“Don’t wait until you want to do something,” Fast writes, in possibly the single most useful productivity tip ever (it’s a close cousin of “motivation follows action”, mentioned here previously.) “Many people equate depression with the inability to work. In reality, the problem is often the inability to feel like working.” But it’s not just the depressed who fall for the notion that feeling motivated is a crucial precursor to doing something. To some degree, most of us believe this, and an entire industry – motivational books, speakers, articles – encourages the delusion. The “motivation” message is more insidious for being, in the short term, somewhat effective: right after reading a go-get-’em book or watching some high-octane speaker, you really might feel “pumped”. But the long-term effect is to reinforce the idea that you need to be in this mood to take action.

Change your thoughts, we’re told, and you’ll change your emotions and thereby your life. Fast’s advice is just to act, without first demanding that your thoughts and feelings change. (Hint: do this and they probably soon will.) One of her downbeat but brilliant mantras for living is, “This will feel all wrong.” Someone should put that on a fridge magnet.

Oliver Burkeman writing in his column will change your life for The Guardian.

Many people not only fail to become outstandingly good at what they do … they frequently don’t even get any better [at doing it] than they were when they started. — Geoff Colvin in Talent Is Overrated

This is an alarming state of affairs for anyone who wants to stay working in today’s competitive world. Tom’s work is full of great advice for countering this dilemma, but we regularly find our client audience full of “Yes, but…” responses. “I’m already too busy.” “I wouldn’t know where to start.” “Sadly, we just can’t afford it right now.” “My boss would go mad if he found out.” We brought up the “Yes, but…” conundrum in the last issue of the Tom Peters Times. Professor Larry Smith of the University of Waterloo, in one of the current Top 10 TEDx talks, gave an amusing litany of reasons/excuses in his TED talk for failing to have a great career.

We are dealing here with reversing the inexorable drag of established habits. Our inner gyroscope naturally steers us back to the familiar—a place of equilibrium—even if that place is starting to feel uncomfortable. The truth is that breaking a well-established habit is almost impossible for us humans to do—just ask any fat smoker!

For those who are determined to break out of their straitjacket, can you establish a new routine of trying at least one scarily different thing each day? Or, if that is too tough for you at first, each week? Rather than saying “Yes, but…,” ask yourself instead, “How could I make this idea work?” and make doing it the subject of your next working lunch.

Many of our clients use the regular provocation of Tom’s weekly quotes as a source of new ideas for themselves and their businesses. Some of the resulting ideas stick and become new habits, and those that don‘t provide a stimulating diversion while they last!

Madeleine McGrath, Managing Director, Tom Peters Company writing in Try Something New.

Previously…

As an enlisted man in the United States Navy I was directly responsible for the care of eight tactical nuclear missiles. I don’t know how the Air Force handles the mission, but I do know that any of the actions that Oliver mentions would have gotten me expelled from the program in a heart beat.

I have to wonder that recent stories regarding the infiltration of christianists into the Air Force, particularly at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, may be relevant in these horror stories.

One alternative would be flat-out incompetence, which might be the case, but I don’t want to accept that possibility.

Rule No. 73 – Do All Your Eating at a Table.

From Food Rules, an eater’s manual by Michael Pollan

Previously…

Found in my electronic chapbook. See also Eating Mindfully by Jan Chozen Bey.

Today’s headlines include:

Local News

GUILTY VERDICT
Empty and neglected properties have become a burden
Sentenced for drug trafficking
Local triathlon is in ninth year
Oak Grove Christian

Top Headlines Poll: Have you made a complaint about an abandoned property?

If anyone feels that an abandoned property affects their property value than complaining is a poor substitute for considering the underlying factors for that abandonment and then, acting as a member of the community, taking actions to address both the immediate need—the offending property—and those underlying factors, whatever they might be. JH

Great pictures of Marietta…

What’s going on here…

Previously…

The Congressional Hyperbole Caucus

The Almost-Nonexistent Congressional Restraint Caucus

News Organizations Finally Realize Obama’s War Plan Is a Hot Mess

Was Obama Actually Asking Everyone To Chill?

I’ll be trying Anchoïade this weekend.

The Congress shall have Power To declare War —Section Article 1, Section 8.

The White House says Bush-era congressional authorizations for the war on al-Qaida and the Iraq invasion give President Barack Obama the legal backing to expand the fight against the Islamic State group without new approval from lawmakers under the 1973 War Powers Act.

That law, passed during the Vietnam War, serves as a constitutional check on presidential power to declare war without congressional consent. It requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and limits the use of military forces to no more than 60 days unless Congress authorizes force or declares war.

Critics say both authorizations provide shaky justification for Obama’s air campaign against the Islamic State militants. And as recently as last year, Obama said both measures were outdated and should be repealed.

The Associated Press in Can Obama start a war without consent of Congress? for The Guardian.

What actions are necessary to convince our elected members of Congress that they have a Constitutional obligation to stop passing the buck and vote up or down on this, and any future wars. Either declare war or shut down these adventures.

Tom continues to refine his ideas about how you can best put the Brand You concept into action in your professional life. His latest oeuvre is called Excellence. NO EXCUSES! and it contains several chapters that will give you ideas for giving your brand a boost. The first chapter we’ve chosen offers this nugget from Tom:

“Fact: You can take any damned attitude you choose to work today! (It’s your BLD/Biggest Life Decision.)”

For more seeds of change, read: Work On Me, Radical Personal Development, Hang Out and Rituals.

Previously…

Rule No. 72 – Limit Your Snacks to Unprocessed Plant Foods.

From Food Rules, an eater’s manual by Michael Pollan

Previously…

Found in my electronic chapbook. See also Eating Mindfully by Jan Chozen Bey.

Today’s headlines include:

Local News

Blair: His story
War on drugs
Man accused of trying to pay mom for sex with girl, 12
4 arrests tied to pot sales
Contract to be extended on City Hall project

Top Headlines Poll: How necessary do you think is Marietta’s mowing season law?

I think the days of pseudo-golf courses is past and city employees have more important issues to deal with than policing lawns, especially if city properties are in need of attention. JH

Great pictures of Marietta…

What’s going on here…

Previously…

In true Tom Peters style, the concept of Brand You was ahead of its time. Tom introduced it in a Fast Company article in August 1997: “The Brand Called You.” It’s been causing quite a stir ever since—with critics decrying self-promotion—and only with the advent of social media did it start to gain wide acceptance.

Brand You has been adopted by many other thought leaders and “self-branding experts.” Tom’s description of it differs somewhat from that of the others. He defines it as the name you make for yourself by doing excellent work, wherever you are employed. The mark of quality in your past work is the only real asset you take from one job to the next. It’s what you’re known for. It’s your reputation.

Tom’s original idea hinged on the current job reality that no one works for one employer for 30 years, then retires. All of us must manage our reputation, our brand, via social media. It’s not optional. Do good work, earn a reputation for excellence, and establish a public persona reflecting that. That is Brand You. What have you done to build your brand lately?

Previously…