Douglas E. Castle - Professional Background, Publications And Social Media

The Avatar's Lament.

2012-01-21T02:18:00.005-05:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeA tragic video follows. This video, produced by VOKI using my own voice, will bring you to tears. Life is terribly unfulfilling for a mindless, scripted avatar. This one does look just a wee bit like Conan O'Brien, don't you think? Maybe even with a touch of hyperdramatic David Caruso... Click on him to listen to his genuine tale of woe. When I recorded his voice, I was trying so hard to suppress my own laughter that I had to grab for the tissue box. Say - I'll bet we could create our politicians this way! Does this remind you of that old Al Pacino movie, "SIMONE"?
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With all my best,

Douglas E. Castle

Meetings? For What Purpose?

2012-01-11T19:40:00.000-05:00

I cannot seem to make this point often enough and clearly enough. Before either planning or attending a meeting, either define its specific purpose and agenda, or ask (if you're not hosting the thing) what it is intended to accomplished. Time is so important. If the answer you get starts with something like, "I thought we might just catch up/ discuss/ update eachother..." or the like, it is likely going to be an unnecessary, uninspiring annoyance. If the answer begins with "to cover/ vote on/ ratify/ decide upon..." or the like, you might really have purpose to the meeting. A meeting needs to accomplish a purpose as well as to have an agenda and an estimated duration. -- Douglas E. Castle

Life Is Too Short

2012-01-06T14:19:00.002-05:00

I was compelled to write this after listening to the Luther VanDross' song"Dance With My Father." [RadioDAZZ]. We make simple things complicated (even those of us who are not consultants). We create drama instead of understanding. We build fences instead of bridges. We stew in a roiling cauldron of resentments and regrets. This doesn't have to be so.You might want to pick up the telephone and make a call or two. You might need to let go of a grudge. You might need to says "thanks," or "I'm so sorry" to someone before it 's too late. Don't serve a life sentence of regret for what you did or did not say. Anything that you say can be the very last thing that the other person ever hears from you... -- Douglas E. Castle

If Time Equals Money, Then...

2011-12-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

I have heard through many years and from many sources (oracles, Magi, Sages and guys sitting around at Starbucks) that "Time Equals Money." It would follow then that "Money Equals Time." This latter phrasing of this equivalency explains perhaps why some self-absorbed, career-obsessed, endlessly-busy parents buy things for their children instead of spending quality time with them. Yet, in this case, I can't help but feel that the return on time invested with youth is immeasurably higher than the return on expenditures made on palliative toys. But then, how do you quantify a return on love invested or earned. -- Douglas E Castle

Think Proactively, And For Yourself

2011-12-27T11:26:00.000-05:00

During the course of your life, people will try their best to induce you to react -- to respond out of immediate emotion or reflex, without reflection. They will put you in positions of making lose-lose decisions...they will foist responsibility for their feelings and hardships upon you.

Here's a solution (actually a process) to avoid being torn like a bedsheet between two lions: 1) postpone your answer; 2) think about what response works best for you; 3) announce your decision; 4) don't look back or reflect upon what you have done...emotionally-based second-guessing invariably perpetuates and adds force to your feelings of conflict. Your cranial vault and conscience are delicate and precious - never grant anybody unauthorized access. Think, decide and act for yourself.
- Douglas E Castle

Before You Follow A Leader

2011-12-23T10:00:00.004-05:00

Before you decide to follow a leader, it would serve you well to know where he or she has lead others on previous excursions, and to understand the "how" and the "why" of these earlier voyages, both successful and unsuccessful. - Douglas E. Castle

Allocating Your Networking Time Brilliantly.

2011-12-15T09:04:00.000-05:00

This wisdom here is ever so simple. Invest the bulk of your time in finding friends, and the smallest portion in trying to convert your adversaries. - Douglas E. Castle