It's not all lemon sour pickles at Chez Jenius. There are some moments of sweetness and light. Here's one, from the ever-growing Zen Habits blog. It's not the best list, but it's better than nothing and you can make it best of all.
25 Ways to Help a Fellow Human Being Today
...(S)trike back against the selfishness and greed of our modern world, and help out a fellow human being today. Not next month, but today.
Helping a fellow human being, while it can be inconvenient, has a few humble advantages:
--It makes you feel better about yourself;
--It connects you with another person, at least for a moment, if not for life;
--It improves the life of another, at least a little;
--It makes the world a better place, one little step at a time;
--And if that kindness is passed on, it can multiply, and multiply.
So take just a few minutes today, and do a kindness for another person. It can be something small, or the start of something big. Ask them to pay it forward. Put a smile on someone’s face.
Don’t know where to start? Here’s an extremely incomplete list, just to get you thinking — I’m sure you can come up with thousands more if you think about it.
1) Smile and be friendly. Sometimes a simple little thing like this can put a smile and warm feeling in someone else’s heart, and make their day a little better. They might then do the same for others.
2) Call a charity to volunteer. You don’t have to go to a soup kitchen today. Just look up the number, make the call, and make an appointment to volunteer sometime in the next month. It can be whatever charity you like. Volunteering is one of the most amazing things you can do.
3) Donate something you don’t use. Or a whole box of somethings. Drop them off at a charity — others can put your clutter to good use.
4) Make a donation. There are lots of ways to donate to charities online, or in your local community. Instead of buying yourself a new gadget or outfit, spend that money in a more positive way.
5) Redirect gifts. Instead of having people give you birthday or Christmas gifts, ask them to donate gifts or money to a certain charity.
6) Stop to help. The next time you see someone pulled over with a flat tire, or somehow in need of help, stop and ask how you can help. Sometimes all they need is a push, or the use of your cell phone.
7) Teach. Take the time to teach someone a skill you know. This could be teaching your grandma to use email, teaching your child to ride a bike, teaching your co-worker a valuable computer skill, teaching your spouse how to clean the darn toilet. OK, that last one doesn’t count.
8) Comfort someone in grief. Often a hug, a helpful hand, a kind word, a listening ear, will go a long way when someone has lost a loved one or suffered some similar loss or tragedy.
9) Help them take action. If someone in grief seems to be lost and doesn’t know what to do, help them do something. It could be making funeral arrangements, it could be making a doctor’s appointment, it could be making phone calls. Don’t do it all yourself — let them take action too, because it helps in the healing process.
10) Buy food for a homeless person. Cash is often a bad idea if it’s going to be used for drugs, but buying a sandwich and chips or something like that is a good gesture. Be respectful and friendly.
11) Lend your ear. Often someone who is sad, depressed, angry, or frustrated just needs someone who will listen. Venting and talking through an issue is a huge help.
12) Help someone on the edge. If someone is suicidal, urge them to get help. If they don’t, call a suicide hotline or doctor yourself to get advice.
13) Help someone get active. A person in your life who wants to get healthy might need a helping hand — offer to go walking or running together, to join a gym together. Once they get started, it can have profound effects.
14) Do a chore. Something small or big, like cleaning up or washing a car or doing the dishes or cutting a lawn.
15) Give a massage. Only when appropriate of course. But a massage can go a long way to making someone feel better.
16) Send a nice email. Just a quick note telling someone how much you appreciate them, or how proud you are of them, or just saying thank you for something they did.
17) Show appreciation, publicly. Praising someone on a blog, in front of coworkers, in front of family, or in some other public way, is a great way to make them feel better about themselves.
18) Donate food. Clean out your cupboard of canned goods, or buy a couple bags of groceries, and donate them to a homeless shelter.
19) Just be there. When someone you know is in need, sometimes it’s just good to be there. Sit with them. Talk. Help out if you can.
20) Be patient. Sometimes people can have difficulty understanding things, or learning to do something right. Learn to be patient with them.
21) Tutor a child. This might be difficult to do today, but often parents can’t afford to hire a tutor for their child in need of help. Call a school and volunteer your tutoring services.
22) Create a care package. Soup, reading material, tea, chocolate … anything you think the person might need or enjoy. Good for someone who is sick or otherwise in need of a pick-me-up.
23) Lend your voice. Often the powerless, the homeless, the neglected in our world need someone to speak up for them. You don’t have to take on that cause by yourself, but join others in signing a petition, speaking up a a council meeting, writing letters, and otherwise making a need heard.
24) Offer to babysit. Sometimes parents need a break. If a friend or other loved one in your life doesn’t get that chance very often, call them and offer to babysit sometime. Set up an appointment. It can make a big difference.
25) Love. Simply finding ways to express your love to others, whether it be your partner, child, other family member, friend, co-worker, or a complete stranger … just express your love. A hug, a kind word, spending time, showing little kindnesses, being friendly … it all matters more than you know.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
Showing posts with label productivity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label productivity. Show all posts
23 May 2008
06 February 2008
Life Actions
A big Gracias to Gabriel Pagán for sending Me a notice about an upcoming Roberto Clemente graphic novel. Must buy!
Over at ZenHabits, an occasional refuge from mundanity, there's a post about "11 Ways to Expand Your Mind." Here's the abbreviated list:
11. Reading
10. Writing
9. Puzzles
8. Mathematics
7. Painting
6. Cooking
5. Music
4. Poetry
3. Meditation
2. Learning a language
1. The Number One Way To Expand Your Mind Is Through Questioning Everything
As a Jenius, I can tell you I do #s 11, 10, 9, and 6 often, 8 and 5 occasionally, just picked up #2 (Italian) and I do #1 all the time. (The rest I don't care to try.) And I believe that puts Me in a group best described as "aberrant."
As I said recently in a phone conversation, most people move as automata through their daily lives, waking, moving, sitting and eating as passive vessels moved by sheer inertia to mark Time.
Don't shake your head: You know it's true because in an instant you can think of half a dozen people just like that. What's bewildering to Me is that even when you point out to these drifting husks that they can enhance their lives by making an effort, they agree it can be done, but don't
do it.
Some are in denial and may agree with Me just to shut Me up. (It's been known to occur.) But others dance around the real reason they agree with Me, but continue plowing through Time like oxen: Because it takes effort to "be alive."
Uh-huh. Instead of seeing their lives as massive disconnects leading to barren wastelands of missed opportunties, disconnects that require an almost superhuman effort to achieve because it means denying one's own faculties of curiosity and imagination, they prefer to see living as the effort and their choice as "the easy way out."
That's like starving a child to make him grow healthy and strong.
Is reading harder than watching TV? Of course it is. It's the difference between a mind awake and a mind with the thought processes of a carrot. Is writing harder than taking in a movie? Yes. It's the difference between adventure and ad revenue: In one you act, in the other you get taken for an idiot. Even the activities I eschew--painting, poetry and meditation--require more of you to engage in than a soap opera, TV cartoon or video game. Even in the quiet pose of the zen meditator, you are more alive than plopped in front of a screen.
Should you start doing these things, if you aren't? Should you start living...if you aren't?
The Jenius Has Spoken.
Over at ZenHabits, an occasional refuge from mundanity, there's a post about "11 Ways to Expand Your Mind." Here's the abbreviated list:
11. Reading
10. Writing
9. Puzzles
8. Mathematics
7. Painting
6. Cooking
5. Music
4. Poetry
3. Meditation
2. Learning a language
1. The Number One Way To Expand Your Mind Is Through Questioning Everything
As a Jenius, I can tell you I do #s 11, 10, 9, and 6 often, 8 and 5 occasionally, just picked up #2 (Italian) and I do #1 all the time. (The rest I don't care to try.) And I believe that puts Me in a group best described as "aberrant."
As I said recently in a phone conversation, most people move as automata through their daily lives, waking, moving, sitting and eating as passive vessels moved by sheer inertia to mark Time.
Don't shake your head: You know it's true because in an instant you can think of half a dozen people just like that. What's bewildering to Me is that even when you point out to these drifting husks that they can enhance their lives by making an effort, they agree it can be done, but don't
do it.
Some are in denial and may agree with Me just to shut Me up. (It's been known to occur.) But others dance around the real reason they agree with Me, but continue plowing through Time like oxen: Because it takes effort to "be alive."
Uh-huh. Instead of seeing their lives as massive disconnects leading to barren wastelands of missed opportunties, disconnects that require an almost superhuman effort to achieve because it means denying one's own faculties of curiosity and imagination, they prefer to see living as the effort and their choice as "the easy way out."
That's like starving a child to make him grow healthy and strong.
Is reading harder than watching TV? Of course it is. It's the difference between a mind awake and a mind with the thought processes of a carrot. Is writing harder than taking in a movie? Yes. It's the difference between adventure and ad revenue: In one you act, in the other you get taken for an idiot. Even the activities I eschew--painting, poetry and meditation--require more of you to engage in than a soap opera, TV cartoon or video game. Even in the quiet pose of the zen meditator, you are more alive than plopped in front of a screen.
Should you start doing these things, if you aren't? Should you start living...if you aren't?
The Jenius Has Spoken.
23 November 2007
The 4 Question Plan
Way back in the beginning of The Jenius, there was an occasional focus on personal productivity, things I'd found that were useful in helping Me (and others) get more results from less effort. But the tendency to focus on Our political, economic and social issues pushed personal productivity--as a topic--off these pages. Here's a post that corrects that absence. I call it "The 4 Question Plan."
As a freelance worker, time and how to use it wisely is a constant concern. But being of curious nature, prone to boredom and reluctant to turn down any project, I often find Myself simply swamped with Things To Do. Toss in My focus on being an almost-daily presence in My son's life (I'm divorced and live 5 minutes from where My son lives), My voracious (there's no other word for it; ask those who know Me) reading habit and My whims and wishes and you have the makings of frequent bouts where "What do I do now?" plays a central role.
Despite near-obsessive searching and testing, I have yet to come up with a time management system that suits Me. I basically use index cards for daily reminders and a weekly or semi-weekly Projects review to keep Me on track. But even so, there comes a time when I simply have to clear the decks and My brain. And for that, I've evolved a 4 Question Plan:
1) What do I have to do? Simple question. It's the natural starting point for almost all of Us when things get really hairy. So I make a list of everything--everything--I feel I have to do. I make no distinction between work and personal projects: If it's Mine, it's important.
2) From the list, what do I do not want to do? Again, simple, but the question forces Me to notice what I've programmed or committed to that bugs the hell out of Me. Over time, I noticed patterns of activities and tasks I didn't want to do...so I stopped agreeing to them or placing Myself in positions or projects that led to them. Bingo! More freedom to do what interests Me!
3) What can I delegate or let slide? Another obvious question, except for the "let slide" part. I'm hyper-competitive and think I can do anything and everything I choose to do, but no matter how much I believe that, the truth is: I can't. And many times, I'm inclined to think nobody does it better, so I have to do it. Again, wrong. And beyond that, not everything I think is worth doing is actually worth doing. In work projects where I belong to a team, I've learned that what I may think is absolutely necessary is occasionally not a priority or even a need. So now I look to pass certain tasks to others, who are often more competent than Me, and evaluate other tasks to see if delegating is worth it or if they even merit any more of My attention.
4) What can only be done by Me? Now We're talking... From the now-reduced list, I can pick only those tasks that are truly Mine and get to work on them. Once again, an obvious question, but what may be obvious or common sense is often not even thought about or remembered when needed. What I've done here is establish a procedure to help Me quickly sort through My options and get to work on high-value tasks as quickly as possible.
