by Kristi Willis
This morning I booted up my computer in the San Jose airport with the intent of shooting off some e-mails before I got on the plane. I logged in and an error message popped up on my screen. My Windows profile was corrupted and it couldn’t log me in using my profile settings.
Oh boy.
I quickly checked to make sure all of my files were still on the hard drive. Phew – I didn’t lose any data. But when I opened Outlook it took me to the install screen. Oh boy.
I called IT to let them know that we would have to doctor my PC when I got home before my trip to Detroit next week. Then, I opened Outlook Web Access (OWA) to send a few e-mails while I was still in the airport. But what was I going to do on the plane?
I had planned to respond to e-mails that came in yesterday while I was in class and do some work that I no longer had access to. Was I dead in the water or could I still make productive use of my three hour flight? Temptation was whispering in my ear that I could just watch a movie. While I’d love that, I don’t want to have to work extra hours next week to play catch up.
I took a deep breath and regrouped. I reminded myself of the TEST model for prioritizing that we teach in class. What will I have the Time and Energy to do and be in the right Situation to handle the Top level thing?
I looked at my Task list in OWA (which is ugly since it won’t categorize) and found the things that were due today. I realized that several of these weren’t dependent on Outlook but could be done with Word or Excel. I could still work on those. And a few items are paper-based and are in my Pendaflex. I could do those too.
As I looked through the list, I realized I had a number of things I could still work on during my flight. They might not be the most “urgent” things, but I could at least get them out of the way so that on Tuesday I could focus on the “urgent” items.
This experience reminded me that we become so dependent on our e-mail tool that when it’s not working we feel dead in the water. I still had access to my Task list through OWA or on my PDA which I referred to during the flight to keep myself focused. I don’t need Outlook to get things done, and in some ways not having it today made me more productive.
Now, back to those Actions in my Pendaflex…
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Drills For Life
by Kim Brewster
Fire drills are required for most office buildings and our building recently participated in one. We had plenty of notice by the building management so a number of folks had alternative plans on their calendars which took them out of the office. It’s still pretty warm in Austin and being without air conditioning for a few minutes is rather unbearable to some, even with the enticement of free ice cream from our local ice cream maven.
As the alarms sounded, hundreds of tenants began to make their way through the stairwells to the first floor and out of the building and I marveled at how organized and quiet it seemed. Since we are hardwired for the release of adrenaline in a threatening situation, I wondered if that same sense of calm would have prevailed had it been an actual emergency. Or would I have been in a hurry to get down the stairs and out the building? Even in this organized evacuation, I found myself lacking some patience for those who descended the stairs at a snail’s pace, or those who wore shoes more appropriate for the fashion runway. After all, we had been given notice that elevators would not be an option for exiting the building.
All in all, the drill was a success. After the drill, the lines for the elevators were a little too long for the return to work, so I headed up the stairs. 16 flights later, I was back at my office and thankful for the lessons learned.
There are things in life that do we do not get drills for or cannot adequately prepare for ahead of time. However, our EDGE training helps us keep a handle on small, large and all items and events in between.
You may not always be rewarded with ice cream, but your participation in life’s drills will often be the ultimate reward.
Fire drills are required for most office buildings and our building recently participated in one. We had plenty of notice by the building management so a number of folks had alternative plans on their calendars which took them out of the office. It’s still pretty warm in Austin and being without air conditioning for a few minutes is rather unbearable to some, even with the enticement of free ice cream from our local ice cream maven.
As the alarms sounded, hundreds of tenants began to make their way through the stairwells to the first floor and out of the building and I marveled at how organized and quiet it seemed. Since we are hardwired for the release of adrenaline in a threatening situation, I wondered if that same sense of calm would have prevailed had it been an actual emergency. Or would I have been in a hurry to get down the stairs and out the building? Even in this organized evacuation, I found myself lacking some patience for those who descended the stairs at a snail’s pace, or those who wore shoes more appropriate for the fashion runway. After all, we had been given notice that elevators would not be an option for exiting the building.
All in all, the drill was a success. After the drill, the lines for the elevators were a little too long for the return to work, so I headed up the stairs. 16 flights later, I was back at my office and thankful for the lessons learned.
There are things in life that do we do not get drills for or cannot adequately prepare for ahead of time. However, our EDGE training helps us keep a handle on small, large and all items and events in between.
