What Matters More than Money? Stamina
By Margaret Heffernan | April 1, 2010
What is it that entrepreneurs most need? When I ask that question at business schools, the answer is always “money.” But when I ask it of entrepreneurs themselves, the answer is something else — and it’s always the same: “stamina.”
I’ve interviewed successful business owners around the world, and that’s always the answer I get. When you think about it, the reason is obvious. If you quit, the game’s over and you know the outcome. But if you can keep going, you still have a chance. The question is, How do you keep yourself going? The answer may surprise you.
Liz Elting, who runs Transperfect, one of the world’s largest translation companies, vividly remembers an all-nighter she and her co-founder Phil Shawe pulled for a prestigious new client: “I remember one Christmas Eve that Phil and I were doing a job for Goldman Sachs, and we were in there working through the night. When it was done, we were late (and exhausted!) for our own personal family celebrations… In the first few years, there was a lot we gave up.”
James Dyson of vacuum cleaner fame spent twenty nerve-wracking and nearly bankrupting years bringing his revolutionary design to market. Chronicling the lawsuits and betrayals he went through, Dyson’s autobiography Against the Odds (one of the few great business autobiographies) is exhausting to read. It chronicles years of dishonest dealing, corrupt business practices and sheer bad luck as Dyson bulldozes his way through business deals that always seem to explode at the last minute.
And I’ll never forget Karla Diehl’s laughter when her firm Edison Automation made it into the Inc. 500. What was the big joke? “Everyone’s congratulating me as though we just arrived,” she said. “But we’ve been trying to figure this business out for nearly twenty years!”
What all business founders learn is that success rarely occurs overnight, and the triumph, when it arrives, does so when you’re too tired and battle-weary to celebrate. But what they’ve all learned along the way is that keeping going is the ultimate test. So where does that stamina come from? A colleague once asked me how I’d outlasted the 40 other CEOs in my corporate group, who’d all quit somewhere along the way. I realized that since I had two small children at the time, I had to go home at 6 p.m. Getting out of the office had kept me in the game.
It’s counter-intuitive, but stamina comes from having the courage and discipline to step away from work. Here are three ways to start:
1.Go home before everyone else does. It gives your employees permission to go home, too. Unless you’re in crunch mode, they’re much smarter when they’re rested than when they’re fried.
2.Give everyone a break after hitting big milestones. Otherwise the milestones become meaningless.
3.Be honest about family commitments. Most people don’t work for money; they work for their families. They’ll be more committed if you reduce the conflict they feel between work and family.
All success requires stamina. So why do we persist in thinking long hours are good for us? If you’re running a marathon, why try to maintain a sprinter’s pace?
MY THOUGHTS
i promise. i promise to go home before my staff. so they'll go home, too. maybe there is crunch time because we get too tired.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Work Stress Can Kill You - Don't Let It
Work Stress Can Kill You - Don't Let It
By Steve Tobak | March 2, 2010
I just read a report that Intel executive VP Sean Maloney suffered a stroke. Intel says the 53 year-old executive’s prognosis for full recovery is excellent and he’s expected to be back at work after a few month’s medical leave to recuperate. I’ve never met Maloney, but he’s been a rising star at Intel for nearly two decades and some consider him the leading candidate to take the reigns from current CEO Paul Otellini.
According to Real World Technologies analyst David Kanter in a Reuters article, “It was pretty clear that he [Maloney] and Dadi [Perlmutter] would be running the company together when Otellini steps down. The bigger question is, long-term, is this something that Sean says, ‘Maybe I need to slow down? Or maybe I’m not the right person to step up and be CEO.’”
That got me thinking about how we work ourselves to death on a stress treadmill, often of our own making, expecting some beautiful oasis at the end. But that’s not the way it works. Here’s how it really works:
A couple of years ago I had dinner with a long-time friend and associate who was in town from Dallas. After dinner, he mentioned he had a headache. Neither of us thought much of it. I went home and he went to his hotel. That night he had an aneurism. Luckily he’s fine now, even after a scary two week stay in the intensive care unit.A few years before that, my dad died after a long bout with heart disease and strokes. He used to worry about everything. Now he has nothing to worry about.
In 1997, a good friend in his late 30s had a stroke. That was a real shock. Who gets a stroke in his 30s? When I asked him why he thought it happened, he came clean and told me that he spent a good percentage of his brain cycles worrying about stuff. Who knew?
I get crazy migraine headaches when I’m stressed out. When the attacks are really bad, they can last for days. I know folks who get them much worse than that. It’s nuts.
I can’t speak for Sean, but everybody else in this story, myself included, is or was a stress monster.
Look, I know you folks like to hear about positive things that can help your careers; I don’t blame you. But let’s be honest, does any of that really matter if you stress and worry and push yourself so hard that you can’t enjoy it when you “make it,” either because you’re debilitated or not around. Morbid, I know, but it is reality, folks.
Want to know why I gave up a lucrative executive career at only 46? I think you can figure it out. But you know what? I rarely get those headaches anymore, maybe twice a year. I used to get them all the time.
Here’s the question: are you a stress monster? Sure, we all learn our own techniques to manage as best we can, but we also intuitively know when we’ve gotten to a point where things are starting to get out of control. When that happens, do yourself a favor: look in the mirror and ask yourself if it’s worth it. More importantly, if you think you’re stuck, ask yourself if you’re on a treadmill of your own making. More often than not, you are. And that means only you can stop it.
One more thing. There’s no beautiful oasis at the end. The journey is the oasis, every minute of every day. Enjoy it while you can.
MY THOUGHTS
the nagging question still is why? why kill ourselves working? why stress ourselves out? when you have the repsonisbilities, it's so hard to just call it quits and stop. afterall, there are things that need to be done. on the other hand, if you get sick Or die), life foes on and some other person will just take over the responsibilities. it's true, we do make the decision to get on that treadmill we even create the treadmill. but the treadmill has speed dials. and time dials. and you can't be running 24/7. just not possible. and not worth it.
