Thursday, August 21, 2008
Crossroads update
So, I decided what I was going to do... which was not compromise on my ideal. Oh well, the fantasy lives on!
crossroads for today
I'm at a crossroad, and I'm not sure how to proceed.
Due to the nature of the content of this crossroad, and the possibility of my private business being displayed more in depth than it already is, I'm going to be deliberately vague describing what it is. Feel free to use your imagination.
Someone recently offered me something that I always wanted to try, and something that I find very intriguing. My natural instinct is to yell "gimme!" and start waving my hands for it.
The issue is that I will probably become attached to the provider of said offer; because I suck at compartmentalizing my feelings... I just am who I am. I don't operate in relationships with providers by appointment only, I like a more comprehensive service plan.
So what do I do? Risk potential heartache to get what I always wanted? Or try really really hard to compartmentalize and get what I always wanted? Or not indulge myself at all?
Due to the nature of the content of this crossroad, and the possibility of my private business being displayed more in depth than it already is, I'm going to be deliberately vague describing what it is. Feel free to use your imagination
Someone recently offered me something that I always wanted to try, and something that I find very intriguing. My natural instinct is to yell "gimme!" and start waving my hands for it.
The issue is that I will probably become attached to the provider of said offer; because I suck at compartmentalizing my feelings... I just am who I am. I don't operate in relationships with providers by appointment only, I like a more comprehensive service plan.
So what do I do? Risk potential heartache to get what I always wanted? Or try really really hard to compartmentalize and get what I always wanted? Or not indulge myself at all?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
nunsense, it's habit forming
That's a play on words from a line in the musical Nunsense - really great show if anyone wants to laugh. But anyway....
Nonsense seems to be around me. I feel like it's been "opposite day" all week, and it's just Wednesday. Last night at bowling I totally kicked butt (for me, kicking butt is breaking 100). It took me 15 weeks to figure it out, but during the first 2 games everything was just gellin' for me. I tried a new approach, and was consistently picking up the spare. My first ball always goes array, it's almost as if I need to test out the waters before sending in the mission critical ball, but my second nailed it! I was so excited that I even ordered my own bowling ball. That's right, the Amy not only has awesome bowling shoes, but she now has an awesome bowling ball! Watch out, who's bad? (Just shake your head and walk away, it's much safer that way.)
I also had the weirdest conversation online last night with a guy I met from OKC. We wanted to see our WTF report (yes, it stands for what you think it stands for), which explains where the discrepancies are in our match percentage, and what could be potential hazards. He and I only match in the mid-60s, and we have an enemy rating of 28% to each other. After reviewing the report, we decided to talk about it, to fully understand the intent about why we answered questions a certain way, and what our fundamental driving beliefs are.
Do you know that I had a more in depth and profound conversation about my beliefs and what I'm willing to bend on with a virtual stranger, than I had with men that I was supposed to be falling in love with? Shouldn't that be the other way around? We're going to try out friendship and see how that works.
Then, this morning, to complete opposite week so far, I facilitated the intervention between the Orange Station team members. This was the group that I had to be prepared for, as ugliness flies in every direction there. It actually went well! They were entirely civil, participative, and came out with some great expectations for each other. The one physician was not there, and she seems to be about 60% of the problem, as she diagnosis through sticky notes - with no ID on which patient the sticky note belongs to. Then the MAs get yelled out for not being able to match up the sticky notes and take care of the patients as the physician intended. Some people just don't make logical sense.
It was my friend Brian's birthday yesterday - BIG BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS TO HIM! I'm excited as there is talk that he may be coming into town to visit me! Yay! If it works out, I'm planning a surprise for him.... my fingers are crossed that the plan is coming together.
