Rollercoaster
The week has flown by, and yet I can't immediately think of things that I've learnt, or an obvious topic of interest to discuss.
If pushed, it'll have to be about getting the job done. There are always things to do, and some things we like doing more than others. How to deal with this?
I have two tactics.
#1 Ignore the nasty stuff and hope it goes away. This does work, but I wouldn't recommend it all the time. Sometimes it just goes away, only to return with a vengeance at a later and more inconvenient time!
#2 Just do it. A well known slogan, that holds some truth - certainly for me. Not only do you get the job done - which is a benefit in itself: the satisfaction of genuinely ticking it off the list - but you also know that you can do it next time.
It's all about pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone. If you expand this, you'll be able to do more, and do things more easily.
Who can argue with that?
My week: decisions, average performance, getting back on it.
Published Date:
21/08/2010
Modified Date:
21/08/2010
Happiness
It feels like I haven't been here for a while, thereby breaking one of the first rules of a successful blog - regular posts - apologies to any regular readers.
I've just been pointed in the direction of an article proposing that your job can't make you happy. It does go on to say that happiness stems from relationships, and that those relationships must be true, intimate etc but what else does happiness depend on?
I think that happiness comes from inside, that you can make your own happiness, and that your job can make you happy.
If you can identify your values and live your life to support them, this will make you feel happy. There'll be less stress and you won't feel in conflict with your actions.
Material goods, other people - all those external influences can't make you happy, but how you react to them is the key to being happy. You must always chose your own reaction and if this is congruent with your values - bingo: happiness.
If you feel you have a great job, working with or for great people then that, of course is going to make you happy. Conversely, if you (or others) don't value what you do for work then this may make you unhappy.
I haven't gone into any thoughts about what is happiness - saving that for another day.
Happy weekending!
PS do exercise - a sure fire way for your body (and then your mind) to feel happy
Published Date:
13/08/2010
Modified Date:
13/08/2010
World Cup fever
Well I have to admit that I am not suffering from World Cup fever. It is the 2010 football World Cup and whilst I'm a sports fan - I can always take it or leave it when it comes to watching games live on TV. It has become routine though to switch the television on at 7pm just to see who's playing.
England are not doing well, or should I say they're not doing as well as expected. It's still the group stages and there's still a chance we'll get through to the next rounds, but let's just say there are a lot more "fans" doubting that we'll make progress.
So what's the point of this (I mean my blog posting rather than the World Cup)?
I was thinking about the role of the manager and of the team. There are rumours of dissent and unhappiness within the England team and it's been suggested that the strict discipline imposed on the team is not now working in the finals - somehow leading to a lacklustre performance on the pitch.
When do you trust that your methods/style/products/relationships are working, but just need time; and when do you look to change things?
How do you build confidence in yourself and your team so that the methods you propose will work?
I don't think I have the answers and undoubtedly change takes time to bed in, so if you're imposing a new regime it will take time to give results. The key to it all is taking people with you:explain what you're doing; give them a purpose; and keep the end goal in your sight.
Change for changes sake won't necessarily help the situation so stick with it and give it your best shot to make it work.
If the team isn't deliverin gon the pitch you need to find out why - is it as a result of media (external) pressure or do they just not want it enough?
The journey is the reward: enjoy it as you go along, but make sure that you keep going, step by step to reach you destination.
This week: one last shot; taking a chance to see where it goes; using time wisely.
Published Date:
20/06/2010
Modified Date:
20/06/2010
trust and teamwork
There's a lot of uncertainty in the world today, but when isn't there? At work, I have been busy with lots of additional work trying to help our organisation plan a way forward - a bit difficult when you don't know the framework that you need to apply: a bit like planning a route when you haven't had your destination confirmed.
There's more to do than one person can, or arguably should, do themselves. But how to make it work?
1. Recognise the need for teamwork - whether in an official work capacity, or in your home life: a problem shared and all that. Identify the support that you might need, and which people are best placed to provide it.
2. Identify clear tasks and allocate according to skills and strengths: this is no time to be precious about position or hierarchy.
3. Nominate a leader (this could be yourself) who will make the ultimate decisions and provide direction, coordinating activity.
4. Get together for regular updates. Notonly will this mean that you'll feel part of a team, sharing the pain, but also recognising the common theme and reasons for all the hard work. Better communication may bring up new ideas - ways of working, presenting the information and this can save time and effort in the long run.
A cornerstone to all this is trust in the relationships: that everyone is pulling their weight, has the same objectives and will provide support. It's not about who you are - it's about making the boat move faster.
This week: busy, confusing, sunny and strong.
Published Date:
06/06/2010
Modified Date:
06/06/2010
Hung Parliament
We find ourselves not quite knowing what's going on. There wasn't a conclusive result to the recent general election, so it feels as if no-one knows what's going on or who's in charge. (Officially the labour government is still running the country, but it sure won't be for long).