By Steve Tobak | March 2, 2010
I just read a report that Intel executive VP Sean Maloney suffered a stroke. Intel says the 53 year-old executive’s prognosis for full recovery is excellent and he’s expected to be back at work after a few month’s medical leave to recuperate. I’ve never met Maloney, but he’s been a rising star at Intel for nearly two decades and some consider him the leading candidate to take the reigns from current CEO Paul Otellini.
According to Real World Technologies analyst David Kanter in a Reuters article, “It was pretty clear that he [Maloney] and Dadi [Perlmutter] would be running the company together when Otellini steps down. The bigger question is, long-term, is this something that Sean says, ‘Maybe I need to slow down? Or maybe I’m not the right person to step up and be CEO.’”
That got me thinking about how we work ourselves to death on a stress treadmill, often of our own making, expecting some beautiful oasis at the end. But that’s not the way it works. Here’s how it really works:
A couple of years ago I had dinner with a long-time friend and associate who was in town from Dallas. After dinner, he mentioned he had a headache. Neither of us thought much of it. I went home and he went to his hotel. That night he had an aneurism. Luckily he’s fine now, even after a scary two week stay in the intensive care unit.A few years before that, my dad died after a long bout with heart disease and strokes. He used to worry about everything. Now he has nothing to worry about.
In 1997, a good friend in his late 30s had a stroke. That was a real shock. Who gets a stroke in his 30s? When I asked him why he thought it happened, he came clean and told me that he spent a good percentage of his brain cycles worrying about stuff. Who knew?
I get crazy migraine headaches when I’m stressed out. When the attacks are really bad, they can last for days. I know folks who get them much worse than that. It’s nuts.
I can’t speak for Sean, but everybody else in this story, myself included, is or was a stress monster.
Look, I know you folks like to hear about positive things that can help your careers; I don’t blame you. But let’s be honest, does any of that really matter if you stress and worry and push yourself so hard that you can’t enjoy it when you “make it,” either because you’re debilitated or not around. Morbid, I know, but it is reality, folks.
Want to know why I gave up a lucrative executive career at only 46? I think you can figure it out. But you know what? I rarely get those headaches anymore, maybe twice a year. I used to get them all the time.
Here’s the question: are you a stress monster? Sure, we all learn our own techniques to manage as best we can, but we also intuitively know when we’ve gotten to a point where things are starting to get out of control. When that happens, do yourself a favor: look in the mirror and ask yourself if it’s worth it. More importantly, if you think you’re stuck, ask yourself if you’re on a treadmill of your own making. More often than not, you are. And that means only you can stop it.
One more thing. There’s no beautiful oasis at the end. The journey is the oasis, every minute of every day. Enjoy it while you can.
MY THOUGHTS
the nagging question still is why? why kill ourselves working? why stress ourselves out? when you have the repsonisbilities, it's so hard to just call it quits and stop. afterall, there are things that need to be done. on the other hand, if you get sick Or die), life foes on and some other person will just take over the responsibilities. it's true, we do make the decision to get on that treadmill we even create the treadmill. but the treadmill has speed dials. and time dials. and you can't be running 24/7. just not possible. and not worth it.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
What To Do When You Hate Your Job
What To Do When You Hate Your Job
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide
I hate my job. I hate my company. I hate my boss. Many people do hate something or other about their work and I can't keep track of how many times I've seen those phrases lately.
That's not good, for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's tough to go to work every day when you hate it. Secondly, it really isn't good to broadcast the fact that you hate your job all over the Internet.
That doesn't mean you have to keep it. There are steps you can, and should, take to move on if you hate your job and you're not happy at work. We spend too much of our time working to stay in a job or work environment we hate, or even dislike. Besides being happier, you'll do a better job if you're working at a job you love, or at least like.
Keep Your "I Hate My Job" Thoughts to Yourself
Even if you do hate your job, keep it to yourself and your family or close friends. Don't tell the world, because the wrong person is probably going to see what you posted. Search Twitter for "I hate my job" to get an idea of what I mean.
Employees aren't the only ones using social networking sites. Employers are there, too, and if you say it someone will probably read it. Tweets, for example, show up in Google search. And, if you aren't careful about your Facebook privacy settings, you're opening yourself up for the wrong person to see it there, as well.
You don't want to lose your job before you start looking for a new one, just because you complained about it. Instead, it makes more sense to strategically plan your exit from the company.
Hating Your Job
Being in the situation where you're the person saying "I hate my job" can happen to any of us. It happens. The job might not be what you expected. Or, the job itself may be okay, but your boss or co-workers are awful. Perhaps you don't like the schedule or your customers, or whatever.
If you've reached the point where you have acknowledged that you hate the job, it's actually not a bad place to be at. At least you know and you can figure out what to do next.
Options for Staying
Don't just quit your job. You don't want to resign in haste and repent in leisure if you can't find another job fast. Begin by considering options for making the job work. Is there anything you could be doing different to be happier at work? Could you ask for a transfer or a shift change? Is there anything that would make a difference and convince you to stay?
Consider the alternatives, before you make a decision to leave. Finding a new job isn't always easy, if there's a fix, it's worth pursuing.
Get Ready to Job Search
If there's no way you can stay, that's fine, too. Again, at least you know. Don't quit your job yet though, regardless of how much you hate it. It's easier to find a job when you have a job and you probably won't be eligible for unemployment if you quit.
Instead, take the time to create or update your LinkedIn profile. Update your resume. Get some references lined up. Build your network by connecting with everyone you know on LinkedIn and the other top networking sites.
The more prepared you are before you actually start looking, the easier your job search will be.
Start a Job Search
Start a job search, quietly and discreetly. Don't broadcast the fact that you're job searching for the same reasons you're keeping quiet about about hating your job. You don't want your boss or someone else to know that you're planning to leave until you're ready to share the news.
Use the job search engines to see what jobs are available for candidates with your background. Then test the waters. Start applying for jobs and talking privately (via email, Facebook and LinkedIn messaging, etc.) with your contacts about the fact that you are seeking a new job.
These ten steps to finding a job covers everything you need to know to get your job search started and to keep it on track. Do keep in mind that it might take a while to find a new position, so be prepared for the long haul.
Moving On
When it's time to resign, I know that you probably want to shout it to the rooftops, but still don't broadcast the fact that you hated your last job. Companies check references. They ask about previous employers in interviews and what you say matters.
