Juggling Elephants Blog

If ever there was anyone who comes close to being able to actually juggle elephants, it would have to be the single parent. They are quite simply amazing in their ability to maintain their job, take care of a family and sometimes even squeeze out a few moments for themselves.

At a recent training program I met another one of these incredible ringmasters who was struggling with their "wide open" circus. In our discussion after the program we talked about a number of strategies to attempt to help them run their circus a little more smoothly. They included:

Work Ring

• Leverage every resource to make your job more manageable. Whether technology, work schedule or people. Be willing to ask if additional resources are available if you feel like you are drowning.

Relationship Ring

• Carve out a dedicated block of time to spend with a child or children each week. Even if it's only 30 minutes. Guard it with your life. Make it something they (and you) look forward to, and turn off the mobile phone or Blackberry. Don't overlook the morning hours. A quality sit-down breakfast may nurture more than the body.

Self Ring

• Recognize you desperately need that "me" time to rejuvenate your own energy. By taking a moment or two for yourself, you will actually be making yourself a better parent and employee.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to engage the other performers in your circus to assist you.

Labels: family, stress reduction, work/life balance

When you watch the Super Bowl, do you ever wonder how they get the shirts and hats of the winning team printed so quickly? Of course they don't wait until the last minute. They have merchandise for both teams ready and when it's over they sell the appropriate ones.

That begs the question, "What happens to the merchandise of the losing team?" There certainly aren't any "AZ Cardinals-World Champions" shirts available (sorry, Cardinals fans). Interestingly enough, the hats and shirts are donated to World Vision, an organization providing assistance to the poor and underprivileged children of the world. This year some of the merchandise went to Central America. Those disseminating the shirts say that for some of these children it will be the first time they have ever received a new article of clothing. These children may not know who the team is or in some cases even know what football is... but they do know somebody cared-and that's just cool.

Carlos Slim Helu is one of the richest men in the world. To help you better understand his wealth, consider this: If you make a landline phone call in Mexico, 92% of the time the call will be carried over phone lines belonging to his company.

In an interview with Fortune Magazine, some of his charitable giving was highlighted and the passion for his children and grandchildren was obvious. The interviewer asked "Slim" about his philosophy on life and what guided some of these behaviors. His answer is something every parent (including me) needs to hear time and time again. He said, "Many people want to leave a better world for their children. I'm trying to leave better children for my world."

WOW!!!! While there is no doubt we need to be building a better tomorrow for the coming generations, I wonder what impact we could all have if those of us who are parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, neighbors, etc. focused on "building" better children. Ones who have the character, attitude and abilities to succeed in such an uncertain future. A better world indeed.

Labels: children, family

In the spirit of keeping things simple, try just two ideas as you begin planning for next week.

1) Delete the unnecessary. Look at your list of "stuff" to do. What can be deleted? What projects are just not important and can be gotten rid of? Sometimes we brainstorm tasks that can be done and forget to ask the question, should they be done. Remember, there is no shortage of acts for your circus. You can't do it all. We have to pick, choose and prioritize.

2) Delegate. What can be given to someone else to do? Who has excess capacity that can help out? Who can you budget to pay to take care of some less than productive tasks that will free you up to accomplish more critical things? Delegate or die! Let others be part of your circus.

Focus on these 2 ideas next week and see what kind of a difference it makes in what you are able to accomplish. You might just find you are getting more standing ovations from yourself.

Labels: delegation, prioritizing, productivity

When times are tough, it sounds so good to roll up in a ball and "sleep it off." But it can also be the time to be entrepreneurial and innovate. I appreciate the quote that was sent to me from a colleague:


Be creative. Think of something new. Develop and innovate. Innovation doesn't have to be costly. There is such good energy around coming up with new concepts and trying something different not only at work but in your personal life.

Labels: change, choices

There was a news report recently of a paratrooper who had a harrowing training experience. In one of his first parachute training exercises, the trainer strapped to him died of a heart attack. The soldier saw all kinds of potential dangers lurking below him-houses, power lines, etc. The solider said he was able to safely land using techniques he had seen on television and the movies. Sadly enough, one death could have created two.

It brought to mind a similar situation that happens in an organization. An employee (performer) takes unnecessary risks or improper actions. Maybe they unexpectedly leave for another job. Retirement or even death might be the reason for their departure. You or your department were depending on them to help guide things in the right direction... and now they're gone. What will you do now?

Today, before you "jump" into your lineup it might be a good idea to:

• Review the key performers in your work circus. Do you have a contingency plan in the event they were no longer there-or simply out for a period of time?
• Ask yourself, "What have I done to cross train employees so we could keep things moving in the absence of other performers?
• Reflect on your role as a "general manager of the circus," meeting the needs of others so they will remain as a strong supportive performer in your lineup.

The soldier never dreamed he would face such an uncertain situation. Thankfully, he had the ability to avoid disaster. What about you?

Labels: jobs, management, teamwork

As you go through leading the "performance" of your day, what difference would it make if you based your actions on:

• Quality
• Good judgment
• Showmanship

You might just get more standing ovations.

Labels: leadership, management, productivity