And the results didn't reflect the many polls that were released in the run up to the election showing a greater proportion of voters favouring Lib Dems - do actions speak louder than words?
(OK so there are arguments around methodology and secrecy of voting etc, but I'm sure there's a point somewhere,and a whole other discussion around the focus on media images rather than policy)
How often does this happen - that you say one thing but you don't do it?
This week try not to do it - just for a week, or even a day (or at least be aware of it).
Alternatively start doing all those things that you say you want to do: baby steps to kick start the action.
You may find that you can't do everything, well not all at once, but by starting to act you'll begin to work out what's important, and what's not. And then you can start to stop worrying about the less important things.
This week begun as irrisitible and swung through historical moments to reality.
Published Date:
09/05/2010
Modified Date:
09/05/2010
sunny days
What is it about the weather? I'm not sure whether it's just in Britain where we have such varied and unpredictable weather, but it has been great to have a couple of weeks of good weather. On my walk to the paper shop (which is very short) yesterday I came across several jolly people looking up and about and all saying "hello".
Maybe we should take more time to slow down, look around and see who or what we might be missing?
1. Just a smile or a nod of the head may make someone's day. And if you know that, it could make your day too - give it a go, especially if it's raining.
Talking of slowing down, I've been getting back to nature - taking some walks in the countryside and getting the garden in some sort of a state so that more things can grow.
The thing about nature is you can't rush it. Everything takes its time and if you do rush it, the finished product is lacking. You also can't do things out of turn - things happen at the right time. Even after this cold winter, spring has sprung, the days are longer and the cycle of life continues. And all this happens without a lot of intervention from us.
So how can this help:
2. Slow down and give enough time to tasks. They'll be produced better and you'll feel better for doing a good job. Take time to enjoy this - it could become a habit.
3. Learn the right time to do things. Look for the signs inside and out to understand how you feel about things. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it.
4. Life goes on - some things will happen with or without you so try not to worry about them. There are plenty of things that you can influence, so if you have to, worry about them instead.
This week I've had new windows put in: looking at the world with a different view.
Published Date:
25/04/2010
Modified Date:
25/04/2010
Allez Paris
There's been a bit of a break whilst I went to Paris, ran a marathon and have been recovering.
I'm now back trying to find a routine that works, catching up with old friends and making new ones.
There's always a bit of a lull after achieving a goal - half of me wants to jump straight in, sign up for another marathon and keep the pace up. The other half wants to kick back and relax, getting a chance to do all the things that I said I'd do after the marathon - relish the weekends without any routine and the structure of training.
So how to strike a balance?
1. Give myslf some time: to work out what's next, do some fun stuff without worrying and settle into the new house.
2. Reflect on what I've achieved (sub 4 hours at last!) and what that means
3. Make a plan to make things happen - in work and outside of it; but nothing too hectic...for now
4. Set some more goals - lots of unfinished projects that I want to get on top of (I was described as a completer-finisher earlier today, not sure about that, but I do want to tick some things off the big list)
5. Rest and relax to make sure I stay fit and healthy.
Lovely weather at the moment, no planes in the sky. All is good.
Published Date:
19/04/2010
Modified Date:
19/04/2010
Happy Easter
I really should follow my own advice sometimes! Although I try and lead by example, actions speak louder than words etc; from re-reading my previous post, it seems as if i could learn something.
Anyway, I've just made my plan for the month and this should help me get back on track.
1. Note to self - look at the plan more than just writing it, or at the end of the month to see what I need to carry over to next month!
Today was going to be about new beginnings, and in fact still is. It's Easter Sunday which signals re-birth; the clocks have sprung forward and with more light there's more hope. There are flowers in bud, baby animals in the fields and the sun is even shining today.
So we must count our blessings. I've had to do this as it's been a tough week. It's made me grumpy and I've felt lonely, when all around others are embracing the joy of spring.
2. Do something
Anything will do, whether you think you'l enjoy it or not. By taking action you can trick yourself out of your mood and one step leads to the next.
3. Write a list
I made a list of all the things I could do - fun and chores. Then I found that if i just started doing them, I was actually enjoying myself. I ticked some of the off and this made room for others.
4. Be successful
I enjoy seeing what I've done - completing tasks and knowing that they've moved me forward. So this weekend, not only have I completed all my chores (just for the satisfaction of ticking them off the list) but I've also planted some seeds, got closer to finishing the jumper I'm knitting and dragged myself out into the beautiful countryside.
The list-ticking process works for me. You need to identify how you measure success and how you record it.
One week to go till the Paris Marathon. Please sponsor us if you can.
http://www.justgiving.com/The-Breakfast-Club
Published Date:
04/04/2010
Modified Date:
04/04/2010