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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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On Thinking: Thinking is the way I influence myself and others.

by Rick Baker
On Oct 10, 2016

René Descartes founded 'Western Philosophy' with profound thoughts, the most famous one being - "I think therefore I am.

If I think then I must exist [as a conscious being], and vice-versa.

When I think, the result is 'influence': influence on myself and influence on others. Each and every one of my thoughts influences my [following] thoughts and actions. With ongoing improvements in neuroscience [in the area of neuroplasticity], I now know my thoughts alter my neurons and neuronal paths - impacting on my future thoughts. And, I know my thoughts lead to my conscious actions including the actions I plan in an effort to get to desired outcomes and achieve my goals.

Also, I know I influence others in two ways:

  • my unconscious behaviour - my body language and my 'automatic behaviour' and
  • my conscious thoughts and the actions tied to those thoughts.

Considering all this...

I have choices: I can choose to work at improving my thinking so I improve the way I influence others and bring about changes for the better or I can leave my thinking processes as is and live with the outcomes that follow.

That's the choice I face every day.

That's the choice you face every day.

 

 

 

Tags:

Change: Creating Positive Change | Influencing | Thinking as in Think and Grow Rich

It's time to stamp out Passion and Love in our Workplaces!

by Rick Baker
On Sep 28, 2016

When people say “passion in the workplace”:

  • What does that mean to you? 
  • What does that mean to them?

It seems the ‘motivational gurus’ cannot break the habit of using the word 'passion' when talking about ideal workplaces and their followers cannot get beyond feeling little twinges of inspiration, albeit incredibly short lived twinges, when they hear messages about 'passion in the workplace'.

But – really – what does all this talk about 'passion in the workplace' mean and does it contain any value?

Bottom lines… 

For donors of motivational messages about workplace-passion: Do these people actually care or think about the meaning of the word passion or do they just spew out the word, because they believe it’s in vogue or because they cannot stop themselves from riding the wake of a cliché? 

For recipients who are inspired by workplace-passion messages: What, exactly, are they thinking when they get inspired? Specifically, what does the word passion mean to them?

Some context…

Here’s the way the Merriam-Webster Dictionary presents the various meanings of the word passion:

Simple Definition of PASSION

  • a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something
  • a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way
  • a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone

Full Definition of PASSION

1. often capitalized: a) the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death; b) an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion

2. obsolete :  suffering

3. the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces

4.a) (1) emotion his ruling passion is greed (2) plural the emotions as distinguished from reason; b) intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; c) an outbreak of anger

5.a) ardent affection : love; b) a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept; c) sexual desire; d) an object of desire or deep interest

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

So this does not get too complicated…

…let’s just consider the Merriam-Webster dictionary’s Simple Definition of PASSION

  • a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something (Bullet Point 1)
  • a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way (Bullet Point 2)
  • a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone (Bullet Point 3)

Bullet Point 1 – Yes, this definition fits workplaces. At least, in theory, enthusiasm/excitement has the potential to be a productive driver in workplaces. Obviously, in practice, enthusiasm/excitement will face limitations in working people and in workplaces:  

  • for the former, there will be ‘good days and bad days’ where enthusiasm/excitement do and do not happen – after all, we are only human
  • for the latter, there will be ‘right times and places’ where enthusiasm/excitement fit and do not fit – after all, all those other people at our workplaces are also only human

All considered, the first simple definition fits workplaces. For example, if we were to say “We are enthusiastic about our work” or “We are excited about our work” then people would interpret these as good things…which makes me wonder – why don’t the motivational gurus just say those things instead of using the word 'passion'? [It seems to me the answer to that last questions rests somewhere between hyperbole and thick syrup.]

Bullet Point 2 – No, we do not want people to get angry and act in dangerous ways when they are at work. To the extent motivational gurus use the word passion to inspire people, most of us hope that inspiration will not result in angry mindsets and dangerous actions…which makes me wonder…why would the gurus take the risk of this interpretation by using the word passion? [It seems to me the answer to that last question must be they are 2nd bullet-point passionate about using the word 'passion' in their motivational messages.]

