I'm back...again

I have an on again off again relationship with blogging.

Lately, well since June, I've been off again. Other writing projects have been my priority. But, as is usually the case for me, blogging is just such a nag that I always end up coming back to it. There is something about the immediacy of blogging. There is something that happens when I put my more "disposable" thoughts down on a consistent basis. It gives you a peek into my mind (well that's a scary thought). It also primes my pump; keeps me noticing the big and the little of life in a more reflective manner. Seems as though, when I am more reflective, I'm more enlightened about well...most everything.

What do you to do tap into your observational qualities? What do you do to inject into your action your best thoughts and energies? It may not be blogging for you, but we all need some way to prime the pump. Life has a way of becoming quite routine--and that's not all bad. That is, until you fall asleep. Once I'm sleepwalking all kinds of unfortunate things can happen to me. Staying awake is not easy, but it's worth it. Noticing what's actually going on in life, in and around you, is one of the best ways to wake up into your life.

Ah, I feel better after blogging this. I guess, I'm on again.

Numbers Matter

I'm spending time today with the CCMI senior leader team examining data. Simply, what we measure, and why. Numbers have an interesting place in organizational life. We deem some people in organizations, "numbers people." We say, "Oh, he's a numbers guy." Depending on our view that may be a compliment, or it may suggest some rare disease that manifests itself with sores on the face and super glue on the wallet (as in, tight wad).

Conversely, some people are deemed "numbers illiterate." These people, particularly to numbers people, can't add their way out of a paper bag and don't understand the power of numbers (they're unanchored dreamers).

Ah yes, dreamers and tight wads. Love makes the world go round.

These two try to work together--to varying degrees of success. But, here's the deal:

If you're NOT a numbers person, that is no excuse to be numbers illiterate. Numbers matter. They really do. Learning enough to read numbers and trends is critical to your success as a leader--not to mention your organization or team. Learn the language of numbers. You may never be fluent, but you need to know how to ask where the bathroom is (and more).

If you ARE a numbers person. Learn the art of storytelling. Your numbers will mean more if they are attached to an organiztaional narrative. One that stirs the heart and rouses the mind. Don't just quote numbers, paint a picture, tell a story and you will find people listening--especially those pesky dreamers. 

Innovate in the box

We've been "getting out of the box" for many years now. But, new innovations sometimes are inside the box. Here's a cool example. This video is of a newer artist on the music scene. His name is Andy Grammer. One of his videos (I've embedded it here) allows you to direct the action. As the video is playing, in real time, you are given choices as to what you want the video to do next. Based on your choice, the video moves forward without any pause in the action. It's a clever idea INSIDE a very predictable box: the music video. 

What can you do to make the box better? It's not always about getting out of it. 

Adjust Your View

Just posted a few thoughts on my web page HERE about the book I'm writing, Question Yourself. The idea has to do with adjusting your view. It's critical that you adjust your view if you want to answer the first question--which is: 

What should I do now? 

--

Seems like an easy question to answer, but....

Timing matters--Save the day!

There's a great scene from the latest Star Trek movie where all hope seems lost (of course) and Spock and Kirk are about to die (Oh no!). Just as the world is about to end, the Starship Enterprise literally "comes out of nowhere" to blow stuff up and give Kirk and Spock the edge they need to finish the mission. As a trekkie, it's kind of what you live for.

I recently watched the movie again (and again), and thought about that scene as it relates to work, or life, or heck just about anything. 

When was the last time you saved the day? You showed up at just the right time and provided exactly what was needed. 

Are you looking for ways to save the day? 

If not, what are you doing? 

Entrance Requirements (Making the moments ahead all they can be)

When I speak to groups, I often share this "life principle."

The way you enter a situation has a lot to do with the way it will turn out.

Your perspective, prior to entering a situation, matters. It matters for at least two reasons: 1) It might need to change, and 2) It (You) might make the situation, once you're in it, much better. 

If I have a lousy perspective prior to entering a situation, it's unlikely the situation will be positive and productive. I will likely taint my actions and my experience with my negative perspective. If I think it's going to be bad, chances are good, it will be. This is why it's important to become aware of your perspective before entering a situation--whether it's a meeting at work or a night with friends. If you're aware of a negative perspective, you just might be able to change it BEFORE the moment. That's a big deal. Why? Because you're really awake and conscious. Not many people can say that. 

If my persepctive is positive a, prior to entering a situation, it can become the fuel for shaping the moment. If I see, in my imagination and mind, myself as wise, strong, compassionate, funny, magnetic or anything else the upcoming moment might need, I increase the possibility of it "happening" when the moment arrives. I literally shape the future, by my perspective of it in the present.

Think of a moment that's coming up for you. If you're dreading it, try and change your perspective. What makes it dreadful? What could change it? Or better yet, how do you need to change in order to SEE the situation with different eyes?

If the upcoming moment is neutral to positive, what can you do now to make it even better? Imagine yourself in that moment. How do you want to be seen? What will that moment need from you to make it better? How do you want the moment to have gone when you are leaving it?

See it first and you are more likely to live it later (in "real time").

Yes! This is it!

Stare at this one and let it teach you about life and work.

Question Yourself

Here's a little video ditty on a concept that I explore in a book I'm currently writing. Check it out!

The New VW Bug--Don't forget re-inventing...

Here's an article on the newest iteration of the VW bug. I grew up with the Bug. My parents owned a very cool white version that stayed with us until the fateful night when it was totaled in an accident. What the newest version reminds me is that re-inventing is still an important innovation. 

We have a hunger for new technologies. And of course, the new VW is clearly a new technology when compared with its early predecessors. But, because of our thirst for "new" we also have a soft spot for the comeback or the nostalgic reappearance of something that takes us back. 

When thinking about your services or products, don't forget to retain (when possible) that which creates fondness in the minds of long-term customers. Don't so abandon your past that you forget that, at one point, it WAS the innovation. The trick is to retain that which creates positive energy (from the past) while simultaneously moving boldly into new innovations (for the future). 

Here are a few thoughts that can help you find that point of integration: 

• Find the spirit of your mission that transcends time, and retain it in every new iteration of what you do.

• When you design something new, retain something from a past iteration that creates a "product narrative" of your history (for example, it's rumored that the newest Bug's shape is closer to the original than past models). 

• Find the passion again (when re-inventing the service or product, it's important to reconnect with your original passion for the mission...in do so, you become a fan again and that's important).

• Talk to long-term customers and ask them what they see as "timeless" (you may not be able to fit all of their ideas into a design--or even want to--but you may be reminded of important values you've forgotten about. Tapping their passion, ignites your own). 

Good luck Volkswagen!

Don't just do work, create art

Adam Young, musician and creator of Owl City is making quite a splash in the music world these days. I've been a fan for a little over a year. 

Take a look at this video. It's about the making of his album. But it's way more. It gives you a peek into how he creates his art. As you watch it, ask yourself a couple of questions: 

1) What would change if I turned my work into art? 

2) What can I learn from Adam (in the video) about how artists work? 

Turn your work into art and you'll turn the mundane into something magic.