The more things change, the more things stay the same. The old cliche has rarely been far away from my thoughts over the years. It still comes to mind during the last five years in which I've found some stability throughout work and the other aspects of life. Even before that, I worked with some of the best people throughout the country as well. Like Jeff Goldblum's character in Independence Day, I really do believe that I was part of something special, not once, but a few times over. When you have the right mix of people and talent working together, it's kind of like magic. When the people leave, the magic can sometimes disappear.
In the last year, most of my original team at work has either moved on or have been reassigned. It really has been quite strange in that most people seek new positions within two years. Most of my team has been intact for about five years. For everyone to stick around that long, it had to be some kind of magic. With most of the team reassigned, it has been suggested that it may also be time for me to move on to other projects.
After asking several people about their work experiences, it appears that some of them never have had the opportunity to experience that special magic that I alluded to earlier. Maybe sometimes you just have to look harder. Well, I guess the search begins... As I stated earlier, the more things change, the more things stay the same. See ya.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Time And Again
The passage of time is a tricky thing. In past experience, time has been an interesting concept with which to grapple. I perceived time to be an annoyance in many ways. In my youth, time always seemed to be in the way. It was the one thing that kept me from proceeding forward with the things that I wanted to accomplish. A lot of it had to do with perceptions and positions. You see, in many cases, I was always perceived as the young member of all groups. Time is one of the barriers that you cross when transitioning to become the senior member of a group. For me these days, time has been sliding by way too fast. It's been over a year since I took my last real vacation, and it does seem a few weeks ago. To my friends who joined me on that vacation, the relative time since our vacation was a quite a bit longer.
Time doesn't move at different rates for different people. It is the perception of time that is the real trick in these instances. As age increases, there is a perception that time moves at a more rapid pace. Seemingly, the days are just melding together leaving no points of demarcation for me. To some of my younger associates and friends, I am sensing that the perception is quite different. For the younger generation, it appears that time seems to be thick like a jungle, through which they are using countdowns and other tricks to fight their way through. I recall having that perception, and am now seeing quite the opposite as I try to find ways to slow the passage of time.
Time is, and will continue to be a constant, even though perception is not. While we all know that these constants exist, our perceptions provide a personal barrier that negates our acceptance of these realities. For example, I have a harder time accepting the passage of time as I start to grow older. I've become a mentor to a few people, and I have seen my former perceptions (or misconceptions) of the passage of time in each of them.
I think a few people have been trying to tell me something like this for many years. I finally got the message. It took a while, but to some degree, I think I understand it a little more now. Even a crusty, stubborn person like me can learn something once in a while.
Time for bed. See ya.
Time doesn't move at different rates for different people. It is the perception of time that is the real trick in these instances. As age increases, there is a perception that time moves at a more rapid pace. Seemingly, the days are just melding together leaving no points of demarcation for me. To some of my younger associates and friends, I am sensing that the perception is quite different. For the younger generation, it appears that time seems to be thick like a jungle, through which they are using countdowns and other tricks to fight their way through. I recall having that perception, and am now seeing quite the opposite as I try to find ways to slow the passage of time.
Time is, and will continue to be a constant, even though perception is not. While we all know that these constants exist, our perceptions provide a personal barrier that negates our acceptance of these realities. For example, I have a harder time accepting the passage of time as I start to grow older. I've become a mentor to a few people, and I have seen my former perceptions (or misconceptions) of the passage of time in each of them.
I think a few people have been trying to tell me something like this for many years. I finally got the message. It took a while, but to some degree, I think I understand it a little more now. Even a crusty, stubborn person like me can learn something once in a while.
Time for bed. See ya.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Not A Typo
Earlier this week, I decided to go hiking. No, that's not a typo. Hiking. It has been almost two years since I have been on the hiking trails at Balboa Park on a regular cadence. Hiking is one of those things that I really don't like to do alone. Since James has been in town with me, I decided to ask him to join me on the old trail. For the first time since I've known him, the tables were turned, as I recognized a worried look that James had toward the end of the trail. I had to reassure him that I could actually finish the hike, even though I had my own doubts. Although I really didn't set out to prove anything, it was nice to know that I could still finish a two mile hike.
