Nicholas Bate

Unplugged, Off the Grid

and going dark. That's me for a week or two; I think I've seen enough Jason Bourne to know how it's done. Thanks for all the incredible support from readers and fellow bloggers alike.

25 Ways To Make Your Life Easier Within A Week or Two

1. Have a plan. We humans like clarity; having a plan helps achieve that. Having a plan does not mean over-working; it simply means that which is important to you is much more likely to happen.
2. Take a daily walk. Being organic, fragile creatures we need daily restoration. A walk is perfect.
3. Read something, anything inspiring at lunch-time. Anytime is good, but often by lunch-time we need a re-focus on what it’s all about.
4. Stay human. Observe the reptiles inhabiting the offices and shops near you. Humans have some higher attributes such as empathy, creativity and sheer drive. Use them.
5. Connect with people when in conversation. They are not a ‘human resource’.
6. Talk plenty about what is working, but notice what isn’t and act upon it.
7. Act as a leader would in any situation, whether or not you have an appropriate title.
8. Anticipate what is going to happen. You can get remarkably good at it. Boy, does it make things easier.
9. Follow-through. Having done an action, make a diary note to follow-up.
10. Get good at looking at cost and investment not just now but longer term: it’ll change your perspective of meetings, for example. A rubbish meeting just seems painful for 1h, but when you realise what it is doing to the product launch, it could bring down your company.
11. Forget ought and should, get real. All kinds of things ought to get done and people should know better. But they wont. Have a plan B. And C. Until you no longer have to work with them.
12. Start drawing, sketching and writing.  It’ll develop your acuity, your ability to notice the stuff others miss which makes their life harder.
13. Re-realise that not everything worthwhile has to have a price nor cost.
14. Hang out with those who are the same path as you.
15. Create a DIY MBA (whether or not you have a 'real' MBA) and start reading.
16. Get enough sleep.
17. Try more days ‘unplugged’. You, brain, pencil and paper.
18. Ask more question, more explicit questions. Ask until they hesitate: at that point you have hit the depths of their knowledge: are you reassured. Or not?
19. Zone your time. Work time. You time. You + partner time. You + kids time. Stick to it.
20. Laugh a lot. And sometimes cry a bit.
21. Those thing that are really irritating you? Don’t fix them once, fix them properly for the long-term.
22. Find out how your SatNav really works.
23. Notice the feed-back your body is giving you and act. Deep fatigue isn’t just deep fatigue; it’s your body calling for rest.
24. Decide to make these the norm.
25. Start now.

How To Write & Publish Your Book 1-30: 21

21: So the pitch letters are in to your chosen publishers. What next? Well, in the film version you will get twenty rejections and then an intelligent publisher will recognise your brilliance and give you the publishing deal of the century. In fact: you will hear nothing. Perhaps the odd 'no thanks', but essentially nothing. Why? Because publishers are depressed at the state of their industry and are into zero risk lock-down. Being new: you're risk. So you are going to have to take the pitch to the next level: the follow-up call. You're going to ring the person you wrote to and try and get a meeting. We'll go into the mechanics of the call in a future post but for the moment understand there are two people involved: your contact and his/her assistant. Do not assume the assistant is not worth speaking to. Far from it. Those with  experience will in fact decide who their boss sees in person. So for now: make sure you have got the best name (from the web-site) who decides new commissions and their assistant if possible. TBC.

21: So the pitch letters are in to your chosen publishers. What next? Well, in the film version you will get twenty rejections and then an intelligent publisher will recognise your brilliance and give you the publishing deal of the century. In fact: you will hear nothing. Perhaps the odd 'no thanks', but essentially nothing. Why? Because publishers are depressed at the state of their industry and are into zero risk lock-down. Being new: you're risk. So you are going to have to take the pitch to the next level: the follow-up call. You're going to ring the person you wrote to and try and get a meeting. We'll go into the mechanics of the call in a future post but for the moment understand there are two people involved: your contact and his/her assistant. Do not assume the assistant is not worth speaking to. Far from it. Those with  experience will in fact decide who their boss sees in person. So for now: make sure you have got the best name (from the web-site) who decides new commissions and their assistant if possible. TBC.

Execupundit Continues To Rock

Awesome. Read it. Print it (I know, I know). Stare at it. Get it.

From My iPhone, London, UK

Blue skies return:

 

Really Good News

at View From The Ledge.

Twitter 4

As always, thanks so much folks: Nelson Biagio, Debbie Woodall, Stefanie W, Cultural Offering, 

Deep Rest 7

1. A loving conversation.
2. A great book.
3. A week without an alarm-clock.
4. A long walk: in the hills, along the beach or through the park.
5. Chopping wood and carrying water.
6. Two days without technology.
7. A month without TV.

Tanmay Vora

is a very thoughtful blogger on the topics of leadership and quality amongst others, so boy do we need his help. So, great news: Tanmay has written a fantastic book called QUALITY tweet. I’ve always enjoyed Tanmay’s blog for its succinct approach and he has managed to transfer this to his book : it's  full of shots of wisdom e.g. 93:  Quality is never a short-term goal. It is a long-term differentiator.  120: Critical question: you have taken your customer’s feedback; have you really acted upon it? It is ideal as a rapid reminder for all of us which could easily  be read on a commute. It would be great for a presenter who wishes to add some key messages . And brilliant to issue to your team. Check out Tanmay’s blog and get you and your team a copy. And thoughtfully it’s available in both e and paper format. Thanks, Tanmay for a great addition to the literature on leadership and quality improvement.

The Presents Money Can't Buy: 2, Therapist SatNav

We've all been there: the long road home. We've listened to all the news. All our play-lists. And it's still a good 2h to the comfort of our own bed. It's been a tough day and we're wondering why on Earth we do it, when suddenly the SatNav kicks in to remind us to take a turn and it's surprisingly re-assuring and comforting. We're almost inclined to take the back-route to get a bit of 'conversation' going.

Well, now SatNav Global WeGetYouThere Systems have launched Therapist SatNav. All the usual navigational facilities are there, but at any time you can switch on the therapist function and in a soothing male or female voice your therapist will talk through any problem you have in a non-judgemental, reflective way. Takes 5 minutes to set up recognition to your voice and he/she can then discuss any of the following:

• work issues such as over-work, colleague problems
• not getting promotion
• your partner is having an affair
• you are having an affair
• you wish you were having an affair
• money issues
• health issues

Coming soon:

• problems with teens
• lack of sleep caused by crying babies
• whether or not to do an MBA

Feel better, work better, Live better with Therapist SatNav (TM). Happy Holidays!

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