The Stories We Tell Ourselves

That won't work. It's a dumb idea. You're too sensitive. You can't do that. Don't dream so big. You aren't mean for great things. Don't be ridiculous. Lower your expectations. 

The stories we tell ourselves are often influenced by the stories others tell us about us. Bill isn't good with math; Sally tends to talk too much; Byron has issues with authority; Janet has no success with relationships; Kyle doesn't socialize well.

Mean What You Mean

Our friends, family, parents, and even our colleagues may mean well but they shape how we feel about ourselves whether their assessments are accurate or not. It's easy to say "don't listen to them" but it takes a lot of energy and fortitude to do that, especially if some of this imprinting has been going on for years.

Far too often, we put others and ourselves in a box. I'm too old, I don't have the money, I couldn't do that, it won't work, it's too late. Easier said than done, but let's accept the past has passed, and take the shot. We could just resign ourselves to letting others build our narrative. After all, they know best, right?

Or perhaps we may enjoy making some new stories.

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2021: Year in Search

Since 2001, Google has published their year-end review through search statistics, news stories, and videos entitled Year in Search. As you look through these, you'll discover how much has changed and how much has happened in the last two decades.

Here's the 2021 Edition

 

Here's 2020 back to 2001

 

2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001

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Doing Our Happy Work

There aren’t usually many surprises in most employee surveys. We want to be compensated fairly, enjoy a collaborative work environment, and have the ability to advance within the organization.

Dan Ariely is a professor of psychology and behavioral economics who explains some of the elements that make us happy or unhappy at work.


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Is Happy Work Possible?

There aren’t usually many surprises whenever I see an employee survey. Most (all) of us want to be compensated fairly, enjoy a collaborative work environment, and have the ability to advance within the organization.

Are those the things that make us happy at work?

Dan Ariely is a professor of psychology and behavioral economics who explains some of the elements that make us happy or unhappy at work.


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
New Book out in 2016 – Details soon!

Do You Enjoy Your Work?

Millions of employee surveys have been conducted in our time on this planet.  The usual issues come up in every one – our compensation, ability to advance, appreciated talents, and purpose realized. The interesting discovery in most studies is that someone's salary is usually not the source of their biggest grievances.

I'm sure you know someone (I hope it’s not you!) who is unhappy at work. It could be the work, but it’s quite often the stuff around the work – leadership, culture, people, collaboration, communication, and other human elements. Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers writes; “Hard work is a prison sentence only if it does not have meaning.”

Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics, explains some of the elements that make people happy or unhappy at work.


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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

TED | Dan Ariely

The Spirit of Our Time

The annual Google Zeitgeist reminds us some of the big events from the last twelve months. A billion dollar election, a skydiver from space, and a destructive storm.

But as you look back at the struggles and victories, hurdles and smiles, it might be a good time to give yourself a break and focus on the good stuff. I know I am.

Our love and prayers to the families and friends in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
No words suffice.

It has been quite a year.


Kneale Mann

Google

Inspiration

It is the game changer.

Mediocre teacher tells.
Good teacher explains.
Superior teacher demonstrates.
Great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward

It's interesting to look through sealed boxes in the basement marked "important" and "fragile". I've been doing the same with the almost 500 OMO posts here.

I found several posts marked "inspiration".

The last three years of my life have been quite a journey and inspiration has been important to me. I have learned hard lessons about business, people and myself.

In the last year, I have met some fantastic people and lifelong friends.

Inspiration has gotten me through, kicked my butt and gotten me going again. I don't think we put enough importance on inspiration as a crucial element of life. That is how the lesser skilled athlete wins in overtime or the company with less resources wins market share.

This is a mashup of two previous posts...

What Inspires You?

A piece of music can heal and transport you. A great book has the ability to let you travel to far off lands to meet new people and read great stories. A phone call from a long lost friend can transport you. A few kind words can lift you from a bad mood.

Where do you go for inspiration?
you an inspiration for others?

Think about someone you have met who left such a positive impression you had to tell someone else about them. Why was that? What made them remarkable?

Do you enjoy meeting inspiring people? Does it help you grow to be around people who share their positive energy? Do you strive to do the same with others?

Do you think if you surround yourself with inspirational people who want to help each other, tell the truth and work in the same direction, you have the makings of a successful venture?

