I failed several times at writing a blog over the last 10 years. I struggled searching for regular writing motivation. This year that changed, I realised that motivation is an excuse. I no longer wait for motivation to arrive, I just sit down in a space and write. Most of what I write is awful,Continue reading “Looking for motivation”
Category Archives: Writing
Asking for feedback
You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes or the most emotionally aware person to know who your fans are, those people who will give you positive feedback, that think you are great – Your colleagues, family and friends are hardwired to say nice things about you. Are you as good as they might say youContinue reading “Asking for feedback”
Lead like a conductor
There is a quote: “if you want to lead the orchestra you must turn your back on the crowd”. It is often used by people as a justification for ignoring the criticisms of the many to focus on a task or mission. The quote is about leadership and the lone figure of a conductor standingContinue reading “Lead like a conductor”
Who cares?
I was enjoying a zoom lunch with a colleague the other day and they asked. “What do you get out of posting a two minute read everyday? Is it worth it?” I like this colleague, I consider them a friend so I gave this question some serious thought. I told them I would write itContinue reading “Who cares?”
My favourite teacher story
As my son is a school teacher now and I am a very proud father I have started to collect or notice teacher stories. This one below is one of my favourites, enjoy: A school teacher ran a test that had several sections, each of which contained three questions. He told the students to chooseContinue reading “My favourite teacher story”
Learn by doing
There was once a pottery teacher called Brian. One month, he decided to split his class into two groups. Group A had to make a pot every day for 30 days (so 30 pots in total). Group B had to work on a single pot for the whole 30 days. At the end of theContinue reading “Learn by doing”
Chess lessons for life also
I have always loved Chess since I was a child, it is a game which tests strategic thinking. It requires concentration, and an ability to cope with change. Here are 5 life lessons I draw from Chess: 1. You have to move, thinking for too long is bad To play better you need to playContinue reading “Chess lessons for life also”
A story I paid a homeless guy $5 for, enjoy
I was sitting on a bench outside a hotel in Indiana 12 years ago and a homeless guy sat by me and posed me a bet.” If I can tell you a story that makes you think, will you spare me a couple of bucks?” Of course I took his challenge and this is myContinue reading “A story I paid a homeless guy $5 for, enjoy”
10 things that need 0 talent
I have been talking with those I mentor about their careers recently and how talented the people are where I work. However I find that the word talent over used and far too simplistic and if anything an excuse to simplify how we differentiate people. I have for over a decade now had a listContinue reading “10 things that need 0 talent”
Working with the best
People at the top of their industry can be tough. They are not the most patient. They like doing and not talking. They are focussed to the point of tunnel vision. That’s what makes them the best at what they do. They can be intimidating, especially to the inexperienced, but they recognize effort and excellence.Continue reading “Working with the best”
Juxtapositions
I hate social media but I love attentionI love being smart but I hate show offsI hate social status but love airport lounges I love driving safely, but hate when others doI hate to be judged, but love literary criticismI love fancy cars but hate ostentation None of the above make any sense. It isContinue reading “Juxtapositions”
10 years at Veeva today
In the company I work for we have a tradition. Every five years of service you get a cube, a heavy orange cube which depicts the service milestone. The cube also has etched on it some kind words from a manager or colleague. The 5 or 10 year cube represents a significant milestone in ourContinue reading “10 years at Veeva today”
The dog, the porch and a nail
One morning, a man was walking down a country lane and heard a horrible noise. He looked up and saw a dog on a porch that was just sitting there, whimpering, whining and moaning. The man was curious as to why he was whimpering, so he went and knocked on the door and a guyContinue reading “The dog, the porch and a nail”
Perspective
Not sure why I remember this today but it just came back to me this morning. I remember travelling to Scotland years ago, we went right up to the Northern most tip of our beautiful island. I had driven for over a day, got a boat /ferry to get to Lochinver, Sutherland in western Scotland.Continue reading “Perspective”
Validation is for Parking only
Life can serve up a ton of rejections and criticism if you put yourself out there. Every now and then a blog post of mine strikes a chord and gets shared a bit. For a week or so it is flattering to read lovely comments and to see new people find your work. Those daysContinue reading “Validation is for Parking only”
School is not for everyone
I was terrible at school, I did ok at college, I excelled at university. School was not for me, college allowed for self expression and university expected self expression. The more the academic establishment allowed me to be creative and move outside the lines the better I did. Those at school were not more intelligentContinue reading “School is not for everyone”
Writing Thank you
In the last eight years I have taken to writing letters, yes that’s right real old fashioned letters. I read through some letters my grandad wrote to our family, how wonderful to see, hold and smell a link to him so many years after he had passed away. The letters were a physical link toContinue reading “Writing Thank you”
Take your time
The industry of consulting has all sorts of ways to make a client think they know everything. My favourite is when they ask a question with a question. The expectation is that they have paid for consultant and so they should know almost everything and I guess people don’t like to disappoint. Every now andContinue reading “Take your time”
My Grandad’s life advice
My grandad started as machinery worker at 16 in a Med device company. After WWII he returned and then made steady progress all the way to General Manager. The factory workers loved him for his honesty, fairness and the genuine love he showed for his people. He used to take me to the factory whenContinue reading “My Grandad’s life advice”
Parenting; with no instructions
My son Xander was born 25 years ago. I was 20 years old when he was born. My wife Melanie and I arrived home after the most careful drive ever. I put the baby down in his crib and I saw the new computer I had purchased a few days earlier. That computer build wasContinue reading “Parenting; with no instructions”
