What is Integrity?

The word integrity is used a lot these days. It is almost bandied about. But what is it? What happens when a major corporation collapses, when governments make decisions that we don't like, or even when friends and partners act in a way that hurts us, that we could consider to be of low moral value or integrity?

Integrity obviously differs from one person to the next. We talk about someone being "of integrity", meaning that they hold similar (or the same) values as we do. But each of us has our own individual understanding of this. We are working from our perceptions and experience of our world and everyone and everything around us, as well as our own sense of self. And so are they.

Yes, everyone is in their own integrity, all the time.

When someone makes a decision that is not what we like - that does not match our beliefs and values, or when they act in some way that is counter to what we would do, we get hurt, disappointed or annoyed and angry depending on our relationship with them. It becomes easy to fall into the blame game.

What is really happening is that they are still behaving according to their views at the time - they are within their integrity in the moment, and it might just be that their integrity is different to our own.

So perhaps we could check whether their integrity is aligned to ours when we consider going into an important relationship or agreement with someone else.

Celebrate the World

Feel like some really stimulating web material and brain food?- visit TED

Have you heard of Pangea Day - where and when short films link the world? - visit www.pangeaday.org

Are You Too Distracted to Pay Attention?

We all do it. Rush around madly trying to finish something in a hurry.

I have a home office, so for me, it is often the last minute tidying before an important meeting with a client, or before visitors arrive. In this haste, I often just throw things into a room, to get them out of public view. It doesn't matter how important these items are - I am in a hurry and just do the "dump and run."

Nothing wrong with that - it gets the job done, but, because I am distracted - thinking about what is happening next, I do not focus or pay attention to what I am doing, where I am putting things. Then, I have trouble finding what I moved in haste. What was obvious is now hidden and no amount of retracing my steps will assist me to find the missing items...

And so it goes on....

Does this happen to you? Does distraction prevent you from paying attention to essential details and information?

Try to be present with each task as you complete it. Try giving your undivided attention to what you are doing in the moment...

This will increase your feeling of being organised, in control and on top of things, as well as giving greater calmness and order to everything you do, allowing you to savour every moment.

Tips to Help You Improve Your Concentration

We all have difficulty concentrating at times. Sometimes it is because what we are doing is boring, tedious or too repetitive - other times it might be because we are tired. Think about when you were really interested in something. Did you have trouble concentrating on that?

If your life depending on something, would you manage to concentrate?
So the challenge really is to maintain our focus and concentration when we have to, but don't want to. Think of a time you could concentrate easily. What did you do, and how did you do it? What could you do now that would help you use the techniques you used then?

Here are some more tips to aid concentration:
Set up a routine helps - just as students get into a study routine to help them concentrate and complete their assignments and study.
Some people like to do exercise - either team or individual sports. Make it something you enjoy.
Get enough sleep and take some time out for relaxation.
Consider a personal trainer or joining a gym.
Try yoga, meditation or even a martial arts discipline.
Try reading a book, doing crossword puzzles, sudoku, playing bridge, chess etc.
Enjoy what you are doing - IN THE MOMENT. This helps you to concentrate.
Match your goals to your values - this helps you to concentrate and achieve your dreams.
Try to make what you are doing fun.
Enjoy what you are doing - this helps concentration!

In Summary:
Set goals - be committed to what you are doing.
Maintain a healthy life style - eat wisely, avoid stimulants (drugs, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate). Get adequate sleep.
Keep the same routine to get into the habit of concentrating.

Developing Useful Systems

Using appropriate systems assists efficiency and order and can create calmness and productivity.

The difficulty is getting people to use systems consistently. If the system is sensible, practical and obvious - it is more likely to be used.

We are all familiar with systems that DON'T work! One of my favourites is a sign to designate a "no-go" zone for off-leash dogs in the middle of a huge off-leash area in a public park. There is a small metal plaque set into the ground that indicates this "no-go zone". Do they think that dogs can read and change their play based on a picture?

So the question is: How can I get staff to take my systems seriously?

If people understand why a system exists they are more likely to use it.
Make sure all systems are necessary
Ensure the systems are reasonable for the users
Keep them simple
If the systems are mandatory clarify their purpose to the users
Systems exist to bring efficiencies - not to control people
Are the systems current or "just there from before"?
Are there easier or better ways to guide staff?
Are they relevant?
Do they reflect staffs' actions?

In Summary:
Understanding brings acceptance.
Use the KISS principle (Keep it simple, straightforward)
Clarify the purpose of the system
Review and revise systems NOW!
Systems should be relevant and appropriate

Following these steps will help you develop systems that people will value and use.

Winning Friends

How we do everything we do counts. Our past beliefs and behaviours can shape our current work and relationships.

I recently heard an interview discussing why one politician (Dr Brendan Nelson) became leader of the Liberal Party in Australia after the recent elections rather than another politician (Malcolm Turnball).

The comment was that Dr Nelson (who trained and worked as a medical practitioner) was collaborative, took issues to the party room and discussed these issues with members of the party. Mr Turnball on the other hand tended to make his own decisions - and he was a very successful businessman prior to pursuing a political life.

It struck me that these men continued with the styles of management and interaction that best suited their previous work experiences. A medical practitioner HAS to tread carefully, collect information (knowledge and training) and research (test results, reading) so that they can make the correct diagnoses and provide the best treatment for their patients - a wrong decision can affect life and limb. A businessman has to make decisions quickly, act on them immediately and repair the problems once they become apparent - and a wrong decision can cost dearly.

Both used a personal and management style that reflected their past work experiences and preferences, and both add greatly to their worlds. In different contexts their individual styles and preferences can be varyingly successful.

What is your style and approach? Does it serve your current goals and purpose, or does it hinder your outcomes?

Fresh Start for the New Year

Listen to this post HERE.

Fresh Start for the New Year

Do you make New Year's resolutions? How long do they last?

New Year's resolutions are a great way of cementing our ideals and goals. But we can be open to disappointment by demanding and expecting too much of ourselves and others on the basis of our resolutions.

Wishes are just that - an expression of hope. Nothing wrong with that - but hopes are not plans, and will not necessarily be realised.

What if we changed our intentions? Instead of making resolutions set in concrete that become too hard to keep once reality sets in and our busy lives help us to lose our focus, what if we could actually hold our space and live our plans?

Choose one or two things that you did last year that you would like do differently this year. It could be anything that inspires or challenges you, such as developing healthier lifestyles or strengthening your commitment to live with integrity and focus in your relationships and work.

Now acknowledge what it is you DO that you KNOW undermine your dreams. How could you do this differently? Would you want to? Could you achieve this yourself? Do you need the skills or assistance of others? And do you know the people you need to help you at this stage?

Finding the REAL answers to these questions will help you to create the environment for REAL change to occur, regardless of the details of your resolutions.

So - good luck with upholding YOUR plans!!!!

Make 2008 the year you learn to Keep your intention strong!