Chris Mower» At Work

Inspiration for a Tuesday Afternoon #3: Dan Pink “Drive”

Chris Mower — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:51 +0000

If you search around on YouTube you can find some very excellent videos regarding business and marketing. One such video was created by TheRSA.org. They’ve illustrated a talk given by Dan Pink about what really motivates us at work. This is a must see. Enjoy!

Direct Link: RSA Animate – Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us.

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Post tags: At Work, Determination, Motivational, Video

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How to Brainstorm for Success: Part 2 – Preparing for the Storm

Chris Mower — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:17:39 +0000

This post is the second post in the “How to Brainstorm for Success” series. If you missed the first post, check it out here: “How to Brainstorm for Success: Part 1 – An Introduction to Brainstorming” where we briefly discuss different brainstorming stages.

Have you ever been laying down at night waiting to go to sleep, or been on a nice afternoon walk and the ideas just kept rushing into your head? I’ve been there way too many times. I love it when this happens, but what really drives me nuts is when it happens and I’m not prepared. I’ve since learned to always keep a notebook and pen on my bed stand, and I usually have something to take notes on when I’m out and about.

With that in mind, I’ve prepared a few simple preparation ideas that can help you be prepared for brainstorming. To effectively brainstorm, you don’t need to meet all the criteria I lay out below. These are merely instruments and ideas to cater to an ideal mood and mindset that lets the lightning come down.

Gather the appropriate materials.

Technically speaking, all you need to brainstorm is something to write with and something to write on. I have a legal pad holder and a pen set aside for brainstorming, it doubles as my idea book and a brainstorming book.

I prefer brainstorming with a pen and paper so that my mind is free to roam and write ideas down as they come to me, and some of my ideas come as sketches, shapes, or equations or something that is not easily and quickly recorded on the computer. Working with pen and paper lets me quickly sketch those down. I occasionally use a computer to brainstorm, but I’ve found that it’s too distracting and limits what I can add to my brainstorming paper (more about this in part 3).

Some other good materials to have on hand but that are not necessary are sticky notes, rulers, different colored pens (or colored pencils), and a ~~whoopie cushion~~ soft chair. In my point of view, the fewer distractions you have, the more effective your brainstorming session will be.

» Finish reading How to Brainstorm for Success: Part 2 – Preparing for the Storm at ChrisMower.com. »

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Post tags: At Work, Brainstorm, Creativity, How To

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Why Doing Nothing can be Doing More

Chris Mower — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:56:17 +0000

I’m amazed at how many work-a-holics there are in the world. Just today I read a blog post about a guy who was aggravated because he’d heard another man say he was just killing time. “How dare he!” the blog author thought as he considered clobbering the other man. “Doesn’t he know that time is precious, and I don’t have any of it? How dare he be unproductive and do nothing!”

The blog author then proceeds to discuss all the things he does and how he as a serious businessman doesn’t even have the time to sleep. His plan? Free up as much time as he can to do what he wants do and go where he wants to go. But to “waste” time or “kill” time? Forget it. I’m afraid this man is on the road to burnout.

Here are my issues with this type of thinking and why I believe sometimes it’s best to, yes, do nothing.

If You Don’t Take a Break, You’ll Burn Out

To live your life never wasting a moment, but always doing something is tough stuff. We all love a hero, and we all love the stories of people who accomplished great things. Those stories and people are inspiring and they push us to do more and be better people. We assume that to be like these people, we have to work harder and be better than the next guy. We believe that we don’t have any time to waste. To some extent, it is true. You don’t want to sit on an idea forever. Ideas don’t create income. Action creates income.

» Finish reading Why Doing Nothing can be Doing More at ChrisMower.com. »

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Business IS Personal

Chris Mower — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:18:05 +0000

You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there.” I’ve been hearing it for years, and I’ve used it a few times myself. It’s a true phrase. If you’re not careful, once you step foot into the big bad business world, you can get skewered, slathered in BBQ sauce, chewed up, and then spit out. These are reasons that people put up a guard and make business and the ensuing relationships as tough as boot leather.

If you have seen the movie, “You’ve Got Mail” you may recall the line by Joe Fox. In an email to Kathleen Kelly, he says, “It’s not personal, it’s business.” Later in the movie, Kathleen asks Joe, “What’s so wrong with being personal, anyway?” Joe, a little stunned, responds, “Uh, nothing.” Kathleen follows up with, “Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.” (I’ll admit that even though I’m a guy and avidly follow and believe in The Art of Manliness, I still enjoy some of these classic ‘chick flicks.’)

I ask that same question today. What’s so wrong with being personal, anyway? Business is a giant web that connects people (not businesses) together; this means that business today is about building relationships and being personal, even in this dog-eat-dog world.

» Finish reading Business IS Personal at ChrisMower.com. »

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Post tags: At Work, Leadership, Relationships

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Are You Prepared for Layoffs?

