What's On My Reading List; Measure What Matters.

Variety improves the things that we do too often, but it rules the things that we don't do often enough. -Daniel Gilbert

My reading list is much like my running play list.  I like to mix it up.  A little American history,  running stories, motivation,business, self help, and some good science fiction.  As the quote above indicates, by reading a variety it improves the experience by keeping it fresh.

Here's a review on a more recent read.


Measure What Matters: OKRs: The Simple Idea that Drives 10x Growth by John Doerr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The case studies in this book are a fun read, especially in the audio book version which has each person related to the specific case study read their portion. The variety in voices kept the book entertaining.

Where the book lacked

What's on my reading list: Shoe Dog

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of my all time favorites! I listened to it on Audible during my commutes. Sometimes I would sit in my car in my driveway and just keep listening. I found the history, geography and world culture lessons given through the lens of someone sharing their life story absolutely fascinating.
In January 2008, I saw the movie The Bucket List and crazy as it sounds, as a non-runner put "run a marathon" on my list. I've been running in a different brand ever since, but now that I have read this story I am going to the running store to pick up some Nike's immediately.
Thank you Phil Knight for your contributions and thank you for sharing your story.

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A Year of Total Fulfillment

Ever crush a goal and have a strange sense of emptiness?  Make 2018 a year of total fulfillment.

Are you joining millions who are going to the gym this week? Here's a plan to kick off your next several trips to the gym. Focus on lifting weights with one arm. Each time for the next bunch of visits keep working that same arm. Curls, flies, lift, press, repeat . . . work it! 

We all want a toned arm. Actually, none of us want just one toned arm. We would look ridiculous. No one is setting a fitness goal for 2018 to look weird, but many are setting goals in just one or two areas putting themselves at risk of feeling very unfulfilled even though they've achieved their goals. When working on your personal plan for 2018 take a look at more than just your job or your financial status or your relationships. Take time to reflect on and plan for your whole self. Gift yourself a year of total fulfillment in 2018 by thinking through and planning in the following 8 areas

What's On My Reading List: Leadership and the One Minute Manager

Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Increasing Effectiveness Through Situational Leadership by Kenneth H. Blanchard
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The principle of changing your leadership style to match the needs of your employees is very good; however, the writing style of this book is very distracting to the lessons the book offers. Referring to the main character as the One Minute Manager rather than giving them a name is also very annoying. I would not recommend adding this to your reading list.

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What's on My Reading List; Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success

Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success by Angela Duckworth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book started out great. Her explanation of grit and the examples provided were very interesting. I feel that people will be encouraged to read that perseverance can win over talent or skill. Perseverance puts the ball in my court instead of in my heredity or environment. How badly do I want to be great? How hard am I willing to work for it? Imagine if everyone could get that and get the voice in their head lined up with that thought. Wow!

The book then turned very ordinary and repetitive and even sounded

What's on My Reading List; Executive Presence

The concept of "executive presence" is a fantastic one. When providing feedback to others the term can be used as a reference to remove any personal context and ease the conversation.  Leaders can work towards creating a vision of executive presence for their organization to provide guidance for those growing within the organization.

This book provided many examples of do's and don'ts and I will use the term to coach employees who are missing the mark and holding themselves back; however I cannot recommend reading it.

Executive Presence: What Nobody Ever Tells You about Getting Ahead by Sylvia Ann Hewlett
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Perhaps this would make a good article, but it is very drawn out and boring as a book.

There isn't new information here - look your best, be your best, and speak your best.

This book agitated me for these 4 reasons:
1) Using Angelina Jolie as a positive example for anything
2) Endorsing plastic surgery
3) Recommending heavy make-up
4) Overuse of the word gravitas and the phrase "show your teeth"

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Raving Fans for Freeeeeee

"Raving fans are created by companies whose service far exceeds that of the competition and even exceeds customer expectations," describes Ken Blanchard in his book Raving Fans. The best raving fan experiences are executed so casually that they seem to be directed subconsciously.  They are just so natural.  I have an amazing "raving fan" story to share with you about the service I received this week while traveling for business.

A coworker and I were asked to travel and it just so happened to be the week of the "snowstorm of the century".  We waited out through the worst of it then made our break when we had word that most major roads were cleared (funny what was called "clear"). Taking separate vehicles we convoyed through snow, slush, and ice to our destination.  I was in the lead car and she followed carefully, both of us with a deliberate eye on the road and iron grip on the wheel.  Stopping for anything was not a consideration as the off ramps looked more like ski hills.

I can't imagine what we looked like when we collapsed on the

Clear Communication?

Parents, leaders, spouses, friends, coworkers; any relationship is made stronger or weaker by how clearly we communicate.  Our word choice, tone, punctuation, and even the timing of our message can affect how it is perceived.

We all know that there are words that we just simply shouldn't use.  Their meaning is just, well, mean.  "Don't call your sister stupid". "Don't say I hate you".  Suck.  This sucks, that sucks, you suck.  I was just at a classroom Christmas party and suck seems to be the current 4th grade favorite for boys and girls.

Then, there's the way we say things.  Tone, inflection, and body language all express

To Do or Not To Do That is the Question

How is it that some people get so much farther ahead than others?  Some executives complete endless projects while some make projects endless. Some moms and dads get breakfast made, kids clothed, school bags packed, 2 loads of laundry done, kitchen cleaned up, grocery shopping complete and all of the errands run, all before 1:00 when others are just getting started at 1:00.

It would be easy to say, they have more help, they have better genes, magic worker fairies secretly appear
and get stuff done for them.  Here's their real secret.  Are you ready?  They make To-Do lists.  Successful people set goals and put them in writing and the majority of them make daily To-Do lists.

Why create daily To-Do lists?

Do Not Brand Me

successful
trustworthy
well dressed
reputable
expert
having integrity
funny
reliable
smart
relatable
....and many more

Look the Part

A couple of months ago I had car trouble and was choosing between the expensive repair costs and replacing the vehicle.  I drive a tremendous number of miles each day and reliability is extremely important to me.  Talking through my options with a coworker, he recommended a salesperson who he and another colleague highly endorsed.  Since the salesman worked at the dealership that I wanted to make my purchase from anyway it was a no brainer. This dealership has a cafe.  It has a shopping boutique with clothing, jewelry and baubles.  And, get this, it has a full service spa.  Heck, yeah!  That's where I want to shop for a car.

The Business of Running Marathons

I had a 19 mile training run yesterday which gave me a lot of time to think.  What I found was a great connection between activities that make me more successful at sports also make me better at work as well.

After every downhill will be an uphill.

Your current situation may seem  tough.  Even downright impossible.  You may feel like quitting altogether.  Hang in there.  Remember why you started in the first place.  Put your focus on your "why".  What motivated you and excited you in the beginning?  This will keep you going when it gets tough and help you dig deeper to get through the rough spots.  It will get better or you may find that you don't have a "why" and this is wrong for you altogether.  The uphill in that situation is that you will know it is time to move on to the next thing.

A Life Lesson From Running

Nutrition is just as an important part of your planning as anything else.  You don't have to count calories or carbs, just be mindful that what you put into your body you will get back out of your body in performance. 

Remember that old physics lesson?

It's Not THE Economy Its YOUR Economy

If I were to ask 10 people if they wanted to make more money chances are pretty stacked in my favor that I would get 10 out of 10 that respond with a "yes". If I were to ask on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being minimum wage and 10 being the highest where would you want your earnings to come in. Again, I am certain that I will get a "Level 10" response.

For professionals, their level of income is predetermined by many factors. Experience, education, past earnings, and skill along with the value of the particular position to the organization are a few keys that determine how their income level is set.

Overcoming Excuses: I'm Too Tired To...

Thursday night I was driving home from work (with a live (?) hamster lost somewhere in my car - ah! parenthood) making up every excuse why I wouldn't get in my Insanity workout.  It's dark.  I'm tired.  I hear the second phase of Insanity is really really hard.  I'll do a double tomorrow. (yeah right)

I looked at the clock in my car and BAM! I had a total paradigm shift. 

Five For Success

One of my favorite business and personal development authors is John Maxwell.  In his most recent book he put together what he calls a compilation of his life's work, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.  The CEO of my company is rather obsessed with names and numbers and numbers and names.  The title of this book is right in his wheelhouse.  15, that is specific and measurable.  Invaluable, now that is very descriptive.

Invaluable; having great value that is impossible to calculate. 

Just by definition who wouldn't want 15 principles of such great value that it is impossible to calculate?

Stop Watching Start Living

I hear a lot of crazy remarks about my lifestyle.  People love to MSU – Make Stuff Up. These same people who make up stuff about how I get things done also make up stuff about why they can’t get more done.  What kind of stuff am I talking about?  Reading, writing, working out, volunteering, you know the kind of stuff that has the potential to make you more successful and more fulfilled.

I have been subject to lots of imaginary made up stuff about how I can possibly do everything I do in a day: work, kids, life, running…  I was talking to someone this week who told me that they shared with other people (really?) that my mom lived with me and took care of the kids, errands, etc.  Crazy!!! 

There is one very easy secret to how I get it done.  Once revealed you will see how very easy it is for you to get more done. 

‎101 Three-Word Success Tips

A colleague of mine recently posted this in a New Year / New You accountability group on Facebook and I found it so simple and at the same time so powerful that I wanted to pay it forward.
 

‎101 Three-Word Success Tips 

1.Drink more water.
2.Watch less TV.
3.Action makes traction.

4.Try new things.
5.Hang in there.
6.Get better daily.
7.Begin with enthusiasm.
8.Finish with flair.
9.Celebrate small wins.
10.Eliminate wasted steps.
11.Aim higher sooner.
12.Never stop learning.

Lessons From the Rise of the Guardians

I know, I know . . . who goes to an animated film and looks for the business lesson?  Me, me, me, me.  As a parent and as a business leader I could kiss the producers of these fabulous children's movies.  They are captivating, entertaining, enjoyable for all ages, and,

2012 Learnings

As the year comes to an end it's important to take time and reflect on the past.  What went well last year?  What could have gone better?  What did I learn?  Take a look back and write it down.  "The palest ink is better than the best memory." - Chinese proverb  Which habits got you great results and which ones got in your way? 
Replace those bad ones with a new habit.  Instead of watching the evening news (bad in so many ways) go for a walk. Instead of fast food for lunch brown bag it.