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commitment

Wanted: Inspiration

by Jen Kuhn on March 28, 2010

“I’ll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there’s evidence of any thinking going on inside it.” ~Terry Pratchett

I’m sitting in a hotel room.  It looks exactly like the one I was in last week. That idea comforts and disturbs me.  I could be anywhere.  Yet according to this ad, this is what business travel looks like: YouTube Preview Image

Yep, that’s me, prancing across the lobby. If that’s supposed to be my check-in experience, I’m doing something wrong.  Yet when I checked-in this morning, there was a difference: the person working at the front desk (Jimmy).  His attitude pulled me out of what I call my “travel apathy” (if you say it really fast, it’s one word).  You just said it 3 times, didn’t you?

He noted I’d been a guest here before and welcomed me back.  I responded politely (that’s travel apathy). He asks, “What do you do that allows you to travel so much?”  I gave him the 30 second, canned version (what’s it called? Yep…travel apathy).  He gave me a great big smile, “That must be so much fun! AND you get to travel.” Someone drank the kool-aid.

Suddenly I felt like I owed him more than polite responses, because he was connecting, being real, being human.  And…he knocked the travel apathy right outta me!  I was actually reminded that I love what I do, and that’s why I do it.  I expanded on my response and allowed myself to connect.  May not seem like much to you, but I’d left for the airport at 5 AM, and I prefer to only see 5 in the PM.

Jimmy reminded me that I’m here for a reason. He reminded me. And I guess Mr. Marriott is not just blogging (Home), he’s inspiring.  One of his employees is making a difference.

So who will you inspire?  One person can make a difference.  You won’t always know the who, what, when, where, how and why…but you will inspire.  Go for it.

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Motivate Your Monday

by Jen Kuhn on March 15, 2010

Today is Monday.  As I checked my Facebook account, Twitter account and emails this morning, I noticed a trend.  Many people were complaining about the end of the weekend and beginning of a new work week.  For a moment, I was tempted to commiserate with my friends, tweeps and others.  To complain about Mondays and work seems to have become ingrained in our culture.  Even if you’re happy to be at work, you may have formed the habit of complaining about the beginning of your work week.

I challenge you to break this habit.  What would your company culture feel like if no one ever complained about being at work?  What impact would that have on morale, productivity, teamwork and motivation?

I’m a firm believer in personal responsibility in a group setting.  We are all responsible for the overall culture of our work environment, no matter our position.

Take the Motivate Your Monday challenge:

  • What can I start doing to create a more productive, team-oriented and positive work environment?
  • What can I stop doing that is adding to the drama, tension and negative work environment?

By asking yourself those two questions, and putting your answers into actions, you will be a “value-adding” employee.  If you are in a position of leadership, consider asking your team those questions (including yourself, of course!), then hold people accountable to make their contribution.

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