As I recall, the last time I went on that particular trail in July, it was over 115 degrees in the shade. We decided to go in the early evening this time. It's nice to know that I actually learn from past experiences. I did also manage to experience the obligatory pain in places that I didn't think could even feel pain. I guess that can't be avoided. Well, I guess that's all for this hiking adventure. I feel confident that you won't hear about me bungee jumping or skydiving anytime soon, though.
See ya.
As I recall, the last time I went on that particular trail in July, it was over 115 degrees in the shade. We decided to go in the early evening this time. It's nice to know that I actually learn from past experiences. I did also manage to experience the obligatory pain in places that I didn't think could even feel pain. I guess that can't be avoided. Well, I guess that's all for this hiking adventure. I feel confident that you won't hear about me bungee jumping or skydiving anytime soon, though.
See ya.
Monday, July 13, 2009
When Worlds Collide
It's been an interesting summer so far. My friend James is back from college, and has decided to take a job here with one of my non-profits in San Diego, so he's staying at my house on the weekdays. I watched James grow up from practically a toddler to an adult, and it's been an interesting journey. I met him when he was about three, and I was fresh out of college. Since both of us never had any siblings, we both really don't have a frame of reference. However, if observations of countless friends with siblings are accurate, I do think that the bond we have goes beyond friendship. We're probably more like brothers. I just can't stop looking out for my "little brother," no matter how old he is. I guess I just worry too much, which is why I originally got out of the management game a long time ago. I'm glad that James has a lot more patience than I do.
Speaking of the management game, I have been a bit overloaded lately with the increasing demands at work and my work with the non-profit organizations that I also support. I may have gotten out of management a long time ago, but for some odd reason it just called back to me about five years ago, and I decided that I needed to get back into the game. With companies spinning off, and non-profit agencies requiring triple the time I usually give them, it has been a bit stressful. We're getting things done, and making quite a difference on all fronts -- the day job and the volunteer time.
I've also been playing mentor to quite a few people lately. I've got a few proteges that I believe have incredible potential. James is the top one on the list. My former associate, Alton, also has an extraordinary potential as well. It's kind of strange to see a lot of the characteristics and questions that I had many years ago surfacing in both of them. Maybe I should have stuck with a career in human resources instead of moving into sales and marketing. Someone told me today that I'm not a typical manager, because I actually do try to take care of the people and careers entrusted to me. Based upon that statement, I'm interpreting that to mean that most managers don't necessarily look to career development for their team. I've often thought that if you're not going to mentor your staff, and help to develop their careers to make the most out of their talents, then you really have no business being a manager in the first place.
In the past, I've often kept various facets of my life completely separate. I played several roles -- workaholic employee, manager, mentor, volunteer, and friend. This summer, the barriers that I had erected to separate those different planes of existence completely shattered. I introduced two of my proteges, James and Alton, to each other, and then introduced them both to the work that I do in the non-profit sector. I started weaving a few relationships between the non-profits as well. I even introduced my company to one of my non-profits, to help them establish some community volunteerism for the new company spin-off. So now, I'm a bit perplexed, as the different facets of my life have suddenly been thrown together, shaken, and maybe even stirred.
OK, I've been rambling on and on for this post. I don't think I had a specific point to make during this round. I do know that when the summer ends, and my life returns to separate silos, I'm not quite sure I can be all of those separate people once again. It's kind of like separate lumps of silly putty. Once you blend them all together, they aren't quite the same when you pull them apart.
See ya.
Speaking of the management game, I have been a bit overloaded lately with the increasing demands at work and my work with the non-profit organizations that I also support. I may have gotten out of management a long time ago, but for some odd reason it just called back to me about five years ago, and I decided that I needed to get back into the game. With companies spinning off, and non-profit agencies requiring triple the time I usually give them, it has been a bit stressful. We're getting things done, and making quite a difference on all fronts -- the day job and the volunteer time.
