NOT ALL THINGS, JUST YOUR THINGS

"Things without remedy should be without regard; what is done is done."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British poet/playwright

You know this. This is what you advise others to do.

What about when it's you?

Now Let Me Show You How It's Done

"I invent nothing, I rediscover."

Auguste Rodin

Late 19th, early 20th century French sculptor

Have you ever noticed how new management often throws out all that was in place before they assumed control?

Why is that?

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Funding

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

Ben Franklin

18th century American statesman, inventor, philosopher

This seemed appropriate as we enter our nation's 235th year, while at the same time relating to business.

Be careful when seeking funding for your company, the cost may be much greater than you think.

Who's (Is Anyone) In Charge Here?

"Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forwards."

Soren Kierkegaard

19th century Danish philosopher/writer

I am a planning consultant, writing a book on how to better manage change in our personal and professional lives.

Planning and managing, two words that to me suggest attempts to control.

Kierkegaard's quote seems to imply we can only experience life, not control it.

True?  If so in business too?

What do you think?

Who's In Control Here?

"Humility is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life."

George Arliss

Late 19th century/early 20th century English actor/author

Suggesting that being humble is about more than simply not being self-centered.

I've spent much of the last 3 years researching and writing a book about change, advocating that we should do as much as we can to guide our destiny rather than simply be subject to whatever comes along.

But at the top of the list for everyone who does so must be the realization that the real goal is to understand rather control, and that in understanding there is control.

Driving Or Just Along For The Ride?

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced."

Soren Kierkegaard

19th century Danish philosopher

Another one that, unexamined, feels good to me, until I consider it in the context of business.

I believe business is about examining and attempting to control all possible, accepting that there will be far more you don't than there is you do.

What do you think?

Too Much, Too Little?

"Often he who does too much does too little."

Italian proverb

I would modify this to read, ". . . he who attempts to do too much does too little", but the thought is the same regardless.

Multi-tasking is fine as long as most if not all the "multi-tasks" get done, but that isn't what always happens.  And excessive delegation does not insure accomplishment.

Multi-tasker or delegator, which are you?

The Cost of Anger

"Anger is like those ruins which smash themselves on what they fall.

Seneca
5th century BC Roman philosopher

Most often, lose your temper, lose, period.

Tempered Argument

"If you go in for argument, take care of your temper. Your logic, if you have any, will take care of itself."

Joseph Farrell
Economics Professor

You may be able to suppress others you argue with but you can never win based only or mostly on anger.

Who Controls You?

"Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power."

Seneca
5th century BC Roman philosopher

Self-control.

Do you have it?

Who's In Charge Here?

"Drive your business, let not your business drive you."

Ben Franklin
American statesman, scientist, philosopher

I've co-founded or sole-founded a half dozen or more businesses, all of them lasting a minimum of 3 years.

There wasn't one that did not "drive" me as much if not more than I drove it.

You?

The Future: Who's In Charge Here?

"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating."

Anonymous

This will be comfortable for those who believe they control their destiny, not so much for those who feel they are subject to fate.

Which are you?

Before You Can Tell Someone Else What To Do . . .

"The first and best victory is to conquer self."

Plato

Particularly for a manager of people, money or things.

Self-discipline.

If you don't have it, someone will impose it on you.

The Theatrics of Business

"I don't necessarily agree with everything I say."

Marshall McLuhan
Canadian Educator, Philosopher, Scholar

I think this is one of those truths you don't think about that is nonetheless true.

Do you honestly believe and mean everything you say and do, or is some of it said for affect?

How do you keep track of what you mean versus say/do for reaction?

Management: How Much?

"That government is best which governs the least."

Henry David Thoreau

Whether it be government, a boat's tiller, a fly fishing rod or business management, for many the message is less is more.

Agree?

Planning: Who's In Control?

"Drive thy business or it will drive thee."

Benjamin Franklin

Run your business or it or others will do it for you, likely not as you want.

We are all swept along by events, however we can and should attempt to influence, if not control, as much as possible.

Have you ever considered how much of what happens is directly related to what you do as opposed to what others do?