Nonsense at Work

#370: Dirt at work

2010-03-15T06:30:00.000-04:00

As I have explained before, nonsense is just waiting to happen. Why? Because it is an abundant, natural, renewable resource. I realized this when I watched two dung beetles at work in the African bush.

Now, dung is nothing but dirt in the making. And do you know what researchers in Britain have discovered? Dirt can make people happy.

Okay, so far they have evidence that dirt makes mice happy, but the process is the same for humans. Certain types of dirt stimulate neurons in the brain that produce serotonin, which influences mood.

It’s early days yet, but this does seem to imply that we will all be happier if we spent more time playing in the dirt.

Please note that I am not responsible if my nonsense thoughts trigger new ideas for those weird people who dream up crazy team building exercises. So don’t blame me if your next team building exercise happens in the dirt.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Dirt at work'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#369: Responsibility breakdown

2010-03-10T06:15:00.000-05:00

Is it my imagination or do we have a responsibility breakdown? It seems to me that some people in power don’t understand what it means to be responsible.

Here it is in simple terms. Responsibility is the ability to respond.

This begs the question, how? ‘Appropriately’ would be nice, thank you. Okay, I’ll explain. You are in a responsible position because you were once deemed trustworthy and capable of rational conduct.

Here’s the real difficulty for some people: being responsible also means that you are liable to be called to account. In other words, you ‘own’ the results whether you like it or not.

And no, you may not sit on the fence. You are expected to respond.

We in the real world are responsible and accountable for the outcomes of our actions. Why should you be excused?

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Responsibility breakdown'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#368: The way to being all right

2010-03-08T06:15:00.000-05:00

Nonsense has taught me many useful things. Here’s one that has helped to reduce my stress levels dramatically. Listen carefully.

The way to be right is not to make others wrong. The way to be right is to be all right, you know, as in ‘I’m all right, Jack’.

Let me explain. Because our world is constantly changing, being right is a moment to moment affair. Right can become wrong as easily as wrong becomes right.

So, I’ve swapped being right for being happy. After all, being right all the time can be so tiring and tiresome.

Here’s how it’s done. Actively choose to be all right instead of always right. Next, aim to comfortably wrong. When you are wrong, don’t rationalize; apologize and get over it. Then get on with helping others to be right.

Let me summarize. The way to be all right is to be comfortable with wrong as you help others to be right.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'The way to being all right'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#367: Too creative to work

2010-03-03T06:15:00.000-05:00

All these books and seminars and training videos on creativity and innovation at work really annoy me. Creativity and innovation are a complete waste of time. Unless . . .

But first, have you ever watched a production line in motion? A worker does his thing in a couple of seconds, the product moves on, the next worker who does her thing in a couple of seconds, and so on.

Imagine if one of those workers had a new idea, a ‘what if I tried it this way’ moment. What would happen? Chaos. A supervisor’s nightmare.

Most businesses are not designed to deal with creativity and innovation because they don’t need it. They need smooth execution of what has already been created, tried and tested.

Unless your business is the art of the new, it is better to teach focused action rather than free association.

Not convinced? Well, would you fly with a ‘let’s try this’ sort of pilot?

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Too creative to work'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#366: Keep the customer passionate

2010-03-01T06:15:00.001-05:00

Customer satisfaction is only the start of the customer relationship. Customer loyalty is where the serious money is made.

Let me explain using two examples. I had a problem with my phone carrier; I complained; they pushed back; I complained louder; they fixed it; I am satisfied. But I am not loyal. Give me a reasonable option and I might switch.

Now consider loyalty. I had a four-year-old American car; it died; they said it needed a new engine. I remembered my two foreign cars that I sold after both were more than 12 years old. I bought another foreign brand. After four years I am still satisfied.

But there’s more. I have become so loyal that I convinced my wife to buy one. And I tell all my friends to buy one.

That’s the difference between satisfaction and loyalty. Satisfaction keeps you passive; loyalty makes you passionate. Now that’s a big difference.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Keep the customer passionate'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#365: When success means escaping the bucket

2010-02-24T06:15:00.000-05:00

I do hope this economy improves soon else we will experience what I call the lobster syndrome.