I've also been playing mentor to quite a few people lately. I've got a few proteges that I believe have incredible potential. James is the top one on the list. My former associate, Alton, also has an extraordinary potential as well. It's kind of strange to see a lot of the characteristics and questions that I had many years ago surfacing in both of them. Maybe I should have stuck with a career in human resources instead of moving into sales and marketing. Someone told me today that I'm not a typical manager, because I actually do try to take care of the people and careers entrusted to me. Based upon that statement, I'm interpreting that to mean that most managers don't necessarily look to career development for their team. I've often thought that if you're not going to mentor your staff, and help to develop their careers to make the most out of their talents, then you really have no business being a manager in the first place.
In the past, I've often kept various facets of my life completely separate. I played several roles -- workaholic employee, manager, mentor, volunteer, and friend. This summer, the barriers that I had erected to separate those different planes of existence completely shattered. I introduced two of my proteges, James and Alton, to each other, and then introduced them both to the work that I do in the non-profit sector. I started weaving a few relationships between the non-profits as well. I even introduced my company to one of my non-profits, to help them establish some community volunteerism for the new company spin-off. So now, I'm a bit perplexed, as the different facets of my life have suddenly been thrown together, shaken, and maybe even stirred.
OK, I've been rambling on and on for this post. I don't think I had a specific point to make during this round. I do know that when the summer ends, and my life returns to separate silos, I'm not quite sure I can be all of those separate people once again. It's kind of like separate lumps of silly putty. Once you blend them all together, they aren't quite the same when you pull them apart.
See ya.
Monday, June 22, 2009
It's About Time
If you examine my collective writings, it is apparent that I tend use writing as a way to manage stress during the busiest times of my life. The more time constraints that are placed upon me, the more I tend to write. I've noticed that whenever we had to meet the most stringent deadlines, that was the time I would select to take a quick weekend away. I always got the work done. To this day, I still don't know how I did it.
I've got all sorts of deadlines that coincide with the end of this month, so naturally it is time for me to catch up on my blogging. I have noted that I do tend to get some great results when I am under some extreme time pressure. However, I have also noted that I may be juggling a few too many things this time round. I think the accurate metaphor would be one of those people spinning plates on a stick. I'm sensing that all of the plates are almost ready to start crashing onto the ground right now, and it's up to me to stop them.
Time is an interesting concept. Someone once told me that you can remember a moment, have all sorts of reunions about it, but you can never recapture the exact experience of any moment in time. So maybe that's why I continue with my writings. It's all about time...
See ya.
I've got all sorts of deadlines that coincide with the end of this month, so naturally it is time for me to catch up on my blogging. I have noted that I do tend to get some great results when I am under some extreme time pressure. However, I have also noted that I may be juggling a few too many things this time round. I think the accurate metaphor would be one of those people spinning plates on a stick. I'm sensing that all of the plates are almost ready to start crashing onto the ground right now, and it's up to me to stop them.
Time is an interesting concept. Someone once told me that you can remember a moment, have all sorts of reunions about it, but you can never recapture the exact experience of any moment in time. So maybe that's why I continue with my writings. It's all about time...
See ya.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Striking The Balance
Striking the balance is a key topic of the day for many. It's often noted that work-life balance is one of the key employment issues of the day. Typically, the imbalance leads to classic cases of burnout and undue stress.
Most of us have a desire to achieve the personal goals we set for ourselves. In past observations, I've noted that personal goals and desires seem to require a lot more work than before. It does appear that we seem to have created an increasingly competitive environment for our youth. As years progress, it seems to be more and more challenging. Is this attributable to the fact that I might be getting somewhat older and less driven? Maybe so. However, I don't recall the levels of stress in our youth being at these levels when I was that age.
It's not only our youth that are having trouble striking the balance. As a person who manages multiple groups of individuals and organizations, it is interesting to spot the warning signs. In these trying times, I am starting to detect the early warning signs in one of my proteges, and many close friends and associates. Now, stress is not necessarily a bad thing. When it turns bad, we have a different name for it -- distress. The challenge that I face is the fact that I don't like to see people put through stressful times. However, it is the stress that helps us overcome some of our challenges. Ultimately, it can help us achieve that long-sought balance.
