Cain_Regina_Wk3 Reading: Art of Possibility, Chapters 7- 9

Chapter 7. The Way Things Are: Sometimes settling for the way things are is a lowering of expectations, sometimes it’s finding a starting point so that one can make things better. Where are you in this continuum?

I am trying this approach as I accept the situation I am in and being grateful for the time to finish my schooling before I try to make things the way I want them to be.

I found the story of the son and his family very interesting in this chapter. My son and I often have this dilemma. Not only does he not speak to me when I am talking but I do not really speak to him. At times I feel he has grown away from me. When he gets frustrated because I do not respond, I often say you did not require a response. You did not ask me a question. What did you want me to respond to? This chapter makes me look into myself and also see that I need to respond even if just a nod of the head. He is at a time in his life when he is angry with everyone and everything. I still don’t understand why boys go through this. I have seen it with my brothers and with both my sons. I really liked this chapter on how to deal with that anger. Accepting that this is the way things are, not saying it is right or wrong, but for the moment just accepting. Then asking you in a calm voice what next.


Chapter 8. Giving Way to Passion: Control says that the only way to avoid disappointment and frustration is to not care at all. No hits, no runs, but most importantly, no errors. What are you doing in your daily life that expresses your passion or the things you are passionate about?

I am very passionate about technology. I want every child to have a real pc or Mac to use their entire time at school. I want them to be able to cruise the Internet in a responsible manner without having to block sites. I am starting slowly with teachers, administrators to teach them that these dreams can come true.

I wish I could make everyone as passionate as what I see in the students of this class. I wish I could feed them my passion for integrating technology in the classroom. As Kierkegaard stated, “what so intoxicating as possibility?”, I believe that passion can be contagious if one believes in it without provocation. There have been many times I have given up on goals in my life, not anymore. I have matured to the BTFI stage. I keep striving, keep going because I am not the smartest, the bravest, or the most energetic. But I am the most persistent.

Chapter 9. Lighting a Spark. It’s not about us. It’s about them. What are you doing to pay-forward from your universe of possibility?

1. Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment.
2. Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved and inspired.
3. Offer that which lights you up.
4. Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark.

Full Sail has lit my spark. They have shown me ways to engage students using technology that I did not even think of before. I have started to try and move and inspire others. Not to the extent that Ben did with the school in Eastlea but taking baby steps in Montana to get the ball rolling. We had our first Summer Institute this summer and got such praises from the attendees, presenters and sponsors that we will have a bigger and better one next summer. It is nice to see a small spark grow to a large fire in a good thing.

Cain_Regina_Wk2 Reading: Art of Possibility, ch 4-6

Chapter 4. Being a Contribution: Over the years, I’ve observed how people handle various situations in their lives. People who succeed do not have fewer problems than people who fail. It is how they perceive issues and how they react to situations that makes a difference. The purpose of this chapter was to help us look at how we can contribute in order to make a difference in the lives of others even if it’s only one person. How will I be a contribution today?

One of the things my mother taught me was that it does not matter what happens in your life but your reactions to those happenings.  I try to go through my life taking on new challenges and striving for new goals.  Sometimes I do well and other times I fail.  I enjoyed this chapter as it teaches that even failures can be contributions to make life better.  The inner child  that demand attention is sometimes hard to quiet though.

I try to be a contributor in everything I do, however, many times it is for selfish reasons.  Like most people I love the recognition of being the only one able to fix something or the only one able to teach a certain software or how to use a particular confusing piece of hardware.  The following chapters helped me to realize I can be a leader and contributor and allow others to shine.

Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair: We’re all leaders. How can we make a difference in the people will influence each day? How do we listen to those who help us make our dreams become reality?

