Managers can help employees see how their work is contributing. Most important, they can avoid actions that negate its value.   

– Teresa Amabile & Steven Kramer   

Photo by JuliaEastsSweaters

In Part 1, I highlighted the significance of “making progress” in our everyday work if we want to enjoy or encouraged productivity.  At the end of the day, we are wired to be emotionally supported and motivated from progress – even a small win. Yes, higher performance is the reward.

Of the many ways to encourage productivity, engagement, and innovation is the “progress principle” according to of Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer in their forthcoming book: The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work from Harvard Business Review Press.

 How would you like to see your performance improve? Or that of your team? Then, be sure to make progress in your work…even in a small way, and your reward is emotional and motivational support, improved performance.

Ah, the power of progress!

How to get in the way of things getting done

It comes as no surprise that since we can improve performance by just making progress at work, performance can be hindered.

According to Amabile and Kramer there are four primary ways* managers can drain work of its meaning and thus defeat the work objective.

While stated in terms of manager/employee you may want to consider the implications for self-management, too. To hinder performance be sure to: 

1. Dismiss the importance of other’s work or ideas
2. Destroy their sense of ownership of the work
3. Send the message: the work will never see the light of day
4. Neglect to communicate unexpected changes in customer priorities

Here’s another way to look at these four ideas…a reality check of sorts: 

1. Do people believe their contribution matters? How do you know?
2. Do you re-assign responsibilities without discussion or take back “delegated” work?   
3. Do you request input, but neglect to consider it when making the decision?
4. Do people understand why changes were made?

Where’s the power?

There is power tied to making progress in meaningful work; even a little progress energizes. Achievement supports improved performance.

 Whether you are a manager, business owner, or you apply this to leading your own life, remember …

• Daily progress is powerful and even a small win helps sustain performance
• Support daily progress by providing resources and removing obstacles
• Guard against unintentionally hindering work of it’s meaning

How are you supporting progress in your work?  

Please share your comments below.

*Sources: May 2011 Harvard Business Review, The Power of Small Wins, Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer, page 77) 

http://hbr.org/2011/05/the-power-of-small-wins/sb1

Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work.   

– Teresa Amabile & Steven Kramer

Last week my routine was interrupted with re-scheduled coaching appointments and some other things. I had also been out of town and was a bit weary. While I hate to admit it, the “interruption” of my rhythm affected my focus and productivity.

After sluggishly working through the morning I left for an early afternoon appointment with a colleague, Teri Aulph. Following our meeting, I reviewed a client testimonial video. Before the day was done, I connected with a key contact and after several missed calls we have a breakfast meeting penciled in.

How to keep things moving forward

In business and in life one of our challenges is to keep things moving in the right direction. Right?

Consider these five ways to encourage productivity, engagement, and innovation; how would you rank them?

1. Incentives
2. Clear Goals
3. Support for making progress
4. Recognition for good work
5. Interpersonal support

If you selected support for making progress in one’s work you are in agreement with the findings of Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer in their forthcoming book: The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work from Harvard Business Review Press. They call it the “progress principle”.

Through exhaustive analysis of diaries kept by knowledge workers, we discovered the progress principle: Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how they feel and perform. (Emphasis added.)

How would you like to see your performance or that of your team improve? See to it you make progress, even in a small way, and enjoy emotional and motivational support. The power of progress!

What type of day will it be?

As a manager here’s a great question to consider: How am I helping my people have a good day?

What’s a good day?  At the end of the day, people feel good and are motivated because they can see progress. Yes, even if only small steps have been achieved in their work it matters.

What’s a bad day? Employees feel stuck due to a lack of resources or support; at the end of the day they cannot see progress.

There is power in achievement and that’s improved performance. Whether you are a manager, business owner, or you apply this to leading your own life, remember …

Daily progress is powerful and even a small win helps sustain performance

Support daily progress by providing resources and removing obstacles

On that Monday, you would be right to observe I had not experienced a huge victory… but I did see progress.  And progress – even those small wins - had a positive effect.

Where are you seeing progress?

Please share your comments below.

Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage.

                                                                                                  -Alyce Cornyn-Selby

As we settle in at the table for his coaching session, Rick* has this sheepish grin when he reports, “I didn’t complete my personal work for this week.”  Immediately the irony dawned on me … the exercise is “Procrastination: How to Move into Action”.

He details his reasons for not completing the reflective coaching exercise and mentions how “ironic” it is.  We share a laugh, for  now.

What do you say?

Once we discover what we like and don’t like there is this oft repeated phrase: “I don’t want to”.  Am I right? It matters very little whether the speaker is age 2 or 82 only the Story changes. 