One applicant I interviewed spent the entire time talking about how much she hated her last job and the company she worked for. That company was my client's biggest customer. There was no way I was going to hire anyone with that big a chip on her shoulder for a job where she'd have to work with an employer she had disliked so much.
Resign Gracefully
Resign gracefully, giving two weeks notice. Offer to provide assistance during the transition and leave, as best you can, the company behind with no hard feelings.
Besides not being worth what it might cost you from a career perspective, it's also not worth the time and energy. You'll be better focused on your new job and how you can have a better experience, this time around.
MY THOUGHTS
There are days when we don't like our jobs. But when we hate our jobs, this is another issue altogether. This article is a very useful reminder. We may get to that point where we might hate our jobs - but there's professional way of dealing with the situation. never never never burn your bridges - you just don't know when you may need to cross that bridge again.
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide
I hate my job. I hate my company. I hate my boss. Many people do hate something or other about their work and I can't keep track of how many times I've seen those phrases lately.
That's not good, for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's tough to go to work every day when you hate it. Secondly, it really isn't good to broadcast the fact that you hate your job all over the Internet.
That doesn't mean you have to keep it. There are steps you can, and should, take to move on if you hate your job and you're not happy at work. We spend too much of our time working to stay in a job or work environment we hate, or even dislike. Besides being happier, you'll do a better job if you're working at a job you love, or at least like.
Keep Your "I Hate My Job" Thoughts to Yourself
Even if you do hate your job, keep it to yourself and your family or close friends. Don't tell the world, because the wrong person is probably going to see what you posted. Search Twitter for "I hate my job" to get an idea of what I mean.
Employees aren't the only ones using social networking sites. Employers are there, too, and if you say it someone will probably read it. Tweets, for example, show up in Google search. And, if you aren't careful about your Facebook privacy settings, you're opening yourself up for the wrong person to see it there, as well.
You don't want to lose your job before you start looking for a new one, just because you complained about it. Instead, it makes more sense to strategically plan your exit from the company.
Hating Your Job
Being in the situation where you're the person saying "I hate my job" can happen to any of us. It happens. The job might not be what you expected. Or, the job itself may be okay, but your boss or co-workers are awful. Perhaps you don't like the schedule or your customers, or whatever.
If you've reached the point where you have acknowledged that you hate the job, it's actually not a bad place to be at. At least you know and you can figure out what to do next.
Options for Staying
Don't just quit your job. You don't want to resign in haste and repent in leisure if you can't find another job fast. Begin by considering options for making the job work. Is there anything you could be doing different to be happier at work? Could you ask for a transfer or a shift change? Is there anything that would make a difference and convince you to stay?
Consider the alternatives, before you make a decision to leave. Finding a new job isn't always easy, if there's a fix, it's worth pursuing.
Get Ready to Job Search
If there's no way you can stay, that's fine, too. Again, at least you know. Don't quit your job yet though, regardless of how much you hate it. It's easier to find a job when you have a job and you probably won't be eligible for unemployment if you quit.
Instead, take the time to create or update your LinkedIn profile. Update your resume. Get some references lined up. Build your network by connecting with everyone you know on LinkedIn and the other top networking sites.
The more prepared you are before you actually start looking, the easier your job search will be.
Start a Job Search
Start a job search, quietly and discreetly. Don't broadcast the fact that you're job searching for the same reasons you're keeping quiet about about hating your job. You don't want your boss or someone else to know that you're planning to leave until you're ready to share the news.
Use the job search engines to see what jobs are available for candidates with your background. Then test the waters. Start applying for jobs and talking privately (via email, Facebook and LinkedIn messaging, etc.) with your contacts about the fact that you are seeking a new job.
These ten steps to finding a job covers everything you need to know to get your job search started and to keep it on track. Do keep in mind that it might take a while to find a new position, so be prepared for the long haul.
Moving On
When it's time to resign, I know that you probably want to shout it to the rooftops, but still don't broadcast the fact that you hated your last job. Companies check references. They ask about previous employers in interviews and what you say matters.
One applicant I interviewed spent the entire time talking about how much she hated her last job and the company she worked for. That company was my client's biggest customer. There was no way I was going to hire anyone with that big a chip on her shoulder for a job where she'd have to work with an employer she had disliked so much.
Resign Gracefully
Resign gracefully, giving two weeks notice. Offer to provide assistance during the transition and leave, as best you can, the company behind with no hard feelings.
Besides not being worth what it might cost you from a career perspective, it's also not worth the time and energy. You'll be better focused on your new job and how you can have a better experience, this time around.
MY THOUGHTS
There are days when we don't like our jobs. But when we hate our jobs, this is another issue altogether. This article is a very useful reminder. We may get to that point where we might hate our jobs - but there's professional way of dealing with the situation. never never never burn your bridges - you just don't know when you may need to cross that bridge again.
Friday, July 23, 2010
what do you do when your boss is wrong?
5 Things to Do When the Boss is Wrong
By Suzanne Lucas
July 21st, 2010 @ 3:15 am
So, it turns out that Apple knew about the antenna problems with the new Iphone, but CEO Steve Jobs liked the design. I don’t presume to know what went on internally at Apple, but I do know this: when a HIPPO (Highest Paid Person’s Opinion) appears, prepared to be trampled. I do have a few tips for avoiding the trampling. Here are 5 steps when a HIPPO threatens your project:
1.Say, “Great idea Boss! We’ll test it.” This comes directly from Jim Sterne who introduced the term to me through my BNET colleague, Sean Silverman. This gives you some time.
