Old Friends

I spoke with several old friends today. Not old in the age sense! Just good friends that I’ve known as friends for a long time.

Some of these are very close and I see them frequently. Others aren’t quite as close, and maybe I don’t see them quite so frequently, but they’re still dear old friends.

There’s a particular comfort in spending time with old friends that is hard to describe and yet, hopefully, quite familiar to us all. You can say what you think and what you feel. You don’t worry about any form of judgment whatsoever. You can laugh about old shared jokes and experiences, and freely make up new jokes and experiences on the fly. Old friends are comfortable, like a well worn pair of jeans or shoes that you just don’t ever want to part with.

Each of these old-friend encounters was business related. An update. A consultation. A gut check. A second opinion. A very honest second opinion.

Old friends are trusted.

I also got to spend some precious time, late in the day, with a new friend. It was a wonderful juxtaposition. This young individual impressed me to no end. I suspect, in fact I believe that this new friendship will grow substantially for the rest of our lives. And someday, when I speak or write of old friends, this young individual will be top of mind.

For all old friends were once new friends, young friends.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." –Anais Nin, 20th century writer and diarist

Audit

It’s been a long day. And there’s still lots to do.

We’re in the middle of our first audit. I’ve spent a large part of the evening assembling files, papers, etc. Everything is well organized, so it didn’t take as long as it could have.

However, I’m sure through this audit process I’ll learn that certain items could be filed differently. There will be small changes to my systems to make the next audit easier.

We continue discussions with various leasing companies regarding our equipment needs. All signs suggest that we’re getting close to an agreement. Our suppliers have been very helpful, providing all of the information required by the leasing companies.

We closed our pool over the weekend. My boys have grown substantially over the summer – must have been all the rain and sun – and thus have become far more capable with various tasks around the house. It was nice working with them to close the pool. We also visited a local golf practice area and worked on their games.

I’ve been doing a lot of driving lately; visiting shareholders to have them sign a document. That occupied most of this morning. Only three more signatures to go now! Unfortunately, two of those shareholders are several hours away. Not sure when I’ll make that trek. Perhaps Canada Post will be faster and easier.

Well, back at it. Just one more task for tonight, and then a walk to clear my head. Early start tomorrow.

My First 5K

I ran in my first 5 km road race over the weekend. I’d never experienced such an event, so it was all new to me.

I had a fantastic time! Everything about the entire day was just perfect, from start to finish. And the start was very early! I wouldn’t have changed a thing. The event was really well organized and I thoroughly enjoyed the run. I can’t wait to do it again!

The rest of the weekend was spent in the office, working away. Lots to do, as always.

We’re now well into a provincial election campaign here in Ontario. I tend to follow current events fairly closely, but must admit that I get tired of reading the daily litany of promises and pledges that fills the newspaper each day during a campaign. I am hoping to do better during this campaign, and ensure my vote is suitably informed.

I wonder if the politicians will enjoy their race as much as I enjoyed the 5K. For their sake, I hope so.

Unbelievable Math Problem

A friend sent the following “unbelievable math problem” via email the other day. It was one of those emails that have been traveling around the Internet for many years.

I decided that I’d try to decode the mysteries of this trick and, in doing so, perhaps refresh some of my early high school algebra. Since my sons will soon enter high school and may want some math help from yours truly, it seemed like a fun and perhaps helpful exercise.

Here’s the email:
Here is a math trick so unbelievable that it will stump you. Personally I would like to know who came up with this and why that person is not running the country.
1. Grab a calculator. (you won't be able to do this one in your head)
2. Key in the first three digits of your phone number (NOT the Area code)
3. Multiply by 80
4. Add 1
5. Multiply by 250
6. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number
7. Add the last 4 digits of your phone number again.
8. Subtract 250
9. Divide number by 2
Do you recognize the answer?

The answer is, of course, your seven digit phone number. Here’s an example, using the number 765-4321 for illustration purposes.

The first three digits are 765.
765 x 80 = 61,200
Add 1 to get 61,201
61201 x 250 = 15,300,250
Add the last four digits, or 4321, to get 15,304,571
Add the last four digits, or 4321, again to get 15,308,892
Subtract 250 to yield 15,308,642
Divide by 2 and we’re back to 7,654,321, or 765-4321
Very cool!

So, how does it work?

Well, clearly there are two variables: the first three digits of the phone number and the last four digits of the phone number. I called these “X” and “Y” respectively. The entire phone number I called “Z”.

Quickly you can see that the formula for z is:
Z = (X x 10,000) + Y
Why 10,000? Well, because we have to move the first three digits, or X, over to the left by four spaces/digits. We then add the last four digits, or Y.
So, in our example:
Z = (765 x 10,000) + 4,321 … which equals … 7,650,000 + 4,321 … which equals … 7,654,321 or 765-4321
Thus, our formula works. Indeed, Z = (X x 10,000) + Y.

My next step was to translate the directions in the email into an expression. Here it is:

Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) + Y + Y - 250) / 2

Now all I had to do was adjust or simplify the above expression, as presented in the email, to Z = (X x 10,000) + Y.

