Category Archives: Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Living is good

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“Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage; it can be delightful.”    George Bernard Shaw

I ran across this quote the other day and it resonated strongly with the way I view life. So, I wanted to share it, of course with a little embellishment of my own.

Courage

A common definition of courage is “Acting with strength in the face of pain or grief”.  In Barnard Shaw’s, view the delights that await as you wend your way through life make the percieved hardships manageble.

This makes a lot of sense to me.  As I have said in previous posts, put on a happy face and enjoy everything.  This is in yourhand, how you percieve things is completely within your control.  Really there are no good reasons not too.

Experiencing Delight

To really enjoy the delight that awaits us throughout our lives we must both believe it exists and be receptive to embracing it.  Shaw’s encoragement is not just a practicle suggestion of a way to deal with lifes trials (i.e. take courage) but it is also a motivating statement..

Foreshadowing the pleasures of the future can certainly be a helpful technique for handling the pains of the present.

My fair lady (the play the qoute is derived from) is a tale of rising above hardship and both giving and recieving the gift of “delight”   It is a fabulous story I highly recommend reading, watching the play or the movie if you have not done so already.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

The art of balance

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How can we we judge when something is enough or not enough.  The balance between too much and too little, to coin a phrase from the well known fairy tale about three bears, is just right.

Who Cares

Achieving that sense of contentment that comes with everything being just right is different for everyone.  It is categorically an individual measure.

When things are just right in your universe (i.e., all is in balance) other people recognize it.  Interactions with you are consistently positive and that aura of  “je nes se quois” (French literally meaning “I don’t know what”) sets you apart.

I would suggest this is a desirable state to both achieve and sustain.  For me, the key question is “How is it done?”

Seeking what you know, knowing what you seek

Not surprisingly reaching a state of perfect balance between too much and too little starts with understanding.

When considering what is an ideal point of balance for you, knowledge  of impacts and effects of a thing is needed.  For example eating chocolate constantly could impact your health negatively.  Probably be expensive in the long run as well.  Understanding  the enjoyment of eating chocolate against it’s less positive impacts represent the data you use to define your optimal balance for this activity (eating chocolate).

Obviously understanding and striking the right place for all your actions is extremely more complex than just the consuming of chocolate.  Thinking about the right balance for you in all things within your personal universe is ultimately the goal (e.g., introversion time, extroversion time, travel, humor, work, family activities, relaxation and so on).

Give it a try, the positive results from having a more conscious understanding of the balance of things in your life might surprise you .

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

What good is panic

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Emotional responses are triggered by events.  While there is not an exact correlation between an events and the associated emotional response there are some basic commonalities.

For example if you encounter a bear in the woods, fear will probably be one of the emotions you experience.   If a pretty girl kisses you there mght be a flash of pleasure.

And the point!

Emotional response is part of genetics.  Dwarwin’s theory of evolution includes emotional responses within the scope of genetically influenced traits that evolve over time.

So our emotional responses are tuned for good.  They help.  The fear helps shape your behavioural reponse to the bear as does the feeling of pleasure to female companionship.

Why panic?

 Today a whole folder and all it’s contents, which I was storing on googles cloud drive, disappeared.   Initially I panicked which of course stymies clarity  and can lead to responses that only make things worse.

The good news is I figured out how to resolve my issue.  However, the event got me thinking about the emotion of panic and the behaviours it drives.

My wife suggests turning in a circle or meditating until the panic fades away.  Probably both good suggestions, although I am not sure how practicle they are.  (People might talk).

Unlike the fear and pleasure behaviours from my bear and kiss examples actions associated with panic do not make sense.

I think it is time for evolutionary change to kick in.  Eradicate panic for the good of humankind.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Daylight Savings Time – Really

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I am sad to say that daylight savings time was introduced in a Canadian city.  Thunder Bay Ontario to be exact.   The theory is the one hour shift allows better use of daylight and saves energy.

Early to Rise etc

My first reaction is the inventors of this strange and annoying practice were not aware of the old proverb “early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise”.

Although I guess rising early regardless of whether it is dark or light still works.  Personally I prefer the light when I get up.

Saving Energy

Obviously moving sunset to occur one hour later (and sunrise is one hour later) does not change the amount of daylight.  That is the amount of time between sunrise and sunset (daylight hours) does not change.

So why is energy use decreased just because the it get’s dark later.  The answer is based on when people get up and when they go to bed on average.

Theoretically, the more closely the average time people go to bed coincides with it getting dark and the time people get up on average maps more closely to when it is getting light than less use of electricity (lights,  entertainment electronics, and such) results.

Really!

I find it hard to believe there is a good measure of the average times people get up and go to bed.  Also many factors influence the use of electricity and other energy sources far beyond whether it is light or dark outside.

In my humble opinion (really) this change in time twice a year is just an annoying exercise that causes all of use to shift our internal clocks a little bit for no valid reason.

 

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Searching for Meaning

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We are born and we die and everything inbetween is our life.  On occassion I have paused and asked myself “why”.   More specifically why was I born, why will I die and what is the purpose of the time inbetween those two events?

Seeking Meaning

For me personally the answer to the question defines how I should behave and what I should do to occupy the time between birth and death.  Ultimately this becomes the meaning of my life.

This is not a unique question, nor am I the first to have asked it of myself, nor will I be the last.

Logically, people who commit  suicide have decided there is no purpose.  This could be supplemented by a belief that a stage exists after the human existence and rushing to death will start the next phase.   Of course there is no absolute evidence the next stage is better than the current state (or even exists).

 

To some degree this is a kind of bird in the hand versus bird in the tree argument.  (Life is the bird in hand, afterlife is the bird in tree).

And My Answer

Asking why and trying to determine an answer or even setting the answer is a very individual activity.  This is something we must do alone although everyone and everything around us is influential in what we decide.

Answers are also not carved in stone and as we encounter different personal experiences our answer to or even our need to have an answer can change.

My own perspective on the search for meaning is constantly evolving, although the underlying philosophy I adopted in my early teens still holds true for me today.

My life is about me and my purpose is maximum pleasure, however this cannot be at the expense of others.

 

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

High Performing Teams

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There is a large volume of readily available reference material about high performing teams.  These include things like what they are, key attributes and distiguishing features, and how to be part of one.

Keep it simple

I had an interesting discussion with some of my  colleagues today about this often and sometimes overused buzz word.  While there were many facets to our information exchange we had complete consensus as to a the basic key attibutes of a high performing team:

  • The culture of the team is intuitive to all members and not based on mandate in any way.  It feels good (for everyone),  differences of background, race and beliefs are irrelevant and everyone clearly believes that everyone else is important.  And everyone knows this is a universal belief.
  • There are no silos.  No one is pigeon holed by skill and knowledge.   Sharing and receiving the gift of knowledge openly from each other is the baseline.
  • The destination is common, that is everyone on the team is going to the same place (and everyone understands that without it needing to be explained)
  • Results do matter but most important is the health and well being of the team itself.  Everyone must feel good about both themselves and their teamates to achieve top results.  For a team on the top of its game top results are only the natural outcome.

I’m sold, how can my team adopt those attributes?

It all starts with communication, two way communication by all parties both sharing (talking) and receiving (listening).

The conversation starts with a open sharing of the key underpinnings of collaberation,sharing, teamwork to get everyone on the same page as to what the teams destination is and the best operating style for the group.

This is not about agreement, this discussion is for understanding.  Agreement to the principles can only be demonstrated ,and committment proven, through actions and behaviors.

Simply stated, together set the bar and then together practice it.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

The Power of Personal Chemistry

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Have you ever watched a movie where the chemistry between the actors was obvious and a key contributor to your enjoyment of the film.

We call it “personal chemistry” to explain some magical reaction between two people for which the exact cause cannot be easily defined.  There is a spontaneity and totally natural interraction that is pleasurable to observe.

George Martin died today.

The Beatles, a pop/ rock music group with over 25 number one hits were discovered and signed to a recording contract by George Martin back in 1962.

George always said it was not the musical talent or the songs that drove him to sign up the group . (They held already been turned down by rival  label Decca records ).

It was their charisma and the personal chemistry of the group that sold him.  Their humor and exuberence for life was obvious and he felt this would allow them to stand out.  History proved him correct.

Talent, skill or personal chemistry

I believe their is no magic formula and success requires a mix of ability and charisma.

It was because I heard some old interviews of George Martin today ( played in homage to his passing)  that triggered my thoughts about the importance of  personal chemistry.

Talent, capability is the price of entry but without personal “presence”  you might not get more than your five minutes of fame (The same five minutes everyone gets).

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Owning How You Feel

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Throughout the day all of us generally go through a wide variety of emotions.  These are driven largely by what is going on around you coupled with your disposition.   Why not try to make those emotions consistently positive.

Fell out of Bed on the Wrong Side

Intuitively we recognize that predisposition, can greatly affect how we will feel and so we react according to that predisposition, regardless to some extent of the circumstances.

If you had a bad sleep, restless, dreams that made you angry; your reaction to a pleasant good morning could be the opposite of normal expectations.  This could range from a mumbled “good morning” to a snappy “what’s good about it”.

In most circumstances, a pleasant greeting should be associated with a pleasant feeling and neutral if not happy response.   Your predisposition to interpreting events negatively could well result in something that should make you feel good, not giving the happy feeling it should.

Looking Forward to the Rock Concert

Popular musicians have long known a key advantage they have at their concerts is related to audience predisposition.

The attendees at their concerts are predisposed to have a good time and they really need to screw up for the audience (on the whole) to go away dissatisfied.  After all, the audience attended with the intention to have a pleasant, happy, enjoyable activity.

We are in control

While this is not an absolute, consider how much control you have over your predisposition.   How you are about to feel about something belongs to you.  That is the way you feel is controlled by you and you alone.

Really I can think of no occasion where a predisposition to unhappiness, anger, anxiety (and the list goes on) is a positive state.

So talk to yourself throughout the day.  Pep talks if you like.  Simple straightforward thoughts about feeling good.  If you predispose yourself to positive feelings and reactions it is far more likely to happen.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Increasing information sharing effectiveness

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Many years ago I stopped telling those people I worked with, for whom I was the designated leader organizationally, that I had an open door policy.

Intuitively, I felt inviting people to my office, to share their thoughts and ideas openly could send a subtle message that I was open to feedback,sugestions etc, as long as they were made in my seat of power.

My office was not a neutral place.  For me, this was a place of power.  Seeking open and candid thoughts from others is not only impacted by your body language and clear indications of receptivity.

Encouraging others to talk to you in places they are comfortable will result in much more open information exchanges.  This could be at their office, desk or workstation.  In a break room or a coffee shop.

More often then not I went to my subordinate for a discussion (rather than inviting them to me) and I consistently found these to be more comfortable and relaxed discussions.

Seeking Input

What others think, open collaberation and sharing ideas is an extremely effective way to develop high performing teams.  A top notch team of which you are a participant in, not a driver or solely direction setter.

Keep in mind the time and place of a discussion is often as important as the topic and discussion  facilitation to ensure an open exchange of ideas.

Spend time with your teams.  Show them the openess you have toward frequent and honest communication.  Don’t expect them to come to you.  You are far more likely to get the feedback you need by actively seeking it.

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Practicing consistent, repeatable and sustainable behaviors

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Leaders behavior drives achievement.  What you do and say either directly or indirectly influences results.

Behavioral Maturity

Fully developed, full grown (i.e. mature) behaviors are generally founded on experience and exhibit the following traits:

  • Consistency – stakeholders know what to expect and are never surprised.  Whether they feel positive or negative about your actions,  you are much easier to collaberate with when your reactions have commonalty to them.
  • Repeatable – your actions are not special or superhuman.  An effective behavior works every time (in the appropriate circumstances).  If it is something you would not repeat, thats usually a good sign it is best not done in the first place.
  • Sustainable – you should be planning on leading for the long term and both what you do and say at any given point in time needs to stand the test of time.

Whats in it for you?

By very definition leadership is not a point in time activity.  Actions that get it done now, or stop gap an issue for the near term signal leadership is not at play.

When reviewing your own behaviors or seeking input from others always consider six month to one year durations at a minimum.  Inconsistencies you identify should not be ignored or cast aside as one time anomalies.

In fact the occassions you might not have behaved consistently define your behavior most.  These stand out in others view, it is what they remember the most about you.

On the whole your leadership behaviors might be supportive, collaberative, open and well communicated.  Unfortunately it is the times they were not that stand out.