Re: Tria's comments-Wk 4

(graur razvan ionut)

On 6/23/11 Tria Wrote:
Chapter 9. Lighting a Spark. Lighting a spark seems like an easy enough task but I've been in a relationship for over 15 years and can not light a spark underneath my love even if it was a camp fire. In my professional life, I have lit tons on sparks. I have given words of encouragement to many coworkers. Talking to my students in ways that bring them to think, say and do things they could never have imagined. What was truly poignant in the chapter was the idea of enrollment. The story of Ben's influence and spark on the children of Eastlea Community School was very powerful. If you give people a chance to connect to be the person they can be without your judgments then maybe you can light a fire under them to see a world beyond their imaginations. Change comes from being changed…….

On 6/25/11, John Wrote,
Tria,

I am compelled to write on this post as I am finding myself in a very similar situation in one of my “lives”

I find personally, that I address how I react to the situation is that I spend a lot of time working on myself and the things that make me a better person/professional. In “many” cases, I find that I’m preoccupied enough by what it takes to make me a better me that I am less and less connected to what is wrong with the other people in my personal/professional circle. Its not a unconcerned attitude of what happens on the outside…it is more that some things I do as a person/professional because I choose to, because it makes me feel accomplished…because my desire to be the best at my undertakings won’t allow me to snuff my cinder or have it snuffed by personal or professional stimulus simply because that is not how they do things.

At the end of the day if I fall short…I don’t want it to be because I am reactionary to my personal professional circle. I want to do everything life exactly the way that my spark in me motivated me to do…. regardless of who does not operate that way.

Just a thought…
JCIII

RE: Ishia Granger's Wk4 Reading Post

On 9/24/11, Ishia Wrote:
The Zanders have a very common sense approach to life that obviously isn’t common among us. The anecdotes and connections to music are particularly insightful as I embark on new and uncharted choices in my life and career. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the practices discussed in the The Art of Possibility are biblical and it makes sense, as the author’s father was a student of the Bible and history.

The idea of enrolling others in our dreams is eye opening. Often when we make requests, we operate on the presumption of being turned down. I have heard myself say on many occasions, “The worst he/she can say is no.” I did this to make myself feel better, but did I really? Of course not.

In “being the board” I saw similarities between this new idea of responsibility and blame and being in God’s Will. Like being the board, being in God’s Will makes it possible to accept the circumstances of life knowing that those circumstances will yield positive results in the end. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.

What I enjoyed about the frameworks chapter was the whole idea of creating a vision and not division. In all honesty, mission statements do create a competitive spirit and while they may be designed to inspire, it typically is ignored. Now a vision is something that can be seen even if it does not exist at the present. To me, the vision resembles a five-letter word: F-A-I-T-H.

The Zander's story of their father's passionate recount of the Arab and Jewish peoples’ history and arrival in Palestine was interesting. Even more moving was the student’s response, “What a wonderful opportunity! What a privilege for both those peoples to share that land and that history!” What is that saying? Out of the mouth of babes come words of wisdom? Well, that young person definitely has it [wisdom]. What is ironic about division is that the multiple parties are often so similar. The “We” story recognizes the sameness that so often divides.

 

On 6/25/11 John Wrote:

Ishia,

I honestly found myself a little confused on the Being the board concept initially. You put a spin on this that I had not thought of before. Ironically, I should have, as I have spend more than my share of time in the word and church over the years.....

I think on occasion In my quest to take the academic aspect of my work here for the last year serious and professional I read to much into the readings from that standpoint and don't always take time to dissect it and tell myself what it means in the context of my existence; I did it for my 9-12 chapter reading, and as I saw where my thought took my reading, I actually started mentally telling myself my words were wrong...that because it wasn't speaking from a certain context that it wasn't of worth! That is indeed a shame. …But the joy in this is that I could recognize the error; and my further saving grace is that I have these e-books for my library and I can go back and try again.
JCIII

Wk4- Ch. 9-12Reading

"......a man could light a fire with ease wherever he went because he always carried the spark- "

Zander, The art of Possibility

I have always been a lover of strong witticisms, sayings or nuggets of truth. I guess the rationale behind that is that when you can't remember the whole story it is sometimes easy to get some strong yet fundamental truth from the nugget to help you along on your way.

