David J. Pollay's Blog

Discover Your True Path – Step Three

Last week I asked us to take our second step on our journey to discover our true path in life. 

 

Here was Step One – Learn by Observing Others.  Here was Step Two – Learn by Asking Others.

 

This week I want us to focus on how we can learn by the example of others.

 

Learn by the Example of Others

 

In 1917 my grandfather lived in Brunswick, Maine.  He worked as a bookkeeper for the Bath Iron Works, the largest shipbuilder in the United States.  He worked long hours.  He lived at home.  He had no extra money.  He had an elementary school education.  And he dreamed of becoming an accountant.

 

Despite his circumstances, my grandfather found a way to pursue his dream.  He adhered to a motto:  “I can. I will.”  My grandfather read the accounting books his older brother had purchased years earlier.  He set aside two hours every night after work to read the books and take the practice tests (without looking at his brother’s answers).  My grandfather would then clear his mind with a walk, and then go to bed.  For two years he followed this plan.  In 1919 my grandfather passed the State of Maine accounting exam.  He became a certified public accountant.

 

The original certificate conferring my grandfather’s right to practice accounting hangs in my parent’s family room.  It reminds all of us what can be achieved by pursuing one’s true path with dedication and hard work.

 

Whose example will you emulate this year?  Learn from their journey.

 

As always, when you have time, let me know how you’re doing.  And remember to share your stories with me.

 

Best to you,

 

David

 

p.s. Remember to keep sending me your stories about how you are applying The Law of the Garbage Truck™ to your lives, families, and businesses.  Email me at david@themomentumproject.com.

 

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck: Take control of your life with one decision and change the world, will be published by Sterling Publishing in September, 2010.  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck™ at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

 

David holds a Master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.  You can catch David’s newsletter here.  You can reach him at david@themomentumproject.com, and you can read David’s blog at www.pollayblog.com.

 

Discover Your True Path – Step Two

Last week I called on all of us to take another step on our journey to discover our true path in life. 

Here was Step One – Learn By Observing Others. 

This week I want us to focus on how we can learn by asking others.

Learn by Asking Others

 

 

You can learn by asking others.  Meet with people who love what they do in your company.  Ask them what excites them about their work.  Ask them how they discovered their passion.  Ask them what they did to reach this rewarding point in their career.  You will learn a lot about yourself as you listen to their stories.  As a result, you will also expand and deepen your relationships at work.  The colleagues you interview will feel appreciated by your interest. 

 

 

When I worked at Yahoo!, one of the many people I respected and admired was Kirk Froggatt, former Vice President of Human Resources.  Kirk loved any activity that helped inspire and develop Yahoo! employees.  One day I asked Kirk to join me for lunch.  At the time I was running Yahoo!’s Customer Care Division. 

 

We talked for two hours.  I asked Kirk lots of questions.  He then gave me a book.  I read it over one weekend.  And then over the ensuing months I read Kirk’s white papers, plans, and recommended books.  I loved everything he sent to me.  And along the way I discovered that my true path was in the field of learning and development.  One year later I moved into a full-time role heading the training organization at Yahoo!. 

It started with a lunch.

Who will you meet with this year?  Be humble.  Reach out. 

As always, when you have time, let me know how you’re doing.  And remember to share your stories with me.

Best to you,

David

p.s. Remember to keep sending me your stories about how you are applying The Law of the Garbage Truck™ to your lives, families, and businesses.  Email me at david@themomentumproject.com.

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And remember you can sign up for my newsletter right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck: Take control of your life with one decision and change the world, will be published by Sterling Publishing in September, 2010.  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck™ at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a Master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.  You can catch David’s newsletter here.  You can reach him at david@themomentumproject.com, and you can read David’s blog at www.pollayblog.com.

Discover Your True Path – Step One

I believe we all have a right and responsibility to find our true path in life.  We must discover our passion and what it calls us to do.   

When we are able to put our natural strengths, skills, knowledge, experience, and energy into something we believe in, great things will happen in our lives.  

My next few posts will show us how others can help us find our true path in life.

Learn by Observing Others

When I was 17 years old, I thought I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon.  So, I accepted an offer to shadow the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team doctor for one day.  I expected to watch surgeries and meet baseball players.  Instead, I had a different experience.   

There were no surgeries to watch.  There were no baseball stadiums to visit.  There were just countless examination room doors to open and close.  We visited patients in his office all day long – more than I can remember.  I knew the visits were important; my own orthopedic doctors helped me many times.  I just didn’t realize how much of a doctor’s week was spent in the office.  I learned in one day that the path of a doctor was not for me.   

This year, who will you observe to test an interest of yours?  Don’t romanticize an interest.  Investigate it.  

As always, let me know how you’re doing when you have time.  And remember to share your stories with me.  

