I’m re-committing to Focus. I hope you’ll join me if you’re not already there.

You might be thinking I’m good at this given what I write and talk about, but (like many people) it’s a big challenge for me. (Can you imagine how difficult it’s going to be when our future generations get out here in the working world with us?)

My Distraction Diet Commitments…

Focus hours… Twice each work day, I will hold focus hours. From 9 am – 11 am and from 2 pm – 4 pm, I will become unavailable to anything but true emergencies. My phones will be off to anything inbound (no calls, no texts… airport mode on my cell). It’s only two 2-hour blocks of time where I’m unavailable to others. When I think I can’t do it and that people need to reach me because I’m so very important, I’ll remember that I’m not as important as I think I am.

Email… I will turn off email alerts and check it only twice a day (11:30 and 4:30). When I think that’s impossible because people need to reach me because I’m so very important, I’ll remember that I’m not as important as I think I am. (See below for letting people know how to get to you.)

Instant messaging… I will not do it. This would be like allowing someone to jump up on my desk anytime they want and interrupt my workflow (and I certainly don’t want to do that to anyone else). After all, I’m a grown-up.

Web… I will not use the web personally during my money hours (mine are between 8 am and 6 pm each work day with a break for lunch). When this gets tough because of my addiction to distraction, I’ll remind myself again that I’m a grown-up.

Phone… I will not give my attention to my iPhone when people I know are around me. If it vibrates (a ringtone? please) when I’m in a face-to-face conversation I will do my best to ignore it and give it attention when I’m alone. Fortunately, when I’m in an airport, I generally don’t know a lot of people so I can dig into my phone all I want there (although I might miss out on some of those serendipitous moments I’ve had in the past where I’ve met some very interesting people and learned new things… hmmmm).

Proximity… I will turn my desk facing away from my door.

Television… I will not channel surf. If I want to watch something, I will watch that thing and that’s it (and it will rarely, if ever, be something stupid). If I need downtime, I’ll read a book or something on the web (being careful here too, of course).

Commitment: When things get tough, I’ll remind myself that I want to succeed professionally, financially, and personally (better relationships, better knowledge). And, if I do these things, I’ll likely contribute more, make more useful things happen, earn more, and enjoy more as a result. (It’s a better bet.) When I make a mistake (break focus hours, check my email, look at the web, etc.), I’ll stop, re-commit, and remind myself I want to make good things happen (rather than living in a state of busy distraction).

These are for me and my workflow. If your work really requires more attention to email or a phone then adjust accordingly. As you make these commitments, be sure to let people know so they understand you’ll be responding to them, just at a different interval than you did before. Let them know that if they need you urgently, they should call you or visit you. If they don’t like that idea, remind them that you love them (only slight kidding here) and they’re important to you but you are trying to make good things happen and that requires hard work and focus (Cross The Line, right?). Maybe they’ll be inspired and join you in your distraction diet and we’ll all win.

Got another idea you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it. If I think it’s something everyone would benefit from, I’ll send it out in another email. Just email me at Sparker@GiveMore.com.

One last thing…

“Your business is to fix his attention on the stream. Teach him to call it ‘real life’ and don’t let him ask what he means by ‘real’.”

C.S. Lewis (1942)
from The Screwtape Letters

Here’s Louis CK’s version (funny, huh?). Warning: he’s got a bit of trash mouth.

Hang in their until the end… hilarious. Speaks to the Smile side of Smile & Move (Being awake and approachable).

Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

Copyright © 2011 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

If you’re slightly more daring, call 804-762-4500 ext. 303.

That’s it.

It seems to me that too many of us forget this too often… allowing ourselves to slip in and out of some state of ego-driven entitlement rather than obsessing over making good things happen for other people (so sad).

We need to get over ourselves and kick@ss for others. We do that and everything works.

The people at Netflix get it. They call it being a "stunning colleague." (more on this below)

Don’t you love that… a stunning colleague? Aren’t stunning colleagues what we all want from the people we work with (and what we all want to be for others… yes, you do or you wouldn’t be here)?

We need to get tired of mediocrity and indifference and be positively surprising to our colleagues and customers/patients/ guests/ clients (and managers). We need to encourage each other more.

How?

Stop seeking the complex answer and embrace the simple one…

Handle what it is you’ve been given to do. Contribute your piece of the equation.

"You gotta take responsibility for the place you hold here." – Oprah Winfrey

If you lead a team of people and you’ve not read my expanded thoughts on this (no gomos, no d-grunts), they’re here.

Smile & Move.

Developing a team of people? Perhaps one of my books or messages might be a helpful tool. Visit http://www.GiveMore.com to see everything (SalesTough, Smile & Move, 212° the extra degree®, Cross The Line, etc.).

On Netflix…

These guys started the business is 1997. From October 2008 to May 2011, they enjoyed a stock ride of $18.95 to over $200 a share. In April 2011, they reported first quarter sales of $718.55 million and a net income of $60.23 million. Those stunning colleagues appear to be doing a solid job.

If you’re interested, they’ve got a fantastic slide presentation about their culture that reads like a book. Very inspiring. It can be found here… http://www.netflix.com/jobs (it’s the first one). I love it.

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Copyright © 2011 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

If you’re slightly more daring, call 804-762-4500 ext. 303.

then from another…

and then from another…

What would the pictures of your work look like?

(Don’t be a Gomo. Make good things happen for other people.)

__________

Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

One of the big reasons we’re here is to make good things happen for other people.

It’s simple but for some strange reason, it’s not always easy.

Over the last decade, the Gallup organization has conducted surveys to determine how into our work we are (as you likely know, it’s referred to as ‘employee engagement’). The averages over the decade…

• 29 out of 100 of us are engaged (smovers)
• 54 of 100 are not engaged (gomos)
• 17 of 100 are actively disengaged (d-grunts)

This last group actually ‘works’ to make things worse. Can you imagine how horrible it must be for someone to feel compelled to invest their limited time and energy in tearing things and people down?

Most of us (if not all of us) have been Gomos and D-grunts at times but true D-grunts and Gomos stay there (complaining, watching the clock, entitled, not making good things happen for other people).

Here’s my proposal…

As Smovers and 212ers (aware and responsible), let’s be sure we do our best to lead by example. If we slip, let’s remember we’re obligated to bounce back (Smovish principle #9).

Then, let’s all commit to encouraging someone who’s on the fence between Smoving and being a Gomo (and remind them it’s much more fun on this side). Maybe, if we each have a small success, the example will awaken and encourage even the D-grunts to reconsider their ways. How amazing would that be?

How do you save a Gomo or D-grunt? I believe it begins by loving our people which as you might guess, isn’t all hugs, kisses, and rainbows. It’s about sweeping away the eggshells (theirs and ours) and going for truth.

For those who’ve not read my essay, Love Your People, you can find it here (a 5-minute read at most). We’ve published it in a cool little booklet format with questions and thoughts that can help you get closer to loving your people more consistently (kind of a work/play book).

My presentation of Cross the Line might also be a helpful tool for encouraging someone. You can watch that here.

Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” can be found here.

No Gomos Printable

No D-Grunts Printable

Get a No Gomos wristband here

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Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

With everything, there’s a line.

On one side of the line is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more responsibility). This is where you’ll find all those people you admire.

On the other side, there’s less of a chance.

And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at making good things happen (meaningful things) or you settle with the lesser chance.

Your choice.

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those times – those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do). But then, those misses (those hurdles) in the short run will sometimes help you over the line in the long run (in a way you couldn’t have seen). They’ll serve as lessons, giving you more depth to your experience – making you stronger and better prepared for bigger and more important challenges you’ll face in the future.

But you won’t know that at the time.
At the time, you’ll just see that line.
And it might seem like a wall.
But it really is just a line (a line you want to cross).
And it’s yours to cross, but you have to decide (make that choice).

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those people – those people who’ve decided they’d rather not cross the line and would prefer you didn’t either (and unfortunately, sometimes those people might be your friends). Maybe they’ll sprinkle in a little doubt or withhold a little encouragement at just the right time (or even encourage you to do the wrong thing). Maybe they’ll be a little less subtle about it and just step directly in your way.

And then, every once in a while, there’ll be you – that inner voice that’ll try to tell you you’re not that special and that making something exceptional happen is for other people. (What are you thinking?)

Then there’ll be the work – the work that’ll be the real challenge that some people never face because of those times, those people, or that inner voice that keep us from putting in the effort and bouncing back when things get tough.

But there’s the line.
And it needs to be crossed.
And you can cross it.

It’s up to you.

(Which side will you choose?)

“The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.”

Fridtjof Nansen
Norwegian explorer

The essay above and how to Cross The Line (Commit, Work Hard, Focus, Bounce Back) are available in the cool little booklet here. It also includes a coaching section of questions to help you Cross The Line more effectively (and some notes pages for your thoughts).

To learn more about how to use the Cross The Line message to support your company projects, goals, or upcoming meeting, visit this page.

Personal notes on Cross the Line

Watch & listen to the Sam’s Cross the Line™ presentation (4 minutes).

Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

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Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

Cross the Line™ is a trademark of Give More Media Inc.

If you’re new to management, maybe you’ll have to stick your finger in the light socket a few times before you trust that it’s not a good idea to wish* someone in to your organization. Or you can consider this thought as a little jump start to getting it right and saving yourself time, money, and pain – sooner the better.

Here’s a simple approach to maximizing your chances of hiring a true Smover (one who Smiles & Moves). You could use any book or short material (short is the key) that best fits the type of attitude you’re looking for but here, we’ll be using Smile & Move because it’s fairly comprehensive in its coverage of a service-oriented attitude.

After the first interview…

If you feel like you’ll have the person back for a second interview, give them a copy of Smile & Move and ask them to read it before the next visit. Because it’s no more than a 20-minute-read, it shouldn’t be a problem for your next superstar.

"I enjoyed talking with you today. I’d like to have you back to talk again and also to have you meet with some other people. Is the opportunity still something you’d like to pursue?"

If yes, set up a time or agree that you’ll follow-up to set up a time and then…

"Here’s a book we enjoy here. It’s called Smile & Move. Quick read, 20 minutes tops. Do me a favor and read it over before we meet again and we’ll discuss it a little, okay?"

Now, pay attention to the response. Is the person excited, indifferent, or put off? It’s probably an unusual request so an excited response might be unlikely. You’re really just looking for someone who might be put off by the request for the additional work. It’s probably not going to be the case because if you’re asking the person back, you’ve got a good feeling about him/ her. It’s just an added interaction to give you more information for your ultimate decision. Also, it gives your candidate more information about your expectations (and since you’re a Smover, your expectations are high). If they’re put off by it, perhaps they’ll decide not to proceed with the interview process and save everyone time. (If they want the book, let them keep it and perhaps you’ll have influenced something positive in their lives even if it takes them a year or two to realize it.)

At the next interview…

Ask them a few questions about their thoughts on the book and then listen (no leading, no prompting). Be the Smover you hope they’ll be and listen with both your ears and eyes (from Chapter 1, Being Awake). Be sure to remember the "gap of silence" idea as you listen**.

• What did you think of the book?
• What stood out to you?
• With which principle do you think you have the biggest challenge?
• With which principle do you feel strongest?
• Can you give me an example of when you last [insert strength point they gave]?
• Can you give me an example of when you [insert your favorite Smovish principle]?
• What did you disagree with? Why?

Hopefully, you’ll have an engaged person in front of you and won’t need to ask the reasons for their answers. They’ll simply expand on their own (a good sign). If not, you can always follow with "Why?".

Again… listen without prompting, leading, or interrupting. You will learn so much more about the person (which is what you want because you’re trying to decide on something that may be very important to the future of your organization… and if you’re lucky, you might be sitting across from a future leader in the company… maybe even the future president… and you can be the one who started it all… not bad, Smover.)

You’re looking for truth. One way to prompt it is to share with your candidate where you’re challenged in Smoving and give a quick example. Opening up to them may help them feel more comfortable opening up with you. Still though, in order to gauge their sincerity, watch as you listen.

"My toughest challenge is being approachable. Maybe having a more of a sense of urgency, too. Sometimes I don’t remember that people are just as busy as me and I need make sure I act with that in mind."

If you don’t like all the answers, it doesn’t mean they might not be a strong hire (perhaps they’re coachable**). Again, it just gives you more information about the person’s emotional development and attitude toward work.

Remember… Hiring someone who’s not a match has a negative impact on everyone. You want someone who’s service-oriented internally (with their colleagues) and externally (with your customers). You want a Smover.
__________

* To wish someone into your organization is to be lazy and avoid the potentially uncomfortable and more challenging truth. It’s a tennis metaphor. In a match, if your opponent hits a ball that you’ll have to run hard to get, you might be lazy and ‘wish it out’ instead of pushing it and trying to keep the ball in play.

** To make better connections with people (and learn much more), when you’re talking with someone be sure to allow a small gap of silence between what they say… and your response. This will help people know you are truly listening. (Remember: a breath is not always taken at the end of a sentence or thought.)

*** If you want someone who’s coachable, make sure at some point you ask them if they feel they’re coachable. Almost everyone will say they are. If that’s what you’re looking for, be sure to let them know that’s an important quality of being a member of your organization, group, or team. Someone who’s not coachable can make things very difficult on everyone. If you want to take it a step further and you’ve notice something during the interview that you can coach them on (something small because you likely don’t have much of a high-trust relationship yet), give them your thought and see how it’s received. "For example, I’ve notice you tend to interrupt/ say the word ‘like’ frequently/ seem distracted." (More thoughts and an 8-point check on your coachability)

__________

Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

With everything, there’s a line.

On one side of the line is a greater chance to give more, enjoy more, realize more. On the other side, there’s less of a chance.

And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at meaningful – opportunity – impact – or you settle with the lesser chance.

Your choice.

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those times – those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do). But then, those misses (those hurdles) in the short run will sometimes help you over the line in the long run (in a way you couldn’t have seen). They’ll serve as lessons, giving you more depth to your experience – making you stronger.

But you won’t know that at the time.
At the time, you’ll just see that line.
And it might seem like a wall.
But it really is just a line (a line you want to cross).
And it’s yours to cross but you have to decide (make that choice).

It seems simple but…

Then there’ll be those people – those people who’ve decided they’d rather not cross the line and would prefer you didn’t either – sprinkling in a little doubt, withholding a little encouragement, stepping in the way.

Then there’ll be that inner voice – that inner voice that’ll try to tell you you’re not that special and things like that are for other people. (What are you thinking?)

Then there’ll be the work – the work that’ll be the real challenge that some people never face because of those times, those people, or that inner voice that keep us from putting in the effort and bouncing back when things get tough.

But there’s the line.
And it needs to be crossed.
And you can cross it.

It’s up to you.

(Which side will you choose?)

Watch & listen to the author’s Cross the Line™ presentation (4.5 minutes).

Personal notes on Cross the Line

__________

Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

Cross the Line™ is a trademark of Give More Media Inc.

I bought a take-out sandwich and this pickle came with it.

Now, let’s think about this…

A grown-up allowed this pickle to be put in a bag by another grown-up and then given to a customer (me… and probably you). You see, a pickle should be firm and crunchy and add value to the experience (or it shouldn’t be included).

The first grown-up is the manager who poorly hired, poorly trained, poorly developed, and/ or poorly held accountable the second grown-up. The second grown-up is the person who allowed himself to be distracted from his potential and being valuable.

This is not loving your people (customers or team members) and this won’t encourage a customer to return. Coincidently (or perhaps not), the staff had a similar level of enthusiasm as the pickle.

We’ve all served up our share of metaphorical pickle flop (including me). I’m convinced that most of the time, it’s just laziness rather than a lack of awareness or interest in doing the right thing.

So let’s encourage each other to expect more from ourselves. Let’s do what we can to make our customers exceptionally happy rather than marginally satisfied, at best.

(I know. It’s just a pickle.)

__________

It’s been said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” I love that.

