A Whole New Mind

In his newest book, "A Whole New Mind", Daniel Pink argues that your future will depend on your answers to three questions:

1. Can someone overseas do it cheaper?

2. Can a computer do it faster?

3. Am I offering something that satisfies the nonmaterial, transcendent desires of an abundant age?

To adapt to our era of continuing globalization, organizations and work places are changing. Well, that's not big news, right? We all knew that. Technological improvements and automation have long replaced many jobs executed by humans. In addition, outsourcing and companies going overseas to low-cost labor regions has been a strong trend for quite some time now. And will very likely continue for all those standardized and routine jobs.

And, that is exactly what is changing our work places in the Western hemisphere. It is not a question of education or poor vs. rich anymore that dictates where blue and white collar jobs are being performed. Engineers in India for example are highly educated. The key question now is what kind of skills your job requires and that determines whether your job will stay where it is or will be shipped to a lower cost region.

According to Pink, and I really like his concept, we need to focus more on our "high concept - high touch aptitudes". Otherwise, you might not find a job in "our" hemisphere anymore...

The 6 senses he is referring to are:

Design -- Story -- Symphony -- Empathy -- Play -- Meaning

Basically, a whole new mind.

I don't want to take too much away from the book though so will stop here, plus Dan Pink explains it much better anyway. :)

Just thought I share this with you since we, most of you visitors here and me, are rather at the beginning of our careers so we should pay attention to such changes. It is a pretty intriguing book!

Check this out!

Ist das nicht geil?? :)

Facing our Fears

What do you fear?

Spiders? Elevators? Crowds? Giving presentations? Heights?

Do you know what your ultimate fears are?

Well, I am just getting to know my primary fear. As part of my triathlon training, I signed up for swim classes to improve my swim technique. Unfortunately, nobody ever taught me the freestyle technique when I was a child, so I have to learn it now. Breast stroke is really not an efficient way of moving forward in a race.

I have a great coach and he keeps on telling me that I'm doing great and I will learn in "nullkommanichts"! Well, what else is he supposed to tell me?.. Anyway, so far, I am the slowiest in the pool because everybody else swims freestyle and I don't. I am the lame duck basically but am pretty determined to change that soon!

So I thought until the swim class last night. Didn't think I would realize that I might have to overcome a certain fear first.

Have you ever panicked under water? All of a sudden, your heart rate and breathing pattern go through the roof and you start inhaling pool water. Getting water into your system and not being able to breathe was what you were afraid of, but the panic attack is what actually made it much worse.

So, my enthusiasm in preparation for the triathlon was slowed down quite a bit. Maybe I am taking on too much? After all, swimming 1.2 miles is quite a workout...

But, I don't back up that easily. Last night was only the 4th time with the class, so I obviously need to give it much more time. The good thing is, I probably won't drown as everybody else in the class is a master swimmer and the lifeguard is watching too. :)

So, I need to learn how to get control over myself and my mind. Face my fear and conquer it. I am trying the flooding technique, literally...

But I am curious: Any suggestions from the psychologists or swimmers here?

Climb on!

This weekend, I joined the local climbing group PATC on an awesome climbing trip to a beautiful spot in wild and wonderful West Virginia, which is about a 6 hour drive from DC.

New River Gorge, WV

It was terrific! With a group of 9 people we had lots of fun and, of course, climbed a lot. And that is a looottt!! Pictures can be found here. Also, for the climbers among you, I did my first real lead climb, yeahhh!


Not only the climbing was excellent, but the trip also brought back sweet childhood memories of family vacations. For the first time in a very long time, I went camping again! Sleeping on a pretty hard surface, rolled up in a sleeping bag, waking up with the first ray of light and bird concert. Fantastic! But, I have to admit I am happy to sleep in my own bed again. :)

Bine, at that note, don't forget to take earplugs and an eyecover on your two-month trip through the Andes! It will help you sleep much better. I totally forgot how noisy it can be at night. Alright, some people might find that to be biggest joy of nature, but I'd rather have it quiet at night...

And now? Back to work tomorrow morning, hmpf. Don't we spend way too much time in offices?? So, I am still voting for the 3-work-day-week! :)

Meine neue Liebe

Wer haette gedacht, dass Rennradfahren so geil ist???

It's just fantastic!!

Echt affenstark!

Wenn da nur nicht der leicht unangenehme Lernprozess des Rausklippens aus den Pedalen waere...