The two are inexorably linked.
You could put someone from New Orleans and Paris in the same room. They might both speak French, but they'll have a hard time communicating. Dialect is a product of culture.
The nuance matters. The colloquialisms matter. Their distinctness is part of the culture.
So if you plan on creating, building, growing, or maintaining a culture; you better think about the language.
It matters.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Compromise
Do it on the unimportant stuff. That's easy. If you care less then they do, then cave. And the more stuff you can put on the "unimportant" list, the better off you'll be.
Never do it on the important stuff. The core, the essentials, the things that matter most. Be passionate, be persuasive, and be firm. Notice I didn't say stubborn. Or impossible. But when it matters, when the soul of the idea is at stake, don't cave. Especially to win something on the unimportant list.
Now here's the hard part. What belongs on which list? (*Hint- there's probably too much on the "important" list after the first draft)
Never do it on the important stuff. The core, the essentials, the things that matter most. Be passionate, be persuasive, and be firm. Notice I didn't say stubborn. Or impossible. But when it matters, when the soul of the idea is at stake, don't cave. Especially to win something on the unimportant list.
Now here's the hard part. What belongs on which list? (*Hint- there's probably too much on the "important" list after the first draft)
Monday, August 20, 2012
Reconnected
Well, I did it.
A whole weekend partially disconnected from my digital life. No work, no social media of any kind, no blogging, no e-books or Angry Birds. No checking-in, no front page, and I didn't "Like" anything.
So how was it? Well...
First up, it was a lot harder than I anticipated. Apparently I've grown much more accustomed to my digital life than I realized. Not having several devices going at once; not being constantly in-touch was weird. And more than once I found myself having pangs of withdraw not knowing what my online friends were up to. And I was bored at first; way more than I expected to be. I had no idea how much I had come to rely on my multitasking ways. It was an eye opener.
But that said, it was great. I felt so much more engaged and present. I played with the dog instead of telling her to get off my lap. I watched a little TV, but it wasn't just background noise- I actually watched. I listened to music more than normal. I got outside, went for a walk, and just relaxed. I was much more mindful of what I was doing and I was much more pleased with myself.
The funny thing was I really didn't think I had a problem. Going into this weekend I really thought I'd just notice it a bit but that wouldn't be a big deal. I had no idea how truly dependent I was on all my distractions until I took them away. I'm glad I did.
So what have I learned? That I need to do this more often. I think more weekends are going to be "e-free" or at least "e-reduced." I'm definitely going to stop the multitasking. It's not good for me. I'm going to be more mindful and more present. And I'm going to try to mix up my life and get out the routine.
Not bad for a weekend experiment.
A whole weekend partially disconnected from my digital life. No work, no social media of any kind, no blogging, no e-books or Angry Birds. No checking-in, no front page, and I didn't "Like" anything.
So how was it? Well...
First up, it was a lot harder than I anticipated. Apparently I've grown much more accustomed to my digital life than I realized. Not having several devices going at once; not being constantly in-touch was weird. And more than once I found myself having pangs of withdraw not knowing what my online friends were up to. And I was bored at first; way more than I expected to be. I had no idea how much I had come to rely on my multitasking ways. It was an eye opener.
But that said, it was great. I felt so much more engaged and present. I played with the dog instead of telling her to get off my lap. I watched a little TV, but it wasn't just background noise- I actually watched. I listened to music more than normal. I got outside, went for a walk, and just relaxed. I was much more mindful of what I was doing and I was much more pleased with myself.
The funny thing was I really didn't think I had a problem. Going into this weekend I really thought I'd just notice it a bit but that wouldn't be a big deal. I had no idea how truly dependent I was on all my distractions until I took them away. I'm glad I did.
So what have I learned? That I need to do this more often. I think more weekends are going to be "e-free" or at least "e-reduced." I'm definitely going to stop the multitasking. It's not good for me. I'm going to be more mindful and more present. And I'm going to try to mix up my life and get out the routine.
Not bad for a weekend experiment.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Disconnect
When was the last time you were unplugged from your devices?
Yeah, I don't remember either.
