- Posted on October 20, 2011
Bright Shiny Object Syndrome
I work with intelligent and creative people who are very successful. I also work with intelligent and creative people who aspire to success, but don't quite make it. One of the important things that differentiates the two groups is "the secret sauce"... implementation.
The creative or entrepreneurial mind becomes excited and stimulated by bright, shiny objects, which often leads to new ideas and inspiration. Here's the challenge: if new ideas distract your attention and you forget to implement what you're already working on, overall, your results will be weaker.
Implementation has nothing to do with intelligence and creativity, but has everything to do with how you prioritize and take action.
If you find yourself squirming a bit as you read this, chances are you might be suffering from bright, shiny object syndrome. But there's good news - there is a cure for BSOS, and here are some action steps you can take to overcome it.
- Identify your top initiatives, and rate them according to how effectively you are making progress towards completion.
- Now, make a decision as to which of these is the most important (I know, all of them are important. That's the problem.). If you're struggling with this step, decide which initiative you can implement the fastest.
- Create a one-page, step by step bulleted plan on how to complete the initiative you selected. Make sure you include deadlines for each step.
Now, go work your magic!
You'll find that the act of implementing will make everything seem a little easier, so you can look forward to some intangible benefits from this as well.
Let me know how you're doing with this, especially if you are stuck.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"I don't want to make money, I just want to be wonderful."
- Marilyn Monroe
October 20th Trivia
Today is Get Smart About Credit Day, to help young adults become more savvy about the responsible use of credit.
On this Day in History
In 1774, the new Continental Congress, the governing body of America's colonies, passed an order proclaiming that all citizens of the colonies "discountenance and discourage all horse racing and all kinds of gaming, cock fighting, exhibitions of shows, plays and other expensive diversions and entertainment."
- Posted on October 6, 2011
Ask Great Questions
I'm a student of the art of asking questions. My experience is that the quality of the questions you ask can make an amazing difference in your professional and personal discussions.
I was thinking about this after meeting with someone for the first time this week. At the beginning of the conversation, he mentioned that he had just attended a professional conference. I asked what were his three biggest takeaways from the conference.
He answered thoughtfully, and the passion for his work became obvious as he shared his observations. Our conversation took a different and more meaningful direction as a result of his response to my question.
When you ask someone a question like this, it demonstrates sincere interest. In many cases, you can bypass some of the small talk that is almost inevitable when becoming acquainted.
In this case, we built rapport faster because of my curiosity in what interests him. It provided me with different ideas on how to follow up. And, as a bonus, I learned something new as well.
One idea is to take a theme and drill down into more questions based on the initial answer. As an example, you might start with, "Which industry trends currently have the most impact on your business?" After the person answers, you ask successive questions, such as these:
- Tell me more about trend X.
- How did this trend first influence your company?
- How does it affect your competitors?
As you can see, one question spawns three others that can elicit some rich comments.
Your questions can lead to great ideas, new connections, and fresh insights. The art of asking great questions is a skill worthy of ongoing practice.
By the way, although this was a business example, this technique works just as well with family or friends (even teenagers, heaven forbid!). Try it, and let me know how it works for you.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
On this Day in History
In 1792, the cornerstone of the executive mansion, later known as the White House, was laid in Washington D.C.
- Posted on October 6, 2011
The Home Stretch
It's the beginning of October, which I sometimes think of as the start of the home stretch for 2011. It's a good time to review what you wanted to achieve this year, your actual accomplishments, and a realistic assessment of what you can do in the next 87 days.
I've talked to a few people recently who are ready to "write off" their results for this year for various reasons. I'm stunned to hear such comments, but have no doubt that their results will reflect this attitude.
As you've heard me say many times, setting goals puts you ahead of most of the population, but monitoring them, tracking your actual results, and making course corrections along the way is an entirely different matter.
I think the following exercise is worth doing, and a great way to manage your expectations:
- Quantify your results and accomplishments through September.
