While I do enjoying watching these shows, I don't support these shows as a main source of news for some individuals (my lack of support extends to all tabloid journalism, not just these shows, posing as legitimate news).
That being said, comedy can often provide a reality check. Last week, there was an episode on The Colbert Report that seemed timely:
Stephen Colbert proposes a Humanitar-ish Award for "outstanding achievement in the field of considering whether to give to charity as long as there's something in it for me."
Colbert does a great job and poking fun at individuals and organizations that seemingly give for altruistic purposes, but come across as though they have alternative selfish motives.
There is no substitute for the real thing.
If you choose to give, give because you really care - not because you want to look good.
A few years ago, a good friend and LeaderShape Lead Facilitator, Jeff Cufaude, and I were discussing new year's resolutions. I have to say that I have not been a big fan. I've never understood the concept of waiting until a particular time of year to start or do what you want to do. Why not do it now? Why wait?
Now I do value the taking stock of what you've done, where you've been, and where you want to go.
Jeff suggested I change my language from resolutions to revolutions. Now we're talking...
So for the past several years I've made a list of things that would truly be revolutionary in thinking and doing. And set out to do just that. To put it in LeaderShape terms, it's stretch goals.
I've included a great revolution clip for your inspiration (of course, I'm hoping it really doesn't involve the police).
If you are interested in taking stock of the past year and want to look toward the next year, I think David Allen's most recent newsletter does a great job of posing some compelling questions. Here are his questions:
David's Coaching Tips
For those of you who want more form and structure, here are some questions that can guide you in your 2009 review and 2010 goal setting. When I go through these kinds of questions I like to consider my answers in several areas:
Physical Emotional Mental Spiritual Financial Family Community Service Fun / creativity / recreation
Completing and remembering 2009
Review the list of all completed projects What was your biggest triumph in 2009? What was the smartest decision you made in 2009? What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experience? What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009? What was the most loving service you performed in 2009? What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2009? What are you most happy about completing in 2009? Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2009? What was the biggest risk you took in 2009? What was the biggest surprise in 2009? What important relationship improved the most in 2009? What compliment would you liked to have received in 2009? What compliment would you liked to have given in 2009? What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009?
Creating the new year
What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010? What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010? What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2010? What would you be most happy about completing in 2010? What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2010? What would you most like to change about yourself in 2010? What are you looking forward to learning in 2010? What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2010? What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving in 2010? What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2010? What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2010? Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2010? What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2010?
So here's to a new decade...and not to incremental change, but rather revolutionary change that makes a much bigger difference.
