As you probably know, tomorrow is my last full day in the office. I am retiring after nearly four decades in the workplace. Many have asked if I am ready, or am I excited, or what I plan, or how do I feel. To be truthful, I’m not totally sure. Yes, I am excited. I am ready financially, but who knows about everything else. I don’t have specific plans. And, I feel like we did as kids on the last day of school before summer recess… looking forward to the next chapter, one without structure, time limits, or specific expectations. In a way, I am ready for the bell to ring on that last day of school when you’ve done your best, the work is done, and all you have in front of you is time.

In essence, I am ready to write the next chapter of my life. As with any good book, every new chapter holds its own sense of excitement. You know it continues the story, but you don’t know what twists and turns the story might take. I plan to enjoy time with my bride and family, enjoy the hobbies time has limited, and look forward to whatever might be next. And, I hope to stay in contact with my many friends and colleagues from work.

In reality, many of you are also on the verge of a new chapter of your life. Some are or will soon be in new positions at work. Others are looking at changes at home. Others are beginning changes in health, geography, or responsibilities. So, how should we approach these changes in our lives? How do we proceed to write our own “next chapter?” Let me just share how I plan to write my next chapter. I am approaching my next chapter with:

1. Thankfulness – I have been extremely blessed! I think everyone hopes that someday they can get to the point when they can retire on their own terms when they are still young enough and healthy enough to enjoy the time. However, all of us have something to be thankful for. So, as you approach your next chapter, pause to consider all the good in your life… the people, the opportunities, your health… and the hopes you have for the future. Being thankful is a terrific first step for the next chapter for each of us.
2. An open mind – I am approaching those days in January when there is no alarm set, no calendar of meetings, no due dates, and freedom to set my own agenda (of course, with my wife’s permission, that is). However, I do not plan to be idle in my next chapter. I know there are plans for my life that I may not even yet be aware. I am approaching this with an open mind and plenty of flexibility. I will not automatically dismiss new possibilities. Each of us should approach what’s next with that same open mind. Don’t be constrained by your paradigms or preconceived expectations. Consider all possibilities and think outside-the-box.
3. A sense of adventure – I am excited about what’s next for me! Part of that is because I don’t know what it is. I expect to be doing things I have never done before. I expect to go places I’ve never been before. And, I expect to learn new things, meet new people, and experience new adventures. Why don’t we all feel that way all the time? Have you lost your sense of adventure? Why not look ahead to your next chapter with this same sense of adventure and expectation?
4. A view to others – I truly believe that a primary purpose for my life right now is to serve others. I will be seeking new ways to do this. I believe that each of us should be looking for ways to make a difference for someone else. Having a view to impact others – in other words, giving back – is important for fulfillment in the life of anyone. Consider how you might include a “serve” element in your next chapter.

So, as we approach a new year – one that surely represents change and opportunities for all of us – let’s begin now considering what we’ll write in that next chapter. Will it be one filled with excitement, joy, and fun or will it be another walk through the rut of life? Will it be one where you impact others positively or one in which your focus is on your own challenges? By thinking about it now, we have a chance to write it ourselves rather than merely let it happen to us.

Again, thank you for your kind words and encouragement during my transition to my own next chapter. You are one of the highlights of my life! Have a “top ten” day!

 

 

I think my views of life balance have evolved over my years. In the beginning of my career, there might have been only a couple keys focus areas in my life, so keeping them in proper balance might have been easier. But, as life progresses, things change. I do admit there have been times when my balance was askew, but at least I realized it at the time and could make needed changes. So, what are those key areas that must be kept in balance? For me, I have narrowed those down to seven key areas… my seven “F’s”. These are the areas that matter to me:

 