Chris Mower — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:11:15 +0000

About a month ago the company I’m working for gathered all 60 of us into a tight meeting room and announced that there would be layoffs in July. It’s not because we’re shrinking or doing poorly, in fact–it’s quite the opposite. It’s because we’re growing. Perhaps on another day I’ll tell you how that works. Those of us who are in management positions already knew what was coming, and it made the meeting all the more interesting because I could sit back and observe the reactions of everyone else.

It helped that the company purchased giant breakfast burritos for everyone and passed them out before the meeting (my idea). Mine was filled with bacon, potatoes, sausage, cheese, and eggs… This of course sounds to you like a tactic to butter people up and soften the blow. And maybe it is… but so what. The truth is at our company, it’s not unusual. Upper management always treats us extremely well with tons of perks, and they’re always transparent about the company’s health.

The burritos were a nice touch, one of those perks. And sure, it probably did soften the blow for a few people.

» Finish reading Are You Prepared for Layoffs? at ChrisMower.com. »

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The W8 Formula

Chris Mower — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:27:09 +0000

In high school and part of college I competed on the forensics team in debate, oratory, humor, drama, and poetry and (pardon me for tooting my own horn) did really well at it. Actually, I lied. I did well in all areas except debate. Debate was a giant thorn in my side and I’d leave the debate floor feeling like I wrestled a hippopotamus in the wallow. So after a couple years, I decided to leave debate behind. But that’s not what this is about; this post is about working towards a goal, and working hard.
Enter the W^8 formula (imagine cool theme song here).

Just in case the image burns your eyes out, here it is in plain text:

The W8 Formula
Working Will Win When Wishy Washy Wishing Won’t.

Okay okay, I admit that it’s a little cheesy (cheesy enough that I gave it it’s own goofy motivational poster). Cheesiness aside, I like it, and it’s easy to remember. My high school forensics coach, Mr. C, taught me the W8 formula and oddly enough, it’s one of the few lessons I remember from high school. The W8 formula works for any goal or ambition.

» Finish reading The W8 Formula at ChrisMower.com. »

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Begin Taking Personal Responsibility

Chris Mower — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:00:17 +0000

Taking personal responsibility is a subject with which I passionately identify. There’s a difference between taking personal responsibility and blaming yourself. Blaming yourself is letting yourself down and telling yourself that you really stunk it up. It’s pessimistic, degrading, demoralizing, and derogatory. It makes you feel like mud on a rock. Taking responsibility is just the opposite. It’s optimistic and positive. It’s motivating, uplifting, satisfying, and empowering. It allows you to think of and create a path ahead. Take personal responsibility and move forward.

Taking personal responsibility shows maturity.

People who take personal responsibility are a more mature and less selfish than finger pointing blamers. Living up to your own actions and not point the scathing finger of blame at others is a sign of mental maturity. This is one thing that separates us from children.

Each time you take personal responsibility, your roots mature and you’re not blown about by the winds of change as easily. You’re able to make decisions and live with the consequences because you’re stable and ready. You’re mentally prepared for the winds. This can take a lot of courage especially when you’re taking responsibility for something over which you don’t have complete control, such as group or outsourced projects. And because it’s easier to be selfish and point fingers, most people will.

» Finish reading Begin Taking Personal Responsibility at ChrisMower.com. »

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Post tags: At Work, How To, Self Improvement

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A Need for Ethics

Chris Mower — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:36:51 +0000

More than ever before there’s a need for ethics and basic human decency at work, at home, and in our communites.

In a world of declining morality and kindness we find increased businesses, employers, employees, husbands, and wives looking for self satisfaction and glory. Selfishness is on the rise, and it hurts everyone.

I’m inspired by good men and women who honor and respect each other and themselves. They don’t cheat. They don’t steal. They treat others with respect. They value strong morals and honesty. They concern themselves with others more than their wallet and fame.

We need more of these people today. We need them leading our communities, companies, and government. We need people who dare make respectable, good decisions in the face of opposition. We need people who can lead with integrity and honesty.

Be one of those people.

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Post tags: At Work, Relationships, Self Improvement

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Be Proactive: Return and Report

Chris Mower — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:54:57 +0000

If you’re looking for another attribute to separate you from the masses, returning and reporting is the answer.

Returning and reporting is a simple communication principle that increases productivity by leaps and bounds. It’s unfortunate that most people don’t follow it because this simple behavior would increase their indispensability.

Fortunately for you though, you’re going to start today, right?

In most businesses or organizations the leaders give out instructions and don’t hear back from their team until they ask for a report. Is this a problem? No, not really, it seems to work just fine for most businesses, but it slows down productivity for everyone on the team. And you might be okay with that, and your boss might be okay with that too. In fact, based on personal observation I’d guess 90% of today’s employees and bosses are okay with that.

And that is why you shouldn’t be.

To return and report shows that you are a responsible person, capable of handling tasks and challenges. It’s a display of foresight and willingness to contribute. Your manager perceives it as going the extra mile, working hard, and being proactive. It also lightens your manager’s load by relieving the burden of small management tasks which drain valuable time.

Find a balance as you implement returning and reporting into your work habits; you don’t want to return and report every 10 minutes or half an hour. Start with milestones and completions and experiment from there.

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