Business

Things On My Desk

Backstory

The notion that a clean desk means a productive worker is an artifact of the mid-20th century. Historically, geniuses were always pictured with a cluttered desk. I’m not sure where that puts me and the things on my desk.

Things On My Desk

I look around at the things on my desk. There are many of them. A blotter in the center is sort of the no-nonsense zone. That’s where I put my papers of the day, the bills that need attention, and the documents that match the first five things on my priority list for the day.

But beyond that sacred zone, there is room for the stapler, the weighted tape dispenser, and the cup of pens & pencils.

Then somehow, other things drift in – the photos in picture frames, each bringing back special memories. The all-important OUT box that seems to give me a pat on the back every time I place something in it that has been DONE. The Rolodex where the importance of people doesn’t matter. All those personal and professional contacts are mixed in, with no level of honor other than the alphabetic order of their last name. There is a stack of sticky notes that will be greatly reduced by the end of the day. There is the scrap paper. The bowl of stamps and the basket of earrings and rings that I forget to take off before sitting down at my desk. Soon, the morning cup of hot coffee will take its place of honor, always within reach.

What a conglomeration are the things on my desk, each representing another facet of my life. How pleased I am not to have a clear, clean, and joyless desk. This one looks loved, lived in, and happy. I like it that way.

P.S. Albert Einstein once asked, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” Has anyone ever responded?

[#340]

Gone for the Rest of His Life

Backstory

I thought I knew him well, but I never saw this coming. We were business associates, and he was enthusiastic about our accomplishments. And then one day., he was no longer there.

Gone for the Rest of His Life

“Gone for the next chapter of my life.” That’s the message received if you sent him an email.

Two young men inherited the business from their father. They worked at it for over 20 years, built it up, made it a success. Then the older brother decided there was more to life.

There were so many things he still wanted to do, and learn, places to see, people he had yet to meet. He honestly felt that he could no longer stay in one place tied up in business responsibilities.

How fortunate to have a brother willing to take over with the leadership skills to continue the business on its successful path. So, he told colleagues and customers, “I am gone for the next chapter of my life.” What a rare option to choose. One not open to many and chosen by few.

What now? I wonder if he is hiking in the Himalayas, surfing off the beach in Hawaii, dispensing life saving polio vaccine on a Rotary mission to India. How did he decide what the next chapter of his life would encompass? Is he simply enjoying his garden, his woman, his grandchildren?

What would you do if you left your current life path to pursue the next chapter of your life? What a question to ponder.

P.S.

There is a belief that wherever you are and whatever you are doing at this moment is exactly as meant to be. It’s a decision that has been made by the universe. What happens if we have the courage to turn that decision upside down? To determine that your future is around a different curve. Consider the possibilities. He did, and never looked back.

[Show #411]

Job Hopping

Backstory

Seems that every time friends talk about their grown children, they have a new job. What is all this job hopping about? I decided to look into it.

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Job Hopping – #620

Millennials have a reputation for job hopping. Some say it’s because they don’t get an immediate fancy title or big promotion. The truth is, they usually move on when they have stopped growing or don’t feel appreciated.

Regardless of their responsibilities, everyone wants to feel that they count; that their work makes a difference. They want to feel significant.

The boss feels significant, looking out at the big picture. Most employees, however, do not have this overview. They only know the things they do daily, over and over.

Leaders who keep millennials thriving on the job help them connect the dots and see how their work contributes to the success of the organization. It must be presented in terms that employees can understand and appreciate.

People who don’t feel appreciated are often the first to burn out or jump ship. Successful leaders actively find ways to show others that their value is appreciated.

You see it happen on the TV show, “Under Cover Boss.” Posing as someone else, the boss goes on the line and hands-on discovers those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Even if you can’t go undercover, you can pay more attention to find out what’s really going on in your business and who deserves credit.

Remember – show appreciation, show how and why each person is significant and reward those who go the extra mile.

