Social "knitworking"

Of the many colleagues you do have on your networks, about how many do you "knitwork" with? There's a difference between networking and knitworking. Networking throws the net out with hopes to find common ground.

"I remember you. We went to school together."
"Remember so and so from company x, is she still there?"
"Great seeing you the other day, how's business?"
"You know, we should grab some lunch (a year later) You know, we should really get together."

Add as a friend. Click. Sayonara!

Networking expands contacts. Networking broadens our territory, but knitworking tightens the strings of existing networks.

What are you doing to strengthen your knitwork?

Hit the brakes

Your Edward Cullen won't pay attention to you. The deadline was moved. You don't have enough resources to finish the project. She won't go out with you (dude, take a shower). Your kid won't listen to you. Why won't he pop the question? The list goes on and the deal, goal, relationship keeps moving forward without you.

While "and" transitions the idea to product. "And" is the process in between. With process comes progress. If there's anything that makes me cringe, it's the lack of progress or delaying progress. Whether the delay is hindsight, intentional, accidental, constructive or any combination of those, delays can ruffle feathers. The lack of progress sure have ruffled mine. So what good can there be of delays? Well, the next time you drive or ride in a vehicle, think about the importance of your vehicle's brakes.

Here's what Wiki says, "A brake is a device for slowing or stopping the motion of a machine or vehicle, or alternatively a device to restrain it from starting to move again." Brakes prevent most accidents. There are another set of restraints called safety belts, otherwise known as seat belts. Knowing that these brakes are in place provides security. These "delays" save lives - every single day.

While the "and" in between is a process which produces progress, which delays irritate you the most? How have hitting the brakes changed your perspective in areas of delayed progress? What have you learned?

The "and" in between

I get responsibility. Really, I have the visuals. Yes, I can see the big picture, but "and" gets in the way. "And" means work. "And" is hard. "And" means asking difficult questions. "And" asks me to constantly rethink my strategies and take criticisms.

"And" is the in between of creed and deed. "And" turns the big idea into a product. "And" is the story of how the first date lead to the big date of I do's. Great teams function within "and" while others are intimidated by it. "And" motivates students from freshman to senior year. "And" is your story.

"And" may very well delay ideas from becoming reality. "And" may ask for another round of discussions. Don't let your "and" be your "end". Move and adapt with "and".

Gmail's Advanced IMAP Controls

I'm thrilled when something that is supposed to work actually works.  Especially on my iPhone. Thanks to Google's Gmail team, I can now filter what labels to display on IMAP.

1.  Login to your Gmail Account.

2.  Click "Settings" on the top right side of the page.

3.  Proceed by clicking on "Labs".

4.  Navigate through the list of "Labs" features to "Advanced IMAP controls".

5.  Click on "Enable".   Yes, it really is that easy to turn on or off.  Then click on the "Save Changes".

6.  Now comes the fun part.  Once your changes have been saved, Gmail will redirect you back to the Inbox.  Click on "Settings" then navigate to the "Labels" tab.  

  

7.  Check or uncheck the labels you'd like to display.  No need to save as each check or uncheck is automatically saved for you.  

8.  It also works wonders on the iPhone as shown below.  It will also help put your kids to college and make your evenings wonderful. 

Cheers to all you IMAPPERS!

Catalyst 2008 - Together

Put technologists, entrepreneurs, the fight against social injustices, management, music, marketing, entertainment, and the Great Commission into a giant auditorium and ask the question, "Will it Blend?"

The answer.

Absolutely!

Catalyst has revolutionized the word "together" and is calling on agents of change to help support this great gathering. Memories from the event still reverberate in my ears! They've got an unbelievable line up of speakers this year.

C'mon - Jim Collins, Seth Godin, and Andy Stanley? You can't get any better than that!

Catalyst on Vimeo.