January 2008 - Posts

The Zen of Results
Are you ahead of the game, or falling behind? Are you getting the results you want? As a follow on to The Zen of Zero Mail , this post is about task management and personal productivity. It's simple by design, but proven effective over time. Slides Based Read More...
Posted 30 January 08 09:31 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under
Don't Tell ... Ask
If you coach others or you need to encourage change or if you need to change yourself, the key is to use questions. Lead others to their own insight or your advice may fall on deaf ears. Here's a few of my posts I've been referencing lately that explain Read More...
Posted 28 January 08 06:53 by J.D. Meier | 3 Comments   
Filed under
Monthly Results
It’s mid-year at Microsoft. In the past it would take me a bit of work to figure out what I had accomplished and where I want to go. Not this time. For the past several months, I’ve been using a practice I’ll call Monthly Results. Each month, I create Read More...
Posted 21 January 08 04:50 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under ,
Success Strategies
As part of my improvement sprint focused on leadership, I'm making my way through The First 90 Days , by Michael Watkins. In a nutshell, it's a guide for how new leaders can be successful. I think it's actually relevant for any new role or situation. Read More...
Posted 17 January 08 04:39 by J.D. Meier | 2 Comments   
Filed under , , ,
The Zen of Zero Mail
You too can have a zero mail inbox, if you choose to. I chose to go zero mail in my inbox when I first joined Microsoft years ago, and I'm glad I did. With a single glance, I know whether I have new mail to deal with. I never have to scroll to see what Read More...
Posted 14 January 08 05:48 by J.D. Meier | 13 Comments   
Filed under ,
Performance Techniques, Building Codes, and Approach
When you improve the performance of a system, I find it's helpful to think in terms of the techniques you use, the "building codes" you follow, and the overall life cycle approach you use. While there's a lot to know about performance engineering, here's Read More...
Posted 14 January 08 04:02 by J.D. Meier | 2 Comments   
Filed under , , ,
Security Techniques, Building Codes, and Approach
When you're improving the security of a system, I find it's helpful to think in terms of the techniques you use, the "building codes" you follow, and the overall life cycle approach you use. While there's a lot to know about security engineering, here's Read More...
Posted 14 January 08 03:46 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under , ,
Focus and Energy
A colleague drew a chart on my board today. I'll summarize like this: Procrastinators - Low energy and low focus Disengaged - Low energy and high focus Distracters - High energy and low focus. Purposeful - High energy and high focus I like new lenses. Read More...
Posted 10 January 08 04:26 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under , , ,
Using Guidance Explorer from Outlook
It looks like Alik Levin has some helpful posts on using Guidance Explorer from Outlook: Customize Guidance Explorer Inside Outlook 2007 – Find Tech Gold Nuggets Instantly - how to configure Outlook for easier searches using built-in functionality. Consume Read More...
Posted 08 January 08 05:15 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under , ,
The Placebo Effect Revisited
Just how much does your mind determine your body? In the NPR article, Hotel Maids Challenge the Placebo Effect , Maids start losing weight, once they change their mindset. They don't change their daily routine. They simply change perspective. I like this Read More...
Posted 07 January 08 02:11 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under ,
Improving Your Feed Reading
I like to sweep my practices at the start of the year. My feed reading practices needed a revamp to reduce some friction. I have some friends ramping up on blogging and feed reading, so I figured I'd share my approach. Steps for Improving Your Feed Reading Read More...
Posted 07 January 08 09:22 by J.D. Meier | 5 Comments   
Filed under , ,
7 Types of Blog Posts
What types of posts get traction? In a nutshell, posts that either hit the heart, lead you to "ah-has," consolidate insight, consolidate resources, or help you nail a task. Skellie outlines 7 Types of Blog Posts Which Always Seem to Get Links and Traffic Read More...
Posted 06 January 08 11:36 by J.D. Meier | 3 Comments   
Filed under
Leadership Styles and Development Levels
One leadership style doesn't fit all. According to the Situational Leadership II model, the leadership style depends on the development levels within the team. Here's a summary: Scenarios If there's high competence and high commitment, use a "Delegating" Read More...
Posted 03 January 08 04:27 by J.D. Meier | 5 Comments   
Filed under , ,
Guidance Share Sweep
One of the most important things I did while I was on vacation was sweeping Guidance Share . Guidance Share is where I consolidate my body of software engineering guidance and test user experiences. I redesigned the home page for simpler browsing and Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 03:48 by J.D. Meier | 2 Comments   
Filed under , , , , ,
Solution-Focused Questions
How can you use questions to improve individual performance? You can ask solution-focused questions. David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz write how to improve non-performance by asking solution-focused questions in their article, "The Neuroscience of Leadership", Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 08:46 by J.D. Meier | 5 Comments   
Filed under
Pruning or Preserving a Synapse
How can you keep your brown from throwing out a perfectly good behavior? Positive feedback. David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz write about how positive feedback can preserve important synapses, in their article, "The Neuroscience of Leadership", in "strategy+business" Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 08:23 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under
Two Reasons Why People Resist Change
Why do people resist change, even when it's for their own good? Your own body can work against you. If you know how your body works, you're better prepared to making key changes. David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz write about two reasons that work against Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 08:14 by J.D. Meier | 2 Comments   
Filed under
Moments of Insight
Where does the world's best insight come from? Yourself. Sure, somebody can lead you along, but it has to be your lightbulb that goes off. You are your most important change agent. Nobody can just hand you a bucket of brilliant conclusions and expect Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 07:11 by J.D. Meier | 2 Comments   
Expectation Shapes Reality
How much do your expectations shape what you get? A lot. David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz write about how your expectations and attitude play a larger role in your perception than previously understood in their article, "The Neuroscience of Leadership", Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 06:23 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under ,
Focus Changes Your Brain
You might have heard the expression, "you get what you focus on." But, have you heard that what you focus on actually reshapes your brain? The act of paying attention creates chemical and physical changes in your brain. David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 05:32 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under
Leading and Influencing Mindful Change
Why do many leadership efforts and organizational change initiatives fail? Are there any new insights that might shape new management practices? David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz summarize some counterintuitive conclusions in their article, "The Neuroscience Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 05:24 by J.D. Meier | 3 Comments   
Filed under ,
Working Memory vs. Routine Activity
Have you ever wondered why some things you can do on "auto-pilot" or without thinking, while other tasks are mentally draining? Your thoughtful tasks are using your working memory ( prefrontal context ), while your repetitive, familiar and routine activities Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 04:07 by J.D. Meier | 6 Comments   
Predictions for 2008
Here's a quick rundown of my take on key trends. Trends are different from fads since they're longer-lasting and more pervasive. I don't have a crystal ball or a magic 8-ball, but I have 20/20 hindsight with the customers I work with and an eye for patterns. Read More...
Posted 02 January 08 03:40 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under ,
Reward Yourself in the Moment
Happy New Year! It's a new year and many of you will be setting new goals for yourself as part of your New Year's resolutions. I want to give you an important nugget you can use when you implement your goals and start to face some potential discomfort Read More...
Posted 01 January 08 10:36 by J.D. Meier | 1 Comments   
Filed under , , , ,

Search

Go

This Blog

Syndication

Page view tracker