The jumbled up mess in your own head might be completely clear to someone who is not you. Perspective is a great thing. Sometimes it needs to come from other people.
Posts
More Irises
On our own, we all have a measure of self awareness. We gauge our abilities, potentials, contributions and places where we missed the mark. Good teams and friendships expand how we see. It’s like we let others borrow our iris. The new angles open up considerations of possibilities to come. They also challenge us dig in a […]
Walk greeting, stop greeting.
A small A/B test in 1:1 interactions. Test 1: Say hi to a person while you walk past them. Test 2: Say hi to a person, but stop before you do (even if it’s just for a moment). Reflection: What difference did it make to you? To the other person? In what contexts can you change […]
The Market vs. Self-Perception
The market doesn’t care how you feel about it. That thing. You know, that idea that you think is so great. But, the market can tell you if you’re right at this moment about whether the market cares. An example from songwriting: You might think you have a hit song. But how do you know? Release […]
Systems, Goals, Intention and Effort
I’ve heard many people argue about systems vs. goals. But maybe it’s both/and. Perhaps you set a goal. But to get to that goal you have to use systems. Or you develop a system of operation and eventually you then hit milestones that others might perceive as goals. Or maybe there’s something else entirely like […]
Care and Pay Attention
I’m realizing that most important work I do (and the most valued work) requires a couple simple things: Care Paying Attention Care: Care about my clients, the work, how I go about the work, care enough to learn and grow. Pay Attention: Notice things, dig deeper, be aware of what is happening in the moment. […]
Grado SR225e
NOTE: This is an in-progress review of the Grado Prestige Series Model SR225e Headphones. I’ll be updating it periodically. Check out Grado Labs here. FIRST IMPRESSIONS (2/25/16) Unboxing They’re made in Brooklyn! In the same place where Joseph Grado opened the factory in 1955. Look They have a retro feeling that’s really cool. The grill gives you a glimpse of the […]
Reducing Inputs
I’ve started on a new book by Cal Newport, Deep Work. One of my first takeaways is this: Fewer distracting inputs plus intentional focus will likely lead to greater meaningful output. This leads to a competitive advantage for focused work going forward. In an ever-increasing distracted economy, the simple ability to focus is going to […]
The music of your audience
Mike plays his saxophone at the entrance to the parking garage at the Perot museum of nature and science. For the past year, he’s been there just about every time I visit. How he interacts with his product (music) changes depending on who is approaching. For example, when a group with small kids goes by, they […]