Toastmasters

I attended my Wednesdays Toastmasters club meeting at noon today.  I was very rusty!  The last Toastmasters meeting I went to was over a year ago.  This year, I’ll be doing more public speaking.  I have a feeling that my job will engage me with more facilitation in meetings and presentation of my branch products to other Ministry branches and divisions.  Becoming a better communicator is one of my three goals this year.  I’m hoping to improve through practice.

Grind It Out

During my 1-on-1 with Kirn last Friday, I asked to move the two flex days before my China trip to during my trip so that I can save a couple of vacation days for later this year.  I might need it when summer comes.  This move means I won’t have any flex days at all in the next four weeks.  It will be a long four-week period without flex days.  If I can be productive in these four weeks, then the two weeks in China will be even sweeter.  Time to keep my head down and grind it out!

Training Laura

Laura and I met at the gym today.  I went over all the exercises I assigned her to do for the January workout.  It took two and a half hours to go over the list, but I’m glad we got through it.  I’m sure it was a bit information overload for her, but I’m confident that she will do well.  While I was putting the program together for her, I got all nostalgic about my personal training days.  I was a trainer for nine years (2003-2012).  Can’t believe that’s behind me already.  Kinda wish I could have kept going, but I needed a focus in my life.  Sacrifices had to be made.  Training Laura was a nice reminder of my past career.  Who knows, maybe at one point in my life, I’ll cross this path again and pick up training.  One way or another.  Sports and fitness are in my blood.  I can’t live without exercising!

Before & After – the Path

The contractors have been keeping busy downstairs and working on all sorts of things.  Framing.  Taping.  Electricals.  The path on the side of the house is all done now.  Here are before and after pictures:

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It sure makes a hell of a difference hiring contractors.  When I come home from work, something gets done.  When we were renovating Blackwood back in 2011, it was so much more tiring than this.  It was work, school, and then renovating.  By the end of each day, I remember, I would be bagged, but then I had to do my homework because I was taking classes for my masters at that time.  It was hell!  Although this time around it’ll be more expensive, it sure is worthy!  Moving ourselves up from downstairs took me three days, and I was wiped.

The One Minute Manager

Started reading The One Minute Manager today.  It’s pretty good so far.

I’ve also been trying out what Nicole and I discussed during the coaching session.  About which type of leaders we prefer in our society.  Authoritarian v.s. Empathetic.  About how we can’t force people to follow us.  Emperor Cao or people’s leader.  I feel like I’m starting to grow a bit more from the discussion in the coaching session.  It also made me realize that goals are essential for career development.  Things are getting better at work.  Still have problematic areas, but I think it’s on the way up.

Ken Blanchard

During our workout today, Brian and I got talking on management and leadership.  He said I should and will like The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard.  I did some research on the guy and was totally hooked!  Ken Blanchard is an excellent speaker!  Here is one of Ken’s TED talks on collaboration, which I also think it’s critically imperative for any successful organizations.

First Coaching Session

I had my first performance coaching session with Nicole today.  Nicole was sensational.  Her messages and stories were powerful.  It was a great conversation from which I learned plenty.  I’m already looking forward to speaking with her next time.  Some of the highlights and takeaway messages are:

  • You can’t force people to follow you.  You have to earn people’s trust so that they are willing to follow you.
  • Conflict is healthy.  What we need is better managing conflict in a project team environment so that productivity can be maximized.
  • Situational leadership is understanding individual’s desire and what makes them tick so that positive relationships can be built and maintained.

Leg day!

First workout of 2015 was a short one with Brian.  It was a leg day!  I arrived late due to finishing up and submitting a briefing note.  Brian was all sweaty and third way through his workout.  I ended up finishing the same leg workout, which would normally take 45 minutes, in half an hour.  I was dying by the end of it.  It was a serious kick in the butt, but much needed workout to start the year.  Arms tomorrow!  Oh yeah!!

Day 2 on the reno at home.  Some good stuff got done on the path.  I’m looking forward to seeing more progress inside the house.

Crownwood Construction – Day 1

The month long construction at our Crownwood house started today.  Ryan, the landscaper, showed up in the morning to scout out the situation.  Then he came back with his worker and a machine digger to create the outline of the path on the side of the house.

 

Anya and I finished emptying the rest of the downstairs area.  Everything is ready for the inside to get started now.  Things are happening!