Plan • Do • Reflect

Welcome to Friday — and another opportunity to put some perspective on the work you are doing, the work you have done, and the person you are becoming.

As your week draws to a close, slow down — if just for a moment. Embrace the practice of setting aside some time to review your week. Take measure of your accomplishments. Savor your successes. Do what you can to learn from your mistakes.

1. What were you able to complete this week?
   Make a list. Pass it along — especially to your boss.
2. What items are still open?
   How much were you able to move the needle on these open items? What remains to be done on these items? What is the ‘next action’ for each of these items?
3. What did you learn about yourself this week?
   What's different now? In what ways are you wiser?

Finally, what are you grateful for? Dwell on this thought for a moment — or longer. (Notice how contemplating gratitude feels like a deep breath of fresh, cool air. Pass this along too.)

Ideas of Note

Relatively speaking, the world is changing really, really, fast!

Take a moment to think about all of the change that has taken place since you were born. Not just the technological change (from computers the size of small cars to exponentially more powerful devices weighing mere ounces), but also the social, scientific, and cultural progress that has occurred in the last several decades.

Now consider the Acheulean hand axe. The always-excellent podcast, 99% Invisible, released an insightful show this week looking at this primitive stone tool. 

From the show:

The Acheulean hand axe does not look like an “axe.” There’s no handle, and no metal. It could be called the “Acheulean pointy hand rock,” because it is just a rock that has been chipped and shaped, usually into the form of a tear-drop.

The term “Acheulean” refers to where the first specimens were found, on a dig site in Saint-Acheul, France. Other hand axes have been dug up in Africa, Europe and South Asia.

Early humans created these hand axes by breaking off big pieces with large rocks, and then shaping the fine edge with smaller rocks and pieces of bone. Making one of these things requires effort, skill, and time – anywhere from fifteen minutes to several hours.

The knowledge and skill required to manufacture this ancient tool was passed down from adult to child for many, many generations. In fact, the archeological evidence seems to indicate that this primitive piece of stone ‘technology’ was in use FOR A MILLION YEARS!

Wow! The same basic tool was a functional part of society for 40,000 to 50,000 generations! Granted, there is more to this story that we can know. And the ‘humans’ who crafted these tools were, themselves, evolving dramatically over this time period. But it's safe to say that, until relatively recently, the pace of change was on a glacial — nay geological — time scale.

Things have sped up a bit in the last few years. The world barely feels the same from year to year, let alone from generation to generation. No wonder I feel dizzy sometimes (and I thought it was just the jet lag).

[Image Credit: Didier Descouen]

Wise Words

Employing Yourself

Never hire or promote in your own image. It is foolish to replicate your strength. It is idiotic to replicate your weakness. It is essential to employ, trust, and reward those whose perspective, ability, and judgment are radically different from yours. It is also rare, for it requires uncommon humility, tolerance, and wisdom.

From Dee Hock on Management. (Dee Hock is the founder and former CEO of the Visa credit card association.)

Have a great weekend. I'll meet you back here on Monday.