How can discombobulate be a word?
I have heard this word twice in the past week. Once by a very well educated person whom I respect. It gave me great pause.
I think this accumulation of letters is one of those “made up” words. I know it was not in the big unabridged dictionary in the Centreville (Mississippi) Academy library when I was in high school in the late seventies. I know this for our world class English teachers, Mrs. Germany, Mrs. Smith, or Mrs. Walters would certainly have made us use it in a sentence, just as they did with the likes of ogre, buffoon, and raucous. Discombobulate is just too cool a word for them to just skip over and not insist upon its daily usage. Therefor the word must be “new” or simply invented by someone with too much time on their hands.
For the record, discombobulate means to confuse or disconcert, to upset or frustrate. The actual act of discombobulating is called discombobulation. Not to be confused, of course, with discombobulated, which is what you are after the discombobulation has occurred.
I am acquainted with several persons after which spoken to for a short time, I feel totally confused and disconcerted…sometimes even upset and frustrated. I now know these folks to be discombobulators. And they should be avoided at all costs.
If I were a betting man, which I am not, but if I were, I would bet that you know some discombobulators also.
One of them may have the given name of Tim. Sorry… sometimes it just happens...it is simply unexplainable. I am thinking of marketing a new bumper sticker…
Discombobulation Happens!
It has obviously been a slow morning for me in the thought department.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Another Paradox
Last week I was talking with an attorney friend about a mutual client that had made a multi-million dollar investment in a project. The client is in his late 60’s. The attorney commented that if he had that much money his investment would be in him and his family’s stability and security.
I initially agreed with my friend but have thought much about the comment since the initial conversation. It comes to me that most of us, me included, yearn for security and stability, but we also want improvement. I don’t think we can improve our lot in life AND stay the same. Therefore, in order to grow we must challenge the status quo. Growth means change. For that matter, failure means change also. In order to attempt to grow and improve, we must change…we must risk.
I don’t think we can have it both ways…security/stability and possibility for improvement/growth. If we want greater possibilities we can’t settle for just what we have now.
I guess it is a matter of degree… but sometimes we must let go of the figurative dime to pick up the figurative dollar. Achievers challenge the status quo always. Our client is an achiever…he looks at the same things we all see…but he sees possibilities. He sees growth and improvement.
Status quo is never good enough.
I think I am still learning.
I hope I don’t stop.
I initially agreed with my friend but have thought much about the comment since the initial conversation. It comes to me that most of us, me included, yearn for security and stability, but we also want improvement. I don’t think we can improve our lot in life AND stay the same. Therefore, in order to grow we must challenge the status quo. Growth means change. For that matter, failure means change also. In order to attempt to grow and improve, we must change…we must risk.
I don’t think we can have it both ways…security/stability and possibility for improvement/growth. If we want greater possibilities we can’t settle for just what we have now.
I guess it is a matter of degree… but sometimes we must let go of the figurative dime to pick up the figurative dollar. Achievers challenge the status quo always. Our client is an achiever…he looks at the same things we all see…but he sees possibilities. He sees growth and improvement.
Status quo is never good enough.
I think I am still learning.
I hope I don’t stop.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Evolution/Stagnation
Several months ago I had lunch with a group of young professionals and a friend who happens to be the Founding Headmaster of an independent school here in Baton Rouge. I have done work sporadically for this friend for over 20 years. His school was founded in 1965 and my friend has been its only Headmaster. Though I do not know his exact age, I would guess mid-seventies.
The purpose of our meeting was to gather some data regarding how his school is run as the young professionals are board members of another school for which I consult.
What a beautiful mind! His passion and drive are contagious. Through our discussions over the years I have noticed his zeal for his mission in life…the advancement of educating those who choose to attend his school. I sense that he fears nothing in his quest to stay up to date on new systems, ideas, and technology in learning. My friend has evolved and continues to evolve. His eagerness to discuss his experiments with different teaching techniques, hiring policies, financial plans (they may even be called “schemes”!), and other ways to just “make it work” are admirable for their creativeness.
On the other hand, I have recently been involved with several groups of middle-aged business persons who, simply put, are stagnant. They have achieved a modicum of success in the past and seem content to rest on their laurels. Their attitude screams of frustration that times have changed and what worked in the past doesn’t today. They have not evolved and seem to not want to try.
Disappointed is how I feel. Potential wasted.
