It’s a always a helpful reminder to make a list and check it twice. I recently read Atul Gawande's Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right. I must agree with the author, tragic mistakes can be sharply reduced with just 3 things: - A piece of paper
- Hand-drawn boxes
- A pencil
I happen to use the iPhone Reminder App...and I use it daily. I learned from Gawande that, “The volume and complexity of what we know has exceeded our individual ability to deliver its benefits correctly, safely, and/or reliably.” It's hard to count on people. Can you relate? A select few I know I can always count on to follow through - they are the exception, not the rule. If you want to be a leader here's some advice: - Show up
- Make promises
- Keep promises
- Do what you say you're going to do
- Listen...really listen
- Trust (but verify)
- Care about the work (Administer)
- Care about the people (Minister)
- Talk to people (not at them)
- Show respect
If you can't do one of these things then find someone else to replace you. Don;t just quit. For so many years I have made To Do Lists, or simple Checklists, to keep myself on track so I don’t forget basic basic tasks that I meant to do, but for some reason just omitted. I write down No-Brainer tasks which are STUPID but CRITICAL. I’ve been criticized for listing such mundane tasks, but simply stated, “It really helps me to remember to get it right!” I can’t stand it when I don’t do something that is very easy, just because I had too much on my mind to remember to do it. The excuses are endless: “It takes too much time to make a list,” or “What’s the point? If I forget to do something, then it wasn’t worth remembering.” The truth is, checklists only take a few minutes to create and they have the potential to keep you on track for your entire workday. In addition, people (especially those who rely on you) really appreciate it when you do the things you say you will do (add your Ethos to the checklist while you’re at it). Here's a thought, if your To-Do List gets too long, consider a Not Right Now List. I figure if Pilots and Surgeons utilize checklists to get their jobs done, perhaps those of us serving in positions of leadership ought to follow suit.
Every once in a while I read an article that I REALLY enjoy. I like to read content that is FUN, but it also has to teach me something. I don't read a significant amount of FUN - I tend to only read books and articles that teach me something I'm interested in like right now I'm reading about mobile apps and agriculture...yeah, boring I know. Matthew Herper at Forbes.com recently wrote this piece entitled "Five Career Lessons From Han Solo." This was a FUN read! First I saw the word "Five" followed by "Career Lessons" and thought to myself, "I've got time for five career lessons, probably already heard them before, but it;s from Forbes so it might be something cutting edge...or not...but I got time for five." Then I read, "Han Solo" and I freaking clicked on that! I watched Star Wars for Han Solo, The Millenium Falcon, and Chewbacca! I thought Luke was a whiny puts and Darth Vader was just washed up, never thought that guy was scary. Han Solo didn't need a lightsaber or the force, he was cool because he had a gnarly ship, blaster, and a hairy friend. I hope you have time to read Matt's article, here's a quick preview of the Five Career Lessons from Han Solo: 1) Have an ally who will support you no matter what.“Chewie and I will take care of this. You stay here.”2) Be a mentor – you might get paid back later.
“That’s two you owe me, junior.”3) Don’t be too focused
“Jabba, I was just on my way to pay you back, and I got a little sidetracked.”
4) Trust what you know
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”5) Shoot first
“Yeah, but this time, I’ve got the money…”
If you like Matt's article you'll also enjoy 5 Lessons In Freelancing From Han Solo.
As you set your New Year's resolution to lose weight, here's a motivating story. It was my 2011 resolution to drop 30 lbs. Being immersed in my MBA program at SUU for over a year took all my spare time that I would have used for exercise. I was up to 185 and I needed to get down to a healthy and comfortable 155 (160 would even do). I'm a fan of Tim Ferriss so of course I was planning to read The 4-Hour Body any way. The moment I downloaded the book on my Kindle for iPad app in January of this year, I noticed the Slow Carb Diet and the promise of dropping 20 lbs in 30 days without any exercise. Sounded good to me! Basically, here's what I did: - I cut out all sweets, no candy, no soda (pop), juice etc.
- I said no to my favorite pastries, banana bread or bread of any kind. It was hard giving up the white carbs but I avoided them like the plague.
- I gave up potatoes and any potato products completely.
