Archive for the 'meaning of life' Category

Wisdom

Published on 25 November 2008 in meaning of life, books and work. 0 Comments

The other day I was sitting in the staff room at MPOW when I picked up a Times magazine and found an article in it entitled “Wisdom from famous over-65s”. The article itself is available online, of course. It’s a look at a book called Wisdom by Andrew Zuckerman, which has interviews with people ranging from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, through to Billy Connolly, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm Fraser and Dame Judy Dench.

Clint Eastwood’s words made me think:

Take your profession seriously; don’t take yourself seriously. Don’t take yourself seriously in the process, because you really only matter to a certain degree in the whole circus out here. If a person is confident enough in the way they feel, whether it’s an art form or whether it’s just in life, it comes off - you don’t have anything to prove; you can just be what you are.

Making a difference

Published on 30 April 2007 in ruminatin', meaning of life, renungan and work. 2 Comments

I’ve been thinking about Seth Godin’s post, Ego, for a few days now. Basically Seth says that “People like to be recognized, respected and trusted.” He suggests that “If I come to your fancy restaurant for dinner, why not ask me about some of my preferences on the phone and laser print a menu that highlights some of my faves.” I really like this idea. Imagine having an experience that is customised for you next time you go out for dinner.

As well, I like to be recognised as a repeat customer if I visit a shop regularly. It’s not about expecting freebies or obsequious service though - just a simple “Hello [I recognise you, I know you have been coming here every time you need a {insert item name here}]” will suffice.

This year I was reassigned to a different faculty (or division as they are known at MPOW). I moved from business to science and engineering. Apart from the change in disciplines (challenging enough!) I have found the change very interesting to observe. It’s made me realise how much the interactions and relationships between people matter, and what a huge difference knowing a person makes, even in more formal situations.

By the time I left the business school I had built up a really nice network and had a good grasp of who’s who, what’s what and all the division’s priorities. There were a few moments in the first few weeks in science and engineering when I thought that I must have been crazy to think that this change was going to be a good thing. It was very unsettling to realise that I had no networks, I had no idea who I needed to talk to to get X done, or what people in this new area thought of Y. I had to start all over again.

So what’s all this got to do with Seth’s post, you’re wondering? Well, I’ve been pondering how that added human dimension is vitally important in my job. Besides having the skills to know where to find information, people skills, being interested in the people you’re supposed to be helping also makes a huge difference. Looking like you care (and actually caring) has a very positive influence on your interactions with people (not very profound I know). Especially at MPOW, which is a large university where it is easy for students (and staff, sometimes) to feel like they are Just A Number. I hope I do make a difference to the students I do come into contact with. Remembering that anything I do could make a difference to whoever I come into contact with (students, staff, colleagues) - this is a good thing to keep in mind. Especially when I’m answering that umpteenth EndNote query.

Late post, because I have a day off today.

Priorities

Published on 23 April 2007 in work-life balance, meaning of life and priority. 2 Comments

Been thinking recently about priorities and how I’m going to make enough time for all of them.

Made a list of Stuff I Do:

With family (includes Paco)

Reading

  • For pleasure
  • “Professional”

Blogging

  • Here
  • LINT
  • Comments

Games

Watching tv/movies

Exercise

Quiet time

Language stuff

  • learning new
  • working with existing

This is in rough order of priority, or maybe that should be order of frequency.

I haven’t added writing to this list, something I want to do more of. I had my Emsig yesterday (MPOW’s version of the annual appraisal - stands for Managing for Continuous Improvement and Growth - the MCIG, everyone calls it Emsig - sounds like an agricultural production target in a command economy or something…). The Boss is keen for me to keep writing. I’m finding that although I don’t find always the process particularly easy, I do enjoy getting my thoughts on paper (or onscreen). I volunteered to work on a couple of papers, after telling The Boss that LINT folks are working on another at the moment. Which reminded me that I was meant to have converted my two conference papers from last year into journal articles.

I don’t really have any strategies for making more time, apart from watching less tv and spending less time on games. As it is, I’m not spending all that much time on both these days.

Looking at the list, it occurs to me that I would like to have exercise as a higher priority. I don’t think quiet time is high enough on the list, either. Language stuff is too low on the list, but this might change soon, as M and I are going to be attending Dutch language class soon.

The only item on the list that is completely non-negotiable is family time, but that’s as it should be, I think.