1. Faith – My faith and beliefs are very important to me. They form the basis of who I am and who I represent. I am not the same person without these beliefs. Thus, this part of my life must be a part of any discussion of balance. I realize that not everyone has this same basis, but, if you do, you need to ensure that you carve out time, energy, and effort to nurture and support it. I would also include in this category service to others. Finding a venue to help others by meeting their needs is a key part of keeping a proper life perspective.
2. Family – My family is essential to me. As you probably know, I married my high school sweetheart. We have been married for 41 years. She is an integral part of me. And, she has supported me faithfully all these years… moving to support MY career, adjusting her schedule to meet MINE, and willingly taking care of OUR family. She deserved my full devotion and love. Thus, when life gets out of balance toward any other area, she suffers. Our three children and seven grandchildren also deserve my full attention. So, I would encourage everyone to ensure that this critical part of your life be kept in balance.
3. Friends – Many would disagree with me, but I think too many ambition individuals forego friendships for the sake of career. By leaving no time for friendships, you deprive your life of others that can help carry your burdens and that can share your own accomplishments and disappointments. We need them in our lives. Please do not neglect this essential part of your balanced life.
4. Pharma (or Firm, if you insist on a legitimate “F”) – Certainly, all of us spend a significant portion of our time and energy dedicated to our job/career. In fact, it is quite easy to let work dominate each other area of our lives. You cannot let that happen. Work is important, for sure, but it is not worth losing time with your family or friends or the other key areas of our life. Do your job and do it excellently… but, don’t give it more than it deserves as you balance other key areas.
5. Fun – Everyone needs an escape from the stresses of life. Fun can disarm tension, can nurture relationships, and can make a dreary existence exciting. Taking time for hobbies, activities, or other things you enjoy is essential to maintain a healthy, balanced life.
6. Physical (or Health) – An area that many neglect is their health or their physical being. Allowing imbalance that keeps us from exercise, healthy eating, regular physical exams, etc. is cheating yourself. And, when health issues arise due to neglect, recuperation can dominate every other area of your life. Don’t neglect your health.
7. Function (or Mind) – Finally, we all need intellectual stimulation. We all need to be lifelong learners. By continually adding new skills, learning through reading, educational coursework, or other venues, we help maintain a sharp and focused mind that remains productive and refreshed.

 

When any of these areas is neglected, we, or others in our life, suffer. Long-term neglect can change us or leave us less than our potential would predict. And, it is never too late to re-balance. Looking objectively at our lives and how much of our time is spent in each of these areas can help us identify improvement opportunities for the new year ahead.

So, how is your life balance?  Is your life too focused in one or two areas? What will you do differently, starting today? Thanks for all you do and have a fabulous day!

 

You’ve heard it here before… “Today is the only day we are promised.” To me, that is why we need to approach each day – each today – as our “best day yet.” We often carry so many burdens from our yesterdays and worry so much about our tomorrows that we fail to grasp the beauty and promise of each new day we’re given. Sanhita Baruah, author/blogger, wrote the following about today:

 

Nostalgia (by Sanhita Baruah)

How often we use this word reminiscing about the past – our childhood, school days, college days. We feel nostalgic, we dwell in the memories of the past, we talk about how great those days were and how we would do anything to just go back in time and live those days again…

Perhaps we fail to realize the fact that tomorrow we will say the same things about today, about the days we are living in now, about the emotions we are feeling now, about the time we are spending now…

I love this day. I love this weird feeling I feel today. I belong here.

 

I often close these missives with something like, “Remember, today could be your very best day yet… watch for it!” When I say this, I really do mean it. When I look back on my life, I recall many special days. But, I also recall some of my “best days” being just ordinary days… days that started just like any other day. Something happened that day that made it special… a “best day.” It wasn’t something planned. I didn’t have a note on my calendar that said, “December 16 – Have the best day yet!” But, it happened despite my lack of planning or preparation.

The things I do today are so important, that I am giving up a day of my life to do them. So, in exchange for this day of my life, I want to make a difference to someone else… I want my efforts today to be my best work… I want to be a giver, not a take… I want to fulfill my purpose for today. Here are some of my favorite quotes on “today”:

• “When was the last time you woke up and realized that today could be the best day of your life?” – Steve Marabili

• “Success is to wake up each morning and consciously decide that today will be the best day of your life.” – Ken Poirot

• “’What day is it?’ asked Pooh. ‘It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. ‘My favorite day,’ said Pooh.” – A. A. Milne

• “Make today a gift to your future self.” – Anonymous

• “Believe in the promise of today, and have hope in the possibilities of tomorrow.” – Chris Burkmenn

• “Live today facing forward – with your back on yesterday, your eyes on tomorrow, and your head and heart in the moment.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

• “One good thing about five-year olds is they are always just a Krazy Straw and some chocolate milk away from the best day ever.” – Simon Holland (Thanks, Jan Shalit for sharing this.)

