It's all a matter of 'Perspective'

Four young men sit by the bedside if their dying father.  The old man, with his last breath, tells them there is a huge treasure buried in the family fields.  The sons crowd around him crying, "Where? where?" but it is too late.  The day after the funeral and for many days to come, the young men go out with their picks and shovels and turn the soil, digging deeply into the ground from one end of the field to the other.  They find nothing and, bitterly disappointed, abandon the search.

                    The next season the farm has it's best harvest ever.

(Source: The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander).

 

Some things in life are all about how you see look at them.  It's not the age of the eyes but the perspective and opportinity that the eye's view that makes the difference.

What kind of eye's are you looking through?

Encouraging engaging education

Take a moment and check out this fantastic advert that was produced for the NZ Air Force.

How and why does it work?  Contrasts and comparisons.

• Boring teacher, boring classroom, boring lesson.

Versus

• Exciting technology, exciting opportunity, exciting response.

Then there are the sub themes that really make the advert great.

• The girl who gets on the helicopter was the only student trying to learn in class.  This tells me self-motivation is a huge factor.
• The girl stands up in anticipation of what might come well before the others.  Therefore she senses opportunity before it happens.
• She only has to be asked once before she runs out the door to embrace the opportunity. 
• No one tells her what the risks are or what the withdrawal policy is.  The air force want risk takers who are prepared to jump in boots and all.

So there you go.  Even if you hate what it is you are doing or learning - be aware that opportunity is never far away.  You need to be open and aware that it could happen at any time.

Would you take the risk? 

This year I step up

(Authors note - this post is my Chinese New Year resolutions list.  Chinese New Year celebrations run from February 3rd to 18th, 2011).

The big area that I am doing a lot of reading about and self reflection on at the moment is around being authentic.  Authentic as a person, an employee and as a manager.  (See book review of Linchpin).

This is one area that I have struggled with over the past three years.  I have spent a lot of time and energy thinking that I had to be watching my back, keeping others in check and ensuring that I was doing everything possible to protect myself.  That said - I was being Defensive.

Don't get me wrong I have been able to generate some fantastic results and have some life changing experiences not to mention getting to work with the best administration team any person could ever wish for.  What I was doing though was struggling within myself to feel like I was achieving real results and as a result was very down on myself.  This shone through the most when I went to a few job interviews - and I was really, really bad.  ;)

2011 is the year that I switch up and go into Offensive.  I remember an old saying that a friend of mine uses "Offense is the best form of defense". 

I could and have spent a lot of energy trying to have a secure position.  But I can see that my strategy was both flawed and misguided.  So what am I doing different?

• Creativity.  I am generally pretty creative but haven't put as much emphasis on this area as I should have been doing.  This year - I step up.
• Spontaniety.  I will relax around others, not be concerned what their motives may or may not be and have FUN.  This year - I step up.
• Speaking up.  After you get smacked down a few times it easy to be reluctant to confront people or to have the courage to speak up.  This year - I step up.

Having finished reading Linchpin by Seth Godin I feel inspired to a) be myself, b) have fun and c) bring my authentic self to work - everyday.

 

More thoughts and musings on life in 2011

(via: A.S. Preciado)

"In 2011 listen to the music, be honest with those around you,
and please keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times!"

Friday Night Lights - chillin out on Friday

Friday night is the right time to kick back, enjoy good company and unwind from the week.  Add to the mix some great music and you set yourself up nicely for a great weekend.
This week I have been grooving along to the chill and funky sounds of Mr Scruff.

Why Mr Scruff?  There isn't too much bollocks or pretension in the music.  And if the internet had a sound - this would be pretty close to my imagining what it would nbe like.  Lots of sounds collected from all corners of the world, thrown into a big blender of imagination and then moulded together into a smooth concoction of sweet sound.

Book review: Showing Up For Life

Bill Gates' father (William Gates Sr) has taken the time to collect his thoughts and collate them into a handy little book of wisdom.  There are lots of stories and anecdotes that span an entire century and reach from the early 1900's all the way through to 2009.

