Wednesday, February 28, 2018

God Provides




God gives us seasons of plenty so that we can prepare for seasons of need. And as psalm 23 says, the Lord lead us through perilous places to pleasant postures.

So when it comes to provision, the message of the Bible is this: Work while we can, save what we can, share what we can and trust God to meet our needs.

Thank You, Lord, for the promise that You will meet our needs. Help us not to fear or doubt. We’re grateful that You’re watching over us and that our cries for help reach Your ear.

Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Hugh Cholmondeley




Kepo with Stewart…

The Japanese really favor Mak Tiri…but Mak Tiri didn’t want to transfer to the Grocery Division.

Kelvin tendered, Abigail also tendered…

Abigail tendered because of the job lah…not because of Celtic…I think too much and over pula…hahaha…

Tin Min also acuh tak acuh like that…want to resign or don’t want to resign…cannot make up the mind pula

Mak Tiri pula suggest that Tin Min go and do the Toys portfolio.

Henry is being very negative as well…

Captain Johnson can click with Mak Tiri…both sama style…detail…till the end.

Stewart mention…the next one that will succeed Stewart will be Jonas because Jonas is neutral. Unfortunately, Jonas kena transferred out. So, now everything is on hold. No one is suitable at the moment. Everyone is afraid of Mak Tiri…hahaha…Celtic have no people skills; only negotiation skills…sigh…in my heart…those are no longer negotiation skills lor…because it’s balik-balik the same old supplier…it’s already routine…so, if I were still around…I got chance kah? Hahaha…

But most importantly, I get to show off a bit to Stewart on my analytical skills which I have learned from Uncle Andy recently...line charts that can track the sales trend, the selling price zone & the selling price threshold...hahaha...

Bourbon-Two Sicilies




I think Celtic is avoiding me lor…so, in the end…Celtic cannot make it to Stewart’s house…fine, then I suggest which Celtic also agreed that I will go over to Celtic’s place after finish visiting Stewart…called Celtic’s mobile twice…tak angkat…WatsApp…tak jawab…later on, baru jawab…I don’t know by how I mute my phone…maybe Celtic realize that we no longer have any topic to converse anymore…or…maybe Celtic thinks that my thinking is too high level for Celtic…hahaha…

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Surviving The Wilderness




Sometimes life can seem like an arid desert. But God can quench our spiritual thirst in the most unlikely circumstances. When by faith we believe the promises of God's word, we can experience rivers of living water and grace for our daily needs.

Trust Tally




Lord, thank You for affirming that we don't need to know everything that lies ahead when we know You.

God's past faithfulness proves His everlasting dependability.

Rooted In God




When we follow God, He makes us to FLOURISH!

Friday, February 23, 2018

Lycée Saint Dominique




Further details will be in tomorrow S&M meeting…

This one…Sörenstam mention to me…that Sörenstam is looking forward to it…

Err…I didn’t have much commentaries to write on that week…so, tokok - tambah only leh...otherwise, the commentaries part is very kosong leh...hahaha…

Institut Privé de Préparation aux Études Supérieures




Wah lau eh…Sörenstam got read my email one leh…most of the time…I doubt anyone will read my Press Ad Review + Commentaries…unless the buyers who are very concern of their business…

Our Super Sunday Press Ad since Week 1 till Week 3 continuously to see growth at the average of 40%.

Sörenstam ask me what does it mean…week by week comparison lor…got growth when compare to previous week lor

Adam & Astrid




Hmm…the other day, during Kendra’s birthday lunch party…Celtic did drop by…ate and then very fast cabut off already…claiming got second session lah…and then tomorrow, we are suppose to gather together for CNY at Stewart’s place. The agreed meet up time is 2.30 pm…then Celtic; in the WastApp Group said that Celtic got another appointment at 2pm, cannot make it pula…and in both scenarios…Stephanie is not around…so is Celtic avoiding me?

“Respect Greece”




The other day, Stephanie kepo with me…Abigail resign…I’m wondering, did Abigail resign because of the job or because of Celtic…I always find Abigail to be a very smart person…also can see through Celtic’s true colors…but still move along & get along with Celtic because Celtic have a much better business acumen and people sense than everyone else does…

MONADECO




When I was under Ursula...Ursula's CNY Ang Pow is at RM68...Marcus pula...RM30...Ursula is more generous...hahaha...ok, ok...is the thought that counts...

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Night Train to Venice




Had dinner with Li Fong yesterday night @ Ding Tai Fung, Empire Subang…

Hahaha…rupa-rupanya, when I was still with The Japanese…Li Fong got ask Stewart to let me to do the Slow Moving Report; instead of Celtic…Li Fong said that Celtic cannot do paperwork one…never re-check the work…Stewart replied balik that Stewart’s June have a lot of work to do…hahaha…THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD – I didn’t know that I have such a reputation and build up such an impression…

Mak Tiri check things very detail…

Li Fong got share our Batu Caves day trip with Mak Tiri…yerr…dangerous pula

Mak Tiri have additional categories to manage now, I told Li Fong my suggestion would be for Mak Tiri to find a mature buyer so MT can delegate more work out instead of being so burden…

Then Li Fong mention – that if I were to be under MT, we will be able to work very well together…MT only need to guide me…hello…why must MT guide me…I cannot guide MT meh…I have done all of the categories before leh…only MT have never done before wor

Rupa-rupanya…MT got give Tin Min chance one…want to grow Tin Min…but Tin Min is just immature…Tin Min is actually very smart…how unfortunate…

MT knows that James is already back in Subang...ohh...so the both of them got keep in touch lah...

The Lair of the White Worm




Yesterday, Ursula came over to my workstation:

Miguel have re-structure his team.

Nixon is transferred to do the Auti/DIY category…there is also the angin bertiup dengan kencang that Nixon will be promoted to take over Jordan’s senior position…the thing is…before Jordan resign, Jordan got lobby with Maximoff to promote Shawn up…yes, Shawn doesn’t socialize much…but Shawn still meet all of the KPIs…even when the ordering was restricted, Shawn still overcomes it. Buying income; Shawn still meets the target every month. Ursula mention, if Nixon is indeed is being promoted, Ursula’s emosi will be tak stabil…hahaha…

Actually, I told Ursula…the culprit is still that both Maximoff & Miguel don’t trust G13 people…they trust their own people.

The Witch is transferred into taking care of the Bicycle, Camping, Luggage & Sports category…dengar cerita…one of the Auto/DIY supplier offer RM50K as buying income to Miguel to change the buyer…OMG…The Witch is really indeed very dasyat…hahaha…

Stationery has a new buyer…Grace…

I told Ursula…that Ursula is more smarter, more experience than me…I only see things at the surface…with Maximoff going to be out from the picture soon…see how this Ursula wants to play her chessboard against Miguel…if Ursula can overcome Miguel, than Ursula will have a better and stronger footing…even the CEO also notices Ursula, acknowledge her and gives her the credit…but this Ursula is worried that Maximoff already cucuk her back until her reputation is gone…hahaha…

Actually, in Miguel’s team now…only left Ursula; the most senior member…and also the one who knows the Division inside and outside…the others will be Shawn, Nixon…Marcus pula support Nigel…

Interesting development…

Miguel is very woman...definitely will not call me back...unless I put in a request...