2.Test with an Open Mind. So, it turns out that some of those people at the top of the food chain got there because they are smart. Just because it seems stupid to you, doesn’t mean it’s stupid. So, test the HIPPO’s idea. You may be surprised. But, if you’re not and it’s a bad, bad, bad idea then…
3.Document, Document, Document. A casual stop by the CEOs office to say, “So, Sally, we looked into that rubber-snake-designer-jeans idea you had and, well, nobody likes it. See you later!” will not fly. Actual numbers will. Focus group data that says, “Gee this antenna problem is a BIG DEAL” is much more convincing. Make sure you have your data and present it professionally. But if the HIPPO still wants this solution then…
4.Don’t Whine, Problem Solve. In my experience, HIPPOs want what they want, dang it, and sometimes they just won’t listen. So, figure out how to solve the problem. So, you’ve tested it and the results show problems. It’s time to problem solve. CEO and BNET writer Margaret Heffernan has a rule that all complaints must come with a solution. So, don’t complain. Come up with a solution and be prepared to present all the costs involved in the solution.
5.Get on board. Unless the HIPPO’s idea is illegal or immoral (in which case you should blow the whistle), you’ve made your case and now you need to get on board. You’re being paid to work for the HIPPO, so after you’ve done your best, you need to do what he or she wants. I know it’s unpleasant, but it’s the reality. If it’s just so terrible that you can’t support it, then it’s time to leave the company.
Following these steps can often stop the stampede–or at least lessen the impact. Just be prepared whenever a HIPPO walks into the room.
MY THOUGHTS
as a boss, i make mistakes, for sure. a lot. that's because as bosses, we don't know everything. but we are HIPPOs (not necessarily the highest paid in the organization, but should get higher pay than the staff) because we should know how to take risks. taking risks means, sometimes making mistakes. and when we do, i would love having staff who can do steps 1-5. for staff who seem to think trhey are better than the boss, no. 5 will be difficult. it will take maturity, and wisdom, to realize and accept that even if the boss is wrong, he's still the boss. as a subordinate, it's still a responsibility to give the boss some warning. at the end of the day, he decides, we obey.
By Suzanne Lucas
July 21st, 2010 @ 3:15 am
So, it turns out that Apple knew about the antenna problems with the new Iphone, but CEO Steve Jobs liked the design. I don’t presume to know what went on internally at Apple, but I do know this: when a HIPPO (Highest Paid Person’s Opinion) appears, prepared to be trampled. I do have a few tips for avoiding the trampling. Here are 5 steps when a HIPPO threatens your project:
1.Say, “Great idea Boss! We’ll test it.” This comes directly from Jim Sterne who introduced the term to me through my BNET colleague, Sean Silverman. This gives you some time.
2.Test with an Open Mind. So, it turns out that some of those people at the top of the food chain got there because they are smart. Just because it seems stupid to you, doesn’t mean it’s stupid. So, test the HIPPO’s idea. You may be surprised. But, if you’re not and it’s a bad, bad, bad idea then…
3.Document, Document, Document. A casual stop by the CEOs office to say, “So, Sally, we looked into that rubber-snake-designer-jeans idea you had and, well, nobody likes it. See you later!” will not fly. Actual numbers will. Focus group data that says, “Gee this antenna problem is a BIG DEAL” is much more convincing. Make sure you have your data and present it professionally. But if the HIPPO still wants this solution then…
4.Don’t Whine, Problem Solve. In my experience, HIPPOs want what they want, dang it, and sometimes they just won’t listen. So, figure out how to solve the problem. So, you’ve tested it and the results show problems. It’s time to problem solve. CEO and BNET writer Margaret Heffernan has a rule that all complaints must come with a solution. So, don’t complain. Come up with a solution and be prepared to present all the costs involved in the solution.
5.Get on board. Unless the HIPPO’s idea is illegal or immoral (in which case you should blow the whistle), you’ve made your case and now you need to get on board. You’re being paid to work for the HIPPO, so after you’ve done your best, you need to do what he or she wants. I know it’s unpleasant, but it’s the reality. If it’s just so terrible that you can’t support it, then it’s time to leave the company.
Following these steps can often stop the stampede–or at least lessen the impact. Just be prepared whenever a HIPPO walks into the room.
MY THOUGHTS
as a boss, i make mistakes, for sure. a lot. that's because as bosses, we don't know everything. but we are HIPPOs (not necessarily the highest paid in the organization, but should get higher pay than the staff) because we should know how to take risks. taking risks means, sometimes making mistakes. and when we do, i would love having staff who can do steps 1-5. for staff who seem to think trhey are better than the boss, no. 5 will be difficult. it will take maturity, and wisdom, to realize and accept that even if the boss is wrong, he's still the boss. as a subordinate, it's still a responsibility to give the boss some warning. at the end of the day, he decides, we obey.
Friday, July 2, 2010
11 Ways to be Productive When You're Brain Dead
11 Ways to be Productive When You're Brain Dead
By Steve Tobak
Ever have one of those days when you wake up but your brain doesn’t? Come on; tell the truth. Hell, it happens to me all the time. There are dozens of causes: overwork, overstress, lack of sleep, too much fun the night before, temporary depression, sick of a never-ending project, or just plain lazy, to name a few. Sometimes the old noggin just doesn’t want to work. Do you blame it?
On days like that, you essentially have four choices: Stay home, try to have a normal day and probably screw it up, exercise, or adjust. Since I don’t consider the first two choices real options, at least not for me or most executives, and when I don’t feel like thinking I sure as hell don’t feel like exercising, I decided long ago to find ways to adjust, to make the most of those days when my brain’s on autopilot.
As it turns out, there are certain types of tasks that most of us either have to do or should do, even managers and top level executives, that don’t require you to be at the top of your game. Of course, you may have to crank up your willpower to get started, but the point is that, once you do - get started - you’ll cruise right through these ….
11 Ways to be Productive When You’re Brain Dead
1.Work on the graphics, special effects, or slide show timing of a Powerpoint presentation. Creative work that doesn’t require intense thought.
2.Hold one-on-one meetings with your staff or peers, ask them how you can improve, and really listen to what they have to say.
3.Let your mind wonder and brainstorm. You see, when you’re conscious mind is tired, your subconscious sort of kicks in and takes up the slack. You’d be amazed at what you can tap into. I get some of my best ideas when I’m half asleep or not even thinking.
4.Walk around, talk to people, let your guard down, be yourself.
5.If you happen to be writing something, do an outline. The final product always turns out better that way and outlining is methodical work that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower.
6.Check out what the competition is doing. Do a little digging, call some contacts to get some competitive G2.
