nameless (I can't remember his name) once told me that if you are a product manager and you aren't tired and stressed then you aren't doing the job properly.

I should have asked the 'said trainer' for my company's money back.

Good product managers need to be able to think with clarity and stay on top of things. You simply can't do this if you are stressed-out and tired.

So, how do you stay 'fresh?' Here's what I think:

• Don't think about your product all the time ( another crap piece of advice from a 'trainer.') A broad interest in technology and 'stuff' will help you more in the long-term than obsessing about your product.
• Look after yourself because your product will not. Eat well, exercise and indulge your passions and interests.
• Get some ZEN ( easiest way: read Tabita Green's excellent blog.)
• Focus on what's important, drop everything that isn't. If you can delegate, do.
• Laugh. We are the lucky ones, we have jobs with prospects. Enjoy it.
• Take a break, small one's, through-out the day.
• Take a break, long one's, whenever you can!
• Challenge yourself. Solving new problems is cathartic (err, if that's the right word.) Stagnation simply isn't good.
• Don't take it all so seriously, lighten up! The world still revolves without you and your product.
• Change environments. Work remotely, change your journey to work. Change is often as good as a break! (so they say.)

Love to know what you think? How do you stay 'fresh?'

Comments

[Gav]

Really nice post Carl,

I find the hardest point in a big project cycle is the week or two immediately after a big project launch or milestone. It's when all that thinking and decision making catches up with me.

If at all possible, timing a day or two off a sensible amount of time after a product launch/milestone is a good strategy to ensure you give your brain a chance to reset itself and regain perspective.

In fact generally shirking frequent breaks or holidays is bad for your own state of mind and bad for your project.

Finally, I really like the idea of taking time out to appreciate something totally different from your own universe is really constructive. I know a couple of designers who used to escape to the Tate when it all got a bit too much. I like the swimming pool myself, web products are pretty useless when you're swimming so there's no point thinking about them while that's what you're doing.

[Carl Knibbs]

Thanks Gav, I agree - after a big release I guess you have to let things settle down (with yourself and the product actually) before cranking things back up. And am totally with you on routinely putting yourself in an environment that has little bearing on, or relationship with, 'web products.'

[liv]

I want to know the name of that tired manger. lolz ...
Apart from that I really agree with you . Fresh mind can produce best work and it is the fact. It will be a good reading to make yourself prepared for the job.
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[liv]

It certainly needs some exposure. Apart from that the redesigned website looks good. Its going to work for you, Congrats for that.

[Carl Knibbs]

Hi liv, thanks for the comment and feedback on the site!