According to Ursula...Christy have improved a lot...learn a lot of good things from Ursula...

Baldwin actually came up to G13 office for interview...

But what is good is that Ursula believe in the role of the Trade Planning department in driving the total retail business…however, we are just not there yet…sound so much like Tommy…yes, we must lead…the merchants must follow…hahaha...

Monday, February 19, 2018

8 Signs an Employee Is Exceptional (Which Never Appear on Performance Evaluations)




We can all spot a great employee: she's dependable, proactive, hardworking, a great leader, and a great follower. She brings a wide variety of easily defined -- but hard to find -- skills to the table.

Some employees, though, are exceptional. They have skills and qualities that aren't evaluated on performance appraisals but make a huge impact on that individual's performance, the performance of the people around her, and especially on the company's results.

Here are eight signs an employee is truly exceptional:

1. They think well beyond job descriptions.

The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done. When a key customer's project is in jeopardy, exceptional employees know without being told there's a problem, and they jump in without being asked, even if--especially if--it's not their job.

2. They're quirky...
The best employees are often a little different: a little eccentric, sometimes irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. They seem slightly odd, but in a really good way. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor. People who aren't afraid to be different naturally stretch boundaries and challenge the status quo, and they often come up with the best ideas.

3. And yet they know when to rein in their individuality.

An unusual personality is a lot of fun--right up until the moment it isn't. When a major challenge pops up or a situation gets stressful, the best employees stop expressing their individuality and fit seamlessly into the team. Exceptional employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; and when to challenge and when to back off. It's a tough balance to strike, and a rare few can walk that fine line with ease.

4. They praise other people in public...

Praise from a boss feels good. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person. Exceptional employees recognize the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words is even greater.

5. And they disagree in private.

We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are better handled in private. Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom. Exceptional employees come to you before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.

6. They ask questions when others won't.

Some employees are hesitant to speak up in meetings. Some are even hesitant to speak up privately. An employee once asked me a question about potential layoffs. After the meeting I said to him, "Why did you ask about that? You already know what's going on." He said, "I do, but a lot of other people don't, and they're afraid to ask. I thought it would help if they heard the answer from you." Exceptional employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them, and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.

7. They like to prove other people wrong.

Self-motivation often springs from a desire to show that doubters are wrong. The woman without a college degree or the man who was told he didn't have leadership potential often possesses a burning desire to prove other people wrong. Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Exceptional employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.

8. They're constantly exploring.

Some people are rarely satisfied (I mean that in a good way) and are constantly tinkering with something: reworking a timeline, adjusting a process, tweaking a workflow. Good employees follow processes. Great employees tweak processes. Exceptional employees find ways to reinvent processes, not just because they are expected to... but because they just can't help themselves.

From Worms To War




Fear can paralyze grown men too. Gideon must’ve been afraid when the angel of the Lord came to him as he was threshing wheat in secret, hiding from his Midianite enemies. The angel told him he had been chosen by God to lead His people in battle.

Gideon’s response? Pardon me, my Lord,…but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. After being assured of the Lord’s presence, Gideon still seemed fearful and asked for signs that God would use him to save Israel. And God responded to Gideon’s request. The Israelites were successful in battle and then enjoyed peace for forty years.

We all have fears of various kinds – from worms to wars. Gideon’s story teaches us that we can be confident of this – if God asks us to do something, He’ll give us the strength and power to do it.

Lord, thank You for the assurance that You are with us.

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Hovering Over Us




We too may face challenges of many kinds, but we can take comfort and courage in this reminder that our God will never leave us. When we feel that we are falling, the Lord like an eagle will spread His wings to catch us as He brings us peace.

Father God, Your love as a parent is greater than anything I can imagine. May my confidence rest in You and may I share Your love with others.

Our God hovers us with love.

Divine Interruptions




Interruptions can be opportunities to serve.

Conceived In Crisis




I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

Whatever crisis we face today, we can run to God for help. Then, we can praise Him as we wait expectantly, confident in His infinitely creative care for us.

Your crisis is your opportunity to trust our unfailing God.

How Long?




I knew God could change my circumstance. Why wasn't He?

Are you waiting on God? Are you asking; How Long Lord?

There are days when we too feel as if God is doing nothing. Like Habakkuk, we have continuously asked God - How Long?

Yet, we are not alone. As with Habakkuk, God hears our burdens. We must continue to cast them on the Lord because He cares for us. God hears us and in His time, will give an answer.

Lord, thank You for bearing my burdens. I know that You hear my cries and will answer in accordance to Your perfect plan and purposes.

If I Knew Then




Leave your heavy burdens with God.

Wake-Up Call




Many people find that scheduling some extra time each morning to read the Bible and talk to the Lord in prayer helps them stay spiritually alert. It's not a job but a joy to spend time with Jesus and know that He prepares us for whatever lies ahead that day.

Your Safe Place




God is a safe place in life's storms.

White Mischief




And then hor…previously when I was under Ursula…Ursula only apps me greetings for Christmas & New Year…never CNY leh…if my memory serves correctly lah…so this year…Ursula apps me wor…before I apps her…hahaha…

Music and Lyrics




WatsApp Ursula a unicorn plush toy picture…

Ursula: I saw this at HK fair

Me: Kids latest craze is unicorn now. Now lots of unicorn theme parties

Ursula: I know. Doing after cny

Me: Excellent

Ursula: Thank you for ur information

Hahaha…being the kepochi again…

Lord Elgin and Some Stones of No Value




This year CNY – I find GMS to be very bad…both Marcus & I have a discussion about it…

We think that Miguel have lost the sense of direction for the whole division. Fewer deeper may work on certain categories but not 1 size fits all. GMS / HardLine / Bazaar need to have varieties, only certain items can do fewer deeper tactics.

A lot of missing items…for example, during the Spring Cleaning promotion…where are the 3M sponges, the pail, the laundry basket, the brooms & mops, the black bins…all not highlighted at all.

Most importantly, where are the storage boxes & the drawers…these are the key Hyper lines, you cannot buy online and cannot get at convenience store either…it’s a hyper's bread & butter…

Repetitive items from CNY 1 Leaflet all the way to CNY 4 leaflet…without a cooling period, balik-balik the same item…just show no varieties to the customers…lacking…

Appliance also not strong…apparel also not strong…1 bay 1 item; sure overstock…

Miguel & team just have to go and do some soul-searching together, discuss, re-group and re-strategize their battle plan…

If it’s me…

HouseHold >> re-highlight back all of the storage boxes & drawers and disposableware. Clean up the assortment for cookware & servingware; these are margin generator categories. Cut down the number of skus if necessary.

Home Furnishing & Furniture >> ensure home furnishing designs are up to date. Furniture; find a few key lines of utility shelfs, sofa bed, garment racks, mattress that can give a million dollar sales.

Stationery & Toys & DIY >> just make sure on stock availability, the sales will jalan one…

No more Press Ad…cool it down first.

