Keith answered and was receptive to hearing my feedback. I was in his studio delivering my bad review within an hour. Within two hours, he had offered me a job helping with his game. That was sixteen years ago. I’ve been happily working as a game designer ever since.

The post is well worth reading.

If I am in front of an audience, that had better be the most importand group of people in my life at that moment.

Lost Generation by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

I do.  Constructive criticism that is.  I have gotten used to getting constructive feedback at Toastmasters that it heightens my perceptions when I don’t receive constructive criticism.  I am sure I physically cringe when I hear “I like it” or “I don’t like it” because they give you no information that you can use.

Today I have been reading a couple of great articles from The Closet Entrepreneur on criticism.  The first article tells you how to give criticism and the second article tells you how receiving criticism can be good for you.

The most important thing to keep in mind when giving constructive criticism is to focus on valid and unbiased feedback.

The articles talk about how to ask for criticism and who to ask. Great reading!

In a recent post, Seth talks about Ignoring Sunk Costs.  Go take a minute and read his post.

How does that relate to speaking?  Glad you asked

We are in the throes of contest time at Toastmasters.  There are many speakers vying to become the World Champion of Public Speaking.  They likely have a number of speeches from previous contests that they could consider using.

When considering which speech to choose, ignore the sunk costs.  Don’t consider the amount of time you put into a speech as a reason to use it.  Just because a speech has been evaluated more does not mean it is better than a fresh speech that only you have seen.  Go with the speech that energizes you.  Go with the speech that you can infuse with passion.

http://www.lifebeyondcode.com/2009/03/01/skip-scan-stop-save-andor-spread/

Seth Godin commented on the post and added Spam.

When you read a blog, email, or a tweet, how do you evaluate it?  How does it end up as something that stops you?  You need to start taking notice when this happens and save it.

Why?

So you can build a file of effective communications.  Then, go back and review them and see if you can use the techniques that made this communication so effective in your own communications.

Why not create an electronic filing system where you have 6 folders, one each for skip, scan, stop, save, spread, and spam?  Then each time you come across a communication that really stands out in one of those categories, file it for later.

When your communications are remarkable then they will spread.  See what makes them remarkable.

Evaluation means paying attention.

1. Blog at least once a week.
2. Build the site into more than just a blog.
3. Provide resources to help Toastmasters deliver better evaluations.
4. Build on non-Toastmasters topics.
5. Chronicle my entry into the District 7 Evaluation Contest (if I get the time to enter).

I am looking forward to building this site, especially #2, as I have some promising ideas for the site.

If all you had was 3 minutes to sum it up, where would you focus your time?

What 3 things would you highlight?

Take this opportunity to evaluate your year, Toastmasters style.  Use the sandwich technique.  Be specific with your accomplishments and also areas for improvement.  Now, do the same thing looking BACK on 2009.  Use your imagination.  What would be an amazing accomplishment for next year?  Getting your dream job?  Getting your business off the ground?  Increasing sales?  Spending more time with your family?  Continuing your education?

Now that you have your 2 evaluations, email them to yourself using a service like Letter me later and schedule it for December 2009.

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Take this opportunity to send an email to someone that has made a difference in your life this year.  It doesn’t have to be life altering, just sincere.  I received such an email this past week and it really made me realize how little we let people know how much we appreciate them.