If you’ve not seen them, our new pocket cards are a great way to reinforce the fundamentals of being more valuable at work (and in life).

Each of them make great handouts and topics for discussions with your team. I even use them with the kids on my soccer teams* (212 and this version of Be Resilient). If you’re already using them, I’ve got some quick ideas below that you might like.

(What leader could you encourage today by forwarding this pickle story?)

Tips for using pocket cards

1. Start now. Why hold back your thoughts for improvement until the weekly, monthly, or quarterly meeting? Every day something isn’t shared is a day lost without that knowledge (and you’re trying to create a great team, not a mediocre team, yes?). Leadership is about solid and ongoing reinforcement… daily (not monthly or quarterly). Small, frequent, and consistent communication on fundamentals makes it more likely the fundamentals won’t fall through the cracks (which seems to have happened in too many places). Use a card to start a conversation that helps keep things top-of-mind. Have it waiting for someone standing in their keyboard or placed on their desk. Here are a couple of quick videos where I talk about my thoughts on leadership (they’re the ones called Leadership and Leadership Part Deux). Maybe a couple of thoughts will help you with a challenge you’re facing now.
2. Follow up. Talk with your team about the fundamental you’re using. For a more personal touch, do it individually – maybe a 5-minute talk. “So, what do you think about that Ego idea?” Then listen (completely) and if appropriate, share what you like or don’t like about it. Ask in what areas they feel they need to improve. To encourage truth, first share where you need to improve. This’ll increase the chance of you being seen as human and clear the air for a more valuable conversation.
3. Reinforce. Come back to each issue frequently – especially when someone models a point particularly well… “Congratulations to Bob for being awake and seeing that opportunity last week. That’s what we’re talking about when we’re creating our own luck.” Privately, or in a group setting (if you’ve got a particularly killer-high-trust-I’ve-got-your-back-you’ve-got-mine team) address any mistakes quickly so they don’t continue. If you made the mistake, even better to share in a group setting… “I missed that opportunity to Smile & Move yesterday with the Hendricks account. I should have had more of a sense of urgency in handling the proposal they requested.”

* On a personal note… If you have kids who play rec soccer or you’re a beginner coach, I’ve got a few ideas for you on my personal blog.

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Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

Imagine a world without ego. No…

• Toes to step on
• Feelings to hurt
• Fair shares to grab
• Territory to defend
• Fault to allocate
• Back to watch
• Last words to get
• Ideas to hold back
• Embarrassment to bear

• Battles to win
• Knowledge to prove
• Entitlement to have
• Encouragement to withhold
• Credit to seek
• Grudges to hold
• Jealousy to feel
• Revenge to take
• Hidden meanings to construe

To be no ego…

1. Be humble. Understand you are a (small) part of the world. Service and patience should be your top priorities.
2. Be teachable. Focus on what you can learn, rather than what you know. Remember that almost everything you learn comes from the work of someone else.
3. Listen more. Make every effort to truly understand what others are saying (beyond just words). Allow a gap of silence before responding. Ask question (and listen, again).
4. Appreciate people. Enjoy others’ contributions. Don’t squelch ideas or defend territory. Encourage more.
5. Relax. Let go of the need to be right or win every time.

Nothing complex. So what do you say? You up for it?

Speak no ego. Be no ego.™

(let’s make the world a better place)

Get the Be No Ego pocket card.

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Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).

– Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
  American statesman, scientist, and printer

luck: noun: a force that makes things happen

You want more luck? Be the force that makes it happen…

1. Prepare. Work hard to be ready for the opportunities that are important to you. Research. Practice. Perfect.
2. Be awake. Pay attention to the people, events, and things around you. Evaluate logically and trust your gut instinct.
3. Take action. Put yourself out there. Explore. Be vulnerable. Make contact with people. Take risks.
4. Expect positive results. Optimism improves your chances. If (when) you fail, embrace the lesson and continue on, smarter.

That’s it. Now go be lucky (and do something).

Get the Push Your Luck™ pocket card.

Get the Push Your Luck™ wristband.

__________

Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…

Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter

Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).