Rules I try to live by...

I have days where I miss what I used to do with ease, from the hip, and without thinking.  Now I have to think and work very hard at doing things I took for granted. 

When I used to run projects. I had a few rules that I would open every project with and I would like to pass these on.

(I like to believe that these rules are still the rules of how I try to live my life.) 

1. Don't censure anyone.  Comedy is good and needed!  Just because you are uncomfortable doesn't mean every one should be uncomfortable.

2. Don't ever not ask a question because you think it may hurt someone's feelings.  Time is too short, and your question may actually be a pivotal question that needed to be asked.

3. Individual feelings are over rated.  Think of how many times we put out our best, only to find out that the other person never really cared about the work, love, time, and care we invested into them.  Be selfish more often.

4. Say what is on your mind.  You may have a great idea, and many times, that same thought is on another person's mind as well, it's just not formulated into words just yet.

5. Indulge yourself.  Never put something fun or enjoyable off until tomorrow if you could have done it today.  There may be only today left.  Today may be that last time we have to do something we love to do.

6. Give your all in whatever you do.  Dance, run, sing, boogie, pray, swim, read, love.  Every gift we have is temporary.

7. Help others, but help yourself first. (Mother's and mother types are the worst at this!) You can't help anyone if you are miserable, resentful, tired, hungry, and poor in spirit.

8. Take a break when your butt gets numb.  If your butt is numb, you've been sitting too long and thus your brain is numb as well.

Advanced technique:

9. Everyone on the team creates a working nick name for everyone. This is done only when smaller teams are ready, usually when the team hits the Norming phase  (1. Forming, 2. Storming, 3. Norming, 4. Performing). It is a good exercise that may provide individual personal insight as well as help people get closer to each other.

Onward and upward.