Assumptions & Surprises

Today on the train a teenager sat next to me with his headphones on and an iPhone in hand. My thinking immediately went to, "I bet he playing on Facebook or texting or looking through his music." When I finally saw his screen I was totally busted. He was playing chess. 

I smiled because My assumption was challenged.

Now, at my favorite coffee house, Republic of Pie in NOHO, I was busted again. A man came to the table area where I was relaxing and he sat down with his baby fast asleep. I saw his wedding ring and thought, "A the wife will be coming over soon." A few minutes later his partner showed up. Again, I was busted.

I smiled again and reminded myself to be careful of the assumptions I make. They won't always be right.

Have a great weekend and may you have your thinking be challenged over and over again. 

Post-It Note Agenda - Streamlining Your Meetings

About a month ago, I started using a square Post-It note to write down my key topics I wanted to discuss with my manager during our weekly 1:1 meetings.

The first time I did this grabbed a second one and kept writing. I stopped and asked myself, "Are all of these topics necessary?" I then challenged myself to only bring one Post-It to the meeting to focus on the truly important items.

I have been doing this for a few weeks now with great results. By focusing on a few key topics, there is more room to for in depth discussion and for other topics to flow into the conversation.

Will you take on the Post-It Note Agenda Challenge? Why? Why not?

Done Is Better Than Perfect

I just read this phrase in Sheryl Sandberg's thought-provoking book,

Lean In.

She shares that this phrase is on a poster at the Facebook and is one of her favorites.

I must say that it is now my favorite phrase and my new mantra.

When I read this I immediately thought of all of the undone projects at work and home just waiting to get done.

I'm certainly no perfectionist but the drive to get things done "just right" keeps me from jumping in and getting done. Specifically, my per perception of how much time it would take to get the projects "just right."

Today,I embrace getting things DONE and not perfect or just right.

Won't you join me?