Best to you,  David  

p.s. Remember to keep sending me your stories about how you are applying The Law of the Garbage Truck™ to your lives, families, and businesses.  Email me at david@themomentumproject.com.

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Sign up  

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter right here.  

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck: Take control of your life with one decision and change the world, will be published by Sterling Publishing in September, 2010.  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck™ at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a Master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.  You can catch David’s newsletter here.  You can reach him at david@themomentumproject.com, and you can read David’s blog at www.pollayblog.com.

Are You Laughing? Part IV

I hope your weekend is going great! 

Here’s the fourth post in our series on the importance of laughter in our lives.   Here’s part one.  Here’s part two.  Here’s part three.

Part Four

Psychologist Willibald Ruch is one of the world’s leading researchers on humor. Here is one of Willibald’s research sites.  He’s a good guy and a great researcher.

Willibald has found in his research that “habitual laughter can affect physiological changes for the better in musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immunological, and/or neural systems.” 

Ruch goes on to write in his chapter on humor in Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman’s book, Character Strengths and Virtues, that individuals who have the strength of humor “would strongly endorse such statements as the following:

-         Whenever my friends are in a gloomy mood, I try to tease them out of it.

-         I welcome the opportunity to brighten someone else’s day with laughter.

-         Most people would say I am fun to be with.

-         I try to add some humor to whatever I do.

-         I never allow a gloomy situation to take away my sense of humor.

-         I can usually find something to laugh or joke about even in trying situations.”

We value people in our lives who consistently know how to cheer us up and increase our enjoyment in life.  We all appreciate a good laugh. 

We should be grateful anytime we can answer “yes” to the question, “Are you laughing?” 

Humor is good for life.

This week: 

Think about the important people in your life.  How could you bring a little more humor to your relationships this week?  What could you do to have some fun with the people you care about?

As always, let me know how you’re doing when you have time.  And remember to share your stories with me.

Best to you,

David

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And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Are You Laughing? Part III

I hope your weekend is going great! 

Here’s the third post in our series on the importance of laughter in our lives.   Here’s part one.  Here’s part two.

Part Three

Heidi Goff, President and Managing Director of The Americas for Hypercom Corporation, and my boss when I was a director at MasterCard in the mid 1990s, has the ability to get the most out of a business meeting.  Heidi does all that you might expect from a successful senior executive—she’s clear on the focus of her meetings, she communicates what’s expected of everyone, and she listens carefully and speaks with purpose. 

Heidi also has the unique ability to inject humor so that people stay relaxed, creative and open-minded.  She knows when a good laugh or light-hearted comment will release tension in the room.

“In my own research with executives,” says Dachter Keltner in his book, Born to Be Good, “laughter early in negotiations—the product of break-the-ice banter about families, travel mishaps, hotel rooms, golf games, and the like—sets the stage for mutually beneficial bargaining.” 

Humor is good for business.

This week: 

Take a moment to think about your business or organization.  How could you inject some more humor into your relationships with your customers, suppliers, partners, and coworkers? 

As always, let me know how you’re doing when you have time.  And remember to share your stories with me.

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

The Final Question and You’re All the Way There

Over the last two weeks we’ve been focusing on two life-directing questions.  These two questions have helped guide my life.

(1)               “What do you really care about?”  

(2)               “What are you doing to support what you really care about?”

The first question helps us set our priorities.  The second question helps us see how much we are doing to support what we care about.

Here’s the final question that will take you the rest of the way to living your best possible life.

(3)               “What more can you do to align your life with what you really care about?” 

Take three minutes now and write down your answer. 

Here are some additional questions to help you complete your answer.  How do you spend each day?  How do you start each morning?  What do you do at lunch?  How do you spend your evenings?  How do you end each day?  What do you do on the weekends?  What are your habits?  What are your beliefs?  How’s your attitude? 

Now, if you’re just joining us, read and respond to the two questions at the top of the page and then follow up with your answer to the third and final question above.

What more can we do to align our lives with what we really care about is not an easy question to answer.  The question reminds us that so much of our experience in life is up to us.  Our answer requires that we take responsibility and act:  That’s good news.  We have the freedom to pursue the life we most want to lead.

As always, let me know how you’re doing when you have time.  I’m rooting for you.

Best to you,

David

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University. He is a founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Answer This Question, and You’ll Be 2/3 of the Way

Last week we focused on one of the most important life-directing questions I know:  What do you really care about?  Asking this question has helped keep me on track – or get me back on track – many times over the years.

I wrote in last week’s post:  “Answer this question, What do you really care about?, and you’ll be one third of the way to living a great life.  Your answer will help you focus your time, energy, and creativity on what matters to you.” 

I asked you to take two minutes to make a list of what you really care about.   Then, I wanted you to think about your list during the week. 

Now, it’s time for the second question. 

“What are you doing to support

what you really care about?”

