As 2009 comes to a close, many take time to reflect on where they are in life and what a new dacade will bring. A great time to share some thoughts about my rules for success.
1. There are no rules.
Thinking outside the box demands that you break some rules! Structure, principles, in fact all discipline theories should be used to support independent thinking. Curiosity is so much more powerful than playing by the rules. Innovation comes from exploring outside the boundaries of rules. From the book THE GOOGLE STORY: "A Healthy Disregard for the Impossible"
2. Treat people with TRUST and RESPECT.
Accountability and integrity are driven from trust and respect in relationships.
3. Be proactive
Control my Attitude - My response to what happens in my life is driven from my attitude. Keeping a positive attitude reflects a positive response.
Never ASSUME - Ask the obvious. The message may not have been received as it was intended. Seek first to understand, then be understood.
Improve my life through the things that I can influence, rather than reacting to external forces.
4. Recognize and reward results at all levels.
This creates winners - help people to realize their dreams.
5. Enjoy the ride.
When you are no longer having fun, find something else to do. Maintain a balance in life. Experience life.
6. Under promise and over deliver.
Know the goal and exceed it. Do not be over optimistic in your estimates. Do not accept "no" prematurely.
7. Admit when you are wrong.
Reinforce feedback and candor. Open the Johari window.
//Norm
www.normanbain.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
To the Golfers out there
Stand proud you noble swingers of clubs and losers of balls....
A recent study found the average golfer walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found golfers drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.
That means, on average, golfers get about 41 miles to the gallon.
Kind of makes you proud. Almost feel like a hybrid.
A recent study found the average golfer walks about 900 miles a year.
Another study found golfers drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year.
That means, on average, golfers get about 41 miles to the gallon.
Kind of makes you proud. Almost feel like a hybrid.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
How Smart is Your Right Foot?
Give it a go - it will boggle your mind.
See if you will keep trying at least a few more times to see if you can outsmart your foot! ... you can't.
1) While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2) Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.
3) Your foot will change direction.
I told you so. And, there's nothing you can do about it!
Go ahead: KEEP TRYING ALL YOU WANT.
Have a great day. Now get back to work.
See if you will keep trying at least a few more times to see if you can outsmart your foot! ... you can't.
1) While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2) Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.
3) Your foot will change direction.
I told you so. And, there's nothing you can do about it!
Go ahead: KEEP TRYING ALL YOU WANT.
Have a great day. Now get back to work.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Proverbs - According to 6year olds
My friend taught first grade. She had a class of twenty-five 6yr olds. She gave each child the first half of a well known proverb and asked them to write in the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders - 6 year olds!
No news is............................impossible.
Love all, trust....................... me.
An idle mind is........................the best way to relax.
Strike while the.......................bug is close.
Better late than.......................pregnant.
A penny saved is...................... not much.
A miss is as good as a ................... Mr.
Two's company, three's....................... the Musketeers.
Don't bite the hand that...................... looks dirty.
Where there's smoke there's ................... pollution.
The pen is mightier than the..................... pigs.
If at first you don't succeed...................... get new batteries.
When the blind lead the blind .................... get out of the way!
Kids have the best insight sometimes.
//Norm
www.normanbain.com
No news is............................impossible.
Love all, trust....................... me.
An idle mind is........................the best way to relax.
Strike while the.......................bug is close.
Better late than.......................pregnant.
A penny saved is...................... not much.
A miss is as good as a ................... Mr.
Two's company, three's....................... the Musketeers.
Don't bite the hand that...................... looks dirty.
Where there's smoke there's ................... pollution.
The pen is mightier than the..................... pigs.
If at first you don't succeed...................... get new batteries.
When the blind lead the blind .................... get out of the way!
Kids have the best insight sometimes.
//Norm
www.normanbain.com
Life lessons from Regina Brett
I received an email the other day about life lessons. It taught me a few things.
It was written by Regina Brett, who is NOT 90 years old as the email stated. One of the lessons I learned is that time is in another dimention on the internet. As of this writing, Regina is 53.
Regardless, the 45 life lessons are good ones, and you should keep them in mind by reviewing them often - the friend who emailed me suggested weekly. I would agree. So here they are:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
// Norm
www.normanbain.com
It was written by Regina Brett, who is NOT 90 years old as the email stated. One of the lessons I learned is that time is in another dimention on the internet. As of this writing, Regina is 53.
Regardless, the 45 life lessons are good ones, and you should keep them in mind by reviewing them often - the friend who emailed me suggested weekly. I would agree. So here they are:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
// Norm
www.normanbain.com
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Leadership and Self Deception
Since becoming a consultant, I have never read so much! In my first two years in this industry, I read more books than my entire time in school! I even find myself revisiting my old library and finishing books that I started reading several years ago.
I had always considered myself open to new ideas and committed to continual learning. Since I became a consultant, learning and continuous improvement has become a quest!
Occasionally, I encounter a concept that is a true game changer. A concept that is so striking, so remarkable that it commands a different approach – and the realization that I just missed the point. Such is the case with Leadership and self deception by the Arbinger Institute. It takes the Johari Window to a whole new level. It explains why “soft skills” training has little lasting effect. It shows how personal and organizational problems result from “self deception”. It uncovers what self deception is, and how easily we get trapped “in the box”. Most importantly, it uncovers the surprising way to get out of the box and solve our problems.
When my kids became teenagers, they became detached. Like most teens, they started drifting as they looked to discover themselves. And started exploring things I would have preferred they not pursue. This book uncovered the fact that by being “in the box” with them, I was encouraging them to pursue exactly what I did not want.
This book completely changed my view of myself as an individual, as a leader, and as a consultant. It explains many of the things that happened in the course of my career and how simple getting out of the box can be. Certainly on my “must read” list for leaders. As the cover so eloquently states, its a phenomenon that is changing lives and transforming organizations.
I had always considered myself open to new ideas and committed to continual learning. Since I became a consultant, learning and continuous improvement has become a quest!
Occasionally, I encounter a concept that is a true game changer. A concept that is so striking, so remarkable that it commands a different approach – and the realization that I just missed the point. Such is the case with Leadership and self deception by the Arbinger Institute. It takes the Johari Window to a whole new level. It explains why “soft skills” training has little lasting effect. It shows how personal and organizational problems result from “self deception”. It uncovers what self deception is, and how easily we get trapped “in the box”. Most importantly, it uncovers the surprising way to get out of the box and solve our problems.When my kids became teenagers, they became detached. Like most teens, they started drifting as they looked to discover themselves. And started exploring things I would have preferred they not pursue. This book uncovered the fact that by being “in the box” with them, I was encouraging them to pursue exactly what I did not want.
This book completely changed my view of myself as an individual, as a leader, and as a consultant. It explains many of the things that happened in the course of my career and how simple getting out of the box can be. Certainly on my “must read” list for leaders. As the cover so eloquently states, its a phenomenon that is changing lives and transforming organizations.
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