Nonsense seems to be around me. I feel like it's been "opposite day" all week, and it's just Wednesday. Last night at bowling I totally kicked butt (for me, kicking butt is breaking 100). It took me 15 weeks to figure it out, but during the first 2 games everything was just gellin' for me. I tried a new approach, and was consistently picking up the spare. My first ball always goes array, it's almost as if I need to test out the waters before sending in the mission critical ball, but my second nailed it! I was so excited that I even ordered my own bowling ball. That's right, the Amy not only has awesome bowling shoes, but she now has an awesome bowling ball! Watch out, who's bad? (Just shake your head and walk away, it's much safer that way.)
I also had the weirdest conversation online last night with a guy I met from OKC. We wanted to see our WTF report (yes, it stands for what you think it stands for), which explains where the discrepancies are in our match percentage, and what could be potential hazards. He and I only match in the mid-60s, and we have an enemy rating of 28% to each other. After reviewing the report, we decided to talk about it, to fully understand the intent about why we answered questions a certain way, and what our fundamental driving beliefs are.
Do you know that I had a more in depth and profound conversation about my beliefs and what I'm willing to bend on with a virtual stranger, than I had with men that I was supposed to be falling in love with? Shouldn't that be the other way around? We're going to try out friendship and see how that works.
Then, this morning, to complete opposite week so far, I facilitated the intervention between the Orange Station team members. This was the group that I had to be prepared for, as ugliness flies in every direction there. It actually went well! They were entirely civil, participative, and came out with some great expectations for each other. The one physician was not there, and she seems to be about 60% of the problem, as she diagnosis through sticky notes - with no ID on which patient the sticky note belongs to. Then the MAs get yelled out for not being able to match up the sticky notes and take care of the patients as the physician intended. Some people just don't make logical sense.
It was my friend Brian's birthday yesterday - BIG BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS TO HIM! I'm excited as there is talk that he may be coming into town to visit me! Yay! If it works out, I'm planning a surprise for him.... my fingers are crossed that the plan is coming together.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Art of Manliness
I was reading my favorite website this morning, mentalfloss, when I came upon their usual "morning cup of links" - which are a bunch of interesting links to random websites that are worth reading.
One that caught my eye was an article for men on how to be a modern knight for their woman. After following the link, I stumbled upon a very interesting blog called The Art of Manliness. Apparently one man and his wife are trying to resurrect the world of gentleman and give guys tips on everything from leadership to the hidden meaning of flowers given to a woman.
I'm a huge supporter of this. I've always been attracted to men who are gentleman, and know how to behave in social situations, and treat me with the utmost gentleness and respect. I'm an independent woman, but I like to feel special and important to the man I'm with. I extend the same courtesy to them, so I expect it in return.
More men should read this...
One that caught my eye was an article for men on how to be a modern knight for their woman. After following the link, I stumbled upon a very interesting blog called The Art of Manliness. Apparently one man and his wife are trying to resurrect the world of gentleman and give guys tips on everything from leadership to the hidden meaning of flowers given to a woman.
I'm a huge supporter of this. I've always been attracted to men who are gentleman, and know how to behave in social situations, and treat me with the utmost gentleness and respect. I'm an independent woman, but I like to feel special and important to the man I'm with. I extend the same courtesy to them, so I expect it in return.
More men should read this...
Monday, August 18, 2008
ethics in OD
Yesterday at the gym I took my text book with me to read while riding the bike. And the chapter I read was about ethical issues in OD, which I had blogged earlier last week about not really knowing how I'll fit into the picture.
Well, now I have a true understanding of what they meant by it, and I'm going to have some problems. There are 4-5 ethical dilemmas that are mentioned in the text, but the main one that I can pinpoint now that my department is violating is Coercion.
OD fundamentally operates on the plane that everything is self-directed and internal. What I mean by that is that a change cannot happen unless people are willing and free to participate in that change. People have a choice.
However, currently, my department is not supporting that choice. An easy "for instance": we'll develop a new workshop/skill-set on a leadership competency. We'll go meet with a VP and share our work with them, just explaining what it is, and how it would be impacting to their organization. They turn around and make it mandatory that all 120 leaders in their organization are required to take the course - i.e. mandatory training. Which in turn, forfeits the employee's right of choice in participating in the change. Thus, violating an OD ethical code. Yet, we show up, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, and don't mention this to the VP. Actually, we consider it a "win" and that the importance of our work is getting out there, and people are finally seeing the value.
I'm interested in seeing how my professors will talk through this scenario, as this is common practice in the work place to make education mandatory. I could argue that the employee has a choice, they can comply with the decree or find a new job... but I don't think that's really what they are talking about in this instance, nor is that a fair assessment.
We also see this when a manager will complete a development plan for an employee and include workshops from our department on it. Depending on how successful a manager is in developing their employees and having open discussions with them, determines how the employee will show up to the workshop. We've had to contend with hostile educational environments that are created when employees don't want to be there, and they are being forced. Again, I can argue that because an employee is closed off to the change can make them, in essence, on the short list out the door... but if we are supposed to be creating an environment of choice as an OD professional, what should I ethically do?
I guess in my zeal for reading, I was trying to challenge myself physically, and increased the resistance on the bike. I didn't feel it at the time, but the back of my thighs now hurt so bad that I have trouble getting up from chairs. The bathroom is fun! I went back tonight to the gym, but didn't do nearly as long as a session. I wanted to work them out some more, as tomorrow is my weigh-in, but I'm still feeling the pain... my fingers are crossed! I will be sexy one day!
Well, now I have a true understanding of what they meant by it, and I'm going to have some problems. There are 4-5 ethical dilemmas that are mentioned in the text, but the main one that I can pinpoint now that my department is violating is Coercion.
OD fundamentally operates on the plane that everything is self-directed and internal. What I mean by that is that a change cannot happen unless people are willing and free to participate in that change. People have a choice.
However, currently, my department is not supporting that choice. An easy "for instance": we'll develop a new workshop/skill-set on a leadership competency. We'll go meet with a VP and share our work with them, just explaining what it is, and how it would be impacting to their organization. They turn around and make it mandatory that all 120 leaders in their organization are required to take the course - i.e. mandatory training. Which in turn, forfeits the employee's right of choice in participating in the change. Thus, violating an OD ethical code. Yet, we show up, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, and don't mention this to the VP. Actually, we consider it a "win" and that the importance of our work is getting out there, and people are finally seeing the value.
I'm interested in seeing how my professors will talk through this scenario, as this is common practice in the work place to make education mandatory. I could argue that the employee has a choice, they can comply with the decree or find a new job... but I don't think that's really what they are talking about in this instance, nor is that a fair assessment.
We also see this when a manager will complete a development plan for an employee and include workshops from our department on it. Depending on how successful a manager is in developing their employees and having open discussions with them, determines how the employee will show up to the workshop. We've had to contend with hostile educational environments that are created when employees don't want to be there, and they are being forced. Again, I can argue that because an employee is closed off to the change can make them, in essence, on the short list out the door... but if we are supposed to be creating an environment of choice as an OD professional, what should I ethically do?
I guess in my zeal for reading, I was trying to challenge myself physically, and increased the resistance on the bike. I didn't feel it at the time, but the back of my thighs now hurt so bad that I have trouble getting up from chairs. The bathroom is fun! I went back tonight to the gym, but didn't do nearly as long as a session. I wanted to work them out some more, as tomorrow is my weigh-in, but I'm still feeling the pain... my fingers are crossed! I will be sexy one day!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Moment of Zen for 2nd week of August
I forgot to leave you with a few words of thought, courtesy of Zen Master Ryan:
Chickens Sell Wheat to Gators That Need To Eat
Chickens Sell Wheat to Gators That Need To Eat
looking forward to the weekend!
Sigh... the weekend is finally here. Coming back to work seems like the shortest, yet longest, week in history. I'm looking forward to getting together with some friends and hitting a few golf balls this weekend.