Now I hope I don't forget to "mix it up" here again...
The Jenius Has Spoken.
As a freelance worker, time and how to use it wisely is a constant concern. But being of curious nature, prone to boredom and reluctant to turn down any project, I often find Myself simply swamped with Things To Do. Toss in My focus on being an almost-daily presence in My son's life (I'm divorced and live 5 minutes from where My son lives), My voracious (there's no other word for it; ask those who know Me) reading habit and My whims and wishes and you have the makings of frequent bouts where "What do I do now?" plays a central role.
Despite near-obsessive searching and testing, I have yet to come up with a time management system that suits Me. I basically use index cards for daily reminders and a weekly or semi-weekly Projects review to keep Me on track. But even so, there comes a time when I simply have to clear the decks and My brain. And for that, I've evolved a 4 Question Plan:
1) What do I have to do? Simple question. It's the natural starting point for almost all of Us when things get really hairy. So I make a list of everything--everything--I feel I have to do. I make no distinction between work and personal projects: If it's Mine, it's important.
2) From the list, what do I do not want to do? Again, simple, but the question forces Me to notice what I've programmed or committed to that bugs the hell out of Me. Over time, I noticed patterns of activities and tasks I didn't want to do...so I stopped agreeing to them or placing Myself in positions or projects that led to them. Bingo! More freedom to do what interests Me!
3) What can I delegate or let slide? Another obvious question, except for the "let slide" part. I'm hyper-competitive and think I can do anything and everything I choose to do, but no matter how much I believe that, the truth is: I can't. And many times, I'm inclined to think nobody does it better, so I have to do it. Again, wrong. And beyond that, not everything I think is worth doing is actually worth doing. In work projects where I belong to a team, I've learned that what I may think is absolutely necessary is occasionally not a priority or even a need. So now I look to pass certain tasks to others, who are often more competent than Me, and evaluate other tasks to see if delegating is worth it or if they even merit any more of My attention.
4) What can only be done by Me? Now We're talking... From the now-reduced list, I can pick only those tasks that are truly Mine and get to work on them. Once again, an obvious question, but what may be obvious or common sense is often not even thought about or remembered when needed. What I've done here is establish a procedure to help Me quickly sort through My options and get to work on high-value tasks as quickly as possible.
Now I hope I don't forget to "mix it up" here again...
The Jenius Has Spoken.
07 November 2007
From Panties to Prozac
To add fuel to the fire of Our woes comes another announcement of the closing of a pharmaceutical company. This time it's Bristol-Myers Squibb, with over 300 jobs disappearing around Santa Claus time.
To an "administration" that has executed its mythical strategies of economic development with the grace of a drunken hippo on ice skates, the news of this and the closings or cutbacks in Amgen, Eli Lilly and Pfizer are serious blows. Especially when you consider that, to local eyes and minds, the pharmaceutical industry represents the unquestioned crown jewel atop the manufacturing-centered dung heap We call "Our economic transformation."
To anyone with an ounce of gray matter in their skulls, the "sudden" contraction of this economic "shining star" comes as absolutely--absolutely--no surprise. It isn't a surprise because We never ever considered that the pharmaceutical industry here was anything other than a trumped-up manufacturing extension, never buying into the widespread, almost dogmatic view that they were something entirely different from the factory boxes of 50 years ago.
You see, Our "economic transformation" was taken on faith (pun intended) to have been a transubstantiation, i.e. a miraculous conversion of the mundane to the otherworldly. What it has been is nothing more than a makeover, where the ugly-but-plucky eyesore has money do its magic so as to emerge as a pleasantly-appealing person...with the exact same character flaws.
What the needle industry was for Operation Bootstrap in the 1940s, 50s and 60s was what the pharmaceutical industry became in the 1980s and 90s: The example of economic investment creating jobs. The transformation didn't change Puerto Rico's basic economic model at any fundamental level: It simply changed how much money flowed through and out of Puerto Rico. Instead of dingy boxes peopled by low-skill workers producing undergarments, We stepped up to shiny boxes peopled by low-skill workers with college degrees producing medication.
We went from panties to Prozac.
And yes, I said the pharmaceutical industry employed "low-skill" workers. Every pharmaceutical process is so tightly regulated that automation is the only standard, automation to the point where any average Juan or Juana can do the job. The single filter there is a college degree, to satisfy appearances. And if you need proof, check out how much these pharmaceutical companies invested over the past three decades on pure Research and Development done here. That's where the real high-skill jobs are, the ones that can truly transform an economic system..and they ain't here. They never were.
And let Me remind you statehooders: You wanted this. You lobbied long and hard and successfully to remove the Section 936 tax break that propped up these glorified pill-pushing pantries and the industry itself said that in doing so, the Island would cease to become an attractive option. No, you argued, they have invested too much and We are too experienced, too well-prepared to have them just pack up and leave.
Uh-huh. You made three mistakes:
1) You assumed that their business decision--based on shareholder profits--was to be made on the same basic interest as Ours, which is job creation. Without profits, jobs aren't created.
2) You assumed that Our "national abilities" would sustain the industry's interest when tax money was taken off the table. As My poker buddies used to say: "If there ain't no money, We look for another table."
3) You assumed that by relieving Uncle Sam's political headache, he'd be more amenable to the idea of thinking about imagining a day when he might possibly consider the notion of analyzing the potential process whereby the option of maybe suggesting statehood for Puerto Rico could be conceivably brought to someone's attention. Ha. Ha.
The question is: Now what? The king(snake) is dying! Long live the...what? Three successive misadministrations have wrestled in vain to create an economic development strategy suitable for a country where 30% of the workforce doesn't, 69% of the profits are repatriated elsewhere and 42% of those who do work are beholden to the government for their paychecks.
Here's a hint, Fools: You're the problem. Stop sniffing panties and swallowing Prozac. The answer--the answers--aren't found in the dusty boxes of yesterday or the shiny boxes of today. How about you, say, think outside the box, for a welcome change?
The Jenius Has Spoken.
To an "administration" that has executed its mythical strategies of economic development with the grace of a drunken hippo on ice skates, the news of this and the closings or cutbacks in Amgen, Eli Lilly and Pfizer are serious blows. Especially when you consider that, to local eyes and minds, the pharmaceutical industry represents the unquestioned crown jewel atop the manufacturing-centered dung heap We call "Our economic transformation."
To anyone with an ounce of gray matter in their skulls, the "sudden" contraction of this economic "shining star" comes as absolutely--absolutely--no surprise. It isn't a surprise because We never ever considered that the pharmaceutical industry here was anything other than a trumped-up manufacturing extension, never buying into the widespread, almost dogmatic view that they were something entirely different from the factory boxes of 50 years ago.
You see, Our "economic transformation" was taken on faith (pun intended) to have been a transubstantiation, i.e. a miraculous conversion of the mundane to the otherworldly. What it has been is nothing more than a makeover, where the ugly-but-plucky eyesore has money do its magic so as to emerge as a pleasantly-appealing person...with the exact same character flaws.
What the needle industry was for Operation Bootstrap in the 1940s, 50s and 60s was what the pharmaceutical industry became in the 1980s and 90s: The example of economic investment creating jobs. The transformation didn't change Puerto Rico's basic economic model at any fundamental level: It simply changed how much money flowed through and out of Puerto Rico. Instead of dingy boxes peopled by low-skill workers producing undergarments, We stepped up to shiny boxes peopled by low-skill workers with college degrees producing medication.
We went from panties to Prozac.
And yes, I said the pharmaceutical industry employed "low-skill" workers. Every pharmaceutical process is so tightly regulated that automation is the only standard, automation to the point where any average Juan or Juana can do the job. The single filter there is a college degree, to satisfy appearances. And if you need proof, check out how much these pharmaceutical companies invested over the past three decades on pure Research and Development done here. That's where the real high-skill jobs are, the ones that can truly transform an economic system..and they ain't here. They never were.
And let Me remind you statehooders: You wanted this. You lobbied long and hard and successfully to remove the Section 936 tax break that propped up these glorified pill-pushing pantries and the industry itself said that in doing so, the Island would cease to become an attractive option. No, you argued, they have invested too much and We are too experienced, too well-prepared to have them just pack up and leave.
Uh-huh. You made three mistakes:
1) You assumed that their business decision--based on shareholder profits--was to be made on the same basic interest as Ours, which is job creation. Without profits, jobs aren't created.
2) You assumed that Our "national abilities" would sustain the industry's interest when tax money was taken off the table. As My poker buddies used to say: "If there ain't no money, We look for another table."
3) You assumed that by relieving Uncle Sam's political headache, he'd be more amenable to the idea of thinking about imagining a day when he might possibly consider the notion of analyzing the potential process whereby the option of maybe suggesting statehood for Puerto Rico could be conceivably brought to someone's attention. Ha. Ha.
The question is: Now what? The king(snake) is dying! Long live the...what? Three successive misadministrations have wrestled in vain to create an economic development strategy suitable for a country where 30% of the workforce doesn't, 69% of the profits are repatriated elsewhere and 42% of those who do work are beholden to the government for their paychecks.
Here's a hint, Fools: You're the problem. Stop sniffing panties and swallowing Prozac. The answer--the answers--aren't found in the dusty boxes of yesterday or the shiny boxes of today. How about you, say, think outside the box, for a welcome change?
The Jenius Has Spoken.
13 July 2007
Jenius' Strengths Report
Here, for your edification and possible amusement, is My Top Five Strengths Report, from the profile service outlined in Now, Find Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton.
Enjoy.
Top Five Strengths Report for Gil C. Schmidt
Restorative
You love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they encounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing--this machine, this technique, this person, this company--might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it.
Strategic
The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, "What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?" This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path-your strategy. Armed with
your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: "What if?" Select. Strike.
Communication
You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is your Communication theme at work. Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them, to make them exciting and vivid. And so you turn events into stories and practice telling them. You take the dry idea and enliven it with images and examples and metaphors. You believe that most people have a very short attention span. They are bombarded by information, but very little of it survives. You want your information-whether an idea, an event, a product's features and benefits, a discovery, or a lesson-to survive. You want to divert their attention toward you and then capture it, lock it in. This is what drives your hunt for the perfect phrase. This is what draws you toward dramatic words and powerful word
combinations. This is why people like to listen to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world, and inspire them to act.
Ideation
You are fascinated by ideas. What is an idea? An idea is a concept, the best explanation of the most events. You are delighted when you discover beneath the complex surface an elegantly simple concept to explain why things are the way they are. An idea is a connection. Yours is the kind of mind that is always
looking for connections, and so you are intrigued when seemingly disparate phenomena can be linked by an obscure connection. An idea is a new perspective on familiar challenges. You revel in taking the world we all know and turning it around so we can view it from a strange but strangely enlightening angle. You love all these ideas because they are profound, because they are novel, because they are clarifying, because they are contrary, because they are bizarre. For all these reasons you derive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to you. Others may label you creative or original or conceptual or even smart. Perhaps you are all of these. Who can be sure? What you are sure of is that ideas are thrilling. And on most days this is enough.
Learner
You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered-this is the process that entices you. Your excitement leads you to engage in adult learning experiences-yoga or piano lessons or graduate classes. It enables you to thrive in dynamic work environments where you are asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one. This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the "getting there."
The Jenius Has Been Spoken About.
Enjoy.