This syndrome surfaces in a group when one individual is more successful than others and it manifests in a country when one group is better off than another.

The first sign is evident when the rally cry of ‘we’re all in this together’ turns into a plea of ‘aren’t we in this together’. The second sign is when the pleaders claim to be innocent victims.

And the third sign? When the self-called victims boost their egos by self-righteously criticizing those who dare to climb out of the bucket of failure.

Let me explain. A fisherman, walking along with a bucket of lobsters, is asked by a friend, ‘Won’t the lobsters escape by climbing out of the bucket?’ ‘No’, replies the fisherman, ‘You know what lobsters are like. When one gets near the top, the others pull him back down’.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'When success means escaping the bucket'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#364: Don’t keep the customer satisfied

2010-02-22T06:15:00.000-05:00

Simon and Garfunkel were wrong about ‘keeping the customer satisfied’. Customer satisfaction can kill your organization.

This happens when you spend more on keeping customers satisfied than they spend with you. And when you go out of business, you have actually provided the worst possible service to your loyal customers.

The problem is that there is no simple way to measure customer satisfaction. People have different needs which translate into different levels of satisfaction. The catch? Some of your customers will never be satisfied. On the other hand, it is easy to measure loyalty – how often does this customer spend money with us?

Customer loyalty tends to cost less. An obvious reason is that it is cheaper to keep existing customers than to compete for new ones. Less obvious is that loyal customers are more forgiving when you make mistakes.

And that can be priceless.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Don’t keep the customer satisfied'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#363: Making your second million

2010-02-17T06:30:00.000-05:00

Here is a little known fact about myself. I am working on my second million. That’s right, my ‘second million’.

My first million was a complete disaster.

Many so-called experts will tell you that you must have a dream and then you must focus on it relentlessly, selfishly, unflinchingly and unfailingly. Well, that recipe might work for some people but not for me.

I seem to stumble upon ideas and slip into doing things that I like and that make sense, and somehow I earn money doing so.

Do you know what I’ve learned from all this stumbling and slipping? Always have a Plan B. Actually, the key to success for people like me, the ones who cannot focus single-mindedly on one dream, is this. Dream about your Plan A, but always execute your Plan B.

Remember – successful people tend to be good at Plan B, where the second million is made.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Making your second million'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#362: Customer service begins at home

2010-02-15T06:27:00.000-05:00

When it comes to customer service, who should you focus on first? The one with the fattest wallet? The one who always comes back? The one with the biggest network? Or the one you go home with at night?

Hang on. I never said ‘customer’; I purposely said ‘the one’. Mention customer service and we automatically think ‘customer’.

And yet, to provide really good service, you should be thinking selfishly. No, I don’t mean you should assume that what you like is what the customer will like. Please avoid that classic error.

What I mean is this. Begin by ensuring that you are totally ready to provide customer service. Are you presenting yourself appropriately? Are you in the right mood? Are you smiling sincerely? Are you in the present moment or somewhere else?

Like charity, customer service begins at home. Unless you know how to serve yourself well, you cannot hope to serve anyone else.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Customer service begins at home'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#361: Are you losing your memory?

2010-02-10T06:26:00.000-05:00

Did your organization let people go last year? If so, chances are that it also lost some of its memory. Is this good or bad?

Corporate memory is the collective body of knowledge of how we do what we do. It is the accumulation of know-how acquired over years in business.

There is a catch, though. Too much reliance on it can inhibit new thinkers who bring new ideas; and not enough of it can result in the wheel being reinvented... again.

When people leave they take knowledge and experience with them. Yes, this can result in mistakes and lower productivity, but it can also create the opportunity for new people to bring new ideas.

The trick, whether people stay or leave, is to ensure that your corporate memory never becomes 'but we've always done it this way'. If it does, you have stopped learning. And then whatever you do remember will soon be out of date.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Are you losing your memory?'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#360: Why nonsense is so abundant

2010-02-08T07:24:00.001-05:00

Why is nonsense so abundant? Because it is a natural, renewable resource.

