Here's some simple advice, often forgotten, that my kid prompted me with the other day:
"Why is this important?" (vision, risks, urgency)
and
"Who can help?" (dependencies, support, impacts)
Maybe you'll save time taking time?
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
When you are busy, ask more questions
It seems like the faster we go, the less we question what we are doing or why. Yet, many agree it takes more effort to undo /correct than it does to take an extra moment the first time around.
Here's some simple advice, often forgotten, that my kid prompted me with the other day:
Ask yourself. Ask your manager when getting an assignment. Ask your co-worker who is racing about. Ask your kid stuck on homework. As your friends…
Maybe you'll save time taking time?
Here's some simple advice, often forgotten, that my kid prompted me with the other day:
Maybe you'll save time taking time?
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Easier to give than receive
That's true of advice and career help. It's often easiest to offer an opinion than hear one; it's easier to help someone make a connection or re-evaluate a career choice than give similar direction to yourself.
Why might that be?
Partially because our own insecurities get in the way? Because, when we're at a cross-roads, there are often more questions than a sense of direction?
The next time I offer advice or guidance, I will try and remember it's hard to receive…even when it's requested. I will also remember that asking for help or advice can be a great strength if I genuinely want what's offered.
The question I'm asking you today is: how do you know when it's time to re-evaluate?
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Loneliness
Yup, not a usual topic for mentoring or networking but certainly a key factor in how/why one builds community.
There are all kinds of definitions but this post is just about the one where you're surrounded by teams, friends or other communities and you still feel isolated. That kind of loneliness can last a day or a lifetime (or feel like a lifetime).
Loneliness can be self-imposed or be a matter of circumstance. It doesn't really matter the reason if one is feeling lonely.
Networks are not a buffer against being lonely. Friends are. Family is. Friends and families are networks and communities by definition but, when feeling lonely, sometimes strangers and acquaintances are easier to talk with - they won't necessarily push for action or challenge the facts of the story. These conversations are how work relationships can progress to friendship or just make things awkward. Measure the risks and make a decision that works best for you.
Basically, reaching out when feeling lonely is a great thing to do. If, like me, you have days where it's just easier to acknowledge being lonely and not reach out, that's fine too. We build communities in advance of a crisis, small or large, so there is help if we want it during.
There are all kinds of definitions but this post is just about the one where you're surrounded by teams, friends or other communities and you still feel isolated. That kind of loneliness can last a day or a lifetime (or feel like a lifetime).
Loneliness can be self-imposed or be a matter of circumstance. It doesn't really matter the reason if one is feeling lonely.
Networks are not a buffer against being lonely. Friends are. Family is. Friends and families are networks and communities by definition but, when feeling lonely, sometimes strangers and acquaintances are easier to talk with - they won't necessarily push for action or challenge the facts of the story. These conversations are how work relationships can progress to friendship or just make things awkward. Measure the risks and make a decision that works best for you.
Basically, reaching out when feeling lonely is a great thing to do. If, like me, you have days where it's just easier to acknowledge being lonely and not reach out, that's fine too. We build communities in advance of a crisis, small or large, so there is help if we want it during.
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