Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Good from the Bad: Reframing Frustration

This may very well be the final post of the year for me… wow, I started this a year ago… right at the end of 2010! I seem to have found a ‘groove’ of sorts, posting in a not-nearly-weekly fashion, but still productive for me. Hopefully it has been helpful in some way for all of you… please feel free to leave comments, as it seems to often go quite quiet from the audience, and I often don’t know, albeit still good for me, how much I am just “talking to myself.”
Anyway…
A short reflection in this post.
Yesterday, in the midst of a mad rush to get out the door to the office, I had a creative idea (music) that I just had to get out and documented – I often forget melodies, rhythms or lyrics unless I make this effort.
A quick setup with the tools, and I was off and running – or maybe NOT.
NOTHING was working… a plugged-in guitar was full of unintended static and low signal, and so was the vocal mic. I switched connections, cables and even mics… same thing, NO CHANGE.
You could say it was very frustrating.
I soldiered on. What used to be known on a PC as the three-finger salute (control-alt-delete) was employed… basically, I rebooted.
HAHA… problem solved, if nothing else works, reboot often solves even the most serious dilemmas! Wouldn’t it be great if everything in life was that “easy?”
Anyway, I finished up a rushed quick-recording for future reference, hurriedly threw myself in the shower, and then I was off to work. That said, it seemed I was still carrying the frustration in my hurried movement to Redmond. What’s up with THAT? I was grumbling at drivers with deeper road rage than I would ever want to admit, and then something happened.
Unfortunately, it took almost the entire 30 min drive but…
I started laughing. It’s a great thing to be frustrated about: the fact that I needed to express something. I had a cool idea that needed to get out. It’s not like I lost $500 at a crap table or something. I was actually happy to be frustrated.
I was thankful.
It really is great to be so passionate about something that when it cannot go the way you might like, it becomes painful.
The fact that I even HAD a good idea is a good thing… imagine that! I guess I am thankful for the good pain, and perhaps not so focused on that actual pain, but why it was there to begin with. Reframing comes with focusing on what’s important. All the toil and trouble we go through to make something happen is about focusing on what is important, and learning from how we might improve the process. Don’t obsess about the pain ay? Have any mind-blowing reframing happen lately?
So next time, I’ll go right to rebooting!
And with that, Happy New Year!!!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Proof of Concept: Deconstruction Therapy

Happy Holidays!
One of the phrases often used in consulting is called “proof of concept.”
Generally, “proof of concept” (or “POC”) is a tool you use to create stakeholder buy-in – convincing a person, a group of people or an audience (but it often comes down to just a few people) that your idea is worth pursuing as a viable option, strategy or method – and it’s generally done in a way that is refined enough to understand, but it is not completely refined or executed until after it is approved. In essence: you are proving that you can ‘do it,’ without ‘doing it… yet.’
When you stop to think about POC, isn't that a lot like life?
Everything we do involves some level of "convincing." Perhaps it's an internal process – like convincing yourself that doing something is worthwhile, or maybe it's proving to yourself that you have the confidence to succeed – or an external process, like illustrating to your boss, or the world, that something is valid and worthy of consideration or adoption.
Of course, with a 'POC,' there's always some kind of change intended - even if it’s a small one. It's often a cause and effect pattern, but what happens when there are unintended consequences?
I might be a creative director like Don Draper in Mad Men, pitching lip stick or cigarettes concepts to clients, or maybe I’m working on something more internal… like as I wrap up 2011, I realize how out of touch I have become with creating –  something was missing, at least from the standpoint of two things I love: music, and art/illustration. Creating, and being creative can be realized in so many ways, that’s for sure, but in my case, I have been feeling like I have started to ‘lose’ something dear to me… and “convincing” myself that it was important to just start doing something has taken some work! In the music area, I am strategizing for 2012: what do I need to do to be inspired? Well, I’ll leave that one to another post, but let’s just say I will be incorporating some new tools in 2012. On the art side, I started doing some digital painting today, and realized how much I missed it.
Sometimes convincing yourself involves simply DOING, and seeing what happens.  
So why is any of this important? Perhaps it's because of how important it can ultimately be to us… when it comes to our happiness!
We can convince ourselves that an action is worthwhile, but it's just as important not to get too attached to the result. Being committed to moving forward is a great intended result, and one that is more worthy than being inflexible and committed a single result... Because what happens when a specific POC fails to work, or convince someone? And then personal feelings get all mixed up in the equation… we magnify the problem, and defeat ourselves!