Top Five Strengths Report for Gil C. Schmidt
Restorative
You love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they encounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing--this machine, this technique, this person, this company--might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it.
Strategic
The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, "What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?" This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path-your strategy. Armed with
your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: "What if?" Select. Strike.
Communication
You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is your Communication theme at work. Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them, to make them exciting and vivid. And so you turn events into stories and practice telling them. You take the dry idea and enliven it with images and examples and metaphors. You believe that most people have a very short attention span. They are bombarded by information, but very little of it survives. You want your information-whether an idea, an event, a product's features and benefits, a discovery, or a lesson-to survive. You want to divert their attention toward you and then capture it, lock it in. This is what drives your hunt for the perfect phrase. This is what draws you toward dramatic words and powerful word
combinations. This is why people like to listen to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world, and inspire them to act.
Ideation
You are fascinated by ideas. What is an idea? An idea is a concept, the best explanation of the most events. You are delighted when you discover beneath the complex surface an elegantly simple concept to explain why things are the way they are. An idea is a connection. Yours is the kind of mind that is always
looking for connections, and so you are intrigued when seemingly disparate phenomena can be linked by an obscure connection. An idea is a new perspective on familiar challenges. You revel in taking the world we all know and turning it around so we can view it from a strange but strangely enlightening angle. You love all these ideas because they are profound, because they are novel, because they are clarifying, because they are contrary, because they are bizarre. For all these reasons you derive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to you. Others may label you creative or original or conceptual or even smart. Perhaps you are all of these. Who can be sure? What you are sure of is that ideas are thrilling. And on most days this is enough.
Learner
You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered-this is the process that entices you. Your excitement leads you to engage in adult learning experiences-yoga or piano lessons or graduate classes. It enables you to thrive in dynamic work environments where you are asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one. This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the "getting there."
The Jenius Has Been Spoken About.
25 June 2007
From My Clipboard
I use Yankee Clipper III, a nifty little program that saves everything I copy. Over time, I accumulate a veritable stuffed drawer of things on it and when I go back to clean it out, every now and then I get a surprise.
Here's one of them. And in that serendipitous way Life has, it came as a possible answer to something I've been struggling with the past few days. Not out of the tunnel yet, but there's light down yonder.
Enjoy.
Top 5 Ways to Build a Wonderful Life
May 9th, 2007 by John Wesley
1. Live Below Your Means
There will always be temptation to forsake the future for immediate gratification. We all want to buy that new piece of technology, treat ourselves to an expensive night on the town, or take out a loan for the flashy car we can’t afford. It might feel great at the time but rash spending hurts a lot later on.
Enjoy life’s simple pleasures and save as much as you can. Expensive things don’t create lasting happiness and security. Careful spending will bring you greater leisure and enjoyment in the long run.
2. Put Your Money to Work
Saving is great, but to make the most of your money you need to put it to work. Good investments can be the difference between retiring in your 40’s or in your 60’s.
A post today at The Simple Dollar really got me thinking. According to Trent’s projections, if a person in their early 20’s invests 20% of their income in an S&P index fund, the interest they earn will equal their current salary when they reach their early 40’s. They could retire without a drop in income!
Wise investing is the surest path to financial independence and it’s something everyone can work on. It’s definitely an area I’ll be devoting more attention to in my personal life and on this blog.
3. Educate Yourself
To be happy we need continuous growth. The best way to grow is life long education. This doesn’t mean you need to pursue a doctorate or spend 2 hours reading every day. Self education can be anything that takes you out of your comfort zone. The important part is keeping an open mind and searching for fresh ideas and perspectives.
Education builds over time. It might feel like the bits of wisdom you acquire don’t mean much, but over the years they add up to form a wiser, kinder, more interesting person.
4. Develop Lasting Personal Relationships
Suppose you had everything you wanted. Would you be happy without anyone to share it with? The personal relationships we develop with friends and family members are the greatest source of happiness in our lives. Don’t forget about them.
Taking the time to cultivate and enjoy personal relationships is essential to longterm happiness. Without the people you care about you’ll probably be miserable, no matter how successful you become.
5. Work Towards a Dream You’re Passionate About
Even if your life isn’t perfect, you can always build towards a goal you’re passionate about. If you aren’t building towards something, you’re probably stagnating. When this happens to me I start to feel like a victim trapped by my own life. The best way to reverse this is working towards a goal.
We can’t control everything about our lives, but working towards a goal gives us something positive to focus on and lays the foundation for future success. No matter what your passion is, get out there and start doing something. As Lao Tzu said, even a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
Bonus: 6. Stay in Shape
You only get one body. Once it’s been ruined there isn’t much you can do about it. Exercise to keep the rust off. Avoid excessive consumption of damaging substances and unhealthy foods. It may feel like terrible self denial at the time but enjoying good health in your later years is worth the sacrifice.
Note: This post is part of the Problogger Top 5 Group Writing Project.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
Here's one of them. And in that serendipitous way Life has, it came as a possible answer to something I've been struggling with the past few days. Not out of the tunnel yet, but there's light down yonder.
Enjoy.
Top 5 Ways to Build a Wonderful Life
May 9th, 2007 by John Wesley
1. Live Below Your Means
There will always be temptation to forsake the future for immediate gratification. We all want to buy that new piece of technology, treat ourselves to an expensive night on the town, or take out a loan for the flashy car we can’t afford. It might feel great at the time but rash spending hurts a lot later on.
Enjoy life’s simple pleasures and save as much as you can. Expensive things don’t create lasting happiness and security. Careful spending will bring you greater leisure and enjoyment in the long run.
2. Put Your Money to Work
Saving is great, but to make the most of your money you need to put it to work. Good investments can be the difference between retiring in your 40’s or in your 60’s.
A post today at The Simple Dollar really got me thinking. According to Trent’s projections, if a person in their early 20’s invests 20% of their income in an S&P index fund, the interest they earn will equal their current salary when they reach their early 40’s. They could retire without a drop in income!
Wise investing is the surest path to financial independence and it’s something everyone can work on. It’s definitely an area I’ll be devoting more attention to in my personal life and on this blog.
3. Educate Yourself
To be happy we need continuous growth. The best way to grow is life long education. This doesn’t mean you need to pursue a doctorate or spend 2 hours reading every day. Self education can be anything that takes you out of your comfort zone. The important part is keeping an open mind and searching for fresh ideas and perspectives.
Education builds over time. It might feel like the bits of wisdom you acquire don’t mean much, but over the years they add up to form a wiser, kinder, more interesting person.
4. Develop Lasting Personal Relationships
Suppose you had everything you wanted. Would you be happy without anyone to share it with? The personal relationships we develop with friends and family members are the greatest source of happiness in our lives. Don’t forget about them.
Taking the time to cultivate and enjoy personal relationships is essential to longterm happiness. Without the people you care about you’ll probably be miserable, no matter how successful you become.
5. Work Towards a Dream You’re Passionate About
Even if your life isn’t perfect, you can always build towards a goal you’re passionate about. If you aren’t building towards something, you’re probably stagnating. When this happens to me I start to feel like a victim trapped by my own life. The best way to reverse this is working towards a goal.
We can’t control everything about our lives, but working towards a goal gives us something positive to focus on and lays the foundation for future success. No matter what your passion is, get out there and start doing something. As Lao Tzu said, even a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.
Bonus: 6. Stay in Shape
You only get one body. Once it’s been ruined there isn’t much you can do about it. Exercise to keep the rust off. Avoid excessive consumption of damaging substances and unhealthy foods. It may feel like terrible self denial at the time but enjoying good health in your later years is worth the sacrifice.
Note: This post is part of the Problogger Top 5 Group Writing Project.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
01 June 2007
Attitude Adjustment
"If you could pick one thing to change about Puerto Rico, what would it be?"
I was asked that question many years ago, when I was barely out of college and sitting amongst friends in an IHOP in Hattiesburg. They hadn't seen Me for a year and what little news they had picked up about Puerto Rico had been centered on student violence (riots at the University of Puerto Rico) and political unrest.
(Just in case, IHOP is the International House of Pancakes. Probably has more autonomy than We do.)
My answer then was "The economy." In an inchoate way, I was beginning to see the complex interrelationships of My home turf, and as a young man looking at setting up a career, economics would (should) be a major concern.
Then, to My surprise, I was asked the same question earlier this week, by a young man I barely know, while surrounded by teenagers and 20-somethings I don't know. Same question, different environment, different Me. This time I said "Our attitude."
I wanted to get their attention and I did. I told them We had a negative attitude and they challenged Me on that, so I asked a few of them what their goals were. Most balked: They had no goals. I told them that was a problem of discipline and vision, not attitude. (Debatable, but I was aiming at another point.) The three that gave Me their goals gave Me relatively small ones: buy a new car, get a high-paying job before the age of 30 and pay off student debts.
When I asked them why ther goals weren't bigger, they all gave Me the same look, a What are you talking about? look that I pounced on to "show" them what a negative attitude is. To their credit, they understood almost instantly: Attitude breeds success.
Once aware of their negativity (for any number of empty and a few valid reasons), they went on to draft bigger goals: Establish a million-dollar company in 5 years; transform the use of energy in Puerto Rico; design, build and sell more efficient mini-bikes and scooters for the world's markets. It's possible that they may never reach their new and improved goals, but the attitude change will make a difference in how they act and view their role in Life from now on.
None of the problems We face is insurmountable; in fact, very few are actually difficult. It boils down to attitude as the first step. Do We really want to act to solve these problems? If the answer becomes--yes, becomes--"yes", then We can proceed and find a way to make a positive change happen. But if Our attitude remains stuck in "ho-hum" territory, then We simply will have to continue living in a sub-standard present, stumbling on the path to a declining Future.
So this time, instead of really answering "What would I change about Puerto Rico?" I answered "What would I change about Me?" And lo and behold, the answer to both questions is the same.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
I was asked that question many years ago, when I was barely out of college and sitting amongst friends in an IHOP in Hattiesburg. They hadn't seen Me for a year and what little news they had picked up about Puerto Rico had been centered on student violence (riots at the University of Puerto Rico) and political unrest.
(Just in case, IHOP is the International House of Pancakes. Probably has more autonomy than We do.)
My answer then was "The economy." In an inchoate way, I was beginning to see the complex interrelationships of My home turf, and as a young man looking at setting up a career, economics would (should) be a major concern.
Then, to My surprise, I was asked the same question earlier this week, by a young man I barely know, while surrounded by teenagers and 20-somethings I don't know. Same question, different environment, different Me. This time I said "Our attitude."
I wanted to get their attention and I did. I told them We had a negative attitude and they challenged Me on that, so I asked a few of them what their goals were. Most balked: They had no goals. I told them that was a problem of discipline and vision, not attitude. (Debatable, but I was aiming at another point.) The three that gave Me their goals gave Me relatively small ones: buy a new car, get a high-paying job before the age of 30 and pay off student debts.
When I asked them why ther goals weren't bigger, they all gave Me the same look, a What are you talking about? look that I pounced on to "show" them what a negative attitude is. To their credit, they understood almost instantly: Attitude breeds success.
Once aware of their negativity (for any number of empty and a few valid reasons), they went on to draft bigger goals: Establish a million-dollar company in 5 years; transform the use of energy in Puerto Rico; design, build and sell more efficient mini-bikes and scooters for the world's markets. It's possible that they may never reach their new and improved goals, but the attitude change will make a difference in how they act and view their role in Life from now on.
