“Humor without humility leads to damaged relationships”

For those of you that know me, you know that I believe humor is a vital element in the workplace and life, in general.  So, I pause….

                “When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police.  But then I got curious about it.  I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.” – John Handey

Humor can calm nerves, cut through stress, make strangers friends, and create a bond that is hard to break.  When done well, humor can be the critical element in team performance, individual relationships, or friendships.  However, there is a time and a place for humor.  And, there is a right way and wrong way to inject humor.  Another pause…

“Probably to a shark, about the funniest thing there is is a wounded seal, trying to swim to shore, because where does he think he’s going?!” – John Handey

Humor can be harmful when used improperly.  When humor is directed at an individual, it can create tension that can ultimately harm relationships.  So, how do you disarm this concern?  One of the best things to remember when using humor is to use it with humility.  Make fun of yourself!  Ensure that everyone knows that you have a sense of humor and can handle humor directed at yourself.  When it becomes clear that others can poke at you (appropriately, of course), it allows more freedom to use humor with others.  So, be humble… allow others to have fun at your expense… be considerate of others when using humor… and, have fun whenever possible.

Thanks for making this the terrific company that it is.  One last word from John Handey:

“It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.”

Have a great day!

Have you ever heard or used the phrase, “out of the blue?”  This is an English idiom which means totally unexpected or highly unusual.  It reportedly comes from the rare occurrence of lightning traveling many miles from a storm and hitting an object under completely blue skies.  It might be used like this, “I hadn’t heard from him for many months then, like a bolt out of the blue, he called me.”

Things in our business can come “out of the blue” as well.  We frequently experience those totally unexpected or highly unusual events.  We frequently tag these an “one offs” or “outliers”.  Examples of these could be that rogue regulatory investigator that is asking for things never requested before.  Or, that equipment that failed despite several layers of redundancy.  Or, that supplier that had performed perfectly for 20 years, then experienced a material issue.  When you look back over a year, I’ll bet that every plant or every department can name several events occurring that you might term “out of the blue.”  These moments are not always negative, also,  Sometimes these unexpected events can be positive.  However, we typically are more concerned with those that can impact our operation, our products, or out customers.

So, given that unexpected events can or will occur, what can we or should we do about it?  Can we actually prevent these?  Can we actually prepare in advance?  Below are outlined several actions we might consider to either help us identify those potential events or prepare when they do occur:

1. Anticipate, Anticipate, Anticipate — Though “out of the blue” moments are completely unexpected, can we really anticipate them and how to handle them when they do occur?  The answer, of course, is both yes and no.  We cannot anticipate everything.  However, we can anticipate that things we did not expect could occur.  There are some tools we can use to help us identify as many of these possibilities as we can.  Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a very good approach for soliciting potential unexpected events.  In this approach, you actually utilize a team to ask the question, “What could go wrong and what would happen if it did?”  By doing this systematically, you can identify potential impacts, plan contingencies and be ready when events do occur.
2. Ask forward leaning questions, honestly — One of the questions I like to ask when I visit plants is, “If we would read that this site received an FDA Warning Letter six months from now, what would be the issues noted?”  When individuals answer this honestly, you can truly identify issues that might be addressable.  Consider now in your own group or own life, “What single item is most likely to create problems for us/me in the next six months if I do nothing now?”  This might stimulate action you can take.
3. Prepare for the unexpected — Knowing that events can and will occur, what can we do to prepare now?  Have we applied all needed contingencies?  Do we have redundancies where needed?  Do we need additional safety stock, safety supplies, or hard-to-get parts?  Do we have adequately cross-trained help?  Do we know who will fill in if we have resource issues?  The International Boy Scouts motto is, “Be prepared.”  So, have you done what you need to do to prepare for that bolt “out of the blue?”
4. Always remain cool, calm and professional — When an unexpected event does occur, how can we ensure that everyone involved operates productively and not in a panic?  When we, as leaders, remain cool, calm and professional, this promotes the same to our entire group.  When they see us panic, the tendency is for others to panic.  Remaining calm and acting professional is critical to control of the event.  And, remaining calm will help us make the best decisions to mitigate the issue when it does occur.
5. Solicit input and participation of team members — No one should try to handle a negative “out of the blue” event alone.  Identify teammates and coworkers that can participate in handling the issue.  The input and ideas others can share might also identify actions that minimize the issue.  Again, this is true for personal “out of the blue” events, as well.  When you have family or friends that can come along side you to help you through big issues, it lessens the burden for you as an individual.
6. Be prepared to help others — And, finally, we should be on the lookout for others that are experiencing a “big” issue in their lives.  Being ready to assist, whether in the workplace or homeplace, can often make the difference to that individual that is going through the challenge.

