Transforming DNA?

DNA is the blueprint of life. Every cell in our body except for the red blood cell has DNA. In fact, it is part of what defines a living organism. The same could be said for all organizations. Each and every group has a set DNA. DNA in an organization is what generates an organization’s values, culture, and ultimately their success and failure.

The logical question, therefore, is “Can DNA be changed?” There is a sequence in all patterns of DNA and this sequence can be reordered. When this change occurs, it is referred to as a mutation. I’m not sure where your mind goes when you hear the word mutation, but I think of the characters in the apocalyptic movie called “The Prodigal Planet.” They were humans that suffered deformities and skin problems due to nuclear fallout, kind of creepy actually. Enough of the side bar, but if you want a journey back to the 70s you should check out the old “Thief in the Night” movie series.

A company or group is very much an organism with its own genetic sequence, and DNA mutations can happen in an organization as well. When these changes take place in an organization, the old does not just go away. Instead, the existing genetic makeup is changed in such a way that it will function differently from that point forward. If this change is to have a positive effect, everyone needs to be on board for it. Otherwise, you end up with some body parts (divisions, employees, etc.) totally out of whack with the rest of the organism, and that benefits nobody. Therefore communication and strategies for implementation need to be clear from the beginning. That way, the entire organization can shift as needed to adapt to changing circumstances. In order for change to become long term, the new DNA sequence must not be just accepted but embraced by all of the parts and people involved.

This post was inspired by something I read earlier this morning on another blog, ““You’re only as young as the last time you changed your mind.” http://www.deadlyviper.org/blog/?p=1216

Hard Lessons About Value

I purchased our first washing machine shortly after I got married almost 20 years ago. It was 10 years old when I brought it home and installed it in the basement of my duplex, and it took quite a bit of effort to wrestle that beast down the stairs. Shortly after I moved into our first home, the now 22 year-old washer kicked the bucket. Having moved up somewhat in the world, we decided to go out and purchase our first brand new washer and dryer set. I resolved myself to look for the same brand and more importantly (so I thought), the best price and value that I could get. As our family had now grown to four people, my wife wanted the super capacity size and all I wanted was for a pair that would last me another 22 years. Hey! Stop laughing! Surely the latest and greatest washer and dryer made in the year 2000 would outperform the ones that same company made in 1978. Right?

After moving to California and setting these machines up in my house we wound up having them for less than 7 years before I was forced to call out the repair man. Instead of fixing them, he recommended that we would be better off buying a new set. I was blown away and asked, “Why would these only last 7 years when the ones I had before last over 20 years?” He simply answered, “Appliances are not made like they use to be.” I have always wondered if I would have been better to have spent the money to repair the pair built in 1978. With this story in mind, how does one measure value?

Many times we (me included) get fixated on getting something for the least amount of money possible. Sales and discounts many times can bait us into believing we are getting a good value, when in fact we are usually only indulging a desire for the instant gratification of getting a “good deal”. Just because something is 30% off does not make it a better quality product. If I have to buy that same item twice, I just spent over 40% more than if I had bought the better quality product in the first place and not needed to replace it. Sometimes it is not how much you get something for but what you are getting that really makes for great value. Check out Gary explaining how our product is made, ( http://customcomfortmattress.com/howmattressmade.html ) and you will see exactly what I am talking about.

What if?
If only.

I hate to admit I have found myself contemplating these phrases multiple times in the last few years, months, weeks, days, and hours (Ok, even the last few minutes). What if I had finished that master’s degree? If only the economy would have held together. I find myself wrestling constantly with the balance that exists between what is ideal and what is real.

I’m sure you have been reminded more than once (as I have) by a spouse, parent, teacher, or coach that life is not perfect. The question I naturally go to is, how much less than perfect is acceptable? For example I have a pretty short commute, at least in terms of distance. One variable to my commute is the train track I must cross each day going to and coming home from work. I decided one week to keep a record of the 10 times I crossed the tracks going to and from work, specifically how many times I had to wait for a train before I was allowed to pass. During that time period I watched 8 trains, fortunately (interesting choice of words) there were two trains on one occurrence so I was only held up 7 of the 10 times. My wife believes this is an opportunity for me to learn something. I view it a little differently. I think my ideal commute would involve a helicopter, therefore bypassing street traffic entirely. It’s foolproof!

Whether it is time, budget, resources, or personnel management the ideal circumstances seem to work far less than we’d like. Consequentially, it would be wise when considering a plan of the ideal to include room for the unplanned. Strategies and plans are a great way of tackling an aspect of life, no matter the length of time. Planning for the chaos that real life brings will lower the stresses of real life interruptions. Approaching my daily time management situation by simply heading to work about 7 minutes earlier will allow me to wait for the train if necessary and still be on time to work. On the way home I could simply schedule what I need to be to 7 to 10 minutes later and spare myself the stress of a potential delay. I suppose my wife is probably right. The tracks between my home and work are truly there for me to learn from.

This brings me to my final point. When life disrupts our well made plans or goals, what can we learn from the interruptions? It’s certainly easier to complain about our life’s problems, but life would probably be a lot more enjoyable if we accounted for this sort of thing instead of always being surprised by it. Sometimes real circumstances cannot be avoided no matter how much planning and goal setting we do. So if our alternative is growth, bring it on!

Getting Started

Hello all,

This is a new experience for me, but I thought I'd venture out into the wild blue yonder of the blogosphere. Hopefully you will find this blog to be both informative and funny, dear reader.