Sunday
Although I spent a few hours at work, I did not get much done. Too much time out of the office leads to too much busy work upon my return. I need to work on my systems while traveling to make me more productive.
Monday
I slept through my work out. Must have been tired (duh).
I did get to work before 8 though and had a highly productive day. This could partly have been that I had all the unimportant things done Sunday. My assistant, Pam, must have been swamped but she did a stellar job of keeping up with my output. I use a solid state voice recorder to let her know what to do. This has been one of my secret tricks that I have used for years. Although I think I type fast, I can speak much faster. Pam is set up to send emails that come from me. In a productive day, I (actually Pam)can send 40-50 emails. She also orchestrates my schedule which can also be a huge chore.
My time tip today would be to dictate if you can afford to have an assistant. It can more than double your output.
I read a great quote by Ralph Marston “To a large degree, the world around you is a mirror of that which is within you. You see what you look for. People treat you as you expect to be treated. The things you experience come from the actions you take.”
“With your thoughts and actions you can make it what you want it to be.”
Monday night, I did walk for over 2 hours. To my parents for dinner. My middle daughter Beth was also there. It was great.
Now I am going to run and lift weights.
Tuesday, August 9, 2005
Saturday, August 6, 2005
Perks thanks to Acer
I did not get much done today. I slept for part of it. Generally I do not like to sleep after a red eye. I prefer to just get back into my normal schedule and go to bed a bit early the night I get back. Of course now I am wide awake when I should be getting ready to wind down.
I did manage to get in a 6.5K run and some weight lifting.
I also am excited to have ordered a new Triathlon bike. Actually this is the first real racing bike I have ever owned. I was doing my triathlons on my 20 year old hybrid bike. I also took the old hybrid in for repair (I think one of the bearings is gone). I cannot wait to get the racing bike. Perhaps I will do a short Tri on labour day weekend. I will not be able to use the poor bike excuse.
Tonight Elizabeth and I went to a Hamilton Tiger cats game with Terry Tomecek, Rob Dance and the Acer team. It was an interesting experience (even though Ottawa won big time). I consider it to be part of the charmed life I lead. I have been able to experience many things in life that many people have not. I cannot remember a week without some sort of charmed experience even if it is just a nice dinner.
Sometimes people ask me how many hours per week I work. I can never answer because what is the division between work and not. Was the game tonight work? Or was it a perk?
I did manage to get in a 6.5K run and some weight lifting.
I also am excited to have ordered a new Triathlon bike. Actually this is the first real racing bike I have ever owned. I was doing my triathlons on my 20 year old hybrid bike. I also took the old hybrid in for repair (I think one of the bearings is gone). I cannot wait to get the racing bike. Perhaps I will do a short Tri on labour day weekend. I will not be able to use the poor bike excuse.
Tonight Elizabeth and I went to a Hamilton Tiger cats game with Terry Tomecek, Rob Dance and the Acer team. It was an interesting experience (even though Ottawa won big time). I consider it to be part of the charmed life I lead. I have been able to experience many things in life that many people have not. I cannot remember a week without some sort of charmed experience even if it is just a nice dinner.
Sometimes people ask me how many hours per week I work. I can never answer because what is the division between work and not. Was the game tonight work? Or was it a perk?
Friday, August 5, 2005
On Challenge
Preparing to head to the airport.
I am as up to date as I can be for being on the road.
My daughter Beth Estill asked me to promote one of her projects on my blog. Good to see she has a marketing flair. She is currently working hard to plan and organize Arts and Science Orientation week at Queen’s University. An important part of their week is devoted to raising funds for Shinerama, a charity which raises money for Cystic Fibrosis research (http://www.ccff.ca/ ). If you have anything you would be willing to donate towards this very worthy cause, be it money or items for their raffle, please contact her at: ocsocio@asus.queensu.ca.
I had lunch with Bob Huang today. He commented that the distribution business is a tough business. I agree but also think most businesses are and need excellence in execution to win. It is this constant quest that will make us great.
And the thought for tonight (not a Jim Estill Original but modified from somewhere)
I do not wish for less challenge (or for the not so positive – less problems). I wish for more strength, tools, systems and persistence to overcome the challenges that come my way. I do not wish for more strength, tools, systems and persistence to overcome the challenges that come my way, rather I will strive to create them.
I am as up to date as I can be for being on the road.