So, if/when you experience an “out of the blue” event, the key is to apply the preparation you have made, remain calm, and attack the problem as a team.  Many of these recommendations apply to such events outside work, as well.  Things can happen in a moment.

Here’s hoping all your “out of the blue” moments are happy ones,  Have a great day and always be on the lookout for how you might help a teammate deal with a challenging issue in their life.  Let’s make this an awesome day!

 

I have been wearing the same brand of shoes now for about 15 years.  Yes, I’m a “leave well enough alone” type of guy.  I have been wearing this type/style/make of shoes for so long that the manufacturer no longer makes them.  So, I watch E-Bay every day, hoping that someone will have a nearly new pair that they found in a vault or that they didn’t like.  They are nothing special… I just like them.  My wife frequently asks why I don’t change or if I would make a change.  So, to honor her, I do occasionally change… but, just a slight color change.  When I do find them, I don’t take any chances and buy them, even if I have a new back-up pair ready-to-go.  Sometimes I wonder if it truly is time for me to swap my shoes.

Over the last few months, I have been impacted by a temporary, soon-to-be-repaired, back problem that hampers my ability to walk very fast or very far.  I waddle.  So, on a recent trip to the Iowa State Fair, my wife rented an electric scooter for me to ride.  Of course I was reluctant.  But, in order to attend the fair with my wife and friends (yes, I was threatened), I agreed to the scooter.  Over the course of two days, I took that scooter everywhere and enjoyed my time.  However, it gave me a new and unique perspective for those that experience this every day of their lives.  I was actually “walking” in their shoes for a couple days.  I saw how frustrated others became when I tried to work my way through the crowd on the scooter.  I saw how difficult it was to get to some locations.  I felt the frustration of this limitation on my mobility to go where I wanted, when I wanted.  I think this experience has given me a new attitude regarding others that suffer limitations permanently.  It was good to swap shoes for a couple days.

In the same way, it would probably be good for us to “swap shoes” with some others (e.g., colleagues, friends, family, neighbors) to give us a better perspective of what they experience every day.  Would doing so help us reach a better level of understanding or compassion for what they are experiencing?  I think the answer to that question is a resounding, “Yes!”

So, at least in your mind, swap shoes for a day with….

• That colleague that must decide which positions will be eliminated and which will be retained
• That senior executive that must decide which of many projects is highest priority and can be funded and which will never be funded
• That single mother that cried last night because she couldn’t do more for her children that miss their father
• That coworker that just learned that they or a loved one has inoperable cancer or another serious health issue
• That coworker that just send her child away to college — just when she was getting good at her job as a mother, it was over
• Those leaders that must decide if we should take the risk of eliminating important product development steps or miss a launch date that will make the difference between a successful product and a dead product
• That colleague that is struggling with “what next” with their challenging children
• That coworker that just buried a loved one and is just trying to get through each day
• The one that is disappointed with their career, their life, or their view of the future
• That supervisor that must choose which of his two top reports will get the job and which will be devastated
• That wife or husband that is struggling with their marriage
• The coworker that has no true friend and, as a result, always eats lunch alone at his/her desk

Look at life from that other person’s viewpoint before you judge.  Consider what you can do to show understanding or compassion or friendship to someone that needs it.  Maybe it’s time for you to “swap shoes for a day” – perhaps that pair you are wearing is getting just a little bit too comfortable.