Priority should be cleaning up the current assortment, returning the stocks, clearance, re-negotiating with the suppliers and focus on major events…

I know, it’s easier to say than done…hahaha…

St. Clair Bayfield




This is the final conversation between the 2 of us, the closure…just like Ursula’s case…after this, there will be no more triggering going on already…unless I sengaja find topic to do so only…

Me: Li Fong and I are meeting next week Tuesday. 6.45pm. Empire. Do join us…

MT: Next week on leave whole week. Going diving

Me: Wah u very free. Tak payah kerja. Oklah next round lah

MT: Apa yesterday also worked half day…

Me: Yesterday tak kira

MT: Everyday also kerja kuat mah hehe

Me: Yes, now u kerja kuat. More categories

MT: Ya workload tambah gaji no tambah lol

Me: Adoi, thought can get u to belanja. It’s like tat one lah. Just do ur best. I’m sure u will b rewarded one way or the other

MT: Thanks for ur positive words

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Red Nose Day Actually




Finally, I have received my Japanese pay slip…at first, Fify take it in for me…then I ask Fify to pass to Mak Tiri…we were suppose to meet up for dinner; together with Li Fong…but as I was feeling unwell that day, I have to FFK them…then, we were suppose to meet up at Linda’s place for lunch…mana tahu, this Mak Tiri have to sent her car for service…so in the end, Mak Tiri pass my pay slip to Marcus when the both of them met up at Linda’s daughter wedding.

To my horror, upon receiving…both the sides of the pay slip…buka already! Of course, I innocently went and question Mak Tiri lah…she of course gave explanation lor…for me is very simple…if my salary is lower than hers, her mouth is shut lah…if my salary is higher that hers, her emotional tak stabil lor…hahaha…Mak Tiri is also very cheong hei…keep on explaining…in the end finally shut up…hahaha…my verdict is this, Mak Tiri may be unintentionally and accidentally tore up the sides of the pay slip…tore up already mah...might as well, take a peek lor…cannot stand the curiosity & temptation mah…somemore, at times, she can ter-lepas cakap one…maybe not on things about herself but certainly on others…Marcus did mention to me before that this Mak Tiri don’t reveal too much about herself unless she wants to…

I maybe accidentally koyak d tepi cos there is possibility as I put my payslip in my hang bag as well. But confirmed tak tengok urs.

Hey about ur payslip really sorry can’t recall when I got it was it koyak on both sides. But im assured that from d moment I took it from Fifi went to my handbag was there all d while until yesterday evening took out and put into envelope so within this period don’t think anyone will open my bag…

Really never looked at ur slip. Haihzzz it was from me. And is koyak don’t know how to explain. Sui sai dou mmm ching.

But I’m not feeling ok with it.

Like X files. Unable to tell u what exactly happened. Juz need u to trust that I hv no clue about what’s inside. But gotta take responsibility for my clumsiness.

Champagne Charlie




Both this Sörenstam & Marcus wants to confirm me early…but mana tahu…they were just on time…adoi…I didn’t get my 13th month prorate bonus in the month of December…rugi you know...at least got RM1K plus...and this confirmation have no increment as well…Marcus claim that Marcus did ask Sörenstam for a raise…Sörenstam’s only replied was on what basis…nothing measurable…sigh…tak apa lah…I know my God will provide…Uncle Andy already pointed out mah...Marcus have 3 managers...but doing routine & repetitive work...which hire a clerk also can...thus, both Sörenstam & Marcus may need to review & revamp our job scope; on how to add more value to the business and drive sales...so the performance appraisal did went well…I have also already received the confirmation letter…THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE TO THE LORD, BLESS YOU GOD…G13’s Trade Planning have a long way to go, if benchmark against The English lah…nonetheless, I know that my God have solid plans for me…even though, at times…I do feel a bit redundant…but I am looking at the total business and learning a new set of soft skills. These new set of soft skills is to prepare me for something in the future which I don’t know what it is yet…one thing for sure…I am on time…I need to be where I am…this is the time of Preparation & Protection…but God, I hope that You will also able to help me...since both Sörenstam & Marcus are also unsure here & there...how can I add more value to the business and drive sales for the total company?!

A Very English Scandal




There was no input from Marcus, no input from Sörenstam and certainly no input from Mr. Horton’s Secretary…so I create & initiate myself lor…sigh, every Tuesday; we will have this S&M meeting…where I have to present the previous week Press Ad sales results…so, as time goes by…I kind of get bored with the way I present the information to the team…so from the excel worksheet…I change to presentation slides lor…just show the TOP 5 sales performers, what was good etc lor…secretly kind of proud a bit lah…hahaha…I always see the team so boring looking at my excel worksheet…so many lines, so many sub-worksheets…so, now got picture and figures; all in 1 slide (even though, it's more work for me)…simple & easier to understand...only Mr. Horton’s Secretary notices it and mention the word - summary…hahaha…I interpret it that it finally took me so long; nearly 6 months yo, to figure this one out…took me so long to improvise things…lantak lah

Friday, February 16, 2018

Lord Burlington




Me: Hola. How r u? Getting better? I’m in Falim now. Flat price bay. No flat price signage indicator?

Ursula: Better already. Now a day signage also I don’t who to look for. Miguel also did not mention after the trip. So how

Me: I also just kepo only. Remind Miguel again

Hahaha…I really am just kepo-ing around only…went to the toys area…saw a row of toys in blister pack…upon closer inspection…ahhh…flat price toys…so, it will be better if there are header boards or traffic blades to communicate the flat price format…

Florence Foster Jenkins




Marcus’s email >> I will assume there will not be any SKU from GMS besides stationery as below, and will not wait further. I am sending for approval now

My email >> There is one more. From Toys. Email was sent out this from Ursula yesterday evening

Marcus ter-overlook on Ursula’s email…

So, I saw Ursula’s email mah…I alert Marcus lor

This email >> Nixon, Ursula, Miguel & Mr. Horton’s Secretary also in the loop…

Then, the next day…after the floor walk…in the Fresh Market area…Ursula said that Ah J___ very sek ngor one…in front of Christy & Mr. Horton’s Secretary…because I didn’t ask Ursula to present her Baby Fair merchandise during the floor walk…but I also interpret it that there is a double meaning to it…related back to the yesterday’s incident…hahaha…

Honour, Profit and Pleasure




Mr. Horton’s Secretary’s email to all of the Merchants >> thanks all for your active and great participation for the past 6 weeks in order to make us stay competitive. Let’s go for the final round.

Marcus’s email to the team >> very encouraging message, thank you Mr. Horton’s Secretary!

Wah…like that also can be praise…then when Marcus praise me previously…tak ada email to the team pun…ok, I think this way… Mr. Horton’s Secretary need more tender loving care than me…hahaha…

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Lord Adrian




Ok, it’s official…Jonas have been transferred to the Grocery Division.

This came from Stewart. Manage to catch up with Stewart when I was invited to attend Stewart’s daughter birthday celebration @ Le Gourmet, Gamuda Walk.

The Japanese’s first priority was Mak Tiri but Mak Tiri refuses.