• “Don’t live in the past – you’ve already been there. And don’t live in the future, either. Tomorrow will be here soon enough. Live in this moment now – it is sacred and unrepeatable. This moment alone holds valuable gifts that should not be missed.” – Steve Goodier

 

So, think about how you can shift your attitude to treasure today more. Think about how you can make each new “today” something special and unique. Consider that you only have one chance at today — there is no rewind or re-do — so, put aside any feeling that doesn’t consider this a great new opportunity. Even without a Krazy Straw and chocolate milk, let’s make this day one of our very best.

Thanks for all you do. You are the source of many “best days” for me, so, for that, I am forever indebted. Now, go do it!

 

 

The wind is a powerful thing. It can destroy or give life; it can hinder or help; it can be harnessed, or not; it can speed up or slow down. Depending upon your purpose or direction, the wind can help or hurt. I used to know a man that always said upon a good-bye, “May the wind always be at your back.” Of course, the inference is that most things in life are better when you are working with the wind, not against it.

Following are a few quotes on the wind that will help me make a few key points later on:

• “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean

• “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

• “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” – Jim Rohn

• “Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” – Bruce Lee

• “To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

• “If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

• “A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind.” – Lewis Mumford

 

So, to me, here are several key points about the wind that can help us at work, at home, or at anything we choose to do:

1. Going with the wind often makes things better, easier, and faster – We all want the wind at our back when we are faced with a challenge. I have actually been on plane trips that varied 1 or 2 hours because of the winds. Those early arrivals are nice! However, sometimes it is not easy to determine which way the wind is blowing in order to enjoy its benefits. Sometimes we just need to relax and let the wind take us where it will and not fight it. Allowing the wind to do its work may be all you need to get relief from some of the issues you face.
2. Depending on our purpose, going against the wind is often required – As you can see from several of the quotes above, going against the wind can help us or may be necessary. We cannot always have the wind at our back. In the sailing examples, it is often necessary to go against the wind to achieve your goal. But, you have to know your purpose to take advantage of that wind in your face. Do you need the wind in your face to slow you down or to help guide your journey? Sometimes that wind can actually keep you from moving too fast in one direction, especially when it is the wrong direction. Think about your purpose and whether the winds you face might actually be helping you.
3. We must choose wisely when to go against the wind – There are times when we need to intentionally place ourselves in a situation going against the wind. For example, when you have an opposing view, you sometimes need to make that view known. We should not always just go along with the crowd. Think about that opposing wind and consider when it is worth the effort and risk to go face first into it. Your view could make all the difference!
4. Wind can weaken us, but it often makes us stronger – When planting a new, young tree, it is often a good idea to use braces or stakes to keep the wind from blowing it over. However, there is a time when you need to remove the stakes because the wind forces the young tree to grow deeper and stronger roots. The same holds for us. Sometimes those ill winds we face are actually making us stronger and helping us to grow. Don’t dismiss every wind as something to divert or eliminate. Consider how opposition is making you stronger.
5. We may need to intentionally harness the wind to take advantage of it – Controlling the wind takes effort. Failing to control it, when necessary, can take us far off course or even destroy us. There are times when you need to take steps to reduce the negative impact of the winds you face. You don’t always have to be like a feather in the wind going to and fro as it dictates. Find a way to shield yourself from the wind or establish an anchor to help you withstand it. Often, a friend can help be that shield or anchor.

We should not automatically view wind as a negative in our lives. The winds may blow, but it can work to our advantage or, at the very least, make us stronger. Take a moment to look at the winds currently blowing in your life. Is it helping or hurting you? Are you fighting it or trying to harness it to your advantage? Do you have a family member or friend that you might help anchor against the wind? Today might be a good day to begin looking at wind in a new way.

