Time to Think

Recently, I missed doing something that is obvious and has always been second nature to me. Upon reflection considering how I could overlook this simple but important detail, it was immediately apparent – too busy! Too many priorities, emails, initiatives, problems, phone calls and meetings. Have you ever found yourself happy for the night only because you know the rest of your world is not at work and likely won't call or send an email?

The only reason I was able to identify the problem — slap myself in the face to get out of the hypnotic state of executing busy work — was that I reflected. I took some time, if only a brief moment, to think. Leaders must set aside time to think. This is not a suggestion of a good idea, it's mandatory and failure to do so will stagnate all upward progress – you will merely be a manager of other's initiatives and requests. And, sorry to be the one to break it to you — if this represents your life — they can pay someone a lot less money to do what you are doing.

Rags-to-riches millionaire and philanthropist Peter Daniels has created successful ventures around the world. In The Power of Focus, authors Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt write, "When asked what turned his life from triple indebtedness to unprecedented success, he (Peter Daniels) replied, 'I scheduled time to think. In fact, I reserve one day a week on my calendar just to think. All of my greatest ideas, opportunities and money-making ventures started with the days I took off to think.'" http://www.make-it-fly.com/ar-0606.htm

 The first step toward providing regular time to think is to give yourself permission: it is ok not to fill up your entire day – it is ok to schedule time that has no tangible or measurable activity other than to spend time pondering, reflecting, brainstorming and dreaming.
The next challenge is to eliminate all distractions . . . perhaps this is why some of my best thinking is done while in the shower. Watch now someone will come up with a waterproof Blackberry.

Time to Think

The Secret to Success

Why are some successful and some are not: some perform well while others struggle: some are rich, some are poor?

Education is certainly a factor, there is direct correlation between level of education and level of income, but there are plenty of well-educated people on both sides of the issue.

Place of birth in terms of country or city due to limited or abundance of opportunity definitely plays a role, but again, plenty of people born in free societies struggle and fail throughout life.

Good looks, luck, being born with a silver spoon in your mouth etc. all increase ones chances of success, wealth and continuous promotion but do not guarantee it. The one element that is common among the most successful and wealthy is excellence. Excellence in virtually everything they do; in appearance, in manners, in behaviour, integrity, style and work ethic and most importantly, excellence in their craft. They stand apart and look different, we get a unique feeling from them that somehow attracts us to them and causes us to want to be like them. We often can't explain exactly what it is about them, but we intuitively know that it is good, right and the secret to their success.

Excellence is the common denominator – the secret ingredient.

The Secret to Success

Are you a micro-manager?

The art of micro-managing is a delimiting and demoralizing force. I am sure you have heard this term, and may be a victim of it [micro-management] – past or present - but what if you are one; a micro-manager? Here is a telltale sign:

If your communication, written and oral, is so complete (all aspects covered - who, what, when where, why & how - every "i" dotted, every "t" crossed – essentially nothing left to work out so that your managers could simply forward or repeat without amendment or addition) you are likely a micro-manager.

Great leaders make themselves redundant. If you have made your managers redundant – you are a micro-manager.

Inventories can by managed but people must be led; Ross Perot

There is good news for the micro-manager: massive cost savings.

Huh?

You can pay your managers a fraction of the salary because you no longer need them to think (you do all the thinking around here). Even better yet, if you are really good at micro-managing, you can get rid of them altogether and just communicate directly with the front line. The problem for organizations is that when the micro-manager leaves - and everyone eventually leaves – no one knows what to do.

Tell the people what to do and not how to do it and let them surprise you with their ingenuity; G.S. Patton.

Are you a micro-manager?

Consideration

Contrary to, what seems to be, popular belief – the world (earth) revolves around the sun – not you - not me.

The vast majority of problems, in business, leadership, public policy - the world - are rooted in the absence of consideration. At some level we do understand this; consider the Charter of rights and Freedoms (Canada) Constitution (United States), both created in an attempt to ensure that basic rights are protected, in other words, to be "considerate" of all. The problem is that many use these rights in acts that are completely inconsiderate of others, which I suppose, proves the point that we can't force or legislate consideration. This [consideration] has to come from within every individual.

The greatest cause of driving accidents is not speed or alcohol use as is commonly touted, but rather a lack of consideration among drivers. A signal light is to advise other drivers who are near to you that you are about to make a lane change. This is basic consideration. If a driver is in the left hand lane (fast lane in North America), and another driver – driving faster - wants to get by you, why not move out of the way? Those who run red lights, text or talk on the cell phone while driving clearly don't care about anyone else.

Consideration is absent among those who drive personal vehicles that are so loud that we can hear them within seven kilometers (four miles). Why do we require noise bylaws that restrict noise levels at certain times of the day? Shouldn't this [be quiet while others are trying to sleep] be obvious? We even have signs that instruct dog owners to pick up their dog's crap. Why is this [signs] even necessary if we were considerate of others?

Self-centeredness is the root of all evil. Every crime committed can be traced back to the root of self-centeredness. If people thought of someone else, other than themselves, when they were about to steal, kill, lie, cheat, etc., they likely would not.

Think about the greatest leader your path has crossed; are they generally more considerate? Now consider the level of thoughtfulness toward others among the leader (s) whom you would not aspire to model.