From the beginning, it seems we have this bent to delay doing something until later IF we don’t want to do it.  Remember?  How long did it take you to pick up your toys…clean your room…do your homework…write your term paper…complete your dissertation…make the doctor’s appointment…renew your driver’s license…clean out the garage…go to the dentist…file your taxes…or have that difficult chat with your direct report or the boss?  Later!

Want to be more successful? 

What do you think it will take for you to become more successful in your work? Greater innovation…more sales…social media savvy or more friends and followers…longer work hours? What if it’s as simple as to stop procrastinating? 

Mark Goulston wrote Get Out of Your Own Way at Work…and Help Others Do the Same. In his book he addresses how to conquer 40 self-defeating behaviors on the job.  Which behavior do you suppose he addresses in Chapter 1? 

     At work, procrastination is an epidemic, and one of the most common self-sabotaging behaviors. It’s one thing to procrastinate about something that affects you alone, such as going on a diet. It’s another thing entirely to hinder the productivity of other people. When that happens, you’re courting trouble and inviting resentment from others. (Page 14) 

It’s More than Being Time Poor

Although I do believe the breakneck speed of life contributes to procrastination there is another answer…decision making and fear.  Dr. Goulston points this out as he writes,

At its core, procrastination is not merely putting off doing something; it is putting off making a decision. It results from feeling overwhelmed…When you feel overwhelmed, you become paralyzed.  (Page 15)

This habit of putting off important tasks until another time and replacing high-priority actions with tasks of low-priority is a psychological matter; according to Wikipedia:

Psychologists often cite such behavior as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision. Schraw, Pinard, Wadkins, and Olafson have proposed three criteria for a behavior to be classified as procrastination: it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying.

Here’s your litmus test for procrastination, simply ask: Is what I’m doing 1) counterproductive, 2) needless, or 3) delaying?  If yes, you are a practicing procrastinator … when you get a moment, please stop.

Four Steps to get Moving, Now 

Here is part of my coaching exercise, if you are a practicing procrastinator, walk through these four steps:

1. Identify.  What task are you putting off? What is the decision to be made
2. Reflect.  What is the cost if you continue to put off taking action? Make your list…
3. Acknowledge.  What is driving the delay?
   • Subjective Avoidance – that “uneasy feeling” that pushes you away
   • Indecision – analysis paralysis, looking for the “right way” or delayed by “What if?
   • Stress – often deceptive the belief is: “I work best under pressure!” Really?
   • Other drivers…?
4.  Action.  A little help to get moving?
   • How great is the desire to get it done? How could you increase your desire to act?
   • How could you tie this task to your purpose, passion, or mission?
   • What consequence(s) are associated if you fail to act?
   • What reward will you give yourself when you complete this task?
   • With this situation in mind, answer this:  “What’s one thing you can do that is so doable it’s laughable?  

 “Procrastination is the thief of time.”   – Edward Young

My question for Rick referred to a high stakes situation under his watch. “How do you think procrastination factored in xyz?”  

He connected the dots and saw how his procrastination opened the door for an “unfortunate” situation to develop.  Suddenly, the self-sabotaging side of procrastination became very real as he reflected on truth in The Story. No longer was it about a coaching exercise “left for another day”; in fact, it is about his influence as a leader.

How does procrastination affect your life and leadership?

*Rick is not his real name.

For disappearing acts, it’s hard to beat what happens to the

eight hours supposedly left after eight of sleep and eight of work.

                                                                                                 – Doug Larson

We began to explore the reality check of time last week when I invited you to think about two ideas:

1. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow … we’re not really in control
2. Life is brief … value each day

Leaders recognize the responsibility to lead their own lives before trying to lead others. To understand and value time is helpful.  When we live as if today is all we have we could begin to see the people and seize the moment.

What is really flying?

As we embrace the reality check of time this idea that “time flies” surfaces. 

When was the last time you said something about time flying? How often do you feel rushed or like you can’t get things done?

Logically, we know time is consistent; it is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries for all of us … so what’s going on?

Professor Nancy Darling blogging on PsychologyToday.com writes about our experience with time.  She points out several theories related to why we may think “time flies”. 

1. Fewer new things happen later in life
2. Years are proportionally smaller to the whole of life lived
3. Our biological clock slows down
4. We miss external clues indicating the passing of time

To read more on these theories you can go here.

Additional research by Dr. William Friedman and his colleague, Steve Janssen is cited, too; here are their conclusions – what do you think?

First, the busier you are, the faster time seems to fly by. These results are robust across all ages.

Second, EVERYONE feels time is flying by. On average, on a scale from -2 (very slowly) to +2 (very fast), people of ALL AGES judged time to be passing fast (rating it higher than 1). 

