A Model T "Yes I can do 150mph" Henry

“Whether you think you can or you can’t; you’re right.”

So said Henry Ford, who in between building his River Rouge plant and selling the iconic Model T Henry, found time to trot out useful one liners, that have been preserved for posterity. No prizes though for guessing whether he thought if he could or could not.

This is one of my favourite quotes because it reminds me that to be successful we need to listen to what we’re saying in our head, as it’s likely to be self-limiting. However, as an additional dimension to this I’ve realised that sometimes saying ‘I can’t do this’ is as useful and as necessary as saying ‘I can.’

What Can’t You Do?

In the headlong rush to get on with our lives it’s easy to write off a ‘can’t do’ as a negative and a limitation, but my recent writing experience has made me realise that in fact we need to balance the cans with the can’ts in order to be successful and to stay healthy. For example, I can write fast when I need to, but I can’t write and drive at the same time, so completing the additional chapters needed to finish my book has meant making sensible decisions about what was a practical use of my working day (and evening and late night). Henry Ford’s quote forced me to think about what I could do and what the consequences would be, which meant taking an axe to my diary, chopping a swathe through my appointments and rescheduling clients until later on in February. I could write my book, but only if I created the space for myself to do so and although this meant making some tough choices, at least I was making them proactively and getting control over the situation. It also meant not blogging for a bit, but I’m back now!

I thought that ‘I can finish my manuscript’ and also that ‘I can’t do that and meet all my other commitments at the same time’. And I was right, so thank you Henry for making me think about both sides of the equation in a positive and proactive way.

It’s an interesting point to consider folks:

What can’t you do, in order to free up the space for something that you can do?

Do let me know how you get on balancing things out to keep motivated and healthy.

Nativity creativity

Here’s fun: A witty talk by Sir Ken Robinson about creativity and education. If you would like to listen to it please click here.

Thank you to Mel Armstrong at Cardinal Talent for sending it through to me in the first place. It did remind me that we often strive for creativity at work; in order to solve problems, design new products and run useful marketing campaigns, for example, yet society tends to really value qualifications in ‘proper’ subjects, like maths and physics. Sometimes, society can be very silly.

In my experience of work people have actively discouraged both thinking and creativity. Two comments, from my own past, will suffice for evidence:

“You’re not thinking again are you Maun? Stop that and get on with some work!”

“Richard, you have too many ideas; go and get on with something productive.”

People who say these kind of things are not great leaders and I’m glad not to be working with them any more. This brings me to my point. The next time someone has an idea at work, any idea, find a way to say thank you, even if you don’t like the idea itself, because their next idea could be the one that really makes a difference. Creativity is the future. Celebrate it and foster it.

I’m off to be creative with some Lego now. What could you do?

If dogs can do it, you can do it

When was the last time you took ten minutes out of your day to reflect on progress made?

We often talk about the need to ‘reflect’ and the truth is that we often fail to do any. I will be the first to hold my hand up and agree to that statement. Luckily for me though, I was reminded of the power of being reflective a few days ago, when meeting with a writing colleague. We talked about my writing progress and although I was pleased to report that I was typing out my next book at great speed, the wrinkle of her brow and the kindly, but thoughtful, smile made me realise that I needed to stop. Stop writing, take a step back and look at the work so far. Like a sculptor gazing thoughtfully at a half hacked marble bust, with his chisel held aloft, paused.

The key here is that I know how to stop and think. I know how to pause and check a manuscript and hold it up to the light to see how it flows and whirls. I know all this and in my headlong haste I had forgotten to do it. Silly me.

And that’s the point. It’s no good knowing what to do it if you don’t do it. I needed to spend time with my friend to help remind me of the need to stop.

So, here is a friendly challenge. When you arrive at work tomorrow, set your mobile phone alarm to bleep later on that day to remind you to go to a new meeting. The only person in the meeting will be you and the agenda has one item on it: Quiet thinking and reflection. It’ll be a great meeting and perhaps the best ten minutes of your day. I’ll be interested to hear how well you get on …and I might have a go myself…sounds like a fun challenge!