My daughter Beth Estill asked me to promote one of her projects on my blog. Good to see she has a marketing flair. She is currently working hard to plan and organize Arts and Science Orientation week at Queen’s University. An important part of their week is devoted to raising funds for Shinerama, a charity which raises money for Cystic Fibrosis research (http://www.ccff.ca/ ). If you have anything you would be willing to donate towards this very worthy cause, be it money or items for their raffle, please contact her at: ocsocio@asus.queensu.ca.
I had lunch with Bob Huang today. He commented that the distribution business is a tough business. I agree but also think most businesses are and need excellence in execution to win. It is this constant quest that will make us great.
And the thought for tonight (not a Jim Estill Original but modified from somewhere)
I do not wish for less challenge (or for the not so positive – less problems). I wish for more strength, tools, systems and persistence to overcome the challenges that come my way. I do not wish for more strength, tools, systems and persistence to overcome the challenges that come my way, rather I will strive to create them.
Positve Attitude
I am in Fremont now. Major travel hassle day getting here. Although I did have time to read almost all the material I had brought with me. I also listened to some great audio programs including programs on negotiations and gol setting.
One of the books I read on the flight was "How Full is Your Bucket" by Rath and Clifton, a grandfather (the founder of the power of positive thinking psychology movement) and grandson duo. The book is short and simple and at the same time, powerful. Very simple premise. People respond better to positive feedback than negetive feedback and become better as a result of it. One interesting scientific study cited claimed that people who experience more positive emotions live 10 years longer than those that do not. Part of my health bent is a desire for longevity. Perhaps I am just a wimp and don't want ot die but I prefer to think that I need longevity to accomplish what I hope to accomplish on this earth.
Yesterday was a detailed review of the US numbers. I learned some things and made some notes on where I can contribute. It does tend to be draining and time consuming.
Today will likely not be as full so hopefully I can stay on top of things more.
Tonight I fly back on the red eye.
One of the books I read on the flight was "How Full is Your Bucket" by Rath and Clifton, a grandfather (the founder of the power of positive thinking psychology movement) and grandson duo. The book is short and simple and at the same time, powerful. Very simple premise. People respond better to positive feedback than negetive feedback and become better as a result of it. One interesting scientific study cited claimed that people who experience more positive emotions live 10 years longer than those that do not. Part of my health bent is a desire for longevity. Perhaps I am just a wimp and don't want ot die but I prefer to think that I need longevity to accomplish what I hope to accomplish on this earth.
Yesterday was a detailed review of the US numbers. I learned some things and made some notes on where I can contribute. It does tend to be draining and time consuming.
Today will likely not be as full so hopefully I can stay on top of things more.
Tonight I fly back on the red eye.
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Travel trials or opportunities
Once again, I am back in the lounge. I boarded the flight which was only 15 minutes late. We then sat on the ground for 2 hours with mechanical difficulties. The flight crew time expired (they were not allowed to work more hours) so now I leave at 1 PM.
This is a great opportunity to practise my "what is - is" attitude.
Also, this is precious found time. I have already finished all my trade journals, forbes and business weeks. Now I can start my book. I likely do not have enough reading material with me but I have a lot of new audio on my iPod so I am sure I will enjoy myself. Time tip - learn to enjoy the found time and always have things to do that are gratifying.
This is a great opportunity to practise my "what is - is" attitude.
Also, this is precious found time. I have already finished all my trade journals, forbes and business weeks. Now I can start my book. I likely do not have enough reading material with me but I have a lot of new audio on my iPod so I am sure I will enjoy myself. Time tip - learn to enjoy the found time and always have things to do that are gratifying.
Air France Flight 358
It was good news that no one died on the Air France 358 accident yesterday. Also great that it likely had nothing to do with terrorists.
I was in my office at Ronson when it happened. It was close enough I could see the smoke. I thought for sure that it was a plane crash and thought that no one walks away from that.
I am flying to Fremont today. Will have to be a short blog since I had expected to blog in the lounge but the lines to get through customs etc. took forever so I am short on time. (of course when am I not short on time?)
I knew I was flying today. Before I knew the outcome from the crash yesterday, I knew I needed to practise my best Zen. What is - is. If I choose to travel frequntly (and I do choose this), then I simply have to accept those things I cannot control.
What is - is.
I was in my office at Ronson when it happened. It was close enough I could see the smoke. I thought for sure that it was a plane crash and thought that no one walks away from that.
I am flying to Fremont today. Will have to be a short blog since I had expected to blog in the lounge but the lines to get through customs etc. took forever so I am short on time. (of course when am I not short on time?)