Have a great day!

As we are nearing the end of another year, today might be a good day to get your ducks in a row (for those not from the Midwestern USA, this means to “get your life organized” or “get things done that you’ve been delaying”).  So, how about considering these helpful hints:

1. Are you on track to accomplishing what you had planned this year?  What do you hope to accomplish in the new year?
2. Have you sent an encouraging note to anyone you work with lately?  Why not right now?
3. Have you thanked anyone that provides support to you or your team lately?  There has never been a better time than today.
4. Are you keeping track of examples to use for your year-end self-appraisal or review at work?  Spending a few minutes on this ahead of time can save time and anguish when you complete your assessment.
5. Have you begun thinking about goals and metrics for 2016?  You may need to collect data now to ensure that you establish the correct targets for new year objectives.
6. Have you spent time with your mentor or mentee lately?  Don’t neglect these important career relationships.
7. Have you spent time with a friend lately?  You may only have a handful of true friends in a lifetime.  Take a moment today to make a call or send a note or take that friend to lunch.  Please don’t find yourself looking back someday wishing you have remained that true friend.
8. Have you encouraged a coworker that might need a kind word lately?  You surely know of a coworker experiencing a work or life challenge.  A word from you might change a difficult day into a truly good one.
9. Have you called your spouse from work lately just to tell him/her that you love them?  Go ahead and give it a try today.
10. Have you followed up with a teammate on progress relating to an important project?  Ask if there is anything you can do to help.
11. Is it time to change your automobile oil, replace batteries in your smoke detectors, or spray around the house to kill those pesky ants?

12. Do you have accumulating paper, magazines, or other trash around your desk that needs to be discarded?
13. If you have a mother or father living, would they appreciate a call today?  How about a brother or sister?  Anyone else?
14. What would make today a remarkable day for you?  Is there something you can do right now to make that possible?
15. Do you make it a practice to attempt to add value to someone’s life each day?  This one change might actually change your life.
16. Is there someone that you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from?  Today is a great day for a new beginning.
17. When you look at your life objectively (and, I mean truly objectively – as in how others see you), do you seek to be more of a giver or taker?  When you converse with someone else, do you spend more time talking about your weekend or asking how the other person is doing?  If you own career more important than helping to advance the career of someone else?  In short, do you truly care for others?
18. Did you come to work today committed to doing your very best work?  Did you come here today to do your very best for our patients?  If not, are you really sure this is where you want or need to be?
19. Have you ever done a truly anonymous act of kindness for someone else?  By this, I mean an action that makes a difference for someone else, but one that will never be tied to you.  Can you do it?  (Remember the quote: “You can never consider a day a perfect day unless you have done something for someone else that could never pay you back.”)
20. Have you told that one person most responsible for any career success you are experiencing right now thanks and expressed your appreciation?  I dare say that most of us has at least one individual for which we could say, “I wouldn’t be here in this position or having this success without you.”  Today is the day to thank that person.

Remember… today is the only day we have been promised.  Don’t delay what you know you need to do today!  The time is right today to consider how your life might be different when the calendar turns to 2016.

