Today I went to the brand new Fry's Electronics store to pick up a corded headset telephone I had been looking for. What an amazing toy store for us wanabe Geeks! Huge, with lots of selection, and nice with knowledgeable people to help you.
But the really interesting part began after the salesperson helped me make a selection of the right phone. We went to a register in that department so that he could provide me a "quote," really a way of tracking what customers have picked up and try not to have merchandise "disappear."
The store computer system crashed. So as we stood there waiting for it to come back, we had a 15-minute conversation about the fact that he didn't have a clue about what he wanted to pursue as a career long term. My coaching self stepped in and he got a good (and free) coaching session on the spot.
Finally we gave up on the computer system, and after looking around some, I headed to check out. The line to check out was L-O-N-G. And it wasn't moving very fast, either. Turns out that the computer crash was causing the hoard of check-out people to have to process transactions manually. So that was really slow compared to scan and run the credit card. The result was another 15-minute conversation with a man I was standing in line with -- really a pleasant thing. I also got to talk to the person who had been assigned to control the queue, and then several minutes with the person checking me out.
It took a lot of time, but actually I really enjoyed the opportunity to have meaningful contact with others while I was shopping. While the convenience of information systems doing the scanning and funds transaction and the whole deal happening almost instantaneously is nice, I was reminded of how much I miss the leisurely interaction that naturally occurs before we had all the convenience of automation.
There is a price that we pay for "progress." That price is exacted from meaningful person-to-person interaction.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
How to Determine What Your Values Are
As a life coach, I frequently help people work to clarify their core values and take steps to better align their lives with what's important to them.
As I read Larry James' Urban Blog yesterday, he challenged churches to test how well aligned they are with the values they espouse, specifically regarding poverty. His suggestion was that they look at their annual budget and see how much they spend on helping those in poverty compared to all of the other things they do. Most of us don't need to actually look at the numbers to recognize that the portion we spend on buildings, staff, and programs focused on ourselves leaves little or no room for helping the poor.
In an incident still infamous in our family history, I got out a flip chart one night when the kids were still young and our church was facing a capital campaign, and we worked through how we spent our money as a family in order to gain an understanding of what our family values were. While I still get razed about the flip chart approach, everyone got the point. Core values, and even an area of misalignment or two came through clearly.
Looking at where we spend our money combined with looking at how we use our time gives a rather concrete picture of what our core values are. Sometimes when we do this, the picture comes out and we say, "Wow, how we're living really does reflect our core values!" Sometimes, though, we look at the picture and say, "No -- that doesn't reflect my values, just the necessity of spending my money or time to stay afloat." The latter calls for some honest reflection -- and probably some changes. Living our lives (as indicated by how we budget our money and time) out of alignment with what we truly value has all kinds of consequences -- and none have good outcomes.
So do the exercise and see what you learn. Then see if a little fine-tuning might not make a big difference in your life, or whether a major change in direction might not be indicated.
As I read Larry James' Urban Blog yesterday, he challenged churches to test how well aligned they are with the values they espouse, specifically regarding poverty. His suggestion was that they look at their annual budget and see how much they spend on helping those in poverty compared to all of the other things they do. Most of us don't need to actually look at the numbers to recognize that the portion we spend on buildings, staff, and programs focused on ourselves leaves little or no room for helping the poor.
In an incident still infamous in our family history, I got out a flip chart one night when the kids were still young and our church was facing a capital campaign, and we worked through how we spent our money as a family in order to gain an understanding of what our family values were. While I still get razed about the flip chart approach, everyone got the point. Core values, and even an area of misalignment or two came through clearly.
Looking at where we spend our money combined with looking at how we use our time gives a rather concrete picture of what our core values are. Sometimes when we do this, the picture comes out and we say, "Wow, how we're living really does reflect our core values!" Sometimes, though, we look at the picture and say, "No -- that doesn't reflect my values, just the necessity of spending my money or time to stay afloat." The latter calls for some honest reflection -- and probably some changes. Living our lives (as indicated by how we budget our money and time) out of alignment with what we truly value has all kinds of consequences -- and none have good outcomes.
So do the exercise and see what you learn. Then see if a little fine-tuning might not make a big difference in your life, or whether a major change in direction might not be indicated.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Too Many Electronics
I've given up. I'm looking for a corded phone with a headset.
Without making the story long, I've finally decided that there are just too many electronic devices in my house (and other nearby houses) to get satisfactory results from cordless phones. My most recent purchase was a Uniden 5.8 GHz, but it is getting feedback from somewhere and although I can hear people well, they are having trouble hearing me. Actually our 2.4 GHz phones work better, but not with a headset for some reason.
Could be that one of the four or five wireless networks nearby, the TIVO, the Cingular forwarding device, or other people's cordless phones are the problem. But even if I could figure out which it was, assuming it's not just the way the Uniden phone is made, it's unlikely that I could solve it.
So, I'm looking to go low tech for my coaching calls -- back to a corded phone and a corded headset.
I love the convenience of all the wireless devices, but wouldn't it have been nice if someone had figured out how to do all of that without interference?
