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Name of author Rick Baker, P.Eng.

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Thought Tweet #598

by Rick Baker
On Oct 31, 2012

Thought Tweet #598 If you're in the dark, don't make light of things.


The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Optimism, Pessimism, & Realism... how do you find the right overall balance and the right strategy for the situation at hand?

Some thoughts:

  1. Overall, be Optimistic: look for the bright side, consider the possibilities, be around and listen to others who are enthusiastic. Optimists live happier lives.
  2. Place realistic bounds on Optimism. Despite what they say about big, hairy audacious goals - BHAGs are not for everyone. And, often, over-zealous optimism injures other people.
  3. Pessimism demotivates. If you are naturally pessimistic...think before your share your views and your body language.
  4. Leaders - anticipate situations. And plan for situations...of course not all situations - but some. Recognize some people handle stress well and some folks handle stress poorly.

 

Thought Tweet #597

by Rick Baker
On Oct 30, 2012

Thought Tweet #597 Beware: a dose of your own medicine could be a tough pill to swallow.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Most of us have heard the proverb "Physician heal thyself."

The moral of the proverb is fix your own defects before you criticize other people's defects

And the essence of this and other similar proverbs is constructive criticism is an oxymoron

Constructive criticism is an oxymoron: that's a rule to live by.

Tags:

Criticism: Constructive Criticism is an Oxymoron | Humour | Thought Tweets

If it's the last thing I do I'm gonna change that person!

by Rick Baker
On Oct 30, 2012

If it's the last thing I do I'm gonna change that person!

How much brainpower has been consumed with schemes and dreams around changing other people?

I mean:

  • we observe what other people do and say, 
  • we assume we know what they are thinking or we choose to believe that's not an important factor,
  • we think about how those other people are all wrong, mistaken, and making errors,
  • we concoct a vision of their better future, 
  • we compare notes with accomplices to make sure we get our arguments airtight, and
  • we set about persuading the wrong, mistaken, error-making people how to go about getting their better future.

How much brainpower has been consumed doing that?

I suspect many of us have spent considerable time in that I'm-going-to-change-other-people zone. 

It isn't time well spent, is it?

Tags:

Brain: about the Human Brain | Change: Creating Positive Change

Thought Tweet #596

by Rick Baker
On Oct 29, 2012

Thought Tweet #596 Without batting an eye...or crossing a 't'.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

That's what you can expect from a good liar with bad hand-writing.

Tags:

Humour | Thought Tweets

Thought Tweet #595

by Rick Baker
On Oct 26, 2012

Thought Tweet #595 Don't thumb your nose at the grindstone.

 

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

If you cannot put your nose to the grindstone, you might be tempted to thumb your nose at it.

Thumbing noses at good-old-fashioned hard work is not a good strategy.

Quality work ethic is an important part of a life well lived.

Some say work mastery is bliss. 

Tags:

Emotions & Feelings @ Work | Humour | Thought Tweets

80% of people are not engaged at work.

by Rick Baker
On Oct 26, 2012

Most people have, at best, a vague understanding of their personal strengths.

They have perceptions of things they can do well...but, they have little understanding of "why".

Without an understanding of "why" they have little ability to put their natural talents to best use or to full use.

That’s one of the main reasons 80% of people are not engaged at work.

***

Again - Most people have, at best, a vague understanding of their personal strengths.

And - Most people have even less understanding of other people's personal strengths.

That’s another one of the main reasons 80% of people are not engaged at work.

***

Most people understand results better than causes...and personal strengths are the root causes leading to success-effects.

Most people, if they apply their minds to it can gain a good understanding of their personal strengths.

Most people do not take the time to apply their minds in that direction.

They are too busy. 

As a result, most workplaces score poorly when it comes to putting personal strengths to work. 

Personal strengths align with good feelings and better results. 

When feelings and actions are out of synch with personal strengths we see:

  • Substandard performance
  • Negative attitude
  • Inattention
  • Errors
  • Fire Fighting

And we see 80% of people not engaged at work.

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