Zig Ziglar was a well-known motivational speaker and author.  He was known as one of the most energetic and entertaining of speakers during his time.  He was also known as a man of great wisdom and character.  Today, we feature a few quotes from Ziglar and discusses how these relate to the important work we do both at home and at work:

1. “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” – Wow!  How can you easily summarize this?  First of all, a positive attitude is contagious.  Being around someone that expects the best, rather than the worst, is much more fun to be around that someone that always expects the worst.  Preparing for the worst, though, says we should anticipate all possibilities.  If we prepare for the worst, anything less should be easy to handle.  Finally, Ziglar says we should make the most of whatever happens.  We need to learn from issues, problems, and mistakes.
2. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Here we go again… Ziglar emphasizing our attitude.  He suggests that our attitude is more important to our success than our aptitude or abilities.  Though abilities are certainly important, an improper attitude is critical.  I have seen many individuals with excellent skills and abilities limit themselves simply because they had an attitude that was destructive.
3. “You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.” – Ziglar here again speaks to our visible demeanor or aura.  I agree with Ziglar here that demeanor is a key factor when managers discuss top performers.  Driving success requires the proper attitude, visible demeanor, and collaboration with others.
4. “Isn’t it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?” – How true!  When the pressure is on, most individuals can accomplish much.  In Ziglar’s example, the motivator is very personal – the ability to enjoy time away without work left undone.  Is it possible to motivate ourselves in the same way even when we are not on the eve of our vacation?
5. “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” – Character, commitment, and discipline – three great attributes that we all should strive to possess.  We work for two decades trying to instill these same attributes in our children.  I think we would all agree that top performers almost always exhibit these often.
6. “If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.” – Oh, how true is this?  First of all, having friends is of extreme importance.  A friend is someone that knows our heart, cares for us even when we are not at our best, stands up for us when we don’t deserve it, serves us when we need it most, will appear when we least expect it, and somehow knows when we need to talk or need a note or need a call.  We need friends to help us when things don’t go well at home or at work and we need them when we need to share the good things in our lives.  We can’t force a friendship, but we can be someone open to others.  When we care like a friend, support like a friend, serve like a friend, and show up when needed like a friend, we gather friends in our lives in abundance.  Do you have a friend — a real friend?  Are you the kind of person that others would want as a friend?  Would you want yourself as a friend?

What is Ziglar saying to you today?  Is your attitude good or do you need to adjust it?  Does your demeanor exude success?  Are you motivated to drive results?  Are you consistently exhibiting those attributes typically shown by top performers?  Do you have a true friend?  Are you the kind of person that others desire to befriend?  Is there someone you need to encourage, motivate, or connect with today?  Plenty to think about, eh?

Have a splendid day!  Think about who you need to connect with today.

I was recently able to attend a presentation by Dr. Kneeland Youngblood.  Dr. Youngblood is a physician that left medicine to excel in the world of business.  He spoke of his humble background, how he chose to become a physician, the risks that mark his life, his decision to leave medicine, and how he has enjoyed being successful despite often being the underdog.  His words were inspirational.  One of the questions at the end was this (paraphrased), “How do you inspire those around you when the situation is less than inspiring.”  Dr. Youngblood provided a very well considered list of four key things.  Let’s take a look at these:

1. Surround yourself with inspiring people – Face it, some people are not inspiring.  In fact, they can pull you down, not build you up.  When possible, remove yourself from these individuals.  It is difficult to be inspired and positive, when those around you are not.  When you have the opportunity to choose, choose to be around people that thrive in uncertain times, that are encouraging, that serve others, and that make you feel like anything is possible.  How can you not feel inspired when everyone around you behaves in this manner?
2. Think big, not little – We often feel uninspired when we become bogged down in the details of today.  When we change our perspective from the little things to the big things, we immediately become more inspired.  Dr. Youngblood spoke of making significant changes in his life, not because things were bad, but because he needed new inspiration.  Perhaps, this could aid us, as well.
3. Take measured risks – It is difficult to be inspired or an inspirational person if our tolerance for risk is zero.  There are times in life when you must simply “go for it.”  We only live once and time keeps marching.  Is there something you have delayed that you need to do?  What measured risk in your life or on your team would re-generate the inspiration you need?
4. Educate yourself – We often become uninspired because we cease learning.  There is a whole world around us that should inspire us every day.  Learn something new, like a new language.  Learn to play an instrument.  Do something totally new and see what inspiration comes.