Finding that right balance is something that is different for everyone. It has taken quite a while, but I've started to find what works best for me. I've been through the burnout and mid-life crisis around the same time, and they seem to have canceled each other out. That's one of the more creative ways to strike that balance...
See ya.
Most of us have a desire to achieve the personal goals we set for ourselves. In past observations, I've noted that personal goals and desires seem to require a lot more work than before. It does appear that we seem to have created an increasingly competitive environment for our youth. As years progress, it seems to be more and more challenging. Is this attributable to the fact that I might be getting somewhat older and less driven? Maybe so. However, I don't recall the levels of stress in our youth being at these levels when I was that age.
It's not only our youth that are having trouble striking the balance. As a person who manages multiple groups of individuals and organizations, it is interesting to spot the warning signs. In these trying times, I am starting to detect the early warning signs in one of my proteges, and many close friends and associates. Now, stress is not necessarily a bad thing. When it turns bad, we have a different name for it -- distress. The challenge that I face is the fact that I don't like to see people put through stressful times. However, it is the stress that helps us overcome some of our challenges. Ultimately, it can help us achieve that long-sought balance.
Finding that right balance is something that is different for everyone. It has taken quite a while, but I've started to find what works best for me. I've been through the burnout and mid-life crisis around the same time, and they seem to have canceled each other out. That's one of the more creative ways to strike that balance...
See ya.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The More Things Stay The Same
There is some consistency to the universe. There will always be too much to do, and not enough time to get it done. It has been incredibly trying in the last few months. However, I think the complications of work and other portions of life are normal. Without the challenges of daily life, where would we be, right? I still have the usual overload of work, volunteer work, and I'm trying to provide some guidance to a few friends that need my help. So I guess nothing has really changed much.
I've discovered something about myself in the last few months. No matter how much I try to simplify things, I always wind up with the most complex solution known to exist. I'm still trying to change the world one person at a time. It can't get any harder than that. However, I wouldn't have it any other way.
See ya.
I've discovered something about myself in the last few months. No matter how much I try to simplify things, I always wind up with the most complex solution known to exist. I'm still trying to change the world one person at a time. It can't get any harder than that. However, I wouldn't have it any other way.
See ya.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The More Things Change . . .
I hate it when I'm right. That aforementioned ominous feeling turned into problems at work for some of my friends. The economy has hit home, and there were some layoffs at work impacting a lot of my friends and colleagues. Sometimes being on the list of people that are spared is just as hard as those that I had to let go. While I should be concerned about my present state of health (which hasn't been that great since the last entry), I'm a bit more concerned about friends and colleagues.
One of my personal rules of management has always been to surround myself with talented people with dedication and passion for what they do. I've been reminded that it is important to also keep emotions in check. In a layoff situation, it is kind of like losing part of your extended family, but you've still got to keep things running or you'll start to lose command of your team. The command principles of management remind us to keep the appropriate barriers if you're going to guide your team into the future. It's been an constant stream of changes and a deep sense of loss. Keeping emotions in check might be the right thing at the office, but there has to be a balance somewhere.
For me, the hardest part was losing my protege to the layoff, at least from the office. Sometimes, it just doesn't make sense to always follow the standard rules of the management game. In these trying times, it has been more important for me to follow my conscience than to keep some of those barriers up, especially with my protege. It's been an interesting journey watching him grow from a college kid that I was mentoring into a dedicated a loyal assistant to me for the last couple of years. He's earned my respect and friendship, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to help him as he continues his career.
We've been through some trying times in the last couple of weeks. I've been told that it might be time to start taking care of myself. Now that would be a welcome change...
See ya.
One of my personal rules of management has always been to surround myself with talented people with dedication and passion for what they do. I've been reminded that it is important to also keep emotions in check. In a layoff situation, it is kind of like losing part of your extended family, but you've still got to keep things running or you'll start to lose command of your team. The command principles of management remind us to keep the appropriate barriers if you're going to guide your team into the future. It's been an constant stream of changes and a deep sense of loss. Keeping emotions in check might be the right thing at the office, but there has to be a balance somewhere.
