Skip to content

Feb 2

If You Daydream About Vacation, Read This.

As I sit here on the beach under the hot sun and the cool breeze, the madness has slowed down at least for the moment. So it’s easy to wax poetic about the meaning of life.

While I’m not sure he’s unlocked the secret to happiness, Seth Godin is onto something when he says the following: “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.”

For the record, I love vacations and I don’t intend to give them up.  But Seth touches upon something more fundamental: the quality and enjoyment of our day-to-day life experience.

20130202-093728.jpg

Your Choice

Living a life you don’t need to escape from sounds wonderful. But is it realistic? The optimist in me says yes; the pessimist in me says I’ve had one too many mojitos (which taste delicious, by the way).

One thing is for sure: it won’t happen on accident.

First, determine what makes you feel like you’re on vacation. Then aim to create that environment for yourself on a daily basis.

For example, here are five habits to move you in the right direction:

  • Spend time with people you’re proud to introduce to family and friends.
  • Explore ideas that make your mind hungry to learn more.
  • Eliminate distractions that cloud and distort what you care about.
  • Accept challenges that make your heart race and palms sweat.
  • Break your daily routine to awaken your senses.

Next, focus on what you need to stop doing.  Identify what makes you feel like escaping to a tropical island. Then remove yourself from these circumstances. You’ll probably find the opposite of the suggestions above will be on your list.

Challenge Yourself

Now is a perfect time to start with a small experiment.  Reid Hoffman is right: we are all living life in permanent beta.

For example, rearrange the furniture in your office to literally change your perspective.  Or if you’ve been waiting for somebody to ask you out on a date, surprise yourself by asking them out first.

Send me an update on your progress.  Your heart may pump a little harder.  Your eyes may see the same terrain in news ways.  And you’ll be on your way to creating a life that requires no escape.

Question - What will you do today to feel like you’re on vacation?

If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Follow me on Twitter to stay connected too.

Check out these posts too:

How to Take a One Minute Vacation

How to Sleep Better and Feel Refreshed

Why Running Sets You Up for Success

Jan 20

Warning: You’ll Need to be Resilient

Nothing worthwhile is easy. We all know this yet we’re often surprised when challenges arise.

Last week’s post shared ideas on how to win big in 2013, but you won’t be able to control everything. You’ll experience resistance, disappointment, and defeat along the way.

Instead of waiting until the stuff hits the fan, you should establish a plan before you need it. You’ll set yourself up to turn resistance into an opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

The Art of Overcoming Resistance

It’s Not If. It’s When.

Below are eight ways to cut through headwinds. I keep this list handy because it helps ground me when things go sideways:

  1. Accept responsibility – Own up to the role you played in your struggle. The goal is to move away from feeling like a victim because this will empower you to start solving the problem.
  2. Acknowledge other factors - Consider the systemic variables out of your control. Give yourself permission to express anger or disappointment. But set a limit on your venting period.
  3. Take care of yourself -Don’t immediately launch into action. Exercise. Eat healthy. Get sleep. Then create a plan to move forward.
  4. Talk with friends and family – Share your challenge, disappointment, or struggle with people you know, like and trust. Seek grounding and perspective. It’s critical to feel supported when things get tough. Resist the temptation to wall yourself off from others.
  5. Revisit your long term vision – Challenges are nothing more than detours. Reorient yourself with how you want to be remembered. A long term orientation can transform valleys into launch pads for bigger and better things.
  6. Review your goals - Determine what must happen to achieve your goals. Do you need to adjust your strategy? Change your timing? It’s ok to recalibrate goals, but don’t abandon well-considered plans because of a minor setback.
  7. Pinpoint what’s working - You do so many things well. Identify your high impact strengths and double down on them. You need to be courageous in fighting the sea of negativity. Many people will remind you of your one or two weaknesses while they overlook your dozens of strengths.
  8. Exercise faith – Whatever your current struggle, you’ve likely encountered worse before. Steven Pressfield sums it up best: “If you’re paralyzed by fear it’s a good thing. It shows you what you have to do.” Remind yourself that things will work out even if the answer hasn’t appeared yet.

A Breakthrough Awaits

A breakthrough occurs when you’re out of your comfort zone.  And that’s the beauty of resistance: it puts you out of your comfort zone.

Use disappointment and struggle to your advantage.  They’re a gift that encourages you to dig down deep, consider what’s most important, and then take big and bold steps in a better direction.

Question – What’s the best tool you use to overcome resistance?