You may not always be rewarded with ice cream, but your participation in life’s drills will often be the ultimate reward.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Honoring Ourselves and Giving Our Best
by Christina Randle
Bonking is a term mostly used in endurance sports. It is the point when you hit a wall. There’s nothing left physically, emotionally or mentally. I became familiar with this term several years ago when I took up the sport of cycling. I’d go on a ride and get so excited and focused on keeping up with the more experienced riders that I wouldn’t stop to hydrate, rest or eat. Next thing I knew, I had bonked.
It’s hard to recover and manage through the pain or tired or feeling that you just can’t go on. The body, mind and emotions seem to conspire against every desire there is to finish, to succeed. In unison, all aspects of one’s being scream STOP!
Over time I got better at managing this bonking in cycling with training, stops for water, and snacks.
This past week it happened to me. But I wasn’t on my bike; I was working. I’m a big-picture, desired outcome, delegate the details and inspire others to complete them with great success gal/ manager/ leader/professional. So the pressure to complete four significant and mission critical projects by the end of the month, with all the endless details, left me dry and spent. I don’t do this much research and detail work naturally. These detailed projects weren’t my forte. All of this on top of the rest of my life, which is very full in itself.
It felt like a heavy weight was keeping me from breathing, keeping me from moving. All the details were screaming at me to handle them – and now. But there wasn’t the energy to do them.
When you bonk, it’s fruitless to keep going no matter how determined. It doesn’t produce any results. I needed some different perspective. So, I left my work and went for a bike ride.
During my ride, I heard myself replaying what we say to clients- we are holistic people, all the time; even at work. We are physical, mental, emotional and spiritual beings. But I’d pushed myself too far mentally and emotionally to drive these projects. I’d stopped taking care of the physical and spiritual. I’d stopped exercising and taking time out to find the beauty, listen inside, be quiet even if just for a few minutes.
It was a good reminder. With a fresh perspective, I returned home, stretched and sat quiet for a few minutes. When I returned to work, I felt balanced, focused and energized. I felt as if I’d re-learned one of life’s beautiful lessons. It’s only when we honor all of ourselves that we give our best.
Stated another way, thank goodness for bonking!
Bonking is a term mostly used in endurance sports. It is the point when you hit a wall. There’s nothing left physically, emotionally or mentally. I became familiar with this term several years ago when I took up the sport of cycling. I’d go on a ride and get so excited and focused on keeping up with the more experienced riders that I wouldn’t stop to hydrate, rest or eat. Next thing I knew, I had bonked.
It’s hard to recover and manage through the pain or tired or feeling that you just can’t go on. The body, mind and emotions seem to conspire against every desire there is to finish, to succeed. In unison, all aspects of one’s being scream STOP!
Over time I got better at managing this bonking in cycling with training, stops for water, and snacks.
This past week it happened to me. But I wasn’t on my bike; I was working. I’m a big-picture, desired outcome, delegate the details and inspire others to complete them with great success gal/ manager/ leader/professional. So the pressure to complete four significant and mission critical projects by the end of the month, with all the endless details, left me dry and spent. I don’t do this much research and detail work naturally. These detailed projects weren’t my forte. All of this on top of the rest of my life, which is very full in itself.
It felt like a heavy weight was keeping me from breathing, keeping me from moving. All the details were screaming at me to handle them – and now. But there wasn’t the energy to do them.
When you bonk, it’s fruitless to keep going no matter how determined. It doesn’t produce any results. I needed some different perspective. So, I left my work and went for a bike ride.
During my ride, I heard myself replaying what we say to clients- we are holistic people, all the time; even at work. We are physical, mental, emotional and spiritual beings. But I’d pushed myself too far mentally and emotionally to drive these projects. I’d stopped taking care of the physical and spiritual. I’d stopped exercising and taking time out to find the beauty, listen inside, be quiet even if just for a few minutes.
It was a good reminder. With a fresh perspective, I returned home, stretched and sat quiet for a few minutes. When I returned to work, I felt balanced, focused and energized. I felt as if I’d re-learned one of life’s beautiful lessons. It’s only when we honor all of ourselves that we give our best.
Stated another way, thank goodness for bonking!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Take a Timeout
By Angela Ware
As an avid sports fan, there are times when my favorite teams are struggling in a game, and I find myself yelling at the coach, (sometimes via the TV) “Take a timeout!” When they don’t hear me, I yell even louder. Then I start soliciting agreement from those around me by asking the proverbial questions, “Did you see that? Why don’t they take a timeout and regroup?”
