I love the way latest version products offer new features to enhance performance, capabilities and user experience. It’s always fascinated me to watch an audience coo and gasp as the product evangelist unveils the new, must-have functionality and the drop everything for this bell or whistle. This thinking also applies to us. What if we offered others an upgraded version of ourselves every year? This post gives a way to do that quickly and effectively.
Small changes for big improvements
We’re not talking about reinventing yourself with big shifts and wholesale changes. The focus of this exercise is on instant upgrade – identifying and implementing the smaller changes you can make right now that will improve your performance and ‘enhance user experience’.
Use these questions or similar to get you started…
- What are the little things that will make a big difference to your performance right now?
- What are the little actions you can take that will improve people’s experience of you?
- What are the small changes in behaviour you can make that will bring out the best performance in the people you connect with?
- What are the tiny attitudinal shifts that will empower you to make the best of every situation that comes your way?
- What micro-improvements you can make to your super-skills and knowledge to take them to the next level?
- What are the tiny but critical changes that your most loyal friends, fans and followers have been waiting for you to make?
- What are the subtle but significant things that will make you easier to approach?
The 2010 model Robin Dickinson
The following points are my responses to the above questions. Remember, the key thing here is to choose upgrades that you can implement instantly.
1. More authenticity
The 2010 model Robin will deliver a more authentic voice in everything he does. My ‘authenticity-check’ will be to ask Is this really me? before taking any action. This point was stimulated by Paul Wallbank’s comment to My worst on-line failures in 2010.
2. More presence
The 2010 model Robin will spend more time fully inhabiting the present moment and all of the opportunities it delivers. My ‘presence-check’ will be to ask Am I present right now? throughout the day.
3. Greater sensitivity
The 2010 model Robin will be more sensitive to the needs of others in his sphere of connection. My ‘sensitivity-check’ will be to constantly ask myself, and when appropriate those around me, What’s most important to this person and how can I help them get it?
4. More courage
The 2010 model Robin will be braver and bolder, eager to apply 2009 Lesson 2: Beta first and fast. My courage-check will be for any idea or initiative, to ask myself How can I be bold and take action on this right now?
5. Lighter touch
The 2010 model Robin will be more spontaneously joyful, less serious and more able to laugh and giggle along the way. My lightness-of-touch check will be to constantly ask myself Am I taking this all too seriously? This point was stimulated by Kristina Thorpe’s comment about being ‘thought-provoking and fun’ in response to My worst on-line failures in 2010.
6. More honesty
The 2010 model Robin will be communicate with greater honesty and transparency to himself and others. My honesty-check will be to constantly ask myself How can I demonstrate greater honesty and transparency here? This point was stimulated by comments made by Whitney Johnston and Kristin Rohan in response to My worst on-line failures in 2010.
7. Greater generosity
The 2010 model Robin will be more generous with his time and ideas, and a be stronger promoter, supporter and encourager of others. This is an application of 2009 Lesson 5: Help others succeed. My generosity-check will be to regularly ask myself How can I give more generously here?
8. Greater availability
The 2010 model Robin will be more available to connect with others i.e. make new connections and strengthen bonds with those already established. Availability here refers not only to time, but also to emotional availability – the sharing of feelings. My availability-check will be to continually ask myself How can I make myself more available for this person specifically – and for people in general?
9. Fresher thinking
The 2010 model Robin will deliver better thoughts and different ideas by keeping his inputs fresh and strengthening his creative muscles. My freshness-check will be to regularly ask myself How can I purge this stale, recycled thinking and come up with some really fresh, new ideas?
10. More consistency
The 2010 model Robin will publish more consistently on-line. This is my response to 2009 Failure 5: Failing sustainability. My consistency-check will be to ask myself before publishing anything How can I do this in a way that is sustainable for the long-term.
Get out of the showroom
The power of this exercise is to identify your ‘product upgrades’, commit to them and then get out of the ‘showroom’ and go and apply them immediately. This is where the self-check questions come in handy. They will help you transform healthy intentions into productive habits, so list them out and refer to them often.
Move from Me 2.0 to We 2.0
I read today that we’re shifting from a decade of self-centric Me 2.0 to collaboration-centric We 2.0. As an active demonstration of this, be sure to involve others in your upgrade program. Rather than just delivering the new you, why not take it to the next level and ask them what features and options would enhance their user-experience of you. It’s never been easier to do this and the answers may surprise you.
