Quote of the Day

Late last year, I wrote a quote on my whiteboard that I decided is a new rule to live by. As I cleaned off my board to start the new year, I knew I needed to keep this quote handy so that I could recall the wisdom it evokes.

“Poor Planning On Your Part Doesn’t Constitute An Emergency On Mine” -Adapted from a Proverb, via My Boss

This quote, for me in my role, isn’t so much about being a naysayer or trying to be the anti-team-player. It is really about reminding everyone that proper planning prevents poor performance (that other overloaded alliteration related to planning). As much as others may need the reminder, I know I need the reminder myself. Far too often, myself or my team, or our partners come up with last minute requests and then handcuff ourselves to “ASAP” as the rule for how soon we “need” to get it done. There is a time and a place for everything, and a sense of urgency is many times supremely helpful in time-sensitive communications or implementations. But we have to break away from the idea that this is the new norm. It all comes back to proper determination of what’s really important. I think a lot of us have a long way to go before we truly understand what’s important. And maybe it is only then that we will really start to be able to take this quote to heart.

Til Next Time,

Michael

Quote of the Day: Mark Cuban

Found a great article that had a few gems from Mark Cuban the other day and wanted to share what I felt was his best quote…

“Work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it away from you.”

What I love about this quote is that it demands us to be proactive, throw away any complacency, and act with a sense of urgency.  I think a lot of times we get comfortable in our roles or companies, and we get stuck in the cycle of pressing the “easy button” too often.  In reality, if we all elevated our “game”, and worked like someone was gunning for us at all times, not only would all of our companies soar much higher – we’d all get more enjoyment and accomplishment out of work.  I understand there are many external factors to consider (i.e. if you have children, physical limitations, or other constraints), but do think we all probably have a bit to learn from someone as dedicated and driven as Mark Cuban.  Well said, sir!

Til Next Time,

Michael

Quote of the Day

“I’m more of a Missouri guy; y’know, Show Me”.

I love this because I’m from Missouri.  Also love it because it was said in perfect context since it’s the “Show Me” state.  I randomly overheard this in reference to fact-checking an operational readiness team on their smoke testing procedures.  Since those tests always seem to come back “clear” when in reality the production release sees issues.

Figured I’d share; my boss almost lost her coffee we were laughing so hard.

Til Next Time,

Michael

Quote Of The Day (QOTD) – Realism

So I’m probably going to start running a “Quote of the Day” segment whenever I feel compelled (Weekly perhaps?  By the way – would that mean I should call it Quote of the Week?  This whole blogging thing is stressful; so many decisions…).  Might be something more suited for Twitter or another social outpost, but I’m paying the bills around here and I felt like it was fair to include 🙂

This one is on a colleague’s signature and I really like it.  I think of myself as a realist (i.e. the person that the optimist calls a pessimist and the person a pessimist wants to punch) so maybe that’s why it resonates with me.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”  –William Arthur Ward

Til Next Time,

Michael