Ever notice how spending 10 minutes extra in a bubble seems to be the equivalent of a mini holiday?
I miss the days of watching movies, doing absolutely nothing, walking on the beach and or walking aimlessly in a mall.
I wonder if I need to focus my energy on saving up for that week long break away or if I need to focus on the simple mini holidays.
Maybe it's time to do both. Here goes the cucumber slices on my eyes and kicking up my feet in anticipation for the long break away.
Friday, September 10, 2010
How hard is it to follow instructions?
Following instructions can be very hard.
No matter how clearly defined the instruction, there should always be room for questions and answers.
During the industrial age, I suppose that, the result was determined by practicing one solution. The methodology of solving a problem was determined by the manager and the whole process was micro managed.
Today people are encouraged to do problem solving on their own as long as they obtain the desired results.
Maybe focus, in certain cases, need to be placed on the results required and the methodology left to the person who is solving the problem.
No matter how clearly defined the instruction, there should always be room for questions and answers.
During the industrial age, I suppose that, the result was determined by practicing one solution. The methodology of solving a problem was determined by the manager and the whole process was micro managed.
Today people are encouraged to do problem solving on their own as long as they obtain the desired results.
Maybe focus, in certain cases, need to be placed on the results required and the methodology left to the person who is solving the problem.
How important is being branded?
I am fascinated with how some people are all about brands. Any product, service etc is only recognised when it has a brand name attached. You either have this type of clothing, that type of shoe, do your hair at that salon and your lip gloss drips with brand imprints all over the packaging.
In most cases you will have to break the poor piggy bank to make sure you get your hands on that branded item.
Brand name aside, does the product serve a real purpose i.e. adds to your health, makes you look and / or feel better and does not make you break into the bank?
Anyone is entitled to good living but half the time people thrive on the peception that the brand is good quality. Most labels that I have seen do not justify the pricing. After all is said and done I have seen the same style item in both low end and high end stores say "made in China."
If an item or service does not serve my needs those shouldn't brand houses need to pay me for even wearing them?
In most cases you will have to break the poor piggy bank to make sure you get your hands on that branded item.
Brand name aside, does the product serve a real purpose i.e. adds to your health, makes you look and / or feel better and does not make you break into the bank?
Anyone is entitled to good living but half the time people thrive on the peception that the brand is good quality. Most labels that I have seen do not justify the pricing. After all is said and done I have seen the same style item in both low end and high end stores say "made in China."
If an item or service does not serve my needs those shouldn't brand houses need to pay me for even wearing them?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Andy Warhol said, “In the future everybody will be world famous for fifteen
minutes.” You can’t choose the 15 minutes but why would you be world famous?
Everyone might be famous but not in the classic sense of the word. Generally, to be famous you have to be known by thousands of people, your story and your image has to be out “there”, people want to talk to you and sometimes they would want to be like you. Up until the 90’s this was the case for movie and music stars.
Today, with the internet, applications such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs make it possible for people have up to thousands of followers, “followers” want to talk to them from all over the world and in a sense they can or do become a brand.
This is not so different from the 90’s accept that more people are "famous" and standing out is a lot harder. People have more icons to follow.
So, if being seen by thousands and being in demand feeds your alter ego, then here’s to your 15 seconds of fame. I hope you recognise it when it comes around.
minutes.” You can’t choose the 15 minutes but why would you be world famous?
Everyone might be famous but not in the classic sense of the word. Generally, to be famous you have to be known by thousands of people, your story and your image has to be out “there”, people want to talk to you and sometimes they would want to be like you. Up until the 90’s this was the case for movie and music stars.
Today, with the internet, applications such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs make it possible for people have up to thousands of followers, “followers” want to talk to them from all over the world and in a sense they can or do become a brand.
This is not so different from the 90’s accept that more people are "famous" and standing out is a lot harder. People have more icons to follow.
So, if being seen by thousands and being in demand feeds your alter ego, then here’s to your 15 seconds of fame. I hope you recognise it when it comes around.
