Big results require big ambitions.
~ James Champy
Reading Intentions 2011
Starting out 2011 I intend to go through a number of books I’ve been through before & then go through additional books. One additional note: All books will probably be audiobooks. When I first read The Art of Non-Conformity it took me around 20 hours; the audiobook is 5 hours long.
Here are three categories:
1. been through before
2. desire to go through
3. ?? unknown ??
1. been through before
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
Waking The Dead by John Eldredge
Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough & Michael Braungart
[something by] Thomas Stanley – one of the many I’ve been through before
2. desire to go through
The Fifth Discipline by Peter M. Senge
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller
3. ?? unknown ??
I am sure there are books that will come out that I jump on, or more importantly, audiobooks. Here are some I am looking for, or area l ready out and might consider:
Jim Collins – succeeding through turbulence – [some media @JimCollins.com]
Jeff Jarvis – Public Parts – about the good from living a out in public and sharing info
Thomas J Stanley – Stop Acting Rich : And Start Living Like a Real Millionaire
Chris Anderson – The Long Tail : Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More
All in all I expect to go through 12 to 24 books over the next 12 months. We shall see how well I keep up with those intentions.
Unplaned Wilderness Break – Jeff Manion
Jeff Manion
The Land Between
The land between is a period of wandering in the wilderness; a time without a clear end point – or – seemingly lack of progress.
“For now”
A common phrase is when asked about your live, you have a “for now” as a part of your explanation.
While in The Land Between – look for:
– a new, better & bigger vision
– a lesson to learn
– a skill to grow
– a habit to break
– an error to correct
– transformational growth within yourself
Many times our journey in the land between is needed because we are not ready for the new land of plenty.
– a better understanding of the world beyond yourself
this is not automatic
It takes work & at times, being intentional about it
Fight against complaining (remember counting your blessings – in a spreadsheet – Jim Collins)
The land between is a difficult time, but a natural time & a time where you have major choices, especially in the attitude you choose.
The land between is a good time to explore your faith, how you see the world, the relationships you choose & priorities.
There is more to life than just go … go … go.
Never Giving Up when Falling – Jim Collins
Jim Collins
“I have always attempted to understand what separated good vs great.”
To have a great society we must have greatness in all parts of the society.
Five Stages of Decline
1. Hubris Born of Success
2. Undisciplined Pursuit of More
3. Denial of Risk and Peril
4. Grasping for Salvation
5. Capitulating to Irrelevance or Death
The org does not visably fall until stage 4.
These stages are largely self inflicted.
1. Hubris Born of Success
Outrageous aroagance.
“When the going gets weird – the weird become CEOs”
Leaders matter, the humility of the leader + the burning passion is what makes the difference.
2. Undisciplined Pursuit of More
Getting stuck will kill you, but this does not happen to the mighty.
Keep this question in mind:
Do we have all the key seats filled by the right people?
3. Denial of Risk and Peril
A culture of denial forms.
From the outside it all looks great.
Stockdale Paradox – confront the brutal facts & never give up hope.
Discipline facts + faith
4. Grasping for Salvation
Looking for silver bullet – change everything.
Find that right outside leader.
You have to improve consistently over time.
An org can come back from here.
Money is never enough of a reason for an organization to survive.
10 things to do
1. Good to Great Diagnostics – free at JimCollins.com
Confront the Brutal Facts
2. Count your Blessings – literally – in a spreadsheet
3. Question to Statement Ratio – ask more & better questions
4. Answer the Q: How many key seats are on your bus? How many are filled by great people?
5. How the Mighty Fall diagnostic as a group
6. Create inventory of the Brutal Facts
7. Stop Doing list
8. Define results & milestones
9. Double your reach to young people by changing what you do – not who you are or what you stand for.
10. Have a BHAG
Change tactics – not your core purpose.
movement must happen
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
~ Will Rogers