As a fan and “pseudo” former athlete, I know the importance of taking a timeout in an effort to regain perspective and set a strategy to gain momentum. I’ve seen coaches call a timeout which results in the players returning to the game with a new found energy and determination. On the flip side, I have also seen the opportunity for a timeout slip away along with the chance for victory, resulting in disappointed players, coaches and fans.
Regardless of the sport, every team takes timeouts. They have incremental breaks and half times. I have seen athletes who are at the top of their game request to be pulled out of the game in an attempt to catch their breath or seek advice.
In today’s fast-paced business world, we would do good to follow the lead of some of our favorite athletes and teams. When your day is running “full press”, give yourself permission to take a time out, catch your breath, regain focus, and set a plan for gaining momentum.
If you spend your entire day on the field, in the trenches of your work, you are missing an opportunity to step back and see the entire field of play. You are also draining yourself of the energy needed to have a clear mind and full life after the game.
So, go ahead. Call a time out! Then get back in the game with greater focus and an effective strategy for gaining the edge.
As an avid sports fan, there are times when my favorite teams are struggling in a game, and I find myself yelling at the coach, (sometimes via the TV) “Take a timeout!” When they don’t hear me, I yell even louder. Then I start soliciting agreement from those around me by asking the proverbial questions, “Did you see that? Why don’t they take a timeout and regroup?”
As a fan and “pseudo” former athlete, I know the importance of taking a timeout in an effort to regain perspective and set a strategy to gain momentum. I’ve seen coaches call a timeout which results in the players returning to the game with a new found energy and determination. On the flip side, I have also seen the opportunity for a timeout slip away along with the chance for victory, resulting in disappointed players, coaches and fans.
Regardless of the sport, every team takes timeouts. They have incremental breaks and half times. I have seen athletes who are at the top of their game request to be pulled out of the game in an attempt to catch their breath or seek advice.
In today’s fast-paced business world, we would do good to follow the lead of some of our favorite athletes and teams. When your day is running “full press”, give yourself permission to take a time out, catch your breath, regain focus, and set a plan for gaining momentum.
If you spend your entire day on the field, in the trenches of your work, you are missing an opportunity to step back and see the entire field of play. You are also draining yourself of the energy needed to have a clear mind and full life after the game.
So, go ahead. Call a time out! Then get back in the game with greater focus and an effective strategy for gaining the edge.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Desired Outcomes for Long-Term Goals
by Russell Tibbits
In training for my first triathlon I learned about workouts called bricks. Bricks are two activities back-to-back. So a brick would not just be a run, but a run and a bike workout, or a swim then a bike workout. They are more intense than a single activity and are meant to train your body and your mind to switch from one activity to another without rest or recovery time. For one of the last workouts before my triathlon, I planned a swim at a free neighborhood pool followed by a three mile run.
I waited for the heat of the day to pass and showed up at Big Stacey Pool at 7:45PM…without my goggles. Angry with myself, I rushed home and returned 10 minutes later mentally prepared for a grueling workout. After stretching for five minutes I entered the pool to be greeted by the lifeguard’s whistle announcing the 8PM close. A 25 meter swim wasn’t quite the intense workout for which I had prepared. Like a child, I stomped back to my car, steam pouring from my ears, disappointed that I had wasted time forgetting my goggles and not getting to the pool early enough.
Calming myself, I focused on my desired outcome for the day’s events; a successful swim before my run around Town Lake. Because I knew my desired outcome, I determined quickly what my next action should be. With a credit card but no cash on hand, I decided to drive to another pool, knowing it was open for at least another hour and hoping that they took credit. I arrived to find out that they did take credit, but only for season passes. But fortune was on my side. The pool was out of season passes and let me swim that day for free. Taking the next action, I was able to complete a solid swim workout. And because this pool was closer to Town Lake, I immediately threw my running shoes on for the second half of my workout.
Looking back on that evening, it would have been so easy for me to give up when I hit the first, or second, roadblock. But I was able to refer back to my desired outcome for this small event and stay focused on how it would help me with my much larger event, my first triathlon. Having this desired outcome kept me on track not only for this brick workout in my immediate future, but my long term goal.
In training for my first triathlon I learned about workouts called bricks. Bricks are two activities back-to-back. So a brick would not just be a run, but a run and a bike workout, or a swim then a bike workout. They are more intense than a single activity and are meant to train your body and your mind to switch from one activity to another without rest or recovery time. For one of the last workouts before my triathlon, I planned a swim at a free neighborhood pool followed by a three mile run.