So, The Japanese went and ask Jonas…surprising enough, Jonas was very open to the idea…apparently, for Jonas…it is a very rare opportunity to be able to be a Grocery buyer!

Abigail will be park back under Celtic.

Kelvin resigned.

Mak Tiri will have Tin Min, absorb back Henry & Harriet...hahaha, Henry have to go back to Mak Tiri...takdir...

Everyone knew that Maximoff have tendered…even Captain Johnson ask Stewart on how am I doing…didn't expect that Captain Johnson will even remember me...

Stewart & Celtic also have a small rift recently…the FIFA WorldCup is starting in June, Stewart wants Celtic to bring in some FIFA-related merchandise…Celtic refuse…I can understand why…it’s nice to be seen to have the collection, but in actual fact…if order too much (because all these suppliers will require the buyers to take the most minimum MOQ), at the end of the day, if cannot sell finish...it have to be clear off or write off.

Stewart have also been promoted, next in line will be Mak Tiri…Stewart also take note that if Mak Tiri does goes up…Celtic will resign…hahaha…then, I stab in lagi…a fact mah…Celtic can deliver within the box, but not outside of the box…hahaha…

Privileged




Marcus told me that Baldwin already came up 3 times to G13 for an interview session…and the latest one, with the Apparel General Manager; still do not bear any news…

Hmm…then, I had a chat session with Pietro…I did not mention Baldwin name of course…Pietro mention that his boss is looking for someone that have a departmental store background…Baldwin have been in the Hyper format all these while, attach to Courts Mammoth previously; still a big format store…Pietro’s boss is on a look out for someone who have the apparel experience and good in product development…Baldwin’s expertise have always been in Furniture & Home Furnishing…but all these technical stuff; can learn one mah…hmm…maybe, just maybe…tak jadi again for Baldwin kut

Three Things I Learned as the CEO of a $21 Billion Company




1) Maintaining a commitment to people and community is good for your bottom line
As CEO of a large company, it can be easy to lose focus of what’s truly important. At Cox, we believe that we are defined by our actions and not our intentions. We’ve made meaningful progress against our social responsibility objectives by remaining true to our beliefs and by acting boldly – to give back to our communities, take care of one another and serve as good stewards of our natural environment. In fact, we have spent the last decade streamlining our operations and investing in new technologies to help us reach our ambitious sustainability goals: to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and to become carbon and water neutral by 2044. These investments are even creating an opportunity to turn our passion for environmental sustainability into profit for our business.

Our history has taught us that what’s good for our people and our community is ultimately what’s good for our bottom line. We’ve found that our dedication to doing what is right has reaped tremendous benefits for the company at-large.

2) Pay it forward by sharing your knowledge and experience
Leading a business is a tremendous responsibility. While managing the day-to-day demands of the role, you must also do your part to make sure you leave the business in a better position than you found it. You can do this is by guiding and counseling the next generation of leaders. I benefited substantially from having mentors who helped me navigate my career. As my champions and supporters, they were instrumental in terms of the opportunities that I received and how I managed them.

Forty years later, I am still so grateful for those who took the time to answer my questions, take my calls, talk me off the ledge, prop me up when I needed it and share in my small victories.

For the last three years, I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring Alex Taylor, who will step into my role as CEO of Cox Enterprises in January. I couldn’t be more pleased to have watched Alex’s work and dedication as he has prepared himself for this role. We’re living in a world where change is happening quickly, and I am convinced that Alex has the drive, commitment and intellect to ensure that Cox Enterprises will continue to thrive through it all. As leaders, it is our job to ensure the viability of our company and our teams by paying it forward and preparing the next generation of leaders.

3) Act now, make mistakes, and move on
When it comes to mistakes, the key is to not make the same mistake twice. Acting now means not allowing yourself to be rocked back on your heels by the possibility of making a mistake. At Cox, I believe we’re successful because we act with conviction and are bold in our actions. While you should always be thoughtful about what you're doing, don’t allow the fear of making a mistake cause inaction. Oftentimes, the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of failed action. If you make the decision and move forward, you at least give yourself the chance to get it right. If you happen to make a mistake, don’t punish yourself. Learn from that mistake and move on.

In my role, I answer to our employees, customers and investors alike – all while ensuring that we stay true to our company’s core values. At Cox, we are fortunate to have a set of values that has sustained and guided our world-class leadership team for nearly 120 years. Those values continue to be as important to our success today as they were when Gov. James M. Cox bought his first newspaper in Dayton, Ohio, in 1898. As a leader, you must take the time to truly understand your company’s values and tell your teams about it – often and with passion. If you believe in your mission, they will, too.

Three things I've learned as a new CEO




1. The first month is key
As much as it flew by in real time, when I reflect back on it, January 2017 was a pivotal 31 days in my time as CEO. Luckily for me, January brought with it our annual managers’ Summit and with it an opportunity to address 300 senior leaders in our business, to set out my vision for the future of the company and to listen to their input. This enabled me to begin to reassure and energize the organization after a challenging 2016 and to focus minds on the task at hand.

Of course we are not always fortunate enough to have a captive audience of key stakeholders sat in front of us, but the principle still stands - making a purposeful start is invaluable either as a new manager or when kicking off a new project.

2. Do a few things well

Prioritizing isn't always easy. But it is essential if you want to make an impact that is appreciated by colleagues and the customers who rely on you. For my part, I've had two main focuses. I've called on our organization to refine our R&D strategy and I've called for the sharpening of our commercial execution.

The former means that in the longer-term, we will be aiming to achieve higher levels of scientific innovation in our products - an essential in today's competitive payer environment. We have also broadened our work to encompass diseases beyond our traditional specialism of diabetes – diseases like obesity, NASH, CV and kidney disease.

The latter means articulating the value that our products bring better than ever before. There is a particular need for this for our GLP-1 and next generation insulins - products that we know bring truly meaningful benefits for people living with diabetes but that face multiple barriers to access.

Of course we have broader goals, the development of our digital health offering and the revamping of our biopharm unit to name just two - but I want our research organization and commercial operations to be key components in the sustained future success of the organization. These are our big bets.

3. Get out and meet people

I've spent a lot of time these past 12 months getting out and meeting my colleagues and our customers. Sometimes this simply means taking the time to have lunch down in the canteen, as opposed to the frequent lunch meetings in the life of a CEO. On other occasions it has meant days spent out and about meeting people who use our products or who are in the need of care. Getting out and about has also enabled me to listen to colleagues and to gauge the mood of the organisation. If, like me, you're lucky enough to be invited to present to colleagues now and again, be sure to make time for questions and answers. And don't be afraid to expose yourself to questions from all of your stakeholders. Great solutions so often begin with dialogue so encourage it rather than suppress it.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

10 things that happen when you finally decide to live your dreams




There comes a time in your life, when you know that you have to take that leap - to realize your long-pending dream. A dream that you saw when you were a kid is not fulfilled yet. But now your eyes are all set on it.

No more complaints. No more whining. Only action. You are all set to go - just like a lion who has been caged all his life - now freed to chase his dream!

