Speaking of Goals/Resolutions. . .

My last post was about New Year’s resolutions, and personal and organizational goal-setting.  And how they may be, to some extent, the same things.  Today’s post expands upon that.

Today’s post also honors Nelson Mandela, who died last month, as you know.  Perhaps coincidentally, the recent highly acclaimed film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is now, as they say “in theaters everywhere.”  I saw it recently, and like this film reviewer, I now want to read the book.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And now perhaps you’re wondering how I’m going to tie these two themes together.  Easy: by referring you to this post from Leading Blog about Mandela, and more specifically about leadership lessons from Mandela’s life.  I can think of no better resolutions/goals for 2014 than these:

1. Courage is not the absence of fear — it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.
   
2. Lead from the front — but don’t leave your base behind.
3. Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.
4. Know your enemy — and learn about his favorite sport.
5. Keep your friends close — and your rivals even closer.
6. Appearances matter — and remember to smile.
7. Nothing is black or white.
8. Quitting is leading too.

Thank you for these lessons, Madiba!

Aha, 2014!

I’m not that smart, I know.  I never think I know it all.  But sometimes I think I know quite a lot.  🙂  Still, I am never surprised when I learn something new, even when it’s something so obvious.  I love those “Aha!” moments.

So, here we go:  I’m reading a lot of blog posts and Facebook statuses about New Year resolutions.  I don’t make them.  I don’t believe in them.  But wait a minute!  How are they different from strategic planning and goal setting, really?  As a retiree, and sometime consultant/teacher/trainer/presenter, I don’t really have a formal “strategic plan” (but if you’re still working, this does NOT mean that your organization doesn’t need one!  You MUST have one!), but I do have plans/lists of things to accomplish.  Are these not my strategic goals for the year, or the coming months?  Are they not my New Year’s resolutions?

“AHA!”

Happy New Year, and happy goal setting (or resolution-making), both personally, and for your organization!

Time Out

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’m taking some time off from the blog around the holidays.  See you after the first of the year, or maybe sooner!

 

 

 

Holiday Cheer for Libraries!

Presents (Photo credit: Wysz)

In the past week there have been several news items that spell good news for libraries—and these are like early Christmas presents for us:

• How Americans Value Public Libraries from Pew Internet and American Life Project.  (Answer: very highly!)
• Libraries Reinvent Themselves for the 21st Century from Chicago Tribune (as “engaged community centers” and more!)
• The Six Free Apps Every Madison Smartphone Needs from the (Madison, WI) Capital Times (includes the LINKcat mobile app for accessing the area’s online catalog, LINKcat.)

Happy Holidays!!

Let it Snow!

In keeping with the season:

 

Blogger Burnout?

I don’t actually think I suffer from blogger burnout—I think I am just lazy.  But, the effect may be the same—there are times I don’t feel like blogging, and others when I don’t know what to blog about.

Lazy Dog (Photo credit: MrHicks46)

I keep a folder in my browser’s bookmarks toolbar with links to things I’ve run across to blog about.  But sometimes I look at them and think. . . “hmm. . . not today. . . ”  Other days I have lots of ideas!

Anyway, I was pleased to run across the post “Blogger Burnout: Suggestions for Getting Your Groove Back.” If nothing else, it lets me know that I am not alone in feeling an ebb and flow in my blogging.  And to know it’s OK to take a break from blogging.  And to let readers know when you just don’t feel like posting—but you’ll be back.   And to remind yourself WHY you are blogging in the first place.

Read the full post.  I think the suggestions apply to other areas of life as well, not just blogging.  Enjoy!

We’re All in This Together

I like to think that when I am part of a library organization, I am on their team, and I understand that the library’s success is a team effort, we’re all in this together, and we all have to work together toward common goals.

But, I’m human, so I may not always remember that.  Libraries, like other organizations,  occasionally may have employees who are. . . shall we say. . . “difficult.”  If you have such an employee who is a challenge to work with, even if it’s only sometimes, you may find the post How to Manage a Relentlessly Negative Employee helpful.  Some highlights:

• Be clear.
• Talk about consequences.
• Be able to enforce consequences.

Do take the time to read the full post.  And may your negative employees be few!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Did You Enjoy Black Friday?

Black Friday (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know I’m getting old(ish)—so you don’t have to tell me.  I do remember a time when there was no such thing as Black Friday.  Well, I guess the stores were open, but they didn’t open at midnight on Thursday, and they didn’t call it Black Friday.  Anyway, some people are violently opposed to this Black Friday thing, and I can understand it.  Especially the crazy crowds of humanity making the mad dash to cash in on special prices.  I think people have actually gotten hurt.

On the other hand, I do like to shop, and I do like good deals, so if I were lonely, I might well want to do a little shopping on Friday (but not at midnight on Thursday! and not at 4 or 6 a.m. on Friday either!) if it weren’t for the crazy crowds.

So I won’t weigh in one way or the other on the practice.  But, I have wondered, what does it mean for public libraries?  How can we “compete?”  Or, should we even try?  Whatever you think about Black Friday, and public libraries getting involved, here are some stories about libraries that did just that:

• Library Offers Black Friday Promotions
• Black Friday SALE
• Black Friday at the Little Library That Could
• Spend Black Friday at the Library

If you have thoughts about Black Friday library promotions, or if you know of a library that does this, or if YOUR library does or you’re thinking about it, let me know in the comments.

 

 

It’s a Wonderful Life

As you know.  I am retired.  I love being retired.  But I also like continuing to be engaged with my profession, at the level I choose.   Here’s what I’ve been up to lately, professionally and personally:

I recently finished teaching my five-week online course.  I continue teaching my twelve-week course, which ends December 6.  I log in several times every day to read and comment on my students’ discussion posts.  There is also an assignment due December 4, which a few students have already turned in, so I am reading and giving feedback on those.  Every Saturday includes reviewing the next week’s content and scheduling it to be published on Saturday night.

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday I go to the Fitness Center and work out for 30-60 minutes.  On Monday, as I was bending down to put things in my locker, I wrenched my back!  Ouch.  Haven’t had a back “episode” for over a year, so this was disappointing.  But it was life’s way of reminding me to do my PT back exercises, and to be more mindful of how I move and bend.  I continued to work out as usual, but modified my regimen to be less of a strain on my back.  Recovery is almost complete.

I have been coveting an iPhone for some time, even more so since I got my first iPad in September.  My cellular carrier started selling iPhones in early November, and I recently received a check for developing two online courses.  Time for my first iPhone!–which became a reality on Wednesday!  Also on Wednesday, I met with a former colleague who recently became unemployed due to major reorganization at her place of work.  I was happy to offer advice on her job search and an upcoming interview.

On Friday, I met with the new Executive Director of my state professional association, the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA).  I have been the president of the WLA Foundation during 2013, and will be again in 2014.  We have been talking about tightening up the Foundation’s role, organization, and procedures–as well as brain-storming for the coming year.  The weekend my task list included following up on my assignments from that meeting.

Saturday involved my husband and I cleaning the house and preparing for houseguests who will arrive on Tuesday on their way to Thanksgiving in Minnesota.

Throw in a haircut one day and an evening out with my hubby to hear live music another day, and there you have it–a week in the life of a happy, just-busy-enough retiree.  I guess that’s what I’m thankful for this year.  Plenty of time to sleep in, relax, do what I want and not too much of what I don’t want.   Small jobs that supplement retirement income.  Involvement, but not too much, in professional activities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

More Proof that Libraries are Essential

I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again: Libraries are essential!

Here’s another article to add to that list: Libraries are Essential After Disasters.

It is important that you be able to demonstrate to your elected officials how libraries are essential to your community.

Hurricane Sandy 2012 (Photo credit: charliekwalker)