Third, age differences were very small, and almost entirely limited – as had been found in the previous study – to the perception of how fast the last 10 years had gone by.

These findings…all come to the same conclusion:

Does Time Fly When You’re Getting Old?

Not really, no. But it does fly by when you feel rushed and can’t get things done. (Emphasis added)

When asked why, then, older people seem to feel like time was rushing by faster now than it was when they were younger, Dr. Friedman had two answers.

First, he suggested, this is such a strong folk belief that people report what they think they’re expected to feel.

More importantly, perhaps, he suggested that maybe as we get older, we just don’t remember how rushed we felt when we were young. 

What’s it costing us to fly?

Yesterday, I had an unusual day; some would say call it a “funk”.  I’ll spare you the details but it was not my normal, ask anyone that knows me.  So, what happened?

As I reflected on my previous week I flew through my week and not with Southwest Airlines. We were out of town over the weekend, I had back-to-back early morning appointments, and consistently went to sleep late; don’t ask what I think Daylight Savings Time. 

The pace of my week was out of control. My commitment to create space to take care of my mind, body, and spirit was disrupted. There was a price to pay, including lost productivity as I closed out my week.

• What if it’s not a misguided belief that follows all the talk about how rushed we feel?
• What if it’s really not about a fading memory of life a few years back? 
• What if it really is the pace we choose to live?

That’s right, it’s the pace we choose to live.

As I reviewed my schedule last week I made choices that displaced my time for reflection. Could I have done some things differently? Certainly, and it is my responsibility, no matter how crazy life is at times.

Bragging rights

When was the last time you heard someone brag on how rested they feel?  When was the last time you celebrated a “normal” workweek? What’s that, what would people think?

Here’s the real question: What’s it costing you to let life’s pace drive your day?

Having influence … with your life

What is one thing you could choose to change in order to create space for reflection? What is ONE thing you can do … read that book for 15 minutes, over lunch? Say “No” to … ? 

What ONE action will help you take control of the pace and get your feet back on the ground?

Whether you believe the CBS series Undercover Boss is over-produced, brings value, or is cheesy the stories are often compelling. A recent episode features Belfor Restoration; what a message!

Who wants some feedback?

The show clearly illustrates a core leadership practice: listen to the story and you will hear helpful feedback. 

Some CEO’s are going undercover?Who would be on your short list  for such an experience? 

The CBS series, UNDERCOVER BOSS follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies.  While working alongside their employees, they see the effects that their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their companies run. 

What if…?

What if hearing someone’s story becomes feedback? And, what if the feedback is received? Can you imagine the impact on employee engagement and business growth if leaders are free to see:

• How their decisions impact others
• What hinders their employees
• What life on the “front line” is really like
• The people

A powerful messagecomes from Jen, water technician for Belfor Restoration. Her day comes to an emotional end with Sheldon Yellen, CEO of the disaster recovery company. Yellen is so moved by his experience and his day working alongside Jen that he blows his cover to make a promise; unfreeze her pay grade raise.

Listen to her words in this 2-minute video.

What is the lesson to remember?

• It’s the people.  Whether you are the boss, a boss, or a front-line contributor remember - the business of business is people.  In Jen’s words:

If not for me and for the other people that give a damn, he wouldn’t be anywhere and he needs to keep it real with the people like me; I’m the one that makes him money. Ultimately I don’t cash in on these jobs; I get paid by the hour, I don’t get anything but what I work for with this job.

She gets it and is willing to play her role in the story.

• It’s the people.  Whether you are the boss, a boss, or a front line contributor, remember - the business of business is people. In Jen’s words:

You know and I could never ever say again I feel invisible, never ever and I don’t’ want to feel invisible; and I don’t.  And I believe in him and I believe he won’t let me feel that way…and that’s nice, it’s real nice.

See me, respect me, appreciate me, and my contribution.

• It’s the people. Whether you are the boss, a boss, or a frontline contributor remember - the business of business is people. In Jen’s words:

I feel like I’m going to wake up any second now, and not have had this happen. Somewhere I’m going to wake up and just be like, “Ah crap.”  But I’d still get up and go to work, so I guess that’s all that matters.”

Her character and commitment are inspiring.

Who do you see?

How many people feel invisible? How do you feel in your work place?

Recently I wrote about this reality in Gratitude, Technology, and People:

The business of business is people.

Technology is nice, people are essential.

Thanks Jen for reminding me of how it feels to be invisible and how good it feels to be recognized, acknowledged for your contribution.

It’s easy to take a shot at those at the top. And yes, it’s easy to become insolated from the front lines.

