From SMART to BAD Goals…
I love throw away comments. They often highlight an important truth with a pithy little statement that needs nuance and unpacking, but has a kernel of truth that must be embraced. Here is one I heard recently. The speaker was lamenting our overly cautious approach to change and innovative projects. And then he said it… just straight out and simply; “I’m not a big fan of SMART goals. Personally I long for BAD goals.” It was an audience that knew what he was talking about and the sentiment was a little mixed – some appreciative, some more cautious. For those...
Read MoreWhen your inner critic works for you…
It’s a generalisation to be sure, but roughly speaking you can divide people into two categories – those whose inner critic is frantically busy, leaving them demotivated, insecure and perpetually dissatisfied, and those who don’t appear to have an inner critic – or if they do, have one who is unobservant and perpetually on holiday, leaving them blissfully unaware of their many flaws or of things they could do far better. It has become popular to be negative about our inner critic, and indeed, if you have a voice in your head that consistently tells you that you are...
Read MoreThermometer or Thermostat? Dancing between the Two
Are you more commonly a thermometer or a thermostat? Put differently, are you more likely to reflect the temperature in the room, or set it? It’s a question I find challenging, and wonder if you will join me as I think aloud about it. One of the markers of likely success is the trait of agreeableness. It’s one of the big five personality markers in the OCEAN acronym: Openness to experience which is usually accompanied by curiosity, creativity and willingness to give things a go Conscientiousness shown in self discipline and goal directed behaviour Extraversion displayed by...
Read MoreWhen Every Life Matters: A Reminder from the Homeless
During our holiday we got to spend two nights in Seattle. Our hotel was a short stroll from the truly impressive Seattle Central Library with its extraordinary architecture – a creative mixture of glass, steel, large open spaces and unusual angles. Bibliophile that I am I couldn’t resist a visit and thought I’d get a feel for the libraries priorities by noting what it was advertising on a large “what’s on” board. Centre stage was a notice announcing a remembrance service for three “beloved community members”. Sceptic that I can be, and not...
Read MoreAirport Time… All Seven Hours of It
Airports are genuinely fascinating. On the one hand they are a business like any other – transporting people or freight from one point to another – better airlines doing so in the notified timeframe and with all people and goods intact. But oh my, the stories behind the trips people are taking are not all the same. There are the seasoned travellers, usually there for business, the flight simply a necessary evil to enable them to do the work they are required to. You spot them straight away – dressed a little more smartly, laptops out as soon as allowed. Often they are only...
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