I realized this when I watched two dung beetles at work. I looked around the African bush and saw lots and lots of dung baking in the sun.

Do you think dung beetles will ever run out of dung? I hesitate to ask why not. For the same basic reason we will never run out of nonsense.

Here’s my simple rule of thumb to judge when nonsense is being created, refreshed, recharged, renewed, reborn, re-whatever. It happens when you are caught unsure of what you stand for. Because when you are unsure, you make noises like ‘um, you know, ah’ as you struggle not to put your foot in your mouth. That’s when your other foot steps in nonsense.

I have another simple rule. Be clear. And if you can’t be clear, be quiet.

Unless, of course, your intention is to produce more nonsense.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Why nonsense is so abundant'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#359: The right to be against any solution

2010-02-03T06:35:00.000-05:00

I’ve been told that I am full of nonsense. That is simply not true, because I know what I stand for. We all know that when you don’t stand for something, you will fall for any old nonsense.

So let me prove to you that I am a no-nonsense sort of guy by telling you what I stand for:

I’m against this stupid healthcare bill... until I fall ill.

I’m against government meddling in the economy... until I lose my job.

I’m against higher taxes... until I need unemployment relief.

I’m against road taxes... until I hit a pothole.

I’m against regulated businesses... until I get scammed.

I’m against gun control... until I get shot.

There you have it. What do you mean that you still don’t know what I stand for? It’s perfectly clear, isn’t it?

I stand for the right to be against any solution, until I get hurt by the problem.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'The right to be against any solution'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2010 James Henry McIntosh

#358: Working from home is impossible

2010-01-30T08:19:00.000-05:00

Have you wondered why so many people treat coffee shops as workstations? I’ve finally figured it out. No, no, it’s got little to do with this recession even though this recession has forced many more people to work in strange places.

My figuring out has to do with experts-in-the-know who believe that working from home increases performance. I don’t believe it and here’s why.

A basic law of physics is that work equals force times distance. Now, if you work from home, then distance becomes zero. We all know that if you multiply with zero you get zero. Therefore, working from home means that force times no distance equals zero work.

In other words, it does not matter how much you force yourself to get work done at home, you will get no work done unless some travel is involved, even if only to the coffee shop around the corner.

I should know. I often work from home.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Working from home is impossible'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#357: Always hungry is not a bonus

2010-01-27T07:19:00.001-05:00

Once on a walking safari in South Africa I almost became lunch for a charging lioness.

Now that it’s bonus season on Wall Street, I’d like to send a few bonus buccaneers on a walking African safari. Not because I wish them on the poor lions, but because I wish they would learn something about the real jungle.

In the real jungle, animals are only nervous when lions are hungry because lions only hunt when they are hungry. Only man is always hungry, because only man believes in scarcity to the extent that we behave as if a bonus in the bank is worth a crippled future.

I’m here today because lions aren’t inherently greedy. They’re at the top of their food chain and yet they know when enough is enough.

That’s the jungle lesson I wish for Wall Street so that the rest of us mere mortals can be less nervous about our future.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Always hungry is not a bonus'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#356: Ask as you want answered

2010-01-23T08:19:00.000-05:00

How should you ask a question? Well, that depends on the answer you want.

If you want a ‘no’ answer, then frame the question in the negative; if you want a ‘yes’, then structure the question as a positive. Note how you feel about responding to the following questions:

“Do you think you should?” or “Don’t you think you should not?”

What if you are on the receiving end of a leading question, how should you respond? Simply respond with “Why do you ask?” No doubt, this will irritate the questioner, but it should result in the right question being asked enabling you to give a better answer.

Effective questions are neutral, of the “what do you think?” type. Of course, the problem with asking it that way implies that you are really interested in the other person’s opinion. And then you will be expected to take the answer seriously.

How annoying.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Ask as you want answered'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#355: Enough with the leadership dreams

2010-01-20T06:12:00.001-05:00

To all real business people out there, I say it’s time to stop encouraging leadership at work. Actually, go the whole hog – tell them to stop this leadership nonsense all together.

