Visualization
To improve their own performance a pro athlete use visualization in order to imagine their own movements. How should they move their arms what does a great performance look like? I like the thought of bringing this into the office. How should a great day look? How should you close the sales? What does a great dialogue with a customer feel like? Can you picture yourself having a great day at work? What are you doing? What should you focus on, to get the outcome you want? After you have found out what a good day at work looks like, analyze it to find out the things that you contribute with and just do it.

If anything goes wrong, or for any other procedure you will find a checklist in aviation. I have been watching Air Crash Investigation on National Geographic Channel lately, and no I am not scared of flying. What I see in this TV show is all the work they are doing to prevent these things from happening again; it helps me feel more secure in a plane. So what can we learn? Checklists are a good thing. It will make sure that things run smoothly. Let’s bring this into the cubicle nation. Imagine that you hire someone new, have you ever forgotten something? Like providing stationary, or username for the local network or access to some program, or maybe even forgot to provide a desk? If you miss a thing or two, your first impression will suffer and you might see a drop in motivation. I got feedback from one of my employees that the first time alone on nightshift was scary, – Note to self, put into my checklist that I will be here the first time someone new is alone on night shift. It will never happen again, if you use a checklist.

Imagine someone leaving your company, have you made sure to shut down access to your customer database? Or to forward e-mail from their old address to the main address of the department or company? If a customer e-mails someone that left a long time ago, and they do not get an answer, your company is the one that suffers.

Imagine how you should have a great day at work.
And then write down the things you can do or influence. Voila you got your first checklist  

Writing a blog post about checklists and visualization; Checked.

I am also wondering if this is my fault?
I am not able to motivate everybody, some people seems beyond salvation. Is there anything I can do differently? It hurts to give up on good people and I think I might just be wasting time one some. What should I look for in the beginning? Is it possible to motivate people that do not want to be motivated?

When I do give up
How should I proceed with my employee/client/friend to end the relationship in a good way? This is really haunting me as I have such a strong belief in human capacities.

Engage to Recharge
I have been a father of two, I have a demanding job and I thought there were no place for exchanging relaxing time with engaging time. So what do I experience all of a sudden? I experience an energy boost, I am getting to use my mind for something else than work and family. I am getting mental input and I suddenly have something new to discuss with my wife. I feel that my life is aligning even a little more. For sure I am happy to start with but in life I have learned one thing…

…Do something bigger than you
It feels nice to do something that isn’t selfish, something to help others in whatever way we chose. I do believe that any human has the capacity of doing something great for others. And you as well hold this capacity.  “Always set the trail, never follow the path” – Unkown.

Basic Human Needs
So why is it vital to engage? I need to tell you a story to explain this. My wife is a wonderful woman, and she hates to bother other people. She suddenly needed a favor from a family member abroad to get hold of some books. For days she walked around dreading the moment when she needed to ask for this favor. I then told her, people love the feeling of being useful, when you ask for help and this favor is something that they can master as well. Humans love the feeling of being useful to others. So do not be afraid to ask for help! But that is not quite the point.

By being useful to others you suddenly have more meaning in your life. This is why engaging in volunteer work or similar activities are such great benefit to your mental health. I am strongly advising you to take a stand and do something for the greater good.