To quote the Dalai Llama: "it seems that whenever there are intense emotions involved, there tends to be a disparity between how things appear and how they really are."
So basically:

Don't be a part of the problem, and don’t get in the way of your own progress.
Don't make it worse by creating something that isn't there, don't be too rough on yourself, and yes – keep going!
In my world, I learn from it, and am committed to moving under, over, around or through... But I continue regardless... and I keep trying. Trying new things... Because you know what they say about repeating the same action, but expecting a different result!
;)
You've heard the phrase "new and improved," right? I take that one to heart every time I need to learn and keep going! After going through some of this process, I have found that doing a little 'deconstructing' of what I'm all about it a good thing. Take it apart, let it fall to the ground, and see what pieces you feel like picking up again, right?
I need a reason or a purpose for doing something. For instance, the drawing I am working on is going to be a holiday card… it serves a dual purpose: it’s an enjoyable process, and it’s also a form of expression to share with others. Good stuff! Anyway, I’ll attach it to this blog. I think it’s just about done.

What have some of your more challenging 'POCs' looked like, and what they led to? Was it a valuable change? Profound insight? What was its ultimate impact?
Are you, who you say you are?
Well prove it!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Art of Competition: Innovation, Identity & Steve Jobs

As a long-time Apple computer user I could reminisce all day long about how Apple products have helped shaped my experiences—not only with technology, but with life. My life has been changes by the tools we create. My first computer was a Power Mac 6100, and I ran it with a program called “Ram Doubler,” just so I could ratchet that ol’ workhorse up to a whole 16MB allotment… YES, MB not GB, and artificially of course (RAM was very expensive back then).

Anyway, what I want to talk about is competition through innovation. It’s clear that Steve Jobs had a large part in how technology has evolved, and how Apple has become a leading force in the tools they create: for expression, for entertainment, for communication—for whatever your needs may be. 

He was a man with a vision. Together with another Steve—Wozniak to be exact, they started Apple. The two quickly realized they had different visions. Steve W. wanted an “open architecture” approach, with openly shared programming and software distribution. And Steve J eventually took it in a different direction. A more “closed” approach with a strategic vision that was a bit more market savvy, creating the Apple we know today, through some pretty big risks along the way.

Apple continues to make incredibly well made, well-performing, elegantly designed devices that have changed how we experience technology, and what we expect while experiencing that technology. Their elegant simplicity has created an experience that we have come to expect from Apple. They control the creation of their products, after leaving the concept of other manufacturers building Macs (i.e. “Mac Clones”) behind after only about a year of trying that approach in the late 90s. 

And there has also been a competition brewing for years now. Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Linux—name your flavor… and we can focus on any of them, but I would say Microsoft and Apple are two of the big ones these days. Sometimes, as someone doing much work for Microsoft, I feel like I am right in the middle of it. Apple has hadt retail locations for years now. Microsoft has also grown from being a company known exclusively for making Windows, to a company creating bigger experiences that incorporate a wealth of products and services at their quickly expanding retail locations. It’s not about Windows, it’s about a diverse range of products and services that run the OS.

I have had to take a step back from the eternal question: “So which is better, Mac or PC?” I have had to take that step back to not become so intertwined in that conversation anymore—it’s just not worth it.

It’s bigger than that.