None of the problems We face is insurmountable; in fact, very few are actually difficult. It boils down to attitude as the first step. Do We really want to act to solve these problems? If the answer becomes--yes, becomes--"yes", then We can proceed and find a way to make a positive change happen. But if Our attitude remains stuck in "ho-hum" territory, then We simply will have to continue living in a sub-standard present, stumbling on the path to a declining Future.
So this time, instead of really answering "What would I change about Puerto Rico?" I answered "What would I change about Me?" And lo and behold, the answer to both questions is the same.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
25 May 2007
1-in-20 = Kaizen
One of the great things--to Me--about baseball is that it accurately reflects the general pattern of Life: You don't have to be amazingly great to be a success, you simply have to be a little more consistent at being good.
If you get 5 hits in 20 at bats, you are an average player. If you get 6 hits in 20 at bats, you are a superstar. And if you keep getting just one more hit per 20 at bats long enough, you are a Hall of Famer.
If your team wins 12 games out of 20, it is an outstanding team. But win 13 out of 20 over the course of a season and you are almost certainly going to be on the championship team. (Your mileage may vary.)
In any case, notice the almost quantum leap in perceived results from the minuscule change of 1-in-20. Did you ever consider just 5% the difference between a regular Joe and Joe DiMaggio?
Now ponder that difference and apply it to society as a whole. Or better yet, apply it to yourself. How much better would your position, value, career, your Life be if you simply improved "1-in-20"? You can quickly determine the potential impact in your job and thus, on your career. And if your career improves, what does that do for your Life?
Now don't give Me that "Nobody will notice in my job" whine. YOU will notice, and as you begin to notice the difference and what it means to you, you will automatically begin to notice new opportunities. And if you have a job where "nobody notices," then having seen more opportunities around you is the basis for finding a better job. Or for creating one.
The same applies to Our communities and, by extension, Our society. We don't have to change everything at once: What We need to change is very little and by doing it consistently, We get the cumulative effect of small positive changes adding up to large, massive and even monumental change.
The Japanese call it kaizen, the process of continuous improvement. In baseball, and Life, it's called being a winner. Given where We are and where We need to be, it's definitely time We started Our own 1-in-20 kaizen path to winning.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
If you get 5 hits in 20 at bats, you are an average player. If you get 6 hits in 20 at bats, you are a superstar. And if you keep getting just one more hit per 20 at bats long enough, you are a Hall of Famer.
If your team wins 12 games out of 20, it is an outstanding team. But win 13 out of 20 over the course of a season and you are almost certainly going to be on the championship team. (Your mileage may vary.)
In any case, notice the almost quantum leap in perceived results from the minuscule change of 1-in-20. Did you ever consider just 5% the difference between a regular Joe and Joe DiMaggio?
Now ponder that difference and apply it to society as a whole. Or better yet, apply it to yourself. How much better would your position, value, career, your Life be if you simply improved "1-in-20"? You can quickly determine the potential impact in your job and thus, on your career. And if your career improves, what does that do for your Life?
Now don't give Me that "Nobody will notice in my job" whine. YOU will notice, and as you begin to notice the difference and what it means to you, you will automatically begin to notice new opportunities. And if you have a job where "nobody notices," then having seen more opportunities around you is the basis for finding a better job. Or for creating one.
The same applies to Our communities and, by extension, Our society. We don't have to change everything at once: What We need to change is very little and by doing it consistently, We get the cumulative effect of small positive changes adding up to large, massive and even monumental change.
The Japanese call it kaizen, the process of continuous improvement. In baseball, and Life, it's called being a winner. Given where We are and where We need to be, it's definitely time We started Our own 1-in-20 kaizen path to winning.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
03 January 2007
Time for Value
--Once again, My Thanks to Georgia Popplewell for selecting another one of My posts, "Do You See What I See?"
I just spent 138 minutes copying photographs to my Screen Saver file, all because I wanted to find one particular picture featured on the website's home page. (No, it's not the kind of website you think it is. It's this one: http://www.outdoor-photos.com/)
The picture I wanted is the small one at the top left. And though I searched every picture in the archives looking for the full-size image, I didn't find it. I did end up copying some 85 pictures though, so My image file and screensaver are now a lot more interesting.
Was I productive? Not really. Was I procrastinating? Yeah. Am I bothered by it? No. So long as I don't do it again anytime soon.
In Our rush-rush, get-it-done-yesterday, freakish-focus-on-speed world We've forgotten that some of the best experiences We enjoy are not the product of speed, but of patience. Sure, one can buy a CD with 10,000 images on it, but is it more valuable than the 2,000-image CD I can create now, all the images personally selected by Me over a period of many hours? Not to Me it isn't.
Or how about buying a collection of figurines, say 12 at once, and judging its value over a collection of a dozen figurines acquired over the years in travels and unexpected places? If you want to show off--to say "Look what I have"--then buy bulk, buy now and forget value. If you want to savor, enjoy and explore, then time is your ally and patience its vehicle.
Yeah, I spent over 2 hours chasing a picture I couldn't find. Found 80+ more I did like and that makes My collection--My effort--more valuable to Me. It really is a personal matter and what you value is going to be different from what I value. But no one can reasonably claim that what is instantly-acquired with minimal effort has more value than what takes time.
Isn't that what "Easy come, easy go" refers to?
And isn't that exactly the reason Our Fool's focus on "quick fixes" means nothing to anyone, not even them?
Enough about Fools: I've got an interesting picture to track down.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
I just spent 138 minutes copying photographs to my Screen Saver file, all because I wanted to find one particular picture featured on the website's home page. (No, it's not the kind of website you think it is. It's this one: http://www.outdoor-photos.com/)
The picture I wanted is the small one at the top left. And though I searched every picture in the archives looking for the full-size image, I didn't find it. I did end up copying some 85 pictures though, so My image file and screensaver are now a lot more interesting.
Was I productive? Not really. Was I procrastinating? Yeah. Am I bothered by it? No. So long as I don't do it again anytime soon.
In Our rush-rush, get-it-done-yesterday, freakish-focus-on-speed world We've forgotten that some of the best experiences We enjoy are not the product of speed, but of patience. Sure, one can buy a CD with 10,000 images on it, but is it more valuable than the 2,000-image CD I can create now, all the images personally selected by Me over a period of many hours? Not to Me it isn't.
Or how about buying a collection of figurines, say 12 at once, and judging its value over a collection of a dozen figurines acquired over the years in travels and unexpected places? If you want to show off--to say "Look what I have"--then buy bulk, buy now and forget value. If you want to savor, enjoy and explore, then time is your ally and patience its vehicle.
Yeah, I spent over 2 hours chasing a picture I couldn't find. Found 80+ more I did like and that makes My collection--My effort--more valuable to Me. It really is a personal matter and what you value is going to be different from what I value. But no one can reasonably claim that what is instantly-acquired with minimal effort has more value than what takes time.
Isn't that what "Easy come, easy go" refers to?
And isn't that exactly the reason Our Fool's focus on "quick fixes" means nothing to anyone, not even them?
Enough about Fools: I've got an interesting picture to track down.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
01 January 2007
Time for Passion
If money were not a problem--in other words, if you had enough to deal with your interests and obligations with no worry--what would you do?
While you ponder an answer, here's Mine:
--I'd write more fiction. I love science fiction and fantasy and have had some modest successes in those genres, with a handful of published stories, two of them award-winners. I currently have four science fiction or fantasy series in mind, two other series (SF and mystery) already have multiple stories and there are three unedited novels in My files.
--I'd play more games. I am a game fanatic, preferring strategy and simulations to games of chance. Because I know My capacity for obsessiveness, I avoid playing computer and online games. Ever since My college days, with the incomparable Don Muchow, I have either modified, redesigned or created games, so I'm also interested in game theory and design. There's a lot of parallels between writing fiction and creating games, so doing both would be easy and enormous fun for Me.
--I'd regularly play sports again. I lost that habit after I got married and there was no good reason for that. I may not be as athletic as I once was, but I can certainly get better, become more fit and enjoy the competition. I could even take up golf for that "I'm pretending to be an athlete" feeling.
--I'd go dancing. I love to dance and that too went by the wayside with the "I do." I'd love to take a ballroom dance class and find a place or two where I could indulge in moving to merengue, salsa, plena, rock-and-roll or whatever "oldie" style fills the air. Like sports, I'd need to work My way back to best form, but the sharing and fun go hand in hand with the pleasure of moving to the rhythm.
--That's it. Maybe travel, but only if I find the right person to travel with. Maybe My son when he's older, or someone currently close to Me. I could travel alone, but alone is where I've been a bit too long.
You have your answer and would most likely make a vague list of 3-4 items, like Mine, and then forget it. Now here's the thing: Why not go ahead and do them anyway?
What? You don't have that much money? Neither do I. But here's how I see it: In almost every case, it isn't a matter of money, it's a matter of time. Where you invest it and how you want to use it.
So here's My list with time thrown in to make it all work:
--Write fiction: Find 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week. How do I know I can do it? I've been blogging that way for almost three years.
--Play games: With a son and two nephews, playmates are there and have already become enthused with gameplay. Once a week, play a favorite game or introduce a new one. And by cutting back on even the small amount of TV time I have (see below), I can modify or create games for personal pleasure.
--Play sports: I watch 8-12 hours of sports a week (football season, Steelers, you get the picture.) Cut back to watching only Grade-A events (playoffs, Tiger Woods in the final round of a major, Roger Federer in a final) and the time for My sports play (and more) appears is if by magic.
--Dance: My local phone book lists a ballroom dance class just 20 minutes from where I live. Guess who I'm calling tomorrow morning? As for going out, I can look around for good dance places, find a willing partner and just go. I have the time.
Think about your list. The odds are very much that waiting until the money appears to do what your heart desires is dooming you to live a Life of "not" instead of "did." And here's the secret benefit: The better you feel about how you use your time, the better you will be able to generate money. Think that's not true? Ask the most financially successful people you meet if they do their activities with or without passion. For them, passion in work and play is the fuel that powers their engine.
And you can't have passion while living a Life you don't like, doing what you don't want to do and letting your heart's desires remain figments of your imagination.
Now excuse Me, I have some dance steps I want to polish...
The Jenius Has Spoken.
While you ponder an answer, here's Mine:
--I'd write more fiction. I love science fiction and fantasy and have had some modest successes in those genres, with a handful of published stories, two of them award-winners. I currently have four science fiction or fantasy series in mind, two other series (SF and mystery) already have multiple stories and there are three unedited novels in My files.
--I'd play more games. I am a game fanatic, preferring strategy and simulations to games of chance. Because I know My capacity for obsessiveness, I avoid playing computer and online games. Ever since My college days, with the incomparable Don Muchow, I have either modified, redesigned or created games, so I'm also interested in game theory and design. There's a lot of parallels between writing fiction and creating games, so doing both would be easy and enormous fun for Me.
--I'd regularly play sports again. I lost that habit after I got married and there was no good reason for that. I may not be as athletic as I once was, but I can certainly get better, become more fit and enjoy the competition. I could even take up golf for that "I'm pretending to be an athlete" feeling.
--I'd go dancing. I love to dance and that too went by the wayside with the "I do." I'd love to take a ballroom dance class and find a place or two where I could indulge in moving to merengue, salsa, plena, rock-and-roll or whatever "oldie" style fills the air. Like sports, I'd need to work My way back to best form, but the sharing and fun go hand in hand with the pleasure of moving to the rhythm.