Thanks for everything you do to make this a better world. Have a really good day today! And, hold onto your hat!

 

This is a very active time in the healthcare regulatory compliance world. A number of new initiatives from FDA are underway at a time when industry is working to balance compliance with cost control, drug shortages, consolidation, and new technology. As a result, there are some that might feel that FDA (and other global regulatory entities) might be relaxing or allowing more flexibility in their enforcement efforts. Today, we take a look at several of these notions or myths that might prevent us from thoroughly and completely fulfilling our duties to comply with current requirements. So, let’s look at some of these GXP myths and discuss what we need to do to keep from falling into the trap of nonchalance:

1. Myth #1: The end justifies the means – Certainly, in this day and age, GXP practitioners do not believe that we can violate specific GXP requirements, provided the final product meets specifications. However, there are subtleties that can crop up. For example, the thought that as long as we document a GXP discrepancy, complete an investigation, and get QA approval, we can overcome any manufacturing issue is false! FDA investigators have every right to ask us how these GXP discrepancies impact our validation for that product/process, what impact it might have on our filed Drug Master File process, or evaluate any additional validation we might have conducted to ensure the discrepancy had no adverse impact. In short, we cannot assume that a thorough and complete investigation report is enough to justify excursions from approved processes.
2. Myth #2: FDA does not connect the dots – In companies with multiple locations and some product portfolio complexities, it is tempting to think that our response to GXP compliance can be limited to each locality. In other words, as long as we comply in our location, we don’t have to worry about what happens at other sites. Not true! FDA has become more sophisticated regarding “global” compliance. They now have increased ability to monitor issues to determine if we have company-wide systemic issues. They cross-check performance issues at one location with similar issues at other locations. Many Warning Letters in recent years reference compliance concerns at multiple issues. Sites receiving inspections are often asked about approaches to compliance concerns noted at other sites in the same company. I have colleagues at other companies that are frequently challenged for issues at other firms FDA now considers “current” compliance expectations.
3. Myth #3: Relationships and trust don’t really matter to FDA – FDA is in the business of protecting the consuming public. Safety is the bottom line. So, when dealing with manufacturers, FDA has a limited time to assess operations to answer the question, “Is the firm complying with GXP to the extent that has been inspected and do I have confidence that they comply in areas I have not inspected?” Thus, in addition to assessing what and how we do what we do, they also try to determine whether they can trust our employees to do the right thing. If they feel they can trust us to do the right thing, it enhances the confidence they have in us and what we do. I was once at a company that the FDA District Compliance Director said, “Because I know you as individuals and trust that you will address these issues, we will not pursue a Warning Letter.” In other words, the trust they had developed through our relationship allowed them some discretion in the compliance action they took. So, relationships and trust in people do matter!
4. Myth #4: We can hide our problems from FDA – FDA investigators are somewhat predictable. We tend to learn, over time, what they will examine, how much time they will spend, and what activities will not receive attention. However, as FDA investigators become more sophisticated and more data-driven, we can be sure that they will find our vulnerabilities. In addition, the laws and regulations have changed over recent years to allow FDA investigators access to more of our operations than ever before. They now have access to nearly everything we do. So, we cannot assume any more that dirty laundry will remain hidden.
5. Myth #5: Our strong record of compliance will cover us in the future – Though relationships are important, we can no longer rely heavily on a track record of compliance. Yes, a history of compliance is possibly the greatest predictor of future inspection success. But, the FDA has demonstrated in the past year or so that they will hit hard, when needed, regardless of your reputation or history. A number of firms have recently experience their first compliance issues in years, showing that FDA is willing to look at each inspectional result as a fresh, single data point.
6. Myth #6: FDA will never look at developmental data or early studies – FDA now has greater regulatory power to examine data than ever before. And, now, they appears to view developmental data in light of potential data integrity concerns. They have shown that, in order to verify regulatory submission data, they will go back much further to evaluate early data. Thus, we have to be even more rigorous to ensure that all developmental data, including for early studies, is well documented and inspection-ready.
7. Myth #7: FDA cares more about science than compliance – Despite frequent FDA speeches touting the agency’s interest in science-based compliance, they still default to the details of regulatory compliance. In other words, science will not trump compliance for nearly any compliance/inspection situation. So, we cannot feel that a solid scientific argument will overcome a clear regulatory non-compliance.
8. Myth #8: Electronic data are completely trustworthy – There is a tendency to think, “As long as our data are generated and archived electronically, FDA will accept it and have no compliance concerns.” Wrong! A very high percentage of Warning Letters recently have cited issues with data integrity of electronic systems. We simply cannot make assumptions about the integrity of electronic data short of a executing a comprehensive compliance plan.
9. Myth #9: If we don’t know about a problem, FDA will give us a pass – Ignorance is not excuse for non-compliance with GXPs. In fact, even senior management is liable for GXP issues whether or not they have been informed directly of the issue. Therefore, we must all ensure that we know the regulations, we know whether we have gaps, and that we have plans and actions in place to remediate those gaps.
10. Myth #10: FDA does not care about product costs or cost of poor quality – This one might be a bit tricky. FDA does NOT care about what is costs to comply with GXP regulations. We cannot say that it costs too much to do what is needed to produce safe and effective products. However, FDA is interested in cost of poor quality in that it can often be an indicator of poor systems or poor execution. If they find that our cost of poor quality is higher than they see at other firms, they may dig deeper to determine why. FDA is also concerned about ensure a continuous supply of medically necessary products. If we pose a risk of have a supply shortage that could impact patients, FDA is very concerned. In fact, we must communicate to FDA when there is a possibility of a drug shortage. So, in effect, FDA is concerned about product costs to the extent that we must maintain an adequate supply to patients that depend upon our products.

