Windridge Reflections

The ice machine in the refrigerator was not working. The water dispenser in the refrigerator was not working. Two very convenient features, which when one looked at the control panel, there was no reason why they shouldn’t be working…all systems should have been: “GO!” First step: Empty all ice out of icemaker. After all, it could simply be jammed. It wouldn’t explain the “no water” situation but, oh well. No luck. Push a few buttons, open and close the door (like that is going to somehow help), converse about who pushed what button and why (a polite blame-game), open and close the door again. And then from my vast experience of sitting in front of computers that have a tendency to sometimes stop working for no apparent reason (I’m sure you all have experienced that frustratingly frozen screen), I suggested: “Let’s turn it off, unplug it, let it sit for a moment, plug it back in, and see if it reboots.” Worked like a charm—ice and water flowed freely. Lesson learned: Som...

The article below by Jim Rohn clearly defines the attitudes, motivation, and actions I want to focus on - Enjoy! “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. ” Mary Pickford Cultivating Your Enterprising Nature by Jim Rohn Enterprising people are those people disciplined and dedicated enough to seize opportunities that present themselves ... regardless of the current situation, struggles, or obstacles. Think of a few people you know who are enterprising. Think of people in the news, in your office, in your neighborhood, who manage to succeed regardless of the obstacles. What do these people have in common? They're probably always on the go, developing a plan, following a plan, reworking the plan until it fits. They're probably resourceful, never letting anything get in the way. They probably don't understand the word no when it applies to their visions of th...

Of late, I’ve had the feeling that my mornings or afternoons have been swallowed up. I don’t have a clue about what has been accomplished or completed. I’m not sure whether this is from being too busy or not busy enough, but no matter, I’ve got to get a handle on it! In the past I’ve always turned to paper time sheets etc., but this time I’ve decided to go “cyber” and so I searched for an iPhone app that would track tasks, and more importantly in “real” time. The reason for using an iPhone app versus a web-based system is mobility. During the day, I may go from point A to point B and I don’t want to have to constantly login, logout, go to a different room or computer to enter my data. I want my system to move with me and be quick and fairly easy to learn. What I found was a cool little tool appropriately called the Time Tracker by Nonlinear Ideas, Inc . I originally downloaded the “free” version, but today I upgraded because the pie charts are pretty nice plus it offers more control ...

Recently I read a post by Alan Weiss that perfectly describes the way I feel when The Fog of Life clouds my vision. I'm looking toward the breakers about 200 yards away. But I can’t see the beach or even the water because of the fog. Last night on the boardwalk at Wildwood you couldn’t see the top of the ferris wheel or the roller coaster.  The fog is caused by atmospheric conditions. Water droplets are formed when cool air is over warmer ground in most cases of fog on the surface (unlike a cloud). It can be quite opaque or at best translucent.The fog is caused by atmospheric conditions. Water droplets are formed when cool air is over warmer ground in most cases of fog on the surface (unlike a cloud). It can be quite opaque or at best translucent.  But I know the beach is there. I know the roller coaster is still on its track. And if I move forward, the fog disperses and I can begin to see those things closest to me all the better. There is fog in all of our lives at ...

I admit that the task of setting personal (behavioral) goals or benchmarks can be a bit daunting. I mean, why can’t people just love and appreciate us the way we are? But for your personal and professional health, identifying behaviors and setting attainable goals is life changing. Identifying current behaviors sets a starting point from where to chart your forward progress. Without identifying current behaviors one is left in the dark about what I like to think of as, “Behavioral improvement opportunities.” This lack of insight makes it easy to fall into the bottomless pit of repeated poor behavior and discouragement. “This is the way I’ve always been and the way I will always be” thinking can cause you to dismiss how your behaviors are affecting your outcomes. Professionally and personally even a slight positive shift in behavior can bring enormous personal satisfaction and professional momentum. It can be really difficult to know where to begin, what to do, what needs to be modif...

I am a firm believer in ongoing learning. It doesn’t matter if you are securely employed or looking for your next career opportunity, it is always wise to stay relevant in this fast changing world. Lynda Gratton brings forward 10 ways to future proof your career: 1. Don’t be fooled into walking into the future blindfolded – the more you know what’s in store, the better able you will be to meet the challenges and really capitalize on your options. So keep abreast of the forces that are shaping work and careers in your part of the world and think about how they will impact on you and those you care for. Making wise choices will in the end come from your capacity to understand – don’t rely on governments of big business to make the choices for you. 2. Learn to be virtual – we are entering a period of hyper technological advancements – avatars, holographs and telepresence are all just around the corner. If you are a young “digital native” you are already connected to this – but if you...

"Each of us is unique...      Each of us is important... Each of us brings to the world a specific treasure box of talents and gifts that we are charged with bringing to fruition." Julia Cameron What talents and gifts you are focusing on in 2011? For help: Learn From the Past and Move Into the Future .