What are leaders supposed to do? That’s right, they are supposed to create a passionate vision that will inspire me to live up to my full potential.

Well, guess what. If I manage to get there, I’m gone. Working for you will never reflect my full potential. Working for you is a simple necessity; I must eat.

What your organization needs, and what I need, is a manager. Someone who can manage me to do my job, perform my duties, play my role, deliver as promised, whatever you want to call it. And my manager must manage me in a way that the organization reaps the best of my abilities while I am at work.

Enough with the leadership dreams. It’s time to manage your business.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Enough with the leadership dreams'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#354: Be brave, trust is (still) dangerous

2010-01-18T07:10:00.000-05:00

A critical thing we lost last year, apart from money, is trust. Without trust we cannot form workable relationships.

But as we found out, trust can be dangerous. It involves risk, the risk that you could lose whatever it is you entrust to others.

Trust requires that you accept the risks and make yourself vulnerable on purpose. And your purpose is to secure specific future outcomes or behaviors from those you trust.

Here’s the rub. A time lag exists between when you extend your trust and when you experience the anticipated outcome. And because of the time-lag, doubt creeps in.

Don’t let it. If you have enough reason to trust someone to do as expected when expected, then trust them. Then let them be and let them get on with it. Don’t second-guess, don’t expect the worst, don’t interfere.

You made yourself vulnerable for a reason. Now be brave, don’t doubt and keep fear out of it.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Be brave, trust is (still) dangerous'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#353: How to get your boss to act like a real manager once a week

2010-01-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

I come from the land of the Ostrich and I have a question for you. When it comes to feedback on your performance at work, do you bury your head in the sand?

You do?

Well, why not do something different this year. Don’t wait for the one big day with your boss. Instead, ask for, no demand, a performance appraisal every week.

Here’s how you should manage it:

Schedule a regular weekly appointment.
Clarify what you achieved last week.
Explain what you plan to do this week.
Ask for feedback and suggestions

That’s it. Done in twenty minutes.

Don’t treat your performance appraisal as something HR wants done. Use it to manage your career every week.

By the way, the ostrich does not really bury his head in sand. Neither should you, because if you don’t, you might get your boss to act like a real manager once a week.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'How to get your boss to act like a real manager once a week'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#352: Give in now or be exhausted

2010-01-09T08:18:00.000-05:00

Here’s my strategy for this year. I’m going with the flow.

We are conditioned to believe that life is a struggle. Yet, nature has many examples that show the success of the easy way, like rivers finding the easiest flow to the sea.

Have you swum across a river? The inexperienced river-crosser aims at a point directly across and struggles against the current. But the experienced river-crosser merely aims to get across and flows with the current to the other side.

If you are aiming at a specific spot, then you must ‘tame’ the river. But why not merely aim to cross over? Then you can ride the current across and walk to the desired spot.

About midway across the inexperienced river-crosser will find that his struggle has exhausted him. Now he must choose: a final fight against the current or give in to its flow.

Me? I’m giving in now so I won’t be exhausted by June.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Give in now or be exhausted'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#351: Don’t waste our time (again)

2010-01-06T05:30:00.000-05:00

What a waste of time 2009 was! I mean, it feels as if we spent the year in reverse. So much for evolution.

Talking about evolution, I think it’s time some of our so-called business leaders evolve. Why? Because we, the so-called followers, are tired of having our time wasted at work. Like in 2009.

I have seen people become very angry once they realize that their time at work had been wasted while bosses move on to the next thing. I’m not only talking about career professionals. Believe it or not, even so-called workers get angry at doing meaningless tasks or seeing their efforts turn to nought.

That’s why I say that true leaders, in business or elsewhere, don’t waste your time.

So, dear leader, how do you not waste our time? Make your intentions clear. That way we can decide whether we want to participate, whether we want to invest our time with you.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Don’t waste our time (again)'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#350: Resolve to behave badly (again)

2010-01-04T06:33:00.000-05:00

Are you feeling better yet or are does your head still hurt from behaving badly? I do hope you behaved badly. It’s so much easier to make resolutions stick if you start off from a low base.

