As the Fall slides into Winter, it is a great time to reflect, review and renew. Before jumping into the meaty material of the month, here are a couple things to share with you:
First – I've made a strong commitment to add more frequent value and share more interesting content with readers as a way to stay connected. As such, I'm reactivating my moribund blog Terry's Toolbox as a way to share suggestions for being more strategic in business and in life. I promise at least 12 great new posting in the next 30 days. So, check out these fresh topics and post your own comments:
Second – I'm inviting you to participate in an upcoming Future Environmental Scan Webinar with the esteemed systems thinker Stephen Haines and myself. Learning how to get your strategy right in light of the future environment changes and make adjustments along the way is a vital skill everyone needs. Join us for 90 minutes on November 11 to take an in-depth look at the future and how it'll impact your business. We'll cover:
- The 12 Best Practices and 12 major mistakes made in Future Environmental Scanning (and how these impact your results)
- The new SKEPTIC standard for Future Environmental Scanning and what it means – well beyond the traditional SWOT Analysis
- 21 major new changes you need to know about the rebalancing of the global economic order
- How to develop 50 Change Agent Advocates for this New Normal Future
To find out more about what works in today's planning environment for future environments, click here. After you register, let me know via e-mail at Terry@ManagementPro.com for a special additional gift available only to my readers.
Highlights of This Issue
Guest Article - Last issue, I shared 20 good reasons to become an entrepreneur. This time you'll find 20 reasons for not becoming an entrepreneur. Having worked on my own for over three decades, I can attest to the brutal truth of this article.
Project of the Month - Our PROJECT OF THE MONTH features an encore a Logical Framework for the Espanola Valley Toy Run, a New Mexico motorcycle club's effort to make the holidays merry for underprivileged children.
Self-Mastery - The SELF-MASTERY describes how to take a personal audit and make the most of these seasonal transitions.
Book of the Month - Ever since I was a kid planting firecrackers in ant hills in Montana, ants have fascinated me. Here's one of the most delightful insect novels ever – Empire of the Ants.
Laugh Out Loud - Here are some funny headlines, which made major newspapers in recent years. Keeping laughter as an integral part of life makes the day go better.
If you have dreamed about the joy of being an entrepreneur, here are 20 jolting, sober-up questions to answer honestly before embarking on a life-changing venture. This list originally appeared in Seth Kravitz' blog, SecondCityCEO.
Too many blogs and articles focus only on the inspirational and positive aspects of creating a start–up business.
But there is a painful reality as well. It's a life steeped in stress, anxiety, doubt, fear and heartbreak. Sleepless nights, emotional roller coasters and embarrassment, failing health, family rifts, social isolation, the pain of unrealized dreams are common. Sometimes I wonder if working for someone else is better.
So if you are tempted to become an entrepreneur, see if you can answer "yes" to this list of statements before making the final decision to leap into the entrepreneurial world:
1. I am willing to lose everything.2. I embrace failure.
3. I am always willing to do tedious work.
4. I can handle watching my dreams fall apart.
5. Even if I am puking my guts out with the flu and my mother passed away last week, there is nothing that will keep me from being ready to work.
6. My relationship/marriage is so strong that nothing work-related could ever damage it.
7. My family doesn't need an income.
8. This is a connected world; and I don't need alone time. I want to be reachable 24/7 by my employees, customers, and business partners.
9. I like instability; and I live for uncertainty.
10. I don't need a vacation for years at a time.
11. I accept that not everyone likes my ideas and that it's quite likely that many of my ideas are garbage.
12. If I go into business with friends or family, I am okay with losing that relationship forever if things end badly.
13. I don't have existing anxiety issues; and I handle stress with ease.
14. I am willing to fire or lay off anyone no matter what — how good of a friend they are, if they are my own sibling, if they just had a baby, if they have worked with me for 20 years, if their spouse also just lost their job, if I know they might end up homeless, if they have cancer but no outside medical insurance, or any other horrible scenario millions of bosses and HR people have faced countless times.
15. I am okay with being socially cut–off and walking away from my friends when work beckons.
16. I love naysayers and I won't explode or give up when a family member, friend, customer, business associate, partner, or anyone for that matter tells me my idea, product, or service is a terrible idea, a waste of time, will never work, or that I must be a moron.
17. I accept the fact that I can do everything right, can work 70 hours a week for years, can hire all the right people, can arrange amazing business deals, and still lose everything in a flash because of something out of my control.
18. I accept that I may hire people that are much better at my job than I am and I will get out of their way.
19. I realize and accept that I am wrong ten times more than I am right.
20. I am willing to walk away if it doesn't work out.
Seth Kravitz is the CEO of InsuranceAgents.com, an insurance marketing company based in Columbus, Ohio. Seth started his first business at age 19 and has been in the internet marketing industry since 2002. He also writes a weekly blog about the struggles of running a small business.
Espanola Valley Toy Run Runs Year-Round
For years, nearly 300 bikers from Northern New Mexico fire up their engines each Fall to collect and distribute hundreds of toys to needy children as well as enjoy a gala parade and biker celebration dance on November 20th in Santa Fe.
The Espanola Valley Toy Run is a registered, non-profit (501C-3) organization which puts smiles on the faces of children as well as needy families.
Nearly a third of the riders are from the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Chairman of this good effort is Mark Montoya. Enjoy the story by clicking on the link below. If you are motivated to give a toy, Mark would love to hear from you. [markam@lanl.gov; 505- 665-2974 (work); 505- 692-4223 cell].
Five Steps to Changing with The Seasons
By Terry Schmidt
Did you notice how suddenly Summer became Fall? Gone are the long and warm days of Summer as the sun continues turning in earlier, trimming our days and dropping temperatures to a crisp chill that only hot cocoa can cure.
Every changing of the seasons offers an opportunity for us to reflect upon transitions in our own lives and careers. The annual progression of Summer into Fall is my favorite seasonal change because it signifies turning inward, a back-to-basics shift. As the squirrels begin to gather winter provisions and get serious about what's coming, it's a reminder to consolidate and focus on what's most important in our own lives..
Long a believer in life-long growth, I've developed reflection and reinvention rituals for many different prime times throughout the year—on New Year's Day, on my own birthday, during seasonal shift times (such as now). The onset of Fall is an especially meaningful time to reflect, focus, and recommit to bring my best.
Let me share the five-step process that I apply to several work/life areas – including health, finances, relationships, work, spirituality, and fun. After seeing how easy and logical it is, you'll want to try it and apply it to your life.
You'll note that I've selected 60 days as the length of each improvement "campaign." In order to truly let personal change take root and hold, it takes deliberate staging and phasing. Viewing growth as a time-bounded campaign helps keep the motivation and momentum going. Start your campaign with this 5-Step process, and refer back to throughout the 60 days to measure your progress.
Terry's 5-Step, Change-with-The-Seasons Process
1) With a check mark, rate where you currently are on a ten-point numeric scale in each of the key life/work areas.
Life Area: ________ Date: _____ Current 1-10 Rating: ___________
Numeric Scale
Rate: [Awful] 1__2__3__4__5__6__7__8__9__10 [Outstanding]
After the rating, describe why you picked the number you did in a couple sentences.
2) On the same scale, by circling the number, rate where you are committed to be in 60 days in each of those areas.
Life Area: ________ Desired 1-10 Rating: ___________ By Date: _____
3) Describe in detail what the new rating would look like.
Get clear on what the end result of your new rating looks like. For example, if you rated your current level at 6 and described at 8, what does an 8 look like? If you leave the end-result vague, you're likely to get vague results. So, be as vivid as possible – as if you are already living it.
4) Identify specific steps to get there and commit to taking those steps.
Outline each step of what you need to start doing and what you need to stop doing in order to get that result. (If it seems helpful, sign a contract with yourself to reinforce your commitment in writing so that those cold, wintry moments do not dampen your enthusiasm to take the actions necessary to get the results.)
5) Develop the mind-set that supports you.
The final step is to handle the psychological resistance. You'll encounter by installing positive new beliefs and instructional self-statements. You'll address these questions:
1. What would I have to believe to make this work?2. What would I have to stop believing to make this work?
3. What are some instructional self-statements I could use?
Here's an example from my latest self-analysis:
1) Health: Rate where I currently am.
I gave this Life Area a 6.
Commentary: I'm feeling some wear and tear along with creaks of bones and joints. Noticing signs of stiffness in my muscles and back. Sporting that "belly bulge" that some prominent men get in their sixties. Could stand to lose 12 pounds or so.
2) Rate where I am committed to be on a specific future date.
I'd like to be at an 8 within 60 days from today.
3) Describe in detail what that would look like.
I will be able to move easily without any joint pain. I will be even more limber, flexible and agile. I will have lost 12 pounds will make it through the Holidays without gaining more weight.
4) Identify specific steps to get there; and commit to taking those steps.
I commit to eating better by reducing crabs, and eating more fruit. Stop eating snacks between meals (including avoiding the temptations of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream as I run past the parlor). Drink more water. Exercise as part of my daily routine. Using the internet to find some good, yet simple conditioning stretches to do on a daily basis. Create an Action Plan and Tracking Chart for these and any other tasks that need to be completed. Remember to weigh myself weekly.
5) Develop the mind-set that supports you.
Success is an inside game, so use personal psychology to ratchet up. Your psychological commitment and make it real. Let's face it: Nothing is likely to happen unless you make it happen, so you need to develop an optimum mindset by answering the three questions posed earlier.
1. What would I have to believe to make this work?- I can make healthy choices as part of my every day routine.
- I enjoy exercising and its benefits.
- I can commit to a health campaign – and stick to it!
- I do not need to lose fitness just because I am getting older.
- I am too undisciplined to consistently follow my action plan.
- I can just rely on medications later, if needed.
- I am disciplined to make healthy choices.
- Every day, I become more fit in every way.
- My physical fitness supports my ability to achieve peak performance.
Make sure you begin each day with a review of your plan, and reinforce your new beliefs and instructional self-statements.
Get the idea?
Follow the same type of process for each of your key Work/Life Areas:
You may even think of a few more areas for you to apply this five step process. Then at the end of your campaign, review and celebrate your results. By following this simple process, you will increase your awareness of what to change and outline your action steps. Changing with the Seasons brings the best out of you at every turn!
EMPIRE OF THE ANTS
Authored by Bernard Weber
Reviewed by Terry Schmidt
My fascination with ants began as a 4th grader living in small towns and construction camps in woodsy western Montana. After school, I'd hike in the woods and study the huge nests of black or red ants. I'd follow them around for hours to chronicle their exciting adventures and struggles.
Yielding to experimental impulses, I'd sometimes scoop a bucket of black ants and spilling them on the red ant nests and watch the fun begin. Even today, my I can recall that memory sends the pungent reminder of formic acid which they'd spray into the air. Have you ever smelled angry ants?
Empire of the Ants tells the story of a huge underground ant empire, from the standpoint of the hero ants whose individual personalities you will come to enjoy. A deep and dark subterranean passage beneath the new home of Jonathan Wells leads to this empire, but the new house came with a warning: "NEVER GO DOWN INTO THE CELLAR." But he did.
You'll see the world through an ant's mind! You'll descend deep into the anthill; explore the secret rooms and corridors; watch as a threatening bird is torn apart; and discover amazing details about insect romance.
A best-seller in Europe, Empire of the Ants is filled with exciting scenes of ants scouting, hunting, fighting, nursing, mating, defending themselves against enemies, and just living their everyday lives.
The author depicts ant life in a fully detailed, compelling, and totally believable way, which is not surprising since he is an entomologist whose hobby is ants.
You'll never be able to watch ants again after reading this book without wishing you could somehow eavesdrop on this enormous confederation of ant colonies with their own history, laws, and legends.
This book totally changed my point of view on ants. I promise never to plant a firecracker in any ant's nest ever again – not even in the name of experimentation.
2002's Best (Actual) Headlines:
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Although the story behind some of these headlines may not be humorous, you do have to laugh at the double-meanings these condensed headlines suggest. Brevity does not always bring clarity.