WOW...What a Ride!!!

New Challenge Around the Corner

Those that know me know I spent a significant amount of my time late last year on a big project that kept me quite busy.

Well, yesterday my services were solicited to lead a systems implementation here at the office. This will not be as extensive or time consuming as the other project, but it will be another great opportunity for me to rise to a challenge.

I have already started laying out the project in terms of contexts, next actions, and the like. My GTD prowess will certainly be tested on this project. This time I am the lead as opposed to the hired help. So this is the challenge I was looking for. Its a systems implementation, which is my favorite type of project.

Well, off to build a schedule...

Life Management Systems...Compared

I read a great analysis today of three life management systems that had been recently posted by Allen at the 43 Folders Forum.

Enjoy

Kicking Caffeine

I am reaching the age that I am starting to contemplate things that will help me achieve better health. You know how it is for some. Up until you reach 30 or so, you seem to think you are indestructible. You eat what you want, you do what you want (couch potato). Two things happened in my life that have made me reevaluate that.

1) The birth of our two children

2) I turned...WHAT???...30???

So now that I have reached my thirties, I am starting to think about the shape I am in now, the weight, the habits, the lack of energy, the lack of exercise, and think...I want to see my kids reach their potential. I want to see my kids reach for their dreams. To do that, part of the plan must involve taking care of...ME.

One of the habits I have let creep into my life is coffee. I do drink a lot of decaf, but even so, there are still other ways in which coffee can harm you. As a matter of fact, caffeine over time can aggravate health issues. So I am backing off my 12 cup a day habit in favor of decaffeinated teas.

That having been said, I found this neat link on Lifehacker today that speaks to this issue.

http://wiki.ehow.com/Quit-Caffeine

The Professionalism of Communication

You have been there. Come on...admit it. You have had that conversation at work and thought that the person with whom you are commnicating is being so unprofessional.

Nothing can put a ceiling over your head professionally than having communication problems. I'm not talking about a stutter, or a southern drawl. I'm talking about professionalism.

You will see all kinds in a typical office. But those that tend to move up in their careers are those who are good communicators. It is just as important to be able to neutralize a potentially volitile situation as it is to communiate with clarity.

Below are a few of the keys that I have discovered make for better communication in the office.

1) Never take an accusational tone. When someone has made a mistake, remember that the point is to make sure the problem is corrected and it doesn't happen again. This may be a teachable moment for the person you are speaking with. Therefore, "What did you do THAT for?" is a no-no. That immediately puts the other person on defense. Remember the desired result mentioned above. To get that result, asking someone to explian what they did so you can understand is a much better approach. The key is to remember that the goal is to correct and prevent...not to blame.

2) Just because others are not necessarily agreeing with you, does not mean you are not being listened to. This is a biggie. I attend alot of meetings. Often I deal with an individual who has this misconception..."Well, they do not see it my way, they just are not listening to me". The typical reaction is a rehersal of the point this person is trying ot make...at a higher decibel level. If that does not work...you got it...another notch...this time with more feeling. This reaction communicates alot more than what you are trying to say. It also communicates that you are not open minded, that you are more concerned with your point of view than finding the best solution, and that you are not teachable.

Reality is when we are raising our voice thinking we are not being listened to, often we are the ones who should be listening.

3) When dealing with a group, always think of the message you are trying to send. One of the biggest responsibilties we have when we are trying to lead is the make sure that we are communicating to those whom we are trying to lead.

Alot of times when we face a difficult situation, we tend to think about the individual first and then the group. In my opinon, it should be the opposite. We should think of what we want to communicate to the group, then craft our message toward that desired result. This often helps us avoid the pitfall of double standards in the workplace.

Communication is one of the most important, yet underrated, parts of the foundation of a business. Professional communication sets the tone and culture for the whole organization. If mastered, good communication can make the difference between a disgruntled and ineffective workgroup, and a workgroup who trusts their leadership to look out for their best interest. This breeds effectiveness.