If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Follow me on Twitter to stay connected too.

Jan 5

2 Comments

How to Win Big in 2013

What’s the first word that jumps to mind when you think about 2013?

What pictures do you see? What emotions emerge?

These may seem like heavy questions, but this is the time to consider them. It’s well-documented that New Year’s resolutions don’t work, but don’t let that prevent you from establishing a winning game plan.

You can set yourself up for a breakthrough year by reflecting on what’s most important, establishing goals, and then taking intentional action on a daily basis.

The best way to predict the future is to create it. - Peter Drucker

Design Your Own Path

Below you’ll find an exercise that’s useful this time of year. As you know, whiteboards and sticky notes boost your creativity. So do your best to make this a visual, hands-on process.

  1. Reflect on last year’s journey. Take a panoramic view of the important areas in your life: career, family, financial, friends, health, marriage, personal development, and spiritual. Determine what went well and what could have been better. Use a simple rating system (high, medium or low) and jot down a few sentences for context.
  2. Envision this year’s destination. Define success in each area of your life. Ask “how do I want to be remembered” to guide your thinking. Focus on what you will feel and even how you will look and sound. Use each description as a guiding light.
  3. Designate landmarks to signal you’ve arrived. Select goals that have meaning to you and establish a “complete by” date on the calendar. You’ll be checking your progress regularly against these milestones.
  4. Identify the most direct path. Select three to five actions you can take on a daily basis to accomplish your goals. Also pinpoint a few actions you will avoid. I’ve found this to be equally important. The aim is to create a basket of do’s and don’ts.

Learn Along the Way

Winston Churchill said “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” Listen to the man. He’s trying to help you. I’m betting Winston would advocate for the tips listed below too.

  • Rinse and repeat. Don’t aim to complete the planning process in one sitting. Spend a few hours to establish a base, then refine these plans over a few sessions.
  • Review your plan regularly. Daily. Weekly. Quarterly. Instead of mindlessly reading tweets over lunch, review your map.
  • Keep your goals private. Resist the temptation to share your detailed plans with the world. A growing body of research indicates sharing goals publicly may lower your achievement drive.
  • Identify role models. Watch and learn from people who are already winning. It’s not essential that you have a personal relationship. For example if you want to build your platform, follow Chris Brogan on Twitter, listen to his podcast, and read his new book.
  • Meet with your board of directors. Create a short list of trusted advisors. Ask for encouragement and candor. My wife is on my board as are a few friends and trusted experts from a variety of fields.

Question – What will you do to stay committed to your 2013 game plan?

If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Follow me on Twitter to stay connected too. 

Dec 15

1 Comment

It’s Time for a Coffee Break

I wanted to let you know there won’t be a regular post this week. Mary and I have to shop, wrap presents, and bake cookies.  Christmas will be here soon.

My next regular post will feature a goal setting process to help you make 2013 a year to remember.

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season with family and friends.

20121215-112814.jpg

Dec 8

Four Books on My Wish List

Is anticipation better than the real thing?

It’s an age old question and judging by my daughter’s excitement three weeks before Santa arrives, it may just be. Every morning she eagerly awaits Matilda the Elf’s return from her overnight trip to the North Pole.

But in a few weeks after the presents have been opened and no cookies remain, it will be time to unwind and recharge. For me that means curling up with a good book.

Meet Matilda the Elf
 

Perfect Stocking Stuffers

Here are four books at the top of my reading list.  (Or should I say my “wish list” given that it’s the Christmas season and I don’t own any of them yet.) The comments below are based on early reviews and my previous experience with these authors.

  1. The Impact Equation - Chris Brogan understands how to share ideas, connect with people, and build a tribe.  His recently released book with Julien Smith shows you how to align your goals, ideas, and platform. I’m curious to see how it compares to Michael Hyatt’s book Platform.
  2. Visual Leaders - David Sibbet is a man who understands that a picture is worth a thousand words. His newest book promises to help you become a better leader by incorporating tools like mental models, roadmaps and story maps.  I use these approaches frequently, but I’m looking to up my game.
  3. The Icarus Deception - Seth Godin is the master of lighting fires.  His soon-to-be-released book aims to push you out of your comfort zone.  I’ve been reading Seth for years and his recent posts have me fired up more so than usual.  I’m expecting him to flip conventional wisdom on its head once again in Icarus Deception.
  4. To Sell Is Human - Daniel Pink knows how to wrap counter intuitive insights into memorable packages.  His new book vows to reveal the surprising truth about selling in a world of abundance and instant information. I particularly like the book’s premise – that everybody is in sales. If this book is anything like A Whole New Mind and Drive, it will be well worth the read.

