Optimism

I was reading recently of a public art project that links New York's subway system with the idea of "optimism" and smiled to myself, figuring it is bound to attract some cynicism, if not outright ridicule.

That's because public transit everywhere in the world is one of the more popular targets for complaint, vitriol and even fist-shaking rage.

However, radical optimists (as I freely admit I am) seek out optimism in the hardest places - and where better than the subways of New York?

A campaign instigated by Manhattan designer Reed Seifer to distribute 14 million Metrocards emblazoned with the word "Optimism" to New York commuters kicked off in November last year under the MTA's Arts in Transit program.

He's been an optimism promoter since the early 80s after an experience as a young boy with his father and a homeless man. He wrote a thesis on optimism and then started selling buttons. Now he's reached exponential scale. A cool side-story by the way--look it up.

The naysayers were quickly vocal - "I am optimistic that the MTA is mismanaged and the fares will continue to go up while service goes down", and the sarcastic sucker-punch: "I feel better already."

It'll be interesting to see what effect the campaign has. Is simply putting a positive word out there into the atmosphere enough to cause social change?

I'm a great believer in the power of (correct and appropriate) language to change the entire conversation. I believe it will and does--if only for one!

I've called myself a "Radical Optimist" - not an everyday garden variety, but a committed evangelist. Reed Seifer is therefore a Radical Optimist, taking the notion beyond the "glass is half full" cliché. As I firmly believe that, by definition, a glass cannot be "half-empty"--that's like being "half honest" or "half pregnant"--you either are or your are not--one of these more easily defined, black & white issues for me. Everything is at some progression of "fullness"--you're either "full" or some portion there-of. The same DOES NOT apply for empty (ness).

Radical Optimism is not about seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses; it's about taking notice of the roses that are out there - and getting out there to plant some more.

Negativity and pessimism are easy—that’s why everyone goes there so readily. As the MTA campaign reminds us, traveling through life with some optimism in our back pocket is a great idea for us and for those around us.

Language--Let's be Clear Here!

Recently I have had occasion to read many goal sheets or “Inspiration Statements” or whatever you call them. I, universally, like them, but I am impressed by one thing: Whom are we trying to impress with them? Should be "me" or "us" right?-- And if that's the case--why do we use such fancy language? I think one goal should be to make them clear, simple, concise … clean!
To me this is particularly as relates to these sorts of documents for personal use and then even more so for those that we hope to share with others.
To do this, a good place to start would be to read George Orwell's 1946 essay, Politics and the English Language. Orwell understood how language could be used a weapon against the powerless, and how jargon and clichés are used to hide meaning, not clarify it. He offers six timeless rules for effective communication:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech, which you are not used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
7. Try and express your thoughts in one breath.

MBA-speak started by infecting the workplace but has tragically now also made its way into sport (losing teams now "lack accountability") and even the home (KPI's in the kitchen!).

* Why do we have to touch base to get our ducks in a row when we could just meet?
* Why must we synergize our learnings going forward, when comparing notes would do fine?
* Why wouldn't a busy person save time by saying "I'm busy" instead of due to cascading workflow, I am lacking in requisite bandwidth?
* Why reach out when you can just make a call?
* Why can't we leave a meeting with things to do, rather than take-home actionables?

Communication is about respect and accountability. If we express ourselves clearly, we have no choice but to stand by what we say. By resorting to clichés and jargon, people are blurring meaning to avoid scrutiny. It's also laziness and frankly unimpressive and poor form--who are we trying to impress anyway?

People are hungry for clarity and authenticity. In every part of life, let's commit to using language to amplify meaning, not bury it.

Little Things Matter

Yes they do!

And how's this--two posts in one day--I'd better sit down , I'm a little light-headed.

Anyway... I forgot to recommended to you a service that a good friend has started up: a website, a blog, an RSS feed--whatever you call it, it is valuable, wonderful and useful. Little Things Matter:

www.LittleThingsMatter.com

I highly recommend subscribing to it--because they (little things) sure do (matter)

Global Convention 2010--Musings...

Yes, outstanding, yes, impressive, yes, you "shoulda been there!" But two other words spring to mind as I ponder this event:

PERSPECTIVE. If after being there,one does not have a new and elevated perspective, one would need their head examined. One of the value propositions of doing such is it gives one a global, and therefore, elevated perspective. Speak to someone who was there (if you weren't) or go through your notes if you were, you'll notice a whole new perspective on life, Unicity and "our" (including your own) potential. If you were there, good start; If not, be at the next one!

SYSTEM: It became clear to me (again) the need for a system--not even the "right one" but just having one. That Process (another "P?") is critical. Sticking with it; and walking and talking it even more so. Watching the outgrowth of the System there and the power and attraction it has generated are powerful--that's what generates the perspective!

Find a system lock onto it, talk it, walk it, do it.

Oh yes, one other note. I was reminded of how many good people we have and work with. GREAT folks! Thank you for your association, thank you for being here. It's just great to work with and for wonderful people!

Life is GREAT

Rock on

Welcome to 2010!

Well, we'll see how I go with being more diligent his year! Three posts over last year don't quite cut it as "diligent."

My flavor of the month is Inspiration--how to get it, how to maintain and augment it and its great value.

We have all had occasion to be "in the groove" or in our "flow" or just "on"--we know how good that feels, we achieve great things, we feel almost super-human. But yet all too often it doesn't happen often enough. So how do we get that more?

I believe it's more than goal setting (and all that that entails), or having a vision--those are good, but they are really just a means to an end. They help us "get inspired." That's the outcome we're looking for. A purposeful emotion-laden, sensory rich Statement of Purpose Or Inspiration Statement that is USED on a daily basis--that is meaningful to us. A Preview of (your) Life's Coming Attractions if you will, I believe is front and center to this obtaining and retaining an intrinsic source of Inspiration.

As Dr Norman Vincent Peale would state in his book The Power of Positive Thinking. Take the time to ponder, to empty your mind once a day on a daily basis, then fill it with this statement and all the emotion it invokes in you. The the power of creation takes over, your mind will drive the actions in and for you that will, quite literally, bring that to pass. No question in my mind.

So write one, use it, DO IT