Goals » Nonsense At Work

#497: When you do, don’t

Goals, Success Comments Off

Jun 062011

Would you like to know the secret to a long life? Frank Buckles knew it. He fought in World War I and was captured by the Japanese in World War II. Yet, he survived both and died at home at the age of one hundred and ten.

Here is his secret in his own words. “When you start to die, don’t.”

As simple as that. Nevertheless, it is such a powerful recipe that you can apply it to almost any aspect of life. For example, when you start to feel sad, don’t. When you start to feel tired, don’t. When you start to feel angry, don’t. When you start to feel failure, don’t.

When asked again about longevity, Mr Buckles suggested that ‘the will to survive’ is paramount. In other words, when you start to feel sad, don’t; have the will to be happy. When you start to feel failure, don’t; have the will to succeed.

Simple indeed.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Listen to the radio version of When you do, don’t (10 most recent radio files)

#495: Enjoy your future vacation now

Goals No Responses »

May 312011

It’s vacation planning time. Do you go on vacation without planning it? And do you plan your vacation without bothering to find out more about the place you have chosen? Of course not. You spend hours looking at exotic photographs, researching local ‘things to do’, reading reviews and imagining yourself enjoying it all. Only then do you plan your trip and commit to going.

Imagine the opposite. Imagine finding yourself at a place not of your choosing, unsure of its attractions, suspicious of its charms and unprepared for the unknown ‘things to do’. Would you like that?

Then why do you live your life that way? Why do you travel into the future without making proper plans, without imagining it clearly? No wonder you often feel awful about making the trip.

You should view your life as a vacation. Maybe then you will look forward to it more. Maybe then you will enjoy it more.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Listen to the radio version of Enjoy your future vacation now (10 most recent radio files)

#492: Dig deeper than good results

Business, Goals, Success No Responses »

May 182011

Now that business is improving, I have a question. Why don’t we dig deeper than good results?

When results are good, do you check whether things could have been even better? Do you look for ways of improving even more? Probably not, and here’s why.

The obvious reason is that when money flows, worries wane because cash cures all ills.

Another reason is a focus on efficiency. Because efficiency is measurable, we stop once we hit our stated targets. Why? Because we are mentally lazy, we stop thinking once the pressure is off. And because organizations demand compliance, workers know they are not suppose to over-think and go-beyond.

And then there is the most important rule of organizational life: Keep the boss happy with good news, so don’t go digging for bad news.

My personal favorite reason is so-called best practices. But we’ve dug deep enough for now. I leave this bit of bad news until next time.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Listen to the radio version of Dig deeper than good results (10 most recent radio files)

#491: Time seals options

Goals, Success No Responses »

May 162011

Suddenly everybody wants to be a Navy SEAL or to think like one, to act like one or to lead like one. This too shall pass, at least for most of us.

I once wanted to be a fighter pilot. And a yachtsman, train driver, architect, the list goes on. What happened? Time happened.

As the years added up my options subtracted. I’m now too old to be those other people. I’m stuck with me as I am now for now.

What happened? Choices happened. Today I realize that our freedom to choose has boundaries. Life gives us nudges and hints about what to choose. And the more we resist being authentic, being real, the harder the nudges, the broader the hints and the fewer the options.

Everyday I have another choice. To mope about who I might have been or to be who I am now. And then to take the blame or the credit.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Listen to the radio version of Time seals options (10 most recent radio files)

#456: Exuberantly back to irrational basics

Business, Goals No Responses »

Jan 122011

The economy is growing in a way that might finally benefit ‘we the people’ here on ‘main street’. However, I must warn you, here be dragons.

To prevent Mr Greenspan’s irrational exuberance getting the better of us again, I suggest that we get back to foundationals. Yes, you heard correctly. And yes, my nonsense word is meant to irritate you into paying attention. Foundationals.

We glibly say ‘get back to basics’ but we conveniently forget to clarify ‘which basics’. Getting back to basics only makes sense if you know which ones are fundamental to your business. And what is a fundamental? Anything that is key to the wallets of your customers.

Can you prevent exuberance from again corrupt your fundamentals? Yes, by linking them to a solid business foundation. Then you will know which basics matter enough to get back to.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork dot com

Listen to the radio version of Exuberantly back to irrational basics (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

#453: Irritated into being a better me

Goals, Motivation No Responses »

Jan 032011

I want this year to be better than last year. What to do, knowing that resolutions don’t stick easily?