Here’s the question:

How well do you listen to the stories of people?  What are you doing with the feedback to improve your performance?

Please join me in this conversation, I’d love to hear your thoughts; comments welcome below.

The conversation around “work-life balance” is very interesting.

According to Wikipedia “work-life balance” was first used as an expression

…in the late 1970s to describe the balance between an individuals work and personal life. In the United States, this phrase was first used in 1986.

Over the past twenty-five years, there has been a substantial increase in work which is felt to be due, in part, by information technology and by an intense, competitive work environment. Long-term loyalty and a “sense of corporate community” have been eroded by a performance culture that expects more and more from their employees yet offers little security in return.

One can say that Work–life balance is the proper prioritizing between “work” (career and ambition) on one hand and “life” (pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development) on the other.

This is an introductory post. My intent is to offer a different model as we think about how we “do life”. (Perhaps you’ll help me with your comments?)

How well does life compartmentalization work…really?

One of my clients is a decade into a successful career, has C-level responsibilities and a beautiful family. His company sees even greater leadership potential and that’s why I’m coaching him.

Mike’s* technical skills are superior; his development opportunity resides in what I call “core leadership skills” i.e. people skills.

One of my coaching exercise helps leaders evaluate their Support System. To navigate life’s transitions and transformation we all must have the help and encouragement of others.  As Mike completed the reflective exercise he began to wrestle with this concept of “balance”.

What does balance have to do with life?

As I listened and asked questions, he sketched something like this in his journal:

How realistic is this as a model for life? 

How does a cross beam, supported in the center with two pans of equal weight suspended on each end realistically represent life? ”Work-life balance”?

Think about it; what does it take to obtain “stability” with this instrument? Right, an even distribution of weight…yes, balance. However, I find life more complex than what two pans, suspended on a balance beam can represent?

When is work not a part of life and life not a part of work?

A different word came to my mind as I listened to Mike’s story.

Allow me introduce this other concept with an entertaining 2 minute video.

Please listen and observe COMMITTED as they perform Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” on NBC’s “The Sing-Off”.

What did you hear and see?

Here’s what I hear: harmony.

According to www.i.word.com/dictionary harmony is defined as

:the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord

:pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts

Whether this music style appeals to you or not, did you hear the harmony?

There is a combination of six simultaneous voices in a pleasing arrangement. Harmony. Wow!

And, here’s what I see: harmony.

You may want to watch the video again. Did you notice how the melody flowed from person to person in a congruent arrangement?

The harmony came out of an agreed arrangement of the parts.

The agreed arrangement of the parts created beautiful, awesome, powerful music.

What does “Life Harmony” sound like…look like?

This is where it gets even more exciting!

Harmony is defined by www.i.word.com/dictionary

:an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative

Seriously, how do you divide life into two parts…work life / personal life?

How about “Life Harmony”?

Life Harmony is blending the four parts of the story: self, family, community, and work.

Think about it, The Journey begins when we show up as an individual; the new member of a family; finding our place in community; where we learn to make our contribution to society through meaningful work. That’s the story.

Every day life is the challenge to bring harmony to the story. To interweave all the different parts into a single, pleasing, congruent narrative.

The Story is the Story.

One of my favorite coaching principles is around ”the Story”, summed up as:

Everyone has a Story

Every day we add to our Story

Today, you will have influence on someone’s Story

Life Harmony is the interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative.

If you have 2 minutes, listen to COMMITTED sing “Let’s Stay Together” again?

Imagine your life lived with such harmony and free flow between the many parts.

How many parts are in your narrative?

We have many roles in life.

Just to illustrate: I’m a man, a son, and brother; husband, dad, and grandpa; an executive coach, business owner, speaker, equipper, and author; friend, neighbor, resident of Tulsa, and follower of Jesus Christ…you get the point.

How many roles do you have in life?

My intent is to offer a different model as we think about how we “do life”; something other than “Work-Life Balance”. What if we think in terms of Life Harmony?

What if we make music?

Let’s interweave person hood, family life, community, and work into a single narrative? We could call it “The Story”.  What would the story sound like?

What do you think? Please enter the conversation with your comment below.

Who can you forward this exploration to?

*Not his real name

In 1971, NBC television brought Columbo (Peter Faulk) into our living rooms. I love the guy. 

As a Police Lieutenant, Columbo is this shabbily-dressed, seemingly slow-witted police detective.  His style is disarming as he fumbles around in an overly polite manner.  Of course this makes him an unlikely choice to solve any crime, let alone a complex murder.

Whether it is put on or his brilliance, disguised by personality, he lulls the murder suspect into a false sense of security. Columbo is actually a brilliant detective. He has an eye for minute details and the ability to piece together seemingly unrelated incidents to solve the crime.

