2nd posting personal development's the thing
A reflection about some questions asked of me during the FLOW game we played in Zimbabwe.
“How can I communicate my vision to those who can be part of the team who could make it happen?”
well, I just thought I should ask the team to articulate their version of the CyberY vision. I’m interested in their perception/perspective.
“What gives me joy in my job?:”
Seeing “aha” moments, connecting people with specific resources that will help them, seeing the appreciation in people’s eyes. I also wrote a poem about why I work at the YMCA…see below.
“What prevents me from articulating my vision?”
My experience/observations have taught me that more paperwork is not what is needed, or what would be effective. I try to match my actions to the culture of the work environment. I guess my formal goals don’t align with what is really needed…sometimes I’m overwhelmed…sometimes I lose my motivation.
“What conversation am I needing to have?”
The mentoring issue…although I have already talked about…and am quite surprised by the response. Getting a budget…but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon, and I don’t have specific ideas of how a formal budget would make it “better.”
“Why am I willing to work without a budget?”
My perception is this is how the job is structured—and BIG changes would need to occur for this to change.
A lot of it is about what I want to do vs. what I observe as most needed in this world. Seven deaths in seven days in Boston…that says something big is misaligned in this culture.
What I want: to use yoga and technology as part of a professional and personal development program(?) for people who’s work is helping the world (which also usually includes a high burnout rate).
What I observe: More violence, too much money in venture capital, less and less money going to the community, more apathy. People need space in their lives—to think deeply about their work and lives, about what would make them happy. I “track” some other topics as well, but don’t have time to write about them right now.
When my back hurts, nothing else matters. Keeping my back healthy and pain free while doing something to help the world is what I’m about right now.
It amazes me how segmented our world is in thought and action—even within the same organization—even within the same physical building.
I sense that my magic will occur when my professional development meets my personal development meets my yoga development.
“Why am I staying in a situation where I feel so ineffective?”
Maybe that was just a bad day;)..I have learned that it takes SO long to develop solid relationships (with people) where real work can get done—especially the work of new initiatives. It seems like I’m breaking new ground with every step. This is NOT the same old routine. My heart tells me to stay here until it’s time to be done. I’m still finding there are MANY ways to do the work I want to do. Sometimes the most effective way may be the least expected. This is the work that the world needs now. I will give this my best thinking while I’m available.
“What support system do I have to support the changes I want to make?”
My boss always talks of the “team.” I guess I have some people at each branch that have found an “in” to the world of computers—meaning they have had some experience and/or success using the computer lab with their group of kids, or other project.
“Am I exploring my goals with my team?”
It feels really hard to keep a “team” together, mostly because everyone feels so isolated. We are not meeting in person right now. I could probably do better. It’s hard to say these are goals when the culture is so much from the bottom up. So I try to support people who show motivation (“the low hanging fruit”) to “raise the bar” in the computer lab.
“What is my definition of power?”
Being able to have my vision carried out; to have things happen faster—more of a sense of urgency; feeling more connected to my team...I had a conversation with my boss recently, and we talked about influence, not so much power....I need to have influence in decisions.
“Do I share enough of my goals?”
Probably not, but I don’t know how that would really help anything.
“What are my strengths?”
Finding very specific information to for a problem; asking good questions; keeping track of details; seeing the bigger picture.
“What do I lose if I fail to accomplish my goals?”
I wish I could fail more, so I could learn more. I wish more was expected of me. If I fail in my goals, I guess would learn something and move onto the next goal.
“Can I not mix my personal live with work life?”
This is VERY important to me, so I try to do this as much as possible. My eyes/ears are always open for people/resources that might be able to help work, and vise versa.
“How could I make my work more impactful?”
More follow up with the resources/information I get for people. Push more?…hmmm…I’m not sure about that..I’m so good at pushing..and wonder why it takes SO much pushing to get things done sometimes.
“When do I shine?”
“Who are my internal customers?”
I ran out of reflection energy...can add more later..
poem...reflection
This is why I do this work
Because I love to witness the “ah ha” moments of discovery.
Because I love to laugh and play with the pre-schoolers.
Because building strong kids, families and communities is the work that is needed right now.
Because being able to use technology to improve quality of life is a big piece of the mind-body-spirit triangle.
Because I’m impressed with the diversity of our staff and members.
Because joining an impromptu game of Frisbee reminds me I’m never too young to have fun.
Because building character is important to me.
Because I love the challenge of building a stronger future.
Because learning can happen at any moment.
