I love this quote:
“If I’d known I’d live this long I’d have taken better care of myself.” –Eubie Blake
4 Paths to Greatness
Quality WINS – every time!
German car manufacturers like Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Audi teach us a valuable lesson about quality. All of these car manufacturers are obsessed with quality. They now dominate every segment of the car market in all countries. During the 70’s and 80’s, Italy and France had brands like Fiat and Peugeot who fell short on quality because they were preoccupied with design.
We too must take some lesson out of this. If you want your organization or business to thrive then you must be obsessed with quality first and the customer ‘design’ experience second. Both are important but quality is of paramount importance.
Design Inspires
If you want to lift your energy and unlock your creativity go on an adventure that inspires you. Go to a museum or the art gallery. Go climb the harbour bridge. Or visit a clothing boutique of a brand whose design inspires you.
Laughter Connects
Making people smile or laugh is the easiest way to build a connection. You may be fortunate enough to work in an industry where you interact with each other and customers daily. What a perfect opportunity to add richness to your life through the power of laughter.
Life is Beautiful
Emerson wrote: “Without the rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar”.
I couldn’t agree more. Don’t chase fame or fortune. Be more interested in simple things like the beauty of watching a sunrise or eating a fresh bowl of colourful fruit. I have learned that the greatest of pleasures is the simplest of pleasures
Ordinary People versus Great People
Ordinary People can fool anyone in the short term.
GREAT people build trust and earn respect for the long term.
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Ordinary People panic about deadlines and forget their priorities.
GREAT People know that spending time with loved ones and doing work that matters is all that counts.
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Ordinary people spend too much time talking and complaining.
GREAT people take action quietly and without fuss.
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Ordinary people watch TV when they get home.
GREAT people read books, write journals and meditate.
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Ordinary people seek attention.
GREAT people let their work and conduct speak for them.
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Ordinary people dodge responsibility – ‘someone else will clean up the problem’
GREAT people take ownership of challenges with a smile on their face.
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Ordinary people gossip and tear others down to get ahead.
GREAT people take others with them on the way up.
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Ordinary people skip class or lectures or seminars.
GREAT people know that education and learning pays off.
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Ordinary people pick up take away food on the way home.
GREAT people pick up groceries, cook at home and make enough for lunch the next day.
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Ordinary people react defensively to customers with gripes or demands.
GREAT people listen patiently and show empathy.
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Ordinary people swear and use clichés.
GREAT people have impeccable conduct and use language like art.
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Ordinary vs. GREAT. Which one are you?
We all can act ordinary sometimes. GREAT people however are mindful when they are being ordinary and step up to greatness every time.
How To Compete with Kids
You Can’t.
Kids see the world through different eyes. Eyes that do not (or prefer not to) perceive limitation or fear. Kids tackle life with a sense of curiosity, imagination and fun.
Here are 7 pretty cool things you can learn from kids that will help you live outside the square and get noticed at work (in a good way):
7. Kids have no limits. They think BIG. Progress is only ever made when you challenge the limits. So go ahead and ask “What if we do this?” at the next meeting.
6. Kids are fearless. Get a bunch of kids in a group and ask them for ideas on anything and they will go nuts. Their eyes light up with enthusiasm and they get animated. Compare that with adults who sit there deliberating on everything they say for fear of sounding stupid.
5. Kids like to have fun, otherwise they start to yawn and get tired. Their energy does not go to waste. It is expended completely. Having fun does not mean frivolous fun at the expense of getting stuff done. Get creative about what you do. Ask yourself, “What can I do differently to grab people’s attention?”
4. Adults ask “why?” Kids ask “why not!” They don’t take no for an answer. If kids are enthusiastic about an idea, it’s hard to dissuade them.
3. Kids don’t hold back. If they don’t like something they will let you know. So speak truthfully at work. Say what’s on your mind. Do not agree with ideas just to be popular. Pull someone up who is doing the wrong thing.
2. Kids ‘get over it’ pretty quickly. They wake the next morning and don’t even remember what they did wrong or what upset them the previous day. They forgive quickly and don’t hold grudges. They are wired to say “Next!”
1. Kids love their imagination and use it to daydream. Adults learn to steer away from their imagination, as they grow ‘older’ because they start to use it to imagine the worst. So it scares them. It makes them feel uneasy. Cf. with kids who use it to think of the ‘bestest ideas ever!’
So here’s a BIG idea. Hire more kids at heart. And remember that there is a difference between being child-like and being childish. You want the former not the latter.
Every organisation that is serious about innovation and business transformation has to have enthusiastic and imaginative people in their talent pool. More importantly they have to nurture and promote such talent to positions of influence, and not just for transient amusement or the fake appearance of being a cool company.
Sleep More Get Smart
Whenever I suggest more sleep around motivated people on the go, I am often met with ‘are you insane?!’, followed by a ‘yawn’. Not only because the topic bores them but also because they are sleep deprived. Im guilty on both counts. But below you will find 3 great tips for the best sleep ever.
Sure we might go through periods where we sleep less and for good reason. For example when we travel to exciting destinations and constantly on the go. Or when we work on projects that stimulate us. But there comes a tipping point where the mind and body say, “hey, enough is enough, you need to chill”.
Benefits of sleep:
- You will look more attractive (that’s why they call it ‘beauty sleep’)
- You will improve your memory
- You will lower your stress levels
- You will be smarter. Albert Einstein needed 10 hours sleep a night.
And the best thing about sleep is that its free. It’s the best supplement that money can’t buy. It is a daily detox for the mind. Some people swear by meditation to relax BUT research show that sleep is far more effective.
Here are three tips that will definitely get you the best sleep:
- Cardio exercise after work – at least 30 mins.
- Get some sun around midday.
- Have a laugh in the last hour before you go to bed. Hang out with fun people or watch your favourite comedy.
And remember that one hour sleep before midnight is worth 2 hours sleep after midnight. So get to bed early.
Yawn.