I recently got the newest iPad and so now I have this incredible Retnia Display to look at. But I'm having a harder time than ever not looking at it. To the point that it's making my eyes hurt. Not good.
And the ADD, oh the ADD. When I do put my iPad down for a minute, I almost immediately find a reason to pick up my iPhone. All this while my Mac is compiling a video and the TV is on the background.
It's noisy.
It's straining.
It's harmful.
So I'm going to disconnect. For the whole weekend. I'm going to read real books, not e-books. I'm going to forego the internet. I'm going to turn off my Twitter feed. And I'm not going to multitask at all.
I'll let you know how it goes in a special Monday update. But for now, I'm signing off. One weekend of disconnecting from my toys and actually living my life.
Anyone want to join me?
Yeah, I don't remember either.
I recently got the newest iPad and so now I have this incredible Retnia Display to look at. But I'm having a harder time than ever not looking at it. To the point that it's making my eyes hurt. Not good.
And the ADD, oh the ADD. When I do put my iPad down for a minute, I almost immediately find a reason to pick up my iPhone. All this while my Mac is compiling a video and the TV is on the background.
It's noisy.
It's straining.
It's harmful.
So I'm going to disconnect. For the whole weekend. I'm going to read real books, not e-books. I'm going to forego the internet. I'm going to turn off my Twitter feed. And I'm not going to multitask at all.
I'll let you know how it goes in a special Monday update. But for now, I'm signing off. One weekend of disconnecting from my toys and actually living my life.
Anyone want to join me?
Friday, August 10, 2012
Stop Hitting the Snooze Button
I'm really sorry about this. It's not usually my style to make you feel bad, but I learned something recently and I just don't know a better way to share it. So here it goes.
For years, my snooze button and I have been frienemies. On the one hand, that button provides immediate relief from the evil alarm clock's morning siren; providing me those precious extra 7 minutes of half-hearted slumber. I'm not sure what the scientific reason for those 7 minutes being the most gratifying sleep you can get (maybe someone smart could study that. I'm busy writing blogs and such) but I know that it is. And for years, I have thoroughly enjoyed that little extra time in bed.
Oh sure, I've laughed at myself about it. My favorite line is Jim Gaffigan when he says "ah the snooze button. Nothing like starting the day off with a little procrastination." Funny, yes. True, a little. But then someone very successful told me something that hurt a little too much.
When you hit the snooze button, the first thing you've done with your day is fail to keep your commitment.
Ouch.
See, I set that alarm. I chose what time I needed to get up. And for a long time I somehow thought that meant it was no big deal because getting up 7 minutes later only meant I was letting myself down. But it's bigger than that.
What I've really been doing is starting my day off with a failure. Setting that alarm was like setting a goal and I missed it. And that can speak volumes about the rest of the day. It meant that from the moment I was out of bed my score card was in the red. Something had to give.
So two weeks ago I made a commitment. I changed my alarm time and reminded myself that when it went off I had a choice to make; get out of bed and start the day with a win, or face a long drive to work thinking about how I had missed my very first commitment of the day. And in the past two weeks, I've only missed once. And it was a very long drive in that day. But the good news was, the next day I got another chance and I got it right.
And here's the funny thing. When you start you day off by keeping your first commitment, it makes it so much easier to keep the next. And the next. And the rest. See, I've written before about how winning creates momentum- I just never realized how I was starting my day was affecting it. But it does.
So I'm sorry if you've had to come to the unpleasant realization that I did about how you're starting your day. I didn't set out intending to make you feel bad. But guess what? Tomorrow when that alarm goes off, you'll have another chance to get it right. And as hard as it can be to get out of that big comfy marshmallow, it's a lot tougher to think your first choice of the day was to fail.
Keep your commitment. Start with momentum. And stop hitting the snooze button.
For years, my snooze button and I have been frienemies. On the one hand, that button provides immediate relief from the evil alarm clock's morning siren; providing me those precious extra 7 minutes of half-hearted slumber. I'm not sure what the scientific reason for those 7 minutes being the most gratifying sleep you can get (maybe someone smart could study that. I'm busy writing blogs and such) but I know that it is. And for years, I have thoroughly enjoyed that little extra time in bed.
