about how we mark time.
Yesterday way my son’s birthday.
Two weeks ago he started his first job after college.
In May, he graduated.
We mark such big events. Weddings, birthdays, graduations. Births. Deaths.
But we live our lives in the time in between.
This weekend as travel to work a project,
I’m going to remember . . .
that it’s the in between I value most,
that’s it’s the in-btween I find myself wishing back.
He was one of a kind, probably a genius. Let’s call him Steve. Steve was an engineer who worked his way up to designing unique systems. His work had won important contracts and acclaim. He had garnered a pocketful of patents.
To the outside world, Steve was something special. He got along really well with clients and folks he thought were intelligent. To others, Steve could be a real pain in the neck.
Steve’s philosophy was “It’s about the work and getting it done. Either do it or don’t. If you don’t, you’re gone. In the meantime, get over what’s bothering you. We’ve got work. It’s about the work and getting it done.†Steve was a productive guy.
When the business Steve worked for was in good times, they let Steve have his way. His work was impeccable. His handpicked team understood his gruff, no-nonsense style and performed well. Their jobs came in under budget, on time, and with kudos from clients. The problem began when work started to slow.
People at the company began to worry whether they would still have work. They looked for reasons that the company was slow for work. Of course, only the folks at the top knew the reasons for sure, but that didn’t stop everyone from needing to have some. One of the reasons they came up with was Steve. People at the company started to discuss his flaws. The biggest of which was he didn’t treat people nicely.
People remembered slights and sharp words. The circumstances and his personality led to complaints about him. In the end, despite his stellar talent, his unique systems, and patents, Steve was dismissed because he didn’t understand a critical issue.
Being good at what you do is important, but a strong personal identity includes both good and easy to work with.
A company will make room for idiosyncracies that don’t upset the balance or upset the people. Talent and unique skills are good when they move things forward, but not good when they become the conversation or when they get in the way of the work.
Would you rather work for someone good who is nice or someone stellar who is not?
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.
about that old question . . .
I must have been as small as 8 years old, when I heard that old, philosophical question,
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear is there a sound?
Even then, even now, from the first time I heard that question, my response wasn’t what it was meant to be. Rather than imagining the sound, I was immediately in the forest with that falling tree.
I watched the tree fall. I heard the sound. I thought of myself falling down. I was 8 years old. I wondered.
If I saw a tree fall in a forest and no one was around for me to tell, did it really happen?
That’s what I thought. . . . most of my life.
Most of my life, some things weren’t real unless I had someone to tell. In some way, describing an event was like making sure someone heard the sound of the falling tree. It was proof I existed. It meant I wasn’t alone.
It took precious time to retell my life.
I still do it now, but not to prove I am real. Now I’m there the first time around instead.
Now when a tree falls in the forest, I’m singing about the sound of being alive.
Hi Everyone! We talked about photo and art sources last night at Open Comments Night. Sure, we talked about other things — Twitter and business coaching. In the end, we must have stayed on topic, because we developed an impressive list of links to pass on today. YEA!!
Here are some cool links we shared.
Thanks everyone for coming!
I hope you all had a great time!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
A turning point in my blogging history was called “An Open Thought: Please Take the Keys.” I knew when I wrote that piece that something was wrong; I even had a feeling what it might be. I had been looking for a way to bring it up. . . .
When I did, you were there. You stepped up and told me what I was doing wrong. It was the coolest thing. That was the day this blog became a community.
I’ve always been grateful for the day that you took the keys.
Relationships grow and change.
Last week at BlogHer I overheard someone say something. It’s something I’ve heard in passing on this blog. I’ve also heard the same thing inside the compliments that you give me and in the apologies that come when we talk.
The person at BlogHer said, “If they post more than once a day, they’re banned from my feeds.”
You’ve been more tactful than that, but you’ve been sort of saying the same thing.
Not to worry, it’s no longer about me being brave. This time it’s me asking you what you think, what you need, and what you like to read. I can tell from your comments a few things. I’m also perceptive enough to read a bit of what you’re not saying.
On the other hand, I’m as blind as every other human. No one knows that better than this human being.
You’re the people I trust and the people I serve. So, you’re the ones I’m coming to. I’ll lay out the problem, and I hope that you’ll tell me what you know.
The problem: I’m about head and heart, business and life, information and relationships, so I post twice a day at least. When I add in the projects I want to keep up with, references lists and resources, 200 outstanding blogs, and the questions/photos things I like to throw in for discussion, I’m feeling like I post way too frequently.
It’s not like anyone’s advice is going to change who I am, how I write, or maybe even what I do. I’m still the one who has trouble walking in a straight line. . . .
But you took the keys one time and you didn’t steer me wrong then. I’d be downright stupid not to listen now.
I’m many things, but stupid ain’t one of them.
Please take the keys.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Is your business stuck?Work with Liz!!
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
Here’s a few ideas to get us started:
Did you know that the Library of Congress is a photo and art source? Click the name below.
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?
