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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Your brain needs the proper amount of sleep

by Rick Baker
On Mar 4, 2011
It is important to get the proper amount of sleep...say 7 to 8 hours per night.
 
In order to get that sleep, it is important to get to sleep when you want to get to sleep.  I mean, laying around thinking about sleep doesn’t count.
 
There are some things you should not do just before going to bed because those things tend to reduce your ability to fall asleep.
 
Conversely, there are some things you can do to promote falling asleep sooner rather than later.
 
I listened to an audio book that provided a list of things we shouldn't do just before bedtime.
 
As examples:
  • Don't exercise just before bedtime.
  • Don't drink coffee.
  • Don't eat.
  • Don't watch TV, especially the news…which tends to raise blood pressure.
  • Don't read exciting stuff.
To be clear - reading before bed can help us fall asleep.
 
However, that sleeping aid doesn't work if the reading material is exciting.
 
I see opportunity here.
 
I'm thinking of writing a series of before-bedtime ‘blogs’:  I will make sure they are not exciting at all.
 
In the meantime, I sure hope my Thought Posts are not depriving you of too much sleep.

Tags:

Brain: about the Human Brain

Sales Tweet #165

by Rick Baker
On Mar 4, 2011
Sales Tweet #165 Just the other day, we heard a fellow bragging that he never boasts.
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
Sometimes we judge others more harshly than we judge ourselves.

Tags:

Humour | Thought Tweets

Humour in the workplace

by Rick Baker
On Mar 3, 2011
Did Henry Ford fire people for smiling during working hours?
 
Did Henry Ford believe the workplace was for work and everything personal should be left at home before we head off to work?
 
Did Henry Ford believe casual chats and humour had no place in the workplace?
 
Whether fact or legend, perhaps the answer is not important.
 
But, the topic of humour in the workplace is important.
 
I agree with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who said:
“A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done”
 
Whether you agree or not, you may want to consider the following sorts or questions:
  • Does workplace humour promote creativity or innovation?
  • Does workplace humour promote harmony amongst co-workers?
  • Does workplace humour reduce people’s stress levels?
  • If workplace humour is a good thing…what type of humour is acceptable?
  • If workplace humour is a good thing…how much is the right amount?
  • If workplace humour is a good thing…how should we bring it about?
Henry Ford
Henry Ford
 
Apparently, as he grew older Henry Ford relaxed his approach to discipline.
 
← an interesting expression…
Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa  →
 
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
Henry Ford
 
“Don't find fault, find a remedy.”
Henry Ford

Tags:

Emotions & Feelings @ Work | Hero Worship | Leaders' Thoughts

Sales Tweet #164

by Rick Baker
On Mar 3, 2011
Sales Tweet #164 Simple advice: speak up and be heard, shut up and be appreciated.
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
Jay Abraham tells a great story about meeting a fellow at a convention-hotel bar. Jay asked the fellow dozens of questions and the fellow talked about himself for hours. At the end of the evening, the other fellow said Jay was the most-interesting person he had ever talked to.

Tags:

Sales | Thought Tweets

no carrots, no sticks…no donkeys

by Rick Baker
On Mar 2, 2011
After attending Daniel Pink’s recent presentation, as I walked across the parking lot to my car that phrase found its way into my thoughts – no carrots, no sticks…no donkeys.
 
That was one of two major ‘take-aways’ I received from spending a half a morning with Dan Pink.
 
Why no carrots, no sticks…no donkeys?
 
Dan Pink made a compelling argument: we must alter how we deal with people if we want them to be motivated at work. In times gone by people were motivated to work under a combination of carrots & sticks…much as carrots & sticks had succeeded with donkeys.
 
As Dan Pink stated at one point…people are not donkeys.
 
Today, our people no longer perform much rudimentary work. Our people perform an increasing amount of conceptual work. And – this trend will continue to grow.
 
Now that conceptual work is the norm:
  • To ensure future success, we must alter our approach to motivation.
  • We must pay people enough to remove money from the table. Actually, we should pay people a little more than enough. People must feel they are being treated fairly. After that, money generates at best a diminishing return.
  • After money is off the table, our people we will be motivated by 3 things:
    • Autonomy
    • Mastery
    • Purpose
Here’s a link to learn more about Autonomy, Mastery, & Purpose.
 
I mentioned above, for me, Dan Pink provided 2 major ‘take-aways’.
 
Here’s the 2nd one…
 
Throughout but particularly near the end of his presentation, Daniel Pink engaged the audience in discussion. He asked and he answered questions. At one point, after answering a question he paused for a moment, looked at the fellow who had asked the question, and said “talk to me…you look sceptical…talk to me more”. The fellow did talk more and he and Dan Pink shared more thoughts.
 
I was really taken by “talk to me…you look sceptical…talk to me more”.
 
Dan Pink is an excellent public speaker. It is clear he truly cares about the people in his audience. And, he wants to help them.
 
What a great example of how to deliver value to your audience.
 
P.S.: Communitech deserves a big round of applause for bringing Daniel Pink to our community.

Tags:

Criticism: Constructive Criticism is an Oxymoron | INSPIRE PEOPLE - GROW PROFITS!

Sales Tweet #163

by Rick Baker
On Mar 2, 2011
Sales Tweet #163 Ernest Seller jumps to so many conclusions his legs get sore.
 
The Thinking Behind the Sales Tweet
That’s a metaphor. I mean – it isn’t exactly true. However, Ernest does have a strong pair of legs on him…if he jumps to many more conclusions he could become a frogman.

Tags:

Thought Tweets | Ernest Seller

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