Free For All Friday

Voting for Secret Ingredient at the end...

Today I head home.

One week ago today I was packing last minute things in my bag, preparing to leave for Leadershape. I'll be honest. I was frustrated that I needed to squeeze sheets, a pillow, and a blanket in my suitcase and took it as a red flag that the week was not going to go as hoped. I arrived in McAllen and hours later saw the room in which I would spending the week. I called my husband and told him, in no uncertain terms, that if it was even remotely possible I would be on the next plane back to Dallas. The room was in terrible condition... bugs, torn mattresses, moldy walls and showers, joint bathrooms and the list went on.

I had in front of me five sixteen hour days, little sleep, junk food, and time away from my boys (all four of them). If there was a proverbial mountain, I was standing at the base of it looking STRAIGHT up!

Here's my point. This week has been among one of my greatest. I spent the week as a minority - one of two white people, among 54 Hispanic students and an African American co-lead, and three Hispanic Cluster Facilitators. I was out of my element a lot of the week. I butchered beautiful Hispanic and Mexican names, ate food that wasn't always familiar, got caught in conversations that vacillated between Spanish and English, and did one too many (bad) renditions of the Macarena.

Maybe this is the dis-orientation Colin Powell talked about. I think it is. It would have been much simpler to stay in Grapevine for the week. I could have made my daily trip to Starbucks, spent time getting "organized" for the upcoming year, and generally enjoyed life in the safe and comfortable surroundings I call home. Instead, I start off 2009 dis-organized, but also refreshed, more creative, a better (more humble) leader, and a more appreciative mother and wife.

I am thankful for the experience exactly how it was - bugs, possums, mold, and all. I'm looking forward to returning home, but I leave University of Texas Pan American (UTPA) reminded how rich and vibrant life can be when we allow our lives to occasionally get disorganized. The real thanks goes to the students of UTPA who welcomed me to their campus and made teaching and learning such a pleasure. Me? I get a small pat on the back for never getting so complacent that I overlook these irreplaceable life experiences.

Thanks for indulging me in the short reflection. Now for Free For All-ing. It's Friday so you drive the content. May I suggest that, possibly, we revisit some of the great questions emanating from the Mind Mapping exercise? Here's what I remember...

• If money was no object, what is something in would like to have framed for your home?
• If salary etc.. were no issue, what would be your dream job (how about writing the job description)?
• If you could add any kind of room to your house (a bowling alley, a craft room, etc...), what would you add?

Don't like any of those? Create your own or disorganize us and take us in a whole new direction!

Now lets vote for the final secret ingredient, before the Super Bowl. You're voting for either...

Tabasco or Pistachio

Next time we talk, I'll be back in Dallas. Signing off until then.

The Power of Getting Dis-organized

Day #5 of Leadershape and we are in the home stretch. Today is the last full day and then it is home to Dallas on Friday afternoon. I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing my family, but I will certainly be sad to see my time with these students end.

Even though I've facilitated the Leadershape curriculum numerous times, I inevitably have new "ahas." Today I had an "aha" around an excerpt by Colin Powell. I've seen it a million times, but today I actually understood it. I'll share it and then, I think, I actually have an interesting test of your creativity. Check it out.

"Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted, the leader must be doubly vigilant. Strategy equals execution. All the great ideas and visions in the world are worthless if they can't be implemented rapidly and efficiently. Good leaders delegate and empower others liberally, but they pay attention to details, every day. (Think bout supreme athletic coaches like Jimmy Johnson, Pat Riley, and Tony LaRussa.) Bad ones, even those who fancy themselves progressive "visionaries," think they're somehow "above" operational details. Paradoxically, good leaders understand something else: an obsessive routine carrying out the details begets conformity and complacency, which in turn dulls everyone's mind. That is why even as they pay attention to details, they continually encourage people to challenge the process. They implicitly understand that the job of a leader is not to be the chief organizer, but the chief dis-organizer."

I love this excerpt. Powell does such a nice job of capturing the danger of complacency. We strive to develop systems, at home and in the work place, that are rapid and efficient. It might be tasks such as doing laundry, feeding the family, cleaning the house, or something work or community related. In our effort to be efficient,we might not see Powell's observation, that "obsessive routine' begets conformity and complacency."

So let's be creative and be honest with ourselves. Today, let's stretch our creativity to identify conformity and complacency in our own lives. What system have you put in place at home, in your community, or in your work place, that while highly efficient is responsible for fostering complacency?

More importantly, what are some ways you might shake it up? Jump in on this one and play. It will require some real thought on your part, but it is a great exercise in both leadership and creativity. Who knows, I might even throw in a prize for good measure.

Signing off until tomorrow...

A Virtual Green Thumb

My mind is swirling with activity.  Leadershape does that to me.  To spend the day thinking about and talking about leadership is both exhilarating and exhausting all at once.  At the end of the day - which yesterday was 1:25 a.m. I am left feeling lucky for the opportunity to spend this time with motivated young people.  They are appreciative for the chance to be here, curious, and I think genuinely anxious to make a positive mark on their corner of the world.  I kind of wish all of you could be here with me.  You've become like family and I can't help but wonder if you would also like it.  If nothing else, I'd love you to see me full of energy and working in my element, in the same way I would love to watch all of you in your element.

You think this is going to intro Cheryl's great Mind Mapping question about your ultimate job.  It was going to, but then I changed my mind.  I think we'll visit that tomorrow, but for today I wanted to do something different.

Yesterday was Day #3 of Leadershape.  It's the day students post their visions and that we walk around the room providing feedback on what each student has written.  I posted sample visions when I facilitated my last Leadershape session in May, so I had no intention of posting more visions this year.  Then I ran across this vision and I decided I couldn't help it....

Growth for the Community

I couldn't help it, because in Tarashea's Headline Statement I recognized concepts of both community and creativity.  I view Highlowaha as the place where creativity and community meet, so naturally I was interested.  It's not that her idea is 100% original.  It doesn't have to be.  I've read about places where community gardens are thriving, and I found myself thinking about the idea for the rest of the night and into the morning.

I want to grow something.  That's the reason Tarashea's Headline Statement resonated with me.  We're a community and while we would have a hard time tending to a garden, this community is every bit creative enough to figure out a way to grow something.  Is it a virtual garden, a physical garden, or some other manifestation?  Are we literally growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables or is the idea of "growing" something only figurative?

Put on your green thumb and overalls and help me think this through.  I don't have an von Oech card to whack our thinking, but maybe one of you returners will throw out one of his former prompts.  Or, we'll fly solo today generating our own creative ideas about what we can grow.  And maybe, in turn, we'll do what Tarashea proposes - create Growth for the Community!  

Thanks for all the great Mind Mapping ideas yesterday.  Eventually, we'll get to them.

 

Day Three: Lost Mind Mapping

As promised this was a true test in creativity!  A handful of you responded to my request for prompts I could use in developing today's post.  As interesting as today's topic is, the way in which I used your input to arrive at at today's topic is even more interesting.  See if you agree.  If so, maybe you'll accept the challenge I've included at the end.  Note: I had to do this activity late yesterday afternoon, so a few of you who posted later in the day might not see your words listed.  

At the center of the page goes the topic I am brainstorming.  In this case, today's blog topic.  From there, I move outward on the page listing your input and making free associations, based on whatever comes to mind.  See if you follow my train of thought...

Numbers...  23, 12, 23.  I could add, subtract, multiply.  That would give me 58, 11, 2.  Someone offered up the word "lottery."  Could they be lottery numbers?  I'll wait before I commit.  "Sunshine," "water," "energy"?  These are connected, aren't they.  Or maybe I like water and sun as elements.  I'll wait and see.  "Couch," "red carpet," "infinite staircase.  These are all things you'd find in a home.  Hmmm... I like that.  It feels relevant.  O.k., that's a lot with which to work.  

How does all this fit together?  I decided I'd take a break and think about it for a couple of minutes before making a final decision.  Drum roll, please....

"If you won $58.00 in a scratch-off lottery, what would you buy to improve an element of your home?"

For added fun, I decided to post the question, so Leadershape students could reply (yes, they were confused).  Here's what a few of them had to say...

• "I would buy stepping stones and a river rock to create and extension of our porch , which our dog Buddy couldn't dig up."
  
• "I would take a nice family portrait, enlarge it, and frame it.  It would be something new to hang in the living room."
  
• "I would invest in some house paint and paint a room a different color."
  
• "I would use the money to decorate a room filled with things that could help build a relaxing environment."
  
• "I would buy window and door seals to eliminate air from coming out of the house and lower the cost of electricity."
  
• "I would buy a  gift with my brother (something he really likes) and then I would ask my brother to go with me to a poor area and ask him to give it away to someone he thinks needs it."
  

Now it's your turn.  How would you spend your $58.00?

Ready for your next challenge?  How about YOU mind map tomorrow's topic.  Try to submit your mind mapping by 5:00 CST.  My free time is limited and I need some time to mill over your answers.  To get you started, I've asked the ten students sitting in the lobby with me right now to each give me a word.  Here they are: exciting, table, discipline, grapefruit, red, money, leadership, girls, fun, experience.

Two notes:

• If you haven't already signed up for Goal Fishing, don't forget.  We're going fishing on Thursday, January 15.  Want to know more?  Check out Saturday's post (1/3).
  
• If you were due to receive a Christmas ornament from the Ornament Exchange, take a second and let us know the eagle has landed and that you received your ornament.  There are some of us who will feel better knowing USPS "delivered" on their promise to... deliver.
  

Signing off until tomorrow...

Leadershape: Day 2

HELLO and welcome back!!! I trust most of us are back in the swing of things and returning to normal schedules after weeks of vacation. Don't ever do that again. Don't leave us for so many days, unable to check in and share in our community. We missed you.


Now that you're back, I'm gone. Last Friday I left for Edinburg, Texas (8.5 hours from Dallas - and yes, still in Texas). I will be here for a week facilitating a session of Leadershape. For those who were around in May, when I facilitated another session in Austin, you might remember me talking about this worthwhile organization. Leadershape is a national program designed to help college students enhance their leadership capacity, while underscoring the importance of leading with integrity. It is a solid week of 16-hour work days, crazy sleeping conditions (more on that later), bugs, bugs, and more bugs, but countered with a terrific faculty and 54 motivated students.


Eight-five percent of the student population at University of Texas- Pan American is Hispanic, so you know my week will be filled with lots of "ahas". I've already learned: how little I really learned in high school Spanish; Mexican food at On the Border really isn't Mexican food at all; and 8.5 hours - even if you are in the same state - can seem like a world away. I'm loving it. And, have I mentioned there are palm trees and that it was 87 degrees today?


But onto the real topic at hand. Creativity and community. I left Dallas with bags packed, but no real idea what I would write about for the week. I could write about my experience here, but I did that last May (5-10, if you want to check it out) and highlowaha promises never to repeat the same idea twice.


I could write about what I saw in the dollar bin at Target yesterday, when I stopped in to buy a soap dish, flip flops, an egg mattress, a hanger, and a cup from which to drink. But, we're not ready to jump into Valentine's Day quite yet. Besides, I'd feel compelled to tell you about why I was buying those things and not enough time has passed yet to make it funny. You'll have to wait. I could talk about fun items on the desk of the nice intern who is letting me use her computer (still no Internet). She has lots of fun pictures attached to her bulletin board, presents sitting on her floor left over from a Christmas Adopt an Angel Program, raffle tickets, t-shirts, and candy. All typical items for someone working in Student Affairs.


The small speaker, sitting in front of me, and connected to her computer has the brand name "Creative." That seems to have potential, but hmmmmm.... not quite enough to go with. Speakers broadcast, but what would I broadcast?


