Moving Beyond The Golden Rule

The “golden rule,” while often taught as the ideal way to treat others, does not take into account different personalities, cultures, and backgrounds.  Doing unto others as you would have others do unto you only work when people are like-minded. This may work when you share similar surroundings, teachings, and values. However, as technology, education, and work allows us to become more interconnected with people across the city, state, nation, and world, it’s important to realize that not everybody wants the same treatment.

 We need to move beyond the golden rule to something higher (maybe the platinum rule?) and do unto others as they would have you do unto them. I don’t want to be treated the way you want to be treated. I want to be treated the way I want to be treated.

Taking Control of E-mail

Last week I had an experiment. Rather than subject myself to the constant bombardment of work e-mails I decided to check my it only twice per day. I never realized just how much distress receiving and replying to-e-mail caused and how much of a distraction it is during the workday until I practically removed it altogether.

Lately I have found that the constant e-mail alerts on my computer and phone were beginning to drive me crazy. Every time I felt my phone vibrate, saw desktop preview, or heard the e-mail alert I would sigh in frustration. Getting something done was nearly impossible. I couldn’t start a task without being interrupted with one request or another. I couldn’t have a peaceful night at home or out with friends unless I left my phone at home, but then would be concerned that I might miss an actual emergency. Between the constant notifications form AIM, Twitter, Facebook, personal e-mail, work e-mail, text messages, phone calls, Skype, etc., it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to be productive and/or focus on any one particular task for an extended period of time.

To remedy this situation, I removed my work e-mail from my cell phone. “Are you sure you wish to delete this account?” Yes! I then turned off my e-mail clients (I use Entourage for work) and only checked it twice: at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Almost immediately I felt like a new person. I was much more productive and my stress level dropped tremendously. What happened when I opened my inbox? Other than receiving my unread e-mails, nothing. Nothing had fallen apart. I hadn’t missed anything crucial. I was able to increase both my effectiveness in the workplace and reduce stress by simply closing my e-mail.

When did it become desirable to be mediocre?

Be a student of your craft…

Since when is mediocrity the new gold standard? All-too-often I hear people start their sentences with, “Well, at least…(insert consolation prize here).” It seems that we have collectively lost our competitive spirit – the desire to be the best. When did we decide to give up? When did we decide that it’s okay to just be good enough? When did we decide to settle? Personally, I believe complacency is the number one killer of dreams. The greats are great because they found their passion and worked hard to perfect their crafts. Try finding a great author who is not an avid reader, a musician who doesn’t love and collect music, a strong CEO who doesn’t keep up with current trends, or a top athlete who doesn’t train. When I see a person miserable on the job or a child fighting for the chance to read, go to school or have clean drinking water, I’m reminded just how important it is to never settle. If you try your best, then the best is all you can do. However, if you say you tried your best to cover up a lack of effort, that's the mentality we need to change. Always strive for better.

How to be the best:

• Be a student of your craft. Read anything and everything you can. Study anything in your field and anything that may have an effect on it. Be well-rounded. Check out blogs, podcasts, YouTube, wherever you can get information, get it. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about PEOPLE. Have a conversation and learn something.
• If you’re good, spend time with somebody better, faster, stronger, etc.
• Take the next challenge. When you’ve mastered a certain level, step up. Rise to the occasion.
• Recruit a mentor. If you find an expert in the field, reach out to them and develop your skills.
• Never be too pleased with yourself. If you do something great, good. Now, do better.
• Practice, practice, practice.
• Never settle.

What do you think? Why is mediocrity praised? Where have we gone wrong? What are we doing right? What suggestions do you have to be the best?

I Got Accepted To Grad School…In Sweden

I just found out that I was accepted to Gothenburg University in Sweden to obtain my Master in Global Studies. I’m really excited about the opportunity to study international studies…internationally. It has always been a passion of mine to immerse myself in different cultures and learn from other perspectives. If it all works out, I’ll be starting class on September 1, 2010. Wish me luck…