P.S.

At home too, words kindness and recognition are appreciated. Be sure grandma knows how much her true home cooking is treasured. Thank the kids for setting the table or discarding their phone before they sit down for dinner. Compliments and happy thoughts are easy to come by – and they are free

[Show #620]

Advice From My Mentor

Backstory

The biggest gift a mentor can give is to provide you with words to live by; advice that serves you well for a lifetime. This is the treasure received from mine.

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Advice From My Mentor – #309

I once had a mentor when I appeared frequently as a guest speaker. We were talking about leaving lasting impressions; something every speaker hopes to do. He said, “People may not remember what you look like, or what you wore, or even what you said. But they will always remember how you made them feel.” How true.

What a gift is given by the person who makes you feel good. It can happen in front of a large audience or with a silent touch of a hand smoothing a child’s hair. Grasping the fingers of a loved one, giving private comfort or nurturing to someone in pain.

Treasure each time you have the opportunity to make another person feel good. Not only does it help the recipient, it’s good for the giver as well. That ethereal feeling that today, even in a minuscule way, you have made the world a better place for the way you made someone feel.

The rose is lovely, the cloudless blue sky is a delight. But the best and most beautiful things of this world can’t be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart.

You can be the person who feels such a touch, or one who gives such a touch. Better still, be a giver and a receiver both.

P.S.

Here’s how to start out, making people feel better – Smile. Smile at people first. Smile at strangers. Smile in elevators. Then – generously give compliments. Sincere ones, but don’t be shy about admiring a lovely necklace, beautiful hair, a friendly dog. Like smiles, compliments work wonders – and they’re free.

[Show #309]

Describing Your Job

Backstory – Describing Your Job

What a unique opportunity we have, when someone asks how you are employed. You can just give the standard answer – I am a nurse, a housewife, an architect, etc. Or you tell the RESULT of what you do. Thinking about the possibilities resulted in this week’s show.

Consider This Show – Describing Your Job

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What do you respond when someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” If you sell cars, you might say – “I sell cars for a living.” Or you might dress it up a bit and say – “I provide transportation.” Or “I put people in shiny new vehicles that make them happy and safe.” It’s all in how you think about yourself.

Earlier in my career, I overheard someone ask my children what kind of work their mother does. They were completely transparent and replied, “She types!” Well, that’s all they had ever seen me do. They had no idea that the words being typed were my own; that keystrokes on the page were actually influence or encouragement or humor or lessons to be learned. It never occurred to me that I should explain to my kids what I was doing when I typed.

One of our listeners recently gave me a new take on what I do as the writer and presenter of Consider This shows. She said I am “a happiness aficionado.” I like it! OK. That’s what I am.

Now, what are you?

Think of a really creative way of describing what you do for a living and write your comment below. Think about how you make the world a better place, every day. And let me know. I’ll be here waiting for you . . . typing away.

[Show #437]

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Will Today’s Veterans Become Tomorrow’s Leaders?

Time magazine had a cover story about The Next Greatest Generation. It was about veterans returning from war and the skills they bring to civilian life. I found it fascinating.

The new Army, it explained, is not a place where soldiers follow orders mindlessly. It is a place where important decisions are being made by individuals; a place where true leadership is being taught and where all-American values are supported. Loyalty . . . fairness . . . balancing benefit with risk.

When these young men and women come back from duty abroad, they seem to find themselves politically homeless. Neither party seems on the path of leadership they have learned. They see programs being conceived to insure votes; short term solutions being painted as change, without consideration of their long term effects. They are looking for the leaders willing to make hard choices that will guarantee future liberties.

Not seeing such leaders, will they take the path to become them? Could these returning veterans be the people we’ve been waiting for? Do they have the skills and values to end all the nonsense and get things going again? Can they break through the ingrained structure and traditions that are holding us back?

What an exciting possibility! Let’s watch them carefully and see what happens.

Show #372