My take away? Age has little to do with energy. Age has little to do with passion. Age has little to do with attitude. Age has little to do with achievement and success.
BTW…I just turned 50…maybe that is why I noticed this contrast in behavior. Please keep reminding me to be receptive to change…the alternative is irrelevance.
The purpose of our meeting was to gather some data regarding how his school is run as the young professionals are board members of another school for which I consult.
What a beautiful mind! His passion and drive are contagious. Through our discussions over the years I have noticed his zeal for his mission in life…the advancement of educating those who choose to attend his school. I sense that he fears nothing in his quest to stay up to date on new systems, ideas, and technology in learning. My friend has evolved and continues to evolve. His eagerness to discuss his experiments with different teaching techniques, hiring policies, financial plans (they may even be called “schemes”!), and other ways to just “make it work” are admirable for their creativeness.
On the other hand, I have recently been involved with several groups of middle-aged business persons who, simply put, are stagnant. They have achieved a modicum of success in the past and seem content to rest on their laurels. Their attitude screams of frustration that times have changed and what worked in the past doesn’t today. They have not evolved and seem to not want to try.
Disappointed is how I feel. Potential wasted.
My take away? Age has little to do with energy. Age has little to do with passion. Age has little to do with attitude. Age has little to do with achievement and success.
BTW…I just turned 50…maybe that is why I noticed this contrast in behavior. Please keep reminding me to be receptive to change…the alternative is irrelevance.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Price
“Anything can be accomplished if we are willing to pay the price.”
I happen to believe this.
However, part of this statement causes lots of thought, confusion, angst, and down right anxiety for me. What is the price?
The easy answer, I guess, is that the price depends on what we want to accomplish. The greater the accomplishment, the greater the price. Right?
Maybe?
It seems to me that the greater the clarity of focus, the greater the likelihood of accomplishment. There is an old Chinese proverb that says “If we chase 2 rabbits, we catch neither.” On second thought, maybe, giving up on the second rabbit is the price we pay to catch the first. Maybe giving up on some of our dreams, allows us to achieve others. This would argue for prioritizing what we really want. We must also assure that our priorities are not in conflict. We cannot both spend more time with our families AND spend more time gaining expertise in a time consuming hobby. The fewer the priorities, the greater the likelihood of accomplishment. The more congruent the dreams, the greater the likelihood of accomplishment.
The price may simply mean realizing that we cannot accomplish everything. Sacrificing something, a dream or dreams, money, time, fame, relationships….may make way for the accomplishment(s) we truly desire.
I guess we need to be careful about what we really want. Maybe I need to change the tense here…maybe I need to be really careful about what I really want!
Since I started writing this I think I understand “the price” a little better. Hope you do too.
I happen to believe this.
However, part of this statement causes lots of thought, confusion, angst, and down right anxiety for me. What is the price?
The easy answer, I guess, is that the price depends on what we want to accomplish. The greater the accomplishment, the greater the price. Right?
Maybe?
It seems to me that the greater the clarity of focus, the greater the likelihood of accomplishment. There is an old Chinese proverb that says “If we chase 2 rabbits, we catch neither.” On second thought, maybe, giving up on the second rabbit is the price we pay to catch the first. Maybe giving up on some of our dreams, allows us to achieve others. This would argue for prioritizing what we really want. We must also assure that our priorities are not in conflict. We cannot both spend more time with our families AND spend more time gaining expertise in a time consuming hobby. The fewer the priorities, the greater the likelihood of accomplishment. The more congruent the dreams, the greater the likelihood of accomplishment.
The price may simply mean realizing that we cannot accomplish everything. Sacrificing something, a dream or dreams, money, time, fame, relationships….may make way for the accomplishment(s) we truly desire.
I guess we need to be careful about what we really want. Maybe I need to change the tense here…maybe I need to be really careful about what I really want!
Since I started writing this I think I understand “the price” a little better. Hope you do too.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Next Play
Today is April 16, 2010. For the past 27 years or so this day has meant a day to do nothing but chill. As a CPA with a tax practice the filing deadline of April 15 has traditionally caused an approximate 2 month concentration of work and stress. But today, this April 16, I am not chilling…I’m planning.
I have long advised my athletic daughters that the most important play or point is always the next one. I’ve decided to take my own advice. Either after a good point or a bad point in tennis or volleyball the point is over. It is time to move on. Next play…where do we go from here? How can we put ourselves in the place of most potential to succeed now?