Answer this question and you’ll be two thirds of the way to living a great life.  Your answer will help you make sure that you are directing your time, energy, and activities to the things you really care about. 

Take three minutes now to quickly write down what you do each week to support what you really care about.  Try not to wait.  Do a quick list now.  What do you do to support what you care about the most?

Feel good about writing all these things down.  You’re focusing on living your best possible life.

As always, let me know how it goes when you have time.  I’m rooting for you.

Best to you,

David

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University. He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Answer This Question, and You’ll Be 1/3 of the Way

I just returned from New York City.  What an amazing city!  I am always energized when I visit.  I was born there (and raised in Wisconsin).  I met my wife, Dawn, there.  I worked there.  I pursued my dreams in New York.

One of those dreams is about to become a reality.  My book, The Law of the Garbage Truck, is going to be published by a major New York publishing house next year.  I am impressed with their team.  I will tell you more when the legalities of the contract are completed.  I’m excited and very grateful.

I wanted to share my news with you because our attention over the last few weeks has been about how to pursue what you love to do professionally.  Writing, speaking, and helping you is what I love to do.  I want you to follow your passion too.

I believe deeply we should be grateful for what we have while we pursue what we love to do.  Great things happen when we believe our dreams are possible, and we are willing to work to make them happen.

Over this week I want to share a few of the most powerful life-directing questions we can ask ourselves.  These questions have helped center me for years.  

Today I’ll start with the first question.  No matter how busy you are this week, take two minutes to write down your answer.

Here’s the first question.

“What do you really care about in your life?”

Answer this question and you’ll be one third of the way to living a great life.  Your answer will help you focus your time, energy, and creativity on what matters to you.  

Take two minutes and make your list now.  Then think about your list over the next couple days.  I’ll then post the second question for us to think about.  

Have fun and feel good about making your list of what you really care about.

As always, let me know how it goes when you have time.  I’m rooting for you.

Best to you,

David

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

How badly do you want it?

Monday Morning Momentum

Think professionally. How badly do you want to do what you love in life?  If you’re serious about living a life focused on doing what you love, let’s experiment this week.  Let’s see how much you can advance your goal of doing more of what you love to do. 

Step 1: Write down what you love to do (or would love to do) professionally. 

Step 2: Think of the ways you can develop your natural strengths, gain experience, increase your knowledge, and build skill to help you get better at what you love to do.

Step 3: Now, write down something you can do this week in each of the following time blocks.

A)   First thing in the morning

B)   Time driving and/or commuting

C)   Lunch each day

D)   Time after work and before dinner

E)   Time after dinner and before bed

F)    Saturday

G)   Sunday

Step 4: Remember our experiment is only for one week. Choose your activities with purpose.  Let’s see how much progress you can make at getting better at what you do.

Step 5: Let me know how it goes this week. Post a comment or send me an email. I’m rooting for you.

Together, we’re pursuing a strategy that has helped me achieve every significant goal in my life.  I want to help you do more of what you love.  And I want you to get really good at what you love doing.

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University.

Don’t Settle. Do What You Love.

Don’t settle.  Be grateful.  But don’t settle in life. 

Last week I asked you two questions:

Are you doing what you love?

Are you getting good at what you love?

Let’s pick up where we left off.  Our goal is to answer, “yes…yes.”

If you answered, “no…no,” focus this week on exploring what you love to do.  Think about the “activities” you’ve loved in the past.  What were the things you were doing?  What actions were you taking?  Be specific.  Describe them.  Then find at least one opportunity to engage in one of those activities at work or at home.  Be curious and creative.  You’ll find an opportunity.  I guarantee it if you look hard enough.  Once we find out what you love to do, we’ll then focus on building your expertise next.

If you answered, “no (not at work)…yes,” what one thing can you do to help craft your job in a way that will allow you to do more of what you love?  Be creative.  Don’t give up.  There is always something you can do.

If you answered, “yes…no,” what is the one thing you can do this week to build your expertise or experience?  Don’t put it off.  Choose one thing now.  You’ll feel good when you do.

If you answered, “yes…yes,” pause and say thanks.  You’re on an important path to happiness and success.  Connect to the powerful positive emotion of gratitude.  My practice is to stop, look up, and say everything I’m grateful for (I also start every day that way). 

Remember to be grateful for what you have, but don’t settle in life. 

Let me know how it goes this week.  Post a comment or send me an email. 

Together, we’re pursuing a strategy that has helped me achieve every significant goal in my life.  I want to help you do more of what you love.  And I want you to get really good at what you love doing.

Invite your family and friends to join you

If you want your family, friends, and colleagues to join us on our Monday Morning Momentum™ journey, send this post along to them. 

Have a great week! 

Best to you,

David

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Sign up

And remember you can sign up for my newsletter, Momentum Minutes™, right here.

---------------------------------------------------------

David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University.