There are many ideas and strategies that will help us stretch ourselves and reach our full potential as human beings. Today I want to present one very simple strategy that if applied, can have a significant positive impact on our lives. The great thing about this tactic is that not only is it very simple, but it also does not take too much time. In the end this simple practice seems very doable for everyone regardless of busy schedules, difficult circumstances, or unique situations we may find ourselves in.
The simple strategy is to ask ourselves one question each day. In the morning, when we wake up we need to look ourselves in the mirror and ask, “What is the most exceptional thing I will do today?”
Asking ourselves this question each day will force us to reflect on how we can grow, how we can reach, how we can do something out of the ordinary each day. Maybe it is a kind word, or a friendly visit, or a small act of service. How big it may be or how small is unimportant. The important thing is that we are striving each day to be exceptional—to be our best in at least one simple way each day.
Sincerely answering this question will help us to do something special each day, and it will make us better people. Each day each one of us is capable of performing small but exceptional acts. These acts will add up overtime and will help us to be exceptional people. These daily positive actions will shape who we are and what we will become.
So, are you willing to give it a try? Asking ourselves this one simple question has the potential to greatly improve our lives!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Video Games and Leadership
Video Gaming has become a multi-million dollar industry and even has fared much better than most industries during the recent economic recession. It seems video games are also stealing away the hearts and the minds of many of our younger generation. Indeed, many individuals are addicted to the entertainment video games provide. So why are video games so successful, so desirable, so addicting, and so widely used? I think I’ve discovered why, and in the process I have learned a valuable lesson that if applied, can help us all be more successful.
Video gaming is wildly successful because its users receive between 65 to 100 “reinforcers” a minute. (This study was highlighted in the book “Bringing out the Best in People” by Aubrey C. Daniels p 216.) This type of instant gratification is unprecedented and certainly can not be compared with the amount of reinforcement provided by most parents at home or teachers at school or supervisors at work. So, we can learn from video games. We can learn as leaders, as parents, as teachers, that we must greatly improve the rate and frequency of reinforcement we provide to others each day.
Currently, the rate of reinforcement that most people receive from others is tremendously inadequate. So when someone is doing something good, let them know! When people do things you like, tell them. When the performance of your work group is good, reward them. The problem is that naturally as human beings, we often look to correct rather than praise. Thus we often hear people complain to teachers, parents, or supervisors that it seems they only focus on the bad and ignore the good. Leaders who learn to provide quick and frequent positive reinforcement for those who are doing good will be wildly successful in their ability to influence and lead others.
And how often does positive reinforcement need to be? Look at the rate of reinforcement that our video games provide for a clue... Positive reinforcement must become second nature to us for that is the only way we can compete for the attention of others. Our reinforcement must be swift and often.
As proven by video games, people crave high rates of reinforcement. Thus we must learn from video games and strive to be much better at reinforcing. When we do increase our reinforcement rate, we greatly improve our ability to positively impact others. Thus we become not only better leaders but also better people.
Video gaming is wildly successful because its users receive between 65 to 100 “reinforcers” a minute. (This study was highlighted in the book “Bringing out the Best in People” by Aubrey C. Daniels p 216.) This type of instant gratification is unprecedented and certainly can not be compared with the amount of reinforcement provided by most parents at home or teachers at school or supervisors at work. So, we can learn from video games. We can learn as leaders, as parents, as teachers, that we must greatly improve the rate and frequency of reinforcement we provide to others each day.
Currently, the rate of reinforcement that most people receive from others is tremendously inadequate. So when someone is doing something good, let them know! When people do things you like, tell them. When the performance of your work group is good, reward them. The problem is that naturally as human beings, we often look to correct rather than praise. Thus we often hear people complain to teachers, parents, or supervisors that it seems they only focus on the bad and ignore the good. Leaders who learn to provide quick and frequent positive reinforcement for those who are doing good will be wildly successful in their ability to influence and lead others.
And how often does positive reinforcement need to be? Look at the rate of reinforcement that our video games provide for a clue... Positive reinforcement must become second nature to us for that is the only way we can compete for the attention of others. Our reinforcement must be swift and often.
As proven by video games, people crave high rates of reinforcement. Thus we must learn from video games and strive to be much better at reinforcing. When we do increase our reinforcement rate, we greatly improve our ability to positively impact others. Thus we become not only better leaders but also better people.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Important Memo!
A good laugh is always good. This is one of my favorites...
MEMO from Management
NEW OFFICE POLICY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
We have a new office policy in place, please read this then turn in your acknowledgment form to HR when you are finished.
Pay Raise Policy:
Each employee is entitled to an annual evaluation and pay raise however the following exception will apply:
1. If you come to work dressed too nicely, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.
2. If you dress poorly, we will assume you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.
3. If you dress just right, we will assume you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.
Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor’s statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays & Sundays.