 

So, hopefully, a review of these myths may help those of you dealing with GXP compliance every day and give you something new to consider as you work to balance company needs, patient requirements, and regulatory compliance.

Thanks for all you do for our patients. Have a tremendous and productively compliant day!

 

It is tempting to think that we don’t seem to get the breaks in life or at work that we deserve. It may seem that someone less deserving always gets the good assignment, the promotion, the title, the office, the “good stuff.” Or, you may feel that things just don’t seem to go your way. Well, friends of mine have good friends experiencing a truly “tough break.” This husband of this couple recently died from ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease). It is a devastating disease that usually strikes individuals in the prime of their lives. It essentially causes all muscle function to dissipate, though the patient retains all mental capacity. Sufferers experience their bodies slowly losing all ability to function. The wife of this couple previously lost her first husband to death. And, we think we have had a “tough break.”

You may not know much about Lou Gehrig. He is considered one of the greatest baseball players in history. He held the major league record for most consecutive games played in his time and is a member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He was stricken with ALS during his baseball prime. At his retirement celebration in Yankee Stadium in New York, he gave the following speech:

 

Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech on July 4, 1939

“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.”

“Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky.”

“When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift – that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies – that’s something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter – that’s something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body – it’s a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed – that’s the finest I know.”

“So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.”

Lou Gehrig is a true hero. He showed us that tough breaks are what we make them. He showed us how to deal with tough breaks with grace and thankfulness. He showed us that, regardless of what challenges we currently face, we have “an awful lot to live for.” Is there something in your life today that might represent a tough break? Can you take a cue from Gehrig and his attitude for handling it?

I truly hope that your life is happy and full. Have a wonderful day and let’s be thankful for the good that we experience today!

 

 

 

Today, we look at the next in our mini-series of items titled, “What would I do if…”  It’s that time of year… year-end performance review time. Typically, half or more of all individuals have some level of disappointment resulting from these discussions. It seems that most of us feel that our toils and labors are often overlooked and not recognized, but that final assessment is the chance to make up for it. We hope that our final review will recognize all the extra effort, extra time, and extra personal sacrifice that went into a successful year. However, in most companies, those highest ratings are reserved for those that “had career years” or “significantly moved the needle” or “that accomplished much more than anyone thought possible.” As a result, many are disappointed by these discussions. I have been there myself. I recall several times over my approximately 40 year-end reviews that I felt my boss failed to consider everything I did, or missed those items out of my control, or simply gave the benefit of doubt in the wrong direction. So, I know how it feels to walk away with some disappointment.