PS: But perfection needs no improvement, right?
Whilst writing this post, I could hear the voices of those who believe that humans need no improvement – that if you just ‘be yourself’ and get on with life, the rest will take care of itself. Part of me also believes that. However, this post is written for the other part – the part that believes it can be improved whilst finding its way back to the perfect, authentic self.
Your opinions, thoughts and ideas
- What upgrades will be featured in your 2010 model you?
- What features have you decided to discontinue? Why?
- What are your thoughts on whether on not people even need to improve themselves?
15 Responses to this post
January 2, 2010 at 8:13 pm |
Being myself is never good enough. The world around us is constantly changing and improving, and if we just “be ourselves”, we’ll be left behind.
It is VITAL to ones’ existence to pursue change and improvement. Constantly.
We can always be better, learn something new, apply new skill, and behave in a different way.
My understanding of “We 2.0″ includes the fact that a man is NOT an island, and everything we do effect others in some way or another.
If we had that in mind, and the reciprocal effect, we’d find it easier to pursue improvement.
January 7, 2010 at 1:45 pm |
Raz, that you are a man who believes in constant improvement is evident in your words and actions. It’s this attitude that helps to make you so successful in your business and your voluntary efforts helping others.
Yes, we are not islands, and our actions affect those around us – either positively or negatively. So, I’m with you and prefer to see waves of improving help, assistance and encouragement radiating out into our tribes and communities.
Best to you, Robin
January 2, 2010 at 9:34 pm |
Robin, What a wonderful post and thanks for sharing yourself so openly.
Your #5 is an upgrade I’ve become more conscious is important for me and I’m trying to ‘ease up’ on myself so I find more of this.
Wow! #8 is a brave commitment indeed. It’s not easy to be emotionally available, yet it makes so much more possible when I am in this space because it opens doors to talk about what really matters. I’m very much a beginner on this – it still feels like being trapeze artist with no safety net when I ‘go first’ – and will continue mindfully with it.
I like the notion of improving the user experience because it values who we are and focuses on making it more available. So, yes, it pays to look inside and ask “who am I?” and “how can I be more of that person?”.
I’m heading off to make my list of upgrades and will pop back to share
January 7, 2010 at 1:56 pm |
Thanks, Kate. I’m really looking forward to reading your list of upgrades. How are you going with them?
‘Light touch’ is something that has become more important as I get older. So much of life IS funny. Not in a negative and destructive sense, but in a light and joyful way. It’s just so good to be around people with a positive sense of humour – and more productive too.
Becoming more emotionally available is a reminder to myself to share more than the logical, analytical side. I get such pleasure out of objective focus and scientific rigour that it can be easy to become cold and distant in my communications. This is an upgrade that is long overdue.
Best to you, Kate.
Robin
January 13, 2010 at 7:48 am |
Kate it’s this kind of openness that we need. I need people to be open and vulnerable before me.
I’m tired of bloggers who are essentially talking every day about “why you should be like me”
This stuff is far better. Oh yeah, thats right, it’s because it’s actually real!
January 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm |
Robin
I absolutely believe people need to improve themselves. In fact I pride myself on my ability and desire to improve the lives of others, so much so that I often neglect to check back in on myself!
You got me thinking about answers to all those questions you’ve asked:
Q: What are the little things that will make a big difference to your performance right now?
A: Persistence and Determination – as quoted by Calvin Coolidge.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
My interpretation of this is to “fail, and fail often” – by doing so, improved performance and success will come.
Q: What are the little actions you can take that will improve people’s experience of you?
A: Listen, don’t talk. Ask questions, let people’s responses guide and inform your questions. Remember things about people you meet – be memorable.
Q: What are the small changes in behaviour you can make that will bring out the best performance in the people you connect with?
A: Applaud the efforts people make – don’t criticise, belittle, or be negative. Make suggestions where you can, but try to make other people feel good about themselves – this will enhance their performance.
Q: What are the tiny attitudinal shifts that will empower you to make the best of every situation that comes your way?
A: Don’t dismiss new thinking and ideas too quickly. When a situation presents itself, be open to change your own thinking and embrace it. It’s ok to fail – be prepared to. Again and again.
Q: What micro-improvements you can make to your super-skills and knowledge to take them to the next level?