Once you’ve prepared yourself to walk on that less traveled road, there’s a new found strength and courage inside you. You are no longer attracted to the lie you’ve been living. Rather, you want to go all out and live on the edge of the cliff.

There are many familiar feelings we all experience when we choose to take that path. Here’s what you will feel after that decision.

1. Nothing scares you anymore

Once you have decided to go all into it, there’s no stopping you. You are now FEARLESS. You are willing to take risks, which you wouldn’t have taken otherwise. You are more willing to step out of your comfort zone. It is because now you realize everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of the fear.

2. Every problem seems to be an opportunity

The one thing which is sure to happen with you is - the paradigm shift. You start to see things differently. Everything that was a problem earlier is now an opportunity to be ceased. This paradigm shift acts as a catalyst for you to take action towards your dream.

3. Growth becomes your obsession

When you are on this journey, you become obsessed with growth. You want to spend every minute of your day honing your craft, learning new skills that take you a step closer towards your dream. You learn the importance of taking action and you start taking a lot of it. In fact, it comes to a point, when growth becomes your obsession and progress an addiction.

4. Right people will meet you at the right time

Ever since you decided to live your dreams, everything starts to favor you. Call it a beginner’s luck or whatever. You tend to meet the right people just when you need them the most. May be Buddha said it right, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. You can see it as an indication from the forces to keep going, everything else will fall into place when it is meant to be.

5. Bouts of self-doubt
It’s completely normal to doubt your self-worth. You do it. I do it. In fact, the whole darn world does it. It’s OKAY. Afterall, not every day is a bright sunny day. Sometimes, it gets cloudy as well. Just make sure, it doesn’t come in the way of your pursuit of your dream. You will experience them often, so find a way to get over it.

6. Uncommon becomes the new common

The day you took this unconventional step, you discovered the beauty that lies in uncommon things in the most uncommon ways. It makes you see things and people in a different light altogether. Everything that was common earlier, now seems to be oddly beautiful. This reflects in the choices you make in the future as well. It gives you a fresh perspective on things. You realize uncommon is the new common.

7. You become more accountable and responsible
When you start to take charge of things you become more responsible. You are aware how every little thing or event can make a big impact on your life. You manage things in a better way. You start finding different ways that help you manage your work, business and life efficiently. For example, if you wish to build a business, you start looking for various management tools to handle your projects better. This not only makes you save some time but also helps you to become more responsible.

8. When Priorities are reconsidered
Ever since you decided to chase your dreams selfishly, you are reconsidering your priorities, consciously or subconsciously. You understand how important it is to sit back and reevaluate your top-most priorities. Always remember, every new phase demands a different version of you. Be courageous enough to add or subtract things in your priority-list time to time.

9. No more judging others
The great gift of being human beings is that we have the power of empathy. You start relating to the above words of Meryl Streep. You don’t judge people anymore for their choices because you know that they might have a reason that would justify them. You tend to put yourself in their shoes to understand their prerogative because you’ve been there and done that. You become wise enough to understand the fact that life is different to different people.

10. You stop explaining you dream to every person on the planet

I’m sure you were not expecting this. But, it’s true. Since now, you live your dream every freaking day. You know how important it is to sacredly protect it. Not every person will understand your vision, it may not match their sensibilities. Some may find it odd, some unrealistic and some even ridicule it. And, frankly, they don’t have to. It’s your dream. Your journey. You are the one who needs to get it right. That’s it. However, with the course of life, like-minded people will enter your life and will support you to reach your highest level.

I know all these things will be little new for you at the beginning. It’s okay. That’s how life is; throwing new challenges at you every day. But, this time you took a chance, my friend, for your own good! Stand by your choice of chasing your dreams - unapologetically. Find belief in yourself and then go for it. Someone has said it right, “Sometimes life is about risking everything for a dream no one can see but you.”

Monday, February 12, 2018

Effective Leadership is an Emotional Experience




Know thyself. It’s an ancient adage, the basis for bestselling self-help books and therapeutic techniques. Today we have generally come to accept that self-awareness, empathy, and other attributes that make up emotional intelligence are good things. They contribute to relationships that are more successful.

But if you’re an entrepreneur or executive, is all of that really necessary? Aren’t ideas, IQ, drive and self-confidence the qualities that equal success in business today? Emotional intelligence may be nice to have as a leader, but is it crucial?

After 15 years working at a venture and growth equity investment firm, I’ve seen that emotional intelligence is critical for entrepreneurs and executives to get a business funded, bring it to life, nurture it to success, and ensure its continued prosperity.

Leadership as an Emotional Experience

Algorithms. Big Data. Networks. The Internet of Things. Like the first Industrial Revolution, our world is being reorganized by new types of innovation.

However, human nature hasn’t really changed. A recent article in the Harvard Business Review suggests that the emergence of artificial intelligence ironically makes emotional intelligence in business even more important. Why? Because “Skills like persuasion, social understanding, and empathy are going to become differentiators as artificial intelligence and machine learning take over our other tasks. Unfortunately, these human-oriented skills have generally been viewed as second priority in terms of training and education.”

A 2015 article in Fast Company cited several studies that claim lack of emotional intelligence is among the primary causes of failure among executives. Conversely, high emotional competency leads to success for people in all levels of an organization. It has been shown to lead to higher salaries, higher productivity, higher sales results and even to fewer errors in factory assembly lines.

EQ in Leadership

As an executive, you are responsible for forging and maintaining relationships with people in many different roles, inside and outside of the company. Employees. Investors. Board members. Other executives. Partners. Suppliers. Customers.

The role of a company leader can be daunting. For many industries―technology, for example―the pace of business and market disruptions continue to accelerate. Executives with years of C-level experience must grapple with changes in the workplace (e.g., increased focus on diversity and inclusion; work/life balance; impacts of globalization) that test their interpersonal skills. Entrepreneurs who have never been responsible for more than a handful of employees and whose startups quickly take off must understand their leadership styles and shortcomings―or suffer consequences.

Measuring EQ

How do you measure your emotional intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) as a leader to identify strengths and weaknesses?

There is no quantitative measure for EQ as there is, for example, with IQ. Go online and you’ll find that psychologists, coaching firms, and universities offer quizzes to test your EQ. However, most of these more closely resemble the types of quizzes you see on BuzzFeed.

EQ for Leadership

So how do you begin to understand and cultivate your EQ? The good news is that, like many skills, EQ can be developed. A recent article in the Huffington Post shared some tips on fostering EQ for executives:
• Ask for feedback from others often and openly
• Focus on other people’s perspectives and show interest in others
• Carefully read the dynamics of each situation, the people and your surroundings
• Learn what your emotional triggers are
• Nurture relationships; acknowledge the needs and feelings of others
• Welcome the difficult conversations and give direct, constructive feedback

Richard Reid, chief executive and clinical director of Pinnacle Therapy, is a big proponent of ‘active listening’. Some of us are so focused on our own ideas or decisions that we find it difficult to hear other perspectives and ideas. The active listener concentrates on what others are saying to fully understand their needs and asks questions or makes affirmations to be sure the other person knows they have been heard. This leads to better and more successful interactions, whether discussing an assignment, delivering a presentation, or pitching investors.