I've decided to take up golf. Not fully yet, I'm going to ease my way into it. I haven't been to the driving range in years, but it's something I enjoy doing... and something I know that will challenge me. And it's always fun to blow off steam by whacking a golf ball into oblivion!
We also decided to sign up for another season of bowling. This time I'm going to invest in my own ball, as I figured I can safely order a size that I can easily use. I started out using a 6lb ball (child size), but I've nicely grown into a 10, so I'll probably order that size and have it drilled to fit my hand. Now I have to pick out a style I want - so many pretty choices! hehe :) I'm open to suggestions if anyone would like to give their two cents on colors...
I read two chapters in my first homework book last night. I signed into the blackboard and saw all of my assignments:
For the first weekend of the class:
1. Read 10 chapters in 2 books.
2. Post my resume online.
3. Read about 6-7 articles online.
4. Write a 1 page article on what I think an upcoming challenge in my field that will need an OD intervention will be. With 22 copies for the class, and be prepared to do a 3-5 minute presentation on it the first day.
5. Design and post a tri-fold brochure of my consulting services currently, complete with a picture and contact information, due the Sunday of the first weekend.
6. Complete a survey on survey monkey.
Then for the second weekend of the class:
1. Read 10 more chapters in 2 books.
2. My first 3-5 page research paper is due.
3. Write a 1 page article on what I think will be an ethical dilemma for me, and be prepared to do a 3-5 minute presentation on the first day, complete with copies for everyone.
4. My final 8 page research paper is due by the end of the weekend.
5. I also have to complete one of the personality indicator surveys over the weekend to be turned in.
I've already posted my resume, and tried to do the survey - but I don't think they have a comment field set-up correctly, as it says that I'm entering invalid text. I think they have it set-up to only be numeric, not alphanumeric. I'm waiting to hear back about that... And I already have ideas for the brochure and my 1st 1-pager, I just have to write them.
Gotta get crackin'! :)
I've decided to take up golf. Not fully yet, I'm going to ease my way into it. I haven't been to the driving range in years, but it's something I enjoy doing... and something I know that will challenge me. And it's always fun to blow off steam by whacking a golf ball into oblivion!
We also decided to sign up for another season of bowling. This time I'm going to invest in my own ball, as I figured I can safely order a size that I can easily use. I started out using a 6lb ball (child size), but I've nicely grown into a 10, so I'll probably order that size and have it drilled to fit my hand. Now I have to pick out a style I want - so many pretty choices! hehe :) I'm open to suggestions if anyone would like to give their two cents on colors...
I read two chapters in my first homework book last night. I signed into the blackboard and saw all of my assignments:
For the first weekend of the class:
1. Read 10 chapters in 2 books.
2. Post my resume online.
3. Read about 6-7 articles online.
4. Write a 1 page article on what I think an upcoming challenge in my field that will need an OD intervention will be. With 22 copies for the class, and be prepared to do a 3-5 minute presentation on it the first day.
5. Design and post a tri-fold brochure of my consulting services currently, complete with a picture and contact information, due the Sunday of the first weekend.
6. Complete a survey on survey monkey.
Then for the second weekend of the class:
1. Read 10 more chapters in 2 books.
2. My first 3-5 page research paper is due.
3. Write a 1 page article on what I think will be an ethical dilemma for me, and be prepared to do a 3-5 minute presentation on the first day, complete with copies for everyone.
4. My final 8 page research paper is due by the end of the weekend.
5. I also have to complete one of the personality indicator surveys over the weekend to be turned in.
I've already posted my resume, and tried to do the survey - but I don't think they have a comment field set-up correctly, as it says that I'm entering invalid text. I think they have it set-up to only be numeric, not alphanumeric. I'm waiting to hear back about that... And I already have ideas for the brochure and my 1st 1-pager, I just have to write them.
Gotta get crackin'! :)
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