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GETTING CLEAR

Saturday Sept. 22, 2018

Mapping it out the other day, a plan – something I’m constructing for a client, proposal to guide them through and then execute.

To facilitate decision making processes in planning current and future facility needs. This turf has been my stock-and-trade for nearly 40 years. Task-set, to identify options, have a general plan and then be able to hunt for (and invite the marketplace to provide …) solutions to that facility requirement problem. Not far removed from how I help people figure out what kind of home they want before we go hunting.

I CAN get you where you want to go, but first we have to figure out where you want to go, when you want to get there – then this process gets clear, un-confused. I’ve learned that confused people are very reluctant to make significant decisions. It doesn’t mean they won’t, but they fight it …

What struck me was how similar this process is to what I need in my own life/business/practice but sometimes experience difficulty focusing – rather that I need regular ‘re-focusing’. I’m using my ‘client tool’ on myself. So far it seems to be one-part exercise, one-part illumination, one-part ‘awe, why didn’t think this through this way before?’ And so it goes.

Too often – I think I’m not alone in this – opportunities show up, often very good ones, like someone silently said “squirrel …” and I’m off on a path of adventure without first measuring as well as I might whether that path, rabbit-hole or grande-plan-evolving really fits my needs, squares with my plans and has a worthy chance of success.

Old lessons, re-learned, again and again …

Reader feedback:

GIMME A BREAK

G’Morning Mark, That’s a great reminder of what we all know, but don’t do enough of.....mindful breaks. That said, I think I will go out for breakfast now to set up a good day. Have a good one, BE, Bragg Creek, AB

HI Mark -Since you are such a Toastmasters guru - what does hands behind your head portray in a long board meeting?  Thanks and we should seriously connect soon - if even for coffee.  I feel like we are connected because I read your columns and musings everyday but it’s not the same as a one on one.   Hope all is well, SC, Chestermere, AB

Very true. Everyone needs a break but often we have no time to take it. More true for the self-employed people who run their own business. Most take a day off here and there because not all businesses can be left in the hands of someone else to run. Happy Hump Day!, MJ, Calgary, AB

NEW THANG

Sept 19 you opined that nothing is new or something like that, I beg to differ. I feel everything is new every day. If we look at ideas ,books, paintings and consider them all recycled ,regurgitated then there is nothing left to imagine and express as it has all been done before. I am an artist and yes I’m doing the same methodology as any other artist ,probably not as well, but I need to express myself so whether it is or has been done before doesn’t matter to me ,I’m doing it again and maybe better. We all need a forum of sorts to express our thoughts and the public forum is the most difficult but rewarding. You are writing your thoughts every day and I’m reading them for the 1st time … something new! Keep at it, CM, Montreal, QB

WAIT, HOLD ON, NOT SO FAST

Hello Mark. I noticed you printed my feedback on your site. I feel honoured. Your writing touches ....my very being my inner most thoughts deep in my heart. Are you a psychologist or philosopher? Please let me know if you ever come to Toronto … I would love to attend any of your workshops and meet the man behind it all. Best, UM, Toronto, ON


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