With each chapter of this book, I always have found some specific nugget like that. It could be at the front, the middle toward the end; but whatever else is said, that one piece stays with me. It is usually those things that I share with others. Case in point the last part of the story about the Middle ages gentlemen who always carried a cinder with him so he can start a fire with a little bit of kindling.

Not necessarily an earth shattering epiphany I admit, but I do sometimes think that many of us serve as the cinder to the fire of these students. Moreover, our ability to see things on a more creative, visionary or grander scale sets us apart from many.

As Artists, educators administrators and mentors our spark creates the inevitable ability to stick out because of this trait. A responsibility of enrollment as it relates to others results from this. When I speak of this, my interpretation from the context of this post is that we are charged and in some cases overwhelmed by the desire to invite others to either become part of the energy that we have about what we do, or allow them to catch their own spark from their proximity to us. This, I think is how we continue to contribute to and inspire others to bigger thing well after we have left.

I also think that EMDT has been the Cinder to my projects kindling, which has restarted a fire for me. The fire was there, but as life got in the way...the cinder went out. I am starting to think again about other dreams that had been snuffed...and dreaming others...I think I smell smoke again!

Okay, I think I have beaten this metaphor to death enough!

Wk3 (Gibson’s Rule #6) Ch. 5-8

I have found myself switching from nugget to nugget of wisdom as I continue to read this book, but the one that stands out for me that I had to reflect back on was Rule#6. The interesting thing about this is that I heard a very similar quote used by a mentor of mine 1996 when I was working with Americorps National Service at a shelter for runaways.

The agency’s director, Mr. Gibson, used to always say to me: “Life is Hard, but not all that serious”. I did not know them that it would become such a quotable by me, or that it would even have so much shelf life after the first time he stated it.

The similarities between this and Zander’s Rule #6 were so obvious to me that when I read this, actually found myself laughing out loud. The irony is that he (Mr. Gibson) showed by example kindness, professionalism congeniality, and diligent, dedicated hard work on a level that I hadn’t seen before and only have seen a handful of times since in a supervisor; unusually enough, he had a demeanor that mirrored this quote every time I saw him. (Perhaps that is why I remember it so well) I remember thinking briefly "how could you have so much going on, put so much into it and utter such a phrase"?

As I think back on the times we have talked about it and what I know about his time in the agency I can reasonably surmise that this mantra was cultivated over a long period of time (all the "salt and pepper effects" in his hair is a solid indicator as well) It became a well known joke through the agency that if Mr. Gibson got mad, that you REALLY messed up, because I personally can’t seem to remember it happening (though I have heard that it has)

I remember him laughing and seemingly taking a lighthearted approach to most things, even when came in to "fix it all". It all seem to run a certain way when he was around, and usually when any "hell broke loose" you could bet that he wasn't there, or if he was, the Hell wouldn't last long. What I internalized was that in the grand scheme of things many aspects of life are 90% about how you handle the other 10. In his way of taking the big stuff and being hands off with basic operations, we felt empowered, but it was obvious he still ran the show. Even though his ultimatums may have been just that, they were never phrased as such...which I think in some small way he granted us greatness by letting go of our hands and by not leading from the podium.... but from an extremely comfy leather chair with wheels on the other side of the agency. (Yes, we all sit in it when he's gone!)

Life is truly hard, but not that serious.... so I need to try a little each day to not take myself as such...
Thanks for the life lesson Mr. Gibson. I don't think I will ever forget it!

Wk 2-RE:"The Art of Possibility" (Sharon Clay)

Sharon Said:

Week 2: "The Art of Possibility"

Chapter 1 – “It’s All Invented”

            Thinking outside the box we live in requires changing our experiences. Our experiences determine our perceptions therefore we can become bound by our limitations if we do not seek opportunities to expand those boundaries.  According to Zander & Zander “The frames of our minds create define-and confine-what we perceive to be possible”  (p. 15). We also create subconscious assumptions, which makes “…every dilemma, every dead end we find our selves facing in life, [appear] unsolvable” (Zander & Zander, p. 14). In order to change this perception we must create positive assumptions built around what appears to be impossible.  Simply put it does not matter if the glass is half empty or if it’s half full. It’s your attitude after you drink the water.  Your outlook determines what you invent. Inventing new experiences and possibilities will bring new choices and opportunities.