--That's it. Maybe travel, but only if I find the right person to travel with. Maybe My son when he's older, or someone currently close to Me. I could travel alone, but alone is where I've been a bit too long.
You have your answer and would most likely make a vague list of 3-4 items, like Mine, and then forget it. Now here's the thing: Why not go ahead and do them anyway?
What? You don't have that much money? Neither do I. But here's how I see it: In almost every case, it isn't a matter of money, it's a matter of time. Where you invest it and how you want to use it.
So here's My list with time thrown in to make it all work:
--Write fiction: Find 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week. How do I know I can do it? I've been blogging that way for almost three years.
--Play games: With a son and two nephews, playmates are there and have already become enthused with gameplay. Once a week, play a favorite game or introduce a new one. And by cutting back on even the small amount of TV time I have (see below), I can modify or create games for personal pleasure.
--Play sports: I watch 8-12 hours of sports a week (football season, Steelers, you get the picture.) Cut back to watching only Grade-A events (playoffs, Tiger Woods in the final round of a major, Roger Federer in a final) and the time for My sports play (and more) appears is if by magic.
--Dance: My local phone book lists a ballroom dance class just 20 minutes from where I live. Guess who I'm calling tomorrow morning? As for going out, I can look around for good dance places, find a willing partner and just go. I have the time.
Think about your list. The odds are very much that waiting until the money appears to do what your heart desires is dooming you to live a Life of "not" instead of "did." And here's the secret benefit: The better you feel about how you use your time, the better you will be able to generate money. Think that's not true? Ask the most financially successful people you meet if they do their activities with or without passion. For them, passion in work and play is the fuel that powers their engine.
And you can't have passion while living a Life you don't like, doing what you don't want to do and letting your heart's desires remain figments of your imagination.
Now excuse Me, I have some dance steps I want to polish...
The Jenius Has Spoken.
21 December 2006
The Name Tag Guy
Dickless.
That's how I met Scott Ginsberg, "The Name Tag Guy."
I guess I'd better explain.
In January, 2006, I was at the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) "Boot Camp" event, at the Coronado Resort, Disney-Orlando. Scott was one of the featured speakers of the first morning, and with the eagerness of getting a good start at a major event, I was intrigued to hear him.
From the moment Scott started, it was clear he was an excellent speaker. His easy style and engaging charm seemed effortless, which to a veteran speaker denotes hours of preparation and focus. Scott began speaking about creating awareness of who you are, of literally "owning" a word, so that if anyone googled that word, you'd appear on that first page of results.
He asked the audience what word they owned and walked forward to hear the answers. I raised My hand, but as I was seated near the middle of the 400+ member audience, it would take some time before he reached Me. Some 10 feet in front of Me was a dynamic lady, Yvonne DiVita, who when Scott asked her what word she owned, replied "Dickless."
My hand shot down. (No, not for that reason.)
Scott did a 3-second pause and with glorious wit said "Moving on!"
The room erupted in laughter. Sensitive to nuances, I was sure "jenius" would fall far short of "dickless" on the impact meter, so I let someone else offer their word (whatever it was) and Scott continued his presentation.
He concluded later to thunderous applause and for the rest of the 3-day event, he was deservedly on everyone's lips. I went up to talk to Scott after he finished and We met. (He noted I was the only person in the audience wearing a hat.) Since then, I've followed his ascent into the world of public speaking and bookwriting with joy and admiration. Scott was even kind enough to send Me an advance copy of his latest book "How To Be That Guy," so much as to even quote Me on how good the book is.
What makes Scott interesting is his clear focus on being approachable, a true advantage in the "distant" sociability typical of most of the U.S. What I'd like to have Scott do is come and speak in Puerto Rico where approachablility is a given and effectiveness--making the most of approachability--is not so automatic. I hope it happens soon.
Until then, go visit Scott's website. Subscribe to his e-zine, read his blog and listent to his podcasts (one of which replays the incident I mention here.) Life is too short to avoid making as many friends as possible and Scott can show you how to get the most out of being dickless.
Oops, I meant approachable. Funny how My hat fell in front of My eyes at that moment...
The Jenius Has Spoken.
That's how I met Scott Ginsberg, "The Name Tag Guy."
I guess I'd better explain.
In January, 2006, I was at the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) "Boot Camp" event, at the Coronado Resort, Disney-Orlando. Scott was one of the featured speakers of the first morning, and with the eagerness of getting a good start at a major event, I was intrigued to hear him.
From the moment Scott started, it was clear he was an excellent speaker. His easy style and engaging charm seemed effortless, which to a veteran speaker denotes hours of preparation and focus. Scott began speaking about creating awareness of who you are, of literally "owning" a word, so that if anyone googled that word, you'd appear on that first page of results.
He asked the audience what word they owned and walked forward to hear the answers. I raised My hand, but as I was seated near the middle of the 400+ member audience, it would take some time before he reached Me. Some 10 feet in front of Me was a dynamic lady, Yvonne DiVita, who when Scott asked her what word she owned, replied "Dickless."
My hand shot down. (No, not for that reason.)
Scott did a 3-second pause and with glorious wit said "Moving on!"
The room erupted in laughter. Sensitive to nuances, I was sure "jenius" would fall far short of "dickless" on the impact meter, so I let someone else offer their word (whatever it was) and Scott continued his presentation.
He concluded later to thunderous applause and for the rest of the 3-day event, he was deservedly on everyone's lips. I went up to talk to Scott after he finished and We met. (He noted I was the only person in the audience wearing a hat.) Since then, I've followed his ascent into the world of public speaking and bookwriting with joy and admiration. Scott was even kind enough to send Me an advance copy of his latest book "How To Be That Guy," so much as to even quote Me on how good the book is.
What makes Scott interesting is his clear focus on being approachable, a true advantage in the "distant" sociability typical of most of the U.S. What I'd like to have Scott do is come and speak in Puerto Rico where approachablility is a given and effectiveness--making the most of approachability--is not so automatic. I hope it happens soon.
Until then, go visit Scott's website. Subscribe to his e-zine, read his blog and listent to his podcasts (one of which replays the incident I mention here.) Life is too short to avoid making as many friends as possible and Scott can show you how to get the most out of being dickless.
Oops, I meant approachable. Funny how My hat fell in front of My eyes at that moment...
The Jenius Has Spoken.
08 December 2006
Direction, Discipline, Excellence, Success
This won't take long:
Aníbal "The Information Solider" sent Me this in an e-mail:
Subject: Simple motivation---Right up your alley
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/cell-phone/set-up-a-cell-phone-mantra-219937.php
[You can click on it to get a better idea, but read on if you're in a hurry.]
Here's My response:
So cool to know you read Lifehacker, too! It's one of My daily "Start" pages and I often find useful info. In this case, I was suprised to see this item because since last year, My cell phone has a four word "mantra" (I thought it was just a screen item until I read the Lifehacker post): Direction, Discipline, Excellence, Success.
I wrote that on a whim, to keep Myself focused on what I often tend to slide on. Whenever I see Myself not succeeding as expected (like I have been recently), I can trace the path "down" to excellence (Am I doing excellent work, of high value, to My clients?), or discipline (Am I doing enough to make consistent progress?) or direction (Do I have a goal?)
At this point, I'm screwing up in the basic level of direction, so that's where I need to make changes. Until I fix that, the rest can wait. Once that is set, I go "up" to discipline (plan my work, work my plan), strive for excellence and success almost always follows.
Okay, that's it. Break up into discussion groups and discuss.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
Aníbal "The Information Solider" sent Me this in an e-mail:
Subject: Simple motivation---Right up your alley
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/cell-phone/set-up-a-cell-phone-mantra-219937.php
[You can click on it to get a better idea, but read on if you're in a hurry.]
Here's My response:
So cool to know you read Lifehacker, too! It's one of My daily "Start" pages and I often find useful info. In this case, I was suprised to see this item because since last year, My cell phone has a four word "mantra" (I thought it was just a screen item until I read the Lifehacker post): Direction, Discipline, Excellence, Success.
I wrote that on a whim, to keep Myself focused on what I often tend to slide on. Whenever I see Myself not succeeding as expected (like I have been recently), I can trace the path "down" to excellence (Am I doing excellent work, of high value, to My clients?), or discipline (Am I doing enough to make consistent progress?) or direction (Do I have a goal?)
At this point, I'm screwing up in the basic level of direction, so that's where I need to make changes. Until I fix that, the rest can wait. Once that is set, I go "up" to discipline (plan my work, work my plan), strive for excellence and success almost always follows.
Okay, that's it. Break up into discussion groups and discuss.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
26 October 2006
Three Lists
I've read over and over again that one thing people love to find in blogs is lists. So here, in the spirit of "Why one when three can be done?"...lists.
Here's one list that weighs on Me right now, as I've watched My overall level of productivity drop below My normal. Since I'm a freelancer, it is entirely My responsibility to make the most of My time and energy and by not paying the proper attention, I've let Myself down. Although the list is aimed at managers, what are you if not the manager of your own self?
Eight Ways to Wipe Out High Performers
1. Work overload
2. Lack autonomy (micromanagement)
3. Skimpy rewards
4. Loss of connection
5. Unfairness
6. Value conflicts
7. Let low-performers ride
8. Create an environment of fear, uncertainty and doubt
This second list indicates clear signs that things are heading to hell in a handbasket, whether you see them in an individual, a group or a society.
Seven Deadly Deficiencies
1. Contempt for others
2. Obsession with self
3. Commitment dysfunction
4. Inflexible mindset
5. No productive focus
6. Unrelenting pessimism
7. Embraces Dilbertian views of leaders
However, there are ways out of this funk and these items are well within reach of all of Us...some more than others, of course.
Ten Ways to Build Passion
10. See greatness in those around you and share your vision
9. Express constructive feedback in terms of "the vision"
8. Believe that things can be different and approach the improbable with optimism
7. Set high standards for performance and hold EVERYONE accountable
6. Demonstrate courage, judgement, risk-taking and continuous improvement in your own performance
5. Recognize and celebrate success
4. Design growth experiences that stretch but don't break people
3. Invest in trust and even love
2. Respond maturely to failures and setbacks
1. Push power and decision making down
Corollary: Success depends more on the strengths you emphasize than the weaknesses you minimize.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
Here's one list that weighs on Me right now, as I've watched My overall level of productivity drop below My normal. Since I'm a freelancer, it is entirely My responsibility to make the most of My time and energy and by not paying the proper attention, I've let Myself down. Although the list is aimed at managers, what are you if not the manager of your own self?
Eight Ways to Wipe Out High Performers
1. Work overload
2. Lack autonomy (micromanagement)
3. Skimpy rewards
4. Loss of connection
5. Unfairness
6. Value conflicts
7. Let low-performers ride
8. Create an environment of fear, uncertainty and doubt
This second list indicates clear signs that things are heading to hell in a handbasket, whether you see them in an individual, a group or a society.
Seven Deadly Deficiencies
1. Contempt for others
2. Obsession with self
3. Commitment dysfunction
4. Inflexible mindset
5. No productive focus
6. Unrelenting pessimism
7. Embraces Dilbertian views of leaders
However, there are ways out of this funk and these items are well within reach of all of Us...some more than others, of course.
