Linchpin
Seth Godin is an inspiration for anyone seeking advice on how to make significant changes in their work life. His book Linchpin provides some good advice for those familiar with his blog and those who are new to his works.
Linchpins and Leverage
The linchpin and the lever are devices that transform a little bit, into a lot. It isn’t about how many hours you work, or how much time you’ve spent on a task. It’s about efficiency. It’s about the breakthroughs. It’s about taking an idea, and changing the landscape entirely. It's the antithesis of 9 to 5, the cubicle, and why you're only earning $X. If you know you're worth it because you deliver something different, something unique, something valuable – then you know what linchpins and leverage are all about.
Artists who Can’t Draw
Insecurity is the bane of us all. Often this comes from failing to live up to “expectations”. This is all about finding your voice, and being confident that what you have to say is not only relevant, but important.
Shipping
There’s an old saying – “Best not to begin. Once begun best finished”. Personally, I have a much easier time coming up with an idea, than I do with bringing that idea to the point of completion (i.e. shipping). Seth reinforces the notion that it isn’t good enough to generate ideas – you need to bring them home as well. This probably has more to do with my own hang-ups about finishing what I start, than it has to do with the book – but nevertheless, it’s a point that resonates with me.
More Cowbell!
I’m a Virgo (by birth). If you subscribe at all to astrology, you’d know that Virgos tend hide in the shadows a bit. I tend to surround myself with friends who are occasionally loud, and excessive – people who seek the Cowbell!!!!! Sometimes you need to shout out and get noticed, even if your habit is to remain in the shadows and be completely modest.
Gifts
And finally, the motivation behind ones action is integral to the act. When you do something that is without ego, and is in the interest of the greater good, however you define it, you will inevitably create something good. Self-interest can lead to many good things, including survival. But selflessness will lead you to places that the ego can’t.
Summary
Overall, I’m a big fan of Seth Godin. He’s an inspirational writer who’s part motivational speaker and part strategist for the modern era. He has a good core message and plenty of useful advice for those looking to make a difference. Honestly, I skimmed the book, and probably get more from reading his blog on a daily basis than I did from reading Linchpin. However, it pulls together his ideas in one place, and gives a good sense of where he’s coming from.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What's in a name?
A Day in my Life
In my 9 to 5 life as a research and planning analyst with Red River College, I spend a whole lot of time staring at data. For those who work with numbers or have spent time studying box scores, stock market pages, or even bank statements - you know how easy it is to get lost in them. Sometimes they make sense, but often data can be overwhelming. Much like being in a forest, when all you can see are trees, trees, and more trees.
Forests of data
“Forests of data” are typically made up of many experiences, often from many people. And ultimately, the data can tell you something about what happened and what someone thinks, but they are both more and less than the sum of their parts. You might get a better sense of the big picture, trends, or commonalities among many different people. Yet, you can often lose the individual and lose the unique experiences in the process.
Making sense of it all
If you've ever spent time in a forest, walking down trails or clearing your own, you know that over time you begin to be able to differentiate between the forest, the trees, and all the other interesting things that are right before your eyes, but seldom seen. Sometimes it's a mushroom living on the side of a rotting stump, or perhaps a bird's nest sitting in a branch, or maybe a wild plum. I wouldn't say that the life of a data analyst is quite that romantic, but there are many similarities when it comes to making sense of the unity and the diversity of experiences, reflected in the “numbers”.
This blog...
While there will likely be some side-trips along the way, this blog will largely focus on some tips, tricks, and tools that are needed in this profession. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know a few things that work for me, and I'm interested in sharing those and learning from others in the process.
In my 9 to 5 life as a research and planning analyst with Red River College, I spend a whole lot of time staring at data. For those who work with numbers or have spent time studying box scores, stock market pages, or even bank statements - you know how easy it is to get lost in them. Sometimes they make sense, but often data can be overwhelming. Much like being in a forest, when all you can see are trees, trees, and more trees.
Forests of data
“Forests of data” are typically made up of many experiences, often from many people. And ultimately, the data can tell you something about what happened and what someone thinks, but they are both more and less than the sum of their parts. You might get a better sense of the big picture, trends, or commonalities among many different people. Yet, you can often lose the individual and lose the unique experiences in the process.
Making sense of it all
If you've ever spent time in a forest, walking down trails or clearing your own, you know that over time you begin to be able to differentiate between the forest, the trees, and all the other interesting things that are right before your eyes, but seldom seen. Sometimes it's a mushroom living on the side of a rotting stump, or perhaps a bird's nest sitting in a branch, or maybe a wild plum. I wouldn't say that the life of a data analyst is quite that romantic, but there are many similarities when it comes to making sense of the unity and the diversity of experiences, reflected in the “numbers”.
This blog...
While there will likely be some side-trips along the way, this blog will largely focus on some tips, tricks, and tools that are needed in this profession. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know a few things that work for me, and I'm interested in sharing those and learning from others in the process.
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