I rented a car last week for a 2+ hour drive from Portland to the Oregon coast for a workshop. I used a GPS app on my phone to get the directions. I expected the phone to tell me when to turn. It didn’t. No noise, no directions, nothing. I had no reason to disagree […]
What Clues Did You Miss? Read More »
I was talking with my father recently about my writing workshops. I’m finishing the last touches on the first one and hope to finally make it available for registration any day now. (Famous last words.) I explained that even though people signed up for the workshops knowing they would do 15-30 minutes a day of
When Do You Suffer from FEAR? Read More »
I was walking briskly with a client between buildings on the campus. He told me he’d lost five pounds will all the running around he did all day. He said, “I never feel as if I accomplish anything. I want to be successful!” (He might have said I need to be successful. I no longer remember.)
What Does Success Mean to You? Read More »
I was in Prague last week (Agile Prague and a client). One of the nice folks at the client explained that beer in Prague Is inexpensive. For years, in The Czech Republic, the beer is less expensive than water or a soft drink. (There is now a law that says the bars and restaurants have
What’s Your (Beer) Emergency? Read More »
In Tip 4: Start Small, I suggested you start small. That’s so you can seek some feedback. I said I started small so I could make progress. How do I know I’m making progress? I might see an increase in how many words I write (yes, I track them), how many presentations I do, or
CAL Tip #5: Seek Some Feedback Read More »
Why do all the batteries die at the same time? I had a dying battery day yesterday. My mouse batteries died a day after I replaced them. The kitchen scale batteries died. My little clock near my computer had a dead battery. I went back and forth to the battery box several times yesterday. Things
When Do You Address This Problem? Read More »
Back in What Are Your Rules for Getting It All Done?, I briefly spoke about doing work that was valuable. That has a precondition: you need to know what you value. We hear a lot of talk about “time management.” I don’t buy the time management part. We can’t “manage” time. We can manage actions.
How Do You Value Your Time? Read More »
I am a reviewer for the experience reports track for Agile 2017. I finished evaluating all the proposals in the track last week. Here’s what struck me: too many proposals didn’t have enough information for me to accept them. The conference has guidelines for a good proposal. Too many proposals didn’t follow the guidelines. The
Why Not Ask for Help? Read More »
I started a new regimen of PT (physical therapy) to manage my vertigo a little better. Yesterday, I did a ton of leg/balance work. I did too much—I was exhausted. (Balancing on one leg challenges my brain to manage my vertigo. Yes, I need it, and it tires me out.) I came home and tried to
When Do You Take a Break? Read More »
How do you feel about change? I like some changes. Others? Not so much. I like change when I can see the effect of my exercise program: I have more toned muscles and more endurance. I don’t like change when I see the scale with higher numbers. I also don’t like change that’s foisted on
CAL Tip #2: See Your Reality Read More »