Its not what I sell, Its What I stand for - Roy Spencer

Recently I came across this mind blowing masterpiece which really made me think and think about the importance of how and what we do as an individual to make ourselves invaluable for our organisation. Are we working for a purpose? What has defined the purpose of my work and the value that I have created by way of this purpose. Purpose does two things for big and small: 1. it gives you an anchor during the storm and holds you in place when times are stormy, and 2. when the seas are calm – and they will calm eventually – it will be your north star and continue to guide you on the correct path.

"In 1837, more than two decades before the American Civil War, William Procter and James Gamble formed a partnership to make soap and candles. In 1955, P&G stood at No. 27 on the Fortune 500; today it holds spot No. 23. In 1886, Robert Wood Johnson, operating from the fourth floor of an abandoned wallpaper factory, issued a small catalog jam–packed with antiseptic surgical dressings and medical plasters. By 1955 his son had built Johnson & Johnson into No. 159 on the Fortune 500; today it stands at No. 35, with 45 consecutive years of increasing its dividend. In the early 20th century General Electric's Charles Coffin brought forth perhaps the most significant business innovation of the past 200 years: systematic management development. GE created generations of leaders and thereby generated more than a century of sustained success so reliable that a hiccup in quarterly profits can drive down the entire stock market. In 1955 GE sat at No. 4 on the Fortune 500; today it sits at No. 6. These companies trained leaders who could evolve and create a portfolio of flywheels—from candles to Pringles, from medical plasters to Tylenol, from light bulbs to jet engines—yet they also held tight to core values that have remained fixed for 100 years or more." - Jim Collins

While I think about the book the few things that remain with me are the importance of understanding and creating multiple aspects of one's personality that is constantly adapting to change and prepared to face adverse conditions with a definite sense of purpose. Essentially increasing the probability of success or reducing the probability of failure. Like Roy in his book explains "work for luck". The farmers till their lands with the hope that it will be good rains. Then there are good farmers who are well prepared for all the other eventualities and reap the best when rain does come. Challenge your believe and have people who challenge your views at all points. The interviee who offered an apple as a metaphor of the teacher - student relationship, while its a great gesture for a student you do not want to have people who do not constantly challenge your views.

1) What are you deeply passionate about?
2) What are you are genetically encoded for — what activities do you feel just "made to do"?
3) What makes economic sense — what can you make a living at?

Those fortunate enough to find or create a practical intersection of the three circles have the basis for a great work life.

Think of the three circles as a personal guidance mechanism. As you navigate the twists and turns of a chaotic world, it acts like a compass. Am I on target? Do I need to adjust left, up, down, right? If you make an inventory of your activities today, what percentage of your time falls outside the three circles?

If it is more than 50%, then the stop doing list might be your most important tool. The question is: Will you accept good as good enough, or do you have the courage to sell the mills?

"A great piece of art is composed not just of what is in the final piece, but equally important, what is not. It is the discipline to discard what does not fit — to cut out what might have already cost days or even years of effort — that distinguishes the truly exceptional artist and marks the ideal piece of work, be it a symphony, a novel, a painting, a company or, most important of all, a life". - Jim Collins

I am very bad reader infact i rarely read and I feel miserable and bad about this aspect of my life. Today I know that if I somehow inculcate this habit I would be a different person all together. I have been living with this realisation for a while but its like I know i can get cancer if I smoke but i still don't do anything about it. Be curious, it helps. John Deere incentivised their employee to document their way of dealing with a business problem and submitting it to the supervisor. It did not matter whether the innovation was innovative enough it does ensure that I think and I think differently. R&D is not just in the labs infact most of the innovations that have happened and revolutionised the world happened in back yards and garages of the world.

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