A sleeper management rag

Okay, this blog isn't about being a manager, or motivation, or your health. But its my blog and I can do what I want. Besides, if I find something of value to me, I think it might be of value to you.

So what's the recommendation? Men's Health magazine. Okay, I've recommended it before. But this New Year's issue has a lot of good stuff that is worth reading and acting on.

This time I found it especially provides some good content for being motivated and being a leader. Here's a peek:

"Take it from me" interview with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez with this hot list called a Riot Act:

1. Creativity only lets you dream. Match it with technical expertise and you can build.
2. Cash is a crutch. Buying away problems is not the same as solving them.
3. Include your kids in you work and watch their confidence blast off.
4. Perfection is a crapshoot. The more projects you finish, the better your odds.

The "If the Flu Becomes a Crime" article openly questions President Bush's endorsement of enforced quarantine as a strategy to contain a flu-like pandemic. The article's study of strategy and the hidden risks of quarantine is emphasized by the compelling story of John Early from almost a hundred years ago. A great management lesson that the obvious and/or popular solution is not always the one that should be used.

The best article is the one called "How Happy Are You?" I think its just terrific to see happiness treated as such an important topic, a topic of health. To us marketers, it helps to understand the behavior of our customers, and to leaders, the behaviors of their followers and themselves. The challenge from the article is that because happiness is part of our health, it can change...which means we can actively exercise it and improve it.

The topic of all three of these articles have a particular weight on me today. I'd like to veer a little more off-topic tomorrow to tell you why.