POLITICS

RELIGION

Conventional wisdom says not to talk about sex, politics and religion in the office. The problem is that any office, workplace or organization is mostly made up of people and if the volume of blogs, internet sites, magazines and other media is any indication of popularity, people love to talk about: SEX, POLITICS AND RELIGION!

We’re in the middle of the most contentious political season anyone still alive can remember. Can we have respectful political conversations in the workplace?

I say yes; but we need to make a few AssUmptions™. I know, once again I’m going against conventional wisdom which says when you assume you make an a#$ out of you, and me. I think you’ll find these AssUmptions™ useful:

1. Not everyone shares your point of view.
2. The other guy is entitled to his or her opinion.
3. The other guy has a rational reason for his or her opinion.
4. Silence does not always confirm agreement.
5. EVERYONE is entitled to at least two things: Thoughts & Feelings.

Carry these AssUmptions™ with you into nearly any conversation and you can enjoy a respectful and perhaps even an informative exchange of ideas.

You don’t need a list of rules; in fact I only really observe one rule in life; the Rule of Respect. Talking to a group of first grade students on the subject of Respect I started by asking for a definition. Being the expert I was just about to launch into my pre-programmed script on the subject when one young man stood up, bowed and said, “Respect means taking care of one another!” I’m not easily moved to tears but I had to sit down and take a few minutes after that one! To this day I’ve adopted this definition of Respect and have tried to live my life by that Rule.

As we go through the political season I will, from time to time, interject some of my “Guidelines for Respectful Office Conversation” and items from my “Top 10 List of Stuff You Should AVOID Doing or Saying in Office Conversations.” These are fun, but if you stick to the Rule of Respect you’ve pretty well got things covered.

For now just remember two things:

1. When it’s obvious that what you’re doing or saying is not “caring” for the other person, it’s probably time to let it go.
2. While you’re at work, remember that you’re there above all: to WORK!

“Talking Religion in the Office” has to wait until football season starts!

About the author

Jim is now a regular at ‘Change Your Thoughts’, if you haven’t already visited his site I would urge you to have a look. Jim is an author, businessman, personal development trainer, black belt Karate instructor, football coach….the list goes on. He is the creator of the Dynamic Components of Personal Power program. Visit Jim’s site at www.jimbouchard.org for more information on his self development program.

In broken English with the help of a translator, Yamazaki is about to reveal the ultimate secret of mastery. This secret, he tells us, applies to the sword and to life.

“Three rules…

“First rule: Basic practice.”

OK, that makes sense.

“Second rule: Basic practice.”

Third rule?

“MORE BASIC PRACTICE!

“Like Nike…JUST DO IT!”

Power for success in personal and professional life is generated through motivation and discipline over time. These are the 3 components of what I call the “Kung Fu Triangle.” For today’s purposes, Kung Fu means mastery. To achieve mastery in any occupation, you must find or develop motivation to set your heart and mind to action. You must develop discipline: the habit of doing the work necessary to achieve your goals and…

…you’ve got to take your time! Basic skill can be developed in a short time. Mastery takes as long as it takes.

If you press me for THE most essential component in the development of power, I’m going to say “discipline.” Motivation is usually very strong at the beginning of any endeavor. Time is simply a matter of perseverance. The component that takes over when motivation occasionally wanes and sees us through long periods of perseverance is “discipline.”

How to develop disipline

So how do you develop discipline? Yamazaki gives us the answer: PRACTICE! Simple, not always easy.

Discipline can literally be practiced with every waking moment of every day. Simply get up and get about your business. Specific goals can help you stay focused and on task; that helps develop discipline. However, discipline is the development of mindfully staying on task that transcends the obvious and sometimes robotic checking off the task list.

Practice discipline by mindfully assessing what needs to be done before you set yourself to action. Appreciate the work in front of you for the part it will play in your plans for success. Enjoy the task at hand for what it is: a chance to express yourself fully and in the moment. Enjoying the moment makes a menial task meaningful and a difficult task bearable.

The art of the Japanese sword, like all martial arts, is deceptively simple. If you take it down to its essential elements, the art of the sword is the technique of developing and expressing power in the moment of a single cut. Any battle is series of single cuts. Mastery of the art is available only to those who are willing to dedicate themselves fully to the practice of the simple elements that generate this power. You can learn the basic mechanics of a cut in just a few moments. It takes a lifetime of practice to bridge the span between that knowledge and the true skill of master.

Applying to your business and personal life

Can you apply this philosophy in business and personal life as well?

Nearly everything you do provides an opportunity to develop and practice the habit of discipline. Practice discipline in work and at play. Participate in activities that challenge you to apply discipline. I’m a little biased, but martial arts provide a perfect opportunity to practice discipline at any age! If that’s not your bag, take a class, find a hobby, develop your job skills, develop your relationships at home and in your community, volunteer, do anything that will challenge your mind, body and spirit and provide the opportunity for you to practice. That’s how you develop the habit of discipline. Find something that needs doing and just do it!

Discipline is the key to personal freedom, and freedom is the ultimate expression of personal power.

For a complete course in the art of discipline, read Jim’s book Dynamic Components of Personal Power. Click here for more information and to book Jim for your next event!

Watch for Jim’s coming book: The Dying Art of Discipline, available now as a seminar.

About the author

Jim is now a regular at ‘Change Your Thoughts’, if you haven’t already visited his site I would urge you to have a look. Jim is an author, businessman, personal development trainer, black belt Karate instructor, football coach….the list goes on. He is the creator of the Dynamic Components of Personal Power program. Visit Jim’s site at www.jimbouchard.org for more information on his self development program.