- Determine the high points and the disappointments.
- Keep doing more of what you did to achieve the high points.
- Revisit the "why" behind the disappointments so see if you need to make changes or stay the course.
- Create a one-page 12-week plan to navigate your way through the rest of 2011.
This won't take long to do, and it will help you (re)focus. And after you complete this exercise, I want you to do two more things.
First, celebrate the accomplishments, so that you truly acknowledge what you've achieved. Second, be accountable for the disappointments.
Don't blame the economy, your brother-in-law or one of my personal favorites, "I didn't have time". If you really didn't have time, you need to think about how you actually spent that time and what you might need to change.
Embrace what the rest of this year offers. Commit to doing your best work in the months ahead. And, let me know how you're doing with this. I'd really like to hear from you!
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken."
- Thomas Wolfe
October 6th Trivia
This is National Pasta Month, somewhat loosely tied with Columbus Day (celebrated this coming Monday in the U.S.). Follow the link for 10 ways to demonstrate your love of pasta.
On this Day in History
For all of you baseball fans, in 1880 the Cincinnati Reds were kicked out of the National League for selling beer. My, how times have changed...
- Posted on September 29, 2011
"I'll Take Care of It"
To succeed in today's workplace, your people need to demonstrate their value and minimize any hint of dispensability. At a minimum, they need to at least act the part.
Recently, I bought a new couch, and needed help removing my old sofa bed before delivery. I asked "Joe", who works in my building, if he'd like to make a little extra money by assisting me.
Sighing, Joe went into this long dreary story about how much effort this would take. After all, didn't I know about the rules of how to dismantle the sofa for recycling, the rules about when large items went curbside for pick up, and the rules about how to store furniture in the basement without creating a fire hazard?
Not only was Joe cranky (and unappreciative), but he turned everything into my problem. Needless to say, I was relieved that he turned down my request, because who wants to work with someone who has that kind of attitude.
Fortunately, I reached my super, who recommended Gabriel. When he arrived at my apartment the next morning, Gabriel quickly assessed the logistics and agreed to do the job. I began to ask questions about all of the rules that Joe had mentioned, and he politely cut me off and said, "Lisa, I'll take care of it".
He took total charge of the situation, and we had great interaction during the time he was there. He was careful, cheerful, and considerate, and did the job without turning even the smallest detail into my problem.
Why does Gabriel's behavior seem so unusual? It's because we're more accustomed to people with attitudes of entitlement and the "it's not my job" syndrome.
If your people do good work and have reasonably good attitudes, they'll get by. But when they make themselves valuable and have great attitudes, there's no stopping them.
Are your people more like Joe or Gabriel?
I have no question that Gabriel will be successful in whatever he does with his career. He takes pride in his work, has the mindset for success, and is a role model for others.
When you build your team with people like this, you might not even remember that we're in challenging economic times.
Have a great week, and for those who celebrate, L'Shanah Tovah!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
- Albert Camus
September 29th Trivia
Today is National Coffee Day. Look for coupons or deals on discounted or free coffee to join in today's celebration.
On this Day in History
In 1950, Bell Laboratories introduced the first telephone answering machine.
- Posted on September 22, 2011
Is Your Business Still Relevant?
In New York City this week, the last of our single space parking meters were removed from service, having been replaced by solar-powered, Wi-Fi equipped, multi-space Muni-Meters.
This is the end of an era. Remember the glee of finding a parking space with an unexpected 15-30 minutes left on the meter? Those days are now mere memories.
Come to think of it, the last few weeks haven't fared well for the postal service either. As the financial problems of the USPS have come to light, many have discussed its obsolescence, what with email, digital bill paying and the tremendous decrease in the volume of postal mail.
What does this have to do with you? Frankly, it's something you should think about often. Otherwise, one day you might discover that your business has gone the way of the buggy whip.