I have strived in my life to give others recognition when they do something that contributes to goals that the team is trying to accomplish.  This is a hard realization for me as I love being the center of attention.  I love being in charge and giving orders.  As I mom I find myself being very controlling at times.  I liked the white sheet idea, I am trying to see how I can use it in group meetings or even presentations I give without it being redundant of the evaluations that are usually done. I will continue to strive giving others the opportunity to contribute in their own way and not taking over.

Chapter 6. Rule Number 6: Don’t take yourself so seriously. Life is a journey–enjoy and learn along the way. Live, laugh, and love!! 

This chapter fits very well with chapter 4.  The executive that put all the signs on the managers desk and his own was a wonderful role model.   I see when we start to work on large projects that certain team members take themself too seriously.  It also goes back to thinking outside the box.  It would be nice to use the strategies of both these chapters at the beginning of any large project we work on as a team.  I believe this would get the team to realize the potential of the group and achieve an amazing result.

Cain_Regina_Wk1 Reading: Art of Possibility, Ch 1-3

Chapter 1. It’s All Invented: How can we think outside the box we live in? What assumptions are we making that we’re not aware that we are making? What might we invent that would give us other choices?

When I first read the statement "It's All Invented", I thought the author was telling us that we as a generation thought everything had already been invented and are giving up.  Then I read further and finally understood after the explanation to the Korean student that the systems of measurement we have are just an invention and we define that measurement.  So we should define it to benefit us.  


I have often tried to get other people including coworkers, students and friends to think outside the box.  I am the type of person that when you tell me I can't do something I will make it my goal in life to prove you wrong.  I think I often frustrate others because when they start on a negative path I question them unmercifully on why they think the way they do.  Working for a state school many of the employees work as though there are not options other than the rules the state gives us.  They do not try to come up with other ideas to get their quest accomplished, but just give up.  This act of giving in saddens me.  I really enjoyed this chapter because it gave me ideas on how to converse with the nay sayers by rewording the authors questions and ask:

• What assumptions are you making that I am not aware you are making, that make you think this way?
• What might I now help you invent that has not been invented that would give us other choices?

Chapter 2. Stepping into a Universe of Possibility: We live in a world of measurements. The Zanders recommend that when we look at how different things appear we can see them as possibilities. How are your thoughts and actions a reflection of the measurement world?

Even though I see myself as an out of the box thinker, or trouble maker, depending on who you ask, I realize that I am a victim of the measurements.  Even getting this masters degree is a form of measurement.   One of my life goals is to be a recognized international speaker.  In order to do that there are preconceived measurements of qualifications to be credible in the speaking profession.  I have almost 30 years of experience in the technical arena but no paper to back me up.  So my action is to obtain these sheets of paper that say I know what I am saying.


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

In this chapter as I was reading I thought, "Sure give them all an A, then see how your attendance holds up."  But the author addresses the fact that everyone is important even the second chair violinist.  The student is then accountable not only to himself but also the entire class, no matter how redundant his role is.  In the MAC class I believe grades have also been put on the back burner as most of the assignments are pass fail.  It seems to help me be more free in what I express on paper to not have to worry that I might get a lower grade.  


As far as me personally giving myself an A it is a hard task for me.  I am very close to how Zanders describes the person that cannot break free of the assumptions I have about myself.  I have waited until my midlife to come back to school and still have that voice inside that says I will never finish, never reach the goal.  Sometimes thinking it is better not to try than to try and fail.  I find it easier to give others A's and be graceful to them accepting all the blame on me for any failures.  Then I read the part about raising your had and saying how fascinating when making mistakes.  I have always had the forgiving and learn from your mistakes attitude for others now it is time I do this for myself.  


The first three chapters of this book were very cathartic for me, I am really looking forward to the remainder.

References

Zander, Rosamund, Zander, Benjamin, Company, R.R., & Arny, Rose. (2000). Forthcoming books. Harvard Business Press

Cain_Regina_Wk1 Wimba Session: Course Intro & AR Activities

Music by PeerGynt Lobogris, "The Words you'd Never Wanted to Hear"