Vacation Days:
All employees will be given 5 vacation days a year. In an effort to coordinate schedules and allow employees to plan their vacation time the same days each year will be offered as vacation time to all employees. Thus, each employee is allowed the following 5 vacation days: Jan. 1st, July 4th, The 1st Monday in September, The 4th Thursday of November, and Dec. 25th.
Absenteeism:
It is no longer acceptable to be absent from work unless you die. This is an acceptable excuse for missing work. However, you are required to provide two weeks’ notice as it is your responsibility to train your replacement.
Bereavement Leave:
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend the funeral arrangements in your place. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon after 4pm. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.
Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the restroom. There is now a strict 2 minute time limit allowed in the restrooms. At the end of 2 minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the “Chronic Offenders” category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company’s mental health policy.
Lunch Break:
• Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.
• Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
• Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that’s all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.
Smoke Breaks:
Each employee will be allowed 2 smoke breaks each day at work. The 1st must be taken at 7:45 before you clock-in and the 2nd must be taken at 5pm after you employee clock-out.
Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive work experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.
MEMO from Management
NEW OFFICE POLICY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
We have a new office policy in place, please read this then turn in your acknowledgment form to HR when you are finished.
Pay Raise Policy:
Each employee is entitled to an annual evaluation and pay raise however the following exception will apply:
1. If you come to work dressed too nicely, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.
2. If you dress poorly, we will assume you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.
3. If you dress just right, we will assume you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.
Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor’s statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays & Sundays.
Vacation Days:
All employees will be given 5 vacation days a year. In an effort to coordinate schedules and allow employees to plan their vacation time the same days each year will be offered as vacation time to all employees. Thus, each employee is allowed the following 5 vacation days: Jan. 1st, July 4th, The 1st Monday in September, The 4th Thursday of November, and Dec. 25th.
Absenteeism:
It is no longer acceptable to be absent from work unless you die. This is an acceptable excuse for missing work. However, you are required to provide two weeks’ notice as it is your responsibility to train your replacement.
Bereavement Leave:
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend the funeral arrangements in your place. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon after 4pm. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.
Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the restroom. There is now a strict 2 minute time limit allowed in the restrooms. At the end of 2 minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the “Chronic Offenders” category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company’s mental health policy.
Lunch Break:
• Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.
• Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
• Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that’s all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.
Smoke Breaks:
Each employee will be allowed 2 smoke breaks each day at work. The 1st must be taken at 7:45 before you clock-in and the 2nd must be taken at 5pm after you employee clock-out.
Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive work experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Great News for Everyone!
“The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe it possible.”
212 Degrees
“Most people live in a very restricted circle of their potential being. We all have reservoirs of energy and genius to draw upon of which we do not dream.”
William James
“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”
Malcolm S. Forbes
There is good news and hope for us all. Research suggests that all of us have the potential to be great! Ok so this isn’t exactly a news flash nor is the research new. In fact, many studies that indicate that each of us has the potential to achieve just about anything we work at dates back many, many years.
According to author Aubrey C. Daniels in his book “Bringing out the Best in People,” it takes 10 years of deliberate practice to become an expert at anything or roughly 10,000 hours of practice. If we break this down, that would be an average of 20 hours of practice a week for 50 weeks for nearly 10 years. Studies show that 96% of variance in performance can simply be attributed to practice thus eliminating the notion that people are just naturally born great. Hard work and practice make the difference between mediocrity and greatness. Consequently, each of us can become experts at something if we choose to!
If nothing else, it is important for each of us to know that our potential is great—that we can do great things. Indeed, each of us can accomplish anything we set our minds to. It may not be easy, or fun, or painless or even believable at times but the potential is there for all of us. Unfortunately, the bad news is that not everyone takes advantage of their opportunity. Let’s be different though and take advantage of our opportunity by doing all we can to be great!
212 Degrees
“Most people live in a very restricted circle of their potential being. We all have reservoirs of energy and genius to draw upon of which we do not dream.”
William James
“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”
Malcolm S. Forbes
There is good news and hope for us all. Research suggests that all of us have the potential to be great! Ok so this isn’t exactly a news flash nor is the research new. In fact, many studies that indicate that each of us has the potential to achieve just about anything we work at dates back many, many years.
According to author Aubrey C. Daniels in his book “Bringing out the Best in People,” it takes 10 years of deliberate practice to become an expert at anything or roughly 10,000 hours of practice. If we break this down, that would be an average of 20 hours of practice a week for 50 weeks for nearly 10 years. Studies show that 96% of variance in performance can simply be attributed to practice thus eliminating the notion that people are just naturally born great. Hard work and practice make the difference between mediocrity and greatness. Consequently, each of us can become experts at something if we choose to!
If nothing else, it is important for each of us to know that our potential is great—that we can do great things. Indeed, each of us can accomplish anything we set our minds to. It may not be easy, or fun, or painless or even believable at times but the potential is there for all of us. Unfortunately, the bad news is that not everyone takes advantage of their opportunity. Let’s be different though and take advantage of our opportunity by doing all we can to be great!
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