Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Commitments Vs. Resolutions


"When you do something with a lot of honesty, appetite and commitment, the input reflects in the output."
~ A. R. Rahman
Allah-Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, musician and philanthropist.
(b. 1967)

As the festivities of many holidays are in the recent past, and the lure of the New Year in the near future, it is often tempting to start thinking about resolutions.

While it is good to resolve to make changes, a New Year's resolution is too often similar to "I'll try". It is well intended, and unfortunately, it falls flat - without action, or without consistent follow-through. The idea, concept, and time of year are not what makes things new in the year for you, rather it is the commitment to both sticking with well-serving habits and altering those that are not, is what will likely resonate, and eventually lead to actions and results!

If you would, please consider making a commitment to some specific target(s) now, or in the New Year, or any time you deem change something you desire. Where a resolution may sound like "I'll work out more", or "I'll eat better", these are not specific and measurable. On the contrary, making a commitment means stating, and sharing "I am committed to working out 3-4 times per week for 20-40 minutes each session in order to support my health and appearance", or "I am committed to eating clean 5-6 days per week with 1-2 days of enjoying indulgences in order to look and feel fit and strong".

So, should you want to make a resolution, make it that you resolve to commit, take actions to support it, and realize your targets/goals in 2016...and beyond!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

CHIEF Email Officer - New CEO

"The major advances in speed of communication and ability to interact took place more than a century ago. The shift from sailing ships to telegraph was far more radical than that from telephone to email!"
 ~ Noam Chomsky

With as many emails as you get and receive, please consider becoming your written communication CEO, meaning your own CHIEF Email Officer.

A CHIEF email office within an organization, team or group uses the following in the subject line in all CAPs before a colon and the subject of content that follows:

CHANGE - meaning something has changed in expectation, process or protocol. Example - CHANGE: Vacation Request Process
HEADS UP - when you want the recipient to know about something that is going to happen, yet nothing is to be done. Example - HEADS UP: Moving Forward on Meeting Plans
INPUT - if there is something you are seeking ideas, input or perspective on from the recipient. Example - INPUT: Considering Changing Vendors
EXCELLENCE - for recognizing something done well
FEEDBACK
- when you want the recipient to get feedback. Example - FEEDBACK: Today's Presentation. Some groups use it as FYI, meaning they want someone to  know about something that is going to happen, even though it will not impact that person, so the HEADS UP becomes for when it impacts the email recipient(s), and FYI is when it does not. Example - FYI: Lower Floor Carpet Changed Overnight (for those on a different floor)

By being the CHIEF Email Officer (CEO), you can be respectful of people's time and interest simply by coding your emails for them (and you) for prioritization and search capabilities, and ultimately keeping your communication professional and clear!