Archive for the Critical Thinking Category

Simplicity the New Mantra

Every once in a while there is an idea that seems to touch on every area of my life. These recurrent themes cause me to stop and take note as they often lead to greater understanding. One theme I see recurring is the idea of simplicity, streamlined approach to organizational development. Certainly the wave of economic shifts in response to the energy crunch would encourage a more conservative approach to operations from a business standpoint. More fundamental though I believe is a reaction to t

July 29, 2008 4 Comments Full Story

Work Like Water

In the quiet moments early in the morning I sometimes wax philosophical in pursuit of understanding my day-to-day existence. What is it that I really am doing? What difference does pushing 0's and 1's around? To the degree that I am successful, what makes my work stand apart from another? Is it creative ingenuity to solve problems? Yes, I think I have some of that. Is it a strong work ethic? Well, everyday I get up and do it again. Is it work done with integrity? Yes, I am not one to cut corners

May 29, 2008 4 Comments Full Story

What I Learned from the 35-Day No Caffeine Experiment

Day 35 came and went on Sunday and two days later I still have not imbibed on a caffeine drink. Why? I really haven't gotten the urge. People have asked me whether I am going to start drinking coffee again and I don't have an answer for them, well not a simple one. Here are some things I've learned as I sort through the process. A 39 year-old can change his habits. They say it takes 30 days to make a habit. Fasting from caffeine for 35 days pushed it out just a bit further to the point wh

October 2, 2007 16 Comments Full Story

Blogging on Purpose

Living life on purpose is something I strive towards. I enjoy looking at cause and effect, the end results. Writing to a blog is a process that is done with definite goals in mind. I wrote about the Top 20 Reasons I Blog back in March. In reviewing those reasons, by-and-large they are still the same. Doing the Math Today, I did a quick look at my web stats using Google Analytics. I've seen a 22% increase in visits from the previous 30 days. Sounds impressive. So, making the blanket assumption

June 26, 2007 7 Comments Full Story

Sowing Good Ideas

  My mind is an idea generator. Just about every day I wake-up with a new one. Some of them are not more than passing thoughts, some are glimpses of a growing concept and some are a collective of several ideas. Being the verbal processor that I am, I readily share my ideas with others. Fortuanetly for me, I'm married to a wonderful wife that listens to me and has the wisdom to know the difference between passing thoughts and serious intentions. She's an amazing gift to me. In the work pl

May 2, 2007 3 Comments Full Story

The One Degree of Difference

There is a difference between good and shoddy work. It's a one degree difference. One definition of perfect is: "excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement." Being perfect, complete in ones projects sometimes is the difference of a few minutes well spent. Did you take out a piece of paper and think through the project? Did you anticipate the pitfalls and identify the solutions? Did you take a break after the initial rough-draft of the project and

April 9, 2007 No Comments Full Story

Organic Thinking

This weekend I began the intensive ritual of Spring gardening. Beyond the cutting, trimming, fertilizing, watering, and weed pulling, there is the delightful process of transplanting seedlings that have spontaneously sprung-up over the course of the year. I also dug-up and transplanted some flowers that are virtually roots with seemingly dead stems. They are now relocated, to the yet disbelief of my nine-year old, and will bloom into beautiful lantanas in just a short while. I was thinking to

March 25, 2007 No Comments Full Story

Thought Sparks, Ensuring Minds are Moving

Thanks to Not Fearing Change for listing Thought Sparks as one of five blogs that makes her think. She wrote, "Thought Sparks is awesome in bringing forth technological thinking and how things are moving. His whole blog is dedicated to ensuring our minds are moving." Very cool. If I make you think, then I am living up to my goal of "Igniting Ideas for the Common Good." Soon to come will be five blogs that make me think. Stay tuned.

March 25, 2007 No Comments Full Story

How to Get Stuff Done

Procrastination is a productivity killer for many because it bogs them down into ambiguity that is both uncomfortable and confusing for folks. There are a few simple steps to take to move past this problem which will have a dramatic affect on your job performance. There are many self-help books, articles, etc. on time management, but it's really not that complicated. I find that many long-standing business issues often take only a few minutes to a few hours to solve if you follow a few key steps

March 7, 2007 No Comments Full Story