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Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Building Circles now at www.alphakor.com/blog/
Building Circles blog will continue to be published Wednesday mornings. Go to http://www.alphakor.com/blog/ for the latest topic.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Getting all the Facts
Do you ever jump to conclusions and find out later you did not have all the facts? This happens more often than we think. Take a look at your daily routine and all the assumptions you make.
It is very true about the saying "knowledge is power". I'd like to share a story with you which I've adapted to my version for this topic. Let's call it The Dad on the Subway.
Two random strangers were in a subway car, when a dad enters with two young children. This man has bloodshot eyes, he looks tired and has two day old stubble. He sits down and leans forward with his hands on his face.
His two children are running around from end-to-end in the subway car. They are yelling loudly. The first man is catching up on e-mails and keeps looking up from dad to the children. He is really put out as he cannot focus on his e-mails. He draws his own conclusion about this dad and shakes his head.
The second man is reading an e-book and keeps getting distracted with all the noise. He also looks up at the dad and the two children. He makes his own assumptions about this dad.
The first man gets, leaves at the next stop and heads home. At home, his wife asks how his day was. He replies it was the same old routine at work and shares what made him upset on the way home. He describes the dad as an alcoholic and unemployed who is incapable of holding down a job or taking care of his kids. He is confident with his observation because he has seen guys like this before and he knows.
The second man decides to finally get up, and approach the man. He stands before him, clears his throat and says "Excuse me sir, it really is not my business, but do you not notice your kids are making a lot of noise. Can you ask them to settle down a bit?"
The man removes his hands from his face and he is crying. He looks up and says "We just came from the hospital and their mother died. I have no idea how to tell them and what I am going to do now." The second man sits next to him, puts his arm around his shoulder and says he is so sorry and can he help.
Go back and read the beginning when you first meet the dad. Compare your original thoughts about him to your thoughts when you found out about his wife. Are you like the second man who is bothered by his assumptions before he found out the reason why the dad just sat there?
Here's something to really ponder: The first man and the second man can be the same person on any given day. See how different you are when you get all the facts? Ask questions, seek knowledge and judge later.
Thanks to Win Harwood where I heard this story as part of her explanation of a paradigm shift in Dads Make a Difference class.
It is very true about the saying "knowledge is power". I'd like to share a story with you which I've adapted to my version for this topic. Let's call it The Dad on the Subway.
Two random strangers were in a subway car, when a dad enters with two young children. This man has bloodshot eyes, he looks tired and has two day old stubble. He sits down and leans forward with his hands on his face.
His two children are running around from end-to-end in the subway car. They are yelling loudly. The first man is catching up on e-mails and keeps looking up from dad to the children. He is really put out as he cannot focus on his e-mails. He draws his own conclusion about this dad and shakes his head.
The second man is reading an e-book and keeps getting distracted with all the noise. He also looks up at the dad and the two children. He makes his own assumptions about this dad.
The first man gets, leaves at the next stop and heads home. At home, his wife asks how his day was. He replies it was the same old routine at work and shares what made him upset on the way home. He describes the dad as an alcoholic and unemployed who is incapable of holding down a job or taking care of his kids. He is confident with his observation because he has seen guys like this before and he knows.
The second man decides to finally get up, and approach the man. He stands before him, clears his throat and says "Excuse me sir, it really is not my business, but do you not notice your kids are making a lot of noise. Can you ask them to settle down a bit?"
The man removes his hands from his face and he is crying. He looks up and says "We just came from the hospital and their mother died. I have no idea how to tell them and what I am going to do now." The second man sits next to him, puts his arm around his shoulder and says he is so sorry and can he help.
Go back and read the beginning when you first meet the dad. Compare your original thoughts about him to your thoughts when you found out about his wife. Are you like the second man who is bothered by his assumptions before he found out the reason why the dad just sat there?
Here's something to really ponder: The first man and the second man can be the same person on any given day. See how different you are when you get all the facts? Ask questions, seek knowledge and judge later.
Thanks to Win Harwood where I heard this story as part of her explanation of a paradigm shift in Dads Make a Difference class.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
What are your Daily Habits?
Several of you have asked about daily habits and here is a revisit to this topic from over a year ago. Keep sending your comments and feedback.
1. Prioritizing Tasks
Always a challenge due to the fact every task usually feels like a top priority. Follow a simple rule: FIFO which means First In, First Out. With the exception of adding a certain new task you feel is a higher priority, add it as the next task or near the top of the list. Make this the exception to the FIFO rule. If you fall into the trap of LIFO (Last In, First Out) each task goes to the top and nothing gets completed.
2. Follow Through
If you commit to following up then you need to ensure this is near the top of the list. How many times do we hear "still have not heard from them". Consistently following up on all your promises is an excellent daily habit.
3. Be Pro-Active
What activities in both your professional and personal life can you be pro-active in? Sure most mornings when it is bitterly cold out it is easier to work in the home office instead of going out to the Club to workout. You know the end result here. Always glad the choice was made to go out instead of procrastinating another day. This is my version of "Just Do It". This is the reason why "busy" people get things done!
4. Expand your Knowledge
Be open to learning each and every day. Daily habits to build here are to ask more questions, listen attentively, watch podcasts, read blogs and read books. You do not have to know a lot of trivial things, however, you should be somewhat aware of newsworthy events so you can be part of daily conversation. Adding what you learned as it applies to the topic helps moving the dialogue forward.
5. Balance
This is the most challenging of all. Balance work, personal and leisure time. Create a good balance so you can feel refreshed and even rejuvenated each and every day. OK some days the scale tips to the professional hat especially when it is so easy to work from anywhere such as the home office. Make the time for yourself, your family and your friends to bring a daily balance to your life.
What are your Daily Habits?
1. Prioritizing Tasks
Always a challenge due to the fact every task usually feels like a top priority. Follow a simple rule: FIFO which means First In, First Out. With the exception of adding a certain new task you feel is a higher priority, add it as the next task or near the top of the list. Make this the exception to the FIFO rule. If you fall into the trap of LIFO (Last In, First Out) each task goes to the top and nothing gets completed.
2. Follow Through
If you commit to following up then you need to ensure this is near the top of the list. How many times do we hear "still have not heard from them". Consistently following up on all your promises is an excellent daily habit.
3. Be Pro-Active
What activities in both your professional and personal life can you be pro-active in? Sure most mornings when it is bitterly cold out it is easier to work in the home office instead of going out to the Club to workout. You know the end result here. Always glad the choice was made to go out instead of procrastinating another day. This is my version of "Just Do It". This is the reason why "busy" people get things done!
4. Expand your Knowledge
Be open to learning each and every day. Daily habits to build here are to ask more questions, listen attentively, watch podcasts, read blogs and read books. You do not have to know a lot of trivial things, however, you should be somewhat aware of newsworthy events so you can be part of daily conversation. Adding what you learned as it applies to the topic helps moving the dialogue forward.
5. Balance
This is the most challenging of all. Balance work, personal and leisure time. Create a good balance so you can feel refreshed and even rejuvenated each and every day. OK some days the scale tips to the professional hat especially when it is so easy to work from anywhere such as the home office. Make the time for yourself, your family and your friends to bring a daily balance to your life.
What are your Daily Habits?
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