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