What's on my mind???
 
I want to “brag” about a current client, both to give them credit and to take away a lesson.
 
I am amazed and inspired by Ask.com’s CEO, Doug Leeds, his executive team and the entire company.  After one phone conversation with Doug (I was wearing my Applied Improv hat), he realized that the company’s strength as problem-solvers was probably the number one barrier to their ability to think innovatively.  After a pilot program, the executive team was clear they had been using the same “tool” for every task.  Watch Doug describe this in a 7 minute interview:  Link is outdated and unavailable
 
Ask.com is the first company in 30 years of clients to put the resources – time and money – where their mouth is.  Their commitment to change their culture to one that encourages innovation is happening.  Look at this cool new “app” they just launched:
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/169766/mobile-apps-reveal-askcoms-cultural-shift.html
 
As a demonstration of their commitment, we are now moving this “culture” deeper into the company structure, into their management style and their hiring.  And the truly amazing thing is the short time that it has taken to see strong success indicators – we only started the process in mid-October of last year!
 
The lesson inspired is about how major change can happen, and fairly quickly, when we commit to it, make it fun (Ask.com named the culture change project: “Funnovation”), and to pay attention along the way to all the other places that need to change to be in alignment.  When the terms “success” and “effective” have been re-defined, there are far-reaching ripple effects.
 
The Ask.com success story has invited me to look more closely at the goals I set for myself… at some of the subtle shifts that need to happen in support of the bigger goal –remember the expression, “The devil’s in the details”?
 
In reviewing my large goal to simplify and make my life easier, more relaxed, I’m looking fresh at all my various “systems” – from filing, to bill paying, to grocery shopping.  My assistant, Lena, is a very organized person, so I invite her objective eyes to help me see to the other side of my habitual ways.
 
It’s been a struggle and exhilarating – lots of letting go, lots of experimenting, lots of laughing at myself and my small, sneaky attachments.  Family, neighbors and Freecycle folks have all benefited from my letting go.  My travels have also been a surprisingly big help–after living for five weeks out of one large suitcase and a backpack, I return feeling quite confident that I can live more simply.
 
Love to hear if and how you relate to any of this.
 
Warm wishes,
Sue
 
 
Three Final Thoughts:
 
          Live simply.  Love generously.  Care deeply.  Speak kindly.  
                              ~ Advice from an Old Farmer
 
          A year from now you may wish you had started today.
                              ~ Karen Lamb
 
          What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork.
                              ~ Pearl Bailey