The Wish List is a writing exercise I picked up from Julia Cameron in her book Walking in This World . Cameron is an “artist’s writer” offering insights and encouragement for those who find their life’s work in artistic pursuits and endeavors. My thoughts are that all of us, no matter what industry or “lifestyle” we find ourselves in, are tied to artistic and creative endeavors. And that the greatest pursuit of all is creating our life! The following simple little exercise is one I use when I’m feeling a bit stuck on who I am, where I want to go and what the next steps may be. Number a blank sheet from 1 to 20. Writing (quickly) finish the phrase: “I wish” 20 times. Your wishes can range from the big things that you find difficult to wrap your mind around or the very small (almost imperceptible) things that are sometimes passed off in pursuit of bigger things. There is no right or wrong wish! What you will notice, once you have completed your list, is that there are several small, ye...

I’m currently re-reading (actually skimming) the book The Procrastinator’s Handbook – Mastering the Art of Doing It Now by Rita Emmett . It’s not a book I have ever read straight through, but it’s one that I pick up from time to time and use as a refresher whenever I feel like I’m beginning to be pulled away from what matters most to me. Life can sometimes feel like a constant balancing act of fulfilling opportunities — or dare I say: “I want you to like me” moments — that compete for my time. When this happens I find it healthy to stop for a moment and ask myself, how much can I really take on, enjoy and handle well? Here’s a pop quiz from the book to help evaluate the tendency to over commit: Do I put off things important to my life because other people’s priorities always come first? YES / NO Do I commit to so many things that there’s not enough time to do any of them and I always feel overwhelmed? YES / NO Do I think I don’t need to do all the things others need to do to manage th...

"One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go." — Sheila Murray Bethel Self-awareness is the first step in personal and professional success. The following questions are taken from one of Windridge's earlier newsletters (2008). These questions are great for those moments of stuckness we all find ourselves in from time to time. Ask yourself: Where Am I? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What are my possibilities? In what areas do I do my best work? What are my preferences, values and priorities? Where Do I Want to Go? What do I want to change? What do I want to keep the same? What do I want to have happen? In what time frame? What Sacrifices are Required? What special efforts or changes may be needed? What am I willing to let go of in order to achieve my goals? What conditions, beliefs or actions no longer serve me? Personal Development Process Create...

Not to start on a negative, but this is one of my pet peeves...people who send condolences or RSVPs, a written invitation or congratulations or any other such personal communications in an e-mail. I mean really, how sincere is it when the receiver knows that this is something you popped off on your iPhone while waiting at the dentist? As Alan Weiss points out in his Balancing Act Newsletter, “Texting ‘I feel 4 U’ is not the same, somehow, as writing four sentences of sympathy and support. We can all afford the ten minutes.” In this day of “instant” everything, have we forgotten how to pick up a pen and a piece of paper? Here’s an easy way to make sure this type of “never have time for” correspondence doesn’t happen to you. Purchase five cards or post cards. Purchase stamps. (These first two steps are honestly the hardest part of this!) Put your favorite music on, settle in and think of five people you love and “never” write because you “never” have the time. Possibly one of your five ...

Peter Bregman starts out with “ An 18-Minute Plan for Managing Your Day ” post like this: “Yesterday started with the best of intentions. I walked into my office in the morning with a vague sense of what I wanted to accomplish. Then I sat down, turned on my computer and checked my e-mail. Two hours later, after fighting several fires, solving other people's problems and dealing with whatever happened to be thrown at me through my computer and phone, I could hardly remember what I had set out to accomplish when I first turned on my computer.” I can relate too well to this as many of my days seem to silently and swiftly become pulled off my intended course. Sometimes it’s simply amazing to me where the time goes without me being aware of its passing or cognizant of what was accomplished! To help us all stay on course, here are Bregman’s three steps for keeping focus throughout the day. Step 1 (5 minutes) Set Plan for Day. Before turning on your computer , sit down with a blank piece...

There may be “ 100,000 apps for that ,”but recently I added four new apps to my iPhone that I truly find helpful for my day to day life, and business. Give these four iPhone apps a try: 1. Lose It! I have always been a huge Weight Watchers (WW) fan (and I mean no disrespect to that fine program) but this app is awesome! For some reason having over 1300 calories to consume feels like so much more than 23 WW points…plus the app instantly adds exercise calories and recalculates your daily intake accordingly. 2. Go Pedometer : I have only used this app a couple times and I really like it. I wish it would measure in “miles” versus “feet,” but there is a slight possibility that I just don’t know how to program it yet. 3. Pandora : Creates really nice music mixes for you on your iPhone or computer. 4. Awesome Note : Love it! I already have several folders titled To Do / Shopping / Windridge / Music / Travel Diary / Etc. Extremely helpful and the graphics are fun. On Another Note This is not a...