This is a book deeply set in reality.  There are reflections on surviving the depression, hard work, starting out in life and integrity.  After being married for 42 years Mrs Gates passed away and there are some very nice reflective yet instructful stories from the life of Mary Gates as well.

What I really enjoyed about this book is it's honesty and it's sincerity.  This is not a book about Microsoft or Bill Gates but a book about life.  How to live, make the most of everyday and ultimately leave a lasting legacy through the words you say, the acts you complete and the influence you leave behind.

This is not a management book (in the purest sense).  This book is a common sense guide to life packed full of wisdom and insight.  The evidence that Mr Gates' experiences and philosophies work is best shown through the results of his family and legacy.

You can also check out Mr Gates own thoughts here as well.

Review: The Art of Influence

The Art of Influence is a very short and very punchy parable.  It tells the story of how a recent graduate from business school meets up with one of the leading business leaders of the time and is taught some valuable lessons.

This is a short story.  It won't take long to read.  What it will do though is give you food for thought and some really important life lessons.

While there are four obvious laws that are stated (without giving them away) there also plenty of other thoughts, stories and pieces of wisdom that wind their way through the book.  A lot like the fable of Hansel and Gretel this story weaves its way along a path and encourages you to follow it.

Chris Widener is the author and has done a great job on this book.  Interestingly this book reminds me a lot of the other parable 'Who moved my cheese'.

This is a book or audio story that is well worth investing in annd aharing with your friends.  A quick note - you can probably skip the first half of the book and start at the chapter where the first law is introduced by Mr Gold.  The introductory content before this chapter doesn't add a whole lot to the over all story.

My final opinion - four stars out of five,

Making real change happen

Here is a quick overview of three areas that I think are the cornerstones of a healthy and sustainable community.  Here they are -

1. Female empowerment.  There can never be enough females empowered to make decisions for themselves.  This is especially true in countries where there is repression and lack of opportunities for advancement.  Respect rules.
2. Education.  There is no substitute or ceiling that can be enforced when a person is educated.  Education sets the mind free to explore the possibilities of life and self achievement. 
3. Micro finance.  Lending $25US to a person who lives in a country where the average GDP is less than $1,000US per year doesn't make much difference to my bank account but it can make a radical change in someone else's life.

This leads me to the question - what are your key drivers in life?  What are the three big ideals that drive you forward and excite you.  What is it in life that makes you feel that you are making a contribution and are fulfilling your life's mission?

Check out this website - http://www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/gwe/index.cfm which tells you more.

Think First

Have you ever acted on a whim, instinct or emotion and found out later that you got it wrong?  That very thing has happened to me repeatedly during the last week.  So here are a few situations where you should think first and act second (based on personal experience) -

1. When booking travel. Just because you can save a few dollars travelling from a close airport but not your home one - is it worth it?  Where will you park your car?  How much extra travel is involved?Spend the extra money and go local.  The benefits outweigh the costs.
2. When you're angry.  This is the ideal time to say nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  Zero.  Saying nothing means you won't have anything to retract later.
3. When a opportunity to good to be true comes your way.  Just as the old adage says - 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is'.

"We need to determine what activities best utilize our time in order to achieve the results we desire in all areas of our life!"


Catherine Pulsifer, from We Never Seem to Have Enough Time.
 

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anabadili/2804178155/)

Stress Busters

There are times in everyone's daily work life when stress hits.  Time lines aren't met, there are too many tasks to be done or people are just plain ticking you off.

There are many different ways that people react to stress.  Some are positive and some are destructive.

Here are some ideas to deal positively with stress when it next hits -

1. Breathe.  Often times when I start to get stressed my breathing patterns change and I don't breathe properly.  So what happens?  Less oxygen gets into the body which means muscles tighten up and the brain has to start working harder.  Take a minute or two next time stress hits and just focus on slow, steady, constant breathing.
2. Stretch.  Physically get up, walk around and stretch.  Similar to the point above when you stress your body reacts.  Your muscles tighten and you become more and more tense.  Solution - get up. move around and release the tension.
3. Stop and Assess.  What is it that is actually stressing you?  Is it an important task or is it a niggling issue that just won't go away.  Stopping and assessing the situation is a critical step.  If you choose to keep plowing on with the task chances are you will only make matters worse for yourself and you will in fact create rework for yourself.
4. Delegate.  Give work away.  Get others working for you.  You can't do it all yourself.
5. Reflect and Plan.  How did you get into this situation?  What will you do differently next time to be better prepared before you get stressed? 