Ten Ways to Build Passion
10. See greatness in those around you and share your vision
9. Express constructive feedback in terms of "the vision"
8. Believe that things can be different and approach the improbable with optimism
7. Set high standards for performance and hold EVERYONE accountable
6. Demonstrate courage, judgement, risk-taking and continuous improvement in your own performance
5. Recognize and celebrate success
4. Design growth experiences that stretch but don't break people
3. Invest in trust and even love
2. Respond maturely to failures and setbacks
1. Push power and decision making down
Corollary: Success depends more on the strengths you emphasize than the weaknesses you minimize.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
23 October 2006
Use a 15SecondPitch
Having morphed once again to being a grant writer (but with a decidedly more trenchant focus), I was woolgathering for a more effective approach to marketing My services.
I use "The Grant Planner" as My nom de oeuvre and I created a weekly compendium of Federal grant opportunites called The Grant Planner Report, available by e-mail. But I felt I needed a better "hook", so I did what I usually do when searching for practical ideas: I searched My computer.
Over the past decade, I've collected tons of files and bookmarks on a wide variety of subjects, marketing being one of the biggies. And I rediscovered a site I'd written about in 2005, called 15SecondPitch.com. Its creator, Laura Allen, helps you improve your marketing focus and overall level of response by having you create, polish and deliver a 15-second pitch. The pitch is not a flabby "commercial": it's a vibrant, unique, benefit-oriented idea that calls to action.
Consider the power of a sales message contained in a 15-second sound bite... You can easily toss it out dozens of times a day and that alone should help improve your sales results because you make more attempts. Sales is a game of numbers: the more quality attempts, the more sales you make. Simple.
In 15 seconds, you can not only engage a potential prospect, but qualify him or her, too. Freelancers often waste a lot of time pursuing "dead end clients," those that seem to be interested, but will never really commit. With a polished pitch, you can move from "Are you interested?" to "What exactly do you want from Me?" in under a minute. That's the qualification process in a nutshell, in seconds rather than hours or days.
There's even a trademarked Pitch Wizard on the 15SecondPitch website to help you draft your pitch, then open a free account to share it with others in the network. And with free weekly tips, Laura keeps you focused on improving what could be the most important tool in your marketing kit.
Considering the economic miasma We're headed for beginning next month, it means more now than ever to have a clear, precise and valuable message to deliver to enhance your marketability and sales potential. If you're an employee, it matters more, because your security and financial future are not in your hands, but in someone else's. (Freelancers have--or should have--multiple income streams. If they don't, they are even more vulnerable than employees.) Unless you can easily reinforce your value--no matter where you are--you will struggle more in the coming months.
So hop on over to Laura's place and take 5 minutes to create a 15-second pitch. They could very well turn out to be your most important 5 minutes of 2006.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
I use "The Grant Planner" as My nom de oeuvre and I created a weekly compendium of Federal grant opportunites called The Grant Planner Report, available by e-mail. But I felt I needed a better "hook", so I did what I usually do when searching for practical ideas: I searched My computer.
Over the past decade, I've collected tons of files and bookmarks on a wide variety of subjects, marketing being one of the biggies. And I rediscovered a site I'd written about in 2005, called 15SecondPitch.com. Its creator, Laura Allen, helps you improve your marketing focus and overall level of response by having you create, polish and deliver a 15-second pitch. The pitch is not a flabby "commercial": it's a vibrant, unique, benefit-oriented idea that calls to action.
Consider the power of a sales message contained in a 15-second sound bite... You can easily toss it out dozens of times a day and that alone should help improve your sales results because you make more attempts. Sales is a game of numbers: the more quality attempts, the more sales you make. Simple.
In 15 seconds, you can not only engage a potential prospect, but qualify him or her, too. Freelancers often waste a lot of time pursuing "dead end clients," those that seem to be interested, but will never really commit. With a polished pitch, you can move from "Are you interested?" to "What exactly do you want from Me?" in under a minute. That's the qualification process in a nutshell, in seconds rather than hours or days.
There's even a trademarked Pitch Wizard on the 15SecondPitch website to help you draft your pitch, then open a free account to share it with others in the network. And with free weekly tips, Laura keeps you focused on improving what could be the most important tool in your marketing kit.
Considering the economic miasma We're headed for beginning next month, it means more now than ever to have a clear, precise and valuable message to deliver to enhance your marketability and sales potential. If you're an employee, it matters more, because your security and financial future are not in your hands, but in someone else's. (Freelancers have--or should have--multiple income streams. If they don't, they are even more vulnerable than employees.) Unless you can easily reinforce your value--no matter where you are--you will struggle more in the coming months.
So hop on over to Laura's place and take 5 minutes to create a 15-second pitch. They could very well turn out to be your most important 5 minutes of 2006.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
04 May 2006
Write Your Own Future Scenario
You'd think that someone who writes at least a couple of hours a day would be comfortable writing out future scenarios for Himself.
You'd think. Seems that when it comes to writing that kind of "personal future planning," The Jenius is more concerned with writing other things.
So here's the idea in a nutshell, to help you and Me make this a habit: Write out, in as much detail as you can, what your life would be like 5 years from now, if everything went your way.
Sounds pretty simple, right? It is. You don't need anything but paper and pen(cil) and your dreams. Then you add specifics to your dreams until you have a document that frames your ideal future. It doesn't have to be neat, or grammatically correct, or literary. It doesn't need to be shown to anybody. It simply needs to be.
Why is this so important? Because the difference between successful people and the average person can be directly traced--in a majority of cases--to the simple act of writing down goals.
Sounds almost stupidly simple, right? Well, it is simple, but far from stupid. The Jenius could give you several pages of rationale on this, but here are the key points:
1) Just by selecting goals you are greatly increasing your chances of success.
2) Writing them down is a process of focus, a key element in turning dreams into reality.
3) Once written, you can "see" your goals clearly. Try it and you'll...see...what I mean.
4) Written goals preserve focus, especially when read and reread, while letting you be flexible in adapting them to new realities.
5) You gain new perspective and begin to see opportunities that mesh with your goals. In essence, you become more involved with your Life.
6) Rather than being negative, the goal-writing and goal-reviewing process is inherently positive. And positive people are more successful.
Don't just take My word for it. Here's an article that could help you even more, from the Radical Mutual-Improvement blog (a worthy read.)
Five years are going to pass anyway. Whether you make them the best of your Life or simply another five years of it, it is--you know this by now--your choice.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
You'd think. Seems that when it comes to writing that kind of "personal future planning," The Jenius is more concerned with writing other things.
So here's the idea in a nutshell, to help you and Me make this a habit: Write out, in as much detail as you can, what your life would be like 5 years from now, if everything went your way.
Sounds pretty simple, right? It is. You don't need anything but paper and pen(cil) and your dreams. Then you add specifics to your dreams until you have a document that frames your ideal future. It doesn't have to be neat, or grammatically correct, or literary. It doesn't need to be shown to anybody. It simply needs to be.
Why is this so important? Because the difference between successful people and the average person can be directly traced--in a majority of cases--to the simple act of writing down goals.
Sounds almost stupidly simple, right? Well, it is simple, but far from stupid. The Jenius could give you several pages of rationale on this, but here are the key points:
1) Just by selecting goals you are greatly increasing your chances of success.
2) Writing them down is a process of focus, a key element in turning dreams into reality.
3) Once written, you can "see" your goals clearly. Try it and you'll...see...what I mean.
4) Written goals preserve focus, especially when read and reread, while letting you be flexible in adapting them to new realities.
5) You gain new perspective and begin to see opportunities that mesh with your goals. In essence, you become more involved with your Life.
6) Rather than being negative, the goal-writing and goal-reviewing process is inherently positive. And positive people are more successful.
Don't just take My word for it. Here's an article that could help you even more, from the Radical Mutual-Improvement blog (a worthy read.)
Five years are going to pass anyway. Whether you make them the best of your Life or simply another five years of it, it is--you know this by now--your choice.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
19 April 2006
What We Can Do
Just as The Jenius is struggling to put a framework on an entire series of related-but-apparently-random thoughts, the powerful eye and mind of Dave Pollard are already mapping the territory. In what is an amazing post, worthy of being reprinted in as many forums as possible, Dave gathers together what We can do to actually make a difference.
For simplicity, I have listed the actions, but the true value of Dave's post can only be experienced by directly reading it. The actions list makes you see a path: the essay will open your mind to a brighter, more personal, future.
Two years ago I put together a set of 15 actions that anyone can take to help create a new relater-sharer culture, a new, sustainable, collaborative and egalitarian economy and a new, responsible political system. I thought it would be useful to integrate this 'what you can do' list with actions that I have argued need to be done either as top-down political actions (institutional changes to public policies, programs and laws), or as peer-to-peer grassroots collective actions. To do so, I have regrouped the 15 actions into four categories:
* Personal learning and preparedness actions (things you do alone)
* Personal actions you do one-on-one (exemplary actions that show the way for others by example)
* Personal actions you do as part of community (collective actions)
* Personal actions you do to bring about high-level political and economic reform
The result is summarized in the above diagram. Here is an explanation of the 15 actions, sorted by category:
Personal Learning and Preparedness Actions:
. Learn and Practice Critical Thinking
. Re-Learn How to Imagine
. Reconnect With Your Senses and Instincts
. Be Good to Yourself
Personal Actions You Do One-on-One:
. Listen, Learn, and Teach Others
. Volunteer
. Stop at One and Encourage Others to Do Likewise
. Be a Role Model
. Infect Others With Your Spirit and Passion
Personal Actions You Do As Part of Community:
. Share Your Expertise & Knowledge
. Find and Do Meaningful Work
. Use Less Stuff
. Become Less Dependent
. Pioneer
Personal Actions You Do to Bring About High-Level Political and Economic Reform:
. Become an Activist
Dave is no cockeyed optimist, nor is he a doomsday herald. He is a rock-solid realist who wants to make a better world. For many reasons, that's the best description The Jenius could ever give...or hope to receive.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
For simplicity, I have listed the actions, but the true value of Dave's post can only be experienced by directly reading it. The actions list makes you see a path: the essay will open your mind to a brighter, more personal, future.
Two years ago I put together a set of 15 actions that anyone can take to help create a new relater-sharer culture, a new, sustainable, collaborative and egalitarian economy and a new, responsible political system. I thought it would be useful to integrate this 'what you can do' list with actions that I have argued need to be done either as top-down political actions (institutional changes to public policies, programs and laws), or as peer-to-peer grassroots collective actions. To do so, I have regrouped the 15 actions into four categories:
* Personal learning and preparedness actions (things you do alone)
* Personal actions you do one-on-one (exemplary actions that show the way for others by example)
* Personal actions you do as part of community (collective actions)
* Personal actions you do to bring about high-level political and economic reform
The result is summarized in the above diagram. Here is an explanation of the 15 actions, sorted by category:
Personal Learning and Preparedness Actions:
. Learn and Practice Critical Thinking
. Re-Learn How to Imagine
. Reconnect With Your Senses and Instincts
. Be Good to Yourself
Personal Actions You Do One-on-One:
. Listen, Learn, and Teach Others
. Volunteer
. Stop at One and Encourage Others to Do Likewise
. Be a Role Model
. Infect Others With Your Spirit and Passion
Personal Actions You Do As Part of Community:
. Share Your Expertise & Knowledge
. Find and Do Meaningful Work
. Use Less Stuff
. Become Less Dependent
. Pioneer
Personal Actions You Do to Bring About High-Level Political and Economic Reform:
. Become an Activist
Dave is no cockeyed optimist, nor is he a doomsday herald. He is a rock-solid realist who wants to make a better world. For many reasons, that's the best description The Jenius could ever give...or hope to receive.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
12 April 2006
10 Mistakes Of The Newly Self-Employed
From Steve Pavlina's increasingly-impressive blog, a post all of Us should read. Here it is in excerpted form, but the whole article has much more gold to be mined.