Savoring Each One

I plan to savor each book and go deeper into the content in 2013.  I may read fewer books, but my goal is to slow down, absorb the material, and build new muscle. I’ll offer suggestions in a couple months based on this “less is more” approach.

Oh, and before I forget:  if you see Matilda, ask her to put in a good word with Santa.  I’m eagerly anticipating the books on my wish list.

Discussion Question - what books are on your 2013 must read list? I’ll be sharing your recommendations with the Starting with Story community.

If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Follow me on Twitter to stay connected too. 

Dec 2

2 Comments

Five Reasons You Should Read Despite Your Busy Schedule

US President Harry S. Truman famously said “Not all readers are leaders…but all leaders are readers.”  I couldn’t agree more.

But my buddy recently told me that “lack of time” was his number one reason for not reading more.  While I understand things are crazy these days, people just don’t see the value in reading. If they did, they would find the time.

Whether you’re in the classroom or at the office, you can maximize your leadership potential by prioritizing reading despite your busy schedule.

Grow

The Land of Opportunity

I wasn’t a big reader until about ten years ago. Then I stepped on the gas pedal and never looked back. I primarily read non-fiction, but I sprinkle in fiction to mix things up.

Below you’ll find five reasons why you should prioritize reading despite your hard-pressed schedule.

  1. You’ll learn new things - Go deep by reading multiple books on one subject.  You’ll internalize frameworks and concepts. Go wide by reading on numerous topics to expand your horizon and feed your curiosity.  You’ll see unexpected connection points between seemingly unrelated topics.
  2. You’ll meet new people - Explore the work of thought leaders who capture your attention. Jump into their research. Find out what they read. You can also reach out to individuals with similar interests. Social media provides a useful forum. You’ll build a new network before you realize it.
  3. You’ll uncover your point of view - Compare what you’ve read with what you’ve experienced firsthand. Seek patterns. Notice what resonates and what doesn’t.  You’ll define your own unique view of the world. Then share it with others to hone your message.
  4. You’ll lower your anxiety - Take a mini-vaction from the hustle and bustle.  Let the troubles of the day fall away. You’ll create space for your mind to ease. I sleep better when I read before bed too.
  5. You’ll have fun - Explore the world without leaving your home. Give yourself permission to read for pleasure. You’ll enjoy inspirational adventures.

Choose Wisely

Because you’re a busy bee, it’s important to read books that engage your head and heart. I’ve picked plenty of books that have turned out to be duds. But I don’t hesitate to stop reading a book if it’s not worth it.

Still, there is a better way.  Here are a few tips to increase your odds of selecting a book that entices you to read…well, more:

  1. Ask people you know for recommendations - Your friends, family, colleagues, and customers represent a rich market of reviewers. If you ask them on a regular basis, you’ll quickly identify which individuals help you cut through the clutter.
  2. Tap into social media – Visit blogs written by people who interest you.  Books are frequently mentioned and reviewed. Follow subject matter experts on Twitter to learn about newly released books. Also consider downloading apps like Reeder and Goodreads to keep your finger on the pulse.
  3. Read reviews on Amazon - The online retailing giant offers free reviews. However, use caution. I suggest reading reviews from numerous contributors. Many have their own agenda that may diminish the usefulness of their commentary.

Discussion question - How will you find time to read given your professional and personal commitments?

If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Please direct message me on Twitter if you are interested.

Nov 24

3 Comments

Is Gratitude Part of Your Main Course?

Thanksgiving is a holiday like no other – the food, the football, the family and friends. It’s a time to unwind, reconnect, and give thanks.

But according to a survey conducted by the John Templeton Foundation, don’t expect to hear many “thank you’s” at the office. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, only 10% of adults say “thank you” to their colleagues everyday. Ouch.

While I’m surprised by this statistic, I’m not shocked. Here is the good news though: there’s a major opportunity to build a culture of appreciation on your team or in your office. And it begins with you.

When You Give You Get

When you express gratitude, you acknowledge the benefit you’ve received from another person or a situation. You show humility by recognizing you’re not the sole source of your fortune.

