QR codes are cool. They seem to be popping up all over the place.
The most common example of QR codes in my life is menus at my favorite restaurants. It saves restaurants from needing to print new menus every time they want to raise their prices. If they weren’t short-staffed, restaurants could update menus to reflect what they have and what they have run out of because of supply chain issues.
At Willmar Electric, we are trying to use them more. They help us keep information handy and up to date.
If we have something that changes frequently, and several people need to access it quickly, we put a QR code to it and display the QR code publicly.
The beauty is that what people see stays the same, but what is behind the code can change.
The topic reminds me of the Beatles song “Fixing A Hole.” You likely remember it mainly as the song with the words “it’s getting better all the time” sung repeatedly.
Starting the new year gives us a chance to do the same thing. (Admittedly, many people start the New Year trying to change their outsides as well).
Every year I start my New Year with personal goals. Just by looking at me, you can’t tell I have signed up to run a half marathon, plan to be more involved in my local community, and live life at a slower pace. Those changes are happening behind the scenes, getting updated weekly as I go through the year. They should make me better in some small ways.
If I stay on top of my game, I can continually improve what makes up my code.
So, three weeks into the new year, I would like to offer a challenge to you. When you see a QR code, think of yourself as a QR code. Then wonder to yourself what are you doing to improve yourself.
I’ll leave it up to you to figure out what you want to work on within yourself. It doesn’t have to be major or life-changing. I know people who have decided to be less picky and say yes to new foods. I know people who didn’t set a weight loss goal but instead made the simple choices of getting a gym membership and using it. Another person who has started a boxing class.
We have a letter board in our kitchen. Before leaving home after Christmas, our daughter, Sara, changed it to a quote by Walt Disney, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
Sara likes to change the board in our kitchen. I think it is her way of being able to give us advice even when she isn’t there. It’s working. It inspires me to make changes.
If you want to know more about setting yourself up for success in this area, I suggest the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Clear gives excellent advice in the book about getting the ball rolling on good habits.
Another book the Willmar Electric book club has on our list is “Switch” by Chip, and Dan Heath helps us understand how to make simple and lasting changes in our lives.
I’d like to think I’m getting better all the time. At least I am trying to get better all the time.
(But I’m not getting a QR code tattooed on my forehead just so you can see what is inside.)
#Beatles #AtomicHabits #Switch #QRcodes