Introducing Agility in your life

The Agile management is changing the world of work. Since when it took of in 2001, all kinds of organizations have implemented it in its various forms and various labels with great success.

Although its success can be seen in software development most of the times, Agile can be implemented to aid teams in all sorts of project types, regardless of their outcomes. Of course, there are types of projects or organizations where this type of management is just not feasible. Nothing is universal and the Agile methodology is not the jack of all trades.

The Agile mindset can be decomposed in its values and principles, that can be seen and studied on their website: www.agilemanifesto.org

The values that you can read here: Manifesto for Agile Software Development

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan

The principles can be read here: Principles behind the Agile Manifesto

What if i told you that these principles are as much needed in the professional life as in your personal one? Let me show you, by taking the values one by one - because this is will be the backbone of our future discussions.

The Agile values introduced in our personal lives

The “Individuals and interactions over processes and tools” value is practically saying that you need to value people more than the tools that you use in your workplace. Well, it’s like saying that you need to value more your family than the house you live in. Or talking to your wife face to face more than sending her a instant message when she’s in the other room. Makes sense, right?

The “Working software over comprehensive documentation” might be a little trickier, but let’s try. How does it sound if I told you to focus more on taking actionable steps towards your goal rather than planning every step of the way in an attempt to procrastinate? I think it works. And i think that like the values and principles of the Agile mindset are setting a ground for a great workplace, we’re starting to set one up for ourselves.

The “Customer collaboration over contract negotiation” emphasizes cooperative relationships over rigid agreements or predefined rules, basically. You should prioritize building a strong, collaborative relationship with your significant other or your friends, rather than predefined expectations. Take everyone as they are - imperfect - with your imperfections, and make it work. Moreover, try being flexible in a relationship over having rigid rules. Be open to adapting your role, be it that of a husband, wife, father or mother; try to see each other’s strengths and adapt to each situation accordingly. You’ll never see EVERYTHING coming, so might as well be… agile.

The “Responding to change over following a plan” is self-explanatory and even strongly interconnected with the Customer collaboration over contract negotiation. It is talking about being flexible and adapt to every situation as it comes over having predefined plans. Although having plans give you a piece of mind and sometimes needed, I don’t know of a plan that went 100% its way. You always need to adapt accordingly. It wouldn’t be fair to ask of yourself to create the perfect plan. No one can, in my opinion, and trying to create one will lead to deception instead of fulfillment.

By embracing Agile values in our personal lives, we can foster healthier, more productive relationships and personal growth. Valuing individuals and interactions reminds us to prioritize meaningful connections with our loved ones. Focusing on actionable steps helps us achieve our goals without getting bogged down in procrastination. Prioritizing collaboration and flexibility in our relationships allows us to adapt and thrive amidst life's uncertainties. Lastly, responding to change empowers us to navigate life's unpredictability with resilience and agility.

As we delve deeper into these values in future discussions, we'll explore how adopting an Agile mindset can lead to a more fulfilling, balanced, and adaptive approach to both work and life. Embrace the journey, stay flexible, and keep growing.

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