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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Thought Tweet #488

by Rick Baker
On May 30, 2012

Thought Tweet #488 As technology advances at an ever-increasing pace we are at a similarly-increasing pace becoming isolated individuals.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Thinking about 'Future Shock' while reading 'ZEN and the art of making a living'...people can be immensely connected while, at the same, time most isolated. It is difficult to match the power of physical proximity. 

Tags:

Beyond Business | IT & TECH | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #487

by Rick Baker
On May 29, 2012

Thought Tweet #487 Concentration is about presence, attention, & observation; focus is about presence & seeking greater understanding. 

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Focus wraps context around concentration.

Tags:

Brain: about the Human Brain | Definitions - Spirited Words Defined | Thought Tweets

Chapter 3

by Rick Baker
On May 29, 2012

If you have not read Chapter 1 or Chapter 2 then check out the chapters of 'A Book' at this link 

***

Having completed Chapter 2, you should have a picture in your mind that looks like this:

The picture shows how your feelings are described within a range while you are at work and it shows how you normally feel at work. Check your range to make sure it does not include your absolute best or worst feelings. The intent is to capture how you feel 90-plus% of the time...but not 100%. Stated another way, we want the range to include feelings that have a 90-plus% likelihood of being experienced in the future.

Now, consider the "Low" and "High" ends of the range and the "Norm". Test them for reasonableness.

Focus, one at a time, on the following 3 things:

  1. Where is your range situated on the Minus10-to-Plus10 Scale?
  2. How broad is your range?
  3. Where does your Norm sit within your range?

If you are comfortable with doing it then ask a trusted friend, co-worker or boss to check your range and Norm...do they agree with these 3 aspects of your self-assessment?

When this is done think about how satisfied you are with your Low, your Norm, and your High. 

If you are truly satisfied then - terrific.

If your scores do not satisfy you then you have some options.

You could:

  • Determine how to become satisfied with your Low, Norm, and High
  • Determine how to raise at least one of your Low, Norm, or High

Those are the fundamental choices you should consider.

If you are like most people then you would like to enjoy work more. After all, you are spending a large amount of your waking hours at work...it makes sense to enjoy that time as much as you can. To accomplish that you can reduce the amount and extent of negative feelings or expand the amount and extent of positive feelings. 

With your range of feelings established with 'Low' and 'High' points and your feelings 'Norm' established you have benchmarks to help you accomplish those objectives.

 

 

Tags:

A Book | Emotions & Feelings @ Work | Measure & Monitor

Thought Tweet #486

by Rick Baker
On May 28, 2012

Thought Tweet #486 If you do not know your limitations then your willpower won't.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

"A man's got to know his limitations." Clint Eastwood said that when he played Dirty Harry in 'Magnum Force', (1973). And, about 2500 years earlier Socrates is supposed to have said, "Know thyself." If you know yourself and you know your limitations then you have a fighting chance to know when you will need willpower. If you do not know your limitations then your willpower won't.

Tags:

Beyond Business | Hero Worship | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #485

by Rick Baker
On May 25, 2012

Thought Tweet #485 Do you ever wonder about the lines of code that govern the operation of your brain?

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

"Genetic coding - DNA" 

"Mental scripting"

"Formal education and knowledge - ABCs', 'Times Tables', etc"

The key point is: there are single lines of code that govern the operation of the human brain. That does not necessarily mean everything that operates in our brains is governed by 'lines of code'. But, there is no question...single lines of code govern some of the operation of our brains.

And, that's one key to understanding and changing Habits.

 


Take The Time-Out To Think...

by Rick Baker
On May 24, 2012

Take the time out to think...

Apparently, Julius Caesar said, "Under my tent in the fiercest struggle of war I have always found time to think of many other things."

This, to me, is an example of successful people have more time

Now, you can interpret that Julius Caesar quote many ways - as examples:

  • He had a unique ability to select topics for his thoughts even under the most-difficult situations.
  • He found a way to shut out undesirable noise and distraction so he could think about things important to him.
  • He excelled at selecting leaders of men and delegating the actions of war.
  • He was a very confident fellow.
Probably, all of the above are true.
 
Some people are naturally gifted with an ability to concentrate under difficult situations. Those who do not possess this natural ability can develop it. It is true - most people will not be able to develop concentration and thought-power to the level attributed to Julius Caesar. Then again - business people don't have to lead Roman armies. 
 
Business people can develop the ability to concentrate on important things even while fires are being fought around them. Today, more than ever, this is a necessary skill to develop.
 
Four of the keys to this skill are:
  • getting present
  • using simple tools
  • practicing
  • conditioning via baby steps
 
 
 
 

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