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“Drive” — 10 Things I learned from Daniel Pink

A few jobs ago in a different company, I split my time between IT Support and IT Sales. It was my first job in IT. I felt lucky to be there.

Drive by Daniel Pink
Drive by Daniel Pink

In the Sales role, my sales manager was constantly looking over my shoulder.

I would compose an email to a client and he would revise it.

I would write up a specific piece of hardware and he would suggest something different.

Continue reading ““Drive” — 10 Things I learned from Daniel Pink”

Why you Fail after you Win

Maths! Photo "Amherst63-012" by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Maths! Photo “Amherst63-012” by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

In mathematics and statistics, Mean is one method to represent a data set with a single number. When we talk about “Average” we often refer to the “Mean.” The Mean is calculated by diving the sum of data points by that number of data points:

Add Data Points: 4 + 8 + 15 + 16 + 23 + 42 = 108

Sum of 108, Divided by 6 data points = 108/6 = Mean of 18

Mean is easiest to calculate with numbers and quantifiable data, such as your average (mean) nightly hours of sleep, or your mean cost of lunch. For example, the “Average Human” is either calculated from measurements, or it’s a general term people use without accuracy. Continue reading “Why you Fail after you Win”

Mind Reading isn’t Real. Here’s How to Do It.

Mind reading, the art of knowing exactly what the other person is thinking.

It’s a dangerous sport, and one that we’re not very good at. It’s the source of many disagreements and misunderstandings. No matter, we all continue to try.

Image "distant distance" by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
We believe we know what other people are thinking. Image “distant distance” by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

I’ve certainly tried to finish someone’s sentences and been completely wrong. Haven’t you cut in because you knew exactly what the other person was going to say? How did that work out for you? Not always very well, I would bet.

“I opened the door to see…”

“…She was in the house!?” Continue reading “Mind Reading isn’t Real. Here’s How to Do It.”

10 Things You’ll Learn from “Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)” by Tavris & Aronson

“Why do you hate so-and-so, so much?” And he had answered them, with his shameless impudence, “I’ll tell you. He has done me no harm. But I played him a dirty trick, and ever since I have hated him.”

–Dostoyevsky, “The Brothers Karamazov”

Can you justify such behavior? Image from Steve Martin's movie "The Jerk", 1979
Cat Juggling! Can you justify such behavior? Image from Steve Martin’s movie “The Jerk”, 1979

The human brain is excellent at keeping itself free of blame. We have a self-image that we’re a good person, and we also do things that harm others. The cognitive dissonance this causes can be uncomfortable… until we rewrite our memories or justify our actions. Continue reading “10 Things You’ll Learn from “Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)” by Tavris & Aronson”

It’s my Birthday! 39 Things I’ve Learned in This Life

Today is my 39th birthday. No sense in letting it go to waste!

People gather where there is food. "Cake!" by Kate Russel, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
“Cake!” by Kate Russel, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

I’ve enjoyed getting older. Experiences have accumulated, giving me perspective.

I’ve learned a few things over my years, but maybe more so in the last 5 years since I became a father. Lots of things change when that happens. The world shines in a different light. Priorities shift. My wife and family are amazing and I wouldn’t be here without them.

I’ve grown a lot with this blog. I’ve learned more, I’ve become stronger, and I’ve let go of things that may have held me back in the past.

Continue reading “It’s my Birthday! 39 Things I’ve Learned in This Life”