Without making the story long, I've finally decided that there are just too many electronic devices in my house (and other nearby houses) to get satisfactory results from cordless phones. My most recent purchase was a Uniden 5.8 GHz, but it is getting feedback from somewhere and although I can hear people well, they are having trouble hearing me. Actually our 2.4 GHz phones work better, but not with a headset for some reason.
Could be that one of the four or five wireless networks nearby, the TIVO, the Cingular forwarding device, or other people's cordless phones are the problem. But even if I could figure out which it was, assuming it's not just the way the Uniden phone is made, it's unlikely that I could solve it.
So, I'm looking to go low tech for my coaching calls -- back to a corded phone and a corded headset.
I love the convenience of all the wireless devices, but wouldn't it have been nice if someone had figured out how to do all of that without interference?
Monday, April 25, 2005
Multitasking Lowers Your IQ
In a CNN item, the headline was "Emails 'hurt IQ more than pot.'"
What the study behind the headline was really about was the effect of multitasking on the ability to do tasks successfully, such as complete questions on an IQ test. Being interrupted by emails, instant messages, and the like resulted in scores 10 points lower than normal -- although the loss was just for tests taken while multitasking. And it is probably noteworthy that this degree of impairment is greater than for pot use.
We live in a world that worships multitasking. Many contemporary job descriptions even list the ability to multitask as a qualification. And many of us take pride in how we have learned to multitask. We brag about being able to read, watch TV, and talk to our spouses all at the same time. Truth is, we know that when we do so, we don't do any of these well. I'm just surprised that the loss was only 10 points.
There's a lesson here about productivity. While our world, and especially our workplaces, extol the virtues of multitasking in the name of increasing productivity, the truth is that productivity suffers from multitasking. Time management studies have repeatedly shown that highest productivity results from focusing on a single task at a time. Time management gurus have long taught us to plan our days, work on one thing until it's done, and then move on. All recommend focusing specific time on reading and answering emails and phone calls rather than handling them as they come. This study just reinforces that advice.
This reminds me of good advice I picked up from Rolf Smith during one of his "Thinking Expeditions." Rolf calls the space in your office behind your computer and beside the phone as the "Stupid Zone." (He even suggests that you mark it off with masking tape as a visual reminder.) The Stupid Zone is where you are subject to the interruptions and distractions of others, essentially where they control what you do. We have managed to extend the stupid zone to almost everywhere with the use of cell phones, Blackberries and wireless hot spots.
Want to gain at least 10 points of IQ instantly? Then arrange to spend some quality time unplugged -- without the interruptions of your phone, your computer, your cell phone or your Blackberry. If you're like me, you'll go through withdrawal, but you'll find the results worth it.
What the study behind the headline was really about was the effect of multitasking on the ability to do tasks successfully, such as complete questions on an IQ test. Being interrupted by emails, instant messages, and the like resulted in scores 10 points lower than normal -- although the loss was just for tests taken while multitasking. And it is probably noteworthy that this degree of impairment is greater than for pot use.
We live in a world that worships multitasking. Many contemporary job descriptions even list the ability to multitask as a qualification. And many of us take pride in how we have learned to multitask. We brag about being able to read, watch TV, and talk to our spouses all at the same time. Truth is, we know that when we do so, we don't do any of these well. I'm just surprised that the loss was only 10 points.
There's a lesson here about productivity. While our world, and especially our workplaces, extol the virtues of multitasking in the name of increasing productivity, the truth is that productivity suffers from multitasking. Time management studies have repeatedly shown that highest productivity results from focusing on a single task at a time. Time management gurus have long taught us to plan our days, work on one thing until it's done, and then move on. All recommend focusing specific time on reading and answering emails and phone calls rather than handling them as they come. This study just reinforces that advice.
This reminds me of good advice I picked up from Rolf Smith during one of his "Thinking Expeditions." Rolf calls the space in your office behind your computer and beside the phone as the "Stupid Zone." (He even suggests that you mark it off with masking tape as a visual reminder.) The Stupid Zone is where you are subject to the interruptions and distractions of others, essentially where they control what you do. We have managed to extend the stupid zone to almost everywhere with the use of cell phones, Blackberries and wireless hot spots.
Want to gain at least 10 points of IQ instantly? Then arrange to spend some quality time unplugged -- without the interruptions of your phone, your computer, your cell phone or your Blackberry. If you're like me, you'll go through withdrawal, but you'll find the results worth it.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Second Mile Mission Center
I'm becoming more sensitive to those around me living in poverty. Last night we attended the Second Mile Mission dinner, and it was both surprising and encouraging to see the level of support being provided to the poor in Fort Bend County.
Surprising because Fort Bend County is generally characterized as affluent. During the last 30 years, we have experienced rapid population growth as planned communities have been developed and a flood of people have moved in. Driving around the county, one sees new homes, abundant shopping facilities and restaurants, and the look and feel of success and prosperity. Yet Second Mile served over 40,000 people in real need last year. One doesn't have to drive to inner city Houston to find poverty -- it's in plain sight if you just get outside the planned communities that shelter us from seeing it.
