My week was filled with interactions with co-workers and customers. It's a part of my job that I will miss. I'm not going to stay at my job forever and when I do leave, I'm going to miss them. (No job lined up yet, if any of my co-workers are reading this.) I'm going to miss the jokes that only co-workers laugh at. The smiles that come so easily.
I had a conversation with a co-worker about the creativity in plants. I know it sounds cool: here is how it went...
Blond Haired Texan (Him): Man, this plant needs some water.
Me: Isn't it amazing how they find a way to stay alive even when we neglect them for weeks at a time.
Him: Yeah, look at this one. The soil is bone dry, but yet the leaves are green.
Me: Such creativity to stay alive.
Him: I never thought of it that way, but yeah. Any way they can keep it going.
Grand Plans
I've got grand plans for "Work Happy Now" and I plan to build some ideas on this website and launch some cool programs. I wanted to give you some of these by now, but I'm still working through some issues. Getting things done (GTD) issues.
The next year will be an exciting time for me. I'm still unable to GTD, but I'm working on these weaknesses. Fear plays a big role in this, but that's for another post. This post is positive and upbeat.
Keep an eye out for an ebook and a secret product that I'm not ready to announce. All I can say is my heart picks up a beat just thinking about the possibilities.
Communication People!
My wife had a snafu at her job. Communication breakdown. This happens at every job. I wasn't surprised, but the conflict never would have happened if they would have talked about their intentions. It was resolved quite painlessly, but there was no need for pain.
Co-workers need to convey their choices before they make them. If a decision needs to be made then inform the person why it was made.
Keep people in the loop.
It's not too much to ask. It's a courtesy that managers should extend to their employees.
Aha!
I've been reading "The Fluent Self" from Havi Brooks. An interesting take on dealing with patterns that hurt us.
She wrote about becoming friends with our feelings. As if they are there just talking to us, telling us what's really wrong.
It was an "aha!" moment for me. I ignore my feelings (typical guy) and try to detach. Havi talks about giving those feelings a big hug and saying it's okay to feel this way, let's work on this together.
Go check out her blog and give a read, you won't regret it.
ACL Music Festival
I have an awesome friend who arrived for ACL. My wife, friend and I are all going to hang out and listen to music all weekend. (The first day of the show, yesterday, was awesome.) My friend is also going to help me to create my first podcast. I don't know how it will turn out; hopefully not as boring as my video. He, he. Hey, I tried.
I'm trying to add more creativity to this site, so you can get more of that work happiness that we all need.
If you are coming to Austin for the 100+ bands, but don't know where to go at night or just want to get together for a beer just shoot me an email and we'll meet up. If you are already in Austin then we can still meet. I just wanted to be a good host and help the out of towners.
Another great week of working...What was your favorite part? Any good business deals or good laughs with a co-worker? Let us know in the comment section. We want to share in the fun.
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Image courtesy of Oberto
I really like this article Karl. I like it because it feels very "real" to me. I feel your honesty in this writing, and that's always refreshing for me.
Talking about the communication issue - I think that's one of the biggest (if not the biggest) issue we face. In work, family, and life in general. When we really look at many of the issues we face, many can be related to communication (or really, a lack of). I'm as much at fault as the next guy. I make assumptions. I take the easy way out. And the easy way out usually ends up not really being that easy - because I've lacked communication.
Anyway, great stuff today Karl. On all front, you've given me much to think about as I leave today...
Lance's last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Hey Lance, I appreciate your compliment. A well timed compliment is food for the soul. I agree with you about communication issues. We get lazy and want to take the easy way out, which ends up biting us in the in butt.
I found your site via Lance...I have to say I am very impressed! Great reading! Thanks!
M's last blog post..Stock Market’s Down–So’s My Scale! Yessss!
Hi Karl. I liked the conversation about the plants and how they survived against the odds. I just returned from 2.5 weeks holidays after having forgotten to ask a neighbour to water my plants. They were absolutely fine! That book The Fluent Self sounds like an interesting read.
Davina's last blog post..Free Spirit My Ass!
Hi Karl: I had never thought about it. but plants are very creative. They'll find away to point toward the light if they're put in a darkish corner, they climb up anything that's nearby, and like you said--they find a way to survive. This was a fun post 🙂
Marelisa's last blog post..27 Simple Ways to Simplify Your Life
Hey M, thank you for your kind words.
Hey Davina, plants are amazing. 2.5 weeks is a long time to go without water.
Hey Marelisa, it is amazing that plants reach for sunlight. Doing whatever it takes to keep growing.
Good luck with everything. Sounds like you have an exciting future ahead of you!