The field of positive psychology continues to unpackage the science of gratitude. Below are three benefits you’ll enjoy when you express genuine appreciation:

  1. You’ll be happier – You’ll train yourself to see the glass as half full. You’ll stop pursuing “more” and be content. You’ll enjoy richer relationships.
  2. You’ll be healthier - You’ll be less combative and more compassionate. You’ll be less stressed and have more peace of mind. Studies have shown an inverse correlation between depression and gratitude.
  3. You’ll provide satisfaction to others - You’ll give people the recognition they want. As William James famously said, “the deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”

There’s Nothing Like the Real Thing

Building a culture of gratitude requires practice. Below are four ways to boost your thankfulness factor:

  1. Say thank you – Catch people doing something you appreciate. Then tell them. But caution – you must mean what you say. If you’re anything less than 100% sincere, people will second guess your motives.
  2. Send a thank you note - Be specific. Include three parts in your note: what the person provided, what it means to you, and how you will put their gift to use in the future. If you’re feeling daring, send the note via snail mail instead of email.
  3. Keep a gratitude journal - Write down what you appreciate. You don’t need to share this with others. Use it as a way to focus on the positive and remind yourself of your good fortune. Pen and paper work fine, but I’ve gone digital.
  4. Do a random act of kindness – This is my favorite approach because it’s the most fun. Do something unexpected as a way to say thank you. Bring your colleague a cup of coffee. Help with a task without being asked. Get creative.

Each of these approaches will do the trick. I continue to use them, and hope you’ll have the courage to use them too. After all – there is somebody on your team who will appreciate it.

Question – What prevents you from expressing more gratitude?

Please provide you answer to the question in the comments section below.

If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Please direct message me on Twitter if you are interested.

Nov 18

Teach the Way People Want to Learn

You’ve probably heard your dog’s mouth is cleaner than yours. Or perhaps you’ve told your kids that sitting too close to the TV will damage their eyes. But neither of these misconceptions are true.

Unfortunately educators are subject to faulty thinking too. Whether you’re in a university classroom with ivy clinging to the building or a sleek corporate headquarters, much of the way we teach is based on outdated assumptions and practices.

Your role, however, is to challenge the status quo. You can do this by teaching the way people want to learn instead of how they’ve always been taught.

Barriers to Overcome

Salman Khan’s The One World Schoolhouse paints a vision for the future where teachers and technology change the way we learn. The book highlights many of the principles that’s led to the rise of the Khan Academy.

Below you’ll find three of the problems Khan says we must address:

  1. Standards are low. If students answer 70% of questions correctly, they earn a passing grade on most tests. Yet that means they didn’t understand almost a third of the material. This is problematic. If you build a new home but forget to pour a third of the concrete foundation, the house will crumble.  Similarly as students encounter more difficult concepts, their lack of comprehension will reek havoc.
  2. Lectures fall short. It’s an inefficient use of time and money to have the subject matter expert lecture during precious face-to-face time.  Students learn in different ways and at different rates. Interaction with the expert and other students is limited. Plus class is held only once at a specific time and place.
  3. Connections aren’t made.  Subjects are arbitrarily separated from one another. Yet research proves pathways in your brain are strengthened and you learn more when you associate elements of one subject with another. The opportunities for connections are endless but aren’t made for a variety of reasons.

Upset the Applecart

You don’t need to start your own eduction revolution, but you can reconsider how you approach teaching and coaching others.  I agree with Khan that changing our habits is the biggest obstacle.

Here are three steps to move you in the right direction.

  1. Achieve mastery.  Allocate the time and resources required to master a subject area.  You may need to slow down if you’re intent on real comprehension. Take a stand and lead by example.  Don’t accept mediocrity.
  2. Practice solving problems. Learn to record screencasts and presentations to share context-setting info before face-to-face interactions. Then use face-to-face time to engage in collaborative problem solving exercises.   Each student will receive a richer, more customized experience.
  3. Highlight the big picture - Be explicit and explain how one subject links to another. Don’t assume the connection points are obvious. Toggle between emphasizing the details of a narrowly defined area and a broader, more systemic view.

You’ll likely encounter resistance as you aim to teach in new ways. But that’s to be expected when you’re upsetting somebody’s neatly ordered applecart.

Question – What habits must you develop to teach the way people want to learn?

Add your comments below. If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Please direct message me on Twitter if you are interested.

Nov 11

The Secret Power of Sticky Notes

Today’s technology promises to boost our productivity and creativity in new and different ways. But it’s tough to keep up with the latest devices and applications released seemingly daily.

Even though I’m a sucker for the latest gadgets, one old school tool continues to deliver meaningful results: sticky notes.  They are cheap, readily accessible, and effective.