“Just one more thing…”

Do you remember his signature approach?

Columbo’s interrogation technique is to conduct a friendly and seemingly innocuous interview, politely conclude it and exit the scene, only to stop in the doorway or return moments later, “Just one more thing…” (called the false exit) which is always a jarring question regarding an inconsistency in either the crime scene or the suspects alibi.

Sometimes, it’s our ability to stay open to one more idea that brings the break through.

What if two simple words create a question that when answered sets you free to your next level of life success?

If you are new to this conversation we are exploring how two little words become a powerful question — “What if?”

Power is the ability, strength, and capacity to do something; to take action.

Where do you need to take action?

Recently, I suggested this “What if?” question is a partial solution to procrastination.

A well framed question helps us stop and think – a good thing. Some of us can get stuck here; what happens if we stop and think too long or over-analyze?   

Procrastination is a consistent inclination to postpone doing something. Power in this conversation is about taking action.

Procrastination liberation comes when we start moving after we stop and think.

What are you looking for?

Once we stop and think and discover truth we can move forward in personal growth, in life, and leadership development.  

Without truth we remain stuck. The power of a question comes with the truthfulness of the answer. 

How do we get unstuck?

The initial power of a question is to help us stop, think, and discover reality.

Getting unstuck requires action…overcoming the subtle habit of postponing action. Often, that means we must overcome fear.  This when “What if?” may become a powerful, liberating question!

This fear is not about a life-or-death presence of danger.  This fear holds us back, for “no good reason”; it is that feeling of anxiety in ANTICIPATION of uncharted waters in everyday life.

Did you catch that?  Anxiety in ANTICIPATION of what could happen…usually negative-focused.

This is when we can tap into the power of “What if?”

What if I…?

What if I don’t…?

What’s 1 thing?

Will you try one thing?  

What is one thing you can do, to get moving toward your goal, something that is so easy it is laughable?  When stuck, it’s helpful to make that first step so “doable it’s laughable”. That means you find yourself saying, “I can do that!” when you think about taking action.

It’s a sneaky way to manage the resistance.

The Holy Grail of Unstuck

I appreciate what by Michele Woodward writes in her Psychology Today blog:

The other morning I woke to a lovely email from a lovely woman.  She said: “More than anyone, you’re the one who inspires me to do different…not more, not less, just different.”

“Huh”, I said to myself, rather surprised, “she’s uncovered the Holy Grail of Unstuck.”

Because getting unstuck – despite all the hype to the contrary – is not about Go Big or Go Home.  The only person who benefits from that approach is the person who wants to sell you a biggification program at a low-low price.

And getting unstuck is not about the minimalism of a four hour work week.  To tell you the truth, just as I am constitutionally unable to drive 55, I am unable to work four hours and call it a week.  I just get too much meaning and purpose from what I do.

No, getting unstuck is mostly about Doing Something Different.  Just something.  Just trying.

I like that, what one thing you will do different?

What can you do different today to get moving? 

What suggested action brings the response: “I can do that!”?

What if . . . ? Answer this simple question and you may just receive the power to act.  

Now, what if you forward this to a friend?

What if you post a comment and engage in the conversation?

I’d love to hear your voice. 

.

Perhaps you started this conversation with me last week. We continue looking at the power of these two words: ”what” and “if”.

Remember, power provides us the ability, strength, and capacity to do something; to take action.

A question is simply a request for information, when properly framed it will help us stop and explore for truth. The power of a question comes from the truthfulness of the answer. 

Photo by Celesteh

Truth Brings Freedom

What do we need to move forward? Truth, facts, and reality.

Without truth we remain stuck in fear.

Questions help us stop and think.

When we give careful thought or reconsider previous actions, events, or decisions we find the path to freedom.  Feedback is that factual, truthful answer; when embraced, it can set us free to experience even greater success. 

Reflecting on “the story” using open-ended questions provides the ability, strength and capacity to

• Change unproductive behavior(s)
• Improve performance
• Make a difference in our world.  

That’s power!

Big Picture, Assessing Risk

Asking “What if?” can give us the power to take a risk and set us on the adventure of a lifetime. Consider Pablo Picasso’s perspective on risk-taking:

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. 

The use of “What if?” sets us free to explore potential which usually involves some level of risk.

This nation was built by men who took risks – pioneers who were not afraid of the wilderness, business men who were not afraid of failure, scientists who were not afraid of the truth, thinkers who were not afraid of progress, dreamers who were not afraid of action.                                                                         -Brooks Atkinson

Asking “What if?” may be the self-evident application of this powerful, little question.

