Feeling That Love and Confidence

In Dilbert, Wally tries to coerce his boss into giving him a raise by threatening that he has a job offer from another company. You then see in Wally's thoughts, "..sit back and let the loving begin." But his boss is quietly speaking on the phone to security, "...whack him in the parking lot."

http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2005016279930.gif

Ever have this type of feeling at your job? Scott Adams does a wonderful job of pointing out the truths and misbeliefs of the work place. What I suggest this means is that you can't simply 'expect' things to happen in life. Believing in this method will normally produce unexpected consequences.

Now I would say that the 'Wally' character has a great amount of confidence. But anyone that has followed the comic strip will know that Wally really hasn't done anything in his career to help others. It has always been about himself. So this isn't the type of confidence that I'm going to be talking about.

"Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings." - Samuel Johnson (The Book of Positive Quotations"

More to be said over the next day or so on confidence.

Can I Get That Door For You?

"You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others." - Henry Drummond (1851-1897)

Your day is filled with serving others and you may not even realize it. Allowing someone in line as you drive to work, opening the door for someone or simply doing your job. You help your spouse with the dishes, the kids with homework or a neighbor move a desk.

Most everything you do during the day entails serving (helping) others. And this elaborate intertwining of peoples lives means that you are served as well through out the day. What you receive in return is many times directly proportional to the level of servitude you extend to others.

It can be humbling to do so but you need to have confidence in yourself and a positive attitude that you can change other peoples lives throught small acts of kindness. That confidence is something I recently heard someone speak about. It struck a cord with me that you may find as well...but I'll leave that for next time.

So my final thought is that you serve even though you may not realize it. Serve with a joyful heart and with the knowledge that you will receive in kind the same. At times this may not happen...but most times it will. You have nothing to lose and all the world to gain. Can I get that door for you?

Path of Stones

Well, I've heard from a few folks about letting go of things. Of changing their ways and at trying to bring something different into their lives. You could view it as pulling a little red wagon. It's the type you may have had as a child. But this one is full of rocks, little pepples, jagged ones, big ones and maybe one or two really big ones.

These rocks represent things in your life that could be considered troubles and worries. Little ones may be irritation that it is raining outside. Another one may be an argument with a co-worker, while a large one could be a troubled marriage. All of these add in weight to the wagon you must pull through life.

As life goes on, you try to remove rocks from the wagon. Using them to lay a pathway for your life. Life itself may place rocks into your wagon. Sort of like driving through a 'falling rock' zone and a few ending up with you. Other people will place rocks into your wagon as you pass by. Instead of using those rocks to build their own road, they place them upon you.

What you need to do is to eliminate the little ones first as the large ones are harder to move. They take longer to remove. But you take those pebbles and build a base for your life's path. The wagon becomes lighter and easier to pull leaving you more strength and energy to build. What you will find is that the largest rocks don't seem so large anymore. Those large rocks can be difficult to handle, but they become manageable.

You will see that the path of life starts out with a lot of smaller stones but as you learn not to carry the small ones...the path is built with ever increasingly larger stones. The little ones will be used to fill in the gaps of the large ones. A great and solid path will unfold beneath you.

(Picture comes from www.pbase.com - http://www.pbase.com/charette/yosemite_falls)

Examine Your Surroundings

I hear many times during the work week people at issue with their job or life that is going on around them. To listen you would wonder how it is that they struggle to even get up in the morning to face the world. But as I listen it strikes me that they seem to have a few things in common.

One is that they have this perpetual wallowing in self doubt and complaining of their surroundings. I've always wondered why they remain within that constant cycle of life. Maybe it would be better to simply step back. Look at your life, 'examine your surroundings' and begin to understand what influences are around you.

Now is the time to figure out what is happening in your world that forever holds you back. Change things in your life...maybe a different radio station...maybe a different route to work...maybe just a determination to change your own attitude.

Those influences in your life are very powerful in a subtle way. Do you congregate with friends that are alway down on things? Try meeting more positive people and not to bring your troubles and pains to them. But to listen and catch the spirit of their life.

I've always felt the old adage that tell me your sad story and I'll tell you a hundred sadder stories. What happens to you, to me or to others is life. Life itself is an influence on us and how we choose to respond is up to us.

I have a wide range of musical taste and normally listened to rock stations on the way to and from work. I found myself becoming a much more aggressive driver. Racing to be ahead of the other 20 or 30 thousand cars on the freeway. The driving habits of others would push me to the point of complete irritation. And I found my work day starting out in a bad way and coming home I was wound so tight, the transition to home life was difficult at best.