The short answer is: neither. We’re often asking the wrong question! As consumers, all options are relevant, and in this case the answer is more like: “Both are relevant, neither are better or worse, they’re just different.” And they tell different stories, they communicate different visions, and different experiences that the companies wish to share with their consumers. So the question could be: “Which of these devices better serves my needs?” and to answer that… “What set of experiences are important to me?”

Of course sometimes the answer is easier, because you’re asking the question: “How much money do I have for this computer?”

So many choices, so much to think about from price-points to technical specifications. There’s so much out there right now, and for one primary reason: 

Competition
We have choices to make, because it’s an “output” of the competitive process. We benefit from the innovation companies realize through the process of being the best. 

Go play with some techie toys!

Think about what the world would look like if there were only one company cranking out devices? No comparison, no contrast, probably not so many choices, and not as much desire to be ‘better than the other guy.’ Who knows what it would really look like!

Competition can make a huge impact on the world around us in so many ways—and not just the technology market. Think about that. Two primary outputs of the competitive process are innovation and identity.

Innovation: As already mentioned, being better than the other guy through things like tech specs or price point is a big driver for manufacturers.
Then, whether it starts along the way as an input, or as a resulting output… we realize who we are in the process, and what makes us unique… our identity emerges. COOL!

As an athlete, we need to know our left hook will save us in the ring against another fighter, as a job hunter, we need to leverage our unique skills, separating us from the pack (or stack) or resumés, And as a company we need to really be able to drill down and understand the services and/or products that make us unique… we can claim it’s what makes us better, but really—in the end—it’s about what makes us unique… our identity. Ok, we also need to make a living… and make some money.

I believe Steve Jobs had a vision from the beginning, and Bill Gates did too. Whether it’s clear then or later on, it may change along the way. That’s the fun part… engaging in the competitive process, and then learning and seeing how things change through…

Innovation and connection with our own unique Identity.

I hail you Steve Jobs, and the impact you have made on the world.

m

Friday, October 21, 2011

Remembering to breathe

Breathe to sing
Breathe to run
Breathe to slow down
Breathe… it’s begun.

Why do we often forget that the one thing we are doing—all day and into the night, is breathing.

It’s what we do. We’re human beings on a journey, and we never think about the assumption we make every day—that we will continue to breathe.

Touching base with the breath slows us down, and allows us to reconnect with why we’re here: to live and be human. Maybe it’s yoga or some form of exercise that does it for you, or dancing, movement or the rhythm of drumming or another musical instrument, but regardless… how our body processes oxygen and allows carbon dioxide to exit is truly our existence. I forget how much it is important to remember that this as a part of us.

I am thankful to know I reconnect with it every once in a while. I have experienced much, and have also experienced awakening thoughts that many others are not so fortunate. I recently experienced a long-time friend departing after surrendering to a battle with terminal cancer and I say: hoor the breath, and be thankful for it. It makes us who we are… human. And it’s beautiful. And we live.

m

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Art of Becoming: Syncing to the Cloud

It continues to be a while between posts…
Yes, I know, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t been writing.

Oh I’ve been writing!

Funny… I’ve been writing A LOT… and mostly on mobile devices…

In Sedona, a mobile fire was lit…
From iPod to iPhone, and now to Windows Phone—I’ve been writing A LOT. Sometimes incoherent thoughts, other times poems, blog ideas, and even some lyrics with potential. Good stuff.

I’ve had a lot going on, and the fact that I need to write about changes—especially professional ones—probably means things are going well. They definitely are…

It has almost never felt like an easy road though.
That’s what leads me to these thoughts: how it’s felt along the way.

As an artist, I think I have always had my struggles with confidence. I think we all have, and I still do at times. We struggle to become something different, obtain a new skill, prove to the world we have what it takes to do something, start something new, or work in a new role professionally. We want to ‘become’ something more.

Feeling like you have something to prove is a rough road, let me tell ya! Years of work in the field of design, and I think I still find myself searching for validation at times. This search for validation can sneak up on you, and also hit you in personal places (family is a good example, but let’s not get off on another tangent).

Anyway, I feel that growing, learning and changing aren't 'better' or 'worse,' just different. They’re more exciting too, because you get to try new things, mix it up, and keep your viewpoint fresh. 

Although we often get frustrated because we aren't where we may want to be, the worst thing we can do is let negative feelings take over, and let ourselves feel bad. In the end, we have nothing to feel bad about, as we ultimately have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves... I choose happiness during that process whenever possible… but it’s not always that simple!

As anyone pursues their own individual career paths, and navigates challenging economic times, it’s harder and harder to start from a place of “feeling good” about anything. But it’s kind of the road you need to take—to focus on the excitement of who you are NOW, and the excitement around what you’re becoming.

15 years ago, I would have never thought I would be a college teacher, training Microsoft employees, syncing to the cloud, putting the right hair on my Avatar, or instantly uploading/sharing photos from mountain tops—

But it has ALL happened.

And I am reminded of this very strange fact: that in some way, it’s who you have always been.

I was just messaging with a good friend who knew me 15 years ago. She knew me when I was fresh to the field of design… just a year out of design school… I’ll quote her here (apologies Becky, for not asking permission)… We were talking about my passions in infographics, information design and instructional design when she said:

“You see things differently, you always did. That’s what makes your design unique.” 

And then a little more… 

“You worked hard at your design. Its always more difficult to be the non-conformist in the group....”
For some reason, I had a hard time believing her at first (heck, maybe I still don’t believe her). She could see something about me that I really didn’t think anyone could see—especially since I didn’t see it, and only feel like I have ‘come into my own’ with this over the last few years (I keep feeling like a late bloomer).

So regardless of where you are, or where you’re going, you’re always “whole.” Wholeness is always there, and it’s always you. Chances are there’s something “at your core” that has always been there—and always will be. There’s things you can change, and things you can do, but maybe it’s more about changing your point of view about what’s at your core no?

We’re never really “lacking” anything, and certainly shouldn’t set out on a path of change that involves lack, or feeling bad, or that we are presently “less.”

It can be a good motivator at times, but regardless of what we want for ourselves, feeling good about the process is important. Maybe that’s why I have always been a bit of a dorky goofball—I make fun of myself, and try to take life lightly—but I still want to move forward. I finally feel like I am doing it the right way, and strangely, it’s who I’ve always been. I’m “syncing to the cloud,” and accessing data seamlessly across multiple devices—and the funny thing is, I’ve always been in sync—I just never really knew it till now.

Thanks for reading. I proudly proclaim that this post was started on a mobile device. Sorry, it DID need to be finished on a full-size keyboard though.

:)

m

Mark: happy 'becoming'...

Monday, September 19, 2011

All Wrapped up in Labels: the rebellious post

Yes indeed, it feels like months since I last posted…

I’ve had a lot going on… as usual!!! That’s not all… I also wanted to feel like I had something important to say. Getting married also had a little to do with it…

;)

The whole process of “tying the knot” can be both stimulating and exhausting. You know: lots of formality and planning. Unfortunately, in focusing on the negative, I found myself in a precarious situation…

My inner “rebel” was coming out in very adamant ways… apparently I had something to prove—or at least I needed to prove what I did not want to be.

I was also obsessing about the meaning of the word “tradition.” 
And as soon as I found myself shunning tradition, I became the judgment on the other side of what I had felt was a brilliant argument.

As soon as you drop one label for another, you’re “cashin’ in on the judgment gravy train’ man, and just as ‘bad’ as what you’re shunning.

That’s right, what started out as a decision to wed that was grounded in the things most important to me—symbolism, growth, momentum and progression—was unfurling the evil demon within…one that was annoyed with everything that was NOT these aforementioned things. All the things that seem to be associated with “what marriage is” did not seem to quite fit (so many things I could say about that), and this difference was fueling my fire to rebel!

Mind you… there were no doubts about my relationship. But we have BOTH asked: is this the way we want to do it? How important is getting married in what you might call—a “traditional” way?

It didn’t matter much to either of us.
Ok, anyway, my point: Don’t obsess about the differences! 

The difference between what it ‘should be’ and what it ‘should NOT be’ is a bordered by a deceivingly DEEP puddle. Is anybody up for the swim?

I think I needed to realize that taking a swim should be more about enjoying where you are. YES, that good feeling… no judgment, no lack, not what it could be, but just what IS… that’s if I chose to even accept the puddle, and the two "opposites" that I created in my bordered world.

Don’t accept the puddle.

I had become self-defeated in my own little rebellion: my ‘perceived’ enemy (tradition) was probably really enjoying laughing at me.

There are no boundary lines, and labels are only moderately helpful—some more than others. When you’re a designer, thinking “outside of the box,” is a label that implies you’re different. You’re in a sense judging what’s IN the box, right?

It gets sticky, as all our decisions—no matter how objective—are made from our own unique point of view, and in the end, whether you’re being in the box, out of the box, in the puddle, or swimming upstream—it doesn’t really matter. It’s what you put into it, what’s genuine and intentional, and what’s appropriate for you or a client. Let THAT speak for itself. In the end, I’ll gladly carry a slightly “unapologetic attitude,” making appropriate decisions, and accept that that is the rebellion I’m going live with. But I’m not going to rule out—or make judgments so strongly in the future, because ALL options are potential options, and everything is optional: decided upon by all of us.

We ALL probably want to make important distinctions about how we are different—that’s very valid, in design and in life. But let’ not go overboard and forget that they’re all just expressions… If you feel that they are genuine expressions that are worthy of sharing, then you’re ‘spot on’ man!

In the case of a wedding ceremony and events, I know we went right to this point. We made it our own, in what felt very genuine. It included our beliefs, and focused on the fact that we just wanted to celebrate with everyone dear to us… and not get too bogged down in—dare I say—tradition.

Tradition is not the point—genuine intention IS. But leave the labels behind. Somewhere in there, there’s a balance, just don’t go for the deep swim, ay?

m

Friday, August 26, 2011

It’s never just ‘one’ thing…

This week I’m reflecting a little on something that has become prominent in the work I do:

Creating experiences

Often as I experience life, create things, go through everyday existence, and do whatever it is that I love to do best, it’s easy to forget that my life is best lived as an experience.

Let me be more concrete: it’s always a few (or many) things – aka variables – making up or effecting what’s happening – or what I’m experiencing.

For instance, let’s talk business: from a retail perspective, I think it’s more valuable to me to see a technology product in a store, and get a sense for how it will integrate into my life. What other ‘things’ will I use with it? Will it fit in my living room? Will it make various things I do easier or better? Will it benefit my customers (oops, I mean visitors to my house)? Basically, what’s the value add?

A tool by itself is just a hammer, but taken with nails, and a few boards, and now you’re experiencing a small house for pets (or perhaps your new home away from home, if you have had some domestic drama).

I think there is definitely some benefit to showing me how to use Excel – after all, I DO need to know how to swing a hammer – but I am much more interested in the experience of seeing how it might work in a “real-world scenario,” or even used with other tools that integrate it more conveniently in my life (i.e. show me a way to sync my spreadsheet across all my technology devices…) now THAT is useful – and that’s an example of what I am calling  an “experience” here.  It’s also more memorable, and you can see the value in it much more – because it’s more tangible.

You have now experienced it.

It sticks in your experience and your memory, and becomes part of you.

Nothing’s really ever ‘about’ one thing.

My day is great because of the sunshine, but it’s also about my commute, the people I work with, my loving partner, and many other things. It’s helpful at times to focus on one thing at a time, especially if something is not working well. I’m just trying to say that in this instance, picking up the pieces of something that is “not working,” is only a fragmented approach. Whether it’s a positive or negative experience, the most productive thing you can do experience life, enjoy it, and when things aren’t working, pay attention to the things you try to change, because your experiences are so darn “wholistic” that changing an one piece of your puzzle may change the picture.

I’m paying more attention these days to what makes things work, how I experience the world, how complex those experiences are, and how I feel better, and am more productive when experiences flow together well. Sometimes I DO need to take things apart in a rather mechanistic fashion, and again – that can be very helpful. However, it still comes down to the messiness sometimes known as the human condition. If we lived life in pieces, we’d constantly be falling apart, because the glue never really would have a chance to dry. It all just changes too fast!

I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out. All I’m saying is I’d like to think I’m aware of something much bigger at work here – and ultimately, I LOVE it! That said, I also accept it’s a bit of a struggle at times, and I am happy to take that humility pill, and just know I will never really have it ALL figured out. That’s life’s journey: experiences and me. Oh no… even THAT statement implies fragmentation… Ok, maybe we’ll take that up in another post.

Hope this is all making sense, but bottom lining it – life seems to happen best when it comes in “integrated sets of experience” – and I'm remembering... it’s never just one thing.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Removing the Clutter: Grand Design


When we draw or design on the page, we focus, we capture the essence—we balance elements, and simplify to communicate what we want to say.



When writing a song, even if there are multiple “layers” of instruments, we always keep the message in mind: in some kind of priority.

When providing an effective training solution, the words are chosen wisely, the audience is carefully considered, and we don’t try to pack too many thoughts or concepts into any particular section or module—we focus, because the learning needs to progress and build, and it too, has priorities or goals.



When living our lives… the low-level sounds we often take for granted can affect our experience, and create clutter. The focus is sometimes broken, and our experience fragmented—whether we are aware of it… or not. The disconnected thoughts we experience everyday—part of being human—are easy to take for granted. I know that I actually forget they are even there! 



But the forgetting doesn’t mean they still don’t affect us.

Regardless of context… life is like the golden ratio, or a beautiful spiral… everything is flowing—together, and perhaps there are no truly “random” thoughts.
Clutter is created by the human mind—perhaps it’s even unique to the human mind. 

I feel like it has been running me intermittently—most of my life. A balance needs to be struck: The enjoyment of being human, and the discipline of simplicity, and almost mathematical balance.

Even that “empty” negative space counts… 

The grand design is elegant.

The grand design is beautiful.

The grand design is well-woven and intertwined—but in such a seamless way that when it’s done well, you don’t know it’s operating. 

Grand design is seamless, and the experience is not even noticed—but it’s felt.

When the clutter no longer exists, whether on the page or in our minds, we return to the concept of focus—of true presence.   

I’ll say it again:

Even that “empty” negative space counts.
Go create some…
Sorry it’s been a few weeks, I’ve been busy. I think weddings may provide some great focus, once you get past the potential clutter.

c-ya!

m

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Why do we need it?

Yesterday I did something I almost never get to do: take a walk with my dad. No, not because I don’t want to, or don’t have the time, but because we live about 3000 miles apart (Seattle-to-New York is a long run for me, I’m still working on it—I’m gonna try a standard length marathon first, because Forrest Gump is still a better distance runner than I).

All that said, I grew up in one of the most beautiful tourist towns in the U.S.: Lake George, NY. It is simply beautiful, and when it’s hot and sunny in the July sun, it’s unforgettable. 


On the streets of Lake George: a mighty performer! BTW: he's holding a bowling pin, a knife... and a plunger!


I have been running my butt off out here, and it really feels good. That said, my story is about walking. Slower pace—taking it all in. And my dad—well—he likes to wander. We just can’t ever walk side by side. It’s kind of endearing… it’s ok, I love him for it. This was the kind of walk that had a feeling of two very disparate feelings: isolation and togetherness.

Isolation and togetherness
So really, the first word is not really about being physically apart. We were enjoying our own form of connection as we dodged the tourists by the boardwalk on the lake. What I realized shortly after leaving the house through, was that I left with no keys, no cell phone and no wallet: completely empty pockets. A million thoughts from a city dweller that is always in touch with these things, and always able to be reached. I was out of touch, unable to buy a coke, and unable to open a garage door without help.

