by djp on September 2, 2010
Most of us learn about someone after they’ve become famous and successful. And we often feel that what they ave achieved is out of reach for us. They are too accomplished. They are too far ahead of us. We say to ourselves that we could never achieve what they have. This thinking is not helpful to us or the people in our lives.
There are Eight Commitments of The Law of the Garbage Truck. Here’s The Second Commitment: Don’t Dump on Yourself.
When we get caught up in the headlines of other people’s success, and not the backstory of their achievements, it is easy for us to dump on ourselves. We see goals reached, but not paths taken. We see celebration, not hard work and determination.
When we draw negative conclusions about our future without proper research, planning, and effort, we put unnecessary obstacles in our way. Life is challenging enough without putting ungrounded limitations on ourselves.
Thankfully, we can get beyond the headlines of success. We can read people’s actual stories. We can read their biographies and autobiographies. We can learn how to increase our success and fulfill our mission by studying someone else’s journey.
I recently read The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson. It’s a wonderful book about an incredible man. While I was amazed by everything he had accomplished, his story reminded me that his journey did not begin on the mountaintop. It started in his father’s church. It started in his neighborhood. It continued in college.It continued in graduate school. It continued when he chose his first church to pastor. His leadership in the civil rights movement began one event at a time.
We may not be destined to change the world as profoundly as Martin Luther King, but we can learn to apply the lessons of his life to ours. It can help us achieve great things.
So, what are you reading?
Write to me and tell me which biography or autobiography has inspired you. I want to put your recommendation on my reading list.
by djp on August 31, 2010
Do you know what your name means to the important people in your life?
I’m not thinking of the literal meaning; I’m interested in what people think and feel about you when your name is mentioned.
Why?
Because your name is shorthand for the impression you leave on people every day. Your name captures the spirit of your interaction with the world.
Do people think you’re…
Kind?
Grateful?
Compassionate?
Forgiving?
Reliable?
Trustworthy?
Fun?
The mission of The Law of the Garbage Truck is to help you to be all of these things.
When we follow The Law of the Garbage Truck, we put our attention on what’s important in our lives, not the negative things we cannot control. We bring light into people’s lives, not the darkness of judging, gossiping, rumoring, and complaining. We are not Garbage Trucks.
So, what does our name mean to others?
If you’re a leader or manager, this is an important question to ask your team members. If you’re a parent, this is a good question to ask and discuss with your children.
And just as importantly, we should ask what we want our families, friends, and coworkers to associate with our names? One thing for sure is that we do not want to be viewed as someone who is constantly accepting or dumping garbage. We want our relationships to be positive, productive, and supportive.
Everyday is a chance to give new, positive meaning to our names.
by djp on August 22, 2010
Warning Label: This is hard to do (for all of us) and should be tried at home and at work.
I want to ask you to try something this week the next time you feel frustrated by someone. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but it sure has helped me honor my No Garbage Trucks! Pledge.
First, let’s deal with reality. Feeling frustrated is not fun. It can cast a shadow over our relationships and our daily lives.
When we’re frustrated—especially when we’re in the midst of feeling frustrated with someone—it’s hard to have perspective. We become so focused on what’s frustrating us that horse blinders appear on the side of our heads: We can only see what the other person is doing to upset us. In that state of mind, it’s easy for us to overlook the role we might have played in the problem.
So, here’s one way to give us some perspective. It’s hard, but it’s worth doing.
Stop and think. I know what they’re doing that’s frustrating me. But what am I doing that may be frustrating them?
It’s easy to focus on how other people are responsible for the problem we’re dealing with. And while they may have done or are doing something that needs to be addressed and corrected, it’s often helpful to check our behavior, too.
If we expect others to change, it’s only fair that we should be willing to change ourselves.
And if we were all open to change, think what would happen in our relationships.
Are you up for The Law of the Garbage Truck challenge this week?
Let’s do it.
by djp on August 21, 2010
Have you ever felt like you needed armor when joining a meeting or participating in a discussion?
I appreciate leaders who make sure that issues can and should be discussed and debated in their organizations without employees personally attacking each other. I bet you feel the same way.
So it’s great when we can highlight leaders who achieve great things without being Garbage Trucks. This week I want to recognize the leadership of Ursula Burns. She is the CEO of Xerox. Her leadership embodies the philosophy of The Law of the Garbage Truck: Focus on what’s important; look for, expect, and bring out the best in others; let the negative things you cannot control pass you by; and achieve results. In particular, Burns reminds us that we can disagree without dumping garbage on one another.
In The New York Times feature, “Xerox’s New Chief Tries to Redefine Its Culture,” Burns tells writer Adam Bryant how she sees Xerox as a family—a family capable of caring for each other while they debate. Burns said in a speech to employees, “I want us to stay civil and kind, but we have to be frank—and the reason we can be frank is because we are all in the same family.”
So often people believe that “telling it like it is” precludes them from being civil and kind. Burns sees it differently. She does not believe it’s an either-or choice; she sees it as an “and” expectation.
Would you join me this week in following Ursula Burns’ example? Let’s advocate for our ideas, plans or policies without becoming Garbage Trucks. We can debate—focusing on the ideas—without attacking the people who suggest them.
The next time someone makes an excuse for bad behavior in your organization, you can point to the success of the CEO at Xerox.
Thanks, Ursula Burns. We present you with The Law of the Garbage Truck Leader award this week.
I recently read The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson. It’s a wonderful book about an incredible man. While I was amazed by everything he had accomplished, his story reminded me that his journey did not begin on the mountaintop. It started in his father’s church. It started in his neighborhood. It continued in college.It continued in graduate school. It continued when he chose his first church to pastor. His leadership in the civil rights movement began one event at a time.
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