7.Try a change of scenery, like working outside for a change.
8.Schmooze with some vendors or partners. No, I’m not saying completely waste people’s time, I’m talking about checking in and asking open questions that you usually don’t ask.
9.Take your administrative assistant or favorite employee out for a long lunch and really get to know them.
10.Do your expense reports. Yes, my least favorite too, but it is more or less brainless work.
11.Clean off your desk. Granted, this one really sucks, but you feel such a sense of accomplishment when you’re done, it almost makes it worthwhile.
Now, assuming that each one of you has a brain, which I sincerely hope isn’t too much of a stretch, and that’s it’s not always operating at peak efficiency, what do you do to make the best of it?
MY THOUGHTS
of course it happens - your brain just stopped working. and quite often when you're not happy about what you're doing. or when there are just too many things happening at the same time. it's good to know there are at least 11 ways of switching on your brain that went somewhere. personally, i think it's good to be brain dead once in a while. just for the overworked brain to rest. but not when you have a board meeting the next day and you end up fouling up your report. that's not gonna be brain dead. that's gonna be simply - dead!!!!
By Steve Tobak
Ever have one of those days when you wake up but your brain doesn’t? Come on; tell the truth. Hell, it happens to me all the time. There are dozens of causes: overwork, overstress, lack of sleep, too much fun the night before, temporary depression, sick of a never-ending project, or just plain lazy, to name a few. Sometimes the old noggin just doesn’t want to work. Do you blame it?
On days like that, you essentially have four choices: Stay home, try to have a normal day and probably screw it up, exercise, or adjust. Since I don’t consider the first two choices real options, at least not for me or most executives, and when I don’t feel like thinking I sure as hell don’t feel like exercising, I decided long ago to find ways to adjust, to make the most of those days when my brain’s on autopilot.
As it turns out, there are certain types of tasks that most of us either have to do or should do, even managers and top level executives, that don’t require you to be at the top of your game. Of course, you may have to crank up your willpower to get started, but the point is that, once you do - get started - you’ll cruise right through these ….
11 Ways to be Productive When You’re Brain Dead
1.Work on the graphics, special effects, or slide show timing of a Powerpoint presentation. Creative work that doesn’t require intense thought.
2.Hold one-on-one meetings with your staff or peers, ask them how you can improve, and really listen to what they have to say.
3.Let your mind wonder and brainstorm. You see, when you’re conscious mind is tired, your subconscious sort of kicks in and takes up the slack. You’d be amazed at what you can tap into. I get some of my best ideas when I’m half asleep or not even thinking.
4.Walk around, talk to people, let your guard down, be yourself.
5.If you happen to be writing something, do an outline. The final product always turns out better that way and outlining is methodical work that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower.
6.Check out what the competition is doing. Do a little digging, call some contacts to get some competitive G2.
7.Try a change of scenery, like working outside for a change.
8.Schmooze with some vendors or partners. No, I’m not saying completely waste people’s time, I’m talking about checking in and asking open questions that you usually don’t ask.
9.Take your administrative assistant or favorite employee out for a long lunch and really get to know them.
10.Do your expense reports. Yes, my least favorite too, but it is more or less brainless work.
11.Clean off your desk. Granted, this one really sucks, but you feel such a sense of accomplishment when you’re done, it almost makes it worthwhile.
Now, assuming that each one of you has a brain, which I sincerely hope isn’t too much of a stretch, and that’s it’s not always operating at peak efficiency, what do you do to make the best of it?
MY THOUGHTS
of course it happens - your brain just stopped working. and quite often when you're not happy about what you're doing. or when there are just too many things happening at the same time. it's good to know there are at least 11 ways of switching on your brain that went somewhere. personally, i think it's good to be brain dead once in a while. just for the overworked brain to rest. but not when you have a board meeting the next day and you end up fouling up your report. that's not gonna be brain dead. that's gonna be simply - dead!!!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
are you a procrastinator or an incubator?
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010
Waiting until the last minute to tackle important projects doesn't mean you're a procrastinator—it could just mean that your mind works better under pressure.
As a university instructor, the close of each academic term is always the same for me: I get a flurry of apologetic e-mails from panicked students who have put off their homework and term papers until the last possible moment. They beg for an extension. Procrastination is a phenomenon that is familiar to everyone, even outside of academia.
Who really likes to wash laundry, balance checkbooks or fill out complicated tax forms? Most folks put these activities off in favor of more pleasant pastimes like socializing, going out to eat or reading a good book. Procrastination is the result of having very little motivation for a boring or unpleasant activity and it is something everyone experiences. The real problem is that procrastination can sometimes overshadow a hidden strength.
Incubation Is Not Procrastination
I once coached an extraordinary young man, whom I'll call Mark. Mark was at the tail end of his training at a prestigious medical school. When we met on a Monday of his last week, Mark told me he felt the stress of a number of weighty assignments, all of which had pressing deadlines. He had only a handful of days to write applications for internships, turn in final papers and secure letters of recommendation. It was a tremendous amount of difficult work to be completed in a short period of time. Mark asked me to check back with him midweek to crack the whip and make sure he was still making progress on his work. When we spoke again on Wednesday, Mark had fallen into a deep funk. Not only was there no progress, but he had frittered away hours in meaningless pastimes like downloading music and walking in the park.
Mark uttered the all-too-familiar phrase, "I am such a procrastinator!" He vilified himself for checking e-mail, having lunch with his wife and other activities that appeared to be in the service of avoiding his more pressing tasks. Something about the word "procrastinator" just didn't fit with what I was seeing. Here was a young man about to graduate from an elite medical school with a flawless academic record extending back into his middle school years. My instincts told me that it was not a lifetime of chronic procrastination that led Mark to his current situation. On a hunch, I asked him a crucial question, "When you get around to completing your work—and we both know that you eventually will—how will the quality be?" My client seemed taken aback by the question. He answered with confidence, a single word: "Superior!"
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010 Comment (1) Email Print Share I Like It I realized, in that moment, that there may be a subtle but important difference between the "back burner" mentality I saw in my client and the traditional way a procrastinator works.
