My Favorite Words

Everyone should have their own set of favorite words.  Uncommon individuals have a set of words that can be used to describe who they are. Here are mine and why…

Functions – actions that are proper for a person.  I always want to do only the action that is proper for me to do.  I learned this from a book called “Strength Finders”. In this book, it teaches ordinary people like you and me how to concentrate on the skills that we are good at and less on the skills and talents we’re not.  The return on investing in our gifts, trades and talents far outweigh trying to improve the skills that we’re not born with.

Processes – putting a system of action in place to achieve a certain end result.  Anytime you have a process in place you can pretty much guarantee a certain end result.  I have processes in place to ensure results remain consistent.

Systems – assembling components together to create a method, scheme or step-by-step plan.  I use a system to minimize my efforts while maximizing the results.

Methods – ways of doing something using a defined plan.  I use methods to pass along information in a uniform manner.  It’s how I can remain consistent in an ever changing environment.

Routines – the regular course of action,  like a habit.  I use a routine to prepare for my day.  It allows me the assurance that I never forget to do essential things. For example,  in the morning, one of my routines is to take out all the items I need in grooming and dressing myself for the day.  The routine is not complete until all the items have been moved back in their appropriate storage location.  So there is no way for me to forget to do something i.e. like putting on deodorant.

Checks & Balances – the limits or accountability I have in place to ensure predetermined behavior.  I have a partnership- checks & balances-with my wife to make sure I accomplish housekeeping chores.

Flow Charts – the diagrammed sequences of how things should flow. My daughter, Tamia, shared this word with me. She picked it up in her second  grade class and thought I love that word.  Her teacher wanted them to follow a specific procedure each day and so they all participated in creating the flowchart.

Principles – the accepted rules of an action.  In life setting rules for yourself and family are like setting values.  If you don’t do this for yourself, others will do it for you by imposing their rules-principles- on you.

Regiment – is your managed disciplines.  I like the word “managed”.  There are things in your life that you and only you can manage.  So you must be disciplined in certain areas otherwise you will go without constraints.

Accountability – is you/me having someone in place to answer to. In order to achieve something great, one needs accountability, something or someone who will make sure you stay focus.

Protocols – the regulations put in place to deal with whatever.  Protocols are in place to make sure you deal with whatever comes your way.  Protocols are very important as they give you the edge in life.  It’s like playing chess, you anticipate the move before it occurs.

Standards – the rules that set the baseline.  You use standards as the tool for measurement.  It’s how you know when something or someone meets your expectations.  This word was added to my list by a friend/co-worker who indicated that standards are like a barometer, measuring changes in the atmosphere.  You must know your past state in order to determine how you’ve improved or regressed at current state.