Reversing Procrastination, taking Action

Procrastination, you’ve heard of it, right?

It’s that inclination to postpone doing something, taking action…habitually.  Remember, power provides us the ability, strength, and capacity to do something.

So with further thought, what happens if we use “What if?” in the everyday, ordinary stuff of life, not just the adventure?  

What might happen if we ask “What if I go ahead and get this done…now?”

Perhaps the simple question that begs for an answer will provide the “power” to “do something”?

Consider Cary’s comment from last week’s blog:

I’m glad I asked myself, “What if I take a moment I don’t think I have to read Steve’s words of wisdom.  And what if, I told him how meaningful they were to me this very day?”

Thank you, Steve for some much-needed inspiration!

My reply to Cary follows…

What a great illustration. You applied asking “What if?” to the everyday, ordinary decisions of people with people journey…beyond the so-called “game changer” situations.

Thank you!

Now in light of your response (taking action) may I give you the answer to your 2 questions?

– I am humbled that you read what I write and it gives support to your day, today
– I am encouraged and determined to keep listening, writing, and passing along what I receive

Yes, your response to the possibility and opportunity has affected my life; thank you!

What might happen when you ask: “What if…” when

• inclined to hit the snooze button
• click the postpone button on that task reminder, again
• that prompt comes suggesting you reach out to another person offering positive support

Do you desire power to invite your risk-taker to show up and take action?

Do you want power to tell that procrastinator to get lost and take action?

What if . . . ?

What if you forward this to a friend?

What if you post a comment and engage in the conversation?

I’d love to hear your voice. 

.

Last week’s article started this conversation which is really about

Photo by Wyscan

 managing our lives and constant change. 

This story about being “always connected” continues and will continue as we seek to find and maintain balance, effectiveness, and ourselves. 

Last week’s post led me to re-connect with an “old friend”; yes, of course by e-mail, at first, but in the fight for a more personal connection we agreed to schedule an ancient experience – voice to voice. Here is part of what my friend, Allison wrote…

Hi Steve,

Today was my daughter’s first day of kindergarten. My alarm (on my iPhone) went off at 6 A.M. I was tired and didn’t want to get up, hit the snooze and checked my email. I then proceeded to scan approximately a dozen emails that came in my inbox since 10:00 P.M. last night when I checked it last.  I then began reading your article on over-connectedness and started laughing to myself at the irony of reading this while lying in bed!

Now I’m thinking through your question: “What fear drives this need to be connected 24/7?”

Is it my fear of “not being connected“?

Or, to look at it another way, in my mind about one in seven emails will bring a reward of sorts.

Checking your inbox brings you a sense of being connected when you receive a note from a close friend or an email from an old acquaintance you haven’t heard from in a long time. It’s always fun to open your email and get a good referral or business lead isn’t it? Better yet, it’s exciting to get that email that confirms that the business deal you’ve been working on for several months is a done deal!

Maybe I’m just looking for a “good feeling” or affirmation.

Our family just returned from a week’s vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We didn’t take computers but Bob and I both brought our iPhones. We kept our “smart phone connecting” to a minimum, I think?

I appreciate Allison’s thoughts regarding what can drive this drive to be constantly connected: 1) Reward and 2) Affirmation.  What are you looking for?

Dr Pepper e-Mail Management Plan

After reading my post last week I set out to examine and adjust my compulsive commitment to “over-connectedness”.  Here are my first steps:

Step 1: I turned off 2 of the 4 email accounts coming to my iPhone

Step 2: Explored my “Dr Pepper E-mail Management Plan”.  If you’re not familiar with Dr Pepper’s marketing strategy here is the article Roger Grace wrote in the Metropolitan News-Enterprise, a Los Angles daily paper about Dr Pepper…  

It was in the 1920s that Dr. Walter Eddy at Columbia University studied the body’s metabolism. He discovered that a natural drop in energy occurs about 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.  But he also discovered that if the people in his research study had something to eat or drink at 10, 2 and 4, the energy slump could be avoided.

After Dr. Eddy’s research findings were released, Dr Pepper challenged its advertising agency to come up with a theme which would suggest that Dr Pepper should be that 10, 2 and 4 drink which would keep the energy level up. The result was one of the most enduring of Dr Pepper’s advertising themes: Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2 and 4.

The Dr. Pepper Company pushed the notion that ingestion of sugar at 10, 2 and 4 was actually something healthful. And, of course, parents would want their children to engage in healthful practices. 