The power of music
One Sunday evening I decided to tune into one of the local radio stations. To my surprise the music compilation turned out to be so good that I forgot about the 8pm movie and refused to turn off the radio.
While swaying to the tunes of various genres, I was transported to a time where everything was possible in the unknown. I danced with the memories of family members who had passed away. I remembered those who came into my life for a glimpse period of time and I remebered emotions of the good and the bad times.
It was a truly celestial experience.
After the the time slot had finished I felt euphoric and at peace at the same time. It was just a good feeling to have made time for the memories.
The music had the power to cleanse my soul.It even set the mood for a great week.
While swaying to the tunes of various genres, I was transported to a time where everything was possible in the unknown. I danced with the memories of family members who had passed away. I remembered those who came into my life for a glimpse period of time and I remebered emotions of the good and the bad times.
It was a truly celestial experience.
After the the time slot had finished I felt euphoric and at peace at the same time. It was just a good feeling to have made time for the memories.
The music had the power to cleanse my soul.It even set the mood for a great week.
A skill set called leadership
I read an adapted version of “The last lecture of Randy Pausch” on a site called Lifecatalyst. He likens the ideal leadership skill to that of Captain James T Kirk, Captain of the Enterprise.
In case anyone was wondering, this write up refers to the Star Trek series. He mentions that, James T Kirk, as Captain of the ship never claimed to know everything. He trusted his officers i.e. Dr Spock for logical insight, Scotty for his ingenuity with engines and mechanics and, another of his trusted friends, Dr McCoy as the chief Doctor of the ship.
His “Captainship” came from the fact that he could recognise the talent in those individuals and make all of their gifts work in harmony during periods of stress. At other times they were all just able to enjoy the company of each other while working on future plans.
He had the vision and confidence to implement the necessary and whether or not there were disagreements. This enabled this group of people to evolve into a dynamic, inseparable group.
This leads me to believe that you don’t have to know everything to be a leader.
Being able to mobilize talent, inspire others, carry out a vision and being able to encourage every person to do their best through disagreements, makes a leader exceptional.
In case anyone was wondering, this write up refers to the Star Trek series. He mentions that, James T Kirk, as Captain of the ship never claimed to know everything. He trusted his officers i.e. Dr Spock for logical insight, Scotty for his ingenuity with engines and mechanics and, another of his trusted friends, Dr McCoy as the chief Doctor of the ship.
His “Captainship” came from the fact that he could recognise the talent in those individuals and make all of their gifts work in harmony during periods of stress. At other times they were all just able to enjoy the company of each other while working on future plans.
He had the vision and confidence to implement the necessary and whether or not there were disagreements. This enabled this group of people to evolve into a dynamic, inseparable group.
This leads me to believe that you don’t have to know everything to be a leader.
Being able to mobilize talent, inspire others, carry out a vision and being able to encourage every person to do their best through disagreements, makes a leader exceptional.
Frank Zappa
This composer, musician and song writer made quite a few interesting comments. His quote “Rock journalism is people who can’t write interviewing people who can’t talk for people who can’t read” resonates with me.
I think that it is true. Every good journalist worth their weight in gold suffered at least once from the “Rock journalism” syndrome.
To their advantage, they stuck it out with the age old of art of practice and trying over and over again. Today they can write while interviewing people or speak for people who can't read. If they were lucky they might have had good mentors to serve as a guide.
On the other hand, “Rock journalism” was never overcome by others. Maybe it was just a sign to say that this is not the career for you?
You are either gifted to be a journalist...or not.
Be blest.
I think that it is true. Every good journalist worth their weight in gold suffered at least once from the “Rock journalism” syndrome.
To their advantage, they stuck it out with the age old of art of practice and trying over and over again. Today they can write while interviewing people or speak for people who can't read. If they were lucky they might have had good mentors to serve as a guide.
On the other hand, “Rock journalism” was never overcome by others. Maybe it was just a sign to say that this is not the career for you?
You are either gifted to be a journalist...or not.
Be blest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