For me, the hardest part was losing my protege to the layoff, at least from the office. Sometimes, it just doesn't make sense to always follow the standard rules of the management game. In these trying times, it has been more important for me to follow my conscience than to keep some of those barriers up, especially with my protege. It's been an interesting journey watching him grow from a college kid that I was mentoring into a dedicated a loyal assistant to me for the last couple of years. He's earned my respect and friendship, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to help him as he continues his career.
We've been through some trying times in the last couple of weeks. I've been told that it might be time to start taking care of myself. Now that would be a welcome change...
See ya.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Ides Of March
We begin the ides of March, a date dramatized in Shakespeare's Julius Ceasar. Though it is over 2000 years after the events and politics of the Roman empire, we still recognize the date and the gloomy foreshadowing in our culture today. I don't profess to be an expert in ancient Roman history, but I do remember some things from high school and college literature class. As I recall, Ceasar was warned to be on guard during this time. In fact, I believe the line was, "Beware the Ides of March." Ceasar was subsequently killed in the Senate that day.
Through the drama of literature we can experience life, death, and all that lies between in history. This leads us to where we find ourselves today. We're in the midst of a rough patch at the moment. Economic upheaval and political unrest are the main news stories every day. Now, I don't expect any kind of modern day Shakespearean drama at any time in the near future. Yet there is no way to tell what the future holds at any time. Though, I just can't seem to get rid of this ominous feeling. . .
See ya.
Through the drama of literature we can experience life, death, and all that lies between in history. This leads us to where we find ourselves today. We're in the midst of a rough patch at the moment. Economic upheaval and political unrest are the main news stories every day. Now, I don't expect any kind of modern day Shakespearean drama at any time in the near future. Yet there is no way to tell what the future holds at any time. Though, I just can't seem to get rid of this ominous feeling. . .
See ya.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Lost Hour
This post is quite timely, since I'm writing it during that one lost hour that occurs every year. I am, of course, referring to that time when we move our clocks forward by an hour for daylight savings time. Changing the clock is one of the rituals that many of us endure. Even if you don't change your clocks twice a year, there is an indirect impact if you know or work with anyone who does.
Time and I have a strange relationship. In the past, I recall working against time for many deadlines. This is still true today. I disappear and reappear from this column from time to time due to all of the factors that make up my work and personal life. Before I realized that aging actually does have some sort of impact, I prided myself in stating that I could always find a way to make things happen. Although, I still try to make things happen, I finally realized that I don't always need to do everything. Most recently, I decided to take a month hiatus from my podcast, which was quite nice. I don't think I've taken a break in over three years.
There's a lot to be said about taking some time for yourself. Someone recently reminded me that time is something no one can borrow. However, there's nothing that says you can't claim time for yourself, or make time for those things that are important to you. In recent months, I decided to make some time to visit a few friends, past and present. I've also scaled back on trying to save the universe through volunteering. Don't get me wrong -- I'm still out there with all of the causes that I support. I just came to the realization that I need some time for myself, too.
I've got to make some time now to recover from this cold. May you all find your lost hour. See ya.
Time and I have a strange relationship. In the past, I recall working against time for many deadlines. This is still true today. I disappear and reappear from this column from time to time due to all of the factors that make up my work and personal life. Before I realized that aging actually does have some sort of impact, I prided myself in stating that I could always find a way to make things happen. Although, I still try to make things happen, I finally realized that I don't always need to do everything. Most recently, I decided to take a month hiatus from my podcast, which was quite nice. I don't think I've taken a break in over three years.
There's a lot to be said about taking some time for yourself. Someone recently reminded me that time is something no one can borrow. However, there's nothing that says you can't claim time for yourself, or make time for those things that are important to you. In recent months, I decided to make some time to visit a few friends, past and present. I've also scaled back on trying to save the universe through volunteering. Don't get me wrong -- I'm still out there with all of the causes that I support. I just came to the realization that I need some time for myself, too.
I've got to make some time now to recover from this cold. May you all find your lost hour. See ya.
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