GENERATION ‘US’
BY TOM MATT
Best practices
Redefining your behavior can push you to new heights
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et us change some thinking. Let us zero in on a topic please, one that is referred to as best practices. Defined by the all-knowing Internet: “Best practices are a set of guidelines, ethics or ideas that represent the most efficient or prudent course of action, in a given business situation.” Just because we find ourselves in a “that’s the way we always have done it” world, perhaps it might be more advantageous to us all to think better practices.
“Innovation means replacing the best practices of today with those of tomorrow.” ~Paul Sloane
I highly recommend Adam Grant’s new book Think Again. In it, Grant talks at length about re-evaluating the way we think and do things. Our habitual behaviors feed into the standard human behavior — the easiest way is the best way. Perhaps the time has come for some serious behavior modification. As Grant explains, we are living in a performance culture and this is when we become attached to habitual best practices. We find the routine, decide it is best and it becomes the set way. Grant called it frozen in time. In this time we stop looking for a better way and stop questioning the old school mentality. The next thing you know, you are ten, twenty, thirty years older and look in the mirror and wonder what happened. Why wait? Why procrastinate? Why delay? Many people bolster their personal growth throughout their lives to better themselves and reach their goals. One of the best things I have done in the past to enhance the journey of life has been to find mentors. Just one mentor can make a massive difference, adding to my better practices. My
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mentors at MSU, as a non-traditional student, assisted in my journey through undergrad and grad school, as the old guy. Reading has become a pleasurable experience I never had as a younger adult, another of the better practices. Here are a couple more ideas that you could think about: • Reflect at the end of each day • Create a strong practice regimen • Find others to push you and train with • Create a reward system
• Love yourself and have fun!
Tom Matt is the host of the “Tom Matt Show,” a radio talk show syndicated in Michigan on the Michigan Talk Network. He can be heard locally Saturday mornings on the ‘Big Talker’ WJIM 1240 AM. For more info please visit wwwtommattshow.
