I’m goal setting

I was told early on that a goal is a dream if it isn't written down with specific attainable actions. As with most people I have read many books on goal setting, don't worry about goal setting, and alternatives to goals and actions is Getting Things Done by David Allen. All of these approaches have their advantages.

Personally I use most of the GTD(tm) process where goals and projects are only as far away as the next action that needs to be performed. Nothing overwhelming. You don't look at the entire picture every day, only the next logical step. This is supposed to eliminate the need to keep hundreds of loops bouncing around your head.

Today I found a great link about goals. I'm sharing this more as a link than anything. I would also recommend that you look into the GTD system.

Goals in the works are:
1. Lose x number of pounds in 12 months (you would be shocked if I shared the real amount)
2. Finish a 10k
3. Finish a full marathon
4. Finish a full triathalon
5. Go on vacation this summer
6. Ride my bike to work at least 3 times a week
7. Form a business networking group
8. Rebuild real estate web site
9. Build deck in back yard
10. Find good CRM Software
11. Read Seth Godin's new book All Marketers Are Liars

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What is it about hiring technical people?

I know companies don't want to hire people who can't perform. Using interview tests has been around for a long time. Personally, I hate them. If a prospective employer ever reads this, I'm sure I'll be doomed with some type of test. And that's the problem.

I believe employers have the wrong expectations when it comes to surprise interview tests. I believe most employers administer them out of ego rather than necessity. Almost every perspective employee will go through several types of emotions. The least of which is panic. Speaking from experience, when faced with one of these tests, I'm always on the defensive, wondering what they really want from the test, will my coding style be their style, will my approach be what they consider acceptable.

Now, if the test is simply to learn how someone approaches a problem, review their coding style, and as described in the link above, experience how they explain their solution, then I'm all for it. I'm not a walking encyclopedia of syntax. I may not always know the correct syntax from memory, but I might be able to pseudo code something on paper or even a text file, and explain how I would solve the problem.

If I can leave any amount of influence on these types of test is that employers truly look for characteristics of the prospective employee, rather than how much syntax they can recall from memory.

Oh, and to tie in my subject line, what is it about hiring technical people? It seems employers hiring for technical positions are hell bent on testing someone's skills, but don't think twice about testing someone for a product marketing, project management or administration position. If you do, what kinds of test do you perform?

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Flying home

Flying home
Originally uploaded by thomallen.

Coming back from a trip to Missouri. Cramped in a commuter jet. Ouch.

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Blogger is frustrating

I want searching capabilities and I want categories. Arrgh. I mean come on, the biggest search engine in the world can't include the ability to search in a blog? Almost every other blogging software I've looked at has this capability. I'm seriously considering moving to another application that has these features.

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My visit to Washington DC

I had the opportunity to visit Washington DC last week. Unfortunately for me I was only able to visit the memorials late at night. It was a day trip, arrived in the morning, stayed one night, left the following afternoon.

Here is a great picture of the White House. There is construction going on for the inauguration in a few weeks. So there was this huge structure in front of the white house.

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