Motivation
4 Unexpected Things Pixar Can Teach Us About Inspiring Others
Hands up who has not at least seen one Pixar movie in their life? There probably isn’t a lot of hands up as with worldwide box office totals approaching 10 billion dollars. Most of us have been touched by the creativity, imagination and heart that is at the core of each of these films.
Behind these movies lies one of the most creative and focused companies out there. In the book Creativity Inc by co-founder Ed Catmull you get the inside look at what goes behind creating a successful, creative and inspired team.
Here are 4 examples from Pixar to help if you lead a team of any sort or to stay motivated and inspired:
1. Trusting those around you
Pixar’s approach to the team aspect is to trust in a great team. Give a good idea to a mediocre team, and they will screw it up. But give a mediocre idea to a great team, and they will either fix it or come up with something better.
If you have a team that works for you whether it’s in a company aspect, a sport, volunteers or anything where people have to work together, you have to trust in the people you’ve assembled and let them do what they were chosen for. Micromanaging and always breathing down the neck of people is the quickest way to kill motivation and productivity. The team member’s new approach becomes that of avoiding workplace stress as opposed to being productive and creative.
“Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work.” – Warren Bennis
2. Preventing risk is not always a good thing
When leading a good team that team should have a sense of freedom to take chances and not have to worry about the potential negative outcomes. Great ideas need to come from thinking outside the box and that is a key fundamental in the success of Pixar.
Those who manage a team shouldn’t always try to prevent risk. The manager should be creating an environment to make it safe for others to take risks. The fruit is at the end of the branch and you can’t get out to grab it without having to take that risk. Sometimes you need to go out on that limb and a safe environment needs to be created in order for those around us to reach their best potential.
3. Always be open to listen
Another concept that is at the core of Pixar’s success is their willingness to listen to all employees, no matter how far down the totem pole they are. This creates a culture where they can learn what is working and quickly eliminate what is not.
In my own experience working with a team in a fitness/gym setting, I found that the best way to keep things moving forward is to listen to what is working well as far as creating training programs and more importantly, remove things that are preventing people from getting results. When you create an open dialog you get a much better picture of what is happening on a day to day basis instead of getting caught up in the big picture all the time. It’s that day to day dynamic that is key in making true progress with any sort of group.
“If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than you can by talking.” – Robert Baden-Powell
4. Honor the viewpoints of others
This piggybacks off of point 3 in that you really need to hear what the people around you are saying and Catmull admits this is one of the hardest things to put into practice throughout a company. When people see things or ideas that challenge our accustomed way of thinking we not only tend to resist them but, completely ignore them!
This is called “confirmation bias” and it is what happens when people favor information, true or not, that confirms what they already believed. It is very important to realize how different the experiences and perspectives of others are than our own. So learning to ignore our own bias and see the viewpoint of others is crucial in enriching and progressing a team and creating great work.
Wrapping it up
There is a lot more to Pixar than just Woody and Buzz. Their success is by no accident but, a carefully developed plan of attack that is always evolving and improving. By taking some of these key lessons we can apply them to any team dynamic, whether you run a Fortune 500 company or coach a little league team.
The ability to inspire and motivate is a great gift but one that needs to be constantly honed and sharpened. When you have the ability to bring the best out of others it leads to a successful team but brings the best out of yourself as well.
Thank you for reading my article! What inspires you most about Pixar?
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Motivation
8 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Be More Decisive
Tackling Procrastination and Indecisiveness
Hi, Joel Brown here. As the person behind Addicted to Success and Mind Strong, I’m often asked about tackling procrastination and making swift, effective decisions. It’s a common struggle in today’s world, where distractions are endless.
Procrastination often creeps in when we’re bombarded with social media notifications, breaking news, and the hustle of daily life. This leads to a fear-driven indecision, where we’re paralyzed by the thought of failure or judgment.
Here’s a video breakdown of how to stop procrastinating and be more decisive if you are more of a visual person:
Embracing Speed and Momentum to Stop Procrastination
One of the most impactful lessons in my journey is understanding the role of speed in overcoming procrastination. A mentor of mine, a highly successful individual, always emphasized:
“Success loves speed, and money loves momentum.”
This principle is crucial in combating procrastination. It’s about seizing opportunities quickly, not just for financial gain, but for the invaluable experiences and connections they bring.
Understanding Analysis Paralysis: A Key to Overcoming Procrastination
A major hurdle in decision-making is what’s commonly known as analysis paralysis, a significant form of procrastination. It happens when our decision-making process, governed by the prefrontal cortex, gets overwhelmed. To break free from this form of procrastination, try calming techniques like deep breathing. It’s surprising how such simple steps can clear a cluttered mind and help you move past procrastination.
The Long-Term Effects of Procrastination and Indecision
Procrastination isn’t just about putting off decisions; it can lead to a reduced sense of life satisfaction over time.
In a conversation I had with Tony Robbins, we discussed how the quality of our lives hinges on the quality of our decisions.
Therefore, overcoming procrastination and indecision is vital for a fulfilling life.
My Top Strategies for Beating Procrastination
- Seek Guidance from the Experienced: To combat procrastination, connect with people who’ve achieved the goals you’re aiming for. Their experience can be a guiding light when you’re stuck in indecision.
- Use Deadlines as Anti-Procrastination Tools: Setting deadlines is a powerful way to break the cycle of procrastination. They create a sense of urgency that pushes you into action.
- Accept Imperfection to Move Past Procrastination: Understand that no one is perfect, and that includes you. Accepting this can alleviate the pressure that often leads to procrastination.
Identify Your Procrastination Type to Find Solutions
Procrastination manifests in various forms. I’ve developed a quiz (find it at mindstrongacademy.com/quiz) to help you identify your specific type of procrastination. Understanding your personal procrastination style is a crucial step in addressing it effectively.
Additional Tips on Making Quality Decisions and Beating Procrastination
When it comes to decision-making, it’s important to not get too bogged down in analyzing pros and cons. While analysis is important, excessive scrutiny can lead to procrastination. Trusting your intuition often plays a crucial role in breaking free from procrastination.
Handling Major Life Choices Without Procrastination
For significant decisions in life, whether in your career or personal relationships, procrastination can be particularly challenging.
To address this, break down these big decisions into smaller steps. Assess the potential outcomes realistically to understand that often, the fear of a negative outcome is more intimidating than the actual consequences.
Conclusion: Your Journey Away from Procrastination Begins Now
To wrap up, remember that overcoming procrastination and indecision is about understanding your own patterns, seeking wise counsel, setting deadlines, and embracing your imperfections. It’s time to start making those impactful decisions and enjoying the journey of life.
Whether it’s through the Mind Strong Academy or my procrastination quiz, I’m here to guide you on your path to decisive action.
I believe in your ability to conquer procrastination and live a life of purposeful decisions.
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