Life Lessons

It seems hard to believe that parents could forget their child at the airport. Parents Forget Child at Airport. However, I did a similar thing and left one of our kids at the hockey rink. Remembering important items or memorizing information is easy to do. We are not forgetful, we just haven't been properly trained to record and recall memories. Your skills can be improved significantly with just a little practice and understanding. Watch the following and see how it can be accomplished. Enjoy!

Improve Your Memory by Jim Lindell CSP, CPA, CGMA

During the 1950s and 1960s, being left handed was seen as a disadvantage. Great efforts were taken by teachers and parents to train students to use their right hand as opposed to their left hand for writing. As a consequence, many kids were forced to focus on hand writing techniques as opposed to learning techniques.

Unfortunately, many managers and coaches still try to force “left handed people to work as if they were right handed.” This metaphor illustrates how people are trained with specific techniques that may not be effective for that individual. Well-meaning coaches and managers may be too narrow in their approach to training or philosophy about business. Unfortunately, their technique or approach may be in conflict with the skills, intelligence or personality type of the individual being trained, managed or coached.

There is a significant danger when the coaching or training approach is “one size fits all.” Let’s consider this example as it applies to the role of a coach and their respective student, customer or employee.

Since coaching focuses on the coachee, let us begin with the left side of the diagram representing the individual that is to receive the coaching service, counsel or advice. There are three main levels of coaching services that an individual can receive:

1. Short term – Short term coaching is usually directed in one of the following areas:

a. The individual has a weakness that needs to be improved.

b. The individual has a serious issue, possibly resulting from disciplinary action, and behavioral change must take place.

2. Intermediate – Intermediate coaching is usually provided when there is a lack of knowledge. This knowledge is necessary for the person to advance to a different level in the organization.

3. Long-term – Long-term coaching is usually directed at individuals that are perpetual learners and are always seeking ways to grow themselves, the organization, and those around them.

In essence, these three levels represent the “needs” of an individual that is to be coached.

The right side of the graph represents the coach’s role. Note that there are two extremely significant principles that apply to a coach. The first is that a coach cannot allow their self-interest to get in the way of helping another individual. The second principle is that the coach should foster independence in the individual as opposed to dependence. Unless an individual is seeking a long-term learning relationship, most coaching assignments should have a specific task with a specific timeframe. The only type of ongoing coaching relationship should be a life-long learning relationship. Beware of the coach that is hired for a short term need who insists on a long-term relationship. The coach may be putting their self-interest ahead of the needs of the individual.

There are many skills a coach should possess including:

Facilitation skills

Counseling skills

Solid experience

Understanding of interpersonal skills and personality profiles

Ability to recognize learning skills of the person that they’re working with

Ability to recognize intelligence types

Desire and evidence of their continued learning.

Now we can reconsider the comparison of left handed and right handed people. A coach that only uses one approach without recognizing the limitations of that approach is not serving his customers well. Failing to understand the needs and styles of the individual being coached typically leads to short and unfulfilled coaching relationships. One of the main reasons coaching assignments do not work out well is that the coachee and the coach are not compatible. A successful coach will be flexible and capable of working in a variety of styles. The greatest of coaches will exhibit the most flexibility in working with a variety of people.

Therefore, it is important for coaches to evaluate personality types and intelligence types to determine how their skills must be altered to bring out the best in the individual.

About the Author: Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA is a best-selling author and speaker. Jim is a TEC Chairman (The Executive Committee), which is the Granddaddy of CEO coaching organizations and with its’ Vistage Affiliation is the World’s largest peer group for CEOs and Senior Executives. Jim has been Coaching CEOs through TEC since 2001. His website is www.thorstenconsulting.com. Jim’s latest book, “Controller as Business Manager” is available from the AICPA at http://bit.ly/1zGOYmz.

When you feel that you have been treated unfairly:
- Think of Victor Frankl.
When you feel that no one cares:
- Think of Mother Teresa.
When you just want to give up because it is too difficult:
- Think of Winston Churchill.
Most of us have nothing to complain about. I am always amazed and blessed by those that overcome significant obstacles. They provide the inspiration to pick ourselves up and move forward.

For what it is worth...
Jimmy


©2015 Jim Lindell - Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.

Philip James Bailey

From Forbes - Thought of the Day

Servant leadership is not about “I”- nor is it about “we”- it is about “them.”

©2014 Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Today, I posted to my social media accounts the following statement:
"The desire for wealth is understandable, the pursuit of wealth is underestimated, the harm in achieving wealth is misunderstood. - JL 4/14"


The desire for wealth is understandable -
Wealth can be attractive. It can be a tool to improve one's: life, family, or community. To pursue it to achieve a noble goal is the starting point for many.


The pursuit of wealth is underestimated -
The time commitment to achieve great wealth is sorely underestimated. This commitment may have many unforeseen costs that in retrospect are much greater than the wealth to be achieved.

The harm in achieving wealth is misunderstood -
Wealth that results in narcissistic behavior, reduced self discipline, reduced commitment to improving one's: life, family or community, is not wealth - it is a curse that is cloaked in a very seductive way.

©2014 Jim Lindell
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Why is Monday the Worst Day of the Week? It has to do with the following:

Job or school satisfaction

Control over your day

Work vs. fun or relaxation

Unfinished work or homework

Pleasant expectations

Consider the following image. It is as simple as 1+2=3. Monday is the Worst Day of the Week with a "5!"
Remember that "the answer to life the universe and everything is 42" - according to Douglas Adams and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Saturday is at the top of the list with a score of "31." Only 11 points short of "the answer to life the universe and everything."

©2014 - Jim Lindell - www.thorstenconsulting.com

It is amazing how many people will rush to post a comment but fail to consider their grammar. As a result, the individual will: look foolish, dilute their comment and invite ridicule from other readers. Consider the image in this post. The article suggested that it may be possible to predict heart disease from a medical review of the patient's fingers. The first commentator posts a comment that adds no value. The second commentator points out the lack of value in the comment and the incorrect grammar. The third poster incorrectly contradicts the second poster and shows his own ignorance regarding you're vs. youR. The second commentator then finishes off the third commentator with a factual comment and a derogatory comment. Both the 1st and 3rd commentators now have information on the web (forever) that portrays each of them in a negative fashion.

Before you post:
1) Is it an accurate statement?
2) Is it free of grammatical and spelling errors?
3) Are you willing to be associated with the post 5 years from now?
4) If you are trying to be humorous, cynical, or skeptical is it obvious to the reader?

© 2013 Jim Lindell - Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

The following video illustrates the mindmapping process applied to disaster planning. Mindmapping will increase your creativity and can be used in all aspects of business from planning to daily operations. In addition, it can be used just as well in your daily life for personal planning, projects and career management.

Great Inspiration from Shakespeare's Henry V. This is a partial clip showing "Band of Brothers" and "St. Crispin's Day". It finishes with the alarm and Henry's quote - "All things are ready if our minds be so..."

Our success in our daily lives, whether it be business, personal, athletic, etc. depends on our state of mind. Henry Ford was quoted as saying, "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right." 1.

For us to increase our success, we must improve our state of mind to believe that we can succeed. Remember, our subconscious cannot distinguish between truth or fiction. Tell your subconscious how good you really are!





1. Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henryford131621.html#twrJlYp349QUc2rI.99

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=893&sid=2799043

HYATTSTOWN, Md. - Coins and bills spilled from an armored truck on northbound Interstate 270 Friday morning, and passersby stopped and scooped them up. Maryland State Police are investigating how the cash came out of the truck...Police have asked motorists to return the cash they picked up. The police also stated that there was no indication of Robbery.

Unfortunately, we have lost the sense of right and wrong. The Police were correct when they said it was not a robbery, however it was THEFT. Dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/theft) defines theft as:

the act of stealing; the wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods or property of another; larceny.

The motorists that picked up the money from the Armored car and kept it for themselves are common thieves.

From USA Today (Kara Rose) http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-01/theater-tweet-seats/51552010/1

A growing number of theaters and performing groups across the country are setting aside "tweet seats," in-house seats for patrons to live-tweet during performances, including the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, N.C., and the Dayton Opera in Dayton, Ohio.

Rick Dildine, the executive director for Shakespeare Festival St. Louis — an outdoor theater festival that began using tweet seats two years ago — said tweet seats have "become a national trend."

Recently, we passed another car where the driver had a cell phone in his left hand, his right hand was on the top of the steering wheel - holding another phone on which he was texting or tweeting using only his thumb. He was doing this while driving at 65 mph on a major freeway! We attend theater, the movies, a sporting event, etc. to be a part of the event. To lose focus on the actual event because we are texting or tweeting is counterproductive and lessens the experience. Back in October of 2009 - I blogged ( in fun ) about places not to text. Based on the above, the list just gets longer...

Inappropriate times to Text - For fun
I just twittered about a Police officer texting while riding a Segway and realized that I was too critical. People have just not learned where it is appropriate to text. So as an aid to society, I am compiling a list of inappropriate times not to text others. Everyone is aware of the consequences of texting while driving a car (train or plane). I will highlight some of the often overlooked items:

1) While sitting on the toilet - do you need a picture or do I have to explain this one?
2) while landing the lunar module - duh, no cell towers!
3) while being intimate with your significant other! I bet you want a picture - it is hard enough to get the correct symbols for emotional content. Heaven forbid you get the wrong combination and your partner finds out - Warning! Will Robinson Warning! (exception 1 - if your partner is texting also, it is OK; exception 2 - if you are texting each other, it is not OK)
4) while running a chainsaw - too difficult with work gloves.
5) while water skiing - it detracts from your attempts to look good.
6) while eating any sticky foods - the damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn keys might get stuck.
7) while skydiving - the force of the wind might slam the device into your face.
while playing Rugby - results in too many knock ons.
9) while at a Rugby party - you never want to miss any part of a Rugby party. Besides God gave you two hands, both equally equipped to hold a pint.
10) while in Church - unless you are texting God. (Please if you have God's address, please advise via text; also, it is perfectly acceptable to respond to any text message at anytime from God)
11) while scoring a TD on Monday Night Football - Yes T.O. that means you (However, if you can tweet "I Scored", consider how it will give the NFL commissioner something to do!)
12) while hang gliding - you may drop it on the head of a native who thinks that it is a gift from God. Thereby declaring all communication forever forward must be by texting. We have too little conversation as it is - SHUT THE DAMN THINGS OFF!!!!!!

If you have any other inappropriate times to text, please respond to this with a comment, THANKS!

Copyright 2009 & 2012 - Jim Lindell

The way that we interact with one another continues to evolve. We are also at the point that technology is so intertwined with our individual self that we have emotional problems when we are disconnected from the modern daily tools of cell phones, internet, e-mail, etc.

Consider the following from Intersperience's recent press release:

Intersperience research highlights people’s emotional dependency on technology

• 53% of Brits feel ‘upset’ when deprived of internet connection
• 40% of people surveyed feel ‘lonely’ when not able to go online
• Challenge of 24 hours without digital devices described as ‘nightmare’

London, UK, July 22 - A new study into the impact of online and digital technology on people’s lives in the UK found that more than half of the people surveyed felt ‘upset’ at the prospect of being deprived of an internet connection even for a short time.

The extent of people’s ‘digital dependency’ in their everyday lives was revealed by international consumer research specialist Intersperience in a new project entitled ‘Digital Selves.’The project, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 individuals from age 18 to over 65s, questioned people about their 'digital lives' including their attitudes and use of the internet, smartphones and other connected devices.

The project also involved qualitative research, including challenging participants to get through one full day without using technology. Giving up technology was considered by some to be as hard as quitting smoking or drinking, while one survey participant described it as “like having my hand chopped off” and another called it “My biggest nightmare.”

A significant number of people ‘cheated’ by switching on the television or radio as they did not regard them as ‘technology.’ Others agreed to the challenge but turned their mobile phones to silent, regarding being completely disconnected even for one day as “inconceivable.”

Many participants found it extremely hard to resist the temptation to go online, especially those for whom online communication represents a large part of their social interaction. A total of 40% of people felt ‘lonely’ when not engaging in activities such as social networking, emails, texting or watching their favourite television channels.

Younger people, who tend to be heavier users of social media and text messaging, found giving up technology the most difficult while older people (over-40s) generally coped more easily when cut off from digital connections. Only a minority of those surveyed reacted positively to the prospect of being without an internet connection, with 23% saying they would feel “free.”

Paul Hudson, Chief Executive of Intersperience said: “ Online and digital technology is increasingly pervasive. Our ‘Digital Selves’ research shows how just dominant a role it now assumes, influencing our friendships, the way we communicate, the fabric of our family life, our work lives, our purchasing habits and our dealings with organisations.”

He added: “ We have gathered clear evidence that the UK has fully entered the Digital Age. The resulting stepchange in the way we engage with technology has occurred faster than many of us had anticipated. This has profound implications for society both from a personal and commercial perspective. We are about to embark on a new study looking exclusively at digital engagement in Under-18s which we expect to highlight even more radical developments in the behaviour and attitudes of children and teenagers.”

What could Changing Corporate Culture, Breaking Bad Habits, Paw Prints in the Snow all have in common? It is difficult to change culture, change habits or create new paths in snow. I was watching our cats walk through the snow and was amazed to see only one path of tracks. Each of the cats placed their paws in the existing paw print in front of them. There was only one track even though they had used the path many times. How similar to corporate culture and bad habits. The path of least resistance has us as employees or individuals doing the same thing over and over again. Many times we follow the path and are oblivious to the fact that we are even on a path at all. For corporations and individuals to change, we need to leave the existing path and forge out in a new direction. What does this imply?

The path will be hard to tread.

There may be no guideposts for us to follow.

We will be tempted to go back to the old path.

On the bright side, if we are willing to stick it out, the new path will finally become routine. We will become familiar with the new process / policy / procedure / habit and it will be just as easy to follow as the old path. However, we need to remain in the new path for quite a while for it to become routine. Some people will suggest that a minimum of 21 days are necessary to change a personal habit. Corporate Culture can take years to change. It's time to strike out on a new untraveled path!

Copyright 2011 - Jim Lindell