Getting More By Letting Go
August 27, 2010
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be”
Lao Tzu
Good Behaviour
August 25, 2010
Anyone can lead, it isn’t about having authority, it’s about gaining trust & respect through the correct behaviour
Brendan Mitchell
Q&A
August 20, 2010
“Asking the right questions, is more important than having all the answers”
Brendan Mitchell
Size Matters
August 19, 2010
Here’s a great presentation by Nigel Marsh given at TEDx Sydney in May, I recommend watching it, it’s only 10mins long, here’s a snippet
“the small things matter… being more balanced doesn’t mean dramatic upheaval in your life… with the smallest investment in the right places, you can radically transform the quality of your life and relations… I believe it can transform society, as if enough people do it we can change society’s definition of success… away from the notion that the ‘Guy with the most money when he dies wins’… to a more thoughtful and balanced definition of what a life well lived looks like”
It dove tails perfectly with one aspect of the “Your Small Change” non-profit concept I had a while back, which I’m rolling out in the coming weeks, so I’d love it if you drop by the Facebook page in the meantime and clicked the LIKE button to show your interest and support
Status Quo aut Quo Vadis?
August 18, 2010
“If a competitor is hell bent on pushing forwards when you’re content to sit still, don’t be surprised when they win”
Brendan Mitchell
Double Life
August 17, 2010
For years I’ve lived a double life.
In the day I do my job,
I ride the bus,
Roll up my sleeves with the hoi polloi.
But at night I live a life of exhilaration,
Of missed heartbeats and adrenaline,
And, if the truth be known,
A life of dubious virtue.
I won’t deny I’ve been engaged in violence,
Even indulged in it.
I have maimed and killed adversaries,
And not merely in self defence.
I have exhibited disregard for life,
Limb,
And property,
And savoured every moment.
You may not think it to look at me,
But I have commanded armies,
And conquered worlds.
And though in achieving these things
I have set morality aside,
I have no regrets.
For though I’ve led a double life
At least I can say,
I have lived.
Are You Managing to Lead?
August 13, 2010
Today I received an email from a friend saying how they are fed up with the continual way their line manager treats them, with little or no respect. I hear this time and time again from friends and colleagues… when will managers realise, if they change their attitude, show genuine leadership and stop being administrators, they’ll get the results they desire.
Managers often say, “why doesn’t my staff do what they’re supposed to do?” the simple answer (and one they don’t like to hear), is because they either haven’t explained it properly, or they’re not showing genuine leadership, because if they had, their staff would do as they ask. Managers have Power & Authority, but that’s not enough, an uninspiring manager is someone that manages and administrates, a good manager shows leadership and does so by gaining respect and influence.
‘Power’ is derived from position, ‘Authority’ is derived from title, ‘Leadership’ is derived from behavior James R. Davis
We all remember teachers from our school years, and the really good ones stand out, because they were leaders. If you’re a manager, how do you want to be remembered by your past staff, the insignificant manager that administered, or the person that gained respect and made a real difference to those working with you?
Dwight Eisenhower defined leadership as “Convincing someone else, to do what you want, because they want to do it.”
I’ve written about this before in my post Follow the Leader in essence it comes down to this Anyone can lead, it isn’t about having authority, it’s about gaining trust & respect through the correct behaviour.
Good Advice
August 13, 2010
“Avoid procrastination by doing something else”
Brendan Mitchell
Freedom of Choice / Sodapopstop.com
August 11, 2010
If I lived in LA, I probably wouldn’t have any teeth left as I’d be in this shop every single day!
you can’t help but admire and be drawn to this guy as he explains how he’s made his passion his life… as he says “People say you’re here and work all the time… I don’t work, I just play all day long… it’s flavoured water with a lot of bubbles… if I was to define it in one word, I’d say happy”
“I went out and and found 25 little brands of soda, and put them on the shelf and people would ask, what are you doing with all those old things that don’t sell? but when I got to 250 it was, where are you finding them?… now we have about 500 different sodas”
“When you give your customers choice, they’re buy it… the important thing is to set yourself apart and provide your customers with something that nobody else has”
this is a great example of the long tail in action
Down at the Crossroads
June 24, 2010
18 months ago I posted a blog about a small red plant that miraculously came back from the dead after I’d given up on it and thrown it away. Since then it’s gone from strength to strength, I’ve even split it into 5 plant pots, as it was growing so fast!
I’m at a cross roads again in my life, nothing too serious… but when I looked at that plant this morning sitting on my shelf, I know it’s something I can overcome and sort out, I just need to focus… as the saying goes, “If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude”
Oh and if anyone knows what this plant is called, please let me know as it’s a complete mystery to me…
UPDATE: thanks to Jose pointing me in the right direction I have now tracked it down as oxalis triangularis there’s even a timelapse video showing how the leaves open and close everyday