- My only exception was wheat tortillas.
- I only drank water, I cut my intake of milk down to a cup every 3 days or so.
- For Breakfast at 5-6am I ate 1/2 cup of spinach, 3-5 eggs, and 1/2 cup of black or refried beans with salsa along with 32oz of ice water.
- For Lunch around 1-2pm I'd eat a bowl of beans and whatever vegetables I had, usually green beans. Some days I would eat White Chicken Chili. Throughout the day I would drink at least another 32oz of water.
- For Dinner around 6-7pm I would eat grilled chicken breasts like they were going out of style. I'd include more water and 1-2 cups of vegetables and salad. Instead of dressing I'd supplement cottage cheese.
- After every meal I would do 30 squats and 30 tricep extensions...even at restaurants..
- Most nights and mornings I do 30 pushups, pull-ups and sit-ups. Just a habit from my late teens.
Through this diet change I fell in love with the eggs, spinach and beans combo and learned how to make the meal in several different forms. I had to add the cheese for flavor. Tim said it was Ok if it was just a pinch (I have pretty big pinches). Here's a picture of an omelet version: This is how it usually looked before adding salsa, I prefer Jack's Salsa or the Kirkland Signature brand. End Result: - I dropped down 30 lbs and was down to 155 by the end of March.
- I could have down it faster, but I was in no rush and some days I just needed to down a loaf of my wife's banana bread (binge days are Ok, I took one once every couple weeks).
- I could only do it with the support of my wonderful wife, she adjusted her cooking a lot for me. She even lost weight, not that she needed to.
- I fell in love with the breakfast and now it has become my morning tradition. Sure, some days I just want some crapes or waffles. But this is my staple.
- I've eased off the Lunch and Dinner meals but I weight myself everyday and if I notice I've gained some pounds from the big Sunday dinner the night before I just go back onto the Slow Carb Diet and the weight just sheds off.
- I've maintained a weight of 155-160 since March and I haven't even started running again...and I don't think I will, I prefer intense games of Dodgeball and hiking.
My friends and coworkers thought I was nuts but they all know it works. I know the breakfast looks gross, but it only works with spinach. I didn't like the idea at first but I would just tell people to try it for a week and see what happens. Everyone who tried it out lost weight. Whether they stuck with it or not, well that was up to their level of discipline. I'm pretty much an expert on the Slow Carb Diet. If you ever have any questions about it, like Do's and Don't's etc. just ask me and I'd be ha ppy to advise you.
I absolutely loved this inc.com article about David Sacks, PayPal alumnus and the founder of Yammer. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who has a difficult time disconnecting from my work. For me, in my new role as an Extension Professor, it seems like I’m always thinking about work. I guess it’s frequently on my mind because I must find it enjoyable to think about. I was like this before, it has just become amplified because I’m trying so hard to take a lot in and be as effective as possible for the people I serve. I’m not sure if I ever really deactivate from “work-mode.” Sure, I unplug from time to time, but my idea radar always seems to be on. The only time it’s not is when I’m intensely involved in something that requires my full concentration. So for me that’s when I’m rappelling in a slot canyon or playing with my son at the park. I think about work constantly. I wish I had an On/Off switch. My wife is good at bringing it to my attention. We'll be at dinner or spending time with the kids, and she'll notice me drifting off, she has a way of bringing me back to Earth. I'm trying to be better, but I’m happy I have found something I’m passionate about. I’ve found I shift gears easier when I feel in control of my work, like I actually have a handle on things and am accomplishing above average feats.
You can't watch this video without being totally amazed by this kid. Not only is he an excellent public speaker, but he's literally a genius. Was he born this way? I think not, talent is overrated. People only get this way through 'deliberate practice.'
Viewing this video further motivated me in my 4-H work with technology. I really liked how he started an app club at his school where kids can get together and learn how to create mobile apps. It's what I'm currently working on so we have a community of kids like him in Southern Utah.
I wouldn't be surprised if his club is an actual 4-H club, that's what 4-H is all about - kids learning skills under the guidance of caring adults. It can be after school, at your house or any community center. Adults who have the time and want to share what they know with kids in their neighborhood are encouraged to get involved, consider this your invitation.