When you do feel disappointment from a year-end performance review, what do you do next? Is it appropriate to pose a counter-argument to the points made? Do I despair or re-energize my efforts? What are the best steps to take following that frustrating discussion. Well, you’ll see 7 suggestions below that you should consider to turn that disappointing review into something positive. Let’s take a look to see if you agree:

1. Be objective and reflect on what you heard – Your first reaction after a disappointing review must be to quietly reflect on what you heard. Do not overreact! Do not engage with others until you have had a chance to be objective about what you heard. Was the feedback appropriate? Are there legitimate opportunities for improvement? Could you have done things better or differently? Could you have presented your case in a more positive way? What take-aways will you begin addressing today? Take the time to understand what was said and why. Can you put yourself in your boss’ position to see things from his/her viewpoint? Once you have reflected and objectively heard what was said, you are ready to turn this into something positive.
2. Stay positive – Do not allow disappointing news to throw you into a loop or despair. No matter how bad the news, you can turn it around. The true test of your character is how you handle adversity. This is the time to dig deep and allow this to springboard you into a more positive future. In the meantime, do NOT throw anyone under the bus or involve others negatively while you formulate your next steps.
3. Follow-up discussions with your boss are appropriate – A key part of turning disappointment into celebration is to create a plan and ensure buy-in from your leadership team. It would be appropriate to have a follow-up discussion with your boss 2 – 4 weeks after the final year-end review. At that discussion, you should begin with something like, “I have had some time to reflect on our year-end discussion. I would like to share with you my learnings from that discussion and my plans for making this new year our best yet.” Then, lay out the initial draft of key initiatives and plans for the new year. Allow this to be a collaborative discussion with input from your boss. The goal is to demonstrate that you heard what was said, you have taken the feedback seriously, and you have developed a plan to have a different outcome this year. Once a plan is agreed, suggest quarterly updates to monitor progress. It is acceptable to ask at this initial meeting, “If we can accomplish what has been outlined, do you feel that I would be on track for a more positive year-end result this year?” The answer will help motivate and guide your activities for the year.
4. Consider what developmental activities you should undertake in the coming new year – Use the year-end feedback you received to enhance your own capabilities. This is the time to formulate plans to add new skills, refine old ones, or gain experience that can help advance your career and performance. Don’t wait until too late in the year to initiate these activities.
5. Re-visit your primary objectives and plans for the coming year – With feedback from your year-end review AND your initial follow-up discussion, you should be able to better articulate exactly what you plan to accomplish in the new year. Refine your objectives to be more specific, more value-focused, and work toward having that “needle moving year.”
6. Get better organized for making a strong personal case for next year – Begin early in the year to organize your work life in a way that ensures you can provide a better picture of what was accomplished. Create a system to retain/file positive feedback you receive. Capture those “off the plan” projects that might not have been anticipated. Be sure you include all your contributions in your self-assessment or year-end discussion in the next year. Now is the time to organize to ensure these do not fall through the cracks.
7. Plan specific activities to distinguish your performance in the coming year – Finally, energize yourself to ensure that you do what you say you’ll do. Don’t fail to achieve your objectives! Don’t fail to be outstanding! If you hope to present your year as a break-out year, ensure that it is! Accomplishing a great year may require extraordinary effort or extraordinary organization. Plan now to be great!

If you do these things, your chances of a more positive year-end review next year are markedly improved! Using this year’s performance review to inspire specific and intentional action for the coming year can turn a disappointing discussion into years of more productive and rewarding performance. As with any other disappointment in life, don’t dwell on the negative because that simply multiplies the disappointment. In other words, when kicked in the fanny, pick yourself up and decide to never allow that to occur again. Be proactive, be intentional, and be focused and you’ll have a much more engaging and productive conversation in future year-end reviews.

Thanks for making a difference to others. Have a splendid day!

 

 

Is it OK to dream? I mean, really, should we take time to dream about what we hope to achieve, where we hope to go, what we envision we’ll be doing in 5 years, etc.? Or, is it better that we just focus on what is ahead of us today? George Carlin, the comedian, had this to say about dreaming:

“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.” – George Carlin

So, is Carlin right? Should we leave the dreaming to someone with fewer things on their “to do” list?