Oh sure, I've laughed at myself about it. My favorite line is Jim Gaffigan when he says "ah the snooze button. Nothing like starting the day off with a little procrastination." Funny, yes. True, a little. But then someone very successful told me something that hurt a little too much.
When you hit the snooze button, the first thing you've done with your day is fail to keep your commitment.
Ouch.
See, I set that alarm. I chose what time I needed to get up. And for a long time I somehow thought that meant it was no big deal because getting up 7 minutes later only meant I was letting myself down. But it's bigger than that.
What I've really been doing is starting my day off with a failure. Setting that alarm was like setting a goal and I missed it. And that can speak volumes about the rest of the day. It meant that from the moment I was out of bed my score card was in the red. Something had to give.
So two weeks ago I made a commitment. I changed my alarm time and reminded myself that when it went off I had a choice to make; get out of bed and start the day with a win, or face a long drive to work thinking about how I had missed my very first commitment of the day. And in the past two weeks, I've only missed once. And it was a very long drive in that day. But the good news was, the next day I got another chance and I got it right.
And here's the funny thing. When you start you day off by keeping your first commitment, it makes it so much easier to keep the next. And the next. And the rest. See, I've written before about how winning creates momentum- I just never realized how I was starting my day was affecting it. But it does.
So I'm sorry if you've had to come to the unpleasant realization that I did about how you're starting your day. I didn't set out intending to make you feel bad. But guess what? Tomorrow when that alarm goes off, you'll have another chance to get it right. And as hard as it can be to get out of that big comfy marshmallow, it's a lot tougher to think your first choice of the day was to fail.
Keep your commitment. Start with momentum. And stop hitting the snooze button.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Stop Apologizing for Being Awesome
Stop it! Right now! I mean it.
You are awesome. You're a Linchpin. And you need to stop apologizing for it.
Don't think you are? Answer these questions:
1) Do you ever avoid taking risks because of what others, especially a boss might think?
2) Do you hold on to a good idea because you don't think you can explain it well enough?
3) Do you follow the process, even when you know there is a better way?
4) Are you more concerned with playing by the rules than doing your best work?
5) Are you trying to fit the mold, when you know it needs to be broken?
6) Do you think that the only way to be noticed or advance in your career is to be the "perfect employee"?
7) Do you think the "perfect employee" is the one who does what they're asked with the best attitude?
8) Do you think success is more about being right than being innovative?
9) Do you think the process is more important than the outcome?
10) Do you believe that only the people who take risks are the ones who get the axe?
If you said "yes" to any of these, you're apologizing. You're withholding. You're not being authentic.
And you need to stop.
Because it's the people who say "no" to all those things that become truly indispensable. It's the people who take risks, push boundaries, and break molds that are simply too scarce- and thus valuable. Anyone can follow the process we already have. But that process won't win forever. The key to success is not to become the master of this process, but the creator of the next one that works.
So stop holding back. Stop being scared. Stop apologizing.
Just go be Awesome.
You are awesome. You're a Linchpin. And you need to stop apologizing for it.
Don't think you are? Answer these questions:
1) Do you ever avoid taking risks because of what others, especially a boss might think?
2) Do you hold on to a good idea because you don't think you can explain it well enough?
3) Do you follow the process, even when you know there is a better way?
4) Are you more concerned with playing by the rules than doing your best work?
5) Are you trying to fit the mold, when you know it needs to be broken?
6) Do you think that the only way to be noticed or advance in your career is to be the "perfect employee"?
7) Do you think the "perfect employee" is the one who does what they're asked with the best attitude?
8) Do you think success is more about being right than being innovative?
9) Do you think the process is more important than the outcome?
10) Do you believe that only the people who take risks are the ones who get the axe?
If you said "yes" to any of these, you're apologizing. You're withholding. You're not being authentic.
And you need to stop.
Because it's the people who say "no" to all those things that become truly indispensable. It's the people who take risks, push boundaries, and break molds that are simply too scarce- and thus valuable. Anyone can follow the process we already have. But that process won't win forever. The key to success is not to become the master of this process, but the creator of the next one that works.
So stop holding back. Stop being scared. Stop apologizing.
Just go be Awesome.
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