Work at ymca keeps me connected.
--Matt Crichton 4/13/06
“How can I communicate my vision to those who can be part of the team who could make it happen?”
well, I just thought I should ask the team to articulate their version of the CyberY vision. I’m interested in their perception/perspective.
“What gives me joy in my job?:”
Seeing “aha” moments, connecting people with specific resources that will help them, seeing the appreciation in people’s eyes. I also wrote a poem about why I work at the YMCA…see below.
“What prevents me from articulating my vision?”
My experience/observations have taught me that more paperwork is not what is needed, or what would be effective. I try to match my actions to the culture of the work environment. I guess my formal goals don’t align with what is really needed…sometimes I’m overwhelmed…sometimes I lose my motivation.
“What conversation am I needing to have?”
The mentoring issue…although I have already talked about…and am quite surprised by the response. Getting a budget…but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon, and I don’t have specific ideas of how a formal budget would make it “better.”
“Why am I willing to work without a budget?”
My perception is this is how the job is structured—and BIG changes would need to occur for this to change.
A lot of it is about what I want to do vs. what I observe as most needed in this world. Seven deaths in seven days in Boston…that says something big is misaligned in this culture.
What I want: to use yoga and technology as part of a professional and personal development program(?) for people who’s work is helping the world (which also usually includes a high burnout rate).
What I observe: More violence, too much money in venture capital, less and less money going to the community, more apathy. People need space in their lives—to think deeply about their work and lives, about what would make them happy. I “track” some other topics as well, but don’t have time to write about them right now.
When my back hurts, nothing else matters. Keeping my back healthy and pain free while doing something to help the world is what I’m about right now.
It amazes me how segmented our world is in thought and action—even within the same organization—even within the same physical building.
I sense that my magic will occur when my professional development meets my personal development meets my yoga development.
“Why am I staying in a situation where I feel so ineffective?”
Maybe that was just a bad day;)..I have learned that it takes SO long to develop solid relationships (with people) where real work can get done—especially the work of new initiatives. It seems like I’m breaking new ground with every step. This is NOT the same old routine. My heart tells me to stay here until it’s time to be done. I’m still finding there are MANY ways to do the work I want to do. Sometimes the most effective way may be the least expected. This is the work that the world needs now. I will give this my best thinking while I’m available.
“What support system do I have to support the changes I want to make?”
My boss always talks of the “team.” I guess I have some people at each branch that have found an “in” to the world of computers—meaning they have had some experience and/or success using the computer lab with their group of kids, or other project.
“Am I exploring my goals with my team?”
It feels really hard to keep a “team” together, mostly because everyone feels so isolated. We are not meeting in person right now. I could probably do better. It’s hard to say these are goals when the culture is so much from the bottom up. So I try to support people who show motivation (“the low hanging fruit”) to “raise the bar” in the computer lab.
“What is my definition of power?”
Being able to have my vision carried out; to have things happen faster—more of a sense of urgency; feeling more connected to my team...I had a conversation with my boss recently, and we talked about influence, not so much power....I need to have influence in decisions.
“Do I share enough of my goals?”
Probably not, but I don’t know how that would really help anything.
“What are my strengths?”
Finding very specific information to for a problem; asking good questions; keeping track of details; seeing the bigger picture.
“What do I lose if I fail to accomplish my goals?”
I wish I could fail more, so I could learn more. I wish more was expected of me. If I fail in my goals, I guess would learn something and move onto the next goal.
“Can I not mix my personal live with work life?”
This is VERY important to me, so I try to do this as much as possible. My eyes/ears are always open for people/resources that might be able to help work, and vise versa.
“How could I make my work more impactful?”
More follow up with the resources/information I get for people. Push more?…hmmm…I’m not sure about that..I’m so good at pushing..and wonder why it takes SO much pushing to get things done sometimes.
“When do I shine?”
“Who are my internal customers?”
I ran out of reflection energy...can add more later..
poem...reflection
This is why I do this work
Because I love to witness the “ah ha” moments of discovery.
Because I love to laugh and play with the pre-schoolers.
Because building strong kids, families and communities is the work that is needed right now.
Because being able to use technology to improve quality of life is a big piece of the mind-body-spirit triangle.
Because I’m impressed with the diversity of our staff and members.
Because joining an impromptu game of Frisbee reminds me I’m never too young to have fun.
Because building character is important to me.
Because I love the challenge of building a stronger future.
Because learning can happen at any moment.
Work at ymca keeps me connected.
--Matt Crichton 4/13/06
