If I could enact a single law, it might read something like this:
Compassion over judgement - Act thoughtfully and approach every human being, including yourself, with loving kindness. Acknowledge your own bias and seek to understand before jumping to conclusions. Everyone has a story to tell and asking someone about theirs may be really insightful.
Love your family in word and action - Family consists of those we choose to involve in our lives. Life is short, time slips away quickly and living with regret is daunting. The good news is every person has the gift of this very moment, so step forward, make a choice and seize the day!
Let go of the anger In every life situation, have the courage to take a step back and ask;
What is really going on here?
How am I feeling right now?
What is my role in this situation?
Who or what do I need to forgive?
Practice Gratitude each day and sprinkle in a little fun.
Be kind to yourself - Cliche I know, – treat others the way you want to be treated. But how about this:
Treat yourself the way you want to be treated.
What would that look like and if you had the power to enact a single law, what would it be? Please comment below.
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This post was inspired by The Daily Prompt: You have the power to enact a single law. What would it be? Photographers, artists, poets: show us RULES.
We hadn’t seen one another or spoken in quite a while so a year and a half ago we set up a lunch date to reconnect. When he walked into the restaurant he was noticeably thinner. But those friendly, smiling eyes were unmistakable. He was inquisitive and began by asking all about me, my life and family.
Then we shifted to him. He shared that shortly after his mother and brother passed away, he fainted at work and hence began a daunting series of paperwork, lab tests, appointments and phone calls. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 appendix cancer and chose not to pursue surgery. I remained empathetic, silent, and asked what support he needed. The response was; hope, presence, love and an ear. It’s hard to conceive the unimaginable courage to make and/or not make such a complex decision. At the end of our lunch I inquired if he was absolutely certain. I don’t recall the answer, but wondered if the question would linger with him.
I had an upcoming trip to South East Asia for an MBA class and shared I would pray for him at every mosque, temple and prayer wheel I encountered. I climbed the 272 steps to the highest temple at Batu Caves and offered intentions for my friend. The flower and medallions were given to me by a Hindi priest, one for Mike, the other for myself. Right before my traveling, he found out about a rare treatment called HIPEC, that was available and upon my return learned he was eligible. The surgery was the beginning of a valiant journey.
He was balancing tending to the needs of his 85-year-old father, while learning how to take care of himself and the test of time was not easy. He didn’t want to always talk about the cancer, or the fight, or time. He was growing weary and it was teaching us the importance of being fully present and accepting. We had so many meaningful discussions those last few months and sometimes, we just sat in comfortable silence.
When a person is not well, it seems perplexing to wonder: Why is it hard for so many individuals to ask for help? We can tell that they need and want people to step forward, yet they hesitate to solicit or allow support out of shame or fear of being a burden, appearing weak and helpless.
But I’d like to submit there is a different lens through which we should see.
We need others and asking for help is healthy, takes courage, and is a way to take care of ourselves. Showing up gives us the gift of humility and teaches the valuable lesson that its okay to be imperfect. It is human, and builds community because it brings people together. That is a beautiful thing.
Perhaps it doesn’t occur to us that asking for help is a gift to the person being asked. So why does it seem easier to give than to seek help?
My time with Mike was a treasure and we learned different life lessons from one another. I miss him, but I celebrate his life by carrying his memory in my heart because we talked about it. It is what he wanted, and that is a good thing.
So I leave you with this question and ask you to comment below. Do you know someone or have you been in a position such as this? What does it take for you to ask for help and how does that play into “taking care” of yourself? Please share.
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Written in response to The Daily Prompt: Take Care “When you’re unwell, do you allow others to take care of you, or do you prefer to soldier on alone? What does it take for you to ask for help? Photographers, artists, poets: show us HELP.”
I have always been an early adopter when it comes to media and technology and early in my career spent 4 years working at Best Buy. So it was exciting to attend the Minnesota High Tech Association Annual Spring Conference to hear Keynote speaker Scott Durchslag, SVP of Digital and Marketing and President of BestBuy.com and e-commerce. Despite the company’s challenges in the past year, they have had a lot of exciting things going on.
Last November we published an academic paper called Best Buy Strategic Management Analysis as part of the Executive MBA Program at The University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. (I’ll be Graduating in May). Being a person who loves the process of discovery and learning, it was fascinating to uncover companies and brands they own, observe how the Board of Directors and Dick Schulz, the founder and former CEO interacted as he was making attempts to buy back the company.
