Principles of Action: 8

Agorans study and share the best ways to pursue excellence to maximize their impact. These Principles of Action map out how to carry out tasks effectively. 

(1) Thoughtful effort

Agorans believe thoughtful effort is key to great results.

(1.1) Preparation

(1) Agorans overcome challenges by coming prepared. For example, a programmer would come to the task at hand having: 

• Sufficiently studied programming

• Exercised and ensured mental freshness

• Created a distraction-free environment

• Had adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition

• Tested their microphone and camera. 

(2) Next Agorans place the problem in focus. 

We ask: 

• What is truly the nature of the challenge to be overcome? 

For example:

• If the goal is to make a pomodoro timer app, the true challenge is empowering Agorans to visualize goals so they can sprint toward them.

  • A pomodoro timer is a 25-minute timer used to maintain focus before a scheduled break. Psychology suggests that anticipating a break boosts focus during work. 

Breaking down the challenge to be overcome into it's fundamental components and examining each obstacle carefully is key.

(3) Next we challenge assumptions. 

We ask: 

• If a pomodoro timer is ideal for productivity, could on-screen instructions paired with readily available phone timers serve just as well as an app? 

The assumption is a timer app must be built, but by focusing on the problem and challenging assumptions, shortcuts are developed. 

(1.2) Setting specific goals

Purposeful action begins with clarity. Agorans establish specific, measurable objectives, breaking down larger goals into actionable steps.

Setting specific steps removes uncertainty and allows for precise focus, the measurement of progress and actionable feedback. 

For example: If the objective is to provide clear Pomodoro instructions, a specific goal is to publish a concise, step-by-step guide on Discord by next Friday. Key action steps include drafting the core instructions by Monday, designing a simple visual layout by Wednesday, and getting feedback before publishing on Friday.

(1.2.1) Specific tasks

Agorans then break down goals into tasks and prioritize them, assigning one ultimately accountable owner and a specific deadline. 

(1.2.2) Iterative approach

Agorans recognize that excellence is often best achieved when taking an iterative approach toward accomplishing goals. 

(1.3) Effort

Agorans prepare for, and apply, significant effort. Agorans know that challenges worth undertaking often take more time and effort than we expect.

So Agorans: 

• Set apart appropriate and specific time blocks

• Clear other tasks to focus on doing one thing well. 

(1.4) Reflection

Agorans improve through reflection. 

At the end of a body of work we take time to reflect on what went well and what went poorly in order to improve.

(1.5) Documentation

As a volunteer-run society Agora expects a certain amount of turnover in staffing. Agorans document effective practices and obstacles in easily retrievable ways.

• Note: Thorough documentation and a heavy focus on training are essential in a volunteer-based environment to ensure continuity. 

(2) Teamwork

Agorans see themselves as students of interpersonal communication for the sake of effectiveness. 

(2.1) Communication

Agorans understand that great communication is the cornerstone of great teamwork.

Great communication begins with empathy and humility. A desire to understand what another is saying and the humility to understand it may expand your own limited world view is critical. 

(2.1.1) Practicing empathy

From a very early age, humans are at war against personal discomfort. Studies show that children as young as two years old lie in order to make their own life more comfortable. This war begins to distort our view of the world in our own favor. Truly listening to others makes us vulnerable by challenging this worldview. 

True empathy begins by recognizing how truly listening to others makes us vulnerable and consciously doing it regardless to make a team succeed.

(2.1.2) Practicing humility

As we are our own point of reference for life, most of us begin by thinking people are like us. Experience in communication teaches us that we are all radically different, and it's often very difficult to understand where other people are coming from.

Real listening avoids jumping to conclusions, but rather imagines that the person speaking often comes from a radically different paradigm. This is especially true when working with international teams. 

A simple yet powerful route to humility is to ask clarifying, open‑ended questions that invite your teammates to teach you how they see the problem before you offer your own view. 

Conclusion

Life is a constant struggle against the reality that we can only do one thing well. Rather than trying to do everything, Agorans embrace a mentality of humility, the understanding that even though we can only do one thing well, we can choose to do it with such excellence that others see the value of Agora. 

Victory begins within

Agorans understand that the "war" (an objective) is "won" or lost inside each one of us before the "battle" begins. 

Quote explained

The excellent put time, effort and thought into excellence and develop the habits of excellence before they come to any task. The defeated seek the results of the victorious without the necessary preparation and only serve to highlight the utility of proper habits.