The QLog

Content and Context

On the blogosphere, many people claim that "content is king" as good information is vital to a great post. However, this is only half the equation. Context is equally important. They are two-sides of the same coin.

Let me demonstrate what I mean with a simple sentence:

Woman without her man is nothing.

Wow. I can not believe such a sexist comment is on my blog...or is it? I am sure many of you read it this way: Woman, without her man, is nothing. Yet, is this the only conext? With a few dots of punctutation, I will illustrate the correct context to consider this statement:

Woman: without her, man is nothing.

You need not agree with either statement to understand my point. If "content is king" then "context is key" as both are needed to successful communicate the meaning of an idea.

Earth Hour is Tonight!

Learn more about Earth Hour here.

The main goal: turn off all lights and non-essential electrical appliances for an hour tonight at 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Why: 1. Save Electricity. 2. Increase Awareness (including self-awareness) about the resources that are consumed during day-to-day living in the 21st century.

Behavior as a Mirror of Self

"Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I posted the above quote last week and today I'd like to explore the idea with more depth.

Behaviors, unlike thoughts, are observable to other people. Although a witness will often not understand the reasons why someone acted a certain way, they will know how someone conducted their affairs. Your behavior is measurable and can be compared and contrasted in the following ways:

1. What you said you would do (consider the saying "actions speak louder than words").
2. What your peers or competitors are doing.
3. What others have done in similar situations in the past.

Bottom Line: External acts are the main way others judge our qualities as a human being. The summation of what we do, both small and grand, becomes the public record of our life.

Know-What

"There is one quality more important than "know-how" and we cannot accuse the United States of any undue amount of it.  This is "know-what" by which we determine not only how to accomplish our purposes, but what our purposes are to be." - Norbert Wiener (the founder of the interdisciplinary field of Cybernetics), The Human Use of Human Beings, 1954

THE Answer or Answers?

As we grow up, schools often instill the idea that problems have a single answer. Exams and questions are often worded to provide the 'correct' solution.

Few problems are this black and white. To become a successful problem solver, it is vital you break away from this sociological conditioning. Instead of seeking THE answer, seek a minimum of three potential solutions. Then evaluate the costs and benefits of each possibility and select the best choice. 

Go OHIO in 2008

OHIO!?!

No, you do not you need to travel to the state this year (unless you would like to do so). I am referring to the old acronym for Only Handle It Once. This is still very sound advice for most of items that one encounters during the day.

Additionally, O.H.I.O. does not just apply to the paper inbox. This strategy should also be applied to digital documents, email, and voice mail too.

Of course, some sensitive, critical, and urgent things will require more interaction; nevertheless, the target should be to process the information and then take the appropriate action the first time you handle it. The old 80/20 rule applies here: the vast majority should not need a second review.

Are you moving forwards or backwards?

"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Most view success as the completion of a task, project, or goal; however, I think this is misguided as few accomplishment are instantaneous. Instead, the ending is just the fruit of one's labor. If you are proceeding towards your target, then you should consider yourself successful as well. 

Failure lies within never trying or drifting away from one's life purpose.

Thanksgiving, Part 1

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA. Yes, traditionally, we enjoy a feast of turkey and pumpkin pie, but more important, this holiday represents the one day of the year in modern America which is centered around family and loved ones for the vast majority of the population, regardless of faith, creed, or race.

I encourage you to be thankful in three ways:

1) Think It: Embrace the attitude of gratitude.
2) Say It: Tell as many people as you can how thankful you are that they are part of your life.
3) Do It: Actions always speak louder than words. Show someone you truly care. Also, do not forget those who are less fortunate than yourself: the hungry and the lonely in our society. This is a good day to reflect on your blessing and consider donating time, talent, and treasure to a local charity.

Two Service Questions

Give these some thought:

• Who can I help today?
• Who can I help tomorrow?

What's Your Excuse?

On Thursday, I missed a flight by one minute. It was more like 17 seconds. This was a first for me and you are right to guess it was a very stressful moment. In fact, the plane was still boarding when I arrived at the check-in desk; however, since only 29 minute remained before take-off, it was determined that I would not clear security and make it to the gate within the time left. I knew I could do; however, the airline had certain policies and I did not receive a boarding pass. Passengers must arrive 30 minutes prior to departure: it was an absolute cutoff.

Of course, in my head, I started to blame all kinds of external factors: the extremely slow traffic I had encountered, the major accident on I-94, the road construction, and the desk clerk at the airline. Yet, after a few weak moments, I realized there were empty excuses. Excuses are mental tricks to protect oneself. Clearly, this was my fault: had a left my house 30 minutes sooner, this would have not been a problem.

I did get another flight; however, I had to wait to Friday morning. And I made sure to get there early!

What are your excuses? Time to re-think them. Take responsibility for your actions, your reactions, and their consequences.