Chris Dancy

Chris Dancy has been engaging information systems for over 25 years, wearing as many hats as there are heads in the IT industry. He currently is employed as Chief Digital Officer and Senior Vice President at Healthways, Inc.

As a Data Exhaust Cartographer, Chris utilizes 300-700 sensors, devices, applications, and services to track, analyze, and optimize as many areas of his existence as he can think of. This quantification enables him to see the connections of otherwise invisible data, resulting in dramatic upgrades to his health, productivity, and quality of life. Chris is, the self-described “most connected guy in the world”.

My Definition Of Success |

Success means sticking to my top eleven life priorities
1. Be healthy in my body
2. Be healthy in my mind
3. Be healthy in my soul
4. Asking for help
5. Move slow
6. Be Kind
7. Be financially healthy
8. Support those around you
9. Use my gifts to help the world
10. Find ways to feel grateful
11.  Be a hope for people you meet.
This has changed over the years. Only recently did “asking for help” become something I practice.
These items mean success to me, for I can’t function well and be kind to myself if I am not keeping me on track. It is also important for me to represent hope for those who can’t find it in themselves.

I Am Driven By | The belief that extra-ordinary people need to find each other.

My Highlights | I have loved.

The Difference Between Good And Great | Unshakeable faith in predestination.

A Key Talent | Empathy. Practice taking perspective of those around you.  Start by thinking about what you look like as if you were in the head of the person you are communicating with.  Actually see yourself through their eyes.  When your mind wanders, bring it back and keep focusing.  People in full context are easier to be with. You need to understand a person’s full day before they met you and after and it helps if you get to know them to see their drivers and use all the perspective together to help them find a “safe” place to communicate with you.

The Characteristics Of Success | Mindfulness, Loving Kindness, Impermanence.  Using these three simple principles, most of what I have accomplished is possible.  Before I had these skills to practice, I had my charisma, intelligence, empathy and communication skills.  They only got me so far, I then need to rely on being slow and kind to my thoughts.

Principles I Live By |
Your word is only as good as your actions.
Be early.
Realize that not everyone is extraordinary; it doesn’t mean they are less than you, it means they are doing the best they can.
Scan for confirmation bias internally.
Scan for attribution bias externally.

Critical Skills I Develop | Sharing what I need from people, places and things, with everyone involved.

How I Use My Mind | Everyone will leave.  No job will last. Impermanence means progress. Even when you fail, you’ve had a chance to learn.  Move fast, take chances, make bold statements, and use science.  Read about things you don’t care about.  Learn history, any history and repeat that process.

Lessons I Have Learnt |
People are not me, they are unique.
I can’t be kind to me, if I am “HALT” Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
If I can’t be kind to me, I have little chance of taking perspective when communicating with others.

Dealing With Doubt |Self-doubt, fear and negativity are part of the brain. They are just thoughts. They have no impact.  They have no power.  During an HR investigation were I was wrongly accused by a peer, I suffered, during this period I took the attitude, even if I fail, I have learned, and I know the truth.

Performing At My Peak | SLEEP, EAT, MOVE SLOW, SMILE EVEN WHEN I DON’T WANT TO, WATCH, LISTEN.

Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | Children and the elderly are my greatest sources of inspiration.

My Future Dreams And Ambitions | Nobel peace prize, President of the United States and Philanthropist.

The Meaning Of Life | Learning to not strive or judge.

The Best Advice I’ve Received | “I am not broken”

Advice On Building Wealth | It’s silly and no one cares about wealth.  Learn to love what you have, while you still can.  Once you taste success you will lose the ability to see the irrelevance of it.

On Inspiring Others | By removing people from my life who no longer serve any purpose.  We hang on to many relationships for too long. This takes up room for new people.

I Am Inspired By | Amber Case, Michael Jackson, Me.

The Legacy I Would Like To Leave | I gave people hope and joy and I had no secrets.