Chapter 2 – “Stepping into a Universe of Possibility”

My thoughts and actions are a result of the numerous measurements imposed on my life.  Making decisions about where to work and live are just two examples of decisions I have made based on these measurements.  I do believe however that measurements have helped me achieve a sense of security, stability, and maturatity.  Deciding where to live was based on the type of lifestyle I was accustomed to as a child.  Believing that I had to provide a certain type of home for my family, in a particular neighborhood was a result of measurements as well. While I am a northern girl to the core – I currently reside in the Southeast because this is where I “measure up” to those standards.  Accomplishing all goals are a result of one’s recognition of measurements. Within those measurements are indicators of success and I have used each one to make decisions and take advantage of all the possibilities available to me. However, according to Zander & Zander

Chapter 3. “Giving an A: Giving Yourself an A.”

After ten years of teaching the “Giving Yourself an A” theory is something I have practiced numerous times but did not know what is was until I read this book.  Teaching requires that you develop and maintain the ability to see possibilities in all situations, even when it seems that all means have been exhausted. This is especially true when you have so many other factors like, unsupportive administrators, dissatisfied parents, and of course No Child Left Behind, to contend with; all different forms of measurements.  I teach my students to help each other.  My classroom is a community and it extends beyond room 210.  Each year I encourage my students to develop selfless attitudes and to help their peers do the same.  I think “Giving Yourself an A” is very similar to “paying it forward”.  You have to look beyond your limitations to make someone else’s day.  Once the ball gets rolling the possibilities are endless. Students extend genuine courtesies to peers from an intrinsic force, which is recycled time after time. 

Chapter 4. “Being a Contribution”

I will continue to maintain a positive attitude even when I struggle to see the possibilities.  Helping others reach a point where they too can see the possibilities is my focus.   Being a contribution is not about personal gain instead it’s about effecting change.  Each smile, kind word, and helping hand is a contribution. These small selfless gestures change attitudes and evoke possibilities.

Zander, R. S., & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

John said:
“Sharon,

I feel kind of silly in hindsight......

for whatever reason it never crossed my mind to break up my observations for each chapter in separate sections so give a more coherent synopsis of what i got from the reading.

There really was so much insightful material going on in the book that even though I submitted some nuggets, I don't think I did it justice.

The "giving yourself and "A" concept was very interesting in their context. I have seen variations on it before, but I never heard it broken down in this way; and I honestly was thinking about the natural consequence of giving an “A” from the start even before it was discussed in the chapter.  I do not remember if it was spoken of in this context, but was I read, I actually thought of it as establishing (what my Pastor says) the operation in the spirit of excellence. I also like the fact that it does not allow for glossing over failure to live up to the “A” or diminishing the moments when this occurs. I like that they were explaining  “ahead of time” why they earned the “A” so that they take a personal ownership of the expectations set forth. That way, if there is a failure to live up to them or a reminder that they have fell short, it is based on their own standards and not any one else’s.”

Wk2: Blog Entry 1: The Art of Possibility

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Possibility-Transforming-Professional-Personal/dp/0142001104#reader_0142001104

I had a little trouble with the reading this week. Not because it was dry mind you, quite the contrary, it was one of the more insightful and captivating readings I have read recently. I found it very difficult to not “highlight ” the majority of the book, which is usually the telltale signs of engaging reading for me!

I screen shot many sections that spoke to personal situations, observations and truths, but found myself connected the most to the first quote I highlighted

It spoke of 2 marketing scouts in Africa researching expansion of the business and where one complains of no shoes being worn, the other celebrates this as a untapped market for selling shoes.

The 4 chapters of this book I read produced so many more nuggets, but this one stayed with me because it constantly rang in my head as other stories and examples were showcased through out the book. 

The point I received from this, and subsequent examples is that the viewpoint that you bring, adopt, or cultivate in or despite of the environment, people or circumstances that naturally come about will have great bearing on the reactions to them and how you internalize.

For example, when the Monks at the monastery all thought that the Messiah was among them, they started treating themselves and each other with higher esteem on the off chance that they might be in daily interaction with him.

The concept I got from this is when already operating under the assumption of the best-case scenario, people will be great and we should create an atmosphere and opportunity for them to step into that role.  Even in the less than 100% probability of success, like the case of the woman on the beach throwing starfish back in the sea that have been beached: saving a few doesn’t seem to make a difference in looking at the grand scheme, but it does to the ones that you do save