Bullet Point 3 – Now, you might find it discomforting that motivational gurus argue in favour of bringing strong sexual and romantic feelings to work…i.e., bringing love to work. I mean, you may be thinking there’s a time and place…and the workday isn’t the right time and the workplace isn’t the right place. Regardless, the motivational gurus, many of them for many years, have been arguing in favour of bringing passion and love to the workplace! 

As one example, here’s a very-recent Simon Sinek quote:

“True love exists in business. It's when employee and employer are amazingly grateful to have each other. We should all have true love at work.”

When I read that quote, I wondered if Simon Sinek has ever read a dictionary definition of the word ‘love’. For example, has he read the Merriam-Webster definition:

Simple Definition of LOVE

  • a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person
  • attraction that includes sexual desire : the strong affection felt by people who have a romantic relationship
  • a person you love in a romantic way

In this English language we use, there is a considerable difference between loving and being grateful. Arguments promoting "we should all have true love at work" are patently silly. And, unfortunately, Simon Sinek is not alone in his passion and love arguments. Clearly - the motivational gurus are going too far in their quest for catchy slogans and advice: they are squeezing clichés beyond the limits of common sense. 

Clearly, it's time to stamp out Passion and Love in our Workplaces!

PS: If you are eligible and you meet a willing recipient for your love and passion at your workplace then the above is not intended to dissuade you or the object of your affection. However, I must extend two suggestions of caution: (1) there is a time and a place so you may want to consider off-premises and after-hours for your exchange of love and passion and (2) don’t confuse your wonderfully-human emotions and mind-states with arguments that suggest your love and passion have anything to do with business cases, workplace excellence or ROI.

PPS: In recognition of my motivational hero, Napoleon Hill. Yes – Napoleon Hill championed the value of transmuting sexual energy into energy to be used for workplace thought and action [see Hill’s 1937 classic, ‘Think and Grow Rich’]. Hill saw the tremendous energy embedded in the emotions he described as 'love' and 'sex'. He recognized, if sex energies could be channeled [i.e., transmuted] into different endeavours, including business work, then the results could be stupendous. I expect the current motivational gurus haven't misunderstand/misinterpret Hill’s messages…after all, it seems they haven’t even taken the time to read dictionaries let alone the works of motivational leaders who did take the time to do very deep thinking before putting thoughts to their audiences.

PPPS: I recognize some workplaces rely upon passion and/or love - most of them deliver incredible humane and charitable services...others are are just plain illegal. 

Rhetoric, Actions & Consequences

by Rick Baker
On Sep 26, 2016

While watching some of the U.S. Presidential "news coverage" a few things came to mind...

Talk is Cheap. That's a saying, which carries some wisdom. Verbal messages can provide immediate gratification to audiences. And that gratification may carry through to election day. On the other hand, as George H.W. Bush found out the hard way, people do more than "read your lips"…not everybody…not all the time…but, many people grasp the messages presented to them and cling to them with the intent of holding political leaders accountable to their words. 

When you are a politician - even if people don't hold you accountable, chances are very good the media will…sooner or later…probably sooner…and probably with a vengeance. 

During recent decades, we have experienced two trends: 

  1. The media is digging deeper into politicians’ personal and career lives, going to extremes such as pulling paparazzi on politicians’ family members. No politician is protected from the media bulldogs…not even the U.S. President. 
  2. Politicians are becoming increasingly more adventuresome, doing bizarre things and taking [what most people would describe as] absolutely outrageous chances. Political leaders’ ‘violations’ range from bigoted slurs to abuse of power and privilege.

What a combination: increased media scrutiny coupled with leaders behaving outrageously. 

Something’s got to give.

One way or another, some day, something will give.

Here’s a thought – Wouldn’t it be nice if leaders decide to give up the outrageous behavior. Then they could concentrate on productive behavior, the media could provide more-positive reporting, and we could focus our attention on more-constructive news and more-valuable knowledge.

Negative Thinking – now, isn’t that a textured problem

by Rick Baker
On Sep 13, 2016

Not only is it textured, negative thinking is thick out there.

Negative thinking cannot be band-aided into insignificance: it is a thick, multi-layered, multi-textured problem.

