Why I Miss Film Photography

I love digital photography. It's great being able to immediately review your photos and it's very cool how you can edit them with a computer. I also like how I can take hundreds of pictures on a trip and not have to worry about buying another roll of film. But I've noticed that there are two byproducts of using film that I can't experience through digital photography (and I'm not referring to any issues of film vs. digital quality).

The Film Canisters: These plastic cases had so many uses after you'd used your roll of film. These ranged from organizing lose objects like screws to holding liquids like salad dressing in a lunch you'd take to work. Yes, I know that it's a good thing for the environment that we're not producing so many of these plastic containers. But their uses were only limited by your imagination.

The Last Shots: Imagine that you've taken your trip and you have a couple of remaining shots left on your roll of film. You could process the film without using them but often I'd try to think of some creative ways to use those final shots. As a result I have a very random collection of photos which cover such things as the view outside an in flight airplane, wacky shots of my family or my house, and action shots of my Star Wars action figures. Now with digital photography, there really isn't a, "last shot," that you need to use up. I miss that chance to think creatively.

It's not unusual to have a new process that is easier and better than the old one. But think if there is some byproduct of the old process that people might miss and see if there's a way to duplicate it with the new one.

The Flashing Light of Something New

Years ago, my mother and I went on a reconnaissance mission. We were in a department store to look at a new invention called a video cassette recorder. The idea of a VCR and its ability to let you watch and record programs on your schedule was quite revolutionary.

It was easy to become overwhelmed by the many features on these new machines. Even things like whether to have a corded or cordless remote control were major considerations.

At the time, we weren't there to buy but rather to learn more about the product. It's interesting that one of our biggest conclusions was about the LED clock on the machine. In the store, it was constantly blinking, "12:00." Today we know electronics with a clock blink before they are programmed with the correct time.

But we didn't know that in the 1980's. And upon leaving the store we both agreed that it would be best if we didn't buy a VCR with a clock that flashed, 12:00, constantly. I laugh thinking about, how of all the features, that was the one we were focused on.

Whenever you try something new, it comes with a series of expectations and conclusions. Don't be surprised if some of them turn out to wrong or easily fixed with the press of a button.

This Food Stinks...

Do you find yourself doing the same things every day, even though you may be experiencing diminished returns? In this clip from my presentation, "Stop Crying In Your Cubicle," I talk about this common problem that many face at home and work. The clip is audio taken from the talk. The hand drawn animation slides are all my own (Pixar can sleep soundly at night).



(If you can't see the video, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ksktsd )

My title, "Stop Crying In Your Cubicle," comes from a recent survey that found that roughly 1 our of 4 workers are so stressed out at work, that they routinely cry on the job. There's a better way....

Change At Hand...

A lot of people talk about making positive changes in their personal or professional lives but things never get beyond the, "wishing," stage. In some cases the problem is that you've become too comfortable with the status quo. Perhaps your "change muscles" have gotten a bit flabby.

In this case it's good to try to stretch your ability to change in a small way before you take on a big challenge. This could be as simple as getting out of bed on the opposite side (provided it doesn't disrupt anyone who might be sleeping next to you), taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or going to bed 15 minutes earlier (do you know anyone who says they aren't tired). The goal is to introduce a new behavior and stick with it for a month. Many studies have found that it takes 30 days for something to be become a habit.

For me, a small change came courtesy of a pinched nerve in my right arm. This was one of those nagging injuries that takes a long time to heal. It was very painful for me to use my right hand for things like using a computer mouse. Since I have to use a computer a lot, I was miserable.

Then one day I realized something very important: I have two hands. Why not use my left hand to control the mouse. Sounds easy but it's a challenge when you're right handed. Even though I positioned the mouse near my left hand, at first I would reach across my body with my right hand to use it. While it took some getting used to, over time, my brain made the adjustment. Today my nerves are fully healed and I can use a mouse easily with both hands but mainly use my left one.