10 Stupid Mistakes Made by the Newly Self-Employed
1. Selling to the wrong people.
...Selling to the wrong people includes trying to sell to everyone...Feel free to say no to customers that are more trouble than they’re worth...Don’t network with random people just because you think you’re supposed to network...Learn to say no to the weak opportunities so you have the capacity to say yes to the golden opportunities.
2. Spending too much money.
Until you have a steady cashflow coming in, don’t spend your precious start-up cash unless it’s absolutely necessary...I soon learned that every dollar invested in the business was another dollar that eventually had to be recouped from sales...Your business should put cash into your pocket, so before you “invest” money into it, be clear on how you’re going to pull that cash back out again.
3. Spending too little money.
Don’t let frugality get in the way of efficiency. Take advantage of skilled contractors who can do certain tasks more efficiently than you can. Buy decent equipment when it’s clear you’ll get your money’s worth.
It takes time to develop the wisdom to know when you’re being too tight or too loose with your cash, so if you’re just starting out, get a second opinion...If you can’t justify the expenditure to someone you respect, it’s probably a mistake. On the other hand, there are situations where it’s hard to justify not spending the cash.
4. Putting on a fake front.
There’s nothing wrong with a one-person business, especially today...It’s perfectly OK to refer to your business as an "I" when you’re the only one working in it...Promoting yourself as an "I" may even be an advantage today, since people will know the buck stops with you, and if you make a promise, you’re the one who will carry it out...If you’re so desperate for business that you need to lie, you shouldn’t be starting your own business. If you can’t provide real value and charge fairly for it, don’t play the game of business. Develop your skills a bit more first.
5. Assuming a signed contract will be honored.
A signed contract is just a piece of paper. What’s behind a signed contract is a relationship. If the relationship goes sour, the contract won’t save you. The purpose of a contract is to clearly define everyone’s roles and commitments. But it’s the relationship, not the paper, that ultimately enforces those commitments. When I understood this, I focused more on relationships and worried less about what was on paper, and my business deals went much more smoothly. Once you start falling back on the paper, the deal is already in trouble...Keep your business relationships in good order, and you won’t have to worry so much about what’s on paper.
6. Going against your intuition.
While you might think that logic is the language of business, that’s far from reality. If you base all your business deals on hard logic and ignore your intuition, most likely you’ll be in for a world of hurt...Intuition is a critical part of the decision-making process in business. Since business deals depend on relationships, you need to get a read on the other people involved in any deal you consider. If you get a bad read, walk away. If you get a good read, proceed with caution.
7. Being too formal.
In some settings a certain degree of formality is appropriate, but in most business situations being too formal only gets in the way. Business relationships work best when there’s a decent human-to-human connection behind them...Treat your business relationships like friendships (or potential friendships). Formality puts up walls, and walls don’t foster good business relationships...Formality is boring and tedious. People want to enjoy their work. If someone addresses me like a computer, I’ll respond in kind — by hitting delete. But if someone demonstrates they have a real personality and a good sense of humor, a connection is far more likely.
8. Sacrificing your personality quirks.
It’s perfectly OK to be your own weird self and to inject your own unique spirit into your business, especially if you’re in your teens or 20s. Don’t be afraid to be more like Steve Jobs… and less like Steve Ballmer. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Ultimately you’ll enjoy your work much more if you attract the kinds of customers and partners that want to work with you for who you are — warts and all. Send the people who only want to work with androids to your corporate competitors. They deserve each other...If other people can’t handle your weirdness, too bad for them. Focus your energy on the people who can.
9. Failing to focus on value creation.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the purpose of a business is to make money. But the real purpose of a business is to create value. While it’s possible to make money in the short run without creating much value, in the long run it’s unsustainable...Why does your business exist? It exists to provide some sort of value, both for you and your customers. The better you understand what value you’re trying to provide, the better you’ll be able to focus...The world doesn’t need more selling or more stuff. But it always needs and wants genuine value creation, and that’s where you should direct your efforts.
10. Failing to optimize.
Although value creation is essential to a sustainable business, it’s equally naive to assume you can simply focus on creating value, and the rest will take care of itself. You may build a business that provides good value but loses money...Just don’t let yours stay that way...Once you have a particular business process in place, pull it apart and re-optimize it from time to time. Look for ways to make it more efficient. Can you get it done in less time? At less cost? Can you do it less frequently? Can you outsource it? Can you dump the process altogether?...If you find yourself doing the same repetitive tasks month after month, make sure you put some effort into optimizing them. Not optimizing is like throwing time and money down the drain. It’s often much easier to save time and money than it is to create them...More money means more resources for ongoing value creation. So value creation and optimization go hand-in-hand.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
10 Stupid Mistakes Made by the Newly Self-Employed
1. Selling to the wrong people.
...Selling to the wrong people includes trying to sell to everyone...Feel free to say no to customers that are more trouble than they’re worth...Don’t network with random people just because you think you’re supposed to network...Learn to say no to the weak opportunities so you have the capacity to say yes to the golden opportunities.
2. Spending too much money.
Until you have a steady cashflow coming in, don’t spend your precious start-up cash unless it’s absolutely necessary...I soon learned that every dollar invested in the business was another dollar that eventually had to be recouped from sales...Your business should put cash into your pocket, so before you “invest” money into it, be clear on how you’re going to pull that cash back out again.
3. Spending too little money.
Don’t let frugality get in the way of efficiency. Take advantage of skilled contractors who can do certain tasks more efficiently than you can. Buy decent equipment when it’s clear you’ll get your money’s worth.
It takes time to develop the wisdom to know when you’re being too tight or too loose with your cash, so if you’re just starting out, get a second opinion...If you can’t justify the expenditure to someone you respect, it’s probably a mistake. On the other hand, there are situations where it’s hard to justify not spending the cash.
4. Putting on a fake front.
There’s nothing wrong with a one-person business, especially today...It’s perfectly OK to refer to your business as an "I" when you’re the only one working in it...Promoting yourself as an "I" may even be an advantage today, since people will know the buck stops with you, and if you make a promise, you’re the one who will carry it out...If you’re so desperate for business that you need to lie, you shouldn’t be starting your own business. If you can’t provide real value and charge fairly for it, don’t play the game of business. Develop your skills a bit more first.
5. Assuming a signed contract will be honored.
A signed contract is just a piece of paper. What’s behind a signed contract is a relationship. If the relationship goes sour, the contract won’t save you. The purpose of a contract is to clearly define everyone’s roles and commitments. But it’s the relationship, not the paper, that ultimately enforces those commitments. When I understood this, I focused more on relationships and worried less about what was on paper, and my business deals went much more smoothly. Once you start falling back on the paper, the deal is already in trouble...Keep your business relationships in good order, and you won’t have to worry so much about what’s on paper.
6. Going against your intuition.
While you might think that logic is the language of business, that’s far from reality. If you base all your business deals on hard logic and ignore your intuition, most likely you’ll be in for a world of hurt...Intuition is a critical part of the decision-making process in business. Since business deals depend on relationships, you need to get a read on the other people involved in any deal you consider. If you get a bad read, walk away. If you get a good read, proceed with caution.
7. Being too formal.
In some settings a certain degree of formality is appropriate, but in most business situations being too formal only gets in the way. Business relationships work best when there’s a decent human-to-human connection behind them...Treat your business relationships like friendships (or potential friendships). Formality puts up walls, and walls don’t foster good business relationships...Formality is boring and tedious. People want to enjoy their work. If someone addresses me like a computer, I’ll respond in kind — by hitting delete. But if someone demonstrates they have a real personality and a good sense of humor, a connection is far more likely.
8. Sacrificing your personality quirks.
It’s perfectly OK to be your own weird self and to inject your own unique spirit into your business, especially if you’re in your teens or 20s. Don’t be afraid to be more like Steve Jobs… and less like Steve Ballmer. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Ultimately you’ll enjoy your work much more if you attract the kinds of customers and partners that want to work with you for who you are — warts and all. Send the people who only want to work with androids to your corporate competitors. They deserve each other...If other people can’t handle your weirdness, too bad for them. Focus your energy on the people who can.
9. Failing to focus on value creation.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the purpose of a business is to make money. But the real purpose of a business is to create value. While it’s possible to make money in the short run without creating much value, in the long run it’s unsustainable...Why does your business exist? It exists to provide some sort of value, both for you and your customers. The better you understand what value you’re trying to provide, the better you’ll be able to focus...The world doesn’t need more selling or more stuff. But it always needs and wants genuine value creation, and that’s where you should direct your efforts.
10. Failing to optimize.
Although value creation is essential to a sustainable business, it’s equally naive to assume you can simply focus on creating value, and the rest will take care of itself. You may build a business that provides good value but loses money...Just don’t let yours stay that way...Once you have a particular business process in place, pull it apart and re-optimize it from time to time. Look for ways to make it more efficient. Can you get it done in less time? At less cost? Can you do it less frequently? Can you outsource it? Can you dump the process altogether?...If you find yourself doing the same repetitive tasks month after month, make sure you put some effort into optimizing them. Not optimizing is like throwing time and money down the drain. It’s often much easier to save time and money than it is to create them...More money means more resources for ongoing value creation. So value creation and optimization go hand-in-hand.
The Jenius Has Quoted.
05 April 2006
Open Source for Governor
"Most people who know about "open source" (including Free/Libre software) understand it as a technological model. A smaller group says no, really it's an economic model (Yochai Benkler's 2002 Coase's Penguin, or Linux and the Nature of the Firm is perhaps the most visible manifestation of this perspective). But while both of these perspectives are narrowly correct, they are also both incomplete. Ultimately, open source is a political model."
The above quote is from WorldChanging, a remarkable blog filled with ideas and concepts aimed at a new, better world. If it sounds idealistic, banish the notion. WorldChanging is optimistic, but it keeps its intellectual feet firmly on the ground.
Their argument for open source supported and fostered at the government level is quite practical:
"...(W)e frequently build on the argument that the real value of Linux, and the free/libre/open source model in general, is that it enables previously technologically-dependent communities to build the tools that they need with their own skills, and become a global participant as a producer of ideas, not simply a consumer." (Emphasis Mine.)
Takes Me back to My earliest Jenius posts...
The United Nations University's International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST) has even stated this principle as part of its core program for development. UNU-IIST Director Dr. Mike Reed is quoted in WorldChanging:
"Being a 'passive consumer' rather than an 'active participant' is not in the best interests of a developing nation's government or business sectors. Technological self-determination in developing countries is key to their future prosperity and is contingent on harnessing the power of this high-tech phenomenon.
...open source software is of great interest to governments in implementing their Electronic Governance initiatives. Apart from reducing costs, the benefits include: localization of solutions and content, government-wide standardization and sharing of development results, and transparency in the government's use of technology."
Hmm..."Active participants"..."Transparency in the government's use of technology"... Yeah, that should thrill The Fools here who almost openly yearn for the days when the average Puerto Rican had a 4th grade education.
Regardless of the fact that the average Fool has the technological acumen on the same level as that of a gerbil's ability to sing Il Pagliacci in Turkish, it isn't up to them to decide whether We use open source or not. It's Our decision, and if We expect the government to make the right one, then We are doomed.