It was intriguing to learn what has evolved over the past few months and hear how everything is unfolding. Best Buy has a new initiative called Renew Blue which was presented at their shareholder meeting in November. Based on MBA learning, and the information Durchslag presented, it felt like they are facing a revolutionary change which is a rare, dramatic transformation that shifts mindsets and culture in the business.
I have a unique background that blends Marketing, Social Media, Digital and Project Management (IT and Business), so it wasn’t much of a surprise to see that early the same morning a press release was posted saying “Best Buy to Sell its Stake in European Business to Carphone Warehouse.” I understand why they did it and think leadership made a good call based on the research done in the assessment we published. Best Buy is using a mindset of “Test, innovate and learn” which is good because it encourages people to take risk and become part of creating a new culture. And Innovation is more important now than ever, so it is definitely going to remain on my radar.
I would love to hear your thoughts! Please share below.
It feels like I have had my head down for nearly 30 months while pursuing my MBA. Graduation is just around the corner, putting me into a reflective mode of excitement and gratitude, while leaving me to wonder where my “road to awesome” is headed. Regardless of the destination, I am optimistic because my faith that there is more has never failed.
Introspection got me thinking, if I could have any job in the world, it would the one Robbie, a.k.a. “Kid President” from Soul Pancake has. He started a movement when the video “Pep Talk” (below) emerged a while back. This little man is giving motivational speeches, telling people how amazing they are, that nobody is perfect, we are all more alike than different, encouraging participation and reminding us that we are all on the same team. I love the re-enforcer that we can all make things better for one another if we just look around and recognize because it all starts with just one person. When we give, we get.
Sowing seeds of wonder and hope? Sounds pretty good to me. I told them a great campaign slogan would be: “Kid President – Restoring Wonder in the World.” I really hope they use it because we all could use a little more marvel and awe in our lives.
Enjoy the video and then come back and tell me: How will you go out and make the world more awesome? Start by just being authentic because I believe that is what makes us our very best.
Please comment below and thanks for joining the conversation.
Learn about the revolutionary Google Glass. The video speaks for itself, but I would love to hear your thoughts and comments below. Another #Innovative way technology is changing the how we do business. Thanks for joining the conversation.
The innovative #Hashtag started on Twitter and is now being used across multiple social media platforms. I have seen people asking about it on Facebook and thought this might be helpful.
#Hashtag defined: A word proceeded with the [ # ] symbol, which is used as a keyword or topic in a Tweet. It helps categorize words or phrases so users can follow a stream. It can also be used to search for others who use the same hashtags.
. Information about using #hashtags on Twitter:
The symbol [ # ] before a keyword or phrase, with no spaces. These hashtags are then categorized, which makes them easier to find in the search function.
Click on a #hashtag word in any message and you will see the most recent tweets using that hashtag.
Hashtags can be included within the 140 space limit (Best practice only 2-3 hashtags per tweet.)
Hashtag words become popular & can be Trending Topics.
Hashtags are also used at conferences, on live video streams or at a large presentation during Q&A.
Some groups facilitate moderated conversation at set times, using hashtags to discuss topics of interest or share best practices.
If another tweeter searches for a hashtag you have listed, they may follow you!
Live Stream example: Every Sunday the Oprah Winfrey Network ( @OWNTV ) channel has a program called #SuperSoulSunday and viewers can go to http://tweetchat.com then enter the hashtag to see what everyone is talking about in real-time. Below is a response I received from the OWN Network.
If you have any other tips, please share them below!!
My friend Pete K Wong is shooting a movie this Saturday in St. Paul. He is looking for extras and runs in good circles. His explanation of the project along with RSVP information is below:
.Have fun!!
“My short film is a drama/comedy fictional story I wrote, but also based on something similar I had experienced. It is about a motivational speaker who is early in his career going through training but each time he’s tested he fails, eventually he comes to realize something he never expected!
. The scene on the 23/24 are the presentation scenes. You would be in the audience listening to the speaker speak and in one scene he gets the crowd upset and they rush the stage after him and the other on Sunday he gets nervous and runs out!”
DAY 1: St. Paul
Saturday Feb. 23, 2013
Location: Recovery Church 253 State St, St Paul, MN 55107
11-4:30pm
Wardrobe: Casual
DAY 2: Bloomington
Sunday Feb. 24, 2013
Location: 8120 Penn Ave S 1st floor next to Wally’s Restaurant
12:30pm-4pm
Wardrobe: Business attire and Casual option
This is not a paid position. Credits, Copy, and Meals will be provided. If you are interested please send a confirmation to petekwong@gmail.com as we’d like to know how many people are signed up and for which date is more suitable for you.
There are people who will say Valentines Day is a novelty, but I think it’s an opportunity to reflect, create a memory or perform a random act of kindness, because sometimes even the smallest gesture can go a long way.
My mom never forgets a Valentines Day. Last night she came over with the tulips you see in the background of the picture, made dinner and then did some religion homework with my son.
She gave me the red heart ornament in the picture years ago on a February 14th. It says “Kakie” and on the back Love, Mom. Time has worn the ink from changing the oil in the decanter.
The faded letters on the ornament and the flowers are both signals for me. One, a gentle reminder about being present, new life, spring and what lies ahead. The other is to pause, step back, appreciate those around me and celebrate the journey. We didn’t get here alone and couldn’t have accomplished all that has been without others. Look how far we’ve come. For many of us it can seem quite remarkable.
Life puts gifts at our feet which we don’t recognize at first. Sometimes we stumble over them or we get in our own way. It’s okay because we are all flawed and I think there is beauty in that. Somehow we always manage to get back up, brush ourselves off and move ahead.
We are exactly where we are meant to be at any given moment and we have all of the tools we need. Today, give yourself permission to slow down, take a deep breath, find gratitude and share it with someone.
I would love to hear stories about small gestures that meant a great deal to you Share them below and thanks for stopping by. Happy Valentines Day.
Last night in President Obama’s State of the Union Address, he issued an executive order which proposes to make our technology infrastructures stronger. The idea would initiate and encourage cross-sector information sharing. History has repeatedly demonstrated bringing professionals and information together merges ideas, creates knowledge and sparks innovation. This concept is not new, it is a form of open architecture that has allowed our technology to emerge to where it is today.
As an I.T. project manager I can attest that this topic is intriguing and its complexity is wide and deep. This morning I was listening a story on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and I felt compelled enough to share. I encourage you to listen to it.
Please click on the link below and after you have heard what they have to say, come back and share your thoughts!
“Capitalism, in its current form, no longer fits the world around us. A global transformation is urgently needed and it must start with reinstating a global sense of social responsibility.” -Klaus Schwab
This past week over 2500 of the most important business, political, religious, academic and other leaders in the world gathered for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF). The World Economic Forum is an international non-profit organization that addresses important issues, some of which include economic growth, environmental sustainability, financial systems, health, humanity, ecosystems, gender equality, social development and more.
I would be fascinated to attend this event someday and have put it on my bucket list of things to do before I die. In today’s business environment, it is more important than ever to be informed about issues that affect and influence economies, our environment, human rights, etc. I believe anyone who works in strategy or management would benefit by paying attention to the many issues being discussed at the World Economic Forum and use the rich research issues, reports and studies it produces.
“Leadership should be born out of understanding the needs of those who would be affected by it.”
- Marian Anderson
In my roles as senior project manager, consultant, leader, coach and mentor, I use something called andragogy (adult learning theory) to manage and lead because I have seen its effectiveness. I thought it would be a great blog topic, so please, read on!
Throughout my professional life I spent time designing various formats of training about topics that included marketing, identifying and adapting to social styles, emotional intelligence, client service modeling, referrals, business and marketing planning, new customer acquisition, retention, social media and more.
The process of designing training modules was about working to ensure the content was engaging and adding value for the intended audience. When classes are written and created, the approaches depend on whether it is e-learning, classroom or live web-ex conferencing.
The andragogy method leverages problem solving and collaboration and levels the playing field between learners and trainers. The six principles of adult learning theory asserts that adults are:
Internally motivated and self-directed
Experienced and bring our knowledge to the learning platform
Engaged when the information is relevant to our background
Goal oriented – motivated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors
Practical and need to know why they are learning the content
Learners who place value on being respected
For years I consulted and coached franchised business owners to help them put structure, repeatable and predictable processes into their businesses. Through the leadership development process, my clients learned about knowledge transfer through application. Learn, unlearn, rethink, relearn, innovate and survive.
Success means we practice new behaviors until they feel normal. Sounds simple, right?
That is a frightening concept for people because it means embracing uncertainty as a way to look fear in the eye and push forward. Some of the greatest victories I have seen came when people chose to take a little risk that resulted in success.
There is diversity in learning, we all discover and grab onto ideas and concepts differently.
Everyone learns differently and when we learn about that diversity, then apply adragogy (adult learning theory), the results might just amaze. It works.
What do you think about using and applying this process into your leadership style? Please share below!
My Question for you: Is that place between wondering what to do and making the decision a safe place? It could be for many people. Making a decision is easy, but I say deciding to decide is where it gets complicated. We’ve all been there feeling frozen with indecision, wondering why and trying to figure out how to get unstuck, seeking the balance between risk and reward.
I had this fabulous professor during studies for my Executive MBA at St. Thomas. His name is Tom Ressler and he helped me think, about the way I think. The class was called “Executive Decision Making.” But it was so much more. We discussed the idea that we are all unique beings and that both our values and our thinking are random variables that breed infinite possibilities. We also had dialogue regarding how learning, is about changing. It seems to me that creates a ton of potential events in our universe.
Robin Dawes became the founder of the Behavioral Decision Research Field. Dawes argues that our minds drive us toward flawed and illogical assumptions because we fall into auto pilot or “automatic thinking.” He and came up with the following conclusions:
8 factors leading to poor decision-making (based on our experiences)
1. Generalizing based on a few select experiences
2. Assuming patterns of history will always repeat
3. Vision-ing our future can bias our experiences and then can become self-fulfilling prophecies
4. Reflecting on our past experiences produces flawed memories, we can’t replay choices we never followed
5. Some of what we go through involves randomness and luck
6. We can’t re-experience what we have already been through
7. Association/Correlation Does Not Prove Causation. In other words, just because two things are related doesn’t mean one caused the other.
8. Research demonstrates our recall is biased. Our Life Events Take on “NEW” Meaning Over Time
Dawes suggests that to improve rational thinking, we should strive for systematic external representation of the judgment or decision that we face. I am still sorting out what it all means and thinking through different ways to do that. To think about things in ways that are distributional, Visual, Symbolical and Technological.
I have been waiting to find the right time to publish this post. Then this morning I began thinking about our decision process and wondering if there was more. In his book; “The New Earth,” author Eckart Tolle defines Ego as; ”an illusory sense of self”[1] based on one’s memories and thoughts. He goes on to indicate that our own insecurities change how we interact with other people and when that occurs we are not coming from a place of authentic being. Ironically reading it made me realize there should be a #9 onto the list of factors that lead to poor decision making above. Ego.
That was enlightening for me. It’s all a process. I would love to hear your thoughts below. Thanks for visiting my blog.
This video and the evolution of Matt Harding’s journey is a perfect example of how social media can spawn innovation, while having fun! You can learn more about his story at whereinthehellismatt.com. 14 months, 42 countries.
It is authentic and speaks to the human spirit, collaboration and leadership. I hope it makes you laugh and smile. Celebrate life and have a terrific week.
Looked up and remembered – with intention, to slow down
Sought out someone in need and took time to celebrate them, with them
Turned to a friend or family member and simply said: “Whats on your mind?”
Gave yourself permission to take a break and have a little fun
Bought a cup of coffee for someone in line behind you
“Accidentally” dropped a $5 bill in front of a kid at the store and said; “Say, that’s not mine, looks like you dropped something there.”
Lift your head and scan the environment, what patterns do you see? Pay attention and listen, because we all need reminders that this life is about making connections. We never get anywhere without others and when we surround ourselves with a supportive community, they help bring us back to our center. It is the essence of positive karma.
“Science has shown us that there are three “C’s” of a stress resistant immune system:
A sense of CONTROL over your response to life events
A sense of COMMITMENT to something beyond your ego (i.e., family, service, religion, or life philosophy).
A sense of CHALLENGE and learning opportunity when confronted with a stressor.
The Three Deep Breaths technique is a mind-body process which allows us to achieve the three C’s while balancing our autonomic nervous system through the breath.
Breath # 1: The Centering Breath
Breath in the present moment, with balance and energy
Breath # 2: The Possibility Breath
Breath in the “me I want to be” with power and purpose
Breath # 3: The Discovery Breath
Breath in the mystery, let go of judgment
The Centering Breath gives us the calm and balance we need to respond appropriately rather than react negatively in stressful situations. The Possibility Breath reminds us of a purpose higher than our egos. And the Discovery Breath turns a stressful situation into a crucial learning opportunity.”
As another resource to stay grounded, I created a board on Pinterest called “Meditation” Enjoy it and pay it forward by sharing it with someone who could use a lift today.
Please comment below. What are some interesting things you or those you do to refocus and feel centred?
Four things I am grateful for today
Meditation
Validation and support systems who remind me I am centered, strong and resilient
That children are teachers who center me, remind me about possibilities and the wonder of discovery