In these days when there’s a push to rid school cafeterias and vending machines of sugar-based products and those high in carbohydrates (which turn into sugar), it’s hard to imagine an ad like the one  appearing in the Sept. 23, 1930 edition of the Port Arthur (Texas) News. It was headed, “One Healthful form of Necessary Nourishment that kids need no coaxing to drink,” and said:

“Little ‘Human dynamos’ run out of ‘juice’ between meals. That’s why they tease for sweets. Sugar is the quickest energy food and Mother Nature knows it. She prompts the appetite. It’s as natural as hunger can be.”

If your kiddies crave sugar, give them as much as they want…but in a form that can’t be abused. Dr. Pepper contains fruit juice for flavor and health…pure sugar for quick-energy supply…and sparkling water for bulk and thirst. No tax on digestion. No ingredients that can possibly harm. The small proportions of sugar to water is a safety-valve against excess.”

How would this “craving” for email be satisfied with 10/2/ 4? Right, not so well; so I thought about adapting it to 8/10/12/2/4/6/8…of course, that left out first thing in the morning and last thing at night!  Seriously? 

“Craving”, what an interesting word to associate with this subject…a strong desire for something.  What do you crave that email seems to supply? Imagine losing your “smart phone”, how would you respond?  Why?

Yes, I’m still working to define an adequate schedule for checking email.

Step 3: I turned off the “you’ve got mail” alert (on my iPhone)

Yes, I recognize these are but a beginning.

The real question: How much space do you have in your life?

As an executive coach I work with people with a lot on their plate. Intensity shows up. Little or no margin in the schedule; not much time left for personal development.

We talk about “Creating Space”; the disciplined use of time, place, and resources to reflect on the story for truth. 

How do you create space in your daily routine?

Reflection allows you to examine your life, your thinking, your performance.  To give careful thought to your behavior and performance.  Creating space allows you to examine the path you are taking and make adjustments in line with your purpose, passion, and values.

Measure your life, it just does not have room for so much.                                                                                                - Seneca

What would be the benefit to you if you create space in your life?

What happens if we fail to create space?

This “Creating Space” for consistent reflection is the secret to personal growth.

The best predictor of sustainable success is the ability and willingness to learn and change achieved through consistent reflection on the story for truth.

-Steve Laswell

A failure to create space leaves us stuck in life.  Performance suffers, next level success is sacrificed.  Your experience of life lived with purpose and passion while making a difference in the world will be limited.  Your health, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being, your relationships will suffer unless you give yourself this gift of consistent reflection.

Allison closed her email by writing…

I don’t think I’ve really said anything here significant. I’m pondering all of this because I find this phenomenon extremely interesting, as if we’re witnessing something that has never happened before in our lifetime.

Does this sound dramatic? Maybe so, but I see it stealing away our relationships to some degree. It’s the great paradox. Everyone thinks they are “more connected” with computers and smart phones. Texting and Facebook keep us all in touch with more people. Could more be less? Less faces, more aloneness.

Now I will stop. I’m beginning to sound like Steve Laswell.

How are you managing your technological connections? 

What do you think?

For further reading: some other interesting articles if you want dig deeper:

• Wall Street Journal book review of Hamlet’s BlackBerry -“To Tweet or Not to Tweet”
• Scientists are studying this; check out The New York Times, Your Brain and Computers: “Outdoors and Out of Reach, Studying the Brain”   

It was a primitive trip with a sophisticated goal: to understand how heavy use of digital devices and other technology changes how we think and behave, and how a retreat into nature might reverse those effects.

• Regarding multitasking ““First Steps to Digital Detox” posted on The New York Times – Room for Debate blog

New research is showing that such immersion can cause multitaskers to have more fractured thinking and trouble shutting out irrelevant information, and that even when they are offline, those problems persist. A lot of Americans feel stress from juggling too much incoming information, but have to be online for work.

What are some strategies for unplugging from the demand of digital devices? Is there such a thing as too much multitasking?

Again, please comment below; I’d love to hear from you.

Photo by Idealisms

Last week I re-connected with a former employee, she ran a few minutes late for our 7:05 a.m. breakfast appointment.  It was fine, as I waited outside the restaurant enjoying a 68 degree late summer morning.

Upon arrival, she apologized and explained why she didn’t call…her phone is MIA; not really lost, just not coming out of hiding.  Apparently the battery is drained so forget the prompt suggestion, “Just call your phone.”

Of course, it’s not really a phone; it is a “Smart Phone”…an intelligent device…fashionable. 

Yes, I have one.  Yes, the iPhone 4. 

Yes, it’s for my business.

My journey to hyper-connectedness started with my Blackberry (model 6230 is an “antique” by today’s advanced technology standards; good grief, its all of 6-7 years old).  

Yes, I’d heard the stories of people sleeping with their Blackberry and heard the “CrackBerry” jokes.  My boss, at the time was thrilled that our management team was going to be connected and responsive.

