Have a Quality Summer!
Using QI Principles to Increase Summer Fun
by Dr. R.Q. Teasdale

Sung to the tune of “Frere Jacque”

Days are longer, sunshine’s stronger.
Summer’s here! Summer’s here!
Let’s jump through the sprinkler,
And make paredo diagrams.
Summer’s here! Summer’s here!

The sun is staying up later and getting up earlier… summer must be here! Summer days are lazy, relaxing days, times when barbeques and swimming and boating with friends become the priority. Summer almost always means fun and we’d all agree that more fun is better than less.

I’ve seen a lot of summers in my very long life (I’ll be 93 on Tuesday!) and have learned that the enjoyment of this warmest of seasons can be greatly increased if just a few simple QI principles are used.

As sure as suntan lotion and mosquitoes, Independence Day is going to come. Inevitably, Fourth of July fireworks come right along with it. Lighting firecrackers is a perfect opportunity to implement an error free attitude! If you don’t believe me, I can put you in contact with two of my colleagues: Steve “one-hand” Madson and Lucy “no-face” Carter.

Summer just wouldn’t be summer without barbecues. And vice versa. As the famous grilling guru George Foreman once said, “No barbecue, no summer”. Getting the food cooked just right requires vast knowledge, high level skill, and intense concentration. In short, a total commitment. And what is the cornerstone of quality improvement? That’s right, total commitment. Commit yourself to the grilling process, from the size of your apron to the weight of your tongs. Don’t skimp on the sauce and remember, flip it twice to eat it once. Make Foreman proud!

If someone tells you to go jump in a lake in the summertime, you thank them. Lake swimming is one of summer’s great joys and another opportunity to integrate the Quality ethos into your warm weather life. As all swimmers know, proper technique is vital to self propelled water travel. The book, Swim Right or Don’t Swim At All by Wade N.Z. Waterman is available in a waterproof format ($499.95 at inflatablebooks.com). Purchase a few copies of this book and strap them to your back when swimming. Then, if you see a swimmer who is using incorrect technique, throw one of the books at him while calling out, “Hey buddy, learn how to swim!” Remember, Quality is everyone’s business.

Another summer tradition perfect for incorporating Quality is the venerable road trip. Most of us have fond childhood memories of sweating in the backseat of a hot car, eating greasy food, and traveling great distances to a campsite with nothing but pit toilets. But now that we’re all grown up, we’re doing the driving. But what do driving and QI have in common? You guessed it…. Dashboards! When preparing for a long road trip, I always tape my QI dashboard right over my car dashboard. Then I am able to study it while driving in heavy city traffic. It’s also great to read to youngsters instead of letting them play hand-held video games. Although my own kids have grown up, retired, and passed away (did I mention that I’ll be 93?), I know that young children are fascinated by gap analysis and perk right up when the topic is strategic planning.

Have a great summer and always keep in mind: When you find a process, by golly get busy and improve it!

Dr. Teasdale received his doctorate in Television Viewing and Cellular
Biology from the College of Universal Life at P.O. Box 3763, Loma Vista, CA.