4100weeks

So you're a multi-tasker huh?

Can you really do several things at once and give each the necessary focus? Check out this great multi-tasking video (5 mins.) . . . 

Multitasking from Reel Social Media on Vimeo.

 

Intellectual Curiousity

Have you ever wondered why some are curious - not just intellectually curious but curious about most everything?   The smartest people I know all have a passion for learning - not just in classrooms or through study but by constantly seeking knowledge in conversation.  These individuals seem to have an endless passion for knowledge and growth.

The result is often a well-rounded, interesting and capable person that constantly learns through the art of the question.

What drives intellectual curiosity?  I don't know but it's a skill I encourage with my family, friends and associates.

If you are curious, see the following blog by Les Potter.

Where’s the curiosity among today’s students?

by Les PotterLes Potter is a Senior Lecturer at Towson College in Maryland

I’ve noticed that among my Millennial students, there is a disturbing lack of curiosity. I wonder if I am the only person who feels this way.

This concerns me because it has employment implications. A lack of curiosity may well hurt graduates’ hiring prospects. The Washington Post reported May 17, 2009, that after contacting eight to 10 area schools, about 35 to 40 percent of seniors are graduating without jobs or a predetermined plan in place. Typically, that number is 10 to 15 percent.

Given, this is the worst economy we’ve seen in a long time. Companies are hurting, and jobs are scarce. But that is all the more reason for graduates to pay attention to every detail that will help them secure a good job.

Why am I saying there is a lack of curiosity? This past spring semester, I had approximately 75 students in four classes. I interact with these students in class twice a week. I talk with them in the halls. They come to my office for things. They participate in our PR Group, the student professional association chapter. Yet in all of these interactions, only occasionally will someone ask a question of any substance. Few make observations that capture insightful interest in or understanding of things. Most never even comment on their surroundings. They seem oblivious to a deeper exploration of ideas and concepts, not only the abstract or obtuse, but the practical as well, like how to get and keep jobs in communication/PR/IMC.

In short, they seem to be devoid of curiosity. Some specific examples:

• Students rarely if ever ask about the working world. I spent 35 years earning a living doing what I now teach. It seems to me that that might provoke some questions. College is a time of becoming exposed to many new and different ideas and concepts. Why then are there so few probing questions? Why so few substantive questions about careers and work?
• Students don’t ask why things are the way they are. They seem to accept everything at face value.
• This is a personal, nonscientific observation, but I think it tells us something; students don’t seem to notice things around them. A specific example of this is that students do not see things in my office. I have a small but nicely appointed office with a few carefully chosen decorations, like interesting photos and original art. I purposely designed my office to be an interesting and relaxing place to visit or work. But students don’t comment on photos, memorabilia, etc. They don’t even see these things.

It does not hurt my feelings that students who visit my office do not comment on my artwork. But it does bother me that they don’t even notice their surroundings. What if it was a job interview? The ability to converse easily, perhaps initiate a conversation about a unique photo or piece of art, is a plus for the job seeker. The ability to build rapport and sell yourself with employers is critically important.

As a manager who hired, trained, and terminated many employees in my career, the ability and willingness to ask probing questions is a competitive advantage for job seekers. 

One of my more memorable supervisors got furious at employees who didn’t demonstrate curiosity. He blasted employees who “were not the least bit curious at why sales were flat, or why this project did not work, or that process cost so much, etc.” In general, he wanted curious employees who dug deep to find better ways of doing things. Those employees were favored. The employees with curiosity were trusted with more meaningful assignments. They got raises and promotions. But first, they got hired.

As May graduates try to enter the job market, I think a sense of curiosity is a big plus.

 

Shed your protective shell and grow . . .

4100weeks friend Wayne Hodgins, currently sailing around the world with his dog Ruby, posted an interesting blog post from Fiji on August 30 titled Learning Like Lobsters. Its about risk and growth. While Wayne was snorkeling he came across a rather large lobster. Later upon further Wikipedia research he found out that lobsters continue to grow throughout their lives and in order to do so, must molt - shed their hard protective exoskeleton. This discovery led Wayne to ponder the following . . .