Procrastinators may have a habit of putting off important work. They may not ever get to projects or leave projects half finished. Importantly, when they do complete projects, the quality might be mediocre as a result of their lack of engagement or inability to work well under pressure. What Mark presented was something qualitatively different: a clear sense of deadlines, confidence that the work would be complete on time, certainty that the work would be of superior quality and the ability to subconsciously process important ideas while doing other—often recreational—activities. I realized I was looking at a strength, one I called "incubator." When I shared this term with Mark, he felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.
What Does Incubation Mean?
One of the greatest difficulties with identifying an incubator is that they often look like procrastinators. People with both work styles tend to put off work until the last moment, and both seem to be best motivated by external pressures such as deadlines. Importantly, people with both work styles are likely to be hard on themselves and consider themselves lazy. In a pilot study with 184 undergraduate university students, we were able to isolate specific items that distinguished incubators from the rest of the pack. Incubators were the only students who had superior-quality work but who also worked at the last moment, under pressure, motivated by a looming deadline. This set them apart from the classic "good students," the planners who strategically start working long before assignments are due, and from the procrastinators, who wait until the last minute but then hand in shoddy work or hand it in late.
For most incubators, having a label that is less pejorative than "procrastinator" can be a breath of fresh air. Incubators tend to be bright, creative people with an amazing gift to work hard under pressure. As such, they can be very dependable in work situations that require last-minute changes or tight deadlines. The other side of this coin is that they can be frustrating to work with because they appear to sit idle for so long. For incubators, it can be as helpful to appraise friends, family members and co-workers of your natural work style so the people around you can adjust their expectations accordingly. Setting realistic expectations for yourself can let you off the emotional hook as you appear to waste time, solid in the knowledge that your projects will be completed when they need to be. My former coaching client, Mark, actually built in "incubation time" during which he could watch movies, listen to music or other goof-off activities, knowing that—below the surface—his mind was preparing for work and that he would snap into action when the time was right. As for my students requesting extensions for their term papers, they should have planned ahead! Are You an Incubator? Use the scale below to answer the following questions:
4 - Perfectly describes me
3 - Describes me somewhat
2 - Does not really describe me
1 - Does not describe me at all
A. _____ I always get my work completed on time.
B. _____ The quality of my work is superior.
C. _____ It takes a looming deadline to motivate me.
D. _____ When I finally get to work, I feel highly engaged.
E. _____ I surprise myself by moving into action at the last minute.
F. _____ I do my best work under pressure.
If you scored a 20 or higher, you may be an incubator.
Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology because his research on happiness has taken him to such far flung places as Greenland, India and Kenya. He currently sits on the editorial boards for the Journal of Happiness Studies and Journal of Positive Psychology and is the author of Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching, Happiness: Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth and Positive Psychology Coaching.
MY THOUGHTS
If I don't watch it, I can be an incubator. Working under pressure has always been part of my job description. years of practice can make you think you're an expert. because you are able to deliver, somehow you thing you're good. that it's a competency you should be proud of.like everything else incubation has its downside. ad our works tyle affects everyone else - at home and at work. so, incubation should be a style we use only sparingly and not all the time.
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010
Waiting until the last minute to tackle important projects doesn't mean you're a procrastinator—it could just mean that your mind works better under pressure.
As a university instructor, the close of each academic term is always the same for me: I get a flurry of apologetic e-mails from panicked students who have put off their homework and term papers until the last possible moment. They beg for an extension. Procrastination is a phenomenon that is familiar to everyone, even outside of academia.
Who really likes to wash laundry, balance checkbooks or fill out complicated tax forms? Most folks put these activities off in favor of more pleasant pastimes like socializing, going out to eat or reading a good book. Procrastination is the result of having very little motivation for a boring or unpleasant activity and it is something everyone experiences. The real problem is that procrastination can sometimes overshadow a hidden strength.
Incubation Is Not Procrastination
I once coached an extraordinary young man, whom I'll call Mark. Mark was at the tail end of his training at a prestigious medical school. When we met on a Monday of his last week, Mark told me he felt the stress of a number of weighty assignments, all of which had pressing deadlines. He had only a handful of days to write applications for internships, turn in final papers and secure letters of recommendation. It was a tremendous amount of difficult work to be completed in a short period of time. Mark asked me to check back with him midweek to crack the whip and make sure he was still making progress on his work. When we spoke again on Wednesday, Mark had fallen into a deep funk. Not only was there no progress, but he had frittered away hours in meaningless pastimes like downloading music and walking in the park.
Mark uttered the all-too-familiar phrase, "I am such a procrastinator!" He vilified himself for checking e-mail, having lunch with his wife and other activities that appeared to be in the service of avoiding his more pressing tasks. Something about the word "procrastinator" just didn't fit with what I was seeing. Here was a young man about to graduate from an elite medical school with a flawless academic record extending back into his middle school years. My instincts told me that it was not a lifetime of chronic procrastination that led Mark to his current situation. On a hunch, I asked him a crucial question, "When you get around to completing your work—and we both know that you eventually will—how will the quality be?" My client seemed taken aback by the question. He answered with confidence, a single word: "Superior!"
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010 Comment (1) Email Print Share I Like It I realized, in that moment, that there may be a subtle but important difference between the "back burner" mentality I saw in my client and the traditional way a procrastinator works.
Procrastinators may have a habit of putting off important work. They may not ever get to projects or leave projects half finished. Importantly, when they do complete projects, the quality might be mediocre as a result of their lack of engagement or inability to work well under pressure. What Mark presented was something qualitatively different: a clear sense of deadlines, confidence that the work would be complete on time, certainty that the work would be of superior quality and the ability to subconsciously process important ideas while doing other—often recreational—activities. I realized I was looking at a strength, one I called "incubator." When I shared this term with Mark, he felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.
What Does Incubation Mean?
One of the greatest difficulties with identifying an incubator is that they often look like procrastinators. People with both work styles tend to put off work until the last moment, and both seem to be best motivated by external pressures such as deadlines. Importantly, people with both work styles are likely to be hard on themselves and consider themselves lazy. In a pilot study with 184 undergraduate university students, we were able to isolate specific items that distinguished incubators from the rest of the pack. Incubators were the only students who had superior-quality work but who also worked at the last moment, under pressure, motivated by a looming deadline. This set them apart from the classic "good students," the planners who strategically start working long before assignments are due, and from the procrastinators, who wait until the last minute but then hand in shoddy work or hand it in late.