I waited for the heat of the day to pass and showed up at Big Stacey Pool at 7:45PM…without my goggles. Angry with myself, I rushed home and returned 10 minutes later mentally prepared for a grueling workout. After stretching for five minutes I entered the pool to be greeted by the lifeguard’s whistle announcing the 8PM close. A 25 meter swim wasn’t quite the intense workout for which I had prepared. Like a child, I stomped back to my car, steam pouring from my ears, disappointed that I had wasted time forgetting my goggles and not getting to the pool early enough.
Calming myself, I focused on my desired outcome for the day’s events; a successful swim before my run around Town Lake. Because I knew my desired outcome, I determined quickly what my next action should be. With a credit card but no cash on hand, I decided to drive to another pool, knowing it was open for at least another hour and hoping that they took credit. I arrived to find out that they did take credit, but only for season passes. But fortune was on my side. The pool was out of season passes and let me swim that day for free. Taking the next action, I was able to complete a solid swim workout. And because this pool was closer to Town Lake, I immediately threw my running shoes on for the second half of my workout.
Looking back on that evening, it would have been so easy for me to give up when I hit the first, or second, roadblock. But I was able to refer back to my desired outcome for this small event and stay focused on how it would help me with my much larger event, my first triathlon. Having this desired outcome kept me on track not only for this brick workout in my immediate future, but my long term goal.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Emptying Your Cup
by Kirk Miller
There is an old story about a university professor went to visit a famous Zen master to learn. The master began quietly serving tea, while the professor asked about Zen. As the professor spoke, the master poured the tea cup to the brim. When it reached the top, he kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself and shouted, “It’s full, it’s full! No more will go in!” The Zen master replied, “You are like this cup. How can I teach you anything unless you first empty your cup?”
Many of us are like the professor, with our cups and our minds completely full. Then we keep on filling, or should I say, life keeps on filling for us. Since joining the Effective Edge team, I have been immersed into a full cup of new information, new things to learn and new responsibilities. Between my roles as a trainer as well as member of the business development team, there have been many things to learn, materials to study, books to read, tools to implement, classes to teach and plans to develop. Being a trainer is a full-time job. So is being in business development. I must admit that I have begun to feel a sense of an “overfull cup” myself. And life keeps on pouring.
In our Getting the EDGE course, we teach and implement some basic fundamentals that enable us to appropriately manage whatever amount of information that comes our way. EMPTYING is the first key step we teach in our Getting the EDGE course. Until we empty, whether our mind or our inbox, there is nowhere to put new information. Beginning the day intentionally and emptying our heads and our inbox allows us to manage all that comes our way in a peaceful and relaxed manner. It’s nothing complicated; very simple to practice, but deceptively easy to overlook. Beginning the day intentionally and emptying your head and collections points is the first step on the road to peace in your workday. As I return to these fundamentals on a daily basis I find myself returning to that peaceful place and that “Zen state” in my work. So can you.
There is an old story about a university professor went to visit a famous Zen master to learn. The master began quietly serving tea, while the professor asked about Zen. As the professor spoke, the master poured the tea cup to the brim. When it reached the top, he kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself and shouted, “It’s full, it’s full! No more will go in!” The Zen master replied, “You are like this cup. How can I teach you anything unless you first empty your cup?”
Many of us are like the professor, with our cups and our minds completely full. Then we keep on filling, or should I say, life keeps on filling for us. Since joining the Effective Edge team, I have been immersed into a full cup of new information, new things to learn and new responsibilities. Between my roles as a trainer as well as member of the business development team, there have been many things to learn, materials to study, books to read, tools to implement, classes to teach and plans to develop. Being a trainer is a full-time job. So is being in business development. I must admit that I have begun to feel a sense of an “overfull cup” myself. And life keeps on pouring.
In our Getting the EDGE course, we teach and implement some basic fundamentals that enable us to appropriately manage whatever amount of information that comes our way. EMPTYING is the first key step we teach in our Getting the EDGE course. Until we empty, whether our mind or our inbox, there is nowhere to put new information. Beginning the day intentionally and emptying our heads and our inbox allows us to manage all that comes our way in a peaceful and relaxed manner. It’s nothing complicated; very simple to practice, but deceptively easy to overlook. Beginning the day intentionally and emptying your head and collections points is the first step on the road to peace in your workday. As I return to these fundamentals on a daily basis I find myself returning to that peaceful place and that “Zen state” in my work. So can you.
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