Personally, I have always been a dreamer of sorts. I cannot visit the Missouri Botanical Garden without coming home with ideas on how to convert our boring backyard into a tourist attraction. I’m always cooking up fantastic adventures with our grandchildren that involve treehouses, fording rivers, or riding exotic animals. However, I usually return quickly to reality when I start formulating the “how to” plan. So, is it good to be a dreamer? Is there any value with having that sense of wonder, adventure, and imagination that typifies many dreamers? Well, yes, of course, being a dreamer is good. Whether you are in a corporate or work setting or just being a member of a vibrant family, dreaming can be beneficial. Let’s look at a few reasons we should ALL be dreamers:

1. Dreamers think out-of-the-box – Most dreamers hate to be confined with the dogma of “we’ve always done it that way.” In fact, dreamers often want to do things different “just because.” If you need unique approaches or thinking that breaks the rules of convention, bring a dreamer to the table. Have that ability to see things that others cannot or choose not to see is highly valuable when approaching problems, working to improve something, or just desiring to try something new.
2. Dreamers aren’t satisfied with the status quo – A dreamer thrives on change. The status quo is not a place most dreamers hope to be. They intentionally look for ways to do things differently in ways that make things better, faster, cheaper, or more convenient.
3. Dreamers add a spice to life – Dreamers are usually the “fun” people in any crowd. They are continually seeking ways to make things more enjoyable, more productive, or more collaborative.
4. Dreamers inflict a sense of adventure (e.g., risk-taking) – Dreamers are not afraid to take a reasoned risk. Their desire to get out of the normal rut of life takes them to places where some risks may be encountered that others find uncomfortable. Dreamers have a sense of living life fully and, thus, seek new and different pathways.
5. Dreamers are often excellent leaders – Because dreamers can see things others may not, they tend to be excellent leaders. After all, a key attribute of a leader is to create a vision of a future desired state. Dreamers are not constrained by the dogma of convention, history, or expectations and can often create a vision that drives greater results.
6. Dreamers expand the horizons of others – Dreamers help others grow. They help others think differently and with fewer limitations. They expand possibilities and free the thinking process.
7. Dreamers can take you where others dare not go – In short, dreamers can take you where others may not be capable of taking you. They can accomplish things others cannot imagine. They are creative and innovative in ways that move us all forward.

However, there are risks with dreamers that must be mitigated. You cannot just be a dreamer at the expense of everything else. There are some things you must remember when either dealing with a dreamer or things dreamers must do to ensure they remain effective:

1. Being a dreamer is not an excuse to accomplish what is needed – There are times to dream and times to get things done. We must fulfill our responsibilities and the expectations others place on us. We cannot allow our dreams to derail the job at hand. Dreaming is a privilege that must be balanced with responsibilities.
2. Not every dream of a dreamer is practical or can be implemented – As you might have guessed, my backyard does not look like the Missouri Botanical Garden. Dreamers must realize that not everything is practical or even wanted or needed.
3. Dreaming must be balanced with pragmatism – A team consisting of all dreamers is a team destined to fail. So, it is imperative that we ensure an appropriate balance of dreamers with pragmatists.

 

So, go ahead, be a dreamer. But, be sure you don’t allow that to be an excuse to sit on the sidelines when there is work to do. Offer your thoughts, be opinionated, but be reasonable. Be open, but be practical. It is OK to dream… after all, we might still be using a large, clunky telephone in a bag without the dreamers of the past.

To all the current and wannabe dreamers in the crowd, thank you! Have a great and productive day!