Oh hail to true freedom!

So what are we really? Are we all these crazy objects we’re attached to? I just dropped my iPhone for the umpteenth time, and felt bad about it, because I like my technology toys to always be shiny (well, this one is thoroughly scuffed at this point). What are we focused on? Ok, ok… what am I focused on?  Do we all just need a “walk with dad” sans any kind of technology, identification, purchasing power or house entry ability? Is that what we need to rediscover ourselves, our place in the world, and our attraction and attachment to “things?” 

Ok… I vote for togetherness.

Now, if that happens to involve gadgets, great. As I continue to become involved with Microsoft retail services (ala the Microsoft Store), I have to be aware of technology, new developments, and family purchasing trends... I guess in this case, it's MY purchasing trends in relation to family... or something like that. But it's more about letting go as I simply enjoy companionship.

With all that said, I stand corrected. This is what I am up against: in reflecting upon togetherness, I write from the house of my parents. We have been watching the movie “What Women Want.” My mom just went to bed to watch TV. She turned on the same movie. How should I feel about this?

Togetherness?
Ok, I’ll just try to be thankful for quadraphonic sound (stereo from two rooms…).

Ahhh, togetherness…

m

Friday, July 8, 2011

Perpetual Motion: Work and Careers in the “New Economy”


At the risk of repeating myself, I recently received a note from an email list regarding something I have thought about (and written about) more than once, and I felt compelled to write about it again: professional success finding work (of any kind) in current economic times.


As asked by a writer for The Career News:

I think this gets at the heart of something I have mentioned before. Not to sound too exhaustive in my emphasis, but my title of “Perpetual Motion” implies not on movement, but the ability to adapt to change—sometimes on the end of a dime.

Job searches seem to happen in shorter, quicker cycles for many these days—and that’s simply the reality. The 3-5 year job search cycle has been whittled down to 3-5 month in many cases. I am not trying to paint a picture of fear and cynicism, merely cultivate some kind of acceptance of the bigger ‘system’ that YOU are operating within. We’re ALL operating within a much different system—economically. And culturally, we are only starting to adapt to it. Many of us still expect what we used to view as stability: the long-term permanent position. These definitely exist, and if that’s your preference, that’s great. I know that I for one, would like more stability.

Well what if stability IS perpetual change, or at least, the ability to change—as effortlessly as possible—if needed?
I’m not saying you should necessarily ‘look’ for change, but in some cases that might actually apply… and if it doesn’t apply, let’s just say you have been ‘trained’ for success, because you can more often recognize when change might be coming!

“Perpetual Motion” essential sums up the ability to change when needed—you accept it, and are capable of it, and it’s essentially the norm.

In that sense, as The Career News says, “The future work style is less like a traditional career and more like running your own small business.” Think of work and career as something you truly have to own, as it’s part of your brand. Don’t start talking to people only after a contract ends, or there’s a layoff.

Build relationships NOW.
Make it part of your modus operandi, your MO that is your everyday way of doing things. That way, when you really need work, everyone you talk to already knows it, and there is a different ‘rhythm’ to your system. Your MO supports the flow of your work, from one project to another, or one full-time job to another.

There are definitely many jobs, and job-hunters out there that still flow from one 3-5 year job to another, but it is becoming more and more common to see 3-12 month contracts.

Flow with the change… embrace… adapt… allow… let go of resistance and know that change is here today and the sooner you adapt and flow with it, the sooner you can get to feeling good about your career.
These are words I finally understand, as the last 3 years have been very difficult, and I have learned much of this through the process of discovering my own new career direction, and I invite you to do the same.