EQ in the Boardroom

The importance of EQ in the workplace extends to the boardroom. Leadership coach David Howells has written about the “boardroom beasts” that wreak havoc in board meetings through their lack of decorum and inability to work collaboratively. He wrote a list of questions for board members to ask themselves to gauge their individual EQ. The questions are an exercise in introspection and include:

• To what extent have I thought about the way I come across and the impact of that on my ability to win over other board members to my point of view?
• How important is it to me to feel respected by my fellow board members?
• What is important to me at this board meeting and what isn’t?
• What alternatives have I considered in relation to each agenda item and my reaction to every other board member?
• How will others feel if I get my way and how will they feel if I don’t?

Is There a Dark Side to Emotional Intelligence?


While emotionally perceptive individuals can benefit from the introspection they gain, too much EQ and profound empathy can sometimes lead to increased stress levels if one isn’t careful.

In a study published in the September 2016 issue of Emotion, psychologists Myriam Bechtoldt and Vanessa Schneider of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management discuss how emotional intelligence is a useful skill to have, as long as you learn to also properly cope with emotions — both others’ and your own. For example, some emotionally perceptive and sensitive individuals may assume responsibility for other people’s sadness or anger, which ultimately can increase stress to unhealthy levels.

Bechtoldt explains to readers that they need to keep in mind that they are not responsible for how others feel. This is an important piece of advice when navigating between empathetic leadership and taking on the stress of those with whom you are collaborating.

Creating an Environment that Fosters EQ


At the online publishing platform Medium, the head of engineering Dan Pupius came up with an acronym to focus the company’s hiring process on people with a high EQ. They now screen for candidates who display curiosity, awareness, resoluteness, and empathy (CARE).

And at our firm, Norwest Venture Partners, our belief in the value of EQ is so strong that our Portfolio Services team is focused on fostering these and other skills among the entrepreneurs, executives, management teams, and investors in our network. We have implemented a feedback loop where everyone with whom we interact is encouraged to share his or her experiences and critiques. Openness is part of our culture. And it should be part of yours because life isn’t an algorithm; it’s an emotional experience and we’re all learning and growing together.

Why Your Attitude Is More Important Than Your IQ




Regardless of which side of the chart you fall on, you can make changes and develop a growth mindset. What follows are some strategies that will fine-tune your mindset and help you make certain it’s as growth oriented as possible.

Don’t stay helpless. We all hit moments when we feel helpless. The test is how we react to that feeling. We can either learn from it and move forward or let it drag us down. There are countless successful people who would have never made it if they had succumbed to feelings of helplessness: Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas,” Oprah Winfrey was fired from her job as a TV anchor in Baltimore for being “too emotionally invested in her stories,” Henry Ford had two failed car companies prior to succeeding with Ford, and Steven Spielberg was rejected by USC’s Cinematic Arts School multiple times. Imagine what would have happened if any of these people had a fixed mindset. They would have succumbed to the rejection and given up hope. People with a growth mindset don’t feel helpless because they know that in order to be successful, you need to be willing to fail hard and then bounce right back.

Be passionate. Empowered people pursue their passions relentlessly. There’s always going to be someone who’s more naturally talented than you are, but what you lack in talent, you can make up for in passion. Empowered people’s passion is what drives their unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Warren Buffet recommends finding your truest passions using, what he calls, the 5/25 technique: Write down the 25 things that you care about the most. Then, cross out the bottom 20. The remaining 5 are your true passions. Everything else is merely a distraction.

Take action.
It’s not that people with a growth mindset are able to overcome their fears because they are braver than the rest of us; it’s just that they know fear and anxiety are paralyzing emotions and that the best way to overcome this paralysis is to take action. People with a growth mindset are empowered, and empowered people know that there’s no such thing as a truly perfect moment to move forward. So why wait for one? Taking action turns all your worry and concern about failure into positive, focused energy.

Then go the extra mile (or two).
Empowered people give it their all, even on their worst days. They’re always pushing themselves to go the extra mile. One of Bruce Lee’s pupils ran three miles every day with him. One day, they were about to hit the three-mile mark when Bruce said, “Let’s do two more.” His pupil was tired and said, “I’ll die if I run two more.” Bruce’s response? “Then do it.” His pupil became so angry that he finished the full five miles. Exhausted and furious, he confronted Bruce about his comment, and Bruce explained it this way: “Quit and you might as well be dead. If you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there; you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”

If you aren’t getting a little bit better each day, then you’re most likely getting a little worse—and what kind of life is that?

Expect results. People with a growth mindset know that they’re going to fail from time to time, but they never let that keep them from expecting results. Expecting results keeps you motivated and feeds the cycle of empowerment. After all, if you don’t think you’re going to succeed, then why bother?

Be flexible. Everyone encounters unanticipated adversity. People with an empowered, growth-oriented mindset embrace adversity as a means for improvement, as opposed to something that holds them back. When an unexpected situation challenges an empowered person, they flex until they get results.

Don't complain when things don't go your way.
Complaining is an obvious sign of a fixed mindset. A growth mindset looks for opportunity in everything, so there’s no room for complaints.

Bringing It All Together
By keeping track of how you respond to the little things, you can work every day to keep yourself on the right side of the chart above.

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

12 Daily Habits Of Exceptional Leaders




One of the most popular Dilbert comic strips in the cartoon’s history begins with Dilbert’s boss relaying senior leadership’s explanation for the company’s low profits. In response to his boss, Dilbert asks incredulously, “So they’re saying that profits went up because of great leadership and down because of a weak economy?” To which Dilbert’s boss replies, “These meetings will go faster if you stop putting things in context.” Great leadership is indeed a difficult thing to pin down and understand. You know a great leader when you’re working for one, but even they can have a hard time explaining the specifics of what they do that makes their leadership so effective.

Great leaders change us for the better. They see more in us than we see in ourselves, and they help us learn to see it too. They dream big and show us all the great things we can accomplish.

Great leadership is dynamic; it melds a variety of unique skills into an integrated whole. Great leadership is also founded in good habits. What follows are the essential habits that exceptional leaders rely on every day. Give them a try and see where they take your leadership skills.

1. Effective Communication

“The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate.” — Joseph Priestley

Communication is the real work of leadership. It’s a fundamental element of how leaders accomplish their goals each and every day. You simply can’t become a great leader until you are a great communicator.

Great communicators inspire people. They listen. They create a connection with their followers that is real, emotional, and personal, regardless of any physical distance between them. Great communicators forge this connection through an understanding of people and an ability to speak directly to their needs.

2. Courage

“Courage is the first virtue that makes all other virtues possible.” — Aristotle

People will wait to see if a leader is courageous before they’re willing to follow his or her lead. People need courage in their leaders. They need someone who can make difficult decisions and watch over the good of the group. They need a leader who will stay the course when things get tough. People are far more likely to show courage themselves when their leaders do the same.

For the courageous leader adversity is a welcome test. Like a blacksmith’s molding of a red-hot iron, adversity is a trial by fire that refines leaders and sharpens their game. Adversity emboldens courageous leaders and leaves them more committed to their strategic direction. Leaders who lack courage simply toe the company line. They follow the safest path—the path of least resistance—because they’d rather cover their backside than lead.