Encouraging because Second Mile is bringing people together to do something about poverty in Fort Bend County. This year the organization hopes to help 57,000 of our neighbors in need. One impressive statistic is that Second Mile is the largest single outlet for the Houston Food Bank, distributing over 150,000 pounds of food monthly.
In Living God's Love, Lavender and Holloway make a very relevant point. If we believe that Jesus is coming again and that when he returns he will bring an end to injustice and poverty, then we should be about his business now. That's what Second Mile is about.
Surprising because Fort Bend County is generally characterized as affluent. During the last 30 years, we have experienced rapid population growth as planned communities have been developed and a flood of people have moved in. Driving around the county, one sees new homes, abundant shopping facilities and restaurants, and the look and feel of success and prosperity. Yet Second Mile served over 40,000 people in real need last year. One doesn't have to drive to inner city Houston to find poverty -- it's in plain sight if you just get outside the planned communities that shelter us from seeing it.
Encouraging because Second Mile is bringing people together to do something about poverty in Fort Bend County. This year the organization hopes to help 57,000 of our neighbors in need. One impressive statistic is that Second Mile is the largest single outlet for the Houston Food Bank, distributing over 150,000 pounds of food monthly.
In Living God's Love, Lavender and Holloway make a very relevant point. If we believe that Jesus is coming again and that when he returns he will bring an end to injustice and poverty, then we should be about his business now. That's what Second Mile is about.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Jenny Plays Ball Her Own Way
Jenny Dog has her own ways of playing ball. Rather than teaching her our conventional way of playing ball -- us throwing it and her running to get it and bringing it back and giving it to us -- we've adopted her games.
For example, if I have one ball, the game goes like this. I throw the ball, and Jenny Dog runs and gets it. She runs back with the ball, but stays just out of reach. As I move toward her to get the ball, she moves further away, so it turns into a new game, "Chase Jenny to Get the Ball." Knowing I can't win that game, I turn away, appearing disinterested. She then comes back close, but not close enough for me to get the ball. If I appear to give up and sit in my chair, she'll often come and drop the ball at my feet and stare at me until I pick up the ball and throw it. Then the game starts all over again.
So I've added an adaptation. I get two balls. I throw the first ball and Jenny Dog goes and gets it and brings it back. When she gets close, I throw the second ball. She drops the first ball to retrieve the second one. So we keep this up until she gets tired and decides to quit bringing the balls back.
I know I could train her to play ball the conventional way. After all, I'm the master and she's just the dog. But I enjoy that she has a mind of her own and that when we play ball it's a thoughtful interaction -- truly a game -- and not just a trained response on her part.
Often we seek to reduce interactions with pets to thoughtless reactions. And it doesn't take much imagination to recognize that we attempt to do the same with people. By subtle and not-so-subtle means, we attempt to train those with whom we have regular interactions to react the way we want -- to play by our rules. We recognize this behavior when it's extreme -- we call it abuse or manipulation.
Isn't it interesting that God, the Master of all, doesn't choose to dominate us and in so doing chooses not to train us to just react. Instead God gives us great freedom in how we choose to respond to him. What he desires from us is thoughtful interaction, thoughtful response. Our love for him and our obedience to his commands comes as the result of thoughtful decisions on our part, not as a result of force or even behavior modification.
Without thought, without thoughtful decisions, I'm unable to interact with God.
For example, if I have one ball, the game goes like this. I throw the ball, and Jenny Dog runs and gets it. She runs back with the ball, but stays just out of reach. As I move toward her to get the ball, she moves further away, so it turns into a new game, "Chase Jenny to Get the Ball." Knowing I can't win that game, I turn away, appearing disinterested. She then comes back close, but not close enough for me to get the ball. If I appear to give up and sit in my chair, she'll often come and drop the ball at my feet and stare at me until I pick up the ball and throw it. Then the game starts all over again.
So I've added an adaptation. I get two balls. I throw the first ball and Jenny Dog goes and gets it and brings it back. When she gets close, I throw the second ball. She drops the first ball to retrieve the second one. So we keep this up until she gets tired and decides to quit bringing the balls back.
I know I could train her to play ball the conventional way. After all, I'm the master and she's just the dog. But I enjoy that she has a mind of her own and that when we play ball it's a thoughtful interaction -- truly a game -- and not just a trained response on her part.
Often we seek to reduce interactions with pets to thoughtless reactions. And it doesn't take much imagination to recognize that we attempt to do the same with people. By subtle and not-so-subtle means, we attempt to train those with whom we have regular interactions to react the way we want -- to play by our rules. We recognize this behavior when it's extreme -- we call it abuse or manipulation.
Isn't it interesting that God, the Master of all, doesn't choose to dominate us and in so doing chooses not to train us to just react. Instead God gives us great freedom in how we choose to respond to him. What he desires from us is thoughtful interaction, thoughtful response. Our love for him and our obedience to his commands comes as the result of thoughtful decisions on our part, not as a result of force or even behavior modification.
Without thought, without thoughtful decisions, I'm unable to interact with God.
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