Follow through

Want to see a quarterback throw a bad pass?  Mess with his follow through.  How about a golfer screw up a shot?  Mess with her follow through.  A baller miss a jumper?  Mess with their follow through. I wrote the post about striking the iron when's its hot a half hour ago.  Then I proceeded to browse the web looking at Galaxy Nexus reviews.  The iron I wanted to strike was going to the gym.   I apologize for being a hypocrite. Striking the iron when it's hot is about following through on … [Read more...]

When do you strike?

The thought struck me.  It came out of nowhere.  "This guy had a huge impact on my life, I should write him a note."  I had a decision to make at that point ... Click "Compose New" and shoot the thought and sentiment his way.  Find some stationary and write it out then and there.  Or put it on a to do list. I clicked "Compose New"  I wrote a two line email.  I told him that I appreciated his encouragement, support and inspiration.  He really played a key role in a wide range of my life. … [Read more...]

Are you choking on an elephant?

I want to change the world.  That's  a problem.  "Change the world" is one big elephant.  It doesn't give many good places to start.  In fact, it's haltingly paralyzing.  As a goal it is insurmountably overwhelming. Have you ever looked up to a role model and said to yourself, "I want to be like him (or her)."?   Maybe you want to be the next Seth Godin, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, John Lennon, Martin Luther King, Sarah Palin, etc.   There's just one problem.  You can't.  They already … [Read more...]

What do you NOT have to do?

I was buzzing around the house completing one task after another.  My goal?  Order.  The arrival of the twins was met by an intense need for order.  Some could call it OCD. I was working in double time.  And I am doing things I don't want to do.  I like order.  I don't like doing the things that create it.  So these are things I have to do.  I need the order to have my mind clear to produce.  I'd rather watch the Colbert Report.  Steve Colbert will take me further from what I need. I get … [Read more...]

Paint yourself into a corner

Sam has a really cool product.   He plans on selling it via the Internet.  He has one big problem.  He keeps pushing his launch date. The Internet is virtual.  As much as we want it to be real, it is not.  We can't touch it.  We can't feel it.  We can't walk inside it's doors.  The virtuality of the Internet (and other technology related products) poses a problem.  Our brains don't respond to problems that they believe are imaginary.  This is why arbitrary deadlines can blow up in our faces. … [Read more...]

Will you let your people resume?

Some companies fire employees they catch working on their resume.   Some let people go when they find their resume on Monster or some other job posting site.  That's odd to me. Do they want employees who don't want to work for them?  What kind of service do those employees deliver?  How committed are they to the company vision?  Is that what you want? I know that the cost to acquire an employee is high.  The cost of your employees being disengaged is higher.  Fewer want to leave when more … [Read more...]

How much are you like a lab rat?

I had a theory 6-7 years ago. I still do. The theory is that we compulsively text message, instant message and Facebook (FB wasn't around at the time for adults)because they tap into our inner lab rat. These communication tools exploit our inner pleasure/reward system. With each ding, buzz or Like, we get a little burst of dopamine. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter released in response to things like cocaine, crack, sex, deep laughter, etc. Each response we received provides validation. … [Read more...]

Like a moth to a flame.

I rushed to the lamp to turn it off.  I had heard a zap.  I smelled something burn.  I looked around.  I saw smoke waft from my lamp.  It was a 6 foot tall torchiere (Think a tall skinny lamp).  The lamp had a halogen bulb.  It burned white hot.  I tilted it so I could see what happened.  There is was.  A charred moth.  I turned the lamp back on.  The moth finished burning.  The smell went away.  Once and a while, I'd hear the zap.  I'd look for the plume of smoke.  I'd smirk and shake my head. … [Read more...]