For me it was a matter of changing radio stations. I found the local NPR (National Public Radio) station (www.npr.org or www.wabe.org) and began listening to morning news. Political persuasion aside, the news provided was much more calming. Afternoon drives are filled with classical music and it certainly helps me unwind much better.

The point being, I examined one part of my life and made a change. I made the choice to change my life and attitude which in turn effected others around me. Examine your surroundings, make a change in your life, enjoy the results.

So what is the influence?

Continuing with the idea of you having a choice in how your attitude is effected...there are of course things that influence your thinking. Again from SUMO, the book examines four things that can influence you.

1. Your background influences your thinking.

If you were encouraged to keep trying regardless of outcome while growing up, you will be more likely to take chances as an adult. If you were always ridiculed when attempting things, you are probably one cautious person today. Remember this when you speak to your children.

2. Your previous experiences influence your thinking.

Pretty straight forward I would say. If someone walks in to your store and you happen to be in a short mood, they may very well leave remembering that above all else. Chances are very good that ten other people will hear of that experience.

3. The company you keep influences your thinking.

Hang around with people that always view the work place as a sweat shop, you will likely begin to view it the same. Being around people that can find the positive in working conditions will help you view things in a much better light. It doesn't mean not to associate with the dreary views because if you have a good attitude, you can influence those people as well.

4. The media influences your thinking.

Watch the Brady Bunch - for those now guessing how old I am - and you may begin to believe that family life should always be that way...perfect and with a maid to help out. Watch the news and you may believe the world is ready to self destruct. No, that's just life happening and people would rather watch a train wreck then news of a new art exhibit in town. Temper what it is you watch and read.

Be cognizant of the many things that can influence you. Use that knowledge to your own advantage. "Knowledge is the food of the soul." - Plato

Take a different approach

In his book SUMO, Paul McGee humbly uses a self developed quote..."the most important person you will ever talk to is yourself." This would generally be regarded as thinking and all the while you have to be careful about wallowing or obsessing on thoughts.

Have you ever noticed that by simply obsessing on a subject, in ex; yelling at the driver who cut you off, will effect your driving. You tend to become more aggressive and the revenge factor can come upon you. Your blood pressure rises and tunnel vision sets in and your whole thought pattern becomes that other driver.

It is just another form of how you can allow yourself to be affected and react to situations. If you had simply stopped and thought, "hmmm, maybe they are in a rush to pick up a child from school or maybe they were cut off and were obsessed with getting some other driver." You have the choice to allow or disallow it to affect you.

This translates into every day life, work, home, relationships and church. Everything you do and how everything that happens to you allows you to make that choice. One of the people quoted in the book was William James (1842-1910), who is described as an original thinker in and between the disciplines of physiology, psychology and philosophy.

See the following link for more information on him: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/james/.

One of his quotes that I found was, "Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." So true as I've seen it in my life and in the lives of others. All of us still get those moments as life can be described as a 'roller coaster of experiences'. I choose not to shudder but to enjoy the ride.

Lisbon From "Christ the King Sanctuary" (Santuário do Cristo Rei)

Christ the King Sanctuary (Santuário do Cristo Rei) was built in 1959 on the south bank of River Tagus, the 110 meter high statue of Christ offers a magnificent panoramic view over Lisbon and River Tagus.

I Do, I Do, My Own

How did you answer the three questions previously posed? Was it a former teacher, coach or parent. Did you struggle with the answers and try to come up with your individualized answers? I sure did when I first posed them to myself.

But the answer is purely a simple one - the answer is you. Sure there are many that influence you through out life. But Paul rightly says, "...The biggest single factor that determines where you and I currently find ourselves in life is 'you'.

Think about this in the context of what I've been saying. There are others that enter in and out of your life every year, every month, every day and many times every minute. But you are the one that determines how you are effected. Not those people, but you.

In Paul's book, he examines how we as humans react to the things that happen all around us. He suggests that if we could literally 'wear our thoughts on our sleeves' then we could put on a different t-shirt for different reasons. It is the type of t-shirt that you choose to wear that dictates how you conduct your life.

I wouldn't profess to speak for the author of SUMO and do not want to go too deep into his teachings. So as I talk of these things, I'll simply provide pieces of it...The book will provide the detail. So tomorrow I'll talk on another part of the book...Developing fruity thinking.

So Shut Up and Move On

As you can see I was able to fix the issue with the layout. So apologies for the time it took me to get it fixed. For those of you that stuck with me, thank you.

So what exactly am I trying to say by telling you to "Shut Up, Move On"? It sounds cruel on the surface and many would go looking somewhere else. But then those folks would miss out on finding out something about attitude and getting your life to a higher plain.

Prior to leaving for the airport in Lisbon, I happened into a bookstore and found a book with a Sumo wrestler riding a unicycle on the cover. SUMO as I said, 'Shut Up, Move On' by Paul McGee. I'm going to spend a few days talking about this book and hope that Paul McGee is okay with my promotion of it. Through one ten hour flight and an early morning...I've nearly finished this book. Currently I'm writing my notes in the margins and digesting as much as possible. Much of what I say in these coming articles are drawn from the book.

It is not possible to describe in a couple of sentences what SUMO really means. I'll quote from Paul in saying the following, "... not suggesting that people simply need to ' get over it' or 'pull themselves together'... SUMO for me captures the essence of what I believe are the key truths around success and fulfilment."

To begin you have to stop and really take a look at your own life. Assess how it is you have been existing thus far. Three questions that you must ask are;

1. Which person has the biggest influence on your life?
2. Who deserves the most credit for where you currently
find yourself in life?
3. Whose advice and opinions do you tend to always act upon?

Think about these questions and I'll let you in on some thoughts tomorrow. We've got a lot of neat stuff to go through from this book. If you want, get a head start on me and go read the book.

Back In Two Days Folks

My travel brings me home these next two days and will write more when I get back. Sorry for the page layout - efforting to get it fixed. Until then, here is a picture from the most western point in Europe, Cabo Da Roca.

Took this picture from out on the point, quite an amazing view that camera pictures simply do not achieve.

For more information you can check out the following link. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Cabo-da-Roca

Windmills of Portugal 

The Windmill Effect

Going beyond expectations comes into using a good or positive attitude to effect others. Think of the windmill sitting on its own turning and turning, generating electricity for others. It could be a very efficient windmill or a poorly designed windmill. Day after day doing its job, but never really impacting those around it.

But take the wind, spreading its power across several windmills. Causing each of them to move, turning the power of the wind into a collective output. Yes the wind can be great one day and less the other, but it does impact all it touches.

You can be like the wind effecting many. One day you may be in a poor frame of mind and the wind is less. But on the days when you bring your thoughts and positive ideas to the table, you impact many more. Impact others and see the electricity that just might get generated.

For information on electrical generation of windmills, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine.

Exceeding Expectations

There was a great story I heard today on exceeding expectations. There was a conference being held in a Singapore Hotel last fall for customer service personnel. The timing of this conference was during the baseball World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.

Many of the corporate presenters were from Boston and even though a World Series had not been won by Boston in 86 years, enthusiasm was high. Singapore is twelve plus hours ahead of Boston. So any game starting at 5:00pm Boston time would mean a 5:00am start the next morning in Singapore.

The hotel manager was asked if they could set up a television for viewing to which he agreed. When the time came, a large television, some chairs and snacks were available. The games tended to run into the conference times so on the third day, the manager was asked if the hotel could tape the game for viewing later.

That evening, the hotel manager indicated to go to a large room on the second floor in order to watch the taped game. Expecting the same television, to everyone’s delight, a very large screen television, couch and chairs were set up. There were hot dogs and hamburgers, sodas, pretzels and all of the food one would expect in a ballpark. The hotel had gone so far as to hang pennants all around the room with pictures of all the ball players.

An expectation far exceeded which resulted in some very happy people. At least the Boston folks were happy. So how does this translate into something more. One of the people attending the Singapore Hotel World Series party was a senior vice-president. He was so impressed with this level of customer service, the next year’s conference for that area was agreed. This hotel had won the conference business for 500 people to be in attendance.

You too can go above and beyond. Do more then someone expects without expectation that reward will be immediate. Do more then someone expects and the long term impact will result in great things. Develop this idea as habit and you will see an increase in business or in your own job. Set a mark and out perform.

Impacting across continents

I'm back online after yesterday travelling overseas. I came in and out of many people's lives at points along the way. It was a process that didn't start out as I would expect and found myself trying to keep a good attitude. But through the final efforts of an airline employee, the entire trip was a pleasure.

So this trancends into my attitude extending out to those within my contact. A gesture of kindness to others that may be in stress to ease their day as well. So my week begins in a positive way and I will project this to those I'm speaking to.

There will be more to say as the week goes on as many different languages will be spoken here. But the core belief of attitude and positive impartation to people is global. You can have the same effect on anyone. It is within you to have a good thing to say or do for another person at your place of business or externally in your personal life.

I also wanted to comment that there are many I've run in to today that do remember our 9/11 tragedy. They do remember the anguish felt by so many and the loss of loved ones. Events can have a global impact and so can you.

Painting by Caravaggio - Italian Baroque Era Painter, ca.1571-1610.

 

Life Among Doubting Thomas

The days go by showing people by example your thoughts, words and actions. And in those same days you have the doubters. Like Thomas from Biblical times, quoting from Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, "...but Thomas is a pessimist. Some people rejoice to see a glass half full, but Thomas sees it half empty. Oh, he's full courage, but also possesses a streak of fatalism. Once, when Jesus and his disciples hear about their friend Lazarus's death near Jerusalem, the center of Jesus' opposition, Thomas comments darkly, "Yes, let's go there that we might die with him."

The full article is at LeadershipU (http://www.leaderu.com/theology/doubting_thomas.html) if interested in learning more about Thomas and his story.

But to the point, you will have those that simply can not fathom having a positive outlook on life. They will fail to see the possibilities that change in attitude can produce better outcomes in their life. So it is with your living by example and the outcomes it provides that they will believe.

Next week I am presenting at a conference of technical support professionals. It is another chance to impact the lives of others. Showing them the positive side of the job and their lives will translate them into better people in their own lives and in their jobs. As I travel, I'll have the ability to impact those I encounter along the way. So see, even with the 'doubting Thomas' mentality that some possess, you have the ability to effect change in their lives.

Have a great weekend!

Motivate yourself and others

At the Work Place Issues website they state, 'Motivation is an Inside Job. It's up to You". The information provides some interesting thoughts regarding how a person can motivate themselves. (http://www.workplaceissues.com/motivate.htm)

You can certainly try to motivate people but it is more a case of providing them methods to motivate themselves. Consideration of the workplace environment is one way you can provide motivation. Understanding and communicating with people is another way. Work sometimes gets in the way of work. What I mean is that we can get so drawn into performing the functions of our jobs and forget the people part of what we do.

Talk to others around you...the water cooler chats are actually a great thing. Connecting with others through conversation and keeping it positive can have a major impact on motivation.

"Greet everyone you meet with a warm smile. No matter how busy you are, don't rush encounters with coworkers, family, and friends. Speak softly. Listen attentively. Act as if every conversation you have is the most important thing on your mind today. Look your children and your partner in the eyes when they talk to you. Stroke the cat, carress the dog. Lavish love on every living being you meet. See how different you feel at the end of the day." (from Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy)

And finally - when it comes to communicating with people, I found the following quote but am unsure of who said it. "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." So it is when talking with people, stay to the positive in your thoughts as they will surface in your words. Those positive words will generate good actions. So on and so forth, I believe you get the picture.

Make that change

So earlier I talked about not letting others effect your attitude for the day. That only you can decide how your day will go by using effective methods to control your attitude. This is still a central belief, but everyone understands that this isn't easy.

We need things in our life to help us and in the previous article I wrote about your environment. We've all seen pictures of row upon rows of desks with typewriters or cubicle farms mocked appropriately in Dilbert (http://www.dilbert.com/) cartoons. I'm certain you could provide examples - please do. I would like to hear some of your stories.

So how do you change - have a dialog with your employer and/or employees. It starts with talking to each other. Determining that there is a problem is a first step. Many would be surprised that the boss doesn't fully realize it. Once you've accomplished this - suggest some radical changes...new lighting...more windows...you figure out what works best at your location.

Utopia this is not: http://home.earthlink.net/~wrmbero/html/utopian.html

Creating the work environment

Have you ever walked into a workplace (private or governmental) and told yourself that you are glad you don't work there. The environment is dingy and just not very pleasing for a number of different reasons. We had one such place at the local Department of Motor Vehicles licensing office. Miserable conditions does not begin to describe this office not to mention the large numbers of citizens using this location. The customer service provided by the employees was certainly a reflection of their work environment. Most would try but one could see how difficult it was.

Today I visited the new DMV location to help my son get his learners permit. A huge transformation not only in atmosphere but in the spirit of the employees. Things ran much smoother, much quicker and much less tension. Efficiency is most times joked upon when it comes to governmental services. But do not forget these people are just like you and me. Think about how well you perform in a poor work environment.

A pleasant and well designed work location will be reflected in your employees. This means more efficiency through out the workplace. These efficiency gains translate into a more stable work force. The efficiency gains translate into a more satisfied customer. The efficiency gains translate into dollars.

Think about where you work and what the environment is like. Are you regulated about having a plant on your desk or have such poor lighting that you couldn't keep a plant alive? If the environment is tiring and displeasing, a change needs to occur. As an employer you need to recognize it. As an employee you need to make sure your employer knows it. Because once again it comes back to the dollars.