The practice of identifying two or three words to act as a mental "anchor" is a wonderful practice, and I encourage everyone to try it. Today I received this note from a friend... I have had the words “ Effortless Mastery ” as a mental focus the last four years and I am getting there more often every month. What I mean with it is something like Presence, Flow, Authenticity and Connectedness . It seems to be paying off. So I am less often thinking about if I do a good job or not (evaluating my contribution) and think more about what needs to happen here now? The difference might seem small – but I don’t think it is. Kaj Török Here is a little exercise that I usually send out at the first of every year... but I'll add it here a little early.... Enjoy! Looking forward, what do you want your overall theme to be? Choose two words that will anchor you to your theme. List the ways that this quality will help you move forward both personally and professionally. Effortless Ma...

As fall begins what a great time to reevaluate your overall strategic "plan" and reflect on some of the lessons learned through the past nine months.... As the Economy Improves: Analyze some things you’re doing without to see if you really need them, even in better times. Start to treat yourself more. That’s a high priority. Learn the lesson, and assume this will happen again some time. How can you prepare better in good times? (Our economy has always had recessions, and every single one has ended. I’m fearless in that assessment.) In your business, focus on those segments which have stayed strong and also those with the greatest “catapult” effect for rapid growth. There are big expenditure periods arriving: year-end holidays, next semester school payments, taxes, and so on. Create an intelligent, managed plan to deal with them now. When you’re able, no matter how modest, resume or increase charitable giving. You’ll feel better, and it’s desperately needed (ev...

Here are some great questions from a leadership course at the University of Washington... Ask yourself the following questions: Where Am I? • What are my strengths and weaknesses? • What are my possibilities? • In what areas do I do my best work? • What are my preferences, values and priorities? Where Do I Want to Go? • What do I want to change? • What do I want to keep the same? • What do I want to happen? • In what time frame? What Sacrifices are Required? • What special efforts or changes may be needed? • What am I willing to let go of in order to achieve my goals? • What conditions, beliefs or actions no longer serve me? Answering these questions, will help you identify: • Who you want to be • Where you are going • How and by when you plan to get there "Being a good leader is not something that casually occurs. It takes great thought, care, insight, commitment, and energy. When it all comes together, it brings out the best of who you are." Mary Godwin, Radius

Every year I choose two “themes for the year”... and I find it ironic that this year my two themes were Energy and Enthusiasm! I gotta tell you, seven months in and this year has not been filled with either energy or enthusiasm - more like hang-on-for-dear-life and don’t lose hope.... Thankfully Brian Tracy came to the rescue in his e-Newsletter just in the nick of time! He reminded me “why” these two traits are important for all of us right now, and how to re-connect with and even increase them! Most successful people can be characterized as having very high levels of energy. Since energy is the fuel with which everything is achieved, there seems to be a direct relationship between energy levels and levels of accomplishment. Physical Energy is Basic We have been led to believe that there is basically one kind of energy. We supposedly replenish this energy by sleeping at night, and during the day, we use it up again. It is as though we are machines powered by batteries, and...

“If you believe your talent grows with persistence and effort, then you seek failure as an opportunity to improve. People with a growth mindset feel smart when they're learning, not when they're flawless. ” Peter Bergman I love the above thought because I’ve found it’s in failing, identifying and then developing my weaknesses, that I’ve grown the most in my life. A "growth mindset" is something I'm constantly reminding myself to maintain whenever the going gets tough According to Psychologist and Harvard researcher the late David McClelland, the sweet spot for high achievers is “when you fail half the time, figure out what you should do differently and try again. That's practice. And according to recent studies, 10,000 hours of that kind of practice will make you an expert in anything. No matter where you start.” Like right now... Time for me to get up and get going! Read Peter Bergman's Full Post

I have added these four questions to the bottom of my daily planning pages. 1) What did I learn today? 2) Whom did I help? 3) What went right? 4) What will make tomorrow better? Make your answers simple and to the point. One sentence, maybe two... “Let no one be discouraged by the thought of how much there is to learn. Each new step becomes a little surer, and each new grasp a little firmer.” Gertrude Jeykll

Have you ever sent off an e-mail that you need a quick reply on and then waited, and waited, and waited for a response? Have you ever relayed simple information on an issue and had it totally misinterpreted? Have you ever hastily shot off an e-mail and then noticed spelling or grammar mistakes - after the fact? Here is a timely posting from Michael Hyatt on e-mail etiquette. Every time you communicate, you are making a “brand impression”—for you—and for the organization you represent. What kind of impression are you making? Is it positive or negative? I want to focus for a few moments on email, since for most of us that comprises 90% of our communication today.Here are five ways to make a positive impression with your email messages: Respond in a timely manner. I can’t overstate the importance of this. As I have said elsewhere, to whatever extent I have been successful, it is due in large part to the fact that I am generally been very responsive . My goal is to respond to all emails t...