Wow, I couldn’t believe that this is a real word.
Automagically.
I thought my colleague was using it as a gag.
But when I asked Dr. Google, there it was.
Automagically – Automatically + Magical
It refers to the use of computer automation and how when well-implemented it seems almost like the process is magical, ingenious, and oh, so easy.
So this is the goal for us that all our processes and efforts should be poof–automagically done and there it is! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I had the opportunity to sit in on a colleague teaching a class in Performance Improvement.
One tool that I really liked from the class was the Impact-Effort Matrix.
To determine project worth doing, the matrix has the:
Impacts (Vertical) – Improved customer satisfaction, quality, delivery time, etc.
Effort (Horizontal) – Money, Time, etc.
The best bang for the buck are the projects in upper left (“Quick Wins”) that have a high impact or return for not a lot of effort.
In contract, the projects that are the least desirable are in the lower right (“Thankless Tasks”) that have a low impact or return but come at a high cost or lot of effort.
This is simple to do and understand and yet really helps to prioritize projects and find the best choices among them. 😉
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
I liked this Hebrew sign that says (translated):
When the end is good, all is good.
Or as we commonly say:
All’s well that end’s well.
Lot of truth to this.
And there are so many languages that talk to this.
I remember my father used to say it in German as well.
When things end well, it’s as if everything went well. And when things end badly, it’s as if everything was bad.
The human mind seems to focus on the last thing (and forgets virtually everything leading up to it).
Perhaps, we justify the means with the end (i.e. all the time and effort leading up to it).
Or maybe we recap our lives as either a success or failure by how things ended up.
In 20/20 hindsight, we can see the consequences of our actions.
– Was all the hard work worth it?
– Did we even focus on the right priorities and goals in life?
– Were the choices and decisions we made well-founded?
– What was the impact on ourselves, our loved ones, and more broadly?
We look for meaning and purpose in our lives, and hopefully in the end when we look back, we are blessed to see that it was all for the good. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I like this saying that I heard.
“The juice has to be worth the squeeze.”
It’s a little like the corollary to “If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing right.”
Spending time and effort has to show commensurate results or why the heck are you doing it?
Probably always good to reevaluate where you’re getting the “most bang for the buck,” so you’re not “just spinning your wheels.”
With all the sayings about what we do and whether it’s really worth it, there is probably some good reason to be concerned about whether or not you spending your time productively or just acting insane, because:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Results matter–so make sure your achieving them or go do something else you enjoy and that’s ultimately worth the squeeze! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
What an astute comic this is about change.
“Who wants change?” Everyone raises their hands enthusiastically.
“Who wants to change?” Everyone has their hands and eyes down.
I suppose that is the difference between a nice lofty but esoteric concept, and something that actually impacts us and requires our attention, resources, and hard work.
So what sounds good for the masses in a speech or article may sound entirely different when applied to the individual.
Who me change? No, that’s someone else’s problem!
– Global warming and environmental destruction–that’s coming from China now.
– Russian aggression in Ukraine, Georgia, the Baltic States–it’s a European issue.
– The Arab Spring with governments being overthrown and countries destabilizing into sectarian violence–that’s for The Gulf States to worry about.
– Higher taxes to pay for social entitlements–let the very rich pay for that.
– More security and surveillance for counter-terrorism initiatives–let’s just surgically target the bad guys with those.
Let’s face it–we all have a lot on our plates already and we are suckers for a good talking to about some broadly-based, fantastical future that is better, happier, healthier, and more peaceful and prosperous.
But what do you have to give up or sacrifice for this future utopia or making progress towards it…ah, that’s not a message we really want to get into now, is it?
Change…it’s good for the next guy and gal; let me have my cake and eat it too. 😉
(Source Photo: here with attribution to starecat.com)
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