It's not you, it's me

Original post:  Nov 11, 2014

Have you ever wondered why no one seems to know how special you are? Or that you have amazing, wonderful talents? If so, have you considered why this might be?

So many times, we're guilty of overlooking what is right in front of us. In this distracted world filled with all manner of spectacles fighting for our attention, we may sometimes miss the very things we are actually looking for.

We may often find ourselves wishing for someone to give us an opportunity to showcase our skills. If we could get that one big break, we might finally achieve that breakthrough we've been waiting for. Unfortunately for us, life isn't often like that. In order for us to shine, we're going to have to set up our own stage. It may be frightening. It may be outside of our comfort zone. It will certainly be difficult. Regardless of the challenge, it may be the only way for others to recognize the incredible gifts that you have to share.

We've been working to plan an extended leadership team meeting for Information Services. There is an incredible amount of talent within our organization. Part of our challenge is that we are so busy fighting the crisis of the day that we don't get a chance to witness the amazing work happening within our own department! One of the main goals of the event is to give due credit to the teams that have labored so diligently and performed so much over the past year.

It isn't every day that a new star is born. Perhaps it will happen before we know it!

20 things 20-year-olds don't get

Original post:  Sep 19, 2013

I must be getting old. When you start identifying with this type of an article, the unmistakeable signs start staring back in the mirror.

That said, there is much of the advice that rings true no matter what your age. As I read through the list, I saw that there were some things I had always done. There were others I may have started on but still need to work on. There are still others that I have not yet put into play.

Here are the ones that resonate most for me:

• Time is not a limitless commodity

It sounds so simple but it rings true. Even when I was 20, I was very aware of the precious nature of time. Perhaps it is why I have this relentless desire to find the most economical way to do just about anything. As I've grown older, I've learned that things always take longer than you think they will. I've also learned that you can never quite accomplish as much as you hope you will, but that with enough effort you can be satisfied with the result.

• You're talented, but talent is overrated

No matter how insanely gifted anyone is, without hard work that talent is likely to be wasted. There is always someone who will be just a bit more talented. If it's not now, it will be soon.

• Pick up the phone

I always prefer a face-to-face discussion if it is possible. You can learn so much more than you can over the phone. While a videoconference is OK, I still prefer live human interaction.

Here is a link to the full article:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnazar/2013/07/23/20-things-20-year-olds-dont-get/

Which ones do you like? 

Seeing things before they happen

Original post:  Nov 20, 2012

There are certain individuals who are blessed with the ability to see things others just can't vision. As the construction continues, all I can see is an empty room. There are some wooden support beams framed in what should be walls. The floor has ugly splotches that used to be covered in carpet. A tangle of wires hangs through missing tiles in the drop ceiling.

That is not what the talented designer sees. There are certain individuals who can look at these (mostly) empty spaces and visualize patterns and shapes. They imagine bold color choices. They know that they want to put this desk here and these chairs there. They can see (at least in their mind's eye) what the future of this room will be long before it happens.

There are many other fields like that. Chefs are able to take a raw ingredient and know all of the ways to extract flavor from it. They can taste what the combinations might be even before they set up their cutting boards. Musicians are able to look at sheet music and play them in their heads. Coaches can see subtle hints that let them know exactly what will occur in the moments just ahead because they've studied hours of film beforehand.

Most of us are able to appreciate events after they have already occurred. At that point, it's obvious to everyone. It takes a great deal of practice and some skill to see things before they happen.

As we move forward, it seems as if that talent will be required by many more of us in the days ahead.