Category: Random Thoughts

A Few Book Ideas

Posted on by Carl Weber

Here are a few suggestions of some potential books that come to mind.  These books have either been on my nightstand for a while and need a good reading, or have been recommended to me by others:

1.  The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin – http://www.happiness-project.com/, seems like an interesting concept and may be an interesting journey together.

2.  The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell – http://www.gladwell.com/, I have read Outliers, What the Dog Saw, and Blink and this in next on my list.  He is one of the greatest writers of our time, and tells amazing stories.

3.  The Brain and Emotional Intelligence: New Insights – Daniel Goleman http://danielgoleman.info/, or Magnificent Mind at Any Age – Dr. Daniel Amen.  Both are looking at how our minds work and the role of our emotional state and how we react to others.

4.  Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us – Seth Godin http://www.sethgodin.com/sg/ about leading small groups.

Those are my top picks, again I am open to  your suggestions.  In order for this to work, once we find a book, I think we need at least 10 people to commit to doing this together.  If you are in, let us know, if you want to wait until we pick a book, that is okay too.  But for you adventurous types, go ahead and jump in now!  Take the leap, it will be worth it.

Reading a Book Together?

Posted on by Carl Weber

As I sit here on my back porch finally writing again, I just wanted to thank all of you for hanging with me.  Lately writing has taken a back seat.  A few moments ago I transmitted my last assignment for the class I have been taking.  It took more time and effort (and writing) than I imagined.  The class got most of my thoughts in writing, and at the end there was nothing left to share.

There have been a few things rattling around in my head lately.  Some are ideas to write about, others are projects or just random thoughts.

I was talking with a friend the other day and they mentioned their book club.  Periodically some friends get together and discuss a book.  Given the business of life, work, schedules and everything else I just couldn’t see finding a day to get together.  Then I had a thought, what if we found a book to read together on the blog?  What if the only committment was to read a chapter a week, and write at least one post and comment on one other post?  Sounds easy enough right?

Here is my proposal.  Until Friday this week, I am open to suggestions for books that we could collectively read.  On Saturday, I will post a poll to vote on the most popular book, and we can start it the following week.  No pressure, you can participate or not, but in this world we do way too much alone, so why read alone?  One thing I learned from taking this online class is how much I benefited from the dialogue about the subjects, the lessons, and I looked forward to the insights of others.

The ball is in your collective courts.  This only works if we agree to try it together.  Let me know what you think and offer some suggestions to the rest of us about something you are dying to read.

Posted on by Carl Weber

A great post from a friend. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Carl

John's avatarThe Terrible Blog

One of Merriam-Webster’s definition of ‘Listen’ is:

“to hear something with thoughtful attention : give consideration”.

Yesterday, I was interacting with one of my clients for work when I found myself having to actively engage in listening. She was expressing to me her frustrations with the computing world as she sees it and as it relates to the management of her business.  I just listened.  I provided some general feedback to let her know I was paying attention, but I did not say much.  I think she appreciated that and I was able to gather a greater understanding of her concerns by doing so.

As I walked away and towards my car to leave, I thought more about listening.  Not just in the case above, but in other areas of my life.

I am asking myself, and you, the following questions:

-How often do you truly listen to your customer without…

View original post 329 more words

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Posted on by Carl Weber

I was meeting with someone the other day who is moving away and making some life changes because their spouse’s job requires it.  During our meeting, we discussed careers and how the recent changes were about to create a real directional shift.  What started as a series of questions regarding their current field took an interesting turn.

 “Are you going to try to find a job in your field?”

“I am not sure, I have been doing this for a while.”

“Well, what did you want to be when you were a kid?”

It is a pretty simple question, but a stunned silence filled the next few moments.  Their face said it all.  There was something deep down that had been with them since their youth, but had not been uttered in years.

“I wanted to be an Egyptologist.”

The remainder of our time together included trying to figure out just exactly how an elementary kid even knew that that job existed.  We tried to determine how long this job idea continued.  It appears to have continued through the beginning of high school.  But reality set in later in school, and the pursuit of more concrete and practical jobs prevailed.  I could see by the spark and enthusiasm that came alive at the mention of this forgotten dream that it still held some power.

“So, where you are going, do they have a good museum?” I asked.

“Yes, yes they do.  Maybe I can try to get a job with them, or at the very least, volunteer some time.”

“Great idea.”

What did YOU want to be when you were a kid?  A pilot, an astronaut, a teacher, a writer, a baker, a dancer, an artist, a hero…an Egyptologist?  It is not too late to reach towards the dream of your youth.  Maybe just remembering will provide the spark you need to try something new.  Go ahead, the world is waiting for you.

The “My Way” Blind Spot

Posted on by Carl Weber

We all have blind spots.  You have them, I have them, we all have them.  The hardest part about blind spots is that we do not see them.  I suppose that is why we call them “blind spots.”  When this happens while driving, another car can essentially disappear from view, yet be right beside us. If we turn or change lanes, the damage will be immediate and severe.

When our blind spots are personal, the damage is no less great, but they can occur gradually…almost without our notice.  Until we discover our personal blind spots (typically because someone else points them out) we tend to just plug along not realizing the damage we are causing by this inherent flaw in our perspective.

Recently I discovered that I suffer from the “My Way” blind spot.  This was reluctantly pointed out to me by my team after I wanted a project to be done a certain way.  The banter between them went something like this…

“You mean you wanted it done the “Carl Weber Way?”

“Yeah, it is like Carlito’s Way, only with less violence.”

“Most of the time when you assign a project we will end up doing it your way in the end, even if we have other ideas.”

I was stunned.  I resisted the natural urge to defend myself and just listened.  Arguing about your blind spot is as foolish as turning your car into that crowded lane because you just know there is no car there…while hearing the crash.  Instead I listened.  I really listened.  It became clear that the “My Way” blind spot was real and having an impact on others.  My tendency to delegate without freedom created tension and a lack of trust.  Over time, this can create followers who feel unable to be creative or do things their own way.

Identifying the blind spot was the first step.  The next, and much harder step, is trying to figure out how to change a pattern of behavior that I didn’t know existed.  It will not be easy, but leading well never is.  I will have to check those mirrors a little more often before changing lanes.

What is your blind spot?  Where are you speeding along without seeing what is right beside you?  Are you causing unaware damage?

My advice today is simple: Listen and look.  But be prepared to deal with what you find.

Taking a Vacation From…

Posted on by Carl Weber

We are taking a vacation.  Yes, it just so happens that next week is vacation but that is not the vacation that matters.  Last night while tucking the kids into bed we had an idea. We should take a vacation from something that isn’t working for us.

This week was a short week because of a holiday, and for some reason we all seemed to have more homework, stress and projects that ended up increasing the grumpy dialogue between us.  Last night while tucking everyone in, we decided to take a vacation.  A vacation from raising our voices to each other.

Why not take a vacation from that one thing for the next week? Spend today thinking about that one thing that you should put on the shelf for the next 7 days…and put it away. The next week you have a free pass from engaging in that thing.  It may not be helping you anyway.

What do you need a vacation from?  Raising your voice?  Being critical? Procrastination?  Fear?  Being Snarkey?

For us, we came up with a code if one of us begins to violate our new vacation agreement:

“I’m sorry, we are on vacation!”

You deserve a vacation.  Perhaps those around you do as well.