I knew I was flying today. Before I knew the outcome from the crash yesterday, I knew I needed to practise my best Zen. What is - is. If I choose to travel frequntly (and I do choose this), then I simply have to accept those things I cannot control.
What is - is.
Monday, August 1, 2005
A Short History of Progress
Restful long weekend. I did go into the office for a few hours on Saturday and did work a few hours today. I feel quite caught up which is good since I go to California this week and usually fall a bit behind when that happens.
Elizabeth got a new bicycle on Saturday so we did have a cycle adventure on Sunday. 3 ½ hours of cycling (from south Guelph to West Mountrose) followed by an unfixable flat tire followed by a long walk and eventually a ride by the son of a friend (thank you Rob). It was perfect weather for an adventure. Moderation is not yet something I have mastered.
I finished 3 books this weekend. (I always speak in terms of finishing books since I tend to read 4-7 at a time. A few chapters of one then another, different books in different places for different circumstances.
My health book was “Body for Life” an old classic by Bill Phillips. It was good and inspirational although I disagree with some of his theory. For me, I would rather just eat real and healthy food rather than synthetic shakes. Part of maturity in reading is filtering information – accept the good stuff and filter what is not agreeable without rejecting the whole work. One method he uses that is great he calls the high point technique. I call it peak training. Progressively work at higher intensity until you cannot lift (or run) more, then reduce weight and then go to the high point again. I do know this is the way to gain strength.
My business book was “Fast Innovation” by Michael George. This work is based on one of my favourite books “The Innovators’ Dilemma” by Clay Christensen. It talks a lot about disruptive innovation. Major changes in process or product that can give a company an edge. In our case it is likely to be process that will be the disruptive change. One of the challenges we have a SYNNEX is we tend to sell a non-differentiated product. As such, the margins are razor thin and the business is “cruelly efficient”. Still we need to seek that disruptive difference that can separate us from the competition. The challenge in lean companies is they often lack the resources to innovate.
And my favourite of the weekend was “A short History of Progress” by Ronald Wright. Similar to another favourite of mine – “Guns, Germs and Steel”. The book starts with “Where do we come from?”, “Where are we?” and “Where are we going” and proceeds to follow this through from the stone age to the present. One of the theories he espouses is “sometimes there can be too much progress”. Like making explosives that can blow up the world. Or on a smaller scale, the extinction of a species due to superlative hunting and harvesting techniques. This is a fast and riveting read – highly recommended (even though it is primarily recreational).
Elizabeth got a new bicycle on Saturday so we did have a cycle adventure on Sunday. 3 ½ hours of cycling (from south Guelph to West Mountrose) followed by an unfixable flat tire followed by a long walk and eventually a ride by the son of a friend (thank you Rob). It was perfect weather for an adventure. Moderation is not yet something I have mastered.
I finished 3 books this weekend. (I always speak in terms of finishing books since I tend to read 4-7 at a time. A few chapters of one then another, different books in different places for different circumstances.
My health book was “Body for Life” an old classic by Bill Phillips. It was good and inspirational although I disagree with some of his theory. For me, I would rather just eat real and healthy food rather than synthetic shakes. Part of maturity in reading is filtering information – accept the good stuff and filter what is not agreeable without rejecting the whole work. One method he uses that is great he calls the high point technique. I call it peak training. Progressively work at higher intensity until you cannot lift (or run) more, then reduce weight and then go to the high point again. I do know this is the way to gain strength.
My business book was “Fast Innovation” by Michael George. This work is based on one of my favourite books “The Innovators’ Dilemma” by Clay Christensen. It talks a lot about disruptive innovation. Major changes in process or product that can give a company an edge. In our case it is likely to be process that will be the disruptive change. One of the challenges we have a SYNNEX is we tend to sell a non-differentiated product. As such, the margins are razor thin and the business is “cruelly efficient”. Still we need to seek that disruptive difference that can separate us from the competition. The challenge in lean companies is they often lack the resources to innovate.
And my favourite of the weekend was “A short History of Progress” by Ronald Wright. Similar to another favourite of mine – “Guns, Germs and Steel”. The book starts with “Where do we come from?”, “Where are we?” and “Where are we going” and proceeds to follow this through from the stone age to the present. One of the theories he espouses is “sometimes there can be too much progress”. Like making explosives that can blow up the world. Or on a smaller scale, the extinction of a species due to superlative hunting and harvesting techniques. This is a fast and riveting read – highly recommended (even though it is primarily recreational).
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