"I’ve been thinking about this from multiple perspectives for my own personal growth, as a parent for the growth of my children, as a friend and a teacher for the growth of those around me. It seems to be so rich with lessons we can take away from it and hence this article. The need for example to take the risk of shedding the similarly protective shells I think we all tend to erect around ourselves. Over time these become very hard and very secure. Some find this very comforting and comfortable and are tempted to leave well enough alone and continue to live life as is. I get this; being comfortable and secure feels good and we need to have protection and perhaps some limits to help us grow. And I get that the alternative is very scary; to open yourself up, to step outside your bounds of familiarity and comfort, to do something new and different, to be vulnerable to the unknown. Yet to remain comfortably ensconced within the shell we have created for ourselves means that we can’t change, can’t grow and can’t learn. For me that means I’m just existing not living and that’s an even scarier alternative! As I learn and grow I feel the pressure build and feel restricted and suffocating so I blow up my perfectly strong and secure current shell and bust out in all my naked ignorance and innocence in an attempt to continue my own growth and learning."

To me, Wayne's message is pretty simple, if you really want to grow, really want to live each of your 4100weeks, then its time to bust out of your strong and secure shell (and the restrictive limits it brings), and frolic in that hostile ocean we call life.

4100weeks . . . make them all count!

The 24 hour rule - Communication that works.

It's frustrating  beyond belief when you expect an answer or a call from an employer , employee, vendor or friend. ...  and the e-mail box or voicemail is empty....

Great organizations,  competent professionals and good friends always respond when promised.  Weak organizations, disorganized managers and fair-weather friends don't meet their commitments and leave you hanging.

"The 24 hour rule" is a standard that defines the speed and importance for returning calls or emails in many professional organizations.  That is:  ALL requests, promises , calls or email are responded to within 24 hours.  That may simply be to say:  "I need another 24 hours or 7 days" to fulfill my promise to you but I didn't want to keep you hanging.  In great organizations the response time is even faster.

Slow responders make you mad, reduce your productivity, develop a poor reputation and  put you on the lookout for new employees, suppliers or friends.   If you are going to fill 4100weeks, you need to know where the meeting is, when the flight leaves and whether or not to bring the running shoes... and now.

All of the excuses are dead:   Smartphone's, PDA's, Mobile Phones and Satellite phones connect everyone on the planet except possibly (and maybe not) your 95 year old Grandmother  24/7.   "Oh you were trying to get in touch with me." reeks of no integrity.  It takes approximately  16.3 seconds to hammer out an email reply if you type with one finger.

The other 24 hour rule - Not to be confused with the first 24 hour rule:

The 24 hour rule states that any partially consumed liquor left over at the host's house for more than 24 hours after the end of a party becomes property of the host. The host is not required to notify the owner during this period.

"Hey man, I left some rum here last week, did you see it?"  

"I drank it, 24 hour rule dude."

"Fair enough."

 Borrowed from the Urban Dictionary.

The second 24 hour rule can be employed when the first 24 hour rule is broken.

Canoe & Kayak Races, the Next 10K?

Paddling races are exploding!   I live in Central Texas,  a resource rich environment for canoe or kayak races.  New races of 10 to 15 miles are coming available in Texas and around the country for weekend warriors and recreational racers.  Like the ubiquitous 10K road races they  are open to all skill levels.

In the past canoe/kayak racing in Texas has been  focused on extreme endurance races - The 260 Mile Texas Water Safari "painfest"  or the challenging Colorado River 100 non-stop paddle for example.  This is changing as race organizers and charities are seizing the opportunity to promote recreational races to grow the sport.

You  will need more equipment than  a pair of running shoes  to  become a paddler but the knowledge and equipment needed are affordable and readily accessible .    National retailers like REI,  www.rei.com and Cabela's,  www.cabelas.com, have excellent boat selections as do local paddling shops.

There are two basic kayaks appropriate for use  Sit-on-top (SOT) models are self bailing and will not sink even if overturned.  SOT's are a sealed unit commonly used for recreation, fitness and fishing.  Sit inside models are usually lighter and faster but are harder to empty if they fill with water. However, most recreational kayaks are very stable.  For safety,  wear a PFD, follow marine rules,  whistle and carry a mobile phone in a waterproof bag.

 Most dealers will allow you to test both models and provide the pros and cons before you buy. 

Paddling is a great upper body and core exercise that compliments a running, biking or walking program.  A proper paddling style uses not just the arms but  muscles of the shoulders, back, and stomach.   Good paddlers use  core muscle groups as they are larger and stronger than the muscles of the arm.

Should you choose not to race, you can paddle for exercise, to explore, for fishing or to see many of the different critters that live in the riparian environment. 

Only 4100weeks - Get with the program!