2 degrees can make a huge difference in your performance. I speak from experience as I have been training in Seattle this winter. The first triathlon on the schedule for the season comes in late March. This equates to running and biking outside NOW, because, of course, the miles have to be put in. Having lived in AZ for 20 years, I never thought I would be able to mark an important difference between 48 and 50 degrees.
I can now say with experience that those 2 degrees can make a HUGE difference in performance. It can be the difference between staying indoors and getting out there putting in those much needed base miles. It can be the difference between getting by and excelling. Ultimately it can lead to the difference between success and failure.
The more I thought about it on my last 48 degree training ride, 2 degrees can have a HUGE impact in leadership too. It represents a small but important gap between yourself and everyone else.
- attitude
- budget margin
- risk allowance
- wisdom
- education & information
- motivation
Often times we are inclined to think that gap between the uber-successful and ourselves is tremendous, when in all reality it is almost always a matter of 2 degrees. The challenge, identify areas in your preparation and in your leadership to improve the conditions by just 2 degrees. Ultimately, the small improvements in key areas will lead to more wins.
[I wrote this for www.SummerTreks.com - I look forward to seeing their venture take off.]
“No wild beast is as dangerous to man as one Christian is to another.” – Julian the Apostate
Towards the end of the Roman Empire, one of the nephews of Constantine the Great, Julian, took the throne as the Augustus Emperor. He inherited an empire with some serious problems, namely the Parthian Empire (modern Iraq/Iran) was causing trouble, and Christianity was giving him fits.
Julian was a devout pagan who rejected the Christian faith and believed, like many others in Rome, that the decline of Imperial power was linked to the rise in Christianity. Julian took the throne and quickly went about restoring pagan Roman religion. And naturally, many Christians resisted and began causing problems for Julian – problems that he did not need. Soon the Parthians invaded
So how did Julian handle his Christian enemies? He gave them total freedom. Seriously. Earlier Emperors had played favorites with particular Christian sects and gave them special rights while outlawing and condemning other Christian sects. Julian gave all Christians, no matter what they believed or how they practiced their faith, total freedom and protection. He predicted that once the Christians could do as they pleased, they’d instantly turn on each other instead of being united against him.
It worked. Julian’s policy of total Christian toleration was the most liberal and generous religious policy in the late Empire. And after about a year of the policy, Julian had no further issues, uprisings, or problems with Christianity. He was able to concentrate on fighting off the Parthians and securing the borders of the eastern Empire.
Julian understood something that many leaders forget: often times our opponents will defeat themselves… if we let them. Julian gave Christians just enough rope to hang themselves with internal squabbling. It allowed him to concentrate on what he HAD to do instead of being pulled into minor distractions. The concept of a united opposition is all too often a myth.
Here are my alternatives to graduate school for those who are thinking about going BUT have no idea about how it will get you forward towards actual life goals.
1. Go get an internship in the field in which you think you want to work —- you can do this for 5 hours every week volunteering. EVERY INDUSTRY takes free labor. You just have to seek out the right person. Be committed. Do it for a minimum of 3 months.
2. Start reading the best books in your new field and listening to lectures online. Buy the books used or go to the library. Audit classes at your largest & nearest university. Just sit in and see how long it takes to get kicked out. OR just show up the first day of every class in the degree program and get the course syllabuses. Here is one excellent example.
3. Find a mentor; pick someone who is doing GREAT at the job you want to do. Buy them lunch or coffee EVERY TIME you can. Mow their lawn if you have to. Ask them for direction and insights.
4. Take an entry level job and work your way up. This can still be done and happens all of the time for people who are motivated. At the very least it gets you closer to finding a mentor and gives you an up close view of what you think you want to do but aren’t very sure about. Plus you are getting paid rather than acquiring bills.
5. Create your own opportunity. The hardest path possibly, but well worth the sweat and probably a better use of your dollars. If you are going to spend $60k-ish on school, why not invest that capital in your very own brand new endeavor. Build the thing that you want to do from the ground up. Do it on the side after you have done steps 1-4. Take the leap when momentum gets going. Get a loan if necessary. At least you have a better upside possibility.
