But What Did You Pay For?

If you have ever taken a "red eye" flight, you know how they are just a miserable experience. It's just one of those little inconveniences you have to endure to get home (or to your destination) more quickly. Last week at the end of one such flight, a lady in the row across from me was complaining about the experience. She said, "My red eye flight was so much better a few weeks ago." Inquiring as to why, she told me she was in first class with the seats that recline completely and there is more room. She had been upgraded to the better seat because there weren't many people on the flight. She didn't pay for it... circumstances just worked in her favor-that time.

As she continued lamenting this most recent experience, I finally asked her, "Did you pay for a first class seat on this flight?" Her quick response was, "No. Of course not." "Well," I replied, "I guess you got what you paid for."

Her thought process reminds me of how many of us look at investing our time. We use it poorly but expect "first class" results. We complain at the end of the day when our highest priorities were not addressed, but if we look closer we might find that we didn't use our time as wisely as we thought.

The situation reminded me of basketball coach Rick Pitino's book from a few years ago entitled, You Must Deserve To Win. If we want to experience anything of greater value or benefit (i.e. a better airline seat, a winning record or less stress), we must invest our time wisely.

Make Their Day In A Small Way

Sunday morning I was traveling home with my family from an extended trip involving a 12 hour plane flight. We had missed our connecting flight on Saturday night due to weather, had to get a hotel for a few hours and then fly home Sunday. Needless to say we were tired and just ready to get home.

After getting through security at JFK we found the most refreshing surprise. A Delta employee was giving out carnations to all the women traveling through the terminal as a gift on Mother's Day. His smile and simple words, accompanied by the flower, were just a pleasant addition to what had been a tough previous 24 hours.

All of us need encouragement and a positive word in these days of overloaded schedules and hurried lifestyles. The amazing thing is that it takes so little to offer a lift to others. Just looking someone in the eye and giving a "thank you" can be enough to help someone see they are making a difference. Giving specific praise about how the actions taken by someone have made a positive impact on your day might be just the encouragement they need to keep moving. And when you make the effort, don't be surprised to find that you, too, are encouraged by what you have just done. As one of the proverbs says, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." The employee giving out the flowers at the airport was having the time of his life letting every woman who passed by know that their life mattered.

How could you surprise someone today with a word or deed of encouragement or thanks? And if you think they don't need it, ask yourself....do you? 

Oil and Time-Two Precious Resources

I’m currently in Saudi Arabia working with Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world. As most anyone knows, oil is the lifeblood of this region. It’s plentiful supply has allowed the country to grow in ways almost unimaginable-but that could be changing. One statistic I have heard frequently is that due to population growth by 2030 Saudi Arabia could be a net importer of energy. That’s right-an importer of energy. One of their challenges is that energy costs have been so low due to the incredible supply here in Saudi Arabia that people aren’t looking to use it as wisely. Right now, per liter, oil is cheaper than water.

Their dilemma with a potential future energy crisis mirrors much of how we look at our time resources. When we don’t see the incredible value in investing each moment in accomplishing what is important, we more carelessly spend our time. It’s only when we begin to see the reality of our actions (i.e. my kids are almost grown and there was so much I wanted to do with them), that we are hit with the need to revisit our priorities.

Led by Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia is looking to start making changes now to avoid potential problems in the future. Like them, we need to be in constant analysis of the use of our time resources so we don’t find ourselves with unfinished priorities, dreams or goals-and no resources to make them a reality.

The Dangerous "d" in Change

You've made the case for change, shown others a desirable outcome to be experienced, and shown them the path to make the journey. If they still aren't willing to engage in new attitudes or actions, perhaps it's the "d" they keep adding to the word "change." And as my friend Alan Kaniss reminds me, people aren't necessarily averse to change, but they don't like being changed.

The idea connects strongly with my thought that change has to be cultivated within an organization and not forced, driven, or simply led. All the best practices related to change are necessary, but the goal should be to help them to see the benefits of change and how they can make the journey instead of the purpose of telling them that what they are doing is inadequate and they (and/or their skills or work habits) need to be changed. Once they take the first step on their own, celebrate it, and continue to provide the environment where they are encouraged to take the next step.

Light bulbs, batteries and diapers need to be changed. People, on the other hand, need the vision, motiviation, guidance, and support to change.

What's Guiding You Through Your Day?

I recently spoke at a corporate leader's retreat held at a remote mountain resort. A number of the participants arrived later than planned. The reason was similar for most of them-their GPS wasn't working correctly. Some gave reports of being on gravel roads that simply ended while others said their GPS unit lost signal and they couldn't determine which way to go next.

I had to chuckle because I think that's the same approach many people take to how they work through their day. They put their trust in a series of tasks (turns and road names), hoping that the completion of these tasks help them achieve their goals (arrive at their destination). Sometimes it works.... and sometimes it doesn't.

A more effective approach to planning and organizing our daily schedule can be found in how people planned travel prior to GPS units. They include:

• Getting out a map to identify the location of the destination. It's like identifying our goals and objectives for the day, and where we want to end up when the day is over.
• Making a physical list of all the road names and turns involved in the journey. Again, you're focusing on how these tasks and activities will lead you to a desired destination.
• Reviewing the map from time to time. Most people make a list for their day and then don't refer back to it until they have added other tasks (turns) that don't really connect with the desired destination.
• Talking with someone who knows directions to your destination. How often could we improve our efficiency if we sought the advice of others instead of just hoping we were engaging in the right tasks?

Don't get me wrong. GPS units are amazing devices, and I use one regularly. However, I have found that completely relying on them without using some of the strategies listed above can get you lost. The same is true when we don't take a more active role in planning (and traveling through) our day.