By successfully making a small change in my life, I feel more prepared for changes in the workplace or at home. Let's face it, workplace stress is usually tied to some kind of unexpected change. Sure, there will still be moments when you fear the unknown but you'll have the confidence in your ability to try and succeed at new things.

Uh-Oh Survey

A new study from employment consulting company, Right Management, has found that 31 per cent of employees are not able to adapt to changes at work. The polled senior human resource professionals say this lowers job effectiveness, engagement, and productivity. Companies find themselves with higher absenteeism rates, more turnover, and falling customers loyalty. Results were as follows:
 
31 per cent - No, employee engagement and productivity is a major risk
43 per cent - Somewhat, our workforce gets the job done, but morale suffers
26 per cent - Yes, our workforce is very agile and responds to new challenges
 
In this economy, workers are constantly challenged to do more with less. That's a change that's not going away anytime soon. But often employers neglect to explain the reason for the change and how it fits into the big picture. This communication is key to keeping a workforce focused on the goals of the organization. The unknown becomes a lot less frightening when it's understood.

 

"Quitting Is Not An Option"

I often talk to audiences about having the courage to make changes in your life. Perhaps one of the best examples of that philosophy passed away last week. You may have heard reports of Wayman Tisdale's death after a battle with cancer. Tisdale, who was in his mid 40s, was known to many as a basketball player, a musician, and an inspiration to those who are fighting cancer.

For more on this man's journey, watch this video:

(If you can't see the embedded clip, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ4DaBVn4Uk)

This is a great reminder that our lives frequently include various acts, both good and bad. The challenge is, through it all, to stay true to yourself, have a hunger for trying new things, and enjoy the ride, no matter where it may take you.

Overwhelmed By Change? Watch an Old Movie.

Movies are great things to study because they not only tell us a story but also tell us about the values, dreams, and shortcomings of the time when they were made.

Check out a film from 20 years ago. Pay attention to the music, the fashion, and the pacing. Sometimes, you'll laugh as I do when I see people doing things like talking on enormous cell phones. You may also interpret the film differently because you're watching it at a different point in you life. Suddenly, you may have new insight into a character's motivations.

The goal is to realize that not that long ago, things were much different. But since we experience life in a day to day fashion, we don't notice these changes and shifts in our lives. People are actually quite flexible in how they can change and deal with new challenges. To paraphrase the popular ad: "We've come a long way, baby."

The global economic slowdown has produced a ton of unexpected changes and and challenges. Remember that you are not new to living with the unknown. You've probably experienced more of it than you think.

Daylight Sleepy Time

Like many at my 5:45 a.m. exercise class, I find myself struggling with our recent switch to Daylight Savings Time. The challenge of a good workout should not be to keep your eyes open. It's funny in that I know the switch is coming every year, try to prepare for it, and yet walk around like a zombie for the first few days of the change.

Perhaps the problem is one of anticipation. I'm reminded of when a doctor tells you that a shot is going to hurt. While it does hurt, the anticipation and escalating anxiety of the pain is usually worse than the actual shot. Some clever nurses would take a different approach. They would start a conversation with you and poke you with the shot without warning. Sure, this was sneaky but it kept your mind from worrying too much about what was to come.

Daylight Savings Time is like many problems we face. It's temporary, not that big of a deal, and a challenge that is best overcome by not focusing on it too much.

The Change of a Few Degrees

Recently I spent some time with family in Ohio. For me this was a bit of shock as I left near 80 degree highs for single digit temperatures. Another thing I noticed was how gray the frozen landscape was. Between cloudy skies and frozen earth, it looked as if the area had been bleached of color.

But after a few days, temperatures warmed up, hitting highs in the 40s. Almost magically, the landscape became more colorful. It was as if someone had taken out a box of crayons overnight and touched up the area. The grass was greener and even leaves seemed a little brighter.

Once again this was a reminder of the power of small changes. Very often it's hard to make a change in our lives because it seems that it will take too much time and too much energy. Instead focus on a little thing you can do today to put you a little closer to your goal. You might be surprised at what happens.