-Fortune 500 Oil and Gas Executive
Sometimes there is a topic that is near and dear to me. Sometimes I just need to get something off my chest. Meet Miss Cellaneous. She is the one who I speak to when I write these. She never really fit into a category. But, she likes to hear me out on varying subjects. I hope you will join us…
I know why you said what you said! I know why you did what you did! I am able to diagnose your motives. Because I believe I know your motives, I am sure you are the problem and not something else-like me!
These are all lies. But, they are lies that we easily fall into. I’ve done it. I have been sure of someone’s motives. Have I ever been right? Maybe. Continue Reading…
Some people are joy suckers. They can enter any situation and suck the fun right out of the room. It is a gift really. A gift I appreciate as much as a good case of pink eye. The unfortunate thing is, a bad attitude is just as contagious.
We can all have off days. This is not what I am talking about. I am talking about people who choose to have a bad attitude on a consistent basis. A bad attitude is a choice. I discussed that in: Your Attitude Is A Choice: Make A Different Choice.
But what is the cornerstone issue someone is dealing with? What does that person need to change to become a joyful person versus a joy sucker? They need less - self.
If I just want to speak then no thought is needed. I can just let her rip! If I want to be heard, then I must pay attention to what words I say and how I present them.
I was reading an article on communication recently. The article gave me some good tips for changing my style to meet the needs of my audience.
In the comments section, another reader felt that changing his style was a cop out. He described himself as someone who did not hold back. As a result, people saw him as too aggressive or even caustic.
“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There is plenty of movement but you never know if it is going forward, backward or sideways.”
-H. Jackson Brown
Me: “Hey Laura. How are things going?”
Laura: “It’s been a busy week Dave. I’ve been running non-stop since Monday.”
I always want to surround myself with talented high-energy people. These people energize me. But, they can also wear me out. Why? Because many believe that doing a lot of STUFF makes a difference.
It had been almost five years since I had seen my West Point classmate. I always enjoyed seeing him. We have a common bond all academy graduates have. But, after our first hour together, he said something that rocked my world.
I smiled and secretly hoped he was talking about my pant size.
I’ve been meaning to write this blog for a while…. (See what I did there?)
I am a world-class procrastinator. I have years of experience under my belt in putting off things I do not like doing. I have also spent a lot of time trying find ways to stop procrastinating.
I have read books. I have bought planners. I have hired people who I ask to remind me to do things. All of these have helped. But, I now realize I will never be rid of this trait. Procrastination will always be there. Continue Reading…
He was more amped up then a Chihuahua after a can of Red Bull. Here was my peer yelling at me because some people were sitting in the wrong area of a conference room during a sales meeting.
When I told him we could “make it work as is”, he said “Well I am glad you can be so flip about this Dave!”
Some people do not react well to stress. In fact some people create their own stress and then don’t react to it well. On the other hand, other people never seem flustered by the most stressful circumstances. What do the calm have that the amped up Chihuahua does not?
“I am the same person I was last year.” 15 years ago, I realized that statement was a dubious accomplishment. Twelve months had gone by, and I had little to show for it. I hadn’t moved forward. I was stagnant.
As a parent, I always want to clean and bandage a cut on my children to avoid infection and promote quick healing. I know wounds left to themselves can cause serious problems to the health of my children.
Issues at work, within a friendship or at home that are left alone can be dangerous as well. But if that is the case, why do I avoid attending to these wounds? It is because I do not see confrontation as part of healing. But, confrontation done well can heal wounds!
This is a copy of the last blog written by a student from the Brook Hill School who went to Uganda over spring break. It also happens to be my 16 year old son, Jake.
I may be biased, but this is better than anything I have ever written.
See what K.I.S.S. means to a 16 year old.
Today’s student perspective comes from Jake:
Time slows down in Africa. Emmy D comes to pick us up at least 45 minutes later than the agreed upon time every day, if we are lucky. Some of the Type A’s around here are annoyed at least somewhat by this, however, when you take a step back, it is quite refreshing. Continue Reading…
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