Professional keynote & seminar speaker using the wisdom & persona of Forrest Gump to inspire individuals and companies to self motivate and control own destiny.
This weekend I cleaned my chimney.
I knew it needed cleaning for the past few weeks.
Starting a fire was becoming more and more difficult.
The air vent had to be opened to the maximum just to keep a fire burning.
When the fire-box door was opened, smoke would billow into the room.
It was plenty clear that the chimney needed to be cleaned.
So, why the dread and the postponement for a few weeks?
When you work in a highly active, slightly chaotic environment, it’s critical that you make a plan every day.
Why?
Work has to get done.
Otherwise …
Two opposite methods can be used to get work done.
You can respond 100% to circumstances and then react accordingly. Answering a ringing phone is an example of responding and reacting.
Or …
You can plan everything 100% and only take action after the plan has been thoroughly designed, tested, and approved. Constructing a building or new piece of machinery are two examples of planned activities.
In the real world, and especially in a world where customers are constantly buying, a balanced approach is necessary. Here’s why.
In the workplace, problems and challenges occur all the time. It’s always something … it’s either this or that.
Where will we put this?
Why can’t we find the inventory that the computer says exists?
Why are we out of stock for this standard item?
Why do we too often end up reacting instead of following a plan?
These challenges and problems are the reason that you were hired. Your job is to solve problems.
Unfortunately, some people come to work and only create more problems.
Are you part of the problem? Or are you part of the solution?
Photo by Daniel Christensen
In nature, a hornet’s nest is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It’s simply the home of a queen and up to 700 workers.
In the workplace, a hornet’s nest is not such a good thing. The phrase ‘stir up a hornet’s nest’ means to create a lot of trouble.
Sometimes a new leader will accidently stir up a hornet’s nest. She knows that something isn’t right. She doesn’t actually kick the hornet’s nest; she just pokes it with a stick. The result of a poking is the same as a full-style soccer kick. The hornets come out angry and mad – trouble has been stirred up!
Is that a bad thing?
When you’re proud, you take responsibility for your actions. It’s a motivator for the results you seek. Being proud is a good thing.
Pride can be good when used to set standards for yourself.
Pride can also be good when it boosts your identity or self-image while you achieve your goals.
But … pride has the potential to be proud’s evil twin.
Imagine you’re attempting to make a change in your workplace. The issue could be as simple as a procedural change. It’s a change that will benefit the company and the bottom line. You see the benefit and take the lead in making the change occur.
Here’s the challenge. In order for the change to be effective, you will need the participation of several other people (or departments).
Do you write a memo and tell others?
Or do you take the time to discuss, get input, and sell others?
In Billy Joel’s legendary song Piano Man , the lyrics go:
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”
The bar patrons are apparently awed by the Piano Man’s talent and performance.
It’s better than expected.
The performance doesn’t fit with the expectations of a local dive bar.
When you’re at work, does anyone ever ask you, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”
In the workplace, a dragon slayer is someone who attacks big problems.
The dragon slayer is fearless.
The dragon slayer wants to instigate big change.
The dragon slayer puts him or herself at great risk.
The dragon slayer isn’t interested in playing small ball.
Consequently, the dragon slayer is admired and looked up to. In short, the dragon slayer is a leader.
Are you a dragon slayer?
Here is my big plan for 2013 through Spring of 2016 …
I will speak to all 148,500 students in Montana’s 967 public and private schools (K-12) over a three-year-plus time period. My plan is to pilot the program this spring and then roll it out over the next three school years, ending in the spring of 2016.
The message I will deliver to the youth of Montana is Gumption. I equate Gumption with personal responsibility. I want every single child in Montana growing up believing that they can create their own gump-like life. They will also learn that they can create their own results, and that they are personally responsible for creating those results.
406.396.4611 | steve@speakinggump.com 
Forrest Gump is a fictitious character created in the book Forrest Gump, Winston Groom (1986) and the movie Forrest Gump, Paramount Pictures (1994). Steve Weber has been a Tribute Artist portraying Forrest Gump since 1996. Although Steve Weber has worked for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. under license as Forrest Gump since 1996, nothing herein is intended to imply sponsorship or affiliation with either Paramount Pictures or Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