I started by applying the division-by-2 to all elements within the braces.

Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + Y/2 + Y/2 - 250/2

This can be quickly simplified to:

Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + (Y+ Y)/2 - 125

And further simplified to:

Z = ((((X x 80) + 1) x 250) / 2) + Y - 125

Now focusing within the braces, we can apply the division-by-2 to the 250.

Z = (((X x 80) + 1) x 250/2) + Y - 125

Which further simplifies to:

Z = (((X x 80) + 1) x 125) + Y - 125

Now focusing within the braces, we can apply the multiply-by-125 to the two elements.

Z = (((X x 80) x 125) + (1 x 125)) + Y - 125

Which simplifies to:

Z = (((X x 80) x 125) + 125) + Y - 125

And further simplifies to:

Z = (X x 80 x 125) + 125 + Y - 125

And further simplifies to:

Z = (X x 10,000) + Y

Which of course, is what we were after. Now, if only I had a better recall of integrals, matrices and the other joys of high school algebra.

Memphis Newsletter

I read the Monthly Member Newsletter from Parmasters Memphis this morning. It won’t be long before we at Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo are publishing something similar.

It was good to see that Parmasters Memphis is making great progress. It wasn’t all that long ago that I attended their grand opening. And now, in this September Newsletter, they’ve initiated their first member survey, gathering feedback in the interests of improving constantly.

They’ve also just hired a Manager of Member Support and a Manager of Marketing. I’m sure these new team members are already bringing a wealth of energy to the most amazing indoor golf training center in Memphis, in the United States, and yes, in the world!

I was also impressed to read that the Kaizen Korner (aka pro shop) at Parmasters Memphis is now carrying the Argon Putter Training System. The Argon hails from beautiful New Hamburg, Ontario. I blogged about it recently here.

The team at Parmasters Memphis, lead by owners Mike Allen and Mario Bertagna, have been leading the charge within the Parmasters system. They opened the first center and that’s a massive understatement. The center they built is second to none! The videos you see on the Parmasters website come from Memphis. They’ve done a great job, and a great service to the Parmasters system, and all future Parmasters members and clients.

A System for Golf Instruction

“Golfers' handicaps remain stagnant, despite improvements in equipment, course conditions and advances in the science of the swing. According to the National Golf Foundation data from 2005, the average handicap index for men has remained about 15 and for women about 23 for decades.” (From The perfect swing is all in my head, by Lorne Rubenstein, 31 August 2007, Globe and Mail.)

Rubenstein goes on to lament that two great teachers recently gave him diametrically opposite advice. “[Renowned golf instructor David] Leadbetter examined my swing a few years ago and said, ‘With the shape of your swing, I wouldn't try to do anything but fade the ball.’ Not long after that, I joined Chuck Cook for a game. Cook, the late Payne Stewart's swing coach, said nothing about my swing until we reached the 14th hole at the National, Canada's ultimate examination of one's game. … ‘You know, I've been watching the shape of your swing,’ Cook said, ‘and if I were you, I wouldn't try to do anything but hook the ball.’”

You can find the entire article here.

I blogged in June about an Ontario Golf magazine article by Ted McIntyre in which he argued that the average handicap index was being inflated by more challenging courses, the influx of new golfers, etc.

At Parmasters, we guarantee results.
- If you have an established handicap, we guarantee 25% off that handicap, and
- If you’re a golfer without an established handicap we guarantee 25% off your handicap equivalent.
- Even if you’re a new golfer, we guarantee twenty strokes off your score!!

This is one of the many reasons why I’m so excited and happy to be the local Parmasters franchise owner!

When you come to Parmasters KW to learn, whether you are starting from scratch, or trying to improve on scratch, you will never here conflicting advice from our coaches. We have a system for teaching. And we use that teaching system to teach you a system for hitting the ball straight. So when you leave, yes, you will have a system that will allow you to consistently hit the ball straight.

Our Chief Pro and Co-founder, Scott Hazledine, has been teaching Straight-line Golf™ for more than a dozen years. He’s always offered a 40% reduction in handicap, or your money back. No one has ever asked for their money back!

You can find some testimonials here.

Will the rapid growth of Parmasters and the rapid adoption of Straight-line Golf lead to a reduction in the overall average handicap index? Will Lorne Rubenstein write an article in ten years to that effect? I’m not sure. McIntyre may be correct; perhaps the average handicap index is a jaded metric.

But, on an individual level, will we at Parmasters KW improve the golf games of our students? Absolutely, by at least 25%, guaranteed!

You See What You Look For

"To a large degree, the world around you is a mirror of that which is within you. You see what you look for. People treat you as you expect to be treated. The things you experience come from the actions you take. With your thoughts and actions you can make it what you want it to be."
-Ralph Marston

Focus On A Target

I’ve just returned from a late afternoon practice. The range and practice area were fairly busy, which is good to see. We still have several months left in the season.

Today was fairly quiet. Not too many calls made or received, and no meetings, which is very rare these days. It was a good opportunity to bear down on a variety of office work that required my attention. I made a lot of progress on many fronts. Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo is quickly becoming a reality. We'll open for business this coming winter!

