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#lifehack
There is the new thing. And the new, new thing. The previously new thing is now not so new (borderline old). There is the new that makes the news. There is the new that is so new it’s stealthily secret. We are obsessed with the new. New is piling up everywhere.
I heard Brene Brown speak recently and she proposed that courage and comfort couldn’t co-exist. If you are comfortable, you are not acting very courageous. Where are you on that spectrum? What are you willing to give up to get what?
“Success is making those who believed in you look brilliant.” – Dharmesh Shah
This is the first year ever that my family is going to be out of our home country during the holiday season. Although not everyone will travel to exotic (and warm!) locales during this traditional vacation-laden time of the year, but there are three reasons why everyone should consider taking a proper break during the holidays.
It sounds strange for me to defend the value of a vacation, but the statistics are pretty alarming: US workers simply don’t utilize their time off. I assume it is similar worldwide. Vacation hours, even the “use it or lose it variety,” go unused. And in the modern era of always-connected, device-toting knowledge workers, even days of PTO can be consumed with email, texts, and keeping tabs on projects.
1. Vacations are a release valve.
We recently say the hosts of Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters in a live show at a local theater. While explaining how they caused a household water heater to explode magnificently, Adam Savage made a poignant observation. “Water,” he explained, “boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Unless it’s under pressure. Then it gets stupid and forgets to boil.” It is this expansion effect that can lead to magnificent explosions as the air trapped inside the water heater compresses and then releases.
I think we humans are the same. Under pressure, we can get stupid. We can get harried and stressed. We can do our own form of expansion as the negative parts of our personality, like our impatience or intolerance, are amplified. We forget what we were designed and gifted to do. What otherwise we’d do without thinking about (like treating strangers or co-workers with a degree of kindness), we forget.
Vacations can be a bit of a release valve. After all, pressure only builds in a closed system (like that of a sealed water heater). If some air can escape, then the water can return to it’s normal operating state. That is the hope of a vacation. To make people less stupid.
2. Vacations provide perspective.
Sometimes getting away from something can provide you a whole new perspective and a new set of solutions to draw from. Marcel Proust has been quoted that “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Many professionals in creative fields, find it useful to step away from their problems or work, to take a walk, work on something else, or even goof off a little, only to return to the work refreshed and ready to see the solution that might have been in front of them the whole time.
Although there is a temptation to get things “wrapped up” before leaving the office for the holiday, it might be wise to leave some tricky problems waiting for your return in January. You’ll return with new eyes and have a better chance of coming up with a better resolution than you might have under the pressure of deadlines in December.
3. Vacations allow us to appreciate normal
Despite the fun of the vacation and the excitement of news sights and sounds, there is always something nice about coming home again. Sleeping in your own bed. Being able to wash clothes and eat at home. The space to spread out after being cooped up in a hotel room or a car (a “little too much togetherness” at times). Sometimes getting away allows you to better appreciate “home,” even if you don’t travel far. The familiar routines take on new comforts. The places and people that you took for granted now seen through new eyes of gratitude.
So, whether you are fleeing the country for this season or staying close to home, I wish you a very merry and warm holiday! I will be seeing you and the world with new eyes this coming new year and I wish the same for you.
This article was published on LinkedIn.
The truth is a gift. Accept it. Cherish it. Re-gift it.
“By definition, remarkable things get remarked on.” – Seth Godin
As someone prone to verbosity, this phrase is a reminder that our communications should be as short as they can be, and as long as necessary.
“Delivering consistently is the key to trustworthiness.” – Matt Luzon
Most things we do have a defined beginning and end. We keep appointments. We meet deadlines. We work on projects. We deem these activities worthy for a time. Like a sprint. From firing gun to finish line. But what things are worth doing for a longer duration? What things are your marathon?
Each of us will have our own list. It could include mundane things like flossing each day to maintain your dental health. It could include specific eating or exercise habits. It could include commitments to stay close to family and friends. It includes marriages, decisions to become a parent, or involvement in causes.
I got involved with a non-profit called Marathon Scholars earlier this year and they take a long-term approach to solving the access to higher education gap among low income students in the Portland area. High potential students are selected in 4th grade and given their first college scholarship. The organization then walks with them with mentoring and educational programming until they earn their college diploma. Most will be the first people in their families to graduate from college (many are the first to graduate from high school). The program has been around long enough to see graduates exiting the program at 7x the average rate, speaking to the power of the long-term approach. A marathon, for sure.
There are opportunities for individuals to get involved in short and long-term mentoring and sponsorships. One of the most popular programs is scholarship sponsors committing to give $100 a month for 12 years to fund a scholarship. Giving in parallel to the student’s academic progress, this approach illustrates the partnership between the students that do the work necessary to generate results and the organization and the organization and the sponsors that make the mission possible. Although this kind of commitment is not required, it is a beautiful metaphor to how problems are solved for good – they take time. For more information and to see how you can get involved, see www.marathonscholars.org.
Considering an Executive MBA or graduate school? These tips, that I recently published on LinkedIn Pulse, will help you make the most of the experience.
Recently I have found myself consulting with professionals looking for career advancement, professional credentials, and the insight that comes from an executive MBA program. I went through the same decision making processes myself and have been happy to share advice on how to make the most of these programs.
1. The class is the professor. Choose wisely.
Executive education programs appeal to working professionals who have years of experience to bring to the class discussions. As a result, you are likely to learn as much from your classmates as you are from the reading and the lectures in class. As a result, the constitution of the cohort is critically important to the value of the program. So, when you are deciding on a program, ask about who else will be in the class, what businesses or industries they recruit from, and what kind of alumni programs they have for graduates.
And don’t forget the value of the post-graduation alumni network you are building. I decided, for a variety of logistics and timing reasons, to choose to travel out of state to attend Pepperdine University’s executive MBA program, who operated a satellite campus in Santa Clara, California. I’d fly every three weeks down to class. Because of the location of the program in the heart of Silicon Valley, the program had a lot of technology companies represented. This was great for me, as I had begun a career in high tech and had intended to stay in electronics. However, I did miss out on networking opportunities with my classmates during our program and after graduation, because I lived and worked in Portland, Oregon, instead of Mountain View or San Jose. I have kept in touch with many of my classmates, but not as closely as I would have if I had attended a program in the Pacific Northwest instead. Some programs have well-developed alumni networks, that host events, share a job board, and offer opportunities to network and collaborate.
2. Don’t wait to network. Use the alumni association before you are an alumni.
One of the reasons that you are likely considering an MBA is to build a professional network outside your current employer. It could be to broaden your business acumen to make a larger contribution where you are or possibly to make a career change. In any case, the network of your classmates and program alumni is critical to that effort, but you don’t have to wait until graduation.
Ask the recruiter for the school for alumni references for the program. If you are considering a career change, ask to speak to an alumni who used the degree or certificate program as a springboard to a new career. If you are wanting to change fields (from marketing to finance, from engineering to marketing, etc), ask to speak to an alumni who found the program useful with their own career moves. Not only will you start building your professional network now, but it will demonstrate to the recruiter your sincerity and resourcefulness and you are likely to learn valuable insights into program. Be sure to ask everyone you meet with for their advice on how to get the most out of the degree program. You are paying the tuition, so get the full education!
3. Use your capstone project to further your career
Most executive MBA programs include some sort of capstone project. Sometimes a team is asked to start a business. Some programs have individuals or groups do a full strategic analysis of a business, along with their recommendations. Some have projects that are presented to a panel representing industry partners, for feedback. In any case, I would encourage you to think about your assignment as a platform for your career development.
For instance, if you are looking to make a career change to a new industry, pitch a well-respected business in that industry the opportunity to work with you on your capstone project. They get free business consulting and you build your network and knowledge in this field of interest.
If you are looking to gain more responsibility at your current employer, use the capstone as an opportunity to get to know different executives and leaders at the company. For instance, if you are looking to make a move to finance, reach out to meet with the CFO and ask their advice about what finance projects might be worth your time and energy and offer to share the results with them and their staff. You gain instant visibility, you position yourself as a go-getter, and you get valuable resume-building experience that will serve you in your next role.
When considering my capstone, I met with several from the management team at my company to get advice about where I should focus. Looking back, I could have done more. I could have gone higher in the organization. I could have reached more broadly across different functions. I could have used the project, or any class assignment or the fact that I was in the program overall, as an excuse (and a good one) to connect across the organization. At the time I was enrolled in my MBA program I worked at Intel, who had 80,000 employees worldwide, and having a strong internal network helped you get things done and find your next opportunity. I see now, how I could have used the program to position myself as an emerging leader in the organization, even more than I did. My advice is don’t leave opportunities like that on the table.
Students are afforded great latitude in the business community, so if you take the risk to ask for advice or for opportunities, I have found that people are generous and will join you in your efforts to better yourself and better their business. Remember, you are helping them, while they are helping you!
