Category: Family

You’re Awesome…

Posted on by Carl Weber

There is nothing better than working with people.  I mean it.  Either in a team, or individually it makes for fun stories (and I have permission to share this one).

A large aspect of what I do is helping people understand themselves in a behavioral sense. One measure is how much a person interacts with or the influence they have over people. Someone who scores high by this measure tends to be optimistic, interactive (loud) and can move the crowd.  A lower score is somewhat pessimistic, introverted (quite) and withdrawn.  Neither is right or wrong, they are just different and interesting.

While working with a couple, one of them measured extremely high and the one was extremely low.  It was almost impossible for them to be any more different in this category.  They say “opposites attract” and I have seen this play out in behaviors with couples.  It is magnetic and exciting while dating, but after a few years…well you know.

This particular difference plays out when delivering or receiving compliments.  (One of the hardest aspect of leading, either in your work or life…but that is for another day.)  And this is how it played out.

The Optimist (high score):  “You’re Awesome!!!”

The Pessimist (low score):  “What?”

The Optimist (high score):  “You’re Awesome!!!”

The Pessimist (low score):  “Let me get this straight.  So far this morning you said the coffee was awesome, the dog was awesome, and I am awesome.  What does that even mean?”

The Optimist (high score):  “You’re Awesome!!!”

The Pessimist (low score):  “So in your world, I am somewhere between coffee and dog.”

Optimism can be a great thing.  Inspiring others, acknowledging who they are and what they contribute is a great attribute, but taken to the extreme can be seen as superficial and meaningless.  Everything cannot be awesome, or the word losing its meaning.  

If you are optimistic, don’t stop…the world needs some hope these days.  You may need to be a little more careful with the words you choose.  Sincerity is the key.  If you are on the other spectrum, remember that you see the world in a more grounded way, to you the coffee is adequate or okay.  But when you get that great cup of coffee…tell someone (don’t just point out how it could have been better).

For the next week, let’s try a little experiment.  Listen to yourself and 3 people who are in your circle, your life.  Determine where they fall in the optimism/pessimism continuum and let’s try to meet them there.  For the optimists a pat on the back and a “nice job” will go a long way.  For the others, being sincere and providing details will take the “nice job” from empty words to real meaning.  We can all use a little encouragement, and why not apply it this week.  Let me know how it turns out.

18 (actually 23) Minutes

Posted on by Carl Weber

Recently while talking to a friend about work/life balance and trying to make small changes in our lives, we talked about writing.  I asked how the writing was going and this friend described the traditional process.

“In the past, I would typically write every few months or so, and attempt to write a novel in a weekend.”

“How did that work out?”

“It was crap.”

As we talked, I thought about how most of my life mirrors this process.  Life is busy. There are things I would like to do, they build up, and then I try to do it all in a weekend.

The result: crap.

My friend described a new process.  Write each day for 5 minutes.  Don’t try to write a novel.  Just write.  If you skip a day, the next day is not 10 minutes, each day the clock resets: just 5 minutes.  This small decision each day is not overwhelming, but begins to create a regular outlet.  A pattern.  A new way of living.

I began to think about how simple yet effective this approach can be, especially when trying to manage our busy lives.  Do you need to spend more time with someone, spend time quietly reflecting, or [insert your particular thing here]?  Why not start with 5 minutes a day.

Recently I got an update.

“I am up to 18 minutes a day.  Some days I skip, but now I look forward to writing.”

“How is the writing going?

“Still mostly crap, but sometimes there is some good stuff in there.”

The result: only mostly crap, with some good stuff.  Now that is progress!  When we talked the other week, the 18 minutes has grown to 23 minutes.  You could start today, take your 5 minutes and do something you have been meaning to do.  Tomorrow try it again, and the next day, and the next day.  You may just find some good stuff in there.

P.S.  It was this friend and this process that got me to stop dreaming about it and actually write this blog.  Thanks.

The Lost Generation?

Posted on by Carl Weber

I recently had the privilege of hearing Rebecca Ryan speak at a conference.  She started her talk with this video and it gave me hope, and I had to share it.  You can check out her work at her website.

http://www.nextgenerationconsulting.com

Rebecca if you ever read this, Thank You for making such an impact in our lives, and our communities.

Work Life Balance?

Posted on by Carl Weber

[This will be one of many posts on Work Life Balance]

My youngest daughter (someday she may read this stuff and laugh) had an assignment a few years back in kindergarten to write about one of her parents.  She picked me.  The form that the teacher provided had certain questions to answer:

1.  My Dad’s name is:  Carl Weber (Weird when your kids say or use your whole name.)

2.  How old is your Dad?  89 (I was 39 at the time, so at least she got the 9 right, and I looked pretty good for a 89-year-old.)

3.  How much does your Dad weigh?  200 lbs  (Before I comment on her accuracy, what teacher wants to know this?  She was pretty much within a pound at the time…rats.)

4.  My Dad likes to:  Check his email

There it was…in black and white, or actually crayon.  Dad likes to check his email.  I could make excuses.  I could blame a demanding job, a busy life, and my attempts to provide a better life for her, but my actions spoke louder than any words.

I stepped back to reflect on how often I was checking the phone or sitting at the computer in a state of distraction trying to get more work accomplished.  Balancing work and life is more than just working while at home, or checking email on your phone while in the presence of your family.  Shortly after this project, during a conversation in the dining room (while I was on the computer) she said words that still haunt me:

“Daddy, I want you to listen with your face!”

Where are you out of balance?  Who or what needs your attention, your focus, your face?  I am beginning to walk out this journey of balancing work and life, but it is not easy.  Creating boundaries has helped, but more on that later.  Is it working?  Only time will tell.

Recently she had another project to write about me again.  This time the result was different.  Here is what she wrote…

1.  My Dad doesn’t like it when:   He Does Not Win!