Great advice!

One more thing… We cannot depend upon our circumstances to inspire us.  Sometimes, we have to be the source of inspiration for ourselves or others.  We likely have only limited ability to control circumstances, but we have infinite opportunity to change our own attitudes or generate our own inspiration.  Don’t use your circumstances as an excuse to be inspired!

Thanks for what you do and have a wonderful day!

There is a temptation in today’s world to claim “I’m just too busy” to avoid doing those things we know we need to do.  We like to think that today’s demands on our time are significantly more than those of 10, 20, or 30 years ago.  After all, at work, we aim to achieve “top ten” performance – thus, we have to do more with less every day.  At home, there are more demands on our time because of sports clubs, community events, and other mandatory functions.  However, have you thought lately how many more “tools” we have today that in previous generations?  For example, we now have iPhones or similar devices that help us remain in touch 24/7 with anyone in the world.  We can view our work or home e-mail anytime, anywhere.  We can use our devices to turn off our lights, ensure security, look up anything, and, generally, to do much more than 20 years ago.

Did you know that in every week, there are 1132 blocks of 10-minutes?  Can you comprehend that?  Over 1000 blocks of 10-minutes in every week!  In any given workday, there are 50-60 blocks of 10-minutes.  Are we so busy that we could not set aside one or more of these blocks to do something that needs to get done or to make a difference to someone else?  Could we make it a habit to even give one of these away each day or each week?  So, what do I mean by “give one of these away”?  How about these suggestions:

What could I do with 10 minutes?

At work, I could:

• Check the status of my goals for the year and plan on need adjustments
• Send a thank you note to a coworker, mentor, supervisor, confidante, support person, or teammate
• Clean up that pile of unneeded paperwork on my desk and throw it away
• Restock the coffee maker area or break room rather than rely upon someone else
• Delete obsolete or unneeded e-mails
• Create a log book of examples of contributions that I can use for my year-end performance appraisal
• Walk to the work space of a team member to get to know them better to nurture a relationship
• Attend a team meeting event another to learn more best practices
• Clean off overdue items from a bulletin board
• Pick up lunch for someone else to save them a trip to the cafeteria
• Bring coffee or a treat to a teammate experiencing a difficult or challenging time
• Do something to encourage or motivate someone else
• Forward a pertinent article or news item to someone that might benefit from it

At home:

• Unload the dishwasher for your spouse (unless, of course, you are the one that normally does it)
• Hide a note to your spouse where they’ll find it
• Clean out and/or throw away just one box or pile of junk in your basement or garage (repeat next week)
• Take out the trash, wash the dog, or wash the car
• Wrestle with your kids on the floor (any age works — even teenagers will enjoy this “remember when…” time)
• Start a tax organizer
• Plant a flower or favorite plant
• Give your spouse a back or neck rub
• Put the kids to bed
• Call a friend, brother or sister, mother or father, or former coworker
• Read a book to your kids

The point is… Think about those 1000+ 10-minute blocks of time you’ve been given each week.  Today’s challenge is to INTENTIONALLY identify just one of these you can give away as a gift to yourself, to a coworker, or to a family member.  What will be your 10-minute gift to someone else today?  I guarantee that you’ll be glad you gave one of these away!

Have a great day and consider how you can make a difference for someone else today.

Have you ever ridden a bus?  Did you ride a bus to school as a kid?  Have you vowed to never ride a bus again?  What do you think of when you are asked to comment on riding a bus?  Today, we recall those bus rides and looks at all those phrases, idioms, and comments used in the business world about buses.  I’ll bet you didn’t see this one coming!

I did not ride a bus to school every day.  I walked the two blocks from my house to school.  But, I did ride buses many times to attend sporting and other school events.  I have also ridden a number of charter buses to corporate events.  There is a significant difference between the comfort of an old-style school bus and a charter bus.  But, I recall many fun and enjoyable times on those hot/cold, rough, bumpy school buses.

