Do Something Different...

Gerry (my partner at GrowthWorks) and I created a Leading Innovation workshop this year based on our book. We delivered the training for a high-tech company to its top 400 managers around the world. At the end of day one of each session I gave the participants a homework assignment:

• Do something different... and pay attention to see if you notice anything special...

It could be as simple as driving a new way to work. I did the assignment 19 times in Berlin, London, Sydney... And I was rewarded every time.

In Boston, I had forgotten overnight to do the assignment. When I woke, slightly embarrassed and panicked about not completing the work... how could I expect others to get anything out of the exercise if I wasn't doing it myself... I decided i would sing in the shower. But I'm not a morning person and didn't really feel like singing. So, I thought, "I'll just tell the group I sang int he shower." But there was no reward in faking it. So I sang. And my mood shifted instantly... for the better.

In Singapore,I decided to work out in the fitness facility without listening to my iPod or watching TV. With 2 minutes and 6 seconds left on the clock on the elliptical trainer I was ready to be done, but time seemed to be moving so slowly. would it everrrr end? And to that point, no reward. I played a game; decided I wouldn't look at the timer again until I was confident it was under 2 minutes. When I looked back I expected to see 1 minute and maybe 30 seconds. It was 1 minute 59 seconds. I thought, "7 seconds is a lonnnnng time." And that set me off thinking about a book I've been wanting to write but have been postponing "for lack of sufficient time."

My reward for doing some different and paying attention for anything special in that fitness room in Singapore? I realized I can get this book done in small pieces. I don't have to swallow it whole. I got started again that night.

Enough for now. I've scheduled 15 minutes to make a few preparations for a book-related research trip I planned in my spare minutes.

Make a Difference,

Brian

bmcdermott@growthworksinc.com

BLOG: Brian@GrowthWorks -- Life, Learning and Leadership