An executive education is a valuable tool in your career. The purpose of education, especially the traditional case method format that is popular in business schools, is to benefit from the experience that others gained the hard way: through trial and error. You have a great opportunity to gain poise, confidence, to build your business vocabulary and skills, and build your network along the way. You will be able to measure significant personal and professional growth as you progress through your program. Identifying your professional goals is critical. Picking the right school is the start. The rest is up to you!
This doodle was inspired by a poster hanging in the Portland, Oregon offices of the marketing agency, Grady Britton. I liked the play on the traditional greeting "have a nice day," but it brought something else to mind as well. And that is that our ideas should be nice. As in, kind, generous, and gracious. They should be filled with humility and a genuine concern for others. Because our ideas are our thoughts. And our thoughts are our actions. As we start this week, have a nice idea and make the world better! Especially important as we head into November and a seasons of thanksgiving!
Interestingly enough, I got to know Grady Britton through their work with the non-profit, Marathon Scholars. I serve on Marathon's board of trustees and Grady Britton developed a great campaign for them this past year. So, I guess they were putting that poster work and having nice ideas!
A few things that I learned from researcher, author, and TED talker, Brene Brown at the recent Inbound conference interspersed with thoughts from talks from Dharmesh Shah from Hubspot and others:
In a recent talk by entrepreneur and researcher Amber Case, she was painting the picture of a future kitchen dystopia where incompatibilities between your smart refrigerator and your smart stove would cause your smart toaster to keep you from using your smart dishwasher. All of this trauma and drama, so that you can have a computer tell you whether your bananas are ripe.
“Bananas have their own built-in ripeness indicator,” she said in exasperation. “They literally change color. It’s a great system.” As it turns out, in our quickening quest for the Internet of Things, we’ve had smart fruit all along.
As most technologists know, companies, big and small, are driving toward the Internet of Things (IoT) — a world in which every device has sensors and is connected. Aimed at making data work more seamlessly in the world and in the enterprise, the IoT movement is affecting everything from wearables and medical devices to home automation and HVAC systems. In our quest for bigger and new, it is important that we not take for granted the natural sensors in our world and intrinsic motivations of the people using these devices.
I am looking out of my window at a beautiful autumn day in Oregon. The leaves are signaling the season in a naturally zero-energy (solar-powered!), renewable and sustainable — not to mention repeatable — process wrapped in a beautiful industrial design precisely tuned to its purpose. Let that inspire our efforts to innovate.
This article was published by InfoComm International.
Students and professionals alike regularly hear about the benefits of networking. They may see it as some sort of punishment or obligatory task that would require them to introduce themselves to a stranger. In professional circles, “network events” are often nothing more than shameless vendor self-promotion hidden under the guise of free food and drink. This misconception starts with an improper definition of networking and a lack of understanding of how and why to build one.
A network is simply a collection of people or resources that connect for mutual benefit. It could be the members of a club pulling together to accomplish a big vision. It could be a work team. It could be a group that joins up because of a shared interest or cause. A network effect occurs when there are enough members of the network to have the scale and reach to allow each member to contribute and benefit.
You build a network because you can’t do everything alone and neither can members of your network. Even with the wealth of the internet at our fingertips, it is useful to learn from others about what college to attend, what clubs to join, or how to improve your 5k time. It is satisfying to offer your own expertise for the benefit of others. You don’t build a network just to take. You must be purposeful about giving as well.
You have heard the adage, that to have a friend, you must be a friend. The same is true to building your network. Start by connecting to people you respect or appreciate by telling them so. Use social media invitations or a personal invitation complimenting them and saying that you’d like to stay in touch. Then simply do what you said: stay in touch. Let your network know what is going on with you. Ask questions. Ask people to refer others who might have expertise where you need it. Answer questions. Offer your expertise or make an introduction to someone you know who is a relevant expert. Be a catalyst that brings people together to discuss big ideas or practical projects to make the world a better place.
Remembering that networks are just people that are helping each other be more successful, makes it easier to build and keep your network strong.
This article was published by Saturday Academy.
The phrase "catching up" (which I use routinely) typically is referring a timeline. Something along a horizontal axis. Time has marched on and I need to "catch up" to the current point and learn what has been going on with you.