 

 

I remember my days in Junior High choir (no, I wasn’t any good) first trying to learn to sing harmony. The choir director would patiently try to help us stay on track, but often appeared frustrated at her lack of progress, especially with the guys. Though it seems easy, harmonizing is not what it seems. You might think that once you learn the words and music, you’re all set. Not true! There is much more to singing harmony than meets the eye (that is, ear).   To sing harmony well, you must:

1. Learn your own words and music (e.g., you need to know your own job) – the first and foremost requirement for a harmonious team is that every member know their job and do it well. If anyone fails to hold up their end of the bargain, the others simply cannot always make it up. Before you focus on others and the work they do, ensure that you are doing your own job well first.
2. Learn to listen closely to those on either side of you (e.g., communicate with your team) – a critical requirement for harmony in music is that you listen closely with those around you. You have to hear and feel how you are blending in with the others. You cannot simply do your own thing without regard for your teammates. Learning to listen is a critical skill in harmony.
3. Learn to blend with others around you (e.g., combine your efforts with those on your team) – not only must we listen to our neighbors and teammates, but we must blend with them. We must not sing too loudly or too softly. The rule of thumb is that unless you can hear your neighbor, you are singing too loudly. That holds for teams, as well. Unless you can sense that your efforts are blending, not over- or under-shadowing others, you cannot achieve harmony.
4. Learn to follow the leader for direction (e.g., follow well to achieve the best overall result) – doing everything else, but failing to follow your leader can still doom harmony. To sing harmony, you must follow the direction of the director/leader. Failing to do so, will result in disharmony.

When done well, harmony can be beautiful. When done poorly, the attempt at harmony is painful (my Jr. High School experience). It works the same in a work team or in a family. When the members know and do their part, listen to those around them, blend for the best result, and work for the common goal or good, great things are possible. When individuals fail at any one of these, harmony is not achieved. But, when it works well, it might even sound/appear as terrific as it is here in these two examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH0U4m1rJLk

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8-Iuk-Su9Q

Thanks for all you do! Let’s have a terrific day today!

 

Today, we look at the next in our mini-series of items titled, “What would I do if…” Hopefully, you will find this a topic that helps you address the issue of discouragement. We all occasionally feel that our career isn’t going where we hoped and that we need to do something different. That feeling that our work or our time is not adding value seems to crop up a few times during our career. And, when it does, it can affect our work performance, our home life, and it can impact those around us.

So, how do you deal with those periods of discouragement? What keeps you coming in when it seems that nothing is going right and you simply cannot see light at the end of the tunnel? It really doesn’t matter how or why we get these feelings. The fact is that we need to deal with it quickly before it impacts us or others. Here are three things that I have found that helps me shake discouragement:

 

1. Keep things in perspective – One of the questions I often ask, “Will this matter a year from now?” Or, “In the overall scheme of things, how are things really going?” When you look around you, you can probably see that, despite your current frustrations, you have much to be thankful for. Many aren’t so fortunate. If you have a job (even if it is frustrating), your health, and individuals that love you, you are blessed. Keeping all of this in proper perspective can shift your attitude.
2. Take inventory of the value we are adding – It is difficult to see the difference you are making one day to the next. For that reason, it is important at some frequency to step back and see from a longer horizon the difference you are making. Over the course of a few months or year, you are making a difference. You are moving things forward. Don’t believe the lie that you make no difference!
3. Seek an opportunity to serve someone else – I have personally found that during those times when I feel most discouraged, it is because my focus is too much on myself. When I spend too much time looking at my own situation or frustrations, it tends to drag me into the realm of discouragement, at times. So, in the times when I am most focused on my own shortfalls or frustrations, turning my attention away from myself to others is the quickest way to dig out of the discouragement pit. I am reminded of a quote by Tim Russert (former host of NBC’s Meet the Press and author of several bestselling books):

“The best exercise for the human heart is reaching down to lift someone else up.” – Tim Russert

By seeking an opportunity to serve someone else, you actually encourage your own heart. You automatically encourage yourself when you encourage someone else. This has worked for me time-after-time in my lifetime. When you focus your attention on serving someone else, you, by definition, lessen the focus on yourself… thus, on your own despair.

Don’t think that you are different or bad or wrong because you have those periods of discouragement. But, don’t stay there! Do something to shift your attention to something more positive or to serving others. And, don’t forget that when you are able to encourage others, you naturally become more encouraged yourself. Give it a try!

Have a terrific day! This just might be that “best day” you’ve been anticipating. You just never know when that day will occur.