David J. Pollay's Blog

Follow The Law – Look for Success In Your Consistency (example: Keith Ferrazzi)

Do you want to know what you’re good at?  Do you want to know when you really stand out in life?  What you should build your expertise around?  Here’s one powerful answer.  It’s a guide.

 

Look for success in your consistency.

 

When you follow The Law of the Garbage Truck, you stay focused on what is important and what you can control.  Identifying where and when you have been consistently successful is a huge part of helping you focus on making the best of your life.

 

Is there something you have done well over the years; it has served you well, and it’s still making a difference in your life? 

It might be the way you build relationships,

the way you speak,

the way you think,

the way you write,

the way you sell,

the way you lead teams,

the way you express your appreciation....

 

Whatever it is, it’s there for us to discover and amplify: We all do something special, even if at first blush it’s not obvious to us. 

 

And when you recognize your strength, develop it and focus on it, you can turn it into something special in your life. 

 

I believe—and research by the Gallup Organization, and by Christopher Peterson and Nansook Park at the University of Michigan, demonstrates it—successful people learn to capitalize on their “special something.” 

 

They amplify their strength.  They invest in it through education, training, coaching, and practice.  They hire people and contract with people to magnify their strength.  They surround themselves with people who can help them work around their lesser strengths.

 

What’s the result?

These people are happy, and they are successful.

Here’s a great example.

 

I knew someone in college. 

He was brilliant about bringing people together around a common cause. 

He could do it with one person, a group, or an organization. 

And it served him well.

 

Now he is the best selling author of two great books, Who’s Got Your Back? and Never Eat Alone.  His name is Keith Ferrazzi.  You might have heard of him?  He’s considered one of the best connected people in the country

 

 
 

Keith took what was a consistent strength of his in his life and career—building world class relationships in everything he does—and turned it into an asset that he could share with the world in business.  People who want to understand what it takes to forge important relationships with anyone at any level turn to Keith for advice and guidance.  Keith’s consistent strength is now his biggest asset.

 

So what’s your strength? 

Where have you been consistent in your life?

Follow The Law and focus on what’s important.

 

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My 3rd Secret to Writing

If you want to write your book, column, blog post, newsletter, or company proposal, wake up early enough every day so that you can write something before you have to get on with other priorities. 

 

Don’t wait until the phone calls start coming in, the emails start arriving, and the texts start flying.  If you wait until later in the day, you may be too distracted or too tired to be creative.

 

Ideally, you want to squeeze in thirty to sixty minutes of writing—or as much time as you can put in—before your day really gets underway.

 

Writing near the start of your day will make a positive difference in your life on a number of levels.

1.    Every day it will affirm that you are a writer.

2.    Every day it will give you a sense of accomplishment.

3.    Every day it will improve your writing and confidence.

4.    Every day it will keep your writing project activated in your mind, consciously and unconsciously.  You’ll be surprised how many ideas will come to you later in the day when you're doing something completely unrelated.

5.    Every day it will move you closer to accomplishing your writing project.

 

As always, try this idea out and let me know how it works for you.

I’m rooting for you!

 

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  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck here.

Do You Do It Enough? Tim Does

 

When I was at Yahoo!, I was asked to record a training video that could be used by all Yahoo! managers as a learning resource for conducting better performance reviews.  At the time I was the director of Yahoo!'s Learning and Development organization.  It was my first time recording in Yahoo!'s production studio.  The camera, lights, backdrop, marks on the floor telling me where to stand … all this was new to me.

 

As I was preparing for the video shoot, I asked Adrian Smith if he had any advice for me.

 

 

 

 

At the time Adrian was the head of all online training for the Yahoo! sales organization, and he was producing our training video. (Adrian is a great guy who now runs his own full-service video production company, Slice of Life Media.) 

 

Adrian's answer.

Rehearse.

Simple.

Rehearse.

 

He said, "We all need to rehearse.  If you want to be good at something, you have to rehearse."

 

Then Adrian gave me an example.

Tim Sanders.

 

 

At the time, Tim was leading an organization at Yahoo! called Value Lab; it was a strategic think tank focused on creating value for our customers.  Tim played an important role in the company.  He was respected.  He was successful.

