Category: Everything else

Drivers, Creatives, Analytics and Amiables – How to Present your ideas super effectively..

There are essentially 4 tendencies in people –

The Driver: This tendency is the one that aids us when we need to get stuff done, when we ignore food, relaxation etc to get a task done.
Creative: This is the part of us that loves painting visions to stimulate our intellect.
Analytical: This part makes us ache for facts, for numbers to solidify our belief in a concept.
Amiable: This characteristic encompasses the desire to please.

While all of us have all 4 characteristics, ONE characteristic is always particularly dominant. When we look at this list, we should (ideally) be able to identify with our most dominant characteristic.

And here’s how to apply it –

Let’s imagine we are trying to present an idea to our bosses/clients, do we know what characteristics define them? I think this is a great way to crack the ‘managing the boss/client‘ problem!

Secondly, imagine we are delivering a presentation to a large audience, do we have enough straight applications to life, creative ideas, facts and an engaging presence to keep all 4 kinds of people engaged?

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Food for thought.. :)

Blur of activity, Change and the Get it done guy’s book…

There’s been a blur of activity over the past couple of days. It’s one of those times when I have so much to write on this blog but just haven’t been able to find time to do so. And that’s when I’ve realized how important it is to keep taking these ideas down and build a repository of posts for the future.

The other theme of the past 2 days has been change. It is more or less confirmed that I will be relocating from good ol’ Singapore for a few months on a client project. And that means making sure these days are spent with close friends. (Priorities after all..). As a result, book writing has taken a back seat!

The Get-It-Done guy was true to his word and I have received his book. (See here). I’m looking forward to getting to it soon!

Have a great week all!

Do it Anyway – Mother Teresa

Every once in a while I feel it is worth re-posting this poem as as reminder to myself never to forget..

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

You see.. In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Make a system.. and never feel guilty again.

Let’s go back to January I had decided I would make it a point to read 30 mins every day. Typically, after a few days, I started faltering –

Normal Situation:
I feel very guilty on day 1. Then again, on day 2 and soon, I just tell myself ‘I can’t do this’ or more likely convince myself I’m too busy to read.

Situation 2:
For every day I miss reading a book, I pay my friend 2 dollars.

Do I feel guilty now? Never! Because I absolutely HATE losing money over it. Have there been days I’ve lost money over this? Yes..
Do I feel bad? No.. because I know I did something more valuable.

The key in making a system like this is it establishes an opportunity cost. The ideal system would also have a bonus for doing well. While I haven’t gotten there yet, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.

The biggest revelation for myself is I’ve close to eliminated ‘guilt’. If I get a shouting at for bad work, my reaction now is to ask for ratings and make sure I pass on a dollar to this very lucky friend for a negative rating. And again, no more guilt..

Of course, my system is slightly more detailed (As I’ve been on it for months now), so in case you have any questions, I look forward to them in your comments..