I can remember (am I starting to sound “old”?) when we would let the old “land line” ring when a call came in during dinner, “They’ll call back.”  Once upon a time it was considered rude to sit at the table with privacy curtain of a newspaper cutting you off from others.

Exchange of Information

Communication is about the exchange of information between people; it’s delivering a message whether spoken or written or through behavior.  I love helping people become better communicators, people connecting with people.

There is another meaning to communication having to do with “access”.  This is the opportunity to approach or connect to get information.  No breaking news here, information is available 24/7 which is giving some traditional delivery systems the challenge of their lifetime.

When is 24/7 access too much?

Tim Ferris provides some interesting stats on his blog, “Experiments in Lifestyle Design” around e-mail addiction and information overload. Consider,

66% of people read email seven days a week and expect to receive a response the same day

61% continue to check email while on vacation

56% have anxiety if they can’t access email

“CrackBerry” was the official winner of the 2006 Word-of-the-Year as selected by the editorial staff of Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Blackberry addiction has been labeled “similar to drugs” in a study performed by Rutgers University; millions of users are now able unable to go more than five minutes without checking e-mail.

According to online surveys of more than 4,000 people, conducted jointly by AOL and the Opinion Research Corporation and reported in 2005:

41% of Americans check e-mail first thing in the morning

• 18% check e-mail right after dinner
• 14% check e-mail right when they get home from work
• 14% check e-mail right before they go to bed
• 40% have checked their e-mail in the middle of the night

More than one in four (26%) say they can’t go more than two to three days without checking email, and they check it everywhere:

• In bed – 23%
• In class – 12%
• In business meetings – 8%
• At the beach or pool – 6%
• In the bathroom – 4%
• While driving – 4%

So, how you doing…where does your behavior fit in?

The new “overtime”?

A recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times tells about a Police Sergeant suing for compensation due to his off-duty time spent working on his Blackberry.

Sgt. Jeffrey Allen’s job had him on an electronic leash of sorts.

Even when he was off duty, Allen says, he performed work on his department-issued BlackBerry. Now he wants to get paid for the off-duty time he spent on the device.

Allen has sued the city in federal court, seeking overtime pay for up to two years. His lawsuit, filed earlier this year, seeks OT for similarly situated officers, too.

“Over a period of years, I am confident there are hundreds of hours,” said Paul Geiger, one of his attorneys.

Allen was issued a BlackBerry while he was in the gang-investigations unit. “These guys, regardless of rank, are spending in some cases hours on the phone dealing with search-warrant issues and calls from supervisors about cases — and they’re working when it’s not their tour of duty,” Geiger said.

“We have reached a point in society where it’s very easy to get a whole lot of unpaid work from employees just by the use of these devices,” Geiger said. “I want people to get paid for the work they do.”

Who’s been sleepin’ in my bed?

The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world by conducting public opinion polling and social science research.  

Their recent report on Millennials provides interesting information on cell phone use. The line between work life and personal life is being blurred with each generation, with each new device. Millennials are being called the first “always-connected” generation in history. According to the report:

Millennials are more likely than older Americans to treat their cell phones as a necessary and important appendage. Many even bring their cell phones to bed. A majority (57%) of the public has placed their cell phone on or right next to their bed while sleeping. (Page 39)

What’s the price of “always connected”?

In 1992, the United Nations declared stress the “20th Century epidemic.”

In our fast-paced society, where information overload is common place and each day involves hundreds of decisions and interruptions, stress finds a fertile field. Perhaps nowhere is the rise in stress more real than your workplace.

An article on Bank of America’s Small Business website suggests,

Stress-induced health issues, absenteeism, employee turnover, and lower productivity cost our economy an estimated $300 million a year. On average, according to data from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, adults in the United States work longer hours and take less vacation than workers in any other industrialized nation. Perhaps then, it’s no surprise that a recent study of 2,500 American workers by CareerBuilder.com found that more than three out of four-77 percent-feel overworked and burned-out at their jobs.

What is the cost in your life of being “always connected”?

What are we afraid of?

One of my coaching exercises “Next Level Journey” delivers this powerful truth about what hinders sustained success.  The limitations become a box of sorts which is… 

Ancient behavior that hinders future success due to fear-based emotions.

Work that backwards and we see how ”fear” drives old behaviors, which hinder performance and success.

Here’s the question: What fear drives this need to be connected 24/7?

Leaving breakfast, my friend suggested she may not replace her “Smart Phone” opting out for “just a cell phone”.  Why? She’s enjoying the freedom.

What do you think?  How do you manage the expectation to be connected 24/7?

Please comment…I’d love to hear from you.

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