Our actions must be aimed at making open source the standard. Not as an "anti-somebody" stance but as a "for citizenry" posture. As you may have noticed by reading the WorldChanging article, countries that are decades behind Us in technology are making huge strides, and if they pass Us, catching up will be almost impossible.
Imagine a future in which the top-producing countries are small, densely-populated with highly-educated people, loaded with communication infrastructure and supported by a government that seeks out opportunities and clears the way for its people to take advantage of them.
It doesn't take much imagination, for We're getting close. "We" as in "the world", not "We" as in Puerto Rico. For though We are almost the perfect candidates for that future scenario, We lack the two most vital components: technology infrastructure and a government that understands its new role.
They won't do it. That leaves Us.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
The above quote is from WorldChanging, a remarkable blog filled with ideas and concepts aimed at a new, better world. If it sounds idealistic, banish the notion. WorldChanging is optimistic, but it keeps its intellectual feet firmly on the ground.
Their argument for open source supported and fostered at the government level is quite practical:
"...(W)e frequently build on the argument that the real value of Linux, and the free/libre/open source model in general, is that it enables previously technologically-dependent communities to build the tools that they need with their own skills, and become a global participant as a producer of ideas, not simply a consumer." (Emphasis Mine.)
Takes Me back to My earliest Jenius posts...
The United Nations University's International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST) has even stated this principle as part of its core program for development. UNU-IIST Director Dr. Mike Reed is quoted in WorldChanging:
"Being a 'passive consumer' rather than an 'active participant' is not in the best interests of a developing nation's government or business sectors. Technological self-determination in developing countries is key to their future prosperity and is contingent on harnessing the power of this high-tech phenomenon.
...open source software is of great interest to governments in implementing their Electronic Governance initiatives. Apart from reducing costs, the benefits include: localization of solutions and content, government-wide standardization and sharing of development results, and transparency in the government's use of technology."
Hmm..."Active participants"..."Transparency in the government's use of technology"... Yeah, that should thrill The Fools here who almost openly yearn for the days when the average Puerto Rican had a 4th grade education.
Regardless of the fact that the average Fool has the technological acumen on the same level as that of a gerbil's ability to sing Il Pagliacci in Turkish, it isn't up to them to decide whether We use open source or not. It's Our decision, and if We expect the government to make the right one, then We are doomed.
Our actions must be aimed at making open source the standard. Not as an "anti-somebody" stance but as a "for citizenry" posture. As you may have noticed by reading the WorldChanging article, countries that are decades behind Us in technology are making huge strides, and if they pass Us, catching up will be almost impossible.
Imagine a future in which the top-producing countries are small, densely-populated with highly-educated people, loaded with communication infrastructure and supported by a government that seeks out opportunities and clears the way for its people to take advantage of them.
It doesn't take much imagination, for We're getting close. "We" as in "the world", not "We" as in Puerto Rico. For though We are almost the perfect candidates for that future scenario, We lack the two most vital components: technology infrastructure and a government that understands its new role.
They won't do it. That leaves Us.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
03 April 2006
Plussing
[Brief aside: A few hours after Fools and Frauds was posted, the inauguration of a new roadway culminated in a strike by the Power Authority. Yee. Haw. Always Fools Days in sunny Puerto Rico.]
So the aide hands Henry Kissinger the requested report. Kissinger glances at it and asks the aide “Is this the best you can do?” The aide looks chagrined, takes the report and leaves. A few days later, he hands in his report, and again Kissinger asks him “Are you sure this is the best you can do?” The aide grabs the report and leaves. A couple of days later, the same scene, but when Dr. Kissinger asked the same question, the aide drew himself up and said confidently, “Yes, this is the best report I can write.” Kissinger nodded with a small smile and said “Now I’ll read it.”
If you expect—and demand—the best from people, you’d be amazed at how often you receive it. In a connection that may have no other direct path, Walt Disney handled his animators with the same “Is this your best?” attitude. He even had a word for it: plussing.
Your best plus a little more. In any field of work, whether it's creative or mechanical, seeking to make one’s best better is the strongest method to achieve breakthrough performance. Walt’s plussing, dating from the time when animation was painstakingly drawn one cel at a time, has been carried on as a tradition into the digital age, forming the cornerstone of Pixar’s drive for unmatched depth in their films.
There’s an anecdote about Roberto Clemente, swinging alone one night in Shea Stadium. When a reporter asked why the National League batting champ was taking extra swings after a long game, Clemente replied “Tomorrow Tom Seaver pitches and he won’t give me anything to hit except his best pitch.”
Or take Michael Jordan, who reinvented himself almost every year, adding facets to his game to give him additional ways of beating the same people he’d been beating before. Or Tiger Woods, deciding to reinvent his swing, going through a “slump” and emerging to become an even more dominant golfer. The best get to be the best by never settling for less, by seeking to expand upon the basics and making more happen from them.
Note that Kissinger didn’t ask for a new kind of report, nor did Walt want new technology. By the same token, Clemente, Jordan and Woods weren’t stretching the boundaries of the sport. In all these cases, the stretching happened within. It was—-it always is—-a personal issue…and yes, it is one of choice.
Plussing. Do you know anyone who’s doing it? Are you?
The Jenius Has Spoken.
So the aide hands Henry Kissinger the requested report. Kissinger glances at it and asks the aide “Is this the best you can do?” The aide looks chagrined, takes the report and leaves. A few days later, he hands in his report, and again Kissinger asks him “Are you sure this is the best you can do?” The aide grabs the report and leaves. A couple of days later, the same scene, but when Dr. Kissinger asked the same question, the aide drew himself up and said confidently, “Yes, this is the best report I can write.” Kissinger nodded with a small smile and said “Now I’ll read it.”
If you expect—and demand—the best from people, you’d be amazed at how often you receive it. In a connection that may have no other direct path, Walt Disney handled his animators with the same “Is this your best?” attitude. He even had a word for it: plussing.
Your best plus a little more. In any field of work, whether it's creative or mechanical, seeking to make one’s best better is the strongest method to achieve breakthrough performance. Walt’s plussing, dating from the time when animation was painstakingly drawn one cel at a time, has been carried on as a tradition into the digital age, forming the cornerstone of Pixar’s drive for unmatched depth in their films.
There’s an anecdote about Roberto Clemente, swinging alone one night in Shea Stadium. When a reporter asked why the National League batting champ was taking extra swings after a long game, Clemente replied “Tomorrow Tom Seaver pitches and he won’t give me anything to hit except his best pitch.”
Or take Michael Jordan, who reinvented himself almost every year, adding facets to his game to give him additional ways of beating the same people he’d been beating before. Or Tiger Woods, deciding to reinvent his swing, going through a “slump” and emerging to become an even more dominant golfer. The best get to be the best by never settling for less, by seeking to expand upon the basics and making more happen from them.
Note that Kissinger didn’t ask for a new kind of report, nor did Walt want new technology. By the same token, Clemente, Jordan and Woods weren’t stretching the boundaries of the sport. In all these cases, the stretching happened within. It was—-it always is—-a personal issue…and yes, it is one of choice.
Plussing. Do you know anyone who’s doing it? Are you?
The Jenius Has Spoken.
31 March 2006
Time Is On Your Side
If you haven't noticed, Kevin Shockey's back at Portal Al Exito...
Jon Zaadz has a blog, and on that blog, he posted an interesting topic: How to Have 36 Hours in a Day.
Now, short of a semantical throw-down, let's say The Jenius finds the approach intriguing. In summary, Jon suggests and [I comment]:
1) Optimize your sleep -- "Add" 1.5 hours [I make do with 4-5 hours; lucky Me.]
2) Optimize your diet -- "Add" 1.5 hours [Here's an area to work on.]
3) Multitask -- "Add" 2.0 hours [See below.]
4) Get organized -- "Add" 1.0 hours [Definitely a good idea; could save much more time.]
5) Improve your typing speed -- "Add" 0.75 hours [I'm around 35-40 words per minute; definite room for improvement.]
6) Improve your reading speed -- "Add" 0.75 hours [I average a 500-page book in 2.5 hours; can't read much faster, but could read less overall.]
7) Learn Out Loud (audio-based content) -- "Add" 1.5 hours [Big time saver what with spending 8-9 hours in a car a week.]
8) Use software to your advantage -- "Add" 0.5 hours [Done. Can't do much more yet.]
9) Cut your TV time in half -- "Add" 2.0 hours [I'm already down to only 4 hours a week, so it's doable. For the average person, the gain could be closer to 4 hours.]
10) Get help from others -- "Add" 0.5 hours [Already in effect, but could be worth trying a little more.]
As for multitasking, Time Magazine has a lead article on "Generation M" and their almost hyperkinetic need to do several things at once. Let's call a spade a spade: multitasking is nothing but rapid focus switching. You really can't do several things at the same time: you simply do one at a time at a very fast clip.
Is multitasking a time saver? Yes and no. If the tasks can be combined without interrupting each other--like walking a half-mile to a nearby appointment, thus combining exercise and business/pleasure--then by all means multitask. But if the tasks tend to engage the same faculties (think frenzied professional juggling work tasks), then it's been shown time and again that focusing and completing one thing at a time is ultimately more productive.
Is Jon's "12-hour addition" feasible? Yes. It's a good approach to finding ways to make time work for you. Don't forget that, if you choose to make it so, time really is on your side.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
Jon Zaadz has a blog, and on that blog, he posted an interesting topic: How to Have 36 Hours in a Day.
Now, short of a semantical throw-down, let's say The Jenius finds the approach intriguing. In summary, Jon suggests and [I comment]:
1) Optimize your sleep -- "Add" 1.5 hours [I make do with 4-5 hours; lucky Me.]
2) Optimize your diet -- "Add" 1.5 hours [Here's an area to work on.]
3) Multitask -- "Add" 2.0 hours [See below.]
4) Get organized -- "Add" 1.0 hours [Definitely a good idea; could save much more time.]
5) Improve your typing speed -- "Add" 0.75 hours [I'm around 35-40 words per minute; definite room for improvement.]
6) Improve your reading speed -- "Add" 0.75 hours [I average a 500-page book in 2.5 hours; can't read much faster, but could read less overall.]
7) Learn Out Loud (audio-based content) -- "Add" 1.5 hours [Big time saver what with spending 8-9 hours in a car a week.]
8) Use software to your advantage -- "Add" 0.5 hours [Done. Can't do much more yet.]
9) Cut your TV time in half -- "Add" 2.0 hours [I'm already down to only 4 hours a week, so it's doable. For the average person, the gain could be closer to 4 hours.]
10) Get help from others -- "Add" 0.5 hours [Already in effect, but could be worth trying a little more.]
As for multitasking, Time Magazine has a lead article on "Generation M" and their almost hyperkinetic need to do several things at once. Let's call a spade a spade: multitasking is nothing but rapid focus switching. You really can't do several things at the same time: you simply do one at a time at a very fast clip.
Is multitasking a time saver? Yes and no. If the tasks can be combined without interrupting each other--like walking a half-mile to a nearby appointment, thus combining exercise and business/pleasure--then by all means multitask. But if the tasks tend to engage the same faculties (think frenzied professional juggling work tasks), then it's been shown time and again that focusing and completing one thing at a time is ultimately more productive.
Is Jon's "12-hour addition" feasible? Yes. It's a good approach to finding ways to make time work for you. Don't forget that, if you choose to make it so, time really is on your side.
The Jenius Has Spoken.
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