68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice

Today we can all use something to brighten our day, lift our spirits.  With that in mind, I offer you “68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice” created by Kevin Kelly, well known as a co-founder of Wired magazine.   

Here are four of my favorite tips --- to find the other 64 go to his website:   68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice

    1.    Being enthusiastic is worth 25 IQ points.

     2.    Always demand a deadline. A deadline weeds out the extraneous and the ordinary. It prevents you from trying to make it perfect, so you have to make it different. Different is better.

3.    Treating a person to a meal never fails, and is so easy to do. It’s powerful with old friends and a great way to make new friends.

4.    Don’t trust all-purpose glue.

 You can hear how this list came about and learn more about the author by reading the transcript of the Freakonomics  podcast when Stephen Dubner, the host, interviewed Mr. Kelly.    Conversation with Kevin Kelly

A mask isn't just for Halloween

What is the mask you wear today when you're not celebrating Halloween?   Fashion statement?  Protective gear?    

I'd say  they are that and more.   They make a statement about who we are.   With a glance at our faces - now - even more than ever before, people make a fast decision about who we are.

Wearing one can send multiple messages. 

It’s simple to see them as a statement that we follow rules.  Wear one, enter the store.  No mask, no entry.

Or we are making a statement of concern about ourselves and others.  That we wear one to help reduce the spread of the virus

Or do we want people to know something about us?   Put on a mask and our face becomes a mini story board.  With a mask we can announce which team is our favorite, what school we attended, which Disney character best represents us.

Whatever you do, remember a mask is a message.  Pick the one that fits the occasion. 

What Language?

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Does language we’re using (reading, speaking) shape our decisions?  Boaz Keyser and Albert Costa make the case that whether we’re operating in our mother tongue or what for you is a foreign language, your decisions may differ.

Reporting on research in the journal PloS One they found that are responses to moral dilemmas, in this case whether it was acceptable to sacrifice one person to  save many, changed depending on the language used to solve te problem.    Read their intriguing article “Our moral tongue” published in the international edition of the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/22/opinion/sunday/moral-judgments-depend-on-what-language-we-are-speaking.html?_r=0

Move this idea from a philosophical discussion to our business lives.  While  a global group, a company, may use one language to operate  diverse teams likely represent multiple mother tongues. 

How does that impact decisions that are made?  Would they change if the language changed?  I wonder.

The Independent American

Even in this time of economic uncertainty, layoffs, store closings it appears that at least some Americans still believe the can create their own destiny, make good things happen. I see evidence of this around me. People I know who have been laid off are starting new companies (and booking real paying projects) or are evolving their skills (photographer to specialty videographer) and doing well. The American attitude that you can try something new, that change brings opportunity, and the basic underlying do-it-yourself optimism that fueled the development of the country still appears to exists.

And it seems I’m not the only one who sees the independent American spirit around me. According to David Brooks writing in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/opinion/24brooks.html?_r=1) Americans even in this difficult time believe“ that their own individual actions determine how they fare.” He draws his conclusion in part from recent polls (from the National Journal, Allstate, Gallup) that indicate that while Americans see volatility, uncertainty in the economy that will effect them they are reluctant to have the government step in to try to take over, fix everything. Rather the government can and should do some things but overall individualist Americans still believe they can rely on themselves. “I’ll do it myself” children say with great intensity as they learn to tie their shoes, and “I’ll do it myself” they continue to say as adults trying to find new ways to cope with uncertainty.

Convenience or Curse?

The sign says the bank’s now open on Sunday. The ad points out that our lives are “hectic and full” and to make things easier the bank will now be open 10 to 4 on Sunday so you “can bank when it fits your schedule”. Convenience? Absolutely. Adds flexibility to how you plan your week. The cleaners, the drug store, the outdoor market and an open bank (not just an ATM) all together, all there open on Sunday. Lovely.
Or not so lovely? A curse, a complication? Yes that too. One more option so that we can add something else to our schedules, filling in that now open space we used to save for the bank. Another task that we can fit in on the run. Already obsessed with tasks, time and schedules. Sometimes its good NOT to be able to do something. To think about sitting for a few minutes, having a conversation, staring at the sky, even watching a silly TV movie.
Americans are the clock watchers, busy schedule, rush around people of the world. We focus on getting things done rather than connecting with people. Now we can rush to the bank on Sunday instead of having a conversation with someone, sitting, thinking, doing nothing. Convenience or curse? Yes, it is.

No Bread Tonight?

How many times have you been at a business lunch or dinner and the first question you heard, sometimes from a stranger who just happens to be sitting at your table, was “which plate is mine?” At that point the person is generally holding a piece of bread or basket of rolls in their hand, waving it around a bit.
Not the most impressive opening is it?

You never have to be the one to ask that question. Simply remember, BMW – Bread, Meal, Water (or Wine). That’s how the table setting is organized, left to right. For the bread, look left. Your bread plate will sit above the fork (or forks), on your left. Your wine or water will be above your knife on the right with the Meal, the plate in the middle.

And what happens when your neighbor doesn’t ask and just plunks a piece of bread on your bread plate? Nothing. Except you don’t have that beautiful roll to go with your meal because your bread plate is already taken. Harsh you say? Maybe. But how can you ask for your plate back without pointing out that your neighbor made an error didn’t know what to do?

The first rule when dining with others is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable. Pointing out an error, even one as small as using the wrong bread plate, isn’t going to make others feel at ease. Missing a bit of bread is a small sacrifice in order to avoid embarrassing someone.
No bread today? Disappointing but then your politeness may help you make a friend.