Wait. I see something.


O.k. I'm back. It's perfect. Like all good Student Affairs practitioners, Jodie has a quote jar on her shelf.


I randomly selected three quotes and so... maybe we can get creative interpreting what one - or all three - quotes means to us. Are you game? This seems especially poignant, since many of our community members are entering the new year with varying levels of energy and excitement, as well as varying emotions.


Here they are:

• Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love. -David McCullough


• Happiness is not a matter of events; it depends upon the tides of the mind. - Alice Meynell


• If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. -Anonymous

Two more things pertinent to this activity and then I'll sign off, so I can get back to the business of shaping your minds.

First, when I was in college I found a company called, "The Edge Institute." I have NO idea if they are still in business, but while they were I bought a box of 365 quotes called, "Unlocking Your Potential." Each quote came on a small card whose cover had to be popped open. I bought a box and vowed, for one year, that I would open one card a day and force myself to figure out how that day's quote was relevant to my life. I'd put the card in my pocket and carry it around for the day, serving as a reminder of what lesson I had learned. I gave a box to the guy I was dating at the time and he recently called me to tell me he still had the box and that he still hasn't opened them all (20 years ago). I guess he is pacing himself! Maybe today one of the quotes I've posted will feel fated to have come your way.

Second, it just so happens that we ended last night's session talking about the importance of introspection to our development as leaders. It seems fitting then that we should begin this day, then, with a little introspection of our own. We are, after all, leaders in our own right.

Play along with me by responding to one of the three quotes and I'll play along with you. Have a topic you want to hear about this week? Let me know and I'll stretch my own creativity to deliver something on the topic. Don't have a topic, but you want to throw me a word, a concept, a number, or some other random piece of information? Go ahead. It will be a good exercise in stretching my creativity and it will make the week extra fun.

Signing off until tomorrow...

Resolutions Part II

Announcements at the end...


Let me first set the scene. I am sitting tucked away in an office on the campus of University of Texas Pan American, typing on the computer of a generous staff person. I can't get Internet access on my computer (yet), so I am improvising until Monday. I am way too close to going the whole year without missing a post to let anything get in my way!!!!!


Yesterday resolutions. Today, as promised, Part II. I think it was Cassie P. who yesterday mentioned that one of the reasons she doesn't like to set resolutions is because six or seven weeks into the year, the resolutions are forgotten and it's business as usual. There's truth to that. Old habits die hard and when life gets busy it is easy to revert to that which is comfortable.


Solution... Goal Fishing!


Grab your tackle box and rod, because on Thursday, January 15 readers of highlowaha will go Goal Fishing. Here's how it will work. Sometime in the next twelve days, all adventurous highlowaha community members will submit to me one resolution/goal they would like to pursue in 2009. It can be as big as lose weight, as daunting as learn a new language, or as simple as sprucing up my home or reading a book a month. You decide.


Once all goals are submitted, I will assign a number to each. Then on Thursday, January 15 everyone who submitted a goal will have the chance to Goal Fish. You will draw the name of someone else and for the next year serve as that person's cheer leader (and maybe even gentle thorn in their side). You can send an encouraging note snail mail, make a post in the comment section, send a relevant article or tip sheet to help your HLA friend, or even send a package or make a phone call. This is where you and your creativity come into play.


To play along, send an email to cbeeny@lslog.com including the following information. Please title the email Goal Fishing in the subject line:

Name

Resolution/goal/item on bucket list

Mailing address

Email address

If you participated in Peanut and the Shell (and 18 of you did!), this will be a little like that. Spontaneous notes and treats coming your way from someone who is thinking about you. If you didn't participate in Peanut and the Shell then jump right in and Goal Fish with us. It will be fun and maybe, just maybe, it will help you meet a resolution, reach a goal, or knock something off your bucket list.