For most incubators, having a label that is less pejorative than "procrastinator" can be a breath of fresh air. Incubators tend to be bright, creative people with an amazing gift to work hard under pressure. As such, they can be very dependable in work situations that require last-minute changes or tight deadlines. The other side of this coin is that they can be frustrating to work with because they appear to sit idle for so long. For incubators, it can be as helpful to appraise friends, family members and co-workers of your natural work style so the people around you can adjust their expectations accordingly. Setting realistic expectations for yourself can let you off the emotional hook as you appear to waste time, solid in the knowledge that your projects will be completed when they need to be. My former coaching client, Mark, actually built in "incubation time" during which he could watch movies, listen to music or other goof-off activities, knowing that—below the surface—his mind was preparing for work and that he would snap into action when the time was right. As for my students requesting extensions for their term papers, they should have planned ahead! Are You an Incubator? Use the scale below to answer the following questions:
4 - Perfectly describes me
3 - Describes me somewhat
2 - Does not really describe me
1 - Does not describe me at all
A. _____ I always get my work completed on time.
B. _____ The quality of my work is superior.
C. _____ It takes a looming deadline to motivate me.
D. _____ When I finally get to work, I feel highly engaged.
E. _____ I surprise myself by moving into action at the last minute.
F. _____ I do my best work under pressure.
If you scored a 20 or higher, you may be an incubator.
Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology because his research on happiness has taken him to such far flung places as Greenland, India and Kenya. He currently sits on the editorial boards for the Journal of Happiness Studies and Journal of Positive Psychology and is the author of Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching, Happiness: Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth and Positive Psychology Coaching.
MY THOUGHTS
If I don't watch it, I can be an incubator. Working under pressure has always been part of my job description. years of practice can make you think you're an expert. because you are able to deliver, somehow you thing you're good. that it's a competency you should be proud of.like everything else incubation has its downside. ad our works tyle affects everyone else - at home and at work. so, incubation should be a style we use only sparingly and not all the time.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010
Waiting until the last minute to tackle important projects doesn't mean you're a procrastinator—it could just mean that your mind works better under pressure.
As a university instructor, the close of each academic term is always the same for me: I get a flurry of apologetic e-mails from panicked students who have put off their homework and term papers until the last possible moment. They beg for an extension. Procrastination is a phenomenon that is familiar to everyone, even outside of academia.
Who really likes to wash laundry, balance checkbooks or fill out complicated tax forms? Most folks put these activities off in favor of more pleasant pastimes like socializing, going out to eat or reading a good book. Procrastination is the result of having very little motivation for a boring or unpleasant activity and it is something everyone experiences. The real problem is that procrastination can sometimes overshadow a hidden strength.
Incubation Is Not Procrastination
I once coached an extraordinary young man, whom I'll call Mark. Mark was at the tail end of his training at a prestigious medical school. When we met on a Monday of his last week, Mark told me he felt the stress of a number of weighty assignments, all of which had pressing deadlines. He had only a handful of days to write applications for internships, turn in final papers and secure letters of recommendation. It was a tremendous amount of difficult work to be completed in a short period of time. Mark asked me to check back with him midweek to crack the whip and make sure he was still making progress on his work. When we spoke again on Wednesday, Mark had fallen into a deep funk. Not only was there no progress, but he had frittered away hours in meaningless pastimes like downloading music and walking in the park.
Mark uttered the all-too-familiar phrase, "I am such a procrastinator!" He vilified himself for checking e-mail, having lunch with his wife and other activities that appeared to be in the service of avoiding his more pressing tasks. Something about the word "procrastinator" just didn't fit with what I was seeing. Here was a young man about to graduate from an elite medical school with a flawless academic record extending back into his middle school years. My instincts told me that it was not a lifetime of chronic procrastination that led Mark to his current situation. On a hunch, I asked him a crucial question, "When you get around to completing your work—and we both know that you eventually will—how will the quality be?" My client seemed taken aback by the question. He answered with confidence, a single word: "Superior!"
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010 Comment (1) Email Print Share I Like It I realized, in that moment, that there may be a subtle but important difference between the "back burner" mentality I saw in my client and the traditional way a procrastinator works.
Procrastinators may have a habit of putting off important work. They may not ever get to projects or leave projects half finished. Importantly, when they do complete projects, the quality might be mediocre as a result of their lack of engagement or inability to work well under pressure. What Mark presented was something qualitatively different: a clear sense of deadlines, confidence that the work would be complete on time, certainty that the work would be of superior quality and the ability to subconsciously process important ideas while doing other—often recreational—activities. I realized I was looking at a strength, one I called "incubator." When I shared this term with Mark, he felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.
What Does Incubation Mean?
One of the greatest difficulties with identifying an incubator is that they often look like procrastinators. People with both work styles tend to put off work until the last moment, and both seem to be best motivated by external pressures such as deadlines. Importantly, people with both work styles are likely to be hard on themselves and consider themselves lazy. In a pilot study with 184 undergraduate university students, we were able to isolate specific items that distinguished incubators from the rest of the pack. Incubators were the only students who had superior-quality work but who also worked at the last moment, under pressure, motivated by a looming deadline. This set them apart from the classic "good students," the planners who strategically start working long before assignments are due, and from the procrastinators, who wait until the last minute but then hand in shoddy work or hand it in late.