A: Find a mentor – someone who’s experience and skills you can learn from. Ask the mentor if they would take a meeting with you. I like the approach Carol is taking with her 3 Lunches program. See http://twitter.com/3lunches
Q: What are the tiny but critical changes that your most loyal friends, fans and followers have been waiting for you to make?
A: For me, it’s improved health. Slowly, but surely. Everything else will follow.
Q: What are the subtle but significant things that will make you easier to approach?
A: Alway make newcomers welcome – ask them about themselves, get to know their interests and passions. Try to connect them with others. Let people know, you are always available – give your contact details out to everyone. Trust people not to abuse this.
Thanks for posting – you’ve really motivated me tonight!
Cheers
Tony Hollingsworth
January 7, 2010 at 2:03 pm |
Hey Tony,
This is a generous comment and one worthy of publishing as a separate post. Thank you so much for this excellent and leading example of a personal upgrade programme. Generous in words and generous in actions is how I describe you.
You’re a man of high integrity, passion and someone with unbelievable people skills. To read your list of improvements is testimony to your humility as a leader.
Please let me know how I can help you implement your upgrade programme.
Best to you (a healthier model you)
Robin
January 3, 2010 at 2:51 pm |
I liked the way you involved your community in this post. I guess you’re demonstrating that audience is an old concept now, and community is more relevant to what we do online. “Audience” assumes people buy a ticket to the show and are anonymous throughout it and after it. That is cool if you were once Elvis or are now Stephanie Meyer. But community seems to suggest that people are part and parcel of the show, and get to star in it.
January 7, 2010 at 2:11 pm |
Thanks a great distinction, Ben. It’s so true. Their are no audiences as such in our connected community. I would love to spend some time with you discussing and unfolding this idea a bit more.
Great contribution.
Thanks, mate. Robin
January 5, 2010 at 4:49 am |
Robin,
Thank you for this post, I could use a reminder for every one of the points on the list – in both my professional and my personal life.
For me, there’s one more point I must concentrate on and that is to stay open. While I’m ever curious (a good thing) I’m not always open. And in many of those times when I’m not, I get a deserved smackdown (self or otherwise). I DON’T always have the answer, even when I think I do.:-)
I love Ben’s community concept. I know that community and collaboration are where we all find the most value and it’s so rewarding to find part of it here.
Thanks for bringing all of us together, it’s so interesting to read everyone’s thoughts.
Kristina
January 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm |
Thanks, Kristina. I’m with you. What I have been enjoying most about this blog is the amazing comments from the community. They are teaching me so much.
I really appreciate your distinction between openness and curiosity. I’m a bit the same myself, often staying open only to the point that I’m not threatened in any way. Hmm, another point for me to improve on. Maybe in the 2011 model me.
Best to you, Robin
January 7, 2010 at 3:17 pm |
Rob,
Good stuff, right up until… the post-script.
We should, of course, “just be ourselves” – especially if we’re implementing the authenticity feature upgrade, right? But, for most of us here, just being who we are means constantly pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone anyway. Striving to upgrade frequently, with a thirst for a better me that is never fully slaked; nor do we want it to be. Because if we ever came close to “perfect” in our own relative perception of the word, that would be vacuously boring.
As far as my personal 2010 new & improved features & benefits upgrade, I have a long wish list; however, they can probably all be root-caused down to one central quiddity: remain constructively discontent.
That’s my number one self-improvement goal for 2010. Discontentment.
Ceasing to fall back on the rationalism of Good Enough. 2009 was a good year for me, but maybe a little bit too good, a little bit too easy. I started to sink back into the couch and put my feet up on the coffee table. And guess what? Now I’m bored.
Probably because I wasn’t “just being myself”- I was listening to other people telling me, relax! slow down! don’t worry mate, it’s Good Enough! So, although I’m sunk so deep I may need an elderly ejector seat, I’m getting off the couch now.
Carolyne
January 15, 2010 at 8:44 am |
Hi Carolyne,
So now I’m tempted to take an each-way bet – since you’ve raised the point.
I’m keen for very people to upgrade and improve themselves authentically i.e. relative to their own talents, gifts and potential, rather than following someone else’s program. Sure, we can learn from others and their experiences, but our self-improvement journey is unique.
Some of us are designed for steeper and more dangerous paths. Others, longer and more measured. Others still, confusing and complicated paths. The key is to be true to OUR path – and that may mean taking our eyes off of what others are doing long enough to see it.
Thanks for making an excellent contribution.
Best, Robin
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