Whether you’re working solo, with a team, or with customers, you can boost your productivity and creativity by tapping into the secret power of sticky notes.

Why They Work

Recently my students launched into a class project. The objective was to develop a sales and marketing plan for a social organization. The teams brainstormed with a pile of sticky notes in hand.

After five short minutes, they produced fifty ideas. After thirty minutes, the teams identified over 300 ideas. Then they were off to the races.

Yet the results my students experienced weren’t unusual. But why is a low tech tool like sticky notes so powerful? Below you’ll find three reasons they work based on my experience.

  1. Sticky notes allow you to interact with your ideas.  Your abstract ideas are transformed into moveable objects you can touch and feel. You can mix and match. You’ll find yourself standing up huddled around a table or whiteboard instead of hunched over your computer.
  2. Sticky notes help you identify patterns and prioritize options.  The visual representations help you understand the relationship between one idea and another.  Then additional ideas begin to bloom. You’ll see the big picture and gain appreciation for nuanced details.
  3. Sticky notes are fun to use.  There.  I said it.  Even if you love what you do, fighting the monotony of day-to-day life is a challenge.  You’ll engage your team more.  You’ll tap into their best thinking too.

When To Use Them

Regardless of the problem you aim to solve, there is a sticky note solution waiting for you.  Here are five times to have them handy:

  1. Meetings - Prepare agenda items in advance and source them in realtime.   Capture “parking lot” items as the meeting progresses. Ensure action items are identified at the meeting’s end.
  2. Brainstorming - Generate lots of ideas.  Don’t filter or judge them during the initial stage.  Focus on quantity first, then quality.
  3. Project planning - Consider different alternatives and scenarios. Visualize timelines and the roles of team members. List risks and prepare strategies to combat them.
  4. Visioning  - Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats when planning for the future. Then outline the steps required to bring your vision to life. 
  5. Storyboarding -  Develop your big idea and supporting messages.  Chunk similar ideas together. Shape and contour your presentation so it hits your audience’s sweet spot. Amp up your practice sessions by posting them on the wall.

Stick With It

Once you begin using sticky notes, you’ll find what works best.  Some applications will be more useful than others.  Remember, sticky notes are a means to an end.  Experiment and you’ll see your productivity and creativity soar.

Question - How else do you use sticky notes to boost productivity and productivity? 

Add your comments below. If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Please direct message me on Twitter if you are interested.

 

Nov 3

1 Comment

How to Practice Like a Pro

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Everybody knows this.

Yet time after time, people present their ideas in packages that are anything but neatly wrapped.

The good news is that you can practice with intention to amplify the impact of your message. You may need to burn the midnight oil, but you can improve your delivery in measurable ways.

Practice Makes Permanent

This week, my students prepared their final presentation. They had created a sales and marketing plan for a social organization.

However as the deadline approached, one red flag appeared: they hadn’t practiced enough.

Below you’ll find three steps I shared with them. Use these the next time you’re invited to pitch your idea:

  1. Practice out loud – You need to do more than conduct a rehearsal in your mind. You must hear yourself say the words out loud. There is something magical when your ears hear what your mouth says. Once you start practicing out loud, you’ll identify lots of ways to shape your message.
  2. Practice multiple times from start to finish  - The more you verbalize your message, the more you’ll improve. It’s that simple. How many times is enough? Your goal is to achieve “rehearsed spontaneity.” This is when you’re able to take a detour onto a beautifully winding road and still end up at the intended destination. You’ll navigate unexpected roadblocks and gain confidence as a result.
  3. Practice with people who care – You’ll benefit by receiving feedback from other talented colleagues and friends. Ideally they’ll be familiar with your topic, but they won’t have been intimately involved with the creation of the presentation. Ask them for specific suggestions. What worked well? What could be even better? It’s important your practice partners have a vested interest in your success. Otherwise, you’re likely to receive their partial attention because everybody is so distracted these days.

Shortcuts Aren’t Short

You’ve heard me say it before but it’s worth repeating: you must do the work. The steps above assume you’ve identified an idea that solves a specific problem. Otherwise, all the practice in the world won’t help.

So plan accordingly. You’ve got bright ideas to share. But be realistic. You’ll be at your best with more practice.

Question: what prevents you from practicing the way you should?

Add your comments below. If you enjoyed this post, check out some other popular ones by clicking here. I’m also accepting a limited number of guest post requests. Please direct message me on Twitter if you are interested.

← Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 40 other followers

%d bloggers like this: