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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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‘being perfect by the end’ versus ‘doing better today’

by Rick Baker
On May 4, 2016

Simon Sinek wrote, “The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today.” 

I wonder – What do people think and feel when they read ‘inspirational tidbits’ like this? 

Do they think – “That’s so wise. Aiming for perfection is a recipe for disaster. Doing a bit better today is an admirable way to spend the day.

Do they feel – “Wow. What a relief, no more worries about perfection or big hairy audacious goals. Now, I am comfortable facing today.

***

On the ‘pro’ side of thinking…

Small goals are the right way to pave the road to ultimate success. Big hairy audacious goals worked for Jim Collins, however, BHAGs do not work for most people and - as Fannie Mae illustrated - they can be more about hogwash than hedgehogs

On the ‘con’ side of thinking…

Why not aim to be perfect in the end? Full mastery of the things you view to be meaningful and lie within your control…isn’t that an admirable life goal? And, isn’t achievement of an admirable life-goal a worthy way to invest your energy and spend your time? That said, most people are very comfortable – at least, they appear to be very comfortable – living lives that fall far short of ‘perfect in the end’. 

Questions & food for thought,,,

  • When you stop to think about it, does it matter how other people live their lives? 
  • Do you care if a person aims to be perfect in the end? 
  • Would you be inspired to know a person is aiming to be perfect in the end? 
  • Would you be put off to know a person is aiming to be perfect in the end? 

Decadence & Confidence

by Rick Baker
On May 2, 2016

Are we spoiled rotten?

Is our self-absorption reducing our ability to succeed?

Is our expectation of kindness killing our ability to be competitive?

When I use the word "decadence", my thoughts are much closer to Nietzsche than President's Choice. I'm thinking of two types of people: those with resilient, vibrant, 'living' self-confidence and others with a shortage of that ingrained self-confidence. I'm thinking there is a mix of these two types of people, with the truly confident people being outnumbered by those who are not truly confident. This 'imbalance' creates a natural tension between the two groups...each trying to exert its influence on the other. And, when the influence of those lacking confidence shifts the balance away from confidence the equilibrium is distorted as decadence sets in. 

This is a 'societal phenomenon', affecting all levels of community: nations, tribes, cities, communes, families...and businesses.

Every business has a 'confidence factor'.

Some businesses are founded on confidence: self-confidence in individuals, confidence in relationships and teams, confidence in products and services, confidence in leadership...confidence in business. these confidence-founded businesses enjoy many advantages, to name a handful: 

  • can do attitude, which leads to decisive action
  • optimism, which breeds open-mindedness and abundance mindsets
  • curiosity, which triggers enthusiasm, creativity, and innovation
  • efficiency, from role clarity and goal clarity to doing the right things at the right times...'natural discipline' at work
  • quality relations, from civility and harmony to trust and real integrity, within the organization and clearly evident to all affected by the organization

Re-phrasing the initial questions...

Are those who lack confidence overriding those who have it, reducing our businesses' aggregate 'confidence factor'?

Are those who lack confidence reducing confident people's ability to realize their visions and goals?

Are those who lack confidence placing our businesses at risk vis-a-vis competitors in our neighbourhoods?...other communities?...other nations?

Who wants to improve?

by Rick Baker
On Mar 21, 2016

Who wants to improve? 

Some people do - they seek out motivational speakers and courses. These people want something and recognize the status quo isn't going to bring that something. 

Some people don't - they more or less do the same things day after day. They discount or ignore the advice they receive (regardless of how it is delivered). Sometimes, they blame others for their predicament...as victims do. 

But - is that actually true? Do some people truly have no interest in improving? Or, is that just what they say...their style of victim-speaking...their way of justifying lassitude or laziness or lack of ambition?

Regardless, there seems to be a disconnect between the people who want to improve and those who do not. The people within each group tend to understand one another, however, there’s a huge thinking-gap between the two groups. Here’s a couple of key indicators:

  • People who say and act like they want to improve seem to expect everyone wants to improve.
  • People who say and act like they do not want to improve seem to want to left alone …’let be’…not pestered by others who expect them to want to ‘change for the better’.

Most businesses contain people from each group. So, most businesses contain a major communication and performance rift between those who want to improve and those who do not. We will all be much better off if we can span these communication gaps and improve business performance. We can accomplish these improvements…first, with knowledge…then with communication laced with quality questions and quality listening.

Have you noticed - somebody's always telling you how to think?

by Rick Baker
On Mar 17, 2016

If somebody's always telling you how to think then - Why not let that person be you? 

We are immersed in people trying to tell us what to think. Sometimes they are covert - as in subliminal messages. Sometimes they are loud and clear - right in our faces. Regardless, everyone has opinions wandering around in their heads and, it seems, almost everyone is eager to foist their opinions into our ears and our eyes and ultimately into our minds. 

 

You Deserve a Break Today.

Just Do It.

Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There.

 

Dr Phil

Judge Judy

The New York Times: "All the News That's Fit to Print"

 

Politicians

Rock Stars

Movie Makers

 

At every turn, everywhere you look, every time you listen...somebody is telling you how to think.

Why not to cut out the middlemen?

Why not tell yourself how to think?

Wait a second. 

Talking about people telling you how to think...now...I'm being like all the rest of them...maybe I'm doing it to you too!...

...maybe not...perhaps, I'm just posing questions?

Tags:

Questions?: The Art of Asking Good Questions | Thinking as in Think and Grow Rich

Who wants to improve?

by Rick Baker
On Feb 29, 2016

You probably spend quite a bit of your time watching people perform and noticing some people tend to do things really well while others tend to do things poorly. At least from time to time, you probably think about people making changes and improving…learning how to make fewer errors, figuring out how to have more-positive attitudes, etc.

But, do you ever step back and consider the question – Who wants to improve?

You know some people do want to improve – you see them seeking out motivational speakers and courses. These people want something and recognize the status quo isn't going to bring that something.

You know some people don't want to improve – you see them more or less doing the same things day after day. They discount or ignore the advice they receive (regardless of how it is delivered). Sometimes, they blame others for their predicament...as victims do. For example, you may have heard people say things like, “I like being poor. I am supposed to be poor. I have no desire to change anything.”

But - is that actually true?

I mean - do many people truly/sincerely have no interest in improving? Or, is that just what they say...their way of victim-speaking...their way of justifying lassitude/laziness/lack of ambition…their way of blaming Fate or Destiny for their shortcomings?

Certainly, some people have this mindset: life has beaten some people down.

Other people believe in the overarching control held by Fate or Destiny or other beyond-our-control things that place limits on people’s accomplishments.

Whether we agree with these sorts of beaten-down or fatalistic mindsets or not, we can understand how other people can think that way. For example, we can understand how lingering, serious health problems can wear down the spirit and cause people to give up on life.

However, aside from extreme cases that provide reasonable justification, are people being sincere when they say they do not want to improve?

How do disorganized people accomplish productive things in business?

by Rick Baker
On Feb 17, 2016

To explore this topic, I did some on-line research and found an interesting article that has fed into my thinking process. Below are some excerpts from that article called ‘Why People With Disorganized Mind Are More Intelligent’. The article can be found at http://www.lifehack.org/324803/12-reasons-why-people-with-disorganized-mind-are-actually-more-intelligent [COMMUNICATION MOTIVATION BY DIANNA LABRIEN]

 

Why People With Disorganized Minds Are More Intelligent

The clutter continues to accumulate—it has all of your life. You can’t find your car keys or your cell phone; you get in the car to go somewhere and you find yourself going in the wrong direction; if you have a workspace, it’s a mess; nothing is ever “where it’s supposed to be.”

You “suffer” from what psychologists now call “chronic disorganization.” But, what these psychologists also now tell us it that chronically disorganized people have higher intelligence and greater creativity. So, take heart, and the next time someone criticizes you for your disorganization, give them some facts to chew on. And here are 12 of those facts that demonstrate the high level of intellectual functioning of the chronically disorganized.

1. They score high on verbal IQ tests, often in the gifted range.

2. They have high creativity levels.

3. They have a broad range of interests.

4. They process information through their right brain hemispheres—the “creative” side.

5. They develop strong attachments to often un-related things and people.

6. They want to be around high-energy people.

7. They tend to lose track of time.

8. They have difficulty focusing when they are not interested or fascinated.

9. They are intuitive, extroverted, and feeling according to personality testing.

10. They must be learning all the time.

11. They think globally.

12. They may seem “nerdy” or “know-it-all” to others.

Disorganized people need to discover the truth and, in most instances, their own brand of truth. They may spend a lot of time with books and on the Internet. In school, they may be seen as nerds; to psychologists, they may be identified as having Asperger’s. They do not have a lot of patience for those who want to “follow the book” on everything. They research and think about how not to “follow the book” and are usually pretty committed to voicing their ideas and opinions—thus they can get a reputation for being a “know-it-all”.”

 

Now, there’s some food for thought. If you buy into those 12 points then perhaps you can buy into the concept that even disorganized people can succeed in business….and become well-respected business leaders.

Then, the questions move from whether or not disorganized people can succeed to the hows & whats around the thinking and actions that must happen to bring out the success embedded in disorganized people.

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