Not THAT Bad

While reading a newspaper on Sunday I was saddened by the article about a horrible automobile wreck in Maryland (8 killed as car slams into crowd at street race). The wreck was apparently caused by two individuals who had been illegally racing their cars on a remote Maryland highway. Smoke from their cars impaired the vision of a driver on the highway and the car plowed into the bystanders watching the race.

While the accident was indeed a tragedy, one of the comments of the local residents shook me even more. The resident said, "Everyone knows about it, but I've never heard of it getting this bad."

It caused me to stop and think about my own situation. Are there poor habits, attitudes or behaviors that I may be rationalizing by saying "It's not THAT bad?" Are there potentially damaging situations occuring in my workplace that I need to address now-BEFORE someone gets hurt or irreversible damage is done? As I am sure the resident can now attest, standing by and doing nothing is not the best course of action. It may not seem THAT bad now, but things can certainly change quickly.

Imbalance can be a career killer

Steve McKee, founder and president of BusinessSuccessCoach.net, has written a fantastic article for Forbes.com entitled Seven Career Killers. One of the seven he lists is imbalance. Below is what he writes:

Many individuals move up the corporate ladder so fast that they actually end up failing as a consequence. More isn't always better -- especially if you're not ready for the challenge at hand. It's important to ensure that you are not only professionally ready to take on a new and bigger challenge, for which expectations are equally bigger, but also that your personal life is ready for the new demands and strains to be placed upon it. Achieving career success also includes maintaining a life balance, and a misplaced professional desire can create a backlash both at home as well as amid peers for your perceived obsessiveness.

Great example of the need to look at all 3 rings before taking action in one.

Simple Reminders

Just like the circus is such a great experience because it is so visual, there are a number of ways you can improve your performance by simple visual reminders.

A 3x5 card in your pocket, on the wall of your cubicle, or on your bathroom mirror can act as a great tool to help keep you focused on what matters most. Write your goals on a card and attach it to your bathroom mirror - you will start your day reminding yourself of the things that you should be working on. Write an inspirational thought on a card and hang it on your wall for when you need a little boost. Carry quotes on a card that you want to memorize for when you are stuck in traffic or waiting in a doctor’s office with nothing to do - you will find you will have them down in no time. These simple reminders can help you keep the right acts in your lineup.

Lawrence Tynes Is A Super Bowl Winner

Lawrence Tynes is clear about the purpose of his circus, and he knows how to prioritize the acts in his lineup. He bases much of his lineup on two things-family, then football. In that order.

Tynes is the kicker for the New York Giants, who will face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday. He had worked extremely hard to build his career in two foreign football leagues and the Kansas City Chiefs prior to signing with the NY Giants for the 2007 season. The Summer would be a critical time for him to practice, preparing for his first training camp with the Giants. Truly a chance of a lifetime.

At about the same time, his wife Amanda was suffering through a difficult pregnancy that required her to be hospitalized. Her condition caused vomiting as many as 20 times per day. Tynes faithfully stayed by her side, even though he really should have been practicing to be prepared for training camp. One day she asked him, "Do you want to kick today?," knowing that his lack of practice could doom the career he had worked so hard to build. His response was amazing. He said, "I'll worry about that when the time comes. This [being with her] is my priority now. Everything will work out. I have faith that it will." Spoken like a true ringmaster who knows his circus.

His circus didn't go smoothly. His two boys were born with breathing problems and had to be hospitalized. Tynes struggled at training camp and the coaches even tried out other kickers, but Tynes kept working on his skills and insists that he was never worried. Even in the NFC Championship game he missed a last minute field goal that could have put the Giants ahead. He would get another chance in overtime. Facing a daunting 47 yard field goal in wind and bitter cold, Tynes headed onto the field even before the coach called the play. Wow-what confidence! A few seconds later, his kick was perfect, and the Giants were on their way to the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, his wife and two 6 month old boys will watch him perform in his "work ring." No doubt after the game is over, Lawrence Tynes will quickly return to his "relationship ring" and score a winning performance there as well.

Read the USA Today article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/giants/2008-01-29-tynes-nfl_N.htm

Just Improve "A Little"

A small idea as we look to improve ourselves in 2008 and beyond is to think "baby steps". We want to lose that extra 20 pounds by next week or write a novel by the end of the month. We want to improve relationships today and be perfectly organized in just 15 minutes. This can be overwhelming and not realistic.

But, something that does seem doable is to focus each day on just doing a little more, being a little better, doing one element of a big goal. A simple task can go a long way as you pace yourself for life’s marathon rather than a sprint. It might take a little longer but at least daily progress moves us closer to a great performance.