#255: Weave with purpose
Have you had the opportunity of watching a drunk struggle his way home?Well, I recently watched something similar - a guy with a metal detector combing an early morning beach. I was standing on a balcony which gave me a bird’s eye view of his progress. As I watched I realized something interesting.Have you ever watched a guy working a metal detector? And have you watched a drunk working a side-walk? Did you notice something interesting? Correct! Both weave, but one zig-zags all over the place, while the other one weaves with purpose.That’s exactly the strategy you should adopt this new year - weave with purpose.Many organizations are punch drunk, zig-zagging and stumbling about. The risk is that they will seek stability by developing rigid plans with inflexible strategies. But things are simply too uncertain for that to work.Better for you to be clear on the outcome you want and then to weave with purpose.I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
#254: Symbolic resolutions
Another year, another bumper sticker: May your bad luck last as long as your New Year's resolutions.Many of us had bad luck last year and so I hope that this bumper sticker applies to us. But then again, some of us had bad luck because we did not stick to last year’s resolutions.I wonder, why do New Year's resolutions seldom stick around longer than the hangover created at the same time? Is it because our resolutions are unrealistic, the implementation too painful, or our memories conveniently faulty?Here’s what I think. New Year's resolutions don't stick because the act of making the resolution has more significance than the resolution itself. We put too much meaning into making a resolution and too little resolution into our actions.Today holds less ritualistic pressure than the first of the year. Time to rework your resolutions. Put less emphasis on symbolic intention and more on resolute action.I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
#253: Hoping for faith
If this is the time of peace and goodwill, then what went wrong? Financial stress. Financial stress destroys peace of mind and saps feelings of goodwill, especially towards those who have abundance.Nevertheless, this is the season to be jolly and hope always rides along with peace and goodwill. So here’s hoping that 2009 will bring you peace and goodwill.
Oops! Hope is not a strategy.Faith could be. Here’s how. Have a vision, then go at it with purpose and a steady faith that you will succeed.
Faith in doing; not faith in hoping. People gain faith in you through your actions and deeds, not through your words of hope. Funny thing is, when others have faith in you, then yours will grow.
Remember, always act with faith in your own abilities. If you don’t believe in yourself, no-one else will. And then hope is all that you’ll have left.I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
#252: Summoned by cell phone
Oh, the benefits of technology, especially during holidays. Are you have a good time visiting family and friends? You are? Then you are surely not playing with your cell phone.That’s right, there’s an inverse relationship between the two.Let me explain. Long ago, we had a real family doctor. Back then there were no cell phones, not even paging devices. Nevertheless, our family doctor had a plan to cope with boring social engagements. He asked his nurse to call him one hour into the event. If he was having a good time, he would ‘solve’ the fictitious crisis on the phone. If he was bored, he would excuse himself and leave.Some people try this trick using their cell phones, even in meetings at work. However, an ‘urgent’ call on your cell phone is not as dramatic nor as convincing as being summoned to speak on an old fashioned wall telephone.So, remember that before your next boring meeting or family gathering.I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
#251: Going down the toilet
When I hear that the economy is going down the toilet, I think about that other office cubicle. The one that is confusingly labeled the bathroom or the restroom.
The state of this cubicle can predict whether your company is also going down the toilet. Why? Because it shows how much you respect your employees and visitors, and how much they respect your company.Many people judge a restaurant by its food and service. I judge it by its toilets and coffee. Toilets and coffee are after thoughts. You tend to ask for these at the end of your meal. At this stage you have committed your wallet, which is why some restauranteurs skimp on toilets and coffee. If they do, I don’t go back.Some companies skimp on toilets. If employees had more power, I’m sure they won’t go back.Come on, give your employees an unexpected bonus. Freshen up those toilets. Oh, and give them decent coffee.
I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
#250: Cool job hunting
If you are looking for a job, how long should it take you to find one?Here’s a hint from my school days. If it takes 5 people 50 days to build a house, how long would it take 50 people to build one?Today I know that the right answer is seldom the practical solution. Why? Because more is not always faster and certain things cannot be rushed. For example, many cooks can bake one loaf of bread faster by turning up the heat, but will eat what comes out?And yet, I have watched people job hunt that way. Many resumes sent faster to more places might get you a job, but will that job satisfy you?If you are really desperate then take any job, but please don’t stop there. Use the time you have gained. Turn down the heat, follow a proven recipe for job hunting and let the process develop naturally.I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
#249: Don’t fear to delegate smartly
There’s a lot of fear out there, I know, but now is not the time to do stupid things just to prove how valuable you are to your employer.Like doing more and working harder.OK, maybe these are not stupid tactics in the short term, but they can harm your future prospects.I know it is tempting to do more and more yourself instead of delegating, but please restrain yourself. The ability to delegate effectively identifies you as a leader in two ways. It calms your superiors to know that you can utilize resources; and it cheers your subordinates to know that you value them.The ability to calm and to cheer people during times of fear and stress can be quite valuable.As for working harder, well, that’s always a dumb strategy. This economy, whether it is growing or shrinking, is now mostly a knowledge-based economy. That calls for working smarter, not harder.
More brain, less brawn.I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.comCopyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA
