Week 4: Reading... Being a Contribution

"What difference can saving a few of them possibly make?" Smiling, she bends down and once more tosses a starfish out over the water, saying serenely, "It certainly makes a difference to this one." (p. 55)

My senior year in high school I attended a leadership retreat, complete with ice breakers, a ropes course and a long line-up of motivational speakers. It was there that I first heard the inspiring anecdote that opened this chapter and first began to ponder the idea of "contribution." Participating in that leadership class was one of the first opportunities I had to collaborate with my peers, each of us offering a unique combination of ourselves to reach common goals.

In The Art of Possibility, Zander and Zander describe a "contribution" as the power to make a difference and the ability to reserve judgement on whether one's offering is good, bad, right, wrong or indifferent. It is the realization that our presence and intention is an immeasurable gift. There is no way of quantifying one's contribution as it means different things to different people at different times.

Entering the EMDT program, I again found myself pondering the idea of contribution. I was weary, being one of the few non-teachers in the bunch, that I would have little to offer my classmates and that I would drown in the wake of their varied classroom experience.

What do I bring to the table?

With each passing month, I become more aware of our unique personal journeys. Over time and through our continued interaction, I appreciate that we are all here for different reasons... relying on different strengths... building on different weaknesses... and reaching for different goals. My contribution is sincere and is reflected in the relationships I've built with each of my classmates - in counsel, in collaboration and in camaraderie.

Sources:
Zander, R. & Zander, B. (2002). The art of possibility: Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin Books.

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themarque/ / CC BY 2.0

Week 3: Response to Nick Briscoe...

THE ART OF POSSIBILITY CHAPTERS 3 & 4 DISCUSSION WK3 PST2

...The questions now are how do I improve my mindset to think of myself as creating A material and how do I stop playing the game and become more of a contribution?

Easier said than done.

Zander, B. and Zander, R. (2000). The Art of Possibility. New York: New York Penguin Group.

EL WRAY...

Wonderfully reflective post Nick. There are some very raw realizations here. In the end you ask, "how do I improve my mindset to think of myself as creating A material and how do I stop playing the game and become more of a contribution?" If I knew the definitive answers to these questions, I would write a book. But all I can offer are speculations based on my own experiences and similar struggles.

I was about to write, "I've never been 100% satisfied with any of the projects I've produced in the EMDT program..." But that would not have been an accurate statement. The truth is that I realize that I can always do better or more... maybe not today and maybe not even tomorrow... but as continually evolving beings, we are constantly growing and learning, and therefore have the infinite capacity to improve. So "satisfaction" is the fleeting moment between knowing you've done your best and realizing you could have done better. It's inevitable.

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009 - 06:27 PM

Sources:

THE ART OF POSSIBILITY CHAPTERS 3 & 4 DISCUSSION WK3 PST2, Nick Briscoe, http://web.me.com/nicholasjbriscoe/NicholasBriscoe/Blog/Entries/2009/7/23_The_Art_of_Possibility_Chapters_3_%26_4_Discussion_Wk3_Pst1.html# retrieved on July 25, 2009

Image Credit: Stock photography purchased by Emily Wray from http://www.photos.com.

Week 3: Reading... Giving an A

In "The Art of Possibility" Zander and Zander explain the practice of giving an A as the conscious realization and appreciation of everyone's individual contribution as a true and valid offering, not to be measured against one's own expectations. Far from just giving someone the benefit of the doubt, giving an A is the recognition of someone's infinite potential.

As mentioned in a previous post, I started reading this book during the break we had immediately before starting Media Asset Creation. When I got to the chapter about giving an A, I thought for sure Mr. Bustillos was going to follow suit and have us all write letters that began:

Dear Mr. Bustillos, I got my A because...

Below would have been my response.

Dear Mr. Bustillos,

I got my A because I would have never settled for less. Please allow me to explain... It's not the grade that I covet, nor any sort of outward measure of my success or failure in the course. What really mattered to me was my own perception of how hard I tried.

You see, I've always known higher education was in the cards for me, yet I promised myself I would not commit to a program that I wasn't wholeheartedly sure of. When I discovered Full Sail's EMDT program, I literally jumped out of my chair and did a happy dance. In that instant, a million little dots started connecting in my mind forming the shape of my future.

I was determined that the EMDT program and every course that composed it be a catalyst for professional growth, the alignment of my interests and talents. As such, I have given it my all... from blisters to bliss... all of me.

Without having to worry about a grade, I felt self-conscious that my work-product/effort for the class wasn't meeting your expectations/objectives. Then I realized, it was my own expectations that I needed to exceed... and I did. The sandbox you provided allowed me a safe environment to explore and reflect on my purpose in the class, the EMDT program and beyond. The experience was a personal one - challenging my strengths, weaknesses and, most importantly, my perception of the two.

I've found comfort and reward in turning every challenge before me into an opportunity for growth. I am now a better version of me.


Sources:

Zander, R. & Zander, B. (2002). The art of possibility: Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin Books.

Flash animation created and posted by Emily Wray at http://blip.tv/file/2386806/

Week 3: The Art of Possibility

Speaking of a labor of love... I can't wait to get back into Zander and Zander's, "The Art of Possibility." I say "back" because I sped through first half during our recent holiday break. I almost feel guilty nestling into this book... it almost feels like... dare I say it... READING FOR PLEASURE!



I knew I recognized the name Benjamin Zander... but I couldn't remember from where! That is until I saw that Mr. Bustillos had posted this video on FSO. Fellow classmate Kim Zalepa turned me on to this particular TED presentation in month 3. Brilliant!

Sources:

Zander, R. & Zander, B. (2002). The art of possibility: Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin Books.

TED.com. (2008). Benjamin Zander on music and passion. Retrieved July 20, 2009, form http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html