Understanding Hedonic Adaptation - How to Make the Most of Positive Experiences

I have almost finished Dan Areily’s book The Upside of Irrationality.  It had been on my Amazon Wish List for a while.  As with Predictably Irrational, the first book of Ariely's that I read, it is filled with wisdom taken from Ariely’s many experiments as well as insights from some very personal experiences in Ariely's life.

The thing that I have found most interesting so far is the idea of Hedonic Adaptation.   What the heck is that you might ask!?!  For a text book definition, I suggest you read the book as Ariely does a great job of explaining it. 

Here is my layperson’s definition.  Hedonic Adaptation is the process by which the effect of both pleasure and pain normalize over time.  Essentially we get used to the positive or negative effects after a while, thereby weakening the effect itself.
 

I totally understand from a purely “evolutionary” perspective why we would develop this ability, particularly as it relates to negative impacts.  For example, if you are forced to live with major pain for an extended period of time (which Ariely was after an accident that left him severely burned), it only makes sense that mentally and psychologically you become used to the pain.
 

On the other side of the coin, I find it very sad that the effects of happiness also fade with time.   Wouldn't it be great if the joy of a great experience, buying something new, or taking a amazing trip would last forever!  However, Ariely’s work showed that to enhance or extend the positive effects of a situation or experience it is best to interrupt it somewhat.  Taking it away seems to “fool” your body into thinking that it no longer will experience the pleasure so when you get it back, the positive feedback begins again and lasts longer.
 

Using this knowledge, I am hopeful that I will be able to consciously make decisions that will allow me to extend the positive mental and physical effects of pleasurable situations.  Holding on to positive feelings and emotions, even just a little bit longer than might otherwise be possible (and on the flip side, letting go of the negative a little bit sooner) can only help support an on-going positive state-of-mind, which is critical for long term success.

If the idea of Hedonic Adaptation intrigues you, I highly recommend you read the Upside of Irrationality, as Ariely presents a far clearer and more in depth discussion of the topic, as well as many other irrational human behaviors.

 
As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

When Good is Bad, and Bad is Good - The Story of Global Stock Markets

The last few weeks have seen the global stock markets riding a roller coaster of volatility like we haven't seen in quite a while.  As the American economy starts to gain momentum towards a stronger recovery, we see the Federal Reserve (the Fed) starting to plan for tapering Quantitative Easing (QE).  

IT seems to defy logic that every time we get good economic news the markets seem to go down, as people start to worry what will happen when the Fed "turns off the tap" on its bond buying, which is largely credited for the gains in the stock market over the last number of years.  If there is a bit of disappointing news the markets move up in hopes that it will delay the Fed's reduction in QE. 

For those of us that enjoy investing in stock markets, I am afraid that we are going to have to weather a storm of illogical behaviour as the world tries to wean itself off of government stimulus.

Whether you agree with everything that the Fed has done since the Great Recession, you have to admit that the results have helped to "hold up" the U.S. economy "buying time" to shore things up and start moving in the right direction.  I am confidant that the pace and means of their exit from bond buying will be done very carefully with a goal of minimizing disruption. 

Unfortunately the irrational response of traders, investors and institutions is beyond their control.  Just remember, the reason that they are trying to get out of the markets is because the economy is in good shape.  How can that be a bad thing?????

  As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

A Father's Day Ramble

We all have many roles in life.  For me, the most important and impactful role that I play is Father to Lexi and Jackson.  Being actively engaged in my kids lives, activities, friends and fun is the highest priority for me.  On this Father's Day, I thought I would share a few thoughts for fathers (and mothers) that I focus on as a Dad.

1. Be present - Whenever you can, give your kids your undivided attention.  It is easy to get distracted by chores, emails, work, television, etc. 
2. Get down and play with your kids - Whether they love toys, sports, stuffed animals, video games, card games (Pokémon in a favourite in our house), or whatever, don't just sit and watch, pick up that doll/action figure, game controller or deck of cards! 
3. Take Vacations - Many of the most vivid memories of my childhood are of vacations that my parents and I took.  It can be hard to break away from work.  The time that you have when your kids want to hang out with you is short.  Take advantage now and show your kids the world. 
4. Slow it down - Between work, school, sports, and activities parenting can sometimes feel like the entire family is running on a treadmill.  Make sure you make time to stop and smell the roses with the kids, enjoy the quiet moments, have a conversation, just be together.
5. Get to know their friends - As kids get older their friends will become more important and influential on your kids lives.  Knowing their friends will help you better understand your kids, will make them more comfortable being around you, and will help ensure that they don't fall in with the wrong crowd.

What are your parental tips for being a successful Dad or Mom?  Why not share them in the comments section below. 

Happy Father's Day to all my fellow Dads!  As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

Are you Compliant or Committed?

I was listening to a recent podcast and the question was asked "Are you Compliant or Committed?".  The question really struck home with me.  The more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that on the outside the two can be appear deceptively similar. However, at the end of the day the results that a team achieves are vastly different depending on which state of mind the individuals members of the team are in.

 

Compliance has become such an important topic in the corporate world in recent years. Organizations spend millions of dollars ensuring that rules, regulations and requirements are being followed and met.  The impact has gone far beyond Compliance officers and legal teams.  Every staff member has a responsibility to ensure their organization is complying with applicable laws and ethical standards.  I am in no way trying to downplay the importance of compliance at the individual and organizational level.  It is absolutely critical in any business environment.  In fact commitment without compliance can often lead to very uncomfortable situations, as we have seen with recent corporate scandals.

 

Compliance is fundamentally an intellectual state of mind.   A series of rules/laws are understood and followed.  Compliance is more about avoiding negative consequences that it is about achieving a positive outcome.  For most people, compliance lacks the emotional engagement that taps into to the creativity and emotional power of their team members to achieve positive results.

 

To move from compliant to committed takes a compelling and shared vision that excites and inspires the team or individuals into action.  It must create the momentum that allows people to push through difficult situations and hard times.  In addition to the vision, as a leader it is critical that we not only communicate the vision, but also live it through the good times and the bad.  

It is easy to speak of vision, goals and growth when times are good.  However, in today's business environment it can feel like we are riding a roller coaster.  To truly gain the commitment of your team or organizations you have to maintain the visions through the toughest of times.   Failing to do so can result in falling back into a state of compliance.

I like to think of compliance as the foundation success.  Without it, anything that you build risks collapse.  However, stopping at compliance and ignoring commitment will leave the best that you and your team have to offer incomplete.

What has been your greatest challenge in moving your team from compliant to committed. How have you maintained your commitment to your vision during tough times.  I would love to get  your feedback through the comments section below.

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

Excellence in Motion

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending the annual dance showcase for my daughter's dance studio.  As the proud father of one of the members of the Sweet Peas Company I was able to experience the pride that only comes from seeing one of your children excel at something that they have worked hard at.  While Lexi was on-stage I was transfixed by her every move.  

 

During the other numbers I got to thinking about all the hard work and dedication that it took for each dance team, whether competitive, part time or recreational, to prepare and complete their routines. Having watched Lexi march off to dance practice two nights a week, practice dance moves around the house constantly, and travel to various dance competitions and shows, I would love to be able to bottle the focus and determination (not to mention a little bit of her boundless energy) that she and the rest of the dancers exhibited.
 

Not only are these kids pushing themselves to achieve amazing things, but they are doing it up on a stage, in the spotlight, smiling and dancing in front of an audience of hundreds of people (mostly strangers).  Many, if not most adults would rather get a root canal than put themselves in that kind of situation (Kudos to the Dance Moms and Dads who did perform at the end of the show - I will do my best to be there with you next year).  

 

You hear a lot about "today's generation" or "the kids today" when people talk about their younger colleagues in the workplace.  I didn't see a group of entitled kids who thought they could get by on a debt that the world owed them.  I saw a group of kids six to eighteen years old that worked exceptionally hard for over 9 months to put on an amazing performance.  Perhaps people should look a little harder before generalizing about the future of today's youth.

 

Congratulations to all the performers, athletes, teachers, organizers and parents of this and every other year end showcase, recital, concert or tournament.  Enjoy the time celebrating all the long hours, practices and preparation that you invested this past year.  I am a huge fan of excellence and even more so when it is demonstrated by those so young.  

 

When was the last time you were blown away by excellence?  Why not share your story by posting a comment below.

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

My Picks for the Best Success-Focused Podcasts

With a thirty minute commute to my office, and many out-of-town driving trips, I try to use my  time to listen to educational, motivational and informative podcasts on my iPod.  I have always loved, and often used the term "Automobile University", which was coined by the late, great Zig Ziglar (whose wisdom is captured in one of my favourites listed below.

I figured that some of you may be looking for something new to add to your playlist, so I thought I would share my top podcast picks.   Each of these podcasts can be found in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcast fix.

• Personal Motivation - The Daily Boost
• Personal Motivation - Inspiring Words of Encouragement (Zig Ziglar)
• Management Excellence - Manager Tools
• Leadership - HBR IdeaCast
• Sales - The Advanced Selling Podcast
• Sales - Professional Services Marketing and Selling
• Entrepreneurship - The EntreLeadership Podcast
• Communication - The Public Speaker's Quick and Dirty Tips
• Productivity - Get-It-Done Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips
• Economic News - APM Marketplace
• Economic News (International) - World Business Report
• Not Sure How To Categorize This One! - Freakonomics Radio Podcast

I am always looking new podcasts to add to my weekly playlist.  If you have any podcasts that aren't on the list above, please share them in the comments section below so we can all try them out.

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

 

Bill Roth

The Success

Find a Happy Place

In my last post, I talked about the importance of finding time to disconnect from the chaos of our modern world to just let your mind think, explore ideas or look for hidden solutions to challenges you are facing. 

I struggle to free my mind from the noise that comes with our technology-driven lives.  One technique that I have found very helpful for me, is to find a routine or a place where you go to think.  It doesn't matter what the routine or the place is, it just has to fill you with with a sense of quiet and calm, which will allow your mind to meander.  

For me, the place that I feel most "at peace" is sitting in the lanai of our home in Florida.  We are lucky enough to have a natural wetland to the side of our house, and a man-made pond at the back.  First thing in the morning, with a fresh cup of coffee at hand I can sit and listen to the birds signing, watch fish jump, and on the weekends watch a fleet of hot air balloons rise into the sky.  Unfortunately I don't get to spend as much time as I would like in Florida, so as I mentioned in my last post I am also trying to take walks with our puppy to find some quiet time to think as well. 

Do you have a place that you can go to where you can shut out the rest of the world and just let your brain work freely?  Do you use meditation or exercise to achieve the same result?  If you don't currently have a "quiet time" ritual, routine or place, I recommend that you experiment and find something or somewhere that you can "escape to".  
It may take a few tries to find a place that works for you but I guarantee that you will know it when you find it.

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

Powering Down to Recharge

Given that we live a world of “always on” it can be difficult to break away from your smartphone, work email, text messages, video-on-demand or your favourite social media site.  Even when we are not on-line, it can be easy to be distracted by what we are missing while we are "away".  We should take a lesson from our electronic devices and occasionally power down to recharge our own batteries.

Technology has provided us with tremendous tools to become more productive, connect better with our colleagues (and friends), and allow for collaboration around the world.  The downside of the continued advances in technology is the potential for the loss of time for free thought, whether focused or abstract.

Over the past couple of years, as a result of increasing work responsibilities, business travel, and the increasingly busy schedule of my two kids, I struggle to find time to just sit and think.  Combine that with my Blackberry, Kindle, iPod, iPad, laptop, PVR, and all the other gadgets that I carry with me, often times when I have a moment I am drawn to distraction.

I remember earlier in my career I would go for a walk to clear my head and just think.  The thoughts and ideas that would “come to me” while I let my mind and feet wander often helped me to solve issues that I faced, learn from recent experiences or come up with new ideas for work or at home.

With the recent addition of a puppy to our family (Bella!), I am doing my best to try to once again exercise my mental and creative muscles by walking.  Her unfettered excitement when she hears “Bella, want to go for a walk” is just the right kind of motivation that I need to start walking and free my mind (and get some exercise at the same time)!

Do you regularly schedule time to just think?  How do you disconnect from the technology enabled “noise” that surrounds us 24/7? 

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

 

The Challenge of Finishing Strong

At the outset of a new project a team is naturally "fired up".  The newness, the vision and all the opportunity out in front makes it easy to get the best out of your people, and get them to go the extra mile. 

One of the toughest things a leader needs to do is ensure that his/her team members maintain the passion and focus beyond those early days, and most importantly until you cross the finish.  After the "honeymoon" is over there is a natural tendency for momentum to slow.  The closer a project nears to completion, there is the added distraction of the "next new thing" that awaits just over the horizon.

In my experience, one of the most effective things a leader can do in the final days of a project is become the "head cheerleader."  After the long battle, keeping the team's morale up and energizing people makes a huge difference.  Demonstrating positive energy and enthusiasm is always contagious.  Near the end of a project, I have found this to be an even greater influence on a team's performance. 

Finishing strong not only results in a happy client, but can also create a lasting bond with all the team members that will carry over into future projects.

No matter how well you start, the lasting impression of the project will depend on how you finish. A superior finish can be the difference between a "run-of-the-mill" project and a raving client reference.

How do you motivate yourself and your colleagues to finish strong?  Let us know by sharing your ideas and stories in the comments section.

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

  

My Latest Business Travel Essential

As someone who logged over 100K miles last year, I am always looking for ways to make it easier to stay effective while I am on the road.  It wasn't long ago that I was carrying a hard copy file folder with all my travel information in it (assuming that I actually remembered to print out my itineraries). 

Recently my organization moved to a new travel agency and we started to receive emails with embedded appointments with our travel details.  However, if trips were booked in multiple stages all the information wasn't consolidated in each appointment.

And then I found the Kayak App.  After quickly setting up an account, I simply forward any emails that I get from my travel agency to trips@kayak.com and within minutes my travel details are merged into Trips that I can search online, on my iPad, and can even forward to my wife so she knows where I will be and when.

Everything I need to know about my entire trip (confirmation numbers, booking references, hotel addresses, maps to rental car locations, etc.) is bundled together into a chronological sequence.  In addition, I get regular emails confirming flights are on-time, delays, gate changes, etc.

I haven't even had a chance to explore all of Kayak'sother features yet.  Given corporate policy I am not able to book travel through Kayak, but I have spoken to people that swear by it. 

If you are not using a travel app, I would highly recommend you download the Kayak app for your mobile device of choice.  What are your travel essentials?  What is your best business travel advice?

Happy and safe travels fellow road warriors!

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie
 

Lifelong Learning - Easier and Harder than Ever Before

I have almost finished reading John Maxwell's recent book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.  If you haven't read any of Maxwell's books, I would highly recommend any one of them (and there are over 70 to choose from!).  One of the things that jumped off the screen for me was a quote from Craig Ruff's "Help, Please" from Dome Magazine (October 25, 2011). 

"Sadly a third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives, and 42 percent of college graduates similarly never read a book after college."

These statistics shocked me.  I couldn't imagine going through life and not reading, whether for personal growth or just for pleasure.

The opportunities that we have to grow and develop ourselves are easier to access than even before.  Whether it be downloading ebooks from the comfort of home, watching Ted Talks on a tablet, or listening to podcasts and audiobooks in Automobile University (for those of you who have read or listened to Zig Ziglar, this term won't be unfamiliar), educational content is everywhere. 

At the same time, it is even easier than ever to also find "mindless" distraction; reality television, surfing the Internet, etc.  I know that I often have to fight the urge to give into distraction and refocus on investing my time in my personal development. 

Are you a lifelong learner?  How do you maintain your focus on your personal and professional development in the face of easy distraction?  I would love to hear from you!

As always I can be found on Twitter and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie

Rebooting Ramblings of a Success Junkie

Where the heck have the last two years gone!!!  I still can't believe that it has been 25 months (almost to the day) since I published a post!!!  I got quite a laugh when I reread my last post about the importance of time management (a myth really - we all have the same number of hours each day!).  The last two years of my life have been a brilliant case study in the challenges of managing ones priorities (parent, husband, employee, leader, individual, etc.). 

Unfortunately as a result of many contributing factors, maintaining and building Ramblings of a Success Junkie did not make it to the top of my ever-evolving priority list.  One of the most important things that I learned about blogging is that you have to be fully committed to the idea, and have a solid plan for maintaining the discipline needed to post regularly. Looking back I think that I was trying to put too much into each post rather than posting smaller pieces that fit into a larger theme.

I have been spending a lot of time (mostly on airplanes flying all over North America) plotting out ideas and topics that I want to cover.  For those of you that were reading before, I am sorry to have gone dark for so long and I hope you will come back.  For first time visitors, please give my previous posts a read, and let me know what you think.  If you like what you see, I promise there will be more coming in the near future.

As always I can be found on Twitter (@billroth13) and Linked-In.

Bill Roth
The Success Junkie