Great leaders are considerate.

Consideration

Critical Thinking

The bag of cat food reads "new improved taste – your cats will love." How do they know that? Do cats even have a sense of taste?

Some say that the arctic ice cap is melting and will cause the sea levels to rise. However, when the ice in a beverage glass melts the liquid does not overflow. Reason: the level of water rises when the ice is put into the glass – it's called displacement as described in the law of buoyancy – which most learn in grade 6 science. Therefore, if all this ice floating in water has already displaced its weight, why will the sea levels rise if it melts? And yes, the ice is floating in water – there is no land on the top of the globe. Besides, how would you get sea ice on land?

It is irresponsible not to question. Some are educated beyond intelligence and common sense and lose sight of the basic truths. I actually presented the facts outlined above to an environmental scientist and stumped him. He had never considered this (and I am not referring to my new cat food).

Coca cola has declared that they will be donating money to help the Polar bears. Has the recession impacted the bears? Seriously, what will that money be used for? Supplying food would destroy them as they would lose their natural instinct to hunt on their own. If melting ice is endangering them, I don't think money can make the necessary ice required. Why do we think that the Polar bears are in trouble in the first place? Is this from the same people that declare sea levels will rise with melting ice? A five-minute fact check reveals the following: Polar bear populations have risen worldwide from 5,000 in 1950 to somewhere between 20,000 & 25,000 today, despite the hundreds killed every year through hunting. How does that translate into "Polar bears are in trouble?"

Common sense isn't all that common any more. It's not like there is a lack of information in today's world, but people generally believe what they hear on the six o'clock news without question. This kind of blind obedience has resulted in horrendous outcomes: such as communism in the former Soviet Union and the holocaust, which combined have been responsible for the murder of over 100 million people.

There is one source of the truth – it is not relative or situational. We used the think the world is flat. We used to think that certain races were inferior. We used to think we were heading into an ice age. What we believe determines how we act. Therefore, we must ensure that what we believe is true.

Accurate facts cannot be denied. Everyone has an opinion, but opinions are like noses – everyone has one and they usually have a couple of holes in them. Consider all points of view. Debate is one of the best methods to hear other opinions and points of view. Be skeptical. Be suspicious. Especially, If there is a reluctance to debate or back up opinions with facts.

The problems of the past could have been avoided if individuals sought after the truth. Future problems will be prevented with the same approach.

We all have a responsibility to question.

Critical Thinking

Refreshing Honesty

I have been watching the X Factor series on TV (similar idea to the American Idol) with Simon Cowell as one of the judges. Simon Cowell is well known for his blunt and controversial criticisms – he says it the way he sees it and based on his comments I can't image that he holds anything back.

It's actually quite refreshing; someone who is completely honest and says what he means and means what he says. There is no political correctness in this guy whatsoever. Everyone knows where they stand with him.

He is generally not even nice about it, no sugar coating. I imagine most people think he is harsh, mean, and perhaps rude.

Question: What is worse?

Lying and deceiving someone by telling them what they want to hear rather than what you really think?

Or,

Being completely honest and saying what you really think in an effort to help?

There are four judges on this television show, but it is clear that Simon Cowell is the most respected. We especially wait to hear his opinion above the other three, regardless of how harsh it may come across, because we know that it will be an honest opinion. Society is craving honesty in communication.

The first step to encouraging honesty is to accept and understand one simple fact: Having hurt feelings is a choice.

Refreshing Honesty

Blame – A Destructive Force

Blaming everything and everyone else is a reality that is literally destroying societies.

• Failing to pass a test is the fault of the test, the teacher or the school.
  
• A speeding ticket is somehow the fault of either the police or the limit sign not placed in a convenient enough location to see in the short spurts of time the driver is looking up between text messages.
  
• "Occupiers" have camped out in cities all over North America blaming the rich for all the problems in the world.
  
• People are offended because someone said something that "offended" them.
  
• Poor business results are due to the recession, the system, competition or the government.
  
• The criminal commits crimes because of their upbringing, race, colour or perceived disadvantages they have had in life.
  

When we levy blame (accountability) against someone else, it tends to abdicate all responsibility for doing anything to solve the issue. This renders people powerless – it creates victims, which shuts down ingenuity, suppresses creativity and smothers progress.

When my kids were very young I was not concerned when they would blame their sister or their toy for being upset, because I knew they would grow out of it. But really, what do you say to a person that is vibrating with contempt for the police because they were introduced to the effects of pepper spray after hurling rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails at them? How do you respond to a businessperson that blames all of their problems on everything and everyone else?

The right response / approach / attitude is to consider what my part is in this situation. Instead of blaming someone else for my problems, what if I ask myself what I may have done / currently doing / not doing to cause this problem and what or how can I take action to resolve it. If I accept responsibility for my own problems, not only will I avoid repeating, I am most likely to take productive action to change them. (Notice the emphasis on first person in the preceding two sentences).

Whining is not taking action. Forcing others to solve your problems is not taking action. Positive leadership takes action that is constructive – never destructive.

Blaming others is a waste of energy and creates powerless victims. Looking in the mirror for accountability and action will cause you to enjoy great success.

Now, if you feel contempt for me because of the feeling of guilt you have after reading this . . . you might have a blame problem.

Blame – A Destructive Force