Are You Always Late?

Are you late for your first service call of the day? Are you late for service meetings? Are you late to get set up in the tree stand for that first day of hunting season?

I get it. Work is a hassle and the boss is a pain. But that first day of hunting season, visions of that twelve point crossing your cross hairs a half hour into the wait…heck, you get to the tree early.

Lets assume that you work for a pretty decent company. This means that you are recognized for your efforts, receive above average pay and benefits, tools, equipment and vehicles are in above average shape, have a multitude of educational opportunities and very few of your coworkers are slackers. The problem seems to be in your manager. It seems as if he’s always picking on you, that he’s got it in for you.

Now your manager is a very busy person. But he has been punctual with your annual performance review. And you’ve followed The Technician Shop protocol by requesting and getting additional time to discuss your education, professional development and performance issues throughout the year.

Your manager knows the problem, you know the problem: you are always late. You put forth a little effort and get to work on time, but you always slip back to your old ways. The problem with being late all the time is not your only problem. Your tardiness jades your performance. This means that you are not going to get the benefit of doubt when it comes to performance and behavioral issues with your manager. If, in the eyes of your manager, you are borderline between average and below average in a certain category, you’re more than likely to receive the below average mark.

Showing up for work on time is a mindset. You realize that it’s the right thing to do. You realize that you are going to cut down on work related hassles. You realize that your work related life is going to get a whole lot easier and you’ll notice how better your manager is treating you.

All you have to do is to be on time, just like getting to that tree stand or getting to that softball game or getting to the start of the fishing tournament on time.

Comanche Marketing: Self Image

Did you ever look into a mirror and think the guy looking back was your self-image? Or did you ever look into a mirror and imagine the guy looking back was the guy who you wanted to be? Did you know that how or what you think about yourself can influence your performance?

Matt Michel, author of Comanche Marketing and CEO of the Service Roundtable, pens an article titled “Creating Positive Imprints on the Self-Image.” Matt tells a story about how Lanny Bassham, an Olympic athlete created positive imprints on his self-image and went from a silver to gold medal performance.

We’ve spoken quite a bit here about how important our physical image is. Matt provides a different perspective on image, one which is every bit as important. Place yourself into Matt’s story. Think about the action and process you will take to produce an enhancement in your own game, the game of the professional technician.

Lenny’s company is called Mental Management Systems. Check it out when you have a chance.

Also, keep this story in the back of your mind. In the future I am going to write about ideas to help you along in the process of making that desired self-image come true.

Mark Matteson: Zingerman’s & Stories are Forever

How is it that people, say like Mark Matteson, seem to be brimming with stories? Mark is a published author and writes a monthly newsletter called E-zine Street. Stories pour out of Mark because he has a finely tuned personal radar system – he listens for them. For instance, as he recently rode across the U.S. on an airplane, this story leapt out at him. Mark takes in the story, runs it through his own filter and then writes about it to help others.

But Davo, dude, I’m a technician man, I’m not a writer or a consultant.

Fair enough. Instead of writing about the stories that you hear to help others, use the stories to help yourself. You probably won’t hear as many stories pertaining to exactly what you do for a living as you will hear other types of stories. This is where you need to dial in your own personal radar. To begin with, be open to stories you hear from your son’s kindergarten teacher to your boss to Joan the bartender. Then, as the story works its way into your skull, allow yourself to think about your own life. What is relevant? What reminds you of something else? Who reminds you of someone else? How would you do that in your job? How could you learn to do that? How does that pertain to something you do for a living? The questions that you can ask are endless and the more you ask, the more will surface.

You see, stories that are not specifically about you, can be like running a reverse or mis-direction play in football. The flow is going one way and then BAM! it goes in the opposite direction. Suddenly there is daylight, less tacklers, less noise. Suddenly you are able to think with more freedom. Suddenly a very relevant thought appears from where there was none. Lessons learned from these types of stories have a tendency to dig their heels into your brain’s turf and will not easily slip away.

For more conventional stories that will entertain and teach you, drop by Mark’s bookstore.

What’s a Hyanide?

Combine a motorcycle, an ATV and a snowmobile and you get a Hyanide.

We’re going to send you to a site that not only explains the Hyanide, it explains just about anything you can think of – How Stuff Works.

We know you’re real serious about your profession as a technician. You’ve been spending a lot of time on your education. Sometimes however, you gotta take your foot off the accelerator and briefly explore other areas of interest. Hunting, fishing and RC cars can’t be done briefly. You’ll always have your hobbies. We’re talking about exercising your mind on non work related topics. A great place to start is How Stuff Works. Just remember though, take this stuff in small, bite sized portions. Maybe an article a week.

Go here to How Stuff Works and info on the Hyanide.

A Bolt of Lightning

Question: Would you rather have an abscessed and infected tooth pulled – without Novocaine, or would you rather pour through management journals looking for lessons that are written for managers but could be welded into valuable learning experiences for you?

Tough question, isn’t it?

Relax, you stick with the Novocaine and I’ll stick with the management journals. The beauty part is you get the lesson – without the pain.

Usain Bolt is the fastest sprinter who has ever lived. In an article addressed to managers, John Weeks, a business professor, draws a parallel between Bolt’s hard road to be a world class athlete, and a manager’s quest to be on top of his game. Every single thing Weeks talks about is relevant to our world and to you the technician.

Strengths – Earlier in Bolt’s career he was advised to stick to the 400 meter race. But he had enough self-knowledge to know his strength was in the 100 meter race. How well did he know his strength? Bolt holds the world record at 100 meters.

Here’s what Weeks says about strengths:

Often the things we are bad at are the things we don’t really want to do. A recipe for success is to do fewer of the things you don’t like and concentrate on what you’re good at. Are you playing to your strengths? You need confidence in yourself and, unless you’re the chief executive officer, you need an organization that will support you.

Think about that quote and what we’ve recently said about your strengths. Here and here. Neat eh?

Rough road – Bolt suffered through a series of setbacks that could have derailed an average Joe. The lesson here per Weeks is that successful people have to deal with setbacks. They however, take a positive outlook on the setbacks by learning and drawing motivation from them. You could do that, right?

Eye on the big picture – Bolt had to rehabilitate in ways that he didn’t like. But he kept his eye on the end result and got through it. It’s the same for you. No job is perfect. There will be things you don’t like. By keeping your eye on the end result and approaching your challenges in small, bite-sized chunks you’ll get through it. You will.

Go here to read John’s article.

Next Page »