For most incubators, having a label that is less pejorative than "procrastinator" can be a breath of fresh air. Incubators tend to be bright, creative people with an amazing gift to work hard under pressure. As such, they can be very dependable in work situations that require last-minute changes or tight deadlines. The other side of this coin is that they can be frustrating to work with because they appear to sit idle for so long. For incubators, it can be as helpful to appraise friends, family members and co-workers of your natural work style so the people around you can adjust their expectations accordingly. Setting realistic expectations for yourself can let you off the emotional hook as you appear to waste time, solid in the knowledge that your projects will be completed when they need to be. My former coaching client, Mark, actually built in "incubation time" during which he could watch movies, listen to music or other goof-off activities, knowing that—below the surface—his mind was preparing for work and that he would snap into action when the time was right. As for my students requesting extensions for their term papers, they should have planned ahead! Are You an Incubator? Use the scale below to answer the following questions:
4 - Perfectly describes me
3 - Describes me somewhat
2 - Does not really describe me
1 - Does not describe me at all
A. _____ I always get my work completed on time.
B. _____ The quality of my work is superior.
C. _____ It takes a looming deadline to motivate me.
D. _____ When I finally get to work, I feel highly engaged.
E. _____ I surprise myself by moving into action at the last minute.
F. _____ I do my best work under pressure.
If you scored a 20 or higher, you may be an incubator.
Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology because his research on happiness has taken him to such far flung places as Greenland, India and Kenya. He currently sits on the editorial boards for the Journal of Happiness Studies and Journal of Positive Psychology and is the author of Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching, Happiness: Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth and Positive Psychology Coaching.
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010
Waiting until the last minute to tackle important projects doesn't mean you're a procrastinator—it could just mean that your mind works better under pressure.
As a university instructor, the close of each academic term is always the same for me: I get a flurry of apologetic e-mails from panicked students who have put off their homework and term papers until the last possible moment. They beg for an extension. Procrastination is a phenomenon that is familiar to everyone, even outside of academia.
Who really likes to wash laundry, balance checkbooks or fill out complicated tax forms? Most folks put these activities off in favor of more pleasant pastimes like socializing, going out to eat or reading a good book. Procrastination is the result of having very little motivation for a boring or unpleasant activity and it is something everyone experiences. The real problem is that procrastination can sometimes overshadow a hidden strength.
Incubation Is Not Procrastination
I once coached an extraordinary young man, whom I'll call Mark. Mark was at the tail end of his training at a prestigious medical school. When we met on a Monday of his last week, Mark told me he felt the stress of a number of weighty assignments, all of which had pressing deadlines. He had only a handful of days to write applications for internships, turn in final papers and secure letters of recommendation. It was a tremendous amount of difficult work to be completed in a short period of time. Mark asked me to check back with him midweek to crack the whip and make sure he was still making progress on his work. When we spoke again on Wednesday, Mark had fallen into a deep funk. Not only was there no progress, but he had frittered away hours in meaningless pastimes like downloading music and walking in the park.
Mark uttered the all-too-familiar phrase, "I am such a procrastinator!" He vilified himself for checking e-mail, having lunch with his wife and other activities that appeared to be in the service of avoiding his more pressing tasks. Something about the word "procrastinator" just didn't fit with what I was seeing. Here was a young man about to graduate from an elite medical school with a flawless academic record extending back into his middle school years. My instincts told me that it was not a lifetime of chronic procrastination that led Mark to his current situation. On a hunch, I asked him a crucial question, "When you get around to completing your work—and we both know that you eventually will—how will the quality be?" My client seemed taken aback by the question. He answered with confidence, a single word: "Superior!"
The 11th Hour: How Working Under Pressure Can Be a Strength
By Robert Biswas-Diener
Original Content | January 12, 2010 Comment (1) Email Print Share I Like It I realized, in that moment, that there may be a subtle but important difference between the "back burner" mentality I saw in my client and the traditional way a procrastinator works.
Procrastinators may have a habit of putting off important work. They may not ever get to projects or leave projects half finished. Importantly, when they do complete projects, the quality might be mediocre as a result of their lack of engagement or inability to work well under pressure. What Mark presented was something qualitatively different: a clear sense of deadlines, confidence that the work would be complete on time, certainty that the work would be of superior quality and the ability to subconsciously process important ideas while doing other—often recreational—activities. I realized I was looking at a strength, one I called "incubator." When I shared this term with Mark, he felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.
What Does Incubation Mean?
One of the greatest difficulties with identifying an incubator is that they often look like procrastinators. People with both work styles tend to put off work until the last moment, and both seem to be best motivated by external pressures such as deadlines. Importantly, people with both work styles are likely to be hard on themselves and consider themselves lazy. In a pilot study with 184 undergraduate university students, we were able to isolate specific items that distinguished incubators from the rest of the pack. Incubators were the only students who had superior-quality work but who also worked at the last moment, under pressure, motivated by a looming deadline. This set them apart from the classic "good students," the planners who strategically start working long before assignments are due, and from the procrastinators, who wait until the last minute but then hand in shoddy work or hand it in late.
For most incubators, having a label that is less pejorative than "procrastinator" can be a breath of fresh air. Incubators tend to be bright, creative people with an amazing gift to work hard under pressure. As such, they can be very dependable in work situations that require last-minute changes or tight deadlines. The other side of this coin is that they can be frustrating to work with because they appear to sit idle for so long. For incubators, it can be as helpful to appraise friends, family members and co-workers of your natural work style so the people around you can adjust their expectations accordingly. Setting realistic expectations for yourself can let you off the emotional hook as you appear to waste time, solid in the knowledge that your projects will be completed when they need to be. My former coaching client, Mark, actually built in "incubation time" during which he could watch movies, listen to music or other goof-off activities, knowing that—below the surface—his mind was preparing for work and that he would snap into action when the time was right. As for my students requesting extensions for their term papers, they should have planned ahead! Are You an Incubator? Use the scale below to answer the following questions:
4 - Perfectly describes me
3 - Describes me somewhat
2 - Does not really describe me
1 - Does not describe me at all
A. _____ I always get my work completed on time.
B. _____ The quality of my work is superior.
C. _____ It takes a looming deadline to motivate me.
D. _____ When I finally get to work, I feel highly engaged.
E. _____ I surprise myself by moving into action at the last minute.
F. _____ I do my best work under pressure.
If you scored a 20 or higher, you may be an incubator.
Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology because his research on happiness has taken him to such far flung places as Greenland, India and Kenya. He currently sits on the editorial boards for the Journal of Happiness Studies and Journal of Positive Psychology and is the author of Practicing Positive Psychology Coaching, Happiness: Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth and Positive Psychology Coaching.
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