Genuine Curiosity

Author Dwayne Melancon is always on the lookout for new things to learn. An ecclectic collection of postings on personal productivity, travel, good books, gadgets, leadership & management, and many other things.

 

When are you at your best?

As you may know from my writing here, I am something of an explorer - always looking for new things, new data, new connections, and new meanings in the world around me. Part of my energy is spent on self-examination. I'd like to share a few of my experiences here in hopes they may help you, should you find yourself in a similar "questing" state of mind.

Introspection is good

A while back, I wrote about Dick Richards' wonderful book, "Is Your Genius At Work?" and described how I was trying to home in on what my genius is, but still hadn't nailed it. Well, I still can't name it but the process heas helped me on my journey. This book has some powerful exercises to guide the curious soul.

In addition to Dick's book, I've found some strong insights through spending time with Phil Gerbyshak's book, "10 Ways to Make It Great!" (also reviewed recently). In Phil's book, there is a strong, focusing thread of, "What is it that you want to be known for, and what can you do every day to increase the odds that it'll come true?"

Seek others' input

It's easy to navel-gaze forever, but I'm also finding tremendously fertile ground in conversations I've been having with my friends and coworkers. At the recommendation of a mentor of mine I've been interviewing people I work with and asking them four simple questions, developed with help from my office mate Gene. The questions are simple and humbling (the parentheses represent what I usually say when people ask, "What do you mean by that question"):

  1. In your opinion, what am I good at?
    • (What activities are the best fit for my skills, as you see them?)
  2. What am I not good at?
    • (What activities are not a good fit for my skills, or seem particularly challenging to me, from your perspective)
  3. What is the highest value I provide to you or the organization?
    • (If I stopped working here, what would be the hardest thing to do without or replace?)
  4. How could I double or triple my value to you or the organization?

Obviously, I picked people I trust (to be honest, to keep my best interest in mind, etc.) but it's still difficult to have these conversations with people you admire or respect. Trust me - it's worth it to power through the anxiety.

One thing that can be challenging is to simply listen during these sessions. Fight your impulse to dispute what you hear, or play it down, or even lead your interviewee down a different path. Try to limit your commentary responses to, "Thank you," or, "I didn't realize that," and make liberal use of phrases like, "Tell me more...," and, "What do you mean by that?"

More perspectives lead to more clarity

My conversations validated a lot of my own perceptions about what I'm good at, and what I'm not good at. But I heard some things I never realized I even did, so I certainly never considered them to be strengths. And I found that increasing my value to others was generally not about doing more things (my tendency) - it was more about doing more of a few things. This is helping me cut out things that don't add tangible value to myself or others, which is a very good thing.

If you try this out, let me know how it works for you.

By the way - if you can't find enough people you trust to have these kinds of conversations, that's something to think about. I can think of times in the past when that's been true for me, and I'm glad that's not the case any more - that's no way to live.

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Get Focused

Dave Cheong has a great write up in his latest post, 18 Ways to Stay Focused at Work. He's created a nice blend of how to deal with physical and virtual distractions in the workplace.

The one I have trouble with is the first one, write out a daily task list and plan your day. To be more precise, my problem is sticking to the task list. The downside of my curiosity is my ability to quickly become enamored by a new idea, concept, fun project, etc.

Do you have this "distracted by shiny objects" tendency, too? If so, I'd love to hear your secrets for dealing with this challenge.

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[Updated] Keep your powder dry?

The new restrictions on carry-on items have put a cramp in my style, so to speak. I don't like checking luggage on short trips because of the extra time checking bags introduces, and the inherent risk of lost stuff (I've had my share of lost luggage and pilfered items from my luggage).

Since I can't carry gels, creams, or liquids in my carry-ons, I've ended up buying a lot of toothpaste and hair gel in hotel gift shops. Unfortunately, many of the hotels are out of these items and it's no fun to wander about looking for a drug store in an unfamiliar town - usually late at night. I also hate having to throw out perfectly good hair gel and toothpaste when I've only used one day's worth of them.

On the toothpaste front, I think I've found a solution: good old tooth powder. My grandparents used to use this stuff, and I haven't found it in a grocery or drug store locally, but I have found it online. I ordered mine through Amazon (there are a number of types and flavors to choose from). I settled on mint tooth powder from Eco-Dent, for $4.80 per package. Spendy? Yep. But easy to cost-justify when you compare it to the cost of toothpaste in hotel gift shops.

Now - does anyone have any solution for hair gel? I haven't found any "just add water" products for that...yet.

Update: I've received a few questions on how this stuff tastes. It's a baking soda base (sodium bicarbonate) and has a bit of sea salt in it, so it tastes a little salty when you use it. However, after trying it for a few days, I really like it. It leaves your teeth very smooth and clean, and the "aftertaste" is minty fresh and clean - not salty.

Also, they estimate that this 2 oz. container will be good for about 200 uses. Not too shabby.

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Good listening

I have been re-stocking my collection of audiobooks, preparing for some reading via my iPod on my upcoming trips. HeadphonelookingIf, like me, you're fond of blending audiobooks into your reading list, I've got a great resource for you.

I just found a great list of business audiobooks on John Richardson's Success Begins Today blog. I've read or heard about half of the stuff on John's list, so I'm thinking he and I have compatible reading interests - so I've just bought & downloaded a few new ones. John has been doing a lot of audiobook listening as part of his cool "MBA On The Run" program that I wrote about a while back (Manage by running around, 28 April, 2006).

Incidentally, if you decide to get your audio fix via Audible.com, I recommend either the Audible Gold or Platinum subscription plan that they offer - it's very cost-effective if you listen to books regularly, because they include book credits. You can use a credit to get any book they offer, and if you choose expensive titles you'll easily make up for the cost of your subscription. For example, I buy a lot of new or recent releases through Audible and the monthly subscription cost is cheaper than buying the hard copy of the book, and much cheaper than the audio version of the book.

Also, don't forget the tip I shared previously about how to speed up your audiobooks on iPods.

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Living in a box

Having spent a lot of time in software companies, I'm familiar with a concept called "time boxing" to help prevent software development projects from going on forever. I didn't realize I have been using a sort of "time box" approach in my personal projects, until I read Dave Cheong's write-up about doing just that.

Dave's description of how to use time boxing in the context of Getting Things Done (GTD) is excellent in two ways. One, it is a good articulation of what "time boxing" means. Two, Dave does a phenomenal job of explaining how to use time boxing to increase your focus, prevent time-consuming rat holes, and take better control of your day.

I've found this approach to be very useful to help me box in things that take on a life of their own - like online research. I can get lost in the internet if I'm not careful.. By turning my research into a closed-ended activity, time boxing helps me focus on what I really need to learn and cuts me off at a predetermined time.

If you combine this with a timer of some kind (either on your computer, or a kitchen timer on your desk) you can increase the likelihood of getting your own personal projects done on time and under budget.

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