Serendipity and Learning

 If you, by chance go to a recipe site these days, the recipe will start with a story. And then a pointless anecdote and then other recipes and finally deep down is the actual recipe. Some of the not so sadistic recipe sites have a "jump to recipe" button. The reason is probably misplaced incentives . But that does explain it fully.  While writing a book (as in my own experience) there is a temptation to write and fill pages. But the reader will lose interest. The trick is to keep it short and punchy. This is difficult when the goal is to write x pages or y words.  In a TED talk - there are so many rambling stories that I find it easier to dive into the transcript, get the core idea and move out.  I was recently tasked with looking for some good online courses on a platform. There is so much rambling - somehow that is seen as necessary for the course to be seen as something with gravitas.  Or a podcast. So many of them have so many unrelated anecdotes it is impo...

I have 30 years of experience, said this character in a popular sitcom of the 80s that aired on Indian television. Most of those who have seen this sitcom will remember this vividly. And this character would start every statement with "I have 30 years of experience". Recently in a conversation with someone, the person kept on bringing up 30 years of experience. However, what we heard post that sentence was, quite, tame and pointed more to blindspots, than to the experience.  Sometimes, experience can be a sunk cost that prevents you from seeing what is in front of you!

Well, what motivates me? When I work with a client, what motivates me is Am I feeling valued? If my input useful for them or is just something that is a tick in the box for them? The fact that my inputs are valued motivates me. The fact that the client is invested makes a difference. When you are asked to come in with a template approach - that is far less motivating than it is when the client comes in with an open slate and is willing to work through the challenge. Sometimes, the client is not invested in solving the problem as you are, but thats for another day. The second thing that motivates me is the Impact I am able to generate. Greater impact means greater motivation. There are assignments when both dont happen - but thats for another day, but whenever the two happen, I as a consultant feel motivated to give my 100% and more.  I also feel that they two have to ncecessarily co-exist. Developing thought I suppose...