3. Adherence to the Golden Rule +1

“The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.” — Jon Wolfgang von Goethe

The Golden Rule – treat others as you want to be treated – assumes that all people are the same. It assumes that, if you treat your followers the way you would want a leader to treat you, they’ll be happy. It ignores that people are motivated by vastly different things. One person loves public recognition, while another loathes being the center of attention.

Great leaders don’t treat people how they themselves want to be treated. Instead, they take the Golden Rule a step further and treat each person as he or she would like to be treated. Great leaders learn what makes people tick, recognize their needs in the moment, and adapt their leadership style accordingly.

4. Self-Awareness

“It is absurd that a man should rule others, who cannot rule himself.” — Latin Proverb

Contrary to what Dilbert might have us believe, leaders’ gaps in self-awareness are rarely due to deceitful, Machiavellian motives, or severe character deficits. In most cases, leaders—like everyone else—view themselves in a more favorable light than other people do.

Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence, a skill that 90% of top performing leaders possess in abundance. Great leaders’ high self-awareness means they have a clear and accurate image not just of their leadership style, but also of their own strengths and weaknesses. They know where they shine and where they’re weak, and they have effective strategies for leaning into their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses.

5. Passion
“If you just work on stuff that you like and are passionate about, you don’t have to have a master plan with how things will play out.” — Mark Zuckerberg

Passion and enthusiasm are contagious. So are boredom and apathy. No one wants to work for a boss that’s unexcited about his or her job, or even one who’s just going through the motions. Great leaders are passionate about what they do, and they strive to share that passion with everyone around them.

6. Humility
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” — C.S. Lewis

Great leaders are humble. They don’t allow their position of authority to make them feel that they are better than anyone else. As such, they don’t hesitate to jump in and do the dirty work when needed, and they won’t ask their followers to do anything they wouldn’t be willing to do themselves.

7. Generosity
“A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.” — John Maxwell

Great leaders are generous. They share credit and offer enthusiastic praise. They’re as committed to their followers’ success as they are to their own. They want to inspire all of their employees to achieve their personal best – not just because it will make the team more successful, but because they care about each person as an individual.

8. Infectiousness

“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” — Reverend Theodore Hesburgh

Great leaders know that having a clear vision isn’t enough. You have to make that vision come alive so that your followers can see it just as clearly as you do. Great leaders do that by telling stories and painting verbal pictures so that everyone can understand not just where they’re going, but what it will look and feel like when they get there. This inspires others to internalize the vision and make it their own.

9. Authenticity
“Just be who you are and speak from your guts and heart – it’s all a man has.” — Hubert Humphrey

Authenticity refers to being honest in all things – not just what you say and do, but who you are. When you’re authentic, your words and actions align with who you claim to be. Your followers shouldn’t be compelled to spend time trying to figure out if you have ulterior motives. Any time they spend doing so erodes their confidence in you and in their ability to execute.

Leaders who are authentic are transparent and forthcoming. They aren’t perfect, but they earn people’s respect by walking their talk.

10. Approachability

“Management is like holding a dove in your hand. Squeeze too hard and you kill it, not hard enough and it flies away.” — Tommy Lasorda

Great leaders make it clear that they welcome challenges, criticism, and viewpoints other than their own. They know that an environment where people are afraid to speak up, offer insight, and ask good questions is destined for failure. By ensuring that they are approachable, great leaders facilitate the flow of great ideas throughout the organization.

11. Accountability
“The ancient Romans had a tradition: Whenever one of their engineers constructed an arch, as the capstone was hoisted into place, the engineer assumed accountability for his work in the most profound way possible: He stood under the arch.” — Michael Armstrong

Great leaders have their followers’ backs. They don’t try to shift blame, and they don’t avoid shame when they fail. They’re never afraid to say, “The buck stops here,” and they earn people’s trust by backing them up.

12. A Sense Of Purpose
“You don’t lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” — Ken Kesey

Whereas vision is a clear idea of where you’re going, a sense of purpose refers to an understanding of why you’re going there. People like to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Great leaders give people that feeling.

Bringing It All Together
Becoming a great leader doesn’t mean that you have to incorporate all of these traits at once. Focus on one or two at a time; each incremental improvement will make you more effective. It’s okay if you “act” some of these qualities at first. The more you practice, the more instinctive it will become, and the more you’ll internalize your new leadership style.

How Smart People Work Less And Get More Done




Some people have an uncanny ability to get things done. They keep their nights and weekends sacred and still get more done than people who work 10 or 20 hours more per week than they do.

A new study from Stanford shows that they are on to something.

The study found that productivity per hour declines sharply when the workweek exceeds 50 hours, and productivity drops off so much after 55 hours that there’s no point in working any more. That’s right, people who work as much as 70 hours (or more) per week actually get the same amount done as people who work 55 hours.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” -William Penn

Smart people know the importance of shifting gears on the weekend to relaxing and rejuvenating activities. They use their weekends to create a better week ahead.

This is easier said than done, so here’s some help. The following are some things that you can do to find balance on the weekend and come into work at 110% on Monday morning.

1. Disconnect.
Disconnecting is the most important weekend strategy, because if you can’t find a way to remove yourself electronically from your work Friday evening through Monday morning, then you’ve never really left work. Making yourself available to your work 24/7 exposes you to a constant barrage of stressors that prevent you from refocusing and recharging. If taking the entire weekend off handling work e-mails and calls isn’t realistic, try designating specific times on Saturday and Sunday for checking e-mails and responding to voicemails. For example, check your messages on Saturday afternoon while your kids are getting a haircut and on Sunday evenings after dinner. Scheduling short blocks of time will alleviate stress without sacrificing availability.

2. Minimize chores. Chores have a funny habit of completely taking over your weekends. When this happens, you lose the opportunity to relax and reflect. What’s worse is that a lot of chores feel like work, and if you spend all weekend doing them, you just put in a seven-day workweek. To keep this from happening, you need to schedule your chores like you would anything else during the week, and if you don’t complete them during the allotted time, you move on and finish them the following weekend.

3. Exercise. No time to exercise during the week? You have 48 hours every weekend to make it happen. Getting your body moving for as little as 10 minutes releases GABA, a soothing neurotransmitter that reduces stress. Exercise is also a great way to come up with new ideas. Innovators and other successful people know that being outdoors often sparks creativity. I know that a lot of my best ideas come to me while I’m surfing. While you’re out in the ocean, the combination of invigorating activity and beautiful scenery creates the perfect environment for an influx of creativity. Whether you’re running, cycling, or gardening, exercise leads to endorphin-fueled introspection. The key is to find a physical activity that does this for you and then to make it an important part of your weekend routine.

4. Reflect. Weekly reflection is a powerful tool for improvement. Use the weekend to contemplate the larger forces that are shaping your industry, your organization, and your job. Without the distractions of Monday to Friday busy work, you should be able to see things in a whole new light. Use this insight to alter your approach to the coming week, improving the efficiency and efficacy of your work.