Google has recently announced some Spring Cleaning initiatives and is scrapping the following projects: Google Knol, Google Search Timeline, Google Gear, Google Friend Connect, Google Bookmarks Lists and Google Wave.
Learning of the projects Google was "quitting" reminded me of what I learned from Seth Godin's The Dip. I'm sure all these projects that Google started were cool, exciting and fun at first...then they got harder and not so fun. Once things weren't fun anymore, they got even harder to push through and were no longer fun at all.
When things aren't fun anymore the thought of quitting is on your mind often. You consider the goals you set in the beginning of the project, your business, or your job and ask yourself, "Should I keep going or just scrap this altogether?" Of course you don't want to feel like a failure, but it might be time to cut your losses.When is a good time to quit? Seth defines the Dip as "a temporary setback that will get better if you keep pushing." But be careful, you're either facing a Dip or a Cul-de-Sac. A Cul-de-Sac is "a situation which will never get better, no matter how hard you try."
It's up to you to determine where you stand. Google realized it was in a Cul-de-Sac. Weight the pros and cons. Do the math.
Like Google did with these projects, if you're faced with a Cul-de-Sac you'll win by quitting and moving onto a dip that is worth pushing through. Certainly there are plenty of other things to do, especially for Google.
To conclude, what really sets the remarkable apart from the mediocre is their ability to escape dead ends quickly, while staying focused and motivated when it really matters. Google's story of spring cleaning should not be one of failure, but one of triumph over the Cul-de-Sac.
I really enjoyed reading JFK's 1963 Address at Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. He praised the Mormons for their perseverance, dedication to education, and persistence. Here's an excerpt I found inspiring: "Let us remember that the Mormons of a century ago were a persecuted and prosecuted minority, harried from place to place, the victims of violence and occasional murder, while today in the short space of 100 years, their faith and works are known and respected the world around, and their voices heard in the highest councils of this country. As the Mormons succeeded, so can America succeed, if we will not give up or turn back." -John F. Kennedy, 1963
In my last blog post I wrote about how unnecessary business plans are because nobody knows the future. It sure would be nice if the line graphs always went up and up...but that's not reality. Here in this video Derek Sivers, author of Anything You Want, explains the following:1. A complex and thorough business plan does not guarantee success 2. How business plans can change quickly My favorite quote from this video is: "No business plan survives first contact with the customer." Check out this case study to learn the above principle in great depth and these other lessons: - Business plans are the leading cause of startup death
- Rapidly changing markets require continuous business model iteration/customer development
- Your ability to raise money has no correlation with customer adoption
It's amazing how some people just won't admit that they "don't know." They can believe in their plan so much that they can't adapt as needed - this is how business plans stifle progress. No matter what you've got planned, once you get into the real world, everything will change. It's better to understand this from the start. Enjoy the video!
I've been enjoying my free Kindle edition of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s most famous essay Self-Reliance. Seth Godin's Domino Project and Ibex, a very nifty outdoorwear company, have recently teamed up to reintroduce the world to Emerson and are sponsoring a free Kindle edition. Get your free copy here. Here's one of my favorite quotes (I've heard it many times, but never knew it came from Ralph): That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved.Reminds me of another quote I'm rather fond of:
Stick to your task till it sticks to you;
Beginners are many, but enders are few.
Honour, power, place, and praise
Will come, in time, to the one who stays.
Stick to your task till it sticks to you;
Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too;
For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile
Will come life's victories, after awhile.
-Anonymous
I refer to both of these quotes when I feel like giving up on something that is difficult and taxing, because I know that I should stick with it and persist because it will make me better.
In an effort to improve communication at work I got the idea to create a a "secret group" forum for our organization on Facebook. We have 3 spread out locations now and communication has become rather sucky as we've often failed at logistics between the locations.
The good thing is, everyone is on Facebook, and they all check it regularly on their computers and mobile phones. So we're going to Poke The Box, as Seth puts it, and try this out for a while and see if things improve. I am a little worried employees might waste time messing around on Facebook, but I trust that everyone is responsible enough to handle it - we've got a "No Cogs" culture going on.
I'm certainly excited to see how this will work and what we're going to learn from it.
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