Before you say that this couldn't happen to you, seriously think about what's going on in your business, your industry, and perhaps most significantly, with your clients. Are the products and services that you offer still as relevant as they were five, ten, twenty years ago?
It's natural for people to cling to doing things the way they've always been done. It's also natural to feel that such significant changes "couldn't happen to us".
But this can sneak up on you, especially if you're not paying attention. Just think about Facebook. In 2005, 1 million people used it, compared to over 500 million today. Did this sneak up on you?
Food for thought, to be sure.
In the meantime, the vernal equinox is upon us, so enjoy the transition to autumn, and have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
- George Eliot
On this Day in History
In 1903, Italo Marchiony filed the patent for an ice cream cone for his push cart ice cream business in New York City.
- Posted on September 15, 2011
Laugh Out Loud
The New York Times carried an article this week about a recently published study on the benefits of laughter. Oxford evolutionary biologist Dr. Robin Dunbar revealed that the physical act of laughing triggers an increase in endorphins, which in turn increases resistance to pain.
One of the interesting discoveries from this study is that neither the intellectual pleasure from laughter nor the act of casually laughing with a group of people has the same outcome as hearty, physical laughter.
Of course, this research has many implications for patients suffering from severe pain. It also has implications, though, for everyday situations in the workplace.
Many people feel enormous pressure at work and this tension accumulates. Not only can laughter provide a momentary respite from stress and simply help you feel better, but the release of endorphins can literally change your state of mind.
You can't decree laughter. What's funny to one person may draw blank stares from others.
But you know what is funny to you. You can trigger laughter by recalling an incident, looking at a photo or video, or sharing something hilarious with a friend.
I know some people who are so stressed and serious that I wonder if they remember how to laugh. Don't be one of them. Find your funny bone and learn how to recall situations that will make you laugh out loud.
Think about how you can apply this. Laughing out loud might very well protect you when you least expect it.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can."
- Henry Ford
On this Day in History
In 1835, Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle reached the Galapagos Islands.
- Posted on September 8, 2011
Sharpen your Pencil
Does anyone use pencils any more? I do. (In fact, recently I made a comment about needing to "sharpen a pencil" and got one of those glazed looks that implied why would I need a pencil when I could be tapping on a digital device?)
I associate the week after Labor Day with the ritual of going back to school. When I was a child, this ritual included new, freshly sharpened pencils. The return to school always signified a fresh start, one where you knew that you began with a clean slate.
I think we forget that we can do that at any time. Not only can we capture that same feeling, but it's actually a great way to reboot when we need a fresh start.
It's easy to do. The first step is to identify the project, department, process, methodology, attitude - whatever - that needs a fresh start. Determine what's not working up to par or what you want to change.
Next, isolate the issue. Take yourself out of your regular environment to study it, and bring others into the discussion as appropriate. Analyze it. Dissect it. This is the time to take it apart.
After you've done this, wave the "magic wand" and create the ideal scenario. Don't edit at this stage - include everything that you'd like to have.
Sit with this for a while, and then shape it into a realistic form that you can work with.
The last phase is to declare the old way as finished, kaput, defunct, and the new one as alive and open for business.
You've just sharpened your pencil, and created a fresh start.
Anyone can do this, and I recommend that you seek at least one area that can benefit from this simple exercise. Let me know what you discover.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken."
- Bill Dodds
September 8th Trivia
Today is Oprah Day, marking the premier of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1986.
On this Day in History
In 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was first published by the Youth's Companion.
- Posted on September 1, 2011
Reflections from Irene
Mother Nature's fury produced many poignant stories from Hurricane Irene. I know some people are tired of Irene being a headliner, however, there are some relevant lessons that I observed from ordinary people who persevered in spite of substantial obstacles.
For example, it really did make a difference to be prepared. One colleague somewhat spontaneously bought a generator the day before Irene hit, and it was able to power his pumps in the aftermath. This one decision prevented the lake that emerged in his front yard from completing flooding his house.
