Sunday, July 24, 2011

I 2 I (Ideas to Innovation) There Ain't No Rules

LONDON - NOVEMBER 16:  In this photo illustrat...Image by Getty Images via @daylifeM. A. Rosanoff: "Mr. Edison, please tell me what laboratory rules you want me to observe."

Edison: "There ain't no rules around here. We're trying to accomplish somep'n!" — Thomas Edison

From Ideas to Innovation ( I 2 1) Thomas Edison, an inventor, was the first to solve the riddle of how to create the light bulb. It wasn't without its challenges. He had difficulties finding the appropriate filament. At the end of it, the solution to the problem was as simple as a piece of carbonated cardboard.

Within every business - small, large, for profit, for non-profit - there lies within it an acorn of an idea that first begins with a question: "What problem am I trying to solve? "

Without asking that question businesses, would be entrepreneurs, inventors, thinkers, and their associates can get lost in the mud pretty fast never mind becoming to vulnerable to their competitors.

It also hampers the creative flow and process, blocking the opportunity for innovative ideas and realizing possibilities.

Recently through One International and as posted on YouTube by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation I came across an interesting call to action called Reinventing the Toilet.

So, for all you innovators, thinkers, possibility makers, and rule breakers - what will you be able to accomplish with your I 2 I? And, how many of you would be Thomas Edisons will rise to Gate Foundation's challenge? It's time - let's do it!


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Saturday, July 16, 2011

They Say Motivation Doesn't Last

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing that's why we recommend it daily.” — Zig Ziglar

motivationImage by I am marlon via Flickr

According to Wikipedia habits are learned and represented in memory. Habits can either benefit or hurt the goals a person sets for themselves.

Psychology Today I think gives the best answer. The time it takes to make or break a habit depends on the individual.

The point is to get to a place of creating possibilities one has to be willing to step outside their norm and create new opportunities. Which in some cases requires a new set of habits, daily activities, and more over a new way of thinking and perceiving the world.  

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result! They are right.

Realizing possibilities are the easy part. Getting there - dealing with ourselves and getting motivated - is the hard part!

But then again - that is just my Opinion.






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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Chocolate Pudding and A Bit of Service

chocolate puddingImage by ginnerobot via FlickrFor those who know me best there is one teeny tiny little item that will set me off like a rocket.

Bad service.

According to Dictionary.Com service is an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service.

I was in my early twenties when I first met Wynne Lindsay. Wynne did consulting in the health care field mainly in recreation. When I met her she was well into her retirement and was extremely put out because her children wouldn’t let her buy a red sports car. She was charismatic and had the energy of a twenty year old. Wynne would have looked fabulous in any sports car.

At the time I was working in long-term care. Wynne had been brought to the place where I was working to run some workshops. There was one particular presentation she gave that had a profound and lasting effect. It was on the significant value of service.

Her example, chocolate pudding.

Through her gift of storytelling Wynne talked about a lady named Mrs. Jones who was in a personal care home. She, for obvious reasons, did want to be there but her arthritis had nearly crippled her and there was no other alternative available at the time.

The one thing that Mrs. Jones really enjoyed was chocolate.

As Wynne shared her story about she turned to the dietary staff and said, “Tomorrow when you make chocolate pudding for dessert, and I know you have made chocolate pudding a hundred times before, think about Mrs. Jones. Think about how much she is going to enjoy that chocolate pudding that you are making and think about how much that simple bowl of chocolate pudding is going to brighten her day.”

No one said a word. I never forgot the message.

There is big different between be a “servant” and being in “service”.

thInQ About It!
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