Identify and Confront the Issues

Some things are really hard to deal with. However, if you want to affect change usually the best choice is to take the direct approach. It may be uncomfortable. It may be downright painful, but until you can name the issues and identify them openly and honestly you can never deal with them.

Take for example pediatric palliative care. People don't like to talk about it because it forces them to deal with death and dying. Even worse, to deal with children dying and of course we all know that children are not supposed to die. So, we just don't talk about it. We find other words to describe it (which just confuses people) and we put off the conversation until it is too late to do anything about it. Once you confront the issue though, you can talk about it. So guess what ***BREAKING NEWS*** I'm going to die, you are going to die, and too many really sick kids in this world are going to die. I'm sorry. It is an awful fact, but it is a fact. So now that we have identified that fact, let's move on and have honest conversations about how we are going to maximize the quality of life for children with complex health care needs, together with their families, from diagnosis through death and beyond. Ignoring it won't make it go away but it will most certainly make the process more painful and lead to more regret. If managed correctly dying only has to be painful for those left behind and far too often that is not the case.

I've picked an extreme example because it is something I'm passionate about seeing changed, but the same principle can be applied to family issues, marital issues, work issues, etc. Yes, the conversations may be very painful but long term, not having them will be more painful.

1023

It's in the mail! Thirty four days ahead of schedule. I'm really proud of the Connor's House team for pulling this off. This is a real life example of what a focused team, that has done its research, and clearly understands its purpose and goal can accomplish in a short period of time.

Are you too rationale?

Ever have trouble figuring out why people do the things they do? Maybe the problem is you are thinking too rationally and if you give that up you will understand people better.

Happy Birthday to my best friend.

This one is a little personal so thanks for indulging me. I could not let the day go by without publicly saying Happy Birthday to the most beautiful person I have ever met. Today I celebrate the gift that Deb is to me. For twelve and a half years she has been my trusted partner, confidant, coach and lover. Additionally she is the best mother I have ever met (sorry mom - I love you too). She perfectly complements my shortcomings and there is nobody else I would rather have by my side and on my team. With her next to me anything is possible.

She says I'm biased, I say I'm just truthful. Thanks for being you Deb. Happy Birthday!

Envisioning the future

While my personal technology biases do not typically allow me to think of cutting edge and Microsoft as synonymous, the following video which shows Microsoft's vision for computing in 2019 (yes only 10 years from now) is very thought provoking. The concepts shown are based on current research projects being worked on in their labs. It is only two minutes long and worth watching.





Question. If these visions become reality would it change how you connect and interact with your clients/consumers/patients/participants/congregants/etc..?

Simplicity - Part 4

Simplicity is a result of clarity and focus. If you don't have clarity and focus then you have no rationale for saying NO. Clarity and focus help you know what to say NO to and when to say it. If you want to be good at a few things you have to say NO to many things, and if you want to be great at one thing then you need to say NO to almost everything.

People will always want you to expand your services, add more features, or make more products. They will try to convince you it is the right thing for you to do by demonstrating the need or showing you it can be profitable. They will say something like...you do that so well why don't you try this...

Here's the thing, they aren't really trying to make you better, they are really trying to get you to meet their wants or needs. Unfortunately more often than not, if you continue to add features, products or programs, at some point you won't be great at what you started with, because you aren't focused on it anymore.

This is why a clear mission is so important, both personally and professionally, especially in the non-profit world. A clear mission allows you to say NO. If your mission is not clear enough and focused enough that it allows you to say NO, then do yourself a favor, rewrite it now.

You can't be everything to everyone. At least not with a high level of quality.

Simplicity - Part 1
Simplicity - Part 2
Simplicity - Part 3

One Day Without Shoes

I was first introduced to TOMS Shoes at the Catalyst conference last fall. It is a neat organization with a great mission. Check them out. By doing nothing more than something you probably like to do anyway (buy stuff for yourself) you can help a child.