An article from Feb/2005 from the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) Productive Committee discusses the costs and potential payback.

You can read this article at http://www.wbdg.org/design/productive.php. There are five principles of productive building designs that I'm quoting from this article;

• Promote Health and Well-Being
  Indoor environments strongly affect human health. A productive workplace should be designed to support and enhance the health and well-being of its occupants.
  
• Provide Comfortable Environments
  A workplace designed and operated to provide the highest achievable levels of visual, acoustic, and thermal comforts for its occupants is the underpinning of worker productivity.
  
• Design for the Changing Nature of Work
  Providing spaces with flexibility and technology to promote new ways of working is a cornerstone of change and innovation.
  
• Integrate Technological Tools
  Effectively integrating technological tools and distribution networks required in today's office environments to enable workers to perform their duties starts first and foremost with properly designed pathways and spaces.
  
• Assure Reliable Systems and Spaces
  Reliability is one of the greatest concerns for building occupants—it directly affects their safety, health, and comfort. Workers must be able to rely on building systems, equipment, and tools that function consistently and are properly maintained.

Take some steps - make some changes - shake up the atmosphere and see what happens. Because sitting still and doing nothing will leave you behind everyone else that are moving on and getting ahead.

Take time out and then do something good.

Don't forget to stop and smell ...

Aristotle wrote, "in the arena of human life the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action." It is my belief that if you take the position that you can effect the lives of others by your own actions, it will change your life.

Where did customer service go?

The weekend is here and performing the needed projects around the house came calling. It is one of those things I enjoy but also dislike. The work is fine. It is having to go to those big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot.

I've always been impressed with the size and business methods of these two behemoths. What I haven't been impressed with for some time now is their customer service. Not only service but even the condition of the stores seem to be out of the control of corporate management. It seems both companies constantly open new stores just so they can have a few clean and well organized stores...if only for a short while.

The biggest issue I have is with customer service. When did it become necessary to restock shelves during busy business hours. And even if it is needed, I am constantly amazed by employees of these stores. It feels as if I should apologize to them for getting in their way while they move their large pallets around.

My only thought can be that something is missing in that many of these employees simply are not happy with their jobs. Television commercials paint a happy and fun time. A kindly old gentleman greeting you at the door or a male model helping you load your pickup with building material.

It can only be one of two things. Either the corporate marketing heads are completely out of touch with reality. Or they believe that if you keep saying all is okay, people will eventually believe it. But it will eventually fall in on itself. Service is what makes or breaks a company in the long run.

So what can you do? Many of these people are low wage and part time. How can you inspire them to take greater pride in themselves and their work? The employee pep rallys don't seem to be working.

Maybe its time for a change in the way they do business.

The sun will reappear again.

Maintaining belief in a better day

The darkness of desperation in New Orleans is contrasted by the large blue skies above. It is difficult to write of 'maintaining a positive attitude' in contrast to the dire situation many face now. Along with many others, I've said prayers for the quick and safe rescue from their turmoil. I've made monetary contributions to the Red Cross (www.redcross.org) to help in these efforts. In many ways it seems like so little.

But as time pushes on, recovery will take place. People will push through and lives will forever be changed. I've always leaned to the more optimistic view in life even though I've had some very difficult things to face. But I would never place these issues at the same level. As it is said, tell me a sad story and I'll tell you one hundred sadder stories. So what does that leave you with? It leaves you with your own attitude and handling of personal circumstances. Hope is the one thing you can never lose.

"Hope" is the thing with feathers--That perches in the soul--And sings the tune without the words--And never stops--at all--" -Emily Dickinson

Those is need and desperation, keep that hope alive. Those that can serve those in need, do so as it will lend strength to the hope that people in need hang on to.

Bringing out the best in people

The past couple of days have been filled with the ever consuming news of distruction along the Gulf coast. People that were overcome by nature and those struggling to simply survive in the aftermath. We see images nightly of looting and general mayhem. I watch these reports and do believe some of this is simply a means of trying to survive. But there are many as one would expect that are simply taking advantage.

The greater image is in seeing many acts of kindness and true heroism in people that rise to the top. Our human existence is truly blessed by these people and I'm certain that they out number the cruel segment of society. People that are ordinary in their everyday lives become servants of others to help where it is needed. To give of themselves when there are so many in desperate need.

There will be suffering but there will also be enormous stories of perseverance and accomplishment come from this natural disaster. Aristotle wrote, "suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of mind." We'll say a prayer of strength to those in need to give them the ability to maintain a cheerful heart. Help where you can and possibly by donating to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org today.