“It’s the difference between work and non-work,” I said. “Both work and non-work are states of mind. Non-work is an unconscious state of mind. Work is a conscious state of mind. Non-work just happens on its own with no particular direction. Work only happens when there is a purpose.”
Nathan and I had been discussing a simple start to a meeting where he asked each team member to contribute a piece of good news to start the meeting.
“So, I am connecting this exercise at the beginning of the meeting with a state of mind?” Nathan asked.
“Absolutely,” I responded. “Thoughts drive behavior. And if your thoughts connect to a purpose, then you are more likely to engage in work. If your thoughts are not connected to a purpose, then your behavior is likely to be unconscious and non-productive. How you think is everything.”
“Everything is ready, if our minds be so.” This is a great point today. Well really two: remember that thoughts drive behavior and that we can help trigger how we have teams think (cues). And then Shakespeare wrote it for us 400+ years ago. Good points, Tom.