I know! Choose one tiny resolution, one with huge clout, and then make it stick at least once a week. How about this – I will spend time with a friend.

Easy, yes, but where’s the clout?

The clout is in the meaning of ‘friend’. You see, acquaintances and so-called ‘friends’ on social networks accept me as I appear to them. So do most people I interact with daily. I don’t mind them and they don’t mind me.

But friends! They put up with how I project myself today, yet they persistently see me as how I could be. And then they love me into wanting to be this better me. How irritating!

So, here’s my resolution: I will visit at least one friend a week and be irritated into being better than last year.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork dot com

Listen to the radio version of Irritated into being a better me (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

#452: Resolute formula for failure

Goals, Success No Responses »

Dec 292010

As we race to the finishing of Twenty-Ten, you might be tempted to look back and evaluate the good and bad that this year coughed up for you. Or, if you prefer the formal HR approach, you will do a performance appraisal based on your successes and failures, and allocate blame and credit according to your tolerance for remorse.

Then, according to tradition, you will read up on 8 steps to fame and fortune, which you will use to craft your resolutions for results and strategies for success in Twenty-Eleven.

Well, this time I’m going to do something completely different. I am going to develop my formula for failure.

Come on! We all know that resolutions don’t stick. Resolutions are about behaving better! I think resolutions to behave badly will stick more easily.

This means that if I apply my formula for failure, I am likely to succeed.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork dot com

Listen to the radio version of Resolute formula for failure (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

#447: It’s over once you celebrate

Goals, Motivation No Responses »

Dec 132010

During this season of celebration, don’t celebrate too soon. Keep in mind that nothing is over until it is over. We tend to forget this because we don’t bother to distinguish between goal-directed activity and goal activity.

Let me explain. Goal-directed activity is what we do to reach a goal. Goal activity is what we do when we reach the goal.

Doing things to achieve a goal tends to increase our need or desire; enjoying the results reduces our need and desire.

Here is a good example. Preparing dinner is goal-directed activity. The closer you get to the end of making dinner, the hungrier you become. Eating dinner is goal activity. The more you eat, the less hungry you become. Simple!

Why does this distinction matter? If you celebrate the end of a project before it is totally done, you will struggle to get people to wrap up the loose ends and finish it completely.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork dot com

Listen to the radio version of It’s over once you celebrate (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

#442: Discounting your sales value

Goals, Motivation No Responses »

Nov 242010

Discount Season is upon us, but that’s no reason to make sales mistakes.

Years ago a client taught me two lessons. As a young man he sold software in England. The product was not selling very well, even after steep discounts and so he became desperate. Once while pitching to a CEO he felt relieved that the sales pitch was going well. But then the CEO said, ‘are you trying to buy it back?’ He had missed the cue that the CEO had bought. Instead, he kept on selling.

Poor sales led to his company being sold instead. One of the first decisions enforced by the new owner was a price increase of ten times. Yes, ten times. The sales force was ready to riot, but then a strange thing happened. Sales took off.

His two lessons? Value what you are selling and others will as well. And stop selling once the customer has bought.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork dot com

Listen to the radio version of Discounting your sales value (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

#434: Trend carefully to be wiser

Goals, Success No Responses »

Oct 272010

The other day I wanted to give some sage advice to a friend. I said, “Trend carefully.” Did you catch that? I said ‘trend’ instead of ‘tread’.

So much sounding wise and experienced. But then I remembered the Billy Joel song about Brenda and Eddie who ‘peaked too soon’ and I realized that I had actually been very wise.

I once did some very good work at a company I had just joined. So good, in fact, that the CEO wanted to promote me. My boss vetoed that idea by explaining that being promoted too quickly could actually harm my career. He was right.

It is much better to trend yourself. Aim for steady growth, not radical leaps, in your career, your start-up, your business plan, your relationships and so on. Go for slow burn, not burn out.

And pay attention to your Freudian slips. Sometimes they can teach you to sound wiser than even you thought you were.

I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of Trend carefully to be wiser (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

Older Entries Newer Entries

#497: When you do, don’t

#495: Enjoy your future vacation now

#492: Dig deeper than good results

#491: Time seals options

#456: Exuberantly back to irrational basics

#453: Irritated into being a better me

#452: Resolute formula for failure

#447: It’s over once you celebrate

#442: Discounting your sales value

#434: Trend carefully to be wiser

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