Back in 1904 the English writer H.G. Wells wrote his famous piece titled, “The Country of the Blind.” The plot unfolds as a mountaineer named Nunez happened on to a community that had been cut off from the rest of the world. While prosperous in many ways, this community had been struck by a disease that made everybody there blind – including newborn babies. Nunez finds this unusual village with windowless houses and no candles for illumination. Recognizing that he is the only one who can see, he begins thinking to himself — “In the Country of the Blind the One-Eyed Man is King.” He’s thrilled as he realizes he can teach and rule them. But the villagers have no concept of sight and don’t understand his attempts to teach them this strange fifth sense. Instead of welcoming his new knowledge and the opportunity for them to experience something beyond their “normal” existence, they resisted his willingness to help expand their world.
Are You Losing Your Soul?
Goodbye, Nights and Weekends?? Most Americans believe the 9-to-5 workday no longer exists, according to a survey by Management Recruiter International. Of the more than 3,500 executives polled, 61% said the traditional workday hours have disappeared. Many people don’t even look forward to weekends because they no longer exist. As more people gain more control over when and where they work, it seems neither the workday nor the workweek have a distinguishable beginning or end.
This is another of those blessing/curse things. We welcome the flexibility that technology allows but the breakneck speed many of you know in business is further blurring the line between work/home/family/leisure.
Better to Try and Fail — or Fail to Try?
Last night I watched the 2007 movie Lions for Lambs with my son, Jared. In this movie a brilliant but apathetic student asks his professor (Robert Redford), “Is there any difference in trying but failing, and simply failing to try – if you end up in the same place anyway?” He was attempting to justify taking the safe route; never really taking a stand or trying anything big.
Still Hate Mondays?
I don’t often include just a link to a video. But someone sent me this hilarious little video that gives a visual message about the way some people still feel about going to work on Monday mornings. It’s only 43 seconds long so won’t eat up your day. It may just give you a humorous jolt to modify you own work plan and join the growing ranks of the No More Mondays crowd.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNzS_TPftg]
What if you worked for Hillary?
I am hearing from politicians around the country. Yes, I literally got a call from the White House yesterday. Think about it for a minute. What if you put all your efforts into working for a politician who is suddenly no longer a contender? What is your next career move supposed to be? As the presidential field shrinks more and more people are having to ask themselves that question. It seems to be somewhat like an athlete who realizes they are no longer a contender. What do you do after you have been in the limelight and now are a “has-been?”