It struck me recently that this same phrase could have a different meaning. To catch something is to capture an item in motion or to observe something that might be been in secret and "up" is a reference to altitude (a vertical axis). So, to catch up with something or someone would be to see the best and them and to stop and acknowledge it. To catch someone in the act of doing their best, of feeling their best, or being their best.
And I bet if we sought to catch up in this way, we'd find a lot more examples of excellence and achievement around us!
Presentations are increasingly part of academic and professional life. Don’t bother trying to fight it. Instead, use your poised and polished presentation style as an opportunity to shine. Here are three easy techniques that will dramatically improve your presentations.
1. Practice out loud
Whether or not you have a script, practice by reading or reciting your speech out loud. Not only will this allow you to make sure it is long (or short) enough to fill your allotted time, but it will help you memorize your speech or have it flow better. Reading words on a page might be great for visual learners, but hearing your own voice say the speech and by using your real gestures and movement, you reinforce the speech through your other senses. You will also be able to identify and correct awkward word choices, rushed transitions, or tongue-twisting sentences before you are on stage.
2. Record yourself
An audio recording (from your phone) is helpful because it allows you many of the benefits of practices out loud without the hassle of having to find a private space. Record it until you get it the way you want and then listen to it using headphones. The benefits, however, of videotaping yourself are substantial. Practice your gestures, pacing off different points during your speech, making eye contact, and projecting. And for an advanced lesson, play back the video in fast forward. This is the best way to identify repetitive, and often distracting, hand motions.
3. Feel your feet
Nerves are natural. The comedian Jerry Seinfeld once noted that more people are afraid of public speaking than death, which means people would rather be in the coffin than delivering the eulogy. If you feel this way, it is perfectly normal. Sometimes that apprehension takes the form of nervous movements or rushed pace of the speech. You literally can’t wait for it to be over and it shows as you rattle off your points too fast for anyone to understand. And some of us have a lot of “performance energy” that can make us a little too bouncy during presentations. All of these can be helped by a simple move. When you take the stage, feel your feet in your shoes. Feel the shoes upon the firm ground of the floor or platform. This simple mental move will instantly quiet your body and has a calming effect that will help you slow down and keep your nerves in check.
Follow these rules and you’ll be giving your own TED talk in no time!
This article was published by Saturday Academy.
In the world of racing, there is something called a pace car. It is out in front, setting the pace and demonstrating the angles to the curves of the course. Especially in amateur racing or in educational driving experiences that people might do on race courses, the pace car is especially critical.
In our professional careers, we have pace cars as well. Leaders at your company who mentor you in the ways of the business and model the pace of decision making. Journalists, bloggers, authors, or TED talk speakers who are inspiring you with new ideas to propel you forward. Admired business leaders about whom those authors write and who blaze new trails.
And in the other ways we are the pace car for others to follow. We are setting the trajectory of the curve that will avoid risk and launch us into the straightaway.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I have often had to be my own pace car. I couldn’t look around and see mentors or role models that were helping me navigate or modeling things for me who were like me or who had blazed the trail in front of me. From tactical issues like how to dress for a board meeting or larger issues like finding my unique position as a leader were left for me to figure out. This is probably why I became a self-professed professional development junkie. This is probably why I never had a job that wasn’t created for me to a large extent. Why I wanted to work with and for smart and capable people (generally men) who would tell the truth and I have been blessed by their advocacy. Why I feel a responsibility to mentor women at my company (and there are so many talented and capable women at Planar) and the industry (through groups like Women of InfoComm Network, Women in CE, and others).
So, I have come to peace being the pace car. It no longer fazes me. In fact, I do some of my best work quickly and under pressure. I don’t mind the visibility and attention that comes with that position. I don’t fear failure as much as many do (which is both a blessing and a curse, let me assure you). I highly value feedback from those who mean it for my good. And I am constantly trying to improve my times and those who are following in my tracks.
We should be constantly asking ourselves, “who is your pace car? How can you be a pace car to others?” and using the results of that question to drive to new results.
See you on the track!
"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." - Eleanor Roosevolt
A Subject Matter Expert (SME) is a person who has experience and capability in a certain field of study or discipline. On major project teams, they are the ones who you can in to make sure that what you are proposing is technically feasible or won't break a current process or system. Although in today's fast-paced, mobile, technology-drenched environment, people are rewarded for broad curiosities and interests, there is no substitute for deep expertise in an area. So, as we begin this new week, I am challenged to think about the areas in which I am an SME and how I can go deeper to learn more to strengthen my value there and how I might make that expertise available to solve problems and create possibilities.
