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REFLECTION: As we spoke about overload pressures in the workplace, one seminar participant expressed dismay at how many meetings she had to attend. In her view, they were far too frequent, and ate up far too much time. 

As a long time employee in the organization, there wasn’t much that was new to her on any agenda. As a result, at most meetings she felt like she was just putting in time, twiddling her thumbs, and spinning her wheels. Meanwhile her ‘real work’ was piling up at her desk.

You may have felt that way yourself, especially if you’ve been around for a while. The new information shared at a meeting may amount to 5 or 10 minutes. The rest of the time is spent going over what may be, for you, old ground and tired issues.

I was especially interested, though, to hear one of her co-workers offer another perspective. (more…)

REFLECTION: Many of you are smack dab in the busiest years of your lives – with work, family and community obligations filling your hours and days. In mid-life when you find yourself trapped in the midst of the busyness, it can be a challenge to reach out for help.

A couple of years ago, I dropped in for a visit with my dear Aunt Eileen. At over 80 years (or at any age for that matter) Eileen was one of the most loving, supportive and accepting individuals I’ve ever known. By that time in her life, she had lost her husband, faced several health challenges, and after a lifetime away, relocated to her home province. Here she was surrounded by family, but short on friends. In a word, she was lonely. (more…)

It may be slow – but it certainly is sure!

Spring is slowly crawling its way into existence on the prairies.

I did spot pussy willows along the ditches last week. But here, now, my very own backyard garden is showing signs of life.

The beauties just needed me to get the rake out, dust off last fall’s leaves, trim back last summer’s growth, and show a little faith.

Maybe that’s the way with more things than just the garden.

Could be that to see more of life’s everyday potential, we need to spring into action, dust off the remains of the day, and be ready and willing to look more closely to discover what’s already growing right under our feet.

In the world of curiosities, this definitely qualifies. A strawberry so eager to reproduce itself, that it gives the next generation a head start. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. That’s for sure. A strawberry plant growing out of the top of a still juicy berry, with another small berry on the plant itself. Maybe it got tired of waiting for spring and warm weather.

Thanks to eagle eyed Mom, for spotting this little multi generation critter.

REFLECTION:  I spent a couple of days last week on the farm where I grew up giving my folks a hand with a household reno project. The stairs from the kitchen to the basement were a bit worse for wear and in need of a spruce up. 

The work flow went like this:

* Pry off the old tiles and linoleum

* Scrape, sand and scrub away the glue and backing

* Apply two coats of paint to the stringers and steps

* Trim and install a new set of vinyl treads

* Stand back and admire the work

Of course, no project ever goes smoothly, and this one wasn’t that straightforward; but still, this was a great experience for a number of reasons.   (more…)

REFLECTION: After months of hunkering, huddling and hibernating, spring has sprung in Saskatchewan. And not just according to the calendar (which rarely ever gets it right), but according to life in the ‘hood. Signs of the season are everywhere. 

Snow all but evaporating under the high-sky sun. Robins singing up a storm, scouting nest sites. Bikes rolling down the streets. Kids swarming the playgrounds.  

If you listen carefully, you can hear the tulips calling to each other:  Wake up! Wake up!  Well – I made that one up – but the rest are true!

And, to top it all off, yesterday I sipped a cup of coffee in my shirtsleeves in the great outdoors. (more…)

REFLECTION: Did that title catch your attention? In challenging economic times, anything related to economizing and budgeting tends to loom large on the radar. But, rest assured I’m not talking about money. 

I am, however, talking about time.

You are probably familiar with Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fit the time available. I don’t know what kind of experience you’ve had with P’s Law, but I know I’ve experienced it in action again and again. (more…)

Today’s message is a departure from the usual format of your weekly Pause e-zine. So, be forewarned. If you are someone who is offended by even a hint of self promotion (and I know there are some subscribers on every free e-zine distribution list for whom this is the case), just skip today’s message and return next week to our ‘regular programming’.

This message is intended for all those subscribers who are interested in the context for the weekly Pause message and the latest in new developments at my end. 

It’s been almost a year now since I began working on a further focusing of business offerings and the website and materials that represent it all. Those efforts culminated recently with the launch of my newly reincarnated website:  http://www.patkatz.com. I’m delighted to invite you to explore the brand new site, and to think about how my work and message might be helpful in your organization.

Here’s the backstory to what you will see on the site. (more…)

REFLECTION: Love Leadership. It’s an odd juxtaposition of words not commonly paired together. And, no, it doesn’t describe how to take the lead in improving life with your significant other. Love Leadership – What The World Needs Now is the title of a book on organizational leadership authored by Gregg Cochlan. 

In short, Gregg’s message is that in contrast to the old-style command and control style of leadership, letting colleagues know they are loved and cared for is a major step towards driving fearfulness out of the workplace. When fearfulness ‘leaves the building’, people no longer tremble in the corner or cower in their boots, preoccupied with assuring their own safety. Instead, they face challenges and step forward with confidence. As a result, performance, engagement, and satisfaction grow significantly. (more…)

These snow men and women sprang to life many miles from each other. Still, they share the same DNA and an indefatigable spirit of playfulness.

We encountered this Snow Siren in Vancouver in January. She was just barely hanging on to her dignity in the face of the rising west coast temperatures.

This couple proudly greets passersby here on Saskatoon’s Seventh Avenue.

Clearly a couple of characters out for a good time!