 

And according to Adrian, he rehearsed.

 

Adrian said Tim was tireless about making sure he gave his best effort in preparing for all of his presentations and speeches. (Even back then he was called to speak all the time—check out one of Tim's videos on his site.) 

 

How did all this preparation work out for Tim?  After a great career at Yahoo!, he wrote three bestselling books: Love Is The Killer App, The Likeability Factor, and Saving the World at Work. Now, Tim’s working on his fourth book, and he is one of the most popular transformational speakers nationally.

 

Think about your expertise.

 

How much are you practicing?

How much are you rehearsing? 

Listen to Adrian.

Follow Tim's example.

Make time for rehearsal.

 

(Here's Tim in his own words about the importance of rehearsing.)

 

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  You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck here.

Advice Must Come with Sincerity and Expertise – Stephanie’s an Example

When I look for personal advice from people, I look for a number of things. 

 

Top among them is sincerity and expertise.

I want to know my advisors have my best interests in mind.  

I want to know that they really care about helping me. 

And I want to know that they have experience, knowledge, and skill in the domain I need help. 

 

 
   

Stephanie Gunning is one of those people.

 

After I wrote my book, The Law of the Garbage Truck, and before I signed with Sterling Publishing, I called in Stephanie for advice.  I wanted to look for ways I could improve my book. 

 

Stephanie pointed out where I could clarify passages or expand my treatment of a subject or cut material to make my message stronger.  Stephanie had the expertise, and my success mattered to her.  She gave the advice, and it was up to me to make the changes.  I listened, made the changes, and strengthened my book. 

 

Now, Stephanie is helping even more people.  This time it’s with her own book, You Are A Spirit, written with Kayhan Ghodsi.  It just came out last week.  I bought my copy the day it was available.  If you’re interested in spirituality and improving the quality of your life, pick up a copy.  

 

Think about the people you rely on. 

 

Who are the people

who are giving

you advice

these days? 

 

Make sure they’re the best, and make sure that they care.

 

 

 If you’re here for the first time, welcome!

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You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck here.

  

 

 

What’s Your Calling? Follow Gretchen’s Example

We all have a calling.  I believe that.  There is something special for us to do.

 

Finding the way to our calling is not always easy or clear.  Sometimes the path is obscured by negative forces in our lives, or by our own complacency, and sometimes the path is obscured by our success and accomplishments. 

 

 

In both cases we are challenged to break from the past. 

 

Just because we have allowed events, other people, and ourselves to limit us in the past does not mean that we have to make that our choice today.

 

Just because we have been successful at something—sometimes very successful—in the past or present doesn’t mean we can’t un-tether ourselves from a predictably successful path to a less predictable, but even more meaningful path.

 

One example before we go.

 

What if you were a graduate of Yale Law School?  What if you clerked for a U.S. Supreme Court justice?

 

How easily would you step away from such success? 

 

Stop.  Think about it.  What would pull you away?

 

The answer. 

Something even more meaningful.

Something even more personal.

Something even more exciting.

Your calling.

 

Gretchen Rubin is that law school graduate.  She clerked for Sandra Day O’Connor.  Yet she left the law for writing.  It wouldn’t necessarily be easy.  It didn’t matter.  Gretchen had a calling. 

 

 

Gretchen just released her fifth book, The Happiness Project.  It’s a runaway bestseller.  And it’s selling for good reason.  It’s a great book.  And it comes out of Gretchen’s calling. 

 

Let’s all find our way—taking as many little or big steps as needed—to follow Gretchen’s example.

 

 

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You can find out more about The Law of the Garbage Truck here.

See my latest post.

 

My 1st Secret to Writing

Writing intimidates most people.

I want to change that.

So, I’m going to share with you what I do.

Here’s my first secret:  Read a little each day before you start writing.

I spend ten to fifteen minutes reading a book—usually unrelated to my work—that inspires me in some way, intellectually or emotionally.  If I'm having a particularly difficult time awakening my creativity, I'll read a little longer to jump-start the flow I need in order to write well. 

Try it for yourself, and let me know how it goes.

 

 

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 [email protected].

 

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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 [email protected], 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 [email protected].

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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 [email protected], 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 [email protected].

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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 [email protected], 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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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.