Happy Soul Food Friday!
This week:
Many of us have read the story about 3 people doing what looks like the same job, but when asked what they are doing:
- One says they are laying bricks
- The second says he is building a wall
- And the third says he is creating a masterpiece!
Same identical work, but experienced so differently.
How can this be?
This story was made popular in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The story is actually not by Stephen Covey, but because he sold over 15 million copies of the book it is often attributed to him.
Proper attribution notwithstanding, it does draw attention to our relationship to our world of work and invites us to explore if we experience what we do; simply as a job, part of a career, or a purposeful calling?
When we are able to find meaning and purpose in our work, the mundane can become profound and we can turn the usual into extraordinary, often leaving a legacy that lives on well past our lifetime.
Many today are revisiting their relationship to work.
Perhaps we can learn from history…
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, designed by the world famous architect Antoni Gaudi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and described as, “the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages.”
Construction on the Basilica began on March 19, 1882 which is almost exactly 140 years ago.
Less than 25% of the Basilica was finished during Gaudi’s lifetime, and they are still working on it- though it was scheduled to be completed this year but was delayed due to the pandemic.
I am sure those working on it over the century, also viewed themselves as brick layers, wall builders and masterpiece producers- and they were all right.
It is after all all a matter of your frame of reference and your perspective.
What is often missing in the story, is that everyone focuses on the bricks, but people forget the mortar, and the mortar is just as important as the bricks!
The mortar is the social capital or glue that binds us together, when we know we are working together for a common purpose, when we know others have got our backs, when trust and transparency and even vulnerability become critical ingredients in the mix. As Peter Drucker famously reminds us, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”.
In a time when our relationship to our work is being seriously revisited, let’s take the time to both find meaning and purpose in our work, as well as, build our bench strength, grow our franchise value, and make sure we are playing together not playing each other by strengthening the glue that binds us.
Turns out the Great Resignation may be followed by the Great Regret as many employees that jumped ship, quickly realized that “the grass isn’t greener on the other side”, the grass is greener where you water it!
So today, let’s all attend to our purpose, invest in our social capital and let’s keep serving our stakeholders with care and consideration.
Here is to the Great Rejuvenation…
Live, Love, Learn, Laugh & Leave a Legacy!
Love All,
Neville
Enlightened Self Interest-
How to Handle Stress Situations Better Than Will Smith
Use the S.O.S. method when triggered for better outcomes.
How to Handle Stress Situations Better Than Will Smith | Inc.com
Etiquette expert says we’ve overlooked Lady Gaga’s great kindness toward Liza Minnelli
While Will Smith’s shocking slap of Chris Rock during the Oscars broadcast last Sunday has been big news, one etiquette expert says far too many people missed a beautiful gesture shown on stage that same night by Lady Gaga toward a visibly flustered Liza Minnelli.
Etiquette expert says we’ve overlooked Lady Gaga’s great kindness toward Liza Minnelli | Fox News
Try Something New for 30 Days: (3 minutes)
Is there something you’ve always meant to do, wanted to do, but just … haven’t?
Matt Cutts suggests: Try it for 30 days.
This short, lighthearted talk offers a neat way to think about setting and achieving goals.
Matt Cutts: Try something new for 30 days | TED Talk
How Gratitude Rewires the Brain: (10 minutes)
When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina Costa goes beyond the “fight” narrative of cancer — or any formidable personal journey — to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges: gratitude.
Christina Costa: How gratitude rewires your brain | TED Talk
Protect Our Planet-
The deceptively simple plan to replenish California’s groundwater
The state pumps too much groundwater, especially during droughts. Now, it’s learning to refill the overdrawn bucket. “It’s the simplest math in the world,” says one scientist.
The deceptively simple plan to replenish California’s groundwater (nationalgeographic.com)
1,000-year-old oaks used to create ‘super forest’
Could an experimental forest hold the answers to meeting the UK’s big tree planting ambitions?
1,000-year-old oaks used to create ‘super forest’ – BBC News
Eight Endangered Places We Can Still Save
Half a degree Celsius will make all the difference for these famous and far-flung destinations.
8 Endangered Places We Can Still Save From Climate Change | GQ
The Silver Years:
My doctor asked if anyone in my family suffered from mental illness and I said, “No, we all seem to enjoy it.”
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say, “Close enough.”
Being an adult is the dumbest thing I have ever done.
I’m a multitasker. I can listen, ignore and forget all at the same time!
Retirement to do list: Wake up. -I Nailed it!
People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.
I don’t have grey hair. I have wisdom highlights.
Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.
I don’t trip, I do random gravity checks.
One minute you’re young and fun. Next, you’re turning down the car stereo to see better.
I’d grow my own food if only I could find bacon seeds.
Some people are like clouds, once they disappear it’s a beautiful day.
Some people you’re glad to see coming; some people you’re glad to see going.
Common sense is not a gift. It’s a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn’t have it.
I came. I saw. I forgot what I was doing. Retraced my steps. Got lost on the way back. Now I have no idea what’s going on.
If you can’t think of a word, say “I forgot the English word for it.” That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.
I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.
I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.
I don’t mean to brag, but I finished my 14-day diet food supply in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented. … I forgot where I was going with this.
Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.
It’s weird being the same age as old people.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be older… This is not what I expected.
Life is like a helicopter. I don’t know how to operate a helicopter either.
It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.
Never sing in the shower! Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked. So, remember… don’t sing!
I see people my age mountain climbing. I feel good just getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.
We all get heavier as we get older, because there’s a lot more information in our heads. That’s my story anyway.
Thanks this week go to Alan D, Jack A and TedX SD, Marlaine C and Parenting 2.0, Larry H, and Rejuvenators Everywhere!
Please Pay it Forward
Love,
Neville
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“Talent hits a target no one else can hit.
Genius hits a target no one else can see.”
–Arthur Schopenhauer
Happy Soul Food Friday! 