For those few who behaved well, let’s consider why resolutions are easy to make but difficult to keep.

The word ‘resolution’ has different meanings. It can mean ‘separation into components’, ‘causing discord to pass into concord’, ‘boldness or firmness of purpose’, and ‘solving of problem or question’.

In other words, you must understand the components that make up your resolution; remove discord that prevents commitment; be bold and firm in action; and solve problems that crop up.

If that confused you, then consider this. A resolution is a choice about how you will behave from now on. Resolutions tend to be about behaving better which is why they don’t stick easily.

On the other hand, a resolution to behave badly is much easier to keep!

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Resolve to behave badly (again)'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#349: Good riddance 09!

2009-12-29T06:30:00.000-05:00

Good grief! It’s the end of 2009.

No, no, that’s not right. Let me try that again. Good riddance 09!

But wait, we shouldn’t be too quick to kiss it goodbye. If we don’t learn from it, its unlearned lessons will be back. And then George Bernard Shaw will be right in saying that ‘We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.’

So, play it safe. Look back, but look wisely. Hindsight is useless at changing history, but it can be used to help you create a better future.

Use hindsight to see how life happens to you, how your life tends to unfold. This understanding can help you to create a better future. But you must act on this understanding, because it is only through doing, through action, that you gain experience.

And experience is hindsight with enough bite to influence the future. Now we’re ready to say it: Goodbye 09!

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Good riddance 09!'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#348: Your approach to the great unwrapping

2009-12-26T08:19:00.000-05:00

Did Santa pay you a visit yesterday? If so, how did you react, with glee or with gravitas?

How you reacted points to how you are likely to react to the gifts awaiting you in the new year.

A few of us are such control freaks that we fixate on the one outcome we want, the must-have gift, to the extent that we become visibly angry if we don’t have our way. Some of us are attached to the outcome we want and find it difficult to hide our disappointment.

Others are willing to be open to outcome and receive graciously whatever is given. A number of us have become so detached from outcome that we live with passive acceptance and fateful resignation of whatever happens.

Only a few of us are in open anticipation of outcome, visibly excited to engage with any surprise the universe may offer.

So, how did you approach the great unwrapping?

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Your approach to the great unwrapping'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#347: Lazy, your country needs you

2009-12-23T06:30:00.000-05:00

Listen up, people, it’s time to slow down. It’s that time of year when it is okay to be lazy. Retailers please ignore this message.

The rest of you, it is time to practice being lazy. Working hard gets you two things – more work and tired. What does lazy get you? New ways of doing things simpler and faster, and new products. Who invented power steering? A lazy person, or course! In other words, lazy people create efficiencies and stimulate inventions.

How do we get the benefits of lazy all year round? Practice! Practice makes perfect.

Now, maybe Dagwood Bumstead was right when he said that ‘you can't teach people to be lazy - either they have it, or they don't.’ But you won’t know unless you test yourself.

Here’s how it’s done. Rest before you get tired. Simple, isn’t it? Now practice.

We need many more efficiencies and inventions next year.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Lazy, your country needs you'
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James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh

#346: Safe to try half the time

2009-12-21T06:43:00.000-05:00

It’s the season to be nice and forgiving. So this is the safest time of year for you to try the following social experiment. I call it ‘having fun with averages’.

According to the law of averages, fifty percent of the people you interact with daily are above average intelligence. And the other fifty percent? Exactly! They are below average intelligence.

The law does not identify which half is which. But that is exactly what makes the game possible and so much fun. You get to choose whether they are above or below average intelligence.

Here are the rules. Treat everyone you meet this morning as below average intelligence and note how they respond. Do the opposite this afternoon.

Here’s what I’ve learned playing this game. People tend to behave the way I expect them to. And people tend to treat me the way I treat them.

Now go on, play the game. I’m sure fifty percent will forgive you.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Safe to try half the time'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh