Knowledge Is Power.

I went through my blog today for the first time in a very long time. It's been a while!

I've had some things on my mind of late and thought I'd post them. First, let me give you some context to my thoughts, broken up in pieces; then I'll put the pieces together.

Theory of Constraints:

In my cost management class we began studying the theory of constraints (TOC) this week. In a nutshell, it's a theory explaining the process of identifying the constraint ("bottlenecks") in an organization, exploiting that constraint, subordinating all other processes to that constraint, then elevating and eliminating the constraint.

The Right Questions:

Thursday of this week Clayton Christensen came to the BYU-I campus and spoke about the importance of asking the right questions to get the right answers. It was a very insightful forum. During the Q&A session afterward, he talked a bit about how our current education system is and how is needs reform. Professor Christensen pointed out that God never inspired man to make literature and history two separate and individual subjects; man did. God never inspired man to make calculus and mechanical engineering two different subjects either; man did. Because of separating such subjects in the schools, we have developed the habit of compartmentalizing things, where it becomes hard for us to take those topics and mix them with other topics in our minds. What education needs to start doing is breaking down those compartmentalizing walls and merge topics together. For example, teaching literature using history, or history using literature; teaching calculus in the form of mechanical engineering. So two major insights were gained (for me, anyway) from this forum: we must learn to ask the right questions and we need to learn to converge the different subjects in our head.

Improving Collaboration:

I'm currently the president of the BYU-I Accounting Society. This semester we have restructured the leadership model in the society to allow more collaboration, communication, and leadership among the officers and members. I introduced the idea and the officers really liked it. However, since it's new for everyone, there have been bumps in the road and it's been a struggle implementing the ideas that the model suggests. In fact, yesterday I ran into one of the secretaries of the society and he expressed his concern that he felt that he wasn't doing enough and wanted to do more. We talked about the new leadership model and how it was designed to give the officers more "substance" in their roles and responsibilities. I told him there was more for them to do, I was struggling to organize it all. I asked him if I could sit down with him and the other secretary this weekend and go over some specifics and design the secretary position better. He was definitely for it (and so was the other secretary, whom I later called). We're to meet tomorrow (Saturday).

Then, today I met with the presidents of the cultural associations on campus to discuss implementations of having a World Cup on campus among the associations. It turned out to be a good meeting, but I felt that the meeting wasn't as effective as it could have been; that the time wasn't well utilized.

After the meeting, the Korean Association president called me apologizing that he couldn't be there. We set up a time later today when I could sit down with him and go over what we talked about at the meeting. We met and I explained the meeting's minutes with him. He brought up some concerns, and then for the next 15 minutes or so we figured out solutions to those concerns. It was a very productive and constructive 15 minutes where a lot of wrinkles of the meeting's discussion were ironed out. After the president left, I realized that we accomplished much more in our 20-minute meeting together than I did with the presidents together in our 40-minute meeting. I was amazed!

Summing it all up:

Then came the phone call from home. My mom called earlier this evening and we talked for a good while. I was telling her of my accomplishments recently, as well as Clayton Christensen coming and the process of improvement requiring change. It was during this conversation when things began connecting and clicking in my brain. All of these things from the different areas of my life were all connecting and I realized that they were all related to each other, even if on different levels. After the phone call with my mom, I thought some more about it on the way home.

The first thought that came was the individual meeting I had with the Korean association president. Because we met individually, we were able to focus on specifics and resolve specific concerns. There was no distractions from others; it was direct communication between just the two of us and things got done much quicker. As I thought about my random meeting with my secretary, it was individual and we were able to get (at least) closer to the root problem of our society. I assume (we'll see tomorrow anyway) that our meeting tomorrow will be similar in productivity as my meeting with the association president.

The second realization also came in connection with this one-on-one meeting I had with the Korean president. He pointed out problems with the campus World Cup that didn't even cross my mind, simply because I had not asked the right questions. He apparently had and, therefore, could point out root problems. I never considered these problems during the meeting--and apparently neither did anyone else in the meeting with the other presidents; all because we were asking the wrong questions.

The third insight also connects with the one-on-one meeting. I realize that the reason for the rocky implementation of the new model in the Accounting Society is because there are constraints in our current processes. It seems that currently the biggest constraint is understanding, and right now, I'm the bottleneck. I have explained the general theory behind our current model to everyone in a group meeting, but I haven't sat down with everyone individually and hacked out the specifics with them. I have only done that with two of my officers, and coincidentally, those are the only two that are moving forward with things. The others, however, have not. Now, with my individual meeting with the secretaries, I expect that they will begin moving forward.

From this experience, I realized that I have either been working backwards, or I have been missing a large part of the puzzle. I have focused so much on group collaboration that I completely missed out on the individual collaboration. It seems that individual empowerment is critical to achieve empowerment at a group or an organizational level. This also ties into the theory of constraints, which says that one should not simply look at the whole process, but focus on the individual parts of the process. Ha! Eureeka! I think this is the underlying principle behind the current issue at hand!

So, now the problem has been identified. The exploiting part now is to talk with the individual officers and get them going. I don't quite yet know where the "subordinating" part of this process comes into play, or how. Actually, I think that part plays in when we go to the group level, after I have met individually with all of the officers. In addition, perhaps also getting the officers to apply these same principles within their respective committees.

This has been a very insightful session for me. I believe the Holy Ghost put the initial insights in my mind and prodded me in the right direction.

I think it's also cool how the different "compartments" in my life converged together to create this synergistic environment of discovery and insight. Knowledge is power!

What are your thoughts about all of this?

Any suggestions or ideas about my "subordinating" stage? Do you think I'm right? Close? Off base? What do you think the next step should be?

A Sigh of Relief

Here's a quick little story of what happened to me recently. Last night I finally started on my financial accounting homework at about 10:30ish, which was due at 10:45 this morning. I was a bit stressed because I also had tax accounting homework due at 8 am, and I hadn't started on that either. I finished the first problem of my financial homework (which was a bit lengthy) and started working on the second problem, when, throughout this whole process, my roommates in the front room were laughing every 5 seconds, distracting me from my work. Finally, I gave in and joined my roommates to watch Conan O'Brien host his first night of the Tonight Show, laughing as hard as they had been.

After the show I went back to my room, it being a little after 11:30pm. I started working on my homework but exhaustion swept over me. Because classes started at 8am the next day, I made an executive decision to forego my homework and get some sleep so I could function the next day; I justified this decision with the fact that a few of my lowest scores will be dropped in my tax accounting class and I could still get up to 80% credit on my financial accounting homework, so it wouldn't be a total loss. As I went to bed, however, I realized one stipulation: my financial professor will randomly call students to work a problem from the homework on the board in front of the class. Knowing my luck I had an ominous feeling that I would be called on.

After enduring my tax class unprepared this morning, I sat down in my financial accounting class. I asked the guy next to me how the homework went for him; he said he only did 3 of the problems. I told him I only did the first one, therefore making me a viable candidate by Murphy's Law to be called on to work a problem on the board. He laughed and said he hoped that wasn't the case for him.

About 40 minutes into class, the professor announced the time to do the homework problems, looked at his roll, then at me and said, "Corley, you're up to do the first problem." What?! You've got to be kidding me! Of all the problems, he calls on me to do the only one I did! I was shocked; I looked at the guy next to me who, in turn, looked at me in disbelief. "I don't believe it!" he exclaimed. I smiled wide and happily began working the problem on the board with a feeling of immense relief sweeping over me. A few problems later, the professor called on the other guy to do a problem, but unfortunately it wasn't one of the problems he did and had to get a zero for participation that day. When I wrote out my answers to the problem on the board, I discussed my answers to the class and was relieved again when the professor confirmed my answers. I welcomed the clapping of the class and let out a joyful sigh of relief!

Politics to Puke

I'm normally not one to get emotionally involved in politics, but the political events that have transpired in the recent months have moved to me to shear nausea! Okay, so maybe not that extreme, but I have found a lot of things upsetting regarding the new "change" being displayed on the political stage of this Nation. Because of such, I thought I'd share some of my own opinions of the larger issues portrayed by our government and media:

1. Government Bailouts: so in earlier blogs I've expressed my thoughts and views of bailouts. I opposed Bush in lending his $700 billion bailout package last year and I oppose the bailout efforts of the new Obama administration. Although no one really knows if over $1.8 trillion (this number deriving from last year's package and the recent package) will stimulate the economy as many people hope, that's not the arguement in my mind. The issue is that government bailouts in no way punishes bad behavior, nor does it stimulate good behavior. If anything, I would say it will reward mediocrity; it sends the message that's it's okay to be sloppy and to do just on okay job. Motivation for the best results possible is thrown out the window. Why? Because Uncle Sam will pay for our mistakes! Where is the Capitalism, upon which this country and economy were founded?! We have skewed our very own perception of the realities that face us in the near future, because we are forgetting too quickly the economic principles that gave us the comforts we have had up to this point.
2. AIG: This is more of a side note to the government bailouts. My question is: why doesn't the government first ask the companies they're "bailing out" for a specific budget of what these companies need and review it. Then, when the government forks out OUR tax dollars, they closely monitor that the money is being spent in the appropriate places. I'm against this whole practice to begin with and wish the whole thing wasn't happening; but if someone's going to use my tax money in a way I'm against, then at least show me the respect of taking note of how it's being used! Plus, I think it's kinda funny how people in Congress who voted for a bill which actually allowed the bonuses to take place, turned around and then said they were shocked to see the money being used for such uses.¹
   
3. Geithner & the Treasury: You guys said the issue about the AIG bonuses was put in because it might not otherwise be "strong enough to survive legal challenge."² Dude. I may not know a lot of legal goings on with all that's going on with AIG, but seriously. All I see are empty words from you guys, so you can avoid any kind of accountability. That's how it seemed with Chris Dodd regarding adding the bonus amendment.³ What kind of transparent government is that? Frustrating.
4. Another attack on marriage in CA⁴: The people have already spoken. Twice now (to my knowledge) California has voted marriage to be between a man and a woman. Okay, so I actually kind of already saw this happening (who didn't?). I don't think this issue will go away quietly. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it gets more attention than the first time. But here's my fear: when the marriage amendment is repealed (and I think it eventually will be; it's just a matter of time), I really think there won't be a major effort and movement to get it back on the ballot. I think either conservatives won't take an offensive stance, or the proposal will get shut down by the state (because I honestly believe the state supports gay marriage). I don't mean to be negative and I don't, by any means, intend to give the idea that it's a lost cause. I still think the battle should be fought, because it's probably one of the most noble battles to be fought right now. I just feel that more people need to be prepared and willing to take an offensive rather than a defensive stance when the time comes.

So what are your thoughts? Hopefully, I didn't show how ignorant I am of life, and I'm really not that cynical about things. I just get frustrated sometimes that people in our government often forget the simplicity of common sense in many issues. It's just that some of the things I read in the news makes me want to vomit! ;-)



Footnotes:

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/19/lawrence-odonnell-reduces_n_176886.html
2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/19/geithner-treasury-pushed_n_177016.html
3. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=dodd%20admits%20bonus&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#
4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/20/another-marriage-petition_n_177599.html

Insights from a Sick Man

So, the past few days, I've been sick. I never thought this day would happen. I mean, the last time I was really sick like this was 5 years ago; it happened in Germany, December 03. It only lasted a day, but that was only because I had received a blessing from my missionary companion, Elder Crucy, and our Ward Mission Leader, Bruder Köhler. After the blessing I was still a little under the weather for the remainder of the day, but I had the strength to continue proselyting. By the next day, I was pretty much restored to health. Before, the blessing, however, I felt utterly miserable and was, for the most part, bed-ridden.

These past few days I have felt pretty darn crappy, yesterday being the worst. However, despite how sick I've been, I've gained a few insights that I wish to share:

1. It happens.
2. Playing Warcraft 3 six hours straight is probably not the best thing to do when wanting to avoid massive headaches.
3. Life sucks when you can't be productive.
4. I have a loving family.
5. Speaking of family, I kept thinking how nice it'll be if I'm ever sick and I'm married. I could just cuddle with my wife, and everything would be so much better. Then, when she gets sick (because of me), she could cuddle with me!
   
6. On a deeper note, I've gained a greater understanding that this life is meant to have purpose. Happiness comes from striving for the desires of our heart. The greatest happiness comes from bringing our desires in line with the will of our Heavenly Father and striving to live those desires. That is--I believe--our greatest purpose in life; not just because it encompasses all of the virtues of moral character and the divine qualities that humanity seeks after, but it also entails God's ultimate work: "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

As insightful as this sickness has been, I very much look forward to being healthy again. And if I do get sick again, hopefully it won't be for at least another 5 years!

News At Its Finest

Thank you, Stephen Colbert, once again. Earlier today I was watching a recent episode of The Colbert Report on the beloved hulu.com, where Colbert brings up an article titled "Massive Buffalo wing sauce spill shuts down Fairfield Street" from newstimes.com. I have but two questions:

1. Does the guy who wrote this article get made fun of for writing articles like this? I can just imagine his co-workers making little quips about buffalo wing sauce, or how they prefer A1, or maybe expressing their condolensces that the spill didn't happen in front of Hooters.
2. How do Stephen Colbert and his interns find this stuff???! I mean seriously, articles like this are SO ambiguous, it's amazing that they can find actual up-to-date articles that happen to go along with current topics and inside jokes on the show. It makes one wonder if there's some kind of conspiracy going on.

Anyway, here are a couple of quotes from the article that are my personal favorites:

"The street was closed several hours after the 1:30 p.m. spill as the state Haz-mat team was dispatched to the scene."

"Meanwhile, four patrons of San Tropez restaurant, next to Archie Moore's, couldn't get to their car, which was engulfed by sauce."

Mmm, Biking!

I've been home since 20. December, and it's been pretty relaxing...a little too relaxing, but the one thing I love about the extra time on my hands is the opportunity to bike at Erwin Park in McKinney. Here's a pic of part of the trail:


Now that's beautiful! The trail is about an 8-mile loop that starts off fairly smooth, then gradually becomes pretty technical (sharp bends, biking over logs, going through really narrow passes between trees), then has a fun section of dips, and then a few sections of fields in between the wooded sections. This month I've been able to go at least once a week (and it's really nice being only literally 5 minutes from the park). I've taken my mom out there a few times and also had a date biking the trail. I went once by myself (and will probably do so tomorrow or Saturday) and loved it!

It feels good to be on a mountain bike and feel the cool air gently blow across your face and feel the rush of adrenaline as you pick up speed downhill and the exertion of climbing up hill. I love the feel of the camel pack rest on my back as I lean forward on my bike, focused on the trail ahead; the strain on my hands and arms as I maneuver my bike around the curves and roots of the trees on the path; the sound of the rustling leaves as they dance and sway in the wind; the rays of the sun that cut through the branches of the trees; the silence and peace that only come by leaving the busyness of the city; the simple insights on life that nature shares; the way that nature and the outdoors help me collect and organize my thoughts and shows me the proper perspectives in life...I could keep adding to the list, but I think you catch my drift.

Stressed, Anyone?

So I'm on the 2nd floor of the HBLL, at the northern-most part where the big windows are facing the ASB at 3:29pm. I just now realized that it's a bad idea to be sitting at the northern-most part of the 2nd floor in the HBLL at 3:29pm during this time of year. The sun is at a perfect spot in the sky to reflect off of the metal and glass of the ASB and shine right into my face. I go around to the other side of the table so my back is to the windows only to have the sun just as bright on the screen of my laptop, so all I see is my silhouette and the reflection of the ASB and the sun! I would blame the guy who designed the ASB or HBLL and call him stupid or idiot, but honestly, who's the stupid one: the architect or the guy still sitting in this part of the library?

Well, finals week is almost at a close (as well as my life in Provo), with only 2 exams to go. I am due to start driving home this Friday, but in the meantime I still have MUCH to do. Pack, tune my car, get a radio adapter for my iPhone (so I don't go insane on the ride home), pack, Christmas shop, say last-minute goodbyes, finish my home teaching, pack, send a package to a friend on a mission, pay the last of this month's bills, and pack are on my to-do list. Quite honestly, I don't know how I'm gonna do it all. It can cause one to stress out.

But I won't stress for too long, because I recently purchased The Stress Reduction Kit™! It's guaranteed to reduce your stress. Sometimes it even takes away ALL the stress! The Stress Reduction Kit™ is simple to use and the results are astounding! Order your Stress Reduction Kit™ today by calling toll-free 1-800-Y-STRESS!