Deal with stress in a positive way and let it be a method of focusing you on what is important and what isn't.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tzofia/270800047/)

People You Don't Get Along With

Nobody gets on with everybody all the time.  It's a fact of life.  So what do you do about it?

1. Be courteous.  Respect is a valuable commodity.  You also never know when you might need a favor or if that perso will ever be on an interview panel.
2. Be polite.  Being rude or obnoxious will only make the situation worse. 
3. Cut to the chase.  Don't spend too much time mucking around with nicities.  When in a meeting, talking on the phone or sending an email - get to the point and get on with it!.
4. Be careful what you say to others.  Playground politics can be incredibly destructive and corrosive.  If you've got anything to say - speak directly to the person.

One interesting situation I have is where I have previously had one person whom I had difficulties working with.  There were a lot of tense moments and no matter what either of us did we could just never agree on anything - even when we agreed!

Nothing changed overnight.  However three years later we can understand each others perspective and have learnt to respect each others work.  The real issue is we are more alike than apart in personality.

And now I have to work with another person (who also has a large personality) and guess what?  We don't get on.  Well, we do get on, but we'll never do coffee.  So whats my strategy for dealing with this person?

The same three points I've listed above.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tzofia/316646522/)

Leadership Lessons - From the Phillipines

Anna Cleal, a kiwi, is doing some work with people in the Phillipines at the moment and is an awesome representative of what can be achieved through micro-finance and in particular through Kiva.

If you hit the link below you will be re-directed to a fabulous little blog post she wrote on what we can learn from people in the Phillipines. 

It comes highly recommended.

http://fellowsblog.kiva.org/2010/05/11/10-things-the-philippines-can-teach-the-world/

Remember - life isn't just about us.  It's about how we can help and assist others in their lives to be the best they can be - through whatever means we have available to us.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frisno/2946657474/)

Making The Right Choice

What is the right choice to make in any given situation?  How do you know if the choice you are making is right or wrong?

I have been working through exactly this kind of situation.  It is a 'what should I do' situation.  So where should we start when it comes to making choices?

I go back to my annual resolutions, goals and objectives that I set for myself in December of last year.  Those goals are - 1.  Compliance, 2. Excellence and 3.  Teamwork.

So the situation arose where I had to pick between a good option that was mainly for my benefit or an option whereby I would forfeit personal gain in order to be involved with and develop my team.

Okay - so it doesn't sound that bad - but - giving up a financial reward for little effort isn't as easy as it may sound.  I was pretty keen on ensuring I got the best personal reward.  Until I started reflecting on where I am at and what is important to me in 2010.

So I chose to go with the team option.  Giving up a bit of money in the short term I decided was a poor way to get ahead when compared to the benefits and rewards of working with the team to grow the financial benefits and rewards for everyone.

Guess what - after I made the decision to stay true to my goals I had a pair of breakthrough moments.  One - the conflicting appointment was shifted so I can still make a personal gain, and two - I may have a chance to do something I have always dreamed of and may now be able to do.

Moral of the story - stay true to yourself, act and think with integrity and the rewards will come your way.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/will-lion/3122985108/)

Quote of the Week

"A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time."

Annie Dillard.





(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuddland/2943653984/)

Goals, Dreams and Getting There

Lets face facts - life can get us down at times.  And when we feel like we are in a rut and can;t out of it - what do we do?  What should we do?  Seek.  Seek out help. 

Self help books are okay but the best method for moving forward or getting out of a rut is to talk to others.

I like the fact that Waikato University are taking the initiative and are willing to help people get their lives on track.  For a very small investment of $65 people can write themselves a new mission statement, figure out some goals and plan on how they will get to where they want to be.