Addendum

When something or someone inspires you, breathe it in, cherish the moment and use that fuel to get you through those moments when you feel the hill seems too steep to climb. When someone tries to deplete your strength for their own gain, move aside. No matter how much they try, their shortcomings and character flaws cannot be transported to you like the common cold.

Never underestimate your ability to inspire others.

@knealemann
Helping you integrate all you do with all you do.

photo credit: smashingapps

Twitter This Sunday: Good News Only

Last week I suggested we take one day and share nothing but positive news on Twitter. The response has been excellent but without action, it's just an idea. Thanks to Ken Wall for pushing this forward, now time for all of us to share. Sunday is Mother's Day and what better day to share nothing but good news.

Here are some suggestions for Good News Only Day on Twitter

Use hashtag #gnod
Put resume away for the day
Find inspiring stories or quotes
Shout-outs to Mom, of course!
Whatever you want to share
Personal good news - kids and family stuff
Tweet-out people in your life who inspire you

Let's take the day off from pitching our wares and focus on why we connect.

We all need some good news and it's everywhere. Twitter is about sharing and exchanging ideas - let's do it up on Sunday.

Let's celebrate Mom with nothing but good news.

Good News Only Day on Twitter #gnod

@knealemann

Mom For A Day

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a colleague I hadn’t seen in years and it was a great reunion. She is now a mother of two, happily married to an awesome guy and kicking butt with her company. We had a great catch up chat then I got to meet some of her friends – friends she met because of her company.

Same Same But Not What You Think

The one thing in common with this group was they are all moms. They shared kid stories for a while but what resonated with me was how bright and full of life this table was, it was awesome. I left being more inspired and enlightened for the experience.

Happy Accidents

This ‘chance meeting’ happened because I reached out to say hi to someone I hadn’t seen in years. This accelerated serendipitous event occurred because of a community my long lost colleague had built and continues to build online.

Once back in the office, I felt compelled to thank each person for allowing me to stick around and be the only non-mom at the table. People I would never had met by any other possible accident. Oh and they asked about my Twitter address, so we could all keep in touch.

People Are People

This group may have met because of the common bond of motherhood but the point of it was bright business owners enjoying great coffee sharing stories, experiences and ideas.

Thanks to Erica Ehm, Brenda Hollingsworth, Candace Derickx and Kelli Catana for letting me 'guest mom' for the day.

Who have you not spoken with in a while?

What magic could happen if you got in touch with them?

@knealemann

Friends - Colleagues - Storytellers

We all love stories. Stories are about real life people, imaginary characters, creative freedom and all the other delicious things our minds may conjure.

More Than Opposable Thumbs

Stories connect us and separate us from the rest of the creatures that roam this blue sphere. Years from now, you will not still be remarking about that new shirt you bought last week or the presentation you have to work on or the email that went unanswered.

But you may remark on someone you met, someone who helped you or changed your life. You may comment on how you changed someone’s focus or assisted in helping their business or life.

How Long Has It Been?

In the last week, I reconnected with someone I admire and like very much. We hadn’t spoken in four years. It was one of those situations where you just pick up where you left off; life gets busy but that all washes away. He is in a completely different industry now and is applying all his experience and ideas to a group that needed a fresh pair of eyes. He is a storyteller, a connector and it’s thrilling to see how he is applying all that to his latest project.

Do I Know You?

A few weeks back, I made a connection on Facebook. We had not met; we had some mutual friends. In the course of a handful of emails, we got on Skype and had a great chat about her business. In the course of the conversation, she came up with some ideas for me. We were oblivious to each other’s existence until a few weeks ago, now we are helping each other. She is an engaging storyteller who is great at making stuff way less complicated.

Can I Help You?

Someone sent me a DM on Twitter a couple of weeks to ask for some advice on their blog. Me? Someone who got in to this space a year ago on the advice (aka a dare) of a few people at a dinner. Two storytellers exchanging thoughts and ideas. What a difference a year makes.

Thanks CC!

Yesterday, CC Chapman wrote from the heart in a piece entitled Reflections Of The Future. CC is a great storyteller who loves to help others and share. Read and be inspired.

The Power of We

We run into old friends, contact complete strangers, connect with new colleagues across the globe and these moments are chances to widen our knowledge and create deeper relationships.

Who are you going to meet this week?

@knealemann

photo credit: thefarside.com

From Cave Walls to FriendFeed

How old is social media?

At the core of social networking is connection. It has been going on for about the last 100,000 years or so.