  1. Some people overtly express their CAN’T DO viewpoints.
  2. Some people covertly express their CAN’T DO viewpoints to coworkers, friends and family - when the boss ain’t there.
  3. Some people hide in their safe spots [from cubbyholes to bunkers], victims thinking and thinking and thinking CAN’T DO.

#1 people, sometimes, just need an attentive ear to hear them out. Their intentions may be OK-to-Good while their communication skillsets are not. Or, sometimes, these people are just having one of those bad days. It’s worth exploring to determine if hidden gems exist beneath the complaining crust. Sometimes – likely, often - #1 people are crying out for help. As Eckhart Tolle said, “Most people respond to a cry for help with a cry for help”. That pattern is broken when people respond to a cry for help with listening ears, seeing eyes and thinking brains.

#2 people carry on because insidious behavior enjoys company. But that company is only enjoyed when it is limited to people who support or at least grin and bear relentless rainstorms of complaints and criticism. When confident people enter the conversation negative thinking is challenged. The solution is in the zone of crisis/wake-up-call. Unfortunately, more often than not, when the crisis subsides or the alarm bell stops ringing the negative thinking returns and takes full control.

#3 people can be ticking time bombs…nowadays, we can take that literally as well as figuratively. These people defy but need intervention of some sort. Perhaps, they have the ability to snap out of their deep negativity? Perhaps, wise, kindly-delivered help will support the development and use of new good habits aimed at moving from negativity to positivity? Likely, most people do not possess the wisdom and skill required to assist people who possess deep-rooted/fear-filled negativity. 

When you witness negativity, what do you think?

When you witness negativity, what do you do?

What if that negativity you witness is your own?

The legacy of post-recession fears

by Rick Baker
On Sep 6, 2016

In many areas the post-recession fears have not subsided. Businesses are still dragging payments, for inordinately long periods. Businesses are still refraining from making purchases, even when the ROI on those purchases are quite attractive. Many businesses are hesitant to fund innovations and, as a consequence, they are slipping farther behind the pace of automation in their business sector.

It looks like lots of baby boomers are attempting to recover the financial losses they experienced during the recession of 2008/9 and the Canadian dollar volatility that followed that recession. The recession itself took money out of baby boomers' pockets. The rapid decrease in the value of the Canadian dollar took more money out of some baby boomers' pockets. And the economic challenges during the last year have exacerbated these problems. 

When you put it all together many baby boomers are reluctant to spend money on their businesses at this point in time. 

I suppose this is no surprise to economists. Likely, in every generation of business, the leading generation of business people hits a point when it becomes less confident and less courageous. When that happens expenditures shrink. And protectionism, around personal wealth, sets in. 

Regardless, it certainly is troubling to watch the value of baby boomers’ businesses shrink…year after year.

Perhaps, it is time to consider better options…small changes for the better.

What legacy do you want to leave?

Tags:

Abundance | Thinking as in Think and Grow Rich

All Hell's breakin' loose out there...

by Rick Baker
On Sep 1, 2016

…or, at least, some days, it sure seems that way.

I know you notice – 

  • People scampering around…ignoring others…craving instant gratification.
  • Reduced time…reduced patience…reduced listening skills.
  • Increased pace…increased special effects…increased intolerance.

I know you see – 

Plenty of action out there, most of it stomping over a shortage of thinking.

I know you hear – 

Most-lazy viewpoints ricocheting off most-frenetic actions.

You do your best to step beyond these things as you plan your work and work your plan. You know there are better ways because you have done them and achieved better results. 

You try to help others understand better methods: and yes, some people excel in response to your advice and example. You don’t expect everyone to ‘get it’. You savour the moments when some do. You keep track of those people who do ‘get it’ – you never stop applauding their successes. You work to help as many as you can, within reason and within realistic expectations. You remain optimistic.

You celebrate successes, but you don’t over-celebrate.

You feel some pain over failures, but not too much pain or pain that lasts too long. 

You learn equally from success and failure.

You learn from people who live lives laced with quests for instant gratification.

You learn from deep thinkers.

You learn from heroes and their fringe behavior.

You learn when the seas are calm and you learn when all Hell’s breakin’ loose out there.

 

Tags:

Thinking as in Think and Grow Rich

Copyright © 2012. W.F.C (Rick) Baker. All Rights Reserved.