That's a very handy investment if it means people can feel better about themselves and their lives.

I highly recommend attending this course or finding on like it closer to where you physically are.

For some further thoughts you can also check out Seth Godin's post on self-help here.

Self Perception Is Everything

The way you see yourself is the way that others will see you as well. Your self perceptions govern your behavior and the way you interact with others.

If you see yourself as being positive, in control and professional - others will. Here are the ways that others pick up on your self perceptions -

1. The way you dress. Dress to impress. Wear sharp styles, clean lines and clothes that work for you. Be expressive but still formal.
2. The language you use. Be smart and thoughtful about what you say to and about others.
3. The company you keep. Be aware of who your friends are. Engage with those who are the best at what they do and learn from them.
4. If you can't make it - fake it (or at least for a little while). Once you start believing you are someone and acting like others will treat you the same way. Some days you will just have to pretend you have it all together and eventually - you will!

Have a look at this website for some ideas about how you can change your self perception's http://www.about-personal-growth.com/self-image.html.

Carpe Diem - Sieze the day! The choice is yours.

"Grab opportunity by the beard for it is bare behind!"

Steve Gurney on Attitude

Steve Gurney is a multi-sport legend who has fought through thick and thin and is undoubtedly a true legend. In his book 'Lucky Legs' Steve talks about his life and gives some pointers on what it means to win and how to go about doing it.

One part of his book is all about - how to. I have especially enjoyed chapter 24 where Gurney talks about the mental approach.

I will paraphrase a few of his key points here -

• You create your future through your beliefs, attitudes and resources. You can set yourself up to win.


• Create a future you want by meditating on it through a positive way c.f. a negative one.


• The law of attraction works!


• State your goals and desires in a positive way and by focusing on what you can do.


• "Energy flows where attention goes"


• Figure out if your goals are 'towards' goals (positively focused goals) or 'away' goals (driven by fear or similar).

I totally recommend this book to anyone who wonders - What does it feel like to win? or - How do I get better and achieve better results?

This book is written with the beauty of hindsight and wisdom gained from some hard lessons learned. This is not a flash in the pan story but rather a story well crafted and very, very funny!

Life Lessons - To Do List

The choice is yours.

"How we spend our days is of course - how we spend our lives" Annie Dillard.

(Thanks to Daphnee Maree for posting the graphic.)

Mental Agility

One important aspect of every persons career is retaining the ability to adapt and to learn new skills as quickly as they can.

Here are a few ideas to keep you mentally agile and flexible -

1. Study another language. This will really test you at any stage of life! Learning another language will cover more areas of your brain than traditional brain teasers as it requires both creativity and memory work.


2. Exercise with cardio. Doing intense exercise gets the lungs working harder and the blood flowing faster. More oxygen in the lungs being transported around your body can only have a positive effect on your brain.


3. Eat and drink smarter - Omega 3's power the brain. The best places to find these are in fish particularly salmon. Otherwise take a supplement.


4. Relax your brain. When the pressure is off and your not at work, learn to take it easy. his applies both to your brain fitness as well as your physical fitness. You need to do the training but you also need to rest to reap the full benefits.

(See also - Australian Mens Health, February 2010.)

"Learn to adjust yourself to the conditions you have to endure, but make a point of trying to alter or correct conditions so that they are most favorable to you." William Frederick Book.

Leadership Lessons - The Role of the Conductor

Here are the quick lessons from the video below -

1. Have fun.
2. Let the stories of the individuals, groups and community flow together to create a symphony.
3. Give clear instructions but then relinquish control and let the group interpret your motives in their own way.
4. Let the magic of others emanate from them as you provide overall guidance.
5. Execution is everything.
6. Express yourself.
7. Authority is important and people must respect your authority. There is a time and a place to exert your authority and it is better to deal with a situation in private after the moment - than during the moment.
8. Authority in partnership with autonomy creates the best music.
9. Put it all together and let the music play.
   
   
   
   
   Itay Talgam describes music, harmony and music performance. This is a great video and is one to remember.