Saturday, February 25, 2012

Leveling Up (in public)

(Editors note: this blog was originally written a year ago. But on the heels of my last blog and moreover, the fact that I did not live up to my original goal (sigh) - I am going to give this P90X thing another go (yeah). As a favor, please don't tell my brothers - as I'm not really into the whole eating a bug thing. We cool?)


It's confession time.  

And this one's a doozy.  

Now, while I'm kinda sorta embarrassed by this confession, it's not soo bad that my wife's kicking me out (at least not yet), or that my kids will hide from me in shame (then again), or that I'll need to visit Father Kevin (heck, he's seen me enough, as it is).  


So you ask: what gives Abbott?  What's this uber confession that's got you so worked up, and yet apparently, so pressed to share!?

Fess up man, and get on with it!

Well, okay.  If you insist.  Here goes.

I gots a man crush on Tony Horton. You know, THE MAN behind the P90X workout program.  Yeah, I think he's cool.  After three full weeks of sweating/grunting/swearing to P90X - he's the current wind beneath my wings (cue Bette Midler).

Yup -  if not for Tony himself and how he does what he does the way he does it - there's no way I'd be doing what I'm doing.  Fact.  For that reason, I declare my public display of affection (PDA). 
(We interrupt this program to state that this is not a paid endorsement by P90X; as if they'd subsidize a flub like me.  Disclaimer #2: don't expect me to look like he does in the picture.  Nope.  It's all about the health benefits - for now ;).
More than just outing my PDA for Tony to thousands of readers (riiight, as if) - the bigger point is to make a public display of commitment (PDC).  Think about it: I've now told everyone that I've signed up to do the excruciatingly exhaustive 90 program.  So how can I back out now!  Can't.  Gotta get it done.

Anything short of finishing, and this will be a very visible, pride swallowing, won't hear the end of it, my brothers will make me eat a big ugly nasty bug covered in dirt, type of humiliation.  Gulp!

You know what though: bring it on!  Make it so!  The fact is, I did it, knowing it, and now you all know it, as well.  I ain't no dummy - for the most part; while I might have been born at night, I wasn't born last night (props to Kid Rock).  I knows what I did, and I'll hold me to.  I expect you to now hold me to it, as well.

So - how about you?

What PDC do you want to do to help hold you to doing something new, or stop doing something you don't want to do?  Moreover, get the doing done.  For sure, you don't have put it out there on social media, let alone subject yourself to cracks about a man crush (please don't).  You can just keep it with your peeps. 

Your call.

Either way, give it a go and put it out there.  It just might help.

PDC is Good (if you can handle it).  

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Power of Productive

The following is a public service announcement, brought to you by the word Productive (once a Sesame Street fan, always a fan.)


Dear (Productive) Worker -

First and foremost, thank you for your (productive) work.  On behalf of every other (productive) worker - we appreciate all that you do, to help us succeed on a collective and individual (productive) basis.  

Speaking of (productive) success - to help set the stage for a (productive) 2012, let's embrace a (productive) mindset to "level-up" our personal and professional (productive) growth.

Why "level up" you ask?  Well, you’ve heard the “level-up” expression as used in video gaming, right?  In a nutshell, the term recognizes (productive) achievement and aspiration; celebrating (productive) accomplishments and future possibilities. In other words - increasing (productive) capabilities and accountability.

But Level-Up is more than just a (productive) initiative.

Level-Up is our (productive) mandate - even better, our manifesto - to take us to the next level; helping us (productively) deliver current and long-term success for our economy and lives.

As you can see, Level-Up thinking is a (productive) big deal.  It’s important.  And we’re all a (productive) part of it.  In fact - we’re the (productive) hearts, minds and brawn behind it. You dig!?

Level-Up thinking will help drive structured (productive) traction with 2 ginormous priorities in work and life:

1) Keep Momentum: (Productively) continue to leverage our current talent, skills, resources, relationships, and activities that are successfully helping us generate (productive) growth. Today.

2) Drive Progress: (Productively) identify and implement new skills, resources, relationships and activities to deliver long-term (productive) growth.  For tomorrow, and beyond.

To be clear, everyone plays a (productive) role.

Everyone.

Starting now.

So let’s (productivelyLevel-Up.  Together.

(Productive) Leveling-Up is Good.


PS:  Hope the folks at Productive, Inc., got their money's worth.