Today I am looking at the next play. There are lots of details to follow up on, lots of action items to implement, lots of decisions to be made, and lots of opportunity to seize.
April 15 is over and tomorrow April 16 will be behind me. I’m excited. I can’t wait until Monday!
Next play please!
I have long advised my athletic daughters that the most important play or point is always the next one. I’ve decided to take my own advice. Either after a good point or a bad point in tennis or volleyball the point is over. It is time to move on. Next play…where do we go from here? How can we put ourselves in the place of most potential to succeed now?
Today I am looking at the next play. There are lots of details to follow up on, lots of action items to implement, lots of decisions to be made, and lots of opportunity to seize.
April 15 is over and tomorrow April 16 will be behind me. I’m excited. I can’t wait until Monday!
Next play please!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Factoid
Listen and Silent have the exact same letters. I know there is some deep meaning in there somewhere.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Unknown Unknowns
Currently I am working with 2 clients that are facing some very large decisions. The details surrounding the decisions are not relevant; however, the decisions themselves are very relevant.
Sound like double talk?
Not really.
What I mean is… that the result of the decisions are not relevant…but the decision making process is very relevant. I have often related to my children that neither I nor they will always make the right decision, but we should always make decisions right. (For the record, I, myself did make a wrong decision back in the 8th grade. I don’t remember what it was, but I do remember that it resulted in a trip to the principal’s office and contact with the “board of education”.)
These two clients are approaching the decisions in radically different ways and with radically different levels of stress. Remember, the result of these choices will follow the businesses for years to come.
Client number 1 is fretting about making the wrong choice. Yet he is not doing much else. He paces and thinks, paces and thinks. What if I make the wrong decision? He is feeling lots of stress.
Client number 2 has made several very important lists. He has listed the known knowns. (What he knows to be true.) He has listed the known unknowns. (The things he knows he does not know…and maybe can only find out by making the decision.) But the list he does not know how to compile is the one of the unknown unknowns. (He simply does not know what he does not know.)
This client, then, began asking questions. Good questions. When do I have to make the decision or when is the opportune time? Have I gathered enough information to make a well informed choice? Have I consulted my trusted advisors? Do I know anyone else that has been in a situation similar to this? He is trying to find out information that he does not even know that he doesn’t know. He is on a mission and is energized by the process.
Who do you think is more likely to make a right decision? Who do you think is making the decision right? Easy choice here, correct? Client number 2 of course.
When he gets to the point that the timing is right and he has gathered good information he will simply “plant the flag” and move forward in a confident manner. Will his decisions always be right…I doubt it… but his batting average sure will be better than client number 1 and his stress level will be much more manageable.
Do you have any unknown unknowns? It is difficult to answer that. How would you know?
Sound like double talk?
Not really.
What I mean is… that the result of the decisions are not relevant…but the decision making process is very relevant. I have often related to my children that neither I nor they will always make the right decision, but we should always make decisions right. (For the record, I, myself did make a wrong decision back in the 8th grade. I don’t remember what it was, but I do remember that it resulted in a trip to the principal’s office and contact with the “board of education”.)
These two clients are approaching the decisions in radically different ways and with radically different levels of stress. Remember, the result of these choices will follow the businesses for years to come.
Client number 1 is fretting about making the wrong choice. Yet he is not doing much else. He paces and thinks, paces and thinks. What if I make the wrong decision? He is feeling lots of stress.
Client number 2 has made several very important lists. He has listed the known knowns. (What he knows to be true.) He has listed the known unknowns. (The things he knows he does not know…and maybe can only find out by making the decision.) But the list he does not know how to compile is the one of the unknown unknowns. (He simply does not know what he does not know.)
This client, then, began asking questions. Good questions. When do I have to make the decision or when is the opportune time? Have I gathered enough information to make a well informed choice? Have I consulted my trusted advisors? Do I know anyone else that has been in a situation similar to this? He is trying to find out information that he does not even know that he doesn’t know. He is on a mission and is energized by the process.
Who do you think is more likely to make a right decision? Who do you think is making the decision right? Easy choice here, correct? Client number 2 of course.
When he gets to the point that the timing is right and he has gathered good information he will simply “plant the flag” and move forward in a confident manner. Will his decisions always be right…I doubt it… but his batting average sure will be better than client number 1 and his stress level will be much more manageable.
Do you have any unknown unknowns? It is difficult to answer that. How would you know?
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