People used to write stories about their lives through pictures on cave walls.

Juan Pablo Bonet first introduced a new way of communication for the deaf and today millions converse through sign language.

Can you hear me now?

In 1836, Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail developed an electronic telegraph machine that sent a series of electric currents which made markings on tape. An alphabet was devised and long distance two-way communication was made possible with basic equipment.

Ancient Greece is the place where the earliest form of shorthand was documented. As early as 400BC, shortened versions of full words were carved on to marble using mostly vowels with slight variations to indicate consonants.

Rocket ships and email

In the late fifties during the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. This event caused the Americans to quickly get to work on the Advanced Research Projects Agency or ARPA which later became ARPA Network or ARPANET. Today, you and I know it as The Internet.

Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in the mid 1400’s. His creation revolutionized communication. A&E named him the most influential person of the 20th century.

Shawn Fanning turned the music industry on its head with his invention of computer code and later Napster which allowed people to electronically share songs.

What does all of this have to do with Social Media?

In short, everything.

This is not about LinkedIn or Facebook, MySpace or Bebo, Twitter or FriendFeed.

Morse code, the Internet, hieroglyphs, the printing press, mp3s, shorthand and many other magnificent inventions have immeasurably helped us better connect with each other while sharing stories, knowledge and experiences.

But can any of this ever replace in-person interaction?

km

Long Live Visuals

The topic of music videos has come up lately as the recent job cuts at MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic and MTV in Canada continues to be long and painful.

Years ago, I was at a convention and on the panel was someone from MTV in NYC. During the Q&A session, someone asked the person from MTV – what the “M” stood for which was followed by an uproar of laughter. By that time, the focus away from music programming at the network had begun.

In the 80s and 90s, video flow was huge. In our cross-media, cross-platform, gadget laden world it's ridiculous to expect anyone today to sit in front of a television and watch music videos. That notion is about as ridiculous as to claim Paris Hilton is popular because of talent.

YouTube is the #3 website on earth. This is not because we are watching Jim smack Bill in the face with a baseball bat, or watching Sally's wedding video. Bright forward-thinking companies are realizing that online visuals are a way to tell more of their story. Have a look at the Doghouse Video.

YouTube may be the most popular, but it's obviously not the only outlet. We can produce material that goes to cellphones, emails, microsites, the ideas are only limited by our imagination.

The best advice I can give in our economic times is to seek out potential customers and go to them. Few will survive on the hopes their phone will ring on its own.

Coldplay is the biggest band on the planet right now. "Viva La Vida" has sold more copies – online and in stores – than any other collection in 2008. Their world tour broke records. But at the core is good bloaks making great music and fun visual stories linked to their songs.

km

Mass Media vs. Integration

Have you experienced the raccoon in the headlights yet? You know those times when you are trying to explain that the way things used to be done, can't be done as well anymore?

The story is paramount, what you want to portray in your commercial, show, or website is crucial to success. But simply exposing the message or story solely through traditional channels may not be the wisest strategy anymore.

The price of admission is not simply being in the game – that’s not good enough and it’s dangerous. Some ideas aren’t ready. Plastering your message on a billboard or integrating a storyline in to your product are tactics used once you can realistically manage your expectations.

With television, visual and online productions we find clients are struggling with social media options and smaller but more accurate metrics. With integration and the Internet, it is increasingly more difficult and expensive to reach your potential audience with a wide aimless swath.

I equate it to an independent band. In the early days, the buzz is created by a tiny group of early adopters who shared the music and story with their friends. The influencers keep the story going while the band kept making music and doing shows.

Long gone are the days a when band would release a collection of songs on a piece of plastic and sell it in a retail setting, or sell it at all. That may work for Britney and AC/DC but most bands (and companies) need to look at a new reality. Not even the overexposed are selling like they used to.

Mass media will no longer solve all problems or provide the same solutions as it did in the past. Face it, not everyone is Microsoft or Apple with deep pockets to blanket the new and the old realities. The rest of us need to be careful and make choices.

There are more options for both the content provider and the audience. It takes patience and courage to navigate the minefield. Without the right targeted message or story, you may as well spend your money on something else.

There are no winning lottery tickets here. Formulas and templates are tougher to retrofit these days. This will take some time.

As we discover new options with the integration of entertainment and advertising, we must remember that if you live on the edge, you can’t expect a crowd.

km