May 02

Part I - What Are You Growing?

I’m thinking today about the work Activate Potential clients are doing. In particular, I’m hearing a question in my head:

“What are you growing?”

Every client has a long to-do list. Everyone is busy. The beauty to the question, “What are you growing?” is that it goes beyond the to-do list.

A to-do list as long as my arm, keeping a hundred balls in the air, having more work than I can handle are all common descriptions of the current situation. They don’t say anything about what is on the to-do list, what balls are being juggled and what work is keeping you busy.

The distinction is between what is happening and what is needed. I know, I know. I’ve had an allergic reaction to this idea myself. I usually reply, “What is needed is clearing this list!” But, I’m just being defensive. As often as not, I’m so stuck in problems I cannot get to the opportunities. Trouble is - fixing problems is not how companies grow. Taking timely advantage of opportunities is. And my to-do list is very often focused on problems.

Everyone on the plane heading off course is busy, just like the people on the plane heading in the right direction. No matter where you’re headed, you’re busy.

“What are you growing?” is a strong question, because it focuses your thinking and mind’s eye on the flowering garden or harvested field, just as an architect focuses on the grand scheme while drawing the specs for the guest bathroom off the living room.

Next time someone asks you how things are going or, “What have you been up to?” - reply by answering a different question. Tell them about what you are growing. The answer, heard by them and by you, will remind you of your large architectural project. (By the way, a little trick about answering this question: The most important thing is what you hear, not what they hear.)

The question, “What are you growing” will put into the larger context the day to day activities you usually talk about. The result will be seeing both the big picture and the little dots that make it up, simultaneously. It’s a great skill to have.

Next week we’ll get to what needs weeding out. For now, enjoy focusing on what you are growing. Like a garden wanting fertilizer and water, “What are you growing” is so hungry for strong answers.

Uncategorized