Listen, Think and Do
Heres my job : listen, think and do (ltd). sounds simple enough doesn't it? unfortunately I've been having real problems with it lately, for example I have spent so much time listening and thinking lately that my doing (productivity) has dropped through the floor. I don't blame this on myself of course rather my favorite bloggers and participants, if they stopped writing and saying such interesting stuff, my listening would decrease dramatically, also I wouldn't have so much to think about.
Of course because they are all participants, I have to go with the flow thats the way it works. If flow is high and rich then inevitably one gets caught in it, thats just the way, and truly I wouldn't want to change that. I could of course be draconian and lop off parts of the network in which I am engaged, but I fear this would throw the baby out with the bath water.
No I must adopt a more cunning plan to solve my predicament I will use 'The Force'. In this case there is little difference between 'The Network' and 'The Force' I am just using metaphors to convey interpretation. But the lesson for young Luke in Star Wars was that rather than try to fight it work with it, feel it, using the force was like the reed bending in the wind versus the tree being uprooted.
Apologies for the bizarre star wars and folk story references, but what I am saying is that I have to use the network to combat the network effects. I too have to bend with the network and let the network flow right through me, resisting it will just displace my position in it. So I think my decision has to move from being a network listener and thinker to being more of a network doer. Doing with the network isn't unfamiliar to me, having being involved in open source communities over the years, however I have done little in instigating such communities or kicking of projects. In many ways I have wanted to but the risks for starting such things are high, I suffer fears of rejection, worries about overload or just plain paranoia about whether anyone else would actually being interested in what I wish to commence.
But I do have to move on, it isn't just the thinking and listening that is preventing me from effectively doing it is also the deciding, which is the bridge betwixt thinking and doing, with which I am needing some help. So from now on I will be whispering to you, my participants, in order that you may help me decide. I am optimistic that you will at least in some way participate, I will certainly encourage it so keep your ears and eyes open.....
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