5. Pursue a passion. You might be surprised what happens when you pursue something you’re passionate about on weekends. Indulging your passions is a great way to escape stress and to open your mind to new ways of thinking. Things like playing music, reading, writing, painting, or even playing catch with your kids can help stimulate different modes of thought that can reap huge dividends over the coming week.

6. Spend quality time with family. Spending quality time with your family on the weekend is essential if you want to recharge and relax. Weekdays are so hectic that the entire week can fly by with little quality family time. Don’t let this bleed into your weekends. Take your kids to the park, take your spouse to his or her favorite restaurant, and go visit your parents. You’ll be glad you did.

7. Schedule micro-adventures. Buy tickets to a concert or play, or get reservations for that cool new hotel that just opened downtown. Instead of running on a treadmill, plan a hike. Try something you haven’t done before or perhaps something you haven’t done in a long time. Studies show that anticipating something good to come is a significant part of what makes the activity pleasurable. Knowing that you have something interesting planned for Saturday will not only be fun come Saturday, but it will significantly improve your mood throughout the week.

8. Wake up at the same time. It’s tempting to sleep in on the weekend to catch up on your sleep. Though it feels good temporarily, having an inconsistent wake-up time disturbs your circadian rhythm. Your body cycles through an elaborate series of sleep phases in order for you to wake up rested and refreshed. One of these phases involves preparing your mind to be awake and alert, which is why people often wake up just before their alarm clock goes off (the brain is trained and ready). When you sleep past your regular wake-up time on the weekend, you end up feeling groggy and tired. This isn’t just disruptive to your day off, it also makes you less productive on Monday because your brain isn’t ready to wake up at your regular time. If you need to catch up on sleep, just go to bed earlier.

9. Designate mornings as “me” time. It can be difficult to get time to yourself on the weekends, especially if you have family. Finding a way to engage in an activity you’re passionate about first thing in the morning can pay massive dividends in happiness and cleanliness of mind. It’s also a great way to perfect your circadian rhythm by forcing yourself to wake up at the same time you do on weekdays. Your mind achieves peak performance two-to-four hours after you wake up, so get up early to do something physical, and then sit down and engage in something mental while your mind is at its peak.

10. Prepare for the upcoming week. The weekend is a great time to spend a few moments planning your upcoming week. As little as 30 minutes of planning can yield significant gains in productivity and reduced stress. The week feels a lot more manageable when you go into it with a plan because all you have to focus on is execution.

Monday, February 05, 2018

10 Tweaks To Your Morning Routine That Will Transform Your Entire Day




1. Start with exercise. Researchers at the University of Bristol found that people who exercise during the workday have more energy and a more positive outlook, which are both critical to getting things done. Getting your body moving for as little as 10 minutes releases GABA, a neurotransmitter that makes your brain feel soothed and keeps you in control of your impulses. Exercising first thing in the morning ensures that you’ll have the time for it, and it improves your self-control and energy levels all day long.

2. But drink some lemon water first. Drinking lemon water as soon as you wake up spikes your energy levels physically and mentally. Lemon water gives you steady, natural energy that lasts the length of the day by improving nutrient absorption in your stomach. You need to drink it first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) to ensure full absorption. You should also wait 15–30 minutes after drinking it before eating (perfect time to squeeze in some exercise). Lemons are packed with nutrients; they’re chock full of potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. If you’re under 150 pounds, drink the juice of half a lemon (a full lemon if you’re over 150 pounds). Don’t drink the juice without water because it’s hard on your teeth.

3. No screen time until breakfast.
When you dive straight into e-mails, texts, and Facebook, you lose focus and your morning succumbs to the wants and needs of other people. It’s much healthier to take those precious first moments of the day to do something relaxing that sets a calm, positive tone for your day. Jumping right into electronics has the opposite effect—it’s a frantic way to start your day. Exercising, meditating, or even watching the birds out the window are all great ways to start the day.

4. Eat a real breakfast. Eating anything at all for breakfast puts you ahead of a lot of people. People who eat breakfast are less likely to be obese, they have more stable blood-sugar levels, and they tend to be less hungry over the course of the day. And these are just the statistics for people who eat any breakfast. When you eat a healthy breakfast, the doors to a productive day swing wide open. A healthy breakfast gives you energy, improves your short-term memory, and helps you to concentrate more intensely and for longer periods.

5. Set goals for the day. Research shows that having concrete goals is correlated with huge increases in confidence and feelings of control. Setting goals specific to the day puts everything into motion. Narrow your goals down to a few achievable ones that can easily be broken down into steps. Vague goals such as “I want to finish writing my article” are counter-productive because they fail to include the “how” of things. The same goal re-phrased in a more functional way would read something like this: “I am going to finish my article by writing each of the three sections, spending no more than an hour on each section.” Now, you have more than simply something you want to achieve—you have a way to achieve it.

6. First, clean your workspace. Even though it’s a pain to clean right when you get into work, it makes a big difference to your ability to concentrate. A Princeton University study found that people who worked in a clean workspace out-performed those who worked in a cluttered one because clutter pulls your attention away from your work. In fact, the effects of clutter on concentration are not all that different from the effects of multi-tasking.

7. No e-mail until you’ve eaten three frogs.
“Eating a frog” is the greatest antidote to procrastination, and the most productive people know the importance of biting into this delicacy first thing in the morning. In other words, spend your morning on something that requires a high level of concentration that you don’t want to do, and you’ll get it done in short order. Make a habit of eating three frogs before you check your e-mail because e-mail is a major distraction that enables procrastination and wastes precious mental energy.

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” – Mark Twain

8. Keep morning meetings on schedule. Meetings are the biggest time waster there is, and they can ruin an otherwise productive morning. People who use their mornings effectively know that a meeting will drag on forever if they let it, so they inform everyone at the onset that they’ll stick to the intended schedule. This sets a limit that motivates everyone to be more focused and efficient. Keep your morning meetings on time, and your entire day will stay on track.

9. Don’t multitask. Multi-tasking in the morning—when you have lots to do, tons of energy, and it feels like you can do two or three things at once—is tempting, but it sets your whole day back. Research conducted at Stanford University confirmed that multitasking is less productive than doing a single thing at a time. The researchers found that people who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time. But what if some people have a special gift for multitasking? The Stanford researchers compared groups of people based on their tendency to multitask and their belief that it helps their performance. They found that heavy multitaskers (those who multitask a lot and feel that it boosts their performance) were actually worse at multitasking than those who like to do a single thing at a time. The frequent multitaskers performed worse because they had more trouble organizing their thoughts and filtering out irrelevant information, and they were slower at switching from one task to another. Ouch!

Multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus adequately on one thing at a time. When you try to do two things at once, your brain lacks the capacity to perform both tasks successfully.

10. Finally, say no.
No is a powerful word that will protect your precious mornings. When it’s time to say no, avoid phrases such as “I don’t think I can” or “I’m not certain.” Saying no to a new commitment honors your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulfill them while your mind is fresh. Research conducted at the University of California Berkeley showed that the more difficulty that you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout, and even depression. Learn to use no, and it will lift your mood as well as your productivity.