Why is it important? Well, hopefully I have clarified that a little bit, but one more thing I will say is that being in perpetual motion, and being more adaptive can be a valuable skill in many critical ways. Not only is it valuable for a job search, but it’s also a valuable ongoing trait while in a position, because you recognize opportunity in a much more ‘energized’ way. Perpetual motion creates opportunity at every turn, if you leave the past behind. 

So before it gets “bad…” 
Before things get “out of hand…” 
And before desperation and potential feelings of victimization set in (after a worst case scenario like a lay-off)… 
Consider perpetual motion as an alternative…

Of course if you’re already IN the vicious cycle, and need work now, it’s harder… at first… it may call for doing something ‘tolerable’ while you change your patterns, but the long-run well is worth it!

It took me a long time to let go of what I thought I wanted, and how I thought things were supposed to be. I started to pay attention to what was actually happening, not what was in my head. I also paid more attention to what I really enjoyed doing, and what energized me. That perspective led to change. If I can help any of you readers by writing this, I am forever grateful that maybe I have actually learned something valuable over the last few years. But I’m only part of this; it’s also the bigger system we operate within, and how that is changing… 

Comments?

Thanks as always-

m

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Looking for the “LUL” in the Conversation: The New Design Language



I just had a GREAT conversation this morning with my two fellow co-authors. This book is going to also be GREAT!


Combining the post meeting high, with the endorphins of a fabulous Sunday bike ride around Seattle, and you’ve got me cycling around Seattle in another fabulous creative thought-flow.

My two co-authors have a very different background than I do. We’re all techno-geeks of sorts, but Nick and Martin come from the land of IT and software architecture. We kid, we have fun, but we also get some truly great work done through some equally fabulous conversations.

Why are those conversations valuable? Well, as I focus on the visual interpretation and design of what can often be very complex information, we’re all focused on finding a way to help others tell their stories. The audience for our book is a wide group of people that are interested in the best strategies to build up a case, and convince their stakeholders to take action after viewing their presentations.

SO back to our conversation… Where I’m going here is that this situation is not unlike a situation that any consultant, freelancer or designer will experience. It’s about what happens in the conversation, and what you can do to drive a successful solution to completion. I realized I could actually break it down into a nice acronym—“LUL.”

When in consult with clients, stakeholders or collaborators try this on:

  1. LISTEN: Resist the urge to comment and/or jump in as they describe their present challenges that need some change and/or resolution (you'll get better at this over time). Let them tell you their story, and try to be fully present as they describe it. Hear them, but pay attention to everything (verbal and non-verbal). Don’t be thinking of questions you may have while they’re talking—you might miss something in the process!
  2. UNDERSTAND: When appropriate, ask questions (of course), and when possible, work some time into the equation.  That way you can come up with follow-up questions you may have after some time for reflection, and there will be more depth to your solutions. Understand what they’re trying to do, and the intent behind it as much as possible. I cannot understate how important time can be—it can change everything. YOU may have some deeper insights, but sometimes (more importantly) your client may too. That, and they may just like to change their mind. But seriously, they may understand their needs better next week! It happens to all of us!
  3. LANGUAGE: This last part is really all about relating, but it’s a better acronym with “L” (oh I’m such a crafty devil). As a designer, I have my design-specific language and terminology. This may or may not mean anything to your client, so look for leverage points and intersections between designer, client and the language used. This part of creating dialog is probably the most important, because you’re actually creating a “new language” together, that describes what they need in a way you’ll understand it as well… so that you start to connect it with a solution. Don’t get me wrong, talking about visuals is often not overly productive—so sometimes you just need to try some things, and get them in front of the client—but getting all your ‘ducks in a row’ and getting your homework done upfront will take you a long way.

And it all comes back to creating a “LUL” in the conversation, so that you create the space necessary to really “hear” your client, collaborator, stakeholder, or even your best buddy who’s got a problem—It’s about really “hearing.”
Did this help in some way? If so tell me how, or tell me how you have already doing something like this, or plan on using this as an approach. You may already be doing it—I would never want to be presumptuous—but maybe I simply said it in a way that was helpful.
Be well!

m