A couple weekends ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Vital Signs EMS conference in Syracuse, NY (thanks to Tri Community Ambulance). This conference is put on every year by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS to help EMTs from Basic to Paramedic sharpen their skills via a variety of classes and workshops, as well as accrue their continuing education hours. One of the classes I took was on team building within the organization. I picked up a lot from the class, but one thing that stuck with me was a simple activity that helps small groups come to a solution to a simple problem, and really starts to show the dynamics that develop early in a group.
To build the kit, you’ll need a small plank of wood (4″ x 4″ or so), 10 nails of the same length, and 3 nails that are longer than the other 10, but the same size as each other. One LONG nail should be driven in to the center of the board, and the group should be handed the remainder of the nails. This works best in groups of 3-5. Any more than that, and space becomes too crowded, which forces people out of the group. Give the group 10-15 minutes to pin down the solution. Some will get it instantly, and some may not get it at all, but you’ll see leaders and followers develop almost immediately. You’ll also start to see the introverts and extroverts of the group.
I won’t post the how to here (though it isn’t hard to find online), but here’s the final result:
Don't bump the table!
“Inaction is perhaps the greatest mistake of all.” Charles Schumer
I’ve had a project that I have been “picking” at for probably a year. And another that I’ve been working on since before I graduated college. Neither of these projects get the attention they deserve. I can claim that it’s because I don’t have the time, but I’d find the time if I REALLY wanted it. I let projects sit idle because I don’t know how they will turn out. They could be tremendous successes. Or they could be ABSOLUTE FAILURES. And that fear of failure is what keeps me paralyzed.
Time to reframe my mindset, and finally start pushing forward on some of the “maybe someday” projects.
A colleague referred me to this document recently while we were having coffee. I decided to give it a look over, and found that a lot of these principles can be applied to my own business – perhaps you can apply them to yours as well?
1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
2. Get mad, then get over it.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that, when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
4. It can be done!
5. Be careful what you choose, you may get it.
6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
8. Check small things.
9. Share credit.
10. Remain calm. Be kind.
11. Have a vision. Be demanding.
12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
When Seinfeld first started airing on NBC, Jerry was still a touring comic. In order to make sure that he was always flush with new material, he forced himself to write every single day. In order to track himself, and keep him motivated never to skip a day, he came up with a calendar system. Long story short, every day that he wrote, he got to put a big red X in that day on the calendar. Soon the Xs became a chain, and Jerry was then determined to never let the chain break, and thus he developed the habit to write every day.
I’ve taken the same concept and applied it to my business, using a spreadsheet. Every day that I prospect for new business, write an article on my blog, or any of a number of daily tasks, I get to put the X on the spreadsheet to keep the chain growing. It’s ridiculously simple, didn’t cost me anything, and keeps me motivated to stay focused. If I miss a day, I highlight it in yellow just to draw attention to it. The less yellow, the better!
Read more over at [LifeHacker].