Buses are used prominently in analogies in the business world.  Let’s look at some of these phrases, what they mean, and how these can be positive motivators in our work:

1. “Get on the bus” – This is a term used to encourage individuals to join the effort, get involved, buy-in, support to team, etc.  It says that we should not be left behind while everyone else goes ahead on the journey.  For us, it might mean to get involved in our career journey, be excited about our future, or to get involved in efforts that will move us forward in 2016.  So, are you on the bus?
2. “He might have to be thrown off the bus” – This phrase refers to an individual that does not seem to be heading in the same direction or that does not have the same destination in mind as the team.  An individual that is negative or detrimental to the team effort may need to be removed from the effort before damage occurs.  Is there someone on your team that either needs to actively join the effort or get off the bus?
3. “Don’t throw me under the bus” – This refers to the effort by some to place the blame on others.  When you look for an individual that you can single out as the potential problem, you are throwing that person under the bus.  No one appreciates this.  Throwing someone under the bus is a way of deflecting the attention for an issue from the actual cause to another individual.  There is no place for this.  Accountability is important, but use caution when you look to singling out an individual to place blame.
4. “We need to allow everyone on the bus that wants to come aboard” – This refers to ensuring the team is open to everyone, especially those that are not typically part of the team.  Creating an atmosphere that makes everyone welcome is a critical success factor.
5. “No one, ever, should be forced to ride at the back of the bus” – We need everyone to participate in our journey and, ultimate, success.  Forcing someone to the backseat is essentially asking that person to take a less important role.  It is asking team members that deserve full participation to a role where their views and ideas are considered irrelevant.  This should never occur.  We need to be open to the ideas of everyone.  We need to embrace the participation of all.  The more participation we have, the better the outcome, typically.
6. “You might need to take the next bus that comes along, no matter where it is going” – This phrase is usually used for someone that seems stuck in a situation with no hope for change.  When you find yourself in that situation, you might need to make a change or assume a new viewpoint.  You might need to go in a new direction.
7. “If your answer is always no, we don’t need you – we can find your replacement at any bus stop” – This phrase is used when someone always takes a black or white viewpoint.  They are dogmatic and uncompromising.  This statement suggests that unless one is willing to seek a new viewpoint or get comfortable in the gray, their participation may not be needed.  Instead of looking at why something cannot be done, they need to be more open to how we could make it work.

So, the questions for today… How can we ensure that everyone has a chance to be on the bus?  Are we doing all we can to allow everyone to sit wherever they want, including the front seat?  Do we often throw others under the bus at the first hint of pressure?  In reality, we are all along for a challenging and rewarding ride in our own company.  Everyone needs to contribute.  And, everyone needs to feel that they have the opportunity to participate.  Let’s ensure that we create a culture that not only allows it, but promotes it.  Have a splendid day!

Recently, the new Peanuts movie opened.  I’ve been a fan of this crew for decades now.  How can you ignore the simplicity and transparency of Charlie, Lucy, Snoopy, and all the rest?  Below are just a few of the great quotes from the Gang.  Check these out and see what strikes you today (all are attributed to Charles M. Schulz, the inventor of the Gang):

1. “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – We need to keep things in perspective.  Sometimes, I do my best thinking when I have a large basket of chocolate in front of me.  There is just something about chocolate that makes you relax and forget all the complexities of life.  Give it a try.  When there are too many items on your plate, try a little chocolate comfort to help you sort them out.
2. “Sometimes I lie awake at night and I ask, “Is life a multiple choice test or is it a true or false test?” …Then a voice comes to me out of the dark and says, “We hate to tell you this but life is a thousand word essay.” –  We simply cannot script the times and events of our lives, no matter how much we would like.  We plan that every batch of every product will be perfect, but it doesn’t happen.  We plan our projects with 500-line Gantt charts down to the day and penny.  However, it seems changes to the chart are needed every day.  Our work is complex.  However, our ability to adjust and yet remain professional and kind to others defines our character.
3. “Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don’t worry…I’m here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you.” – I am so fortunate to have many people in my life that I just know will always be there when I need them!  No matter what life brings, there are those that will be at my side to help me through it —- I know it and go to sleep at night comforted by that.  Do you have such people in your life?  Why not tell them today that this quote applies to them and that you appreciate having them in your life?
4. “All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed.  For after all, he was only human. He wasn’t a dog.” – There is just something about a dog and the loyalty they show every day.  What can we learn about the unfailing love and loyalty that our dog shows us?  Can we not exhibit even a portion of that to those around us?
5. “Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate.” – There are no possible additional comments that could be make with this.  In short, enough said!
6. “Just thinking about a friend makes you want to do a happy dance, because a friend is someone who loves you in spite of your faults.” – When is the last time you did a happy dance because of a friend?  Perhaps, today?
7. “Just remember, when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.” – This one strikes me perfectly!  It is very nice to have all that uphill climb behind me!
8. “Happiness is waking up, looking at the clock and finding that you still have two hours left to sleep.” – Yes, this feeling hits me many nights at 1:00am.
9. “If I stand here, I can see the Little Red Haired girl when she comes out of her house… Of course, if she sees me peeking around this tree, she’ll think I’m the dumbest person in the world… But if I don’t peek around the tree, I’ll never see her… Which means I probably AM the dumbest person in the world… which explains why I’m standing in a batch of poison oak.” – This quote speaks to me about taking risks.  How many great things in life would never have occurred if we didn’t take a risk — or, step out from behind that tree?  Then, when you think about those positive things, you might ask, “Why don’t I take more measured risks?  Do I always have to play everything so cautiously?”
10. “Learn from yesterday, live for today, look to tomorrow, rest this afternoon.” – Obviously, this was said to a morning person.  The point here is that sleep and rest are often over-rated.  Live, take a risk, go for it!

So, for those true Charlie Brown fans, enjoy the movie!

I keep seeing this float around on LinkedIn and other places,  “Your character is defined not by how hard you fall, but by how high you bounce when you fall.”  Do you remember those Super Balls from our youth?  I loved those things.  They were made from a new space-age, probably toxic, material that had a “secret formula.”  You throw them down on the driveway and they would bounce a 100 meters high… then they would bounce away and you’d never find them again.  Or, if you did find them, you would break a lamp inside the house when you tried dribbling them in the living room.  Yes, I think most parents are glad those have not made a comeback.

However, I think Super Balls have a good correlation with character.  Everyone falls sometimes.  You get tripped, you fall because you take too many risks, or you simply give up and throw yourself down.  We have all been there —- or, some might be there now.  You might be experiencing a tough time at home.  Or, you may have been hit with an extraordinary financial crunch.  Or, a spouse may have lost a job.  Or, someone in your life might be experiencing a health issue.  Or, you get tired from those daily calls from your child’s Principal at school.  Or, you need to make a hard decision.  Or, you feel your career has dead-ended.  Or, you are lonely.  Or, you just feel disappointed in how things are going or have turned out.  Or, you are depressed or sad.  Or, you have disappointed someone else.  Or…  There are many reasons why we might fall.

The measure of our character, though, is not how hard we might have fallen, but how high we bounce!  There are many, many examples of great people that have fallen, but gotten up and thrived.  A measure of our character is… Can you put whatever made you fall behind you and take control of your future?  It is easy to feel you are the victim of something or someone.  But, can you intentionally put that aside and move on and move forward?  Whatever it is – whether personal or work-related – we are the most effective, the most fun, and the most useful in life and work when you have bounced back.  And, when you show that you can bounce, you become a role model for others that are still down.

So, for today, how high can you bounce?  And, if you see someone else on your team or in your life still trying to bounce, lend a hand.