Another lesson relates to trying to stay "normal" in spite of impediments. One colleague got creative about coming to work in Manhattan on Monday in spite of having no power at home and no public transportation. She had a client event scheduled that evening and new opportunities emerged from it. It would have been so easy to have stayed at home and had a colleague take over in her place, but she focused on business as usual at a time that it certainly wasn't usual.
The last example comes from a colleague whose printing company lost power and phone service, but not its spirit. They communicated with their customers through email blasts and cheerfulness, keeping them up to date about their projects' status.
Preparedness, creativity and communication offset potentially flared tempers, impatient customers, and discouraged employees.
There are dozens more stories like these. I hope you join me in being inspired by these people's determination and optimism at a time of great stress.
In the meantime, thank goodness we have an official three-day weekend ahead in the U.S., so enjoy the Labor Day holiday.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"The end of labor is to gain leisure."
- Aristotle
September 1st Trivia
Did you know that September is the busiest month in the U.S. for births, with more than 11,000 on an average day?
On this Day in History
In 1799, the Bank of Manhattan Company opened in New York City. It was the forerunner of Chase Manhattan.
- Posted on August 25, 2011
High Profile Succession
Yesterday's announcement of the resignation of Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple has resulted in front page, high profile media attention. Of course, the main story is about "what's next" given his strong, visionary, innovative leadership at Apple.
It's clear to me that both Mr. Jobs and Apple's board proactively thought about and planned for succession. Not only was Tim Cook groomed for the CEO position, but the entire executive team was orchestrated and developed to have the depth and breadth to move the company forward.
Yes, this is a high profile succession story. What I hope it triggers for you is a wake-up call about your own succession plan. Whether you're running a division of a corporation or building a small business, succession strategies are integral for your future success.
One of the challenges with the subject of succession is that it is important, but usually not urgent. As a result, too many leaders fall into the trap of dealing with succession when a crisis hits instead of really thinking it through in advance.
Planning for succession doesn't threaten your current role. On the contrary, it gives you the opportunity to develop additional bench strength that will likely provide a boost to your business today.
The opportunity to mentor your successor (if that person already works in your organization) can provide operational as well as philosophical continuity. It also gives the successor a chance to develop areas of skill that may be undeveloped at this time.
Succession is a huge topic, and I hope you follow the Apple story in the weeks ahead so you can see how an industry icon makes it work.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
On this Day in History
In 1920, Ethelda Bleibtrey became the first U.S. woman to win in the Olympics (swimming competitions).
- Posted on August 25, 2011
High Profile Succession
Yesterday's announcement of the resignation of Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple has resulted in front page, high profile media attention. Of course, the main story is about "what's next" given his strong, visionary, innovative leadership at Apple.
It's clear to me that both Mr. Jobs and Apple's board proactively thought about and planned for succession. Not only was Tim Cook groomed for the CEO position, but the entire executive team was orchestrated and developed to have the depth and breadth to move the company forward.
Yes, this is a high profile succession story. What I hope it triggers for you is a wake-up call about your own succession plan. Whether you're running a division of a corporation or building a small business, succession strategies are integral for your future success.
One of the challenges with the subject of succession is that it is important, but usually not urgent. As a result, too many leaders fall into the trap of dealing with succession when a crisis hits instead of really thinking it through in advance.
Planning for succession doesn't threaten your current role. On the contrary, it gives you the opportunity to develop additional bench strength that will likely provide a boost to your business today.
The opportunity to mentor your successor (if that person already works in your organization) can provide operational as well as philosophical continuity. It also gives the successor a chance to develop areas of skill that may be undeveloped at this time.
Succession is a huge topic, and I hope you follow the Apple story in the weeks ahead so you can see how an industry icon makes it work.
Have a great week!
Copyright 2011 Lisa M. Aldisert
Quote of the Day
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
On this Day in History
In 1920, Ethelda Bleibtrey became the first U.S. woman to win in the Olympics (swimming competitions).