Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips Life is full of bad experiences. There is always something that can be learned in each experience. The bad experience is a form of tuition. The learning is a form of education. Nothing guarantees we get the education with the tuition. The education, however, is there for our choosing. College is pretty […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips Most computer programmers and builders of systems see ourselves as being helpful to the people who use the things we build. Beware, as most users of the things we build see us as interfering in their lives. This situation applies to must people in the world who see themselves as helpful (consider, […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips Difficult experiences can change your perspective on what is difficult and what is easy. I recently went through such a difficult experience. Now, if I could just recreate that in a safe place so that others can grow as well. On Friday afternoon December 18th, my wife, youngest son, and I started […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips There are words we can say that change situations and sometimes even our lives. “Up until now” are a few words that can erase reputations from our past. I have learned a few magic words through the years. Say these words aloud, and the situation changes. A few magic words are “up […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips I solve problems. Sometimes that is my job, but often it comes away from the job. I say “no” more often than in the past. There are several reasons with a major one being that only when some people experience the pain of a problem do they stop creating problems for themselves. […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips What was impossible at one point in the past, often is now possible. What is impossible today will probably possible in the future. Change the conversation by replacing “impossible” with a phrase. What is impossible these days? Curing the common cold Finding politicians who are candid about their proposals An efficient government […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips Knowledge comes with age. Older colleagues don’t need to be taught some things that younger ones do. There are, however, times when you want older colleagues to attend events that are not necessary for them. Explaining the reasoning makes attendance easier. I’m in my 50s. I know much more than people in […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips I have seen people doing some not-so-good things that I sometimes do. Yikes! I have a lot of incentive to cut down on those things. The past several days I have been around people who are complaining a lot about something. It is really annoying to be around them as they complain. […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips Change is not easy. No change is easy. Don’t fool yourself into believing that changes you suggest will be the exception. Prepare for the pain. I am taking a long walk (1,000 miles, almost finished). This past week my logistics changed. All I had to do this week was walk, no backtracking […]

[Read more →]

by Dwayne Phillips I like to work alone. Being alone, however, brings a heightened risk. There is great value in having another person to talk to. Absent others, checklists and other reminders are helpful. I have been taking a walk this past week. I have been all alone in doing this. I won’t describe the […]

[Read more →]