This past Sunday morning I played Foxwood Country Club with an old friend and two new friends. As we made our way around the eighteen holes, I was struck by a thought. For the bulk of my 17 years of golfing, I’ve focused on the dangers that lurk left and right of each fairway and green, rather than focusing on my target. This was quite a revelation!

On just about every tee block, I’ve looked out at the hole before me and considered all of the dangers. Then, as I approach the ball and prepare to swing, my thought pattern has revolved around avoiding the dangers. To put it mildly, that’s terrible!

I should, to state the obvious, be focusing on my target. Those in the know say it’s not even enough to pick out a bunker off in the distance as a target, or a large piece of fairway. Experts agree, your target should be very small and very specific. You can use that bunker as a target, but only the right edge, or the left edge, or that little section of sand that juts out somewhere. Or perhaps your target is a tree. If so, it can’t be the entire tree, branches and all, but must focus down to the trunk.

I’ve decided to really work on this. I know it will be a long, uphill battle. Seventeen years is a long time. Thus, I’m sure this bad habit is very deeply engrained.

And clearly I won’t ignore the various dangers on every hole. Far from it. Again, as experts agree, I will consider my various options on each hole and develop a plan for each hole, one after another. Each plan will include very specific targets for each shot.

Then, when it comes time to execute each shot, I will focus exclusively and very intently on my chosen target.

Thus, the dangers are considered, but they’re not the focus.

I’ll try to remember to report back on my progress.

Mentoring

I’ve been thinking a lot about mentors lately. Specifically, I’m considering approaching one or two individuals to see if they would lend their expertise, as a mentor. I would hope to meet with each regularly, perhaps monthly, or bi-weekly, to discuss challenges, successes and new opportunities.

I set time aside this past Saturday to build a short list of potential candidates. Obviously I’m considering their business and life experience, how well we get along, whether they can spare the time, etc.

I’ve enjoyed great relationships with mentors in the past, whether they were formally declared as such or not. I’ve also mentored others, both formally – having been asked to mentor – and informally, which just happens.

I’ve also worked with advisory boards in the past. A good advisory board can be like a mentor. In my case, my advisors helped launch a business and kept me focused on the most critical tasks. Sometimes they were gentle and, well, nurturing. At other times they were brutally honest, and even angry. At all times, they cared and were very much engaged.

I’m looking for the same dynamic from any mentor that I approach. I’m looking for honesty. A kind and positive word when appropriate. A kick in the butt when appropriate.

My only concern as I take this path is ensuring that the time is well spent and well worth it, both for me and for the mentor. I will receive business coaching. The mentor will receive the satisfaction of having helped, and perhaps a free breakfast periodically.

However, if I don’t listen to the coaching, or don’t follow at least some of the advice offered, them I’m not really receiving business coaching. And, in that case, my mentor clearly won’t receive any satisfaction from having helped.

Thus, clearly, it’s back to my list. It’s critically important that I approach the right individual. Hopefully he’ll say yes.

Healthy Habits

We’ve made some significant progress on my fronts this week. It’s an exciting time. We’ve started designing our space, our floor plan. We’re talking to suppliers about the larger pieces of equipment we will need, arranging any required financing, etc. And of course, we continue to work closely with our landlord on a variety of details.

I received a rather vague email from a friend’s assistant yesterday. My colleague wants to book a meeting to talk about a job/role that I’ve never heard of. I’m not sure if it’s his company or mine. But, the fact is, this colleague is a “rainmaker.” He makes things happen, lots of things, lots of very good things. It’s a distinct pleasure to have him in my network of friends. I’m hoping he needs a favour, as he’s helped me immeasurably lately. We’ll book the meeting!

Another friend, Jim Estill, posted a blog entry recently that focused on an article on healthy habits from Web MD. These are the habits, along with how I’m doing on each.

1 – Eat breakfast every morning – I never miss either a bowl of cold cereal (Shreddies) with skim milk or peameal bacon and eggs over medium with whole wheat toast.

2 – Get enough Omega-3 – I rarely eat fish, and while I do take a vitamin supplement, it likely doesn’t satisfy my Omega-3 requirements.

3 – Get enough sleep – I’m currently only getting 5.5 to 6.5 hours per night, with the odd night of 7 or 8 hours, and also the odd night of 4 hours or so.

4 – Make social connections – I’ve fallen down on this lately, focusing on the business.

5 – Exercise – I tend to workout (resistance training) three days a week for close to an hour each day, and I try to run once a week but have definitely missed many weeks lately.

6 – Practice good dental hygiene – I’m doing ok on this front.

7 – Take up a hobby – Do sports count? I golf in the summer and play hockey in the winter.

8 – Protect your skin – Again, I think I’m fairly diligent.

9 – Snack the healthy way – I could improve here. I don’t snack often, but when I do it’s usually toast, or something worse, like a few chips or desserts.

10 – Drink water and eat dairy – I drink a lot of water, eat some cheese, and enjoy skim milk with my breakfast cereal.

11 – Drink tea – I took up the coffee habit fairly recently. I’ve tried green tea, but don’t enjoy it. I may have to rