Plan for Happiness

category Joy, Loving

What happens when one of the largest publications nationwide focuses on Joy? In an effort to explore the many ways one can find and maintain a state of happiness, Time magazine did an entire special edition issue called “The Science of Happiness.” The article outlines fourteen different ways to reach a joyful state. It isn’t a step-by-step guide to happiness, rather a pick-and-choose of ways that you can find happiness in your day. From savoring the small things to finding purpose in pleasure, it’s a fantastic list to try. Last but not least on the list is “make Sunday future-fun day.” In other words, plan for the next weekend and allow yourself to anticipate the Joy to come. Productivity consultant Julie Morgenstern suggests that all weekends should be designed around the acronym PEP: physical, escape, people. When those three elements are at the core of your time, it’s inevitable that it will be filled with Joy.

While some of our team members and providers don’t always have the luxury of working a “traditional” schedule with free weekends and time off. How might we encourage them to take personal time and practice self care? How can we encourage and support our people in planning for happiness and designing for Joy?
Today

category Loving, Moments

Artist Scott Thrift was tired of the way we were marking time, so he changed it. Today, featured in this month’s action kit, is a 24-hour clock aimed to enhance the understanding and Experience of the present moment and remind us of the bigger picture of time. Thrift realized that our society has been using the same clock with the two 12-hour cycles since its invention. “The way we measure time dictates our behavior and so we deserve access to scales that are more appropriate for the way we live our lives now and far into the future,” Thrift said in this TechCrunch article. The goal of Today is to encourage us not to feel limited by time, rather instead feel freed by living in the present.

In what ways might we physically remind our team members, providers, patients, and guests to slow down and mark the Moments? While certain Moments at our organizations depend on the traditional marking of time (the time a child is born, the time someone is scheduled for surgery), what Experiences could be enhanced when disconnected from traditional measures of time?
Setting the Stage – Tools and Props to Bring New Ideas to Life

category Living, Staging

As we continue to explore the principle of Staging, let’s shine a light  on the fundamental concept of “onstage/offstage” – the understanding that whenever we are in front of or in earshot of patients or guests we are in fact “On Stage.” We are performing our caring art for others. Staging is about planning for all that shows up in the spotlight—preparing our space, our Intention, and ourselves for positive interactions. Taking a few moments to consider how we will present ourselves and our environment can make a tremendous impact on the Experience we create.

With so much of our caring time taking place “On Stage” it is important to make room for “Off  Stage.” Take time to step out of the spotlight and recharge, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Changing the Card Game

category Looking, Personalizing

MOO is changing the business card game by combining beautiful, old-school, Personalized design with high-tech digital connections. While MOO prides itself on creating stylish, expertly crafted materials that help you start conversations, open doors, and strengthen relationships, they also realize that the business card as we know it could be more functional. By embedding Near Field Communication tap-and-go technology (the same technology that enables Apple Pay), users can hold the card up to a smartphone and exchange contact info, websites, and portfolios. No more fumbling for a pen or re-typing information. And, these users can instantly share the personal information of their choice. Richard Moross, MOO’s founder and CEO, says “It removes all of the friction of having to type in this URL, and you still get the beauty of the physical card that everyone gets and knows how to use.” It’s an ideal example of technology and personalization working hand in hand.

MOO’s intense dedication to customization also goes beyond their products. A unique perk they offer their team members upon completing two years with the organization is a handmade felt doll … Of themselves!  What may seem quirky is actually one of the most adorable displays of Personalizing we’ve seen in quite some time.

How might we evolve a current mode of Personalization in our organization? What new technologies might we employ to improve the Experience for team members, providers, patients, or guests?
Share a Cup

category Connection, Leading, Videos

How do you get people to Connect and share success stories with each other? You set up a giant cup of coffee on the street and ask people to hop in and chat, of course! It’s incredible what you learn, over, and sometimes inside, a cup.

Beginning with Intention

category Intention, Leading

We are thrilled to continue your Experience Lab Inside Out journey! In the inaugural Spark, this freshly curated collection is meant to inspire you to think, encourage you to act, and provoke positive change. Sparks will help you create a comprehensive library of Experience insights. Each Spark is designed to grow your personal library of Experience insights while adding depth to your Experience learning. Try incorporating just one new element in your daily leadership or share with your team and see what happens.

Sparks will be sent to your inbox every Tuesday from InsideOut@TheExpLab.com.

The Power of Intention

category Intention, Leading

January is a time of fresh starts and the perfect time to explore the principle of Intention. Setting an Intention is at the heart of LEADING a cohesive, connected and orchestrated Experience for all.

When you search for “Intention” in the dictionary, you may be surprised by what you find.

At The Experience Lab, we define Intention as the center of what we call character–the values, norms, and priorities that drive actions and choices. To set Intention is to create a clear direction that serves as a decision filter for how you and your organization will move forward amidst a sea of choices.

While the most used Merriam-Webster definition is “a thing intended; an aim or a plan,” an alternate meaning is “the healing process of a wound.” Intention has been part of medicine all along! It refers to the scientific way that our bodies heal; the initial union of the edges of the wound. When we combine the two meanings of Intention, we get to the very fitting and powerful definition we’d like you to use when enjoying this week’s Spark:

The values and priorities that allow a person, a team, a process, or a system to heal.

Let’s visualize the healing of the wound – the coming together of its edges. In our organizations, our edges are often our people and our processes. When we allow ourselves to set an Intention that guides our work each day, we are giving our people and our processes permission to come together. When our people understand the why behind decisions or changes being made, they can accept, adapt, and heal.

So, let’s define our Intentions. Set our north stars. Take aim. Then make it happen. Intention is how we can bring our organizations together.

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Manifesto x 2

category Intention, Leading

Sitting on the steps of Union Square in New York City, brothers Dave and Mike Radparvar decided to write down how they define success. The goal was to create something they could reflect on. The result was The Holstee Manifesto, a viral smash success and the launchpad for their brand, Holstee.

A manifesto is a megaphone for Intention. The Holstee Manifesto speaks an unapologetic truth about what matters most and is a perfect example of how a series of Intentions built a successful business model. There wasn’t a product to sell or a service to provide until the Manifesto was defined, published, and shared with the world. With Holstee, their manifesto has been as compelling as their product — speaking to hearts and minds the world over. The Holstee Manifesto has now been translated into 13 languages (and counting).

Getting inspired by manifestos? Want to understand the journey more? Explore The Unbusy Manifesto, another great example of an Intention-filled manifesto from Jonathan Fields.

If we wrote our own manifesto, what would it say? What matters most? Writing a manifesto is a journey, but why not start? Invite input from team members and see what resonates.
Sing and Dance While the Music Plays

category Intention, Leading, Videos

How do we look at our life? Is it a journey? Where are we trying to go? If we focus only on end goals, what happens to our daily lives, what do we miss? This powerful video shares British philosopher and theologist Alan Watt’s thoughts on the journey of intentional living as it relates to music and dance. Perhaps it’s not where we are going, after all, it’s how we get there: the pure enjoyment of playing the music or performing the dance. We love this video and invite you to watch it; because the easiest way to reflect on the Intention you have for your work is to first reflect on your Intention for living. Start now.

What might we notice if we started living more in the right now? Instead of focusing on the long term, write down three actions you might do today that could add to your joy. Then do them.