So here it is… my graduate school rant. I know some of you have been waiting for me to post my feelings in public so others can get a taste of the pain you have had to go through as my friend.
What good is graduate school when you are uncertain about your future and the exact details of your next job?
Jack-shit.
OK, I said that for effect. (Sorry mom.)
It’s possible it’s just the individuals I meet, but I can’t figure out what is going on out there. Why do so many people run back to get more schooling as a primary next step career option? It is most concerning when they aren’t even sure how it will move them forward in their careers. DON’T GO GET YOUR GRADUATE DEGREE UNLESS you can not get into the job you really want without it. Plus, BE SURE you already possess the prerequisite experience & education for that job. Don’t give me the “it will just make me better” crap excuse… You can be better without it AND stay out of debt AND have more time to actually pursue your goals.
Next Post = My alternatives to graduate school for those who are thinking about going BUT have no idea about how it will get you forward towards actual life goals.
BONUS = The basic math …. I really hope you have a very nice job upgrade waiting for you on the other side. FYI – Grad school does NOT pay for itself if you want to teach, do social work or be an upgraded pastor. You have to be in those careers because your heart is in them.
Loan Balance:$60,000.00
Loan Interest Rate:6.80%
Loan Term:10 years
Monthly Loan Payment:$690.48
Number of Payments:120
Cumulative Payments:$82,857.94
Total Interest Paid:$22,857.94
In search of self improvement or a desire to move forward professionally, young people land on the idea that they need a mentor. However, wanting a mentor or teacher is a whole lot easier than the process of being mentored. Here are a few quick things to consider on the subject:
[part 3]
Practice the advice that they give – Now, here is the rub. – Nothing up to this point matters if you don’t TRY THE PRACTICAL ADVICE that this person gives you. You might as well go talk to a therapist if you just need someone to talk to and are interested in hearing back some reflections. In fact, I will go so far as to say that you don’t need to meet a second time until you have practiced and tried some of the practical advice from your first meeting with them. Here is a test of whether you have found a good mentor = they will give you some pratical things that you can implement into your life. Nice people are great, but far too many people operate in the land of ideas. You want someone who will practically help shape your life in the most important areas. When you find this person and the challenge you to do something, for goodness sake and the sake of their sanity, DO IT!
Invite feedback - You can practice this without mentors + this is a sure fire way to get what you really need to hear. Don’t just simple ask, “how am I doing?” but ask more detailed questions about specific performance related areas of your life. Let trusted people know that you want to grow, how your trying to grow, that their critique is welcome, and then don’t get defensive when it comes. For your mentor, invite them to ask follow up questions about the advice that they have given you (hopefully you have earnestly put it into action). Ask them follow up questions that get you more specific data on the areas where you know you need to grow. But, DON’T, DON’T, DON’T get defensive! You don’t need to win a mentor over because they are already on your side. So, when the feedback comes, listen, take notes, and then go at it again.
Pay for lunch, but nothing else - Professional coaches are helpful, but they’re also motivated by the money that you are sending their way. You know you have found your mentor (we will look at “qualities of a mentor” at some other time) when they are motivated by helping you grow – period. However, practice the old axiom, who ever has the agenda for the meeting ought to be the one buying the breakfast, coffee or lunch – so in this case, that means YOU!
“Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!”
I saw this on a t-shirt my friend was wearing… it is the motto of HER leadership group.
I liked it so much they printed me my own t-shirt.
Don’t you wish more people lived and lead with this mindset?
Don’t you wish more people were candid, fearless, and bold?
I do.
I also secretly wish I could just keep panties on hand to throw at people who don’t have the courage to lead with this mindset but are in leadership positions.
DonorTools.com has been an incredible find within the last year. I use this tool personally managing donations, empowering volunteers and engaging donors. I recommend it for anyone leading a non-profit organization. Finding simple, powerful and clean software tools that are priced right is hard to come by. Add to it that it is specifically geared for the non-profit sector. Incredible. Ryan & Chris are personable and responsive. Check it out for yourself… share it with others. (This is not a paid advertisement; this product is just that good and so are the people.)
In search of self improvement or a desire to move forward professionally, young people land on the idea that they need a mentor. However, wanting a mentor or teacher is a whole lot easier than the process of being mentored. Here are a few quick things to consider on the subject:
[part 2]
Don’t play games with reality - You aren’t ready to be mentored if you aren’t ready to be honest; about yourself, your situation, your work ethic, your morals, your finances, your family, your priorities, your ambitions —- ALL of it. There is no bigger waste of time on this earth than to trying to mentor a person who is blowing smoke about who they really are. Don’ bother meeting if you can’t be truthful about your reality. Mentors aren’t afraid of your reality, in fact they embrace it. Helping you move forward is why they are there.
Be ready for some pain - Once you have been honest, brace yourself for to hear things that no one else is telling you. Your gut reaction will be that “this guy is wrong and/or mean”. Not so. What is going to take place when you have found a good mentor are a series of questions, reality checks, performance penatrating observations and soul searches. After that, they will also tell you the truth in a way that likely no one has before. You want them to do this… trust me. If they didn’t do this you wouldn’t need them. If others were doing this, you wouldn’t need a mentor. Don’t shy away from what they need you to hear. Don’t flinch. Don’t whine about it to others. Take it. Think on it. Watch to see if what they tell you isn’t truer than you first thought.
“History teaches us that no man can be great unless a certain amount of vanity enters into his composition…For a man to be important it is also necessary to have a good opinion of one’s self, even if for no other purpose than to impress others.” –Washington Roebling
When the Brooklyn Bridge was built, it was the most magnificent bridge in the world. It not only set the record for the longest suspension bridge in the world but also became an enduring image of creativity and intelligence in the world of engineering. It was a symbol of pride for the people of New York and for everyone in America as well.
John Roebling developed the original bridge design. John was a giant in the industry known for his engineering innovations. However, prior to the bridge being built, Roebling passed away leaving a giant hole in leadership and massive questions about whether the bridge could and would be built.
It was in this void that Washington Roebling (John’s son) stepped in. He assumed responsibility, leadership, and decision making for the project. Over the next 13 years, Washington faced doubts, anger, frustration and constant questioning over his ability to do the job designed by his more famous and influential father. Every decision he made was met with intense scrutiny and more than once he was threatened with the loss of his job. Despite the odds, he finished the job and was the most influential force on the creation of the final bridge.
Leaders will always face critics whose mission is to find faults, cite mistakes, and point out flaws. In these moments, you must remember the reason you are in a place of leadership. To believe in yourself and your ability is to trust that you have come this far because you can succeed. If you are to be great, you must first convince yourself you can be great.
In search of self improvement or a desire to move forward professionally, young people land on the idea that they need a mentor. However, wanting a mentor or teacher is a whole lot easier than the process of being mentored. Here are a few quick things to consider on the subject:
[part. 1]
Go look for one – It sounds too absurd, but it is all too true that most people want a mentor to come looking for them. ANY individual that you would want to have as a mentor is not just sitting around bored. They have things going on and lots of people who want their time — that is in fact the reason that you want them! They know something that you don’t about your job, about life or about how to lead their families. If you want some of their time, go ask for it. Don’t sit in your office crying about the fact that no one will invest in you. No one will invest in you because you haven’t asked them to.
Make it a priority, not a leftover - Since this is more than likely something you are doing outside of the scope of your paying job, there might be a tendency to treat this like a personal friendship or a hobby — don’t do that. Treat this like a meeting with your boss who’s opinions should have significant impact on your reality. For starters, SHOW UP ON TIME OR EARLY! If you are unavoidably running behind, at least call. Next, get the appt. on your calendar as a ‘can’t miss’ item; do not treat it as something that you will wipe out if some other meetings come up. Holy crap, this is your personal & professional development we are talking about, don’t let that become a third tier item. Also, bring at least one discussion item to the table each time for them to weigh in on. Don’t expect your mentor to lead every conversation; bounce stuff off of them that is important to your situation.