Try...Why?

In the movie, The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda says to young Skywalker, “Do or do not. There is no try.” “Try” is such an odd word. It implies action without completion. The meaning lies somewhere between “I’ll give it some thought” and “I’ll give it my best effort.” Of course, “attempt” is only one of “try’s” many meanings. You can also “try” a legal case, “try” a new product, or “try” someone’s patience. No matter what the meaning, when you use the word “try” the outcome is in question.

That makes sense when the issue truly holds an element of doubt. Lawyers put forth their best arguments, but the final result is up to the jury. Consumers test a new brand to see if it meets their needs, ready to go back to the old stand-by if it doesn’t. Children see how far they can push their parents’ patience without suffering the consequences. But…when it comes to a accomplishing a goal or completing a project, simply attempting it isn’t enough.

Accomplishing a challenging task requires, expectation, intention and commitment. When you reach for the stars, do you EXPECT to get there or think, “it would be nice if I could?” Do you INTEND to realize your dreams or just hope they somehow come true? Do you fully COMMIT to your goals or are you prepared to give up if the going gets tough?

Anyone who has accomplished anything great has had the “can-do” attitude Yoda was teaching his frustrated young pupil. They didn’t “try” to hit the target they DID it! Along the way they may have tested many methods, but there was never a lack of commitment to the ultimate goal.

That’s what I think about every time I begin a new project. I am reminded once again that it’s actions, not attempts, that create results. It’s what I do, not what I try to do, that makes the difference. “Do or do not. There is no try.” That’s good advice whether you’re a Jedi Knight, the president of an international corporation or a freelance writer/voice over talent working from home.

The Ingenious Fortuity of Accidents

Sometimes accidents happen and we're better off because they do. Historical accounts of many important discoveries and inventions tell of fortuitous accidents. A surprising number of these are associated with stories about spillage, breakage and other unintended actions that led to valuable, though unexpected, outcomes.

Probably the most famous is Alexander Fleming's discovery of the antibiotic properties of penicillin. Fleming accidentally left a dish of Staphylococcus bacteria uncovered for a few days and returned to find the dish dotted with bacterial growth, except in one area where a patch of mold (Penicillium notatum) was growing. Fleming himself said of this event, "I did not ask for a spore of Penicillium notatum to drop on my culture plate. When I saw certain changes, I had not the slightest suspicion that I was at the beginning of something extraordinary. That same mold might have dropped on any one of my culture plates, and there would have been no visible change to direct special attention to it."

Similarly, Louis Daguerre, who invented photography, made his breakthrough when he put an exposed plate into a cabinet in which a thermometer had earlier shattered; mercury vapors from the broken thermometer developed the photographic image unexpectedly.

While it is not penicillin and cannot cure a disease, in my opinion, it is the perfect brilliance of an accident.

Motivational Techniques One Should Never Use

While climbing the ladder of success, I observed motivational techniques that were so ridiculous, I compiled a list of what not to do when in a position to lead, guide and mentor others. Below, I share the list with you…

1 - Make your employees feel small and stupid, by pointing out their ignorance to not only get their attention, but to show them just how smart you think you are.

2 - Use demeaning language such as, "I can't believe you don't know how to do this! Someone in your position should know how to do this the first year on the job!"

3 - Use threats, because nothing is more effective to get people to jump through hoops to get things done. The subtle approach, "If this doesn't improve, I'm going to have to make some changes." The more forceful approach, "If you can't do this right, maybe I should find someone who can."

4 - Don't follow up on requests. If the request is petty (and most of them are) ignore it altogether because it's the best way to show just how important and busy you are. After all, the ones you manage need to understand there are far more important things on your "To Do" list from senior management than a request from a lower-level employee who has no influence over your career advancement.

5 - Ignore complaints because it only encourages more whining. Wave them away like buzzing gnats, a petty nuisance in your busy day. Complaints are probably about fairness, respect and having a voice in what happens at work, which doesn't really count as much as the bottom line.

6 - Keep them in the dark if changes are going to be made, because it's better to announce the change rather than involve the employees beforehand. It's so much easier to just make the change than to endure everyone's opinions and ideas. That would take far too long and they might want to change your plan.

7 - Don't give too much praise -- it will go to their heads.

8 - Don't deal with employee conflicts -- ignore them and hope they can get along.

9 - Identify your favorite employees and treat them well. This is a great technique for letting people know that if they get on your good side, you'll do some favors for them and they'll get what they want. This creates an incentive for your employees to bend over backwards to be your pal.

If you recognized a manager by the techniques on this list, please make sure it is not you…

Happy July 4th

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy July 4th weekend!

Regular blog postings will resume next weekend. Sincerest thanks for your loyal following...

Bon