Announcements:
Ray is taking things into his own hands. He is going up against Lori in the Snack Throw Down. Here's the breakdown. Lori and Ray are battling Honey. Melanie and Susan are battling Quaker Oats. To be safe, try to have entries in the mail by Wednesday morning! Good luck. May the best snacks win!

Signing off until Monday...

Opening Drive

According to Myers-Brigg, I'm an ISTJ. Mostly that means my modus operandi is to be literal, concrete, rational, and logical. I'm also faithful, I like facts, and, I'm kind of predictable. It's January 2, 2009 and as much as I would love today's post to be about something unexpected, I can't. I can't let the new year come and go without delving into the obvious.

New Years Resolutions, it is.

Tell me if you agree. It seems, based on my observations, the world is divided into two kinds of people. Those who thrust themselves, excitedly, into the annual ritual of making new years resolutions and those who pride themselves on not getting caught up in the silly antics of the masses.

Me? I'm the former all the way! New Year's resolutions are a sport to me and I'm the Heisman winner... the gold medalist, the Master's master, Heavy Weight Champ of the World. I love New Years resolutions. To me... resolutions put the Score Board of Life at 0-0, in the first quarter, and all things are possible!

So yes, while yesterday's post was all about sharing nine things you are looking forward to in 2009, today's post is about sharing resolutions for the new year.  Sure they might be related.  It stands to reason, after all, that those things to which we most look forward are similar to those things about which we resolve to be better.  I'll share a personal example or two.

Yesterday I shared that some of what I'm looking forward to in 2009 include things such as (1) spending more time relaxing with my husband, (2) chipping away at making our house feel more settled, and (3) putting words to paper.

While my three examples might very well explain what I am looking forward to, New Years resolutions help explain how I see them manifesting.  For example...

I might look forward to  spending more time relaxing with my husband, but resolving to find at least one t.v. show a week that we can watch together - no kids - is how I hope to make that happen. I might look forward to making my house feel more settled, but working with an interior designer to help me select drapes for my windows is how I see that happening.  Finally, I might look forward to putting words to paper this year, but finding five hours each week to write is how I will assure my book has a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

If you didn't get a chance to post yesterday, jump right in today.  Tell us what you're  looking forward to in 2009 and then share how you resolve to make that happen.

This is Part I of a three-part series, Part II to be continued tomorrow.  Check back in on Saturday to find out where we're going with this.  Go ahead.  Resolve to do it! 

Don't want to get caught up in the silly antics?  Consider this.  The notion of resolutions dates back 4000 years to the Babylonians.  It seems, originally most resolutions revolved around committing to return something borrowed during the previous year (mostly farm equipment) to the person whose it was.  Tell us about something you borrowed this year and to whom you will return it.

Super Bowl Snack Throw Down

While we're loosely on the topic of Opening Drives and Heismans, we have our own Super Bowl Snack Throw Down with which to be concerned.  Here' a quick update and then some voting...  Neither Tera nor Richard submitted an entry last week.  This week, Maureen gets most valuable player for jumping through hoops to get her Battle Parmesan entry to Struble Suds in time!  She advances.

We need someone for Lori to battle against, as we are only two games away from the Super Bowl.  My proposal... draw a name of someone who submitted but lost in round one (Brian, Stacie, Julie, Katie, Treye, Heather, Nicole, or Cheryl).  Send a post letting me know if you want to participate in the January 11 Snack Throw Down (to be mailed by Wednesday,  1/7, a.m.).  I will draw from those names and announce the winner.

Today we must vote on TWO secret ingredients, since the next two battles are very close together (Melanie v. Susan on January 10 and Lori v. Wild Card Winner on January 11)

Quaker Oats or Lemon

Honey or Mint

Final note...

Beginning tomorrow, I will be posting from Leadershape, the week-long leadership institute in which I participate.  I tell you this, so you will understand if posts are more sporadic than normal.  Days are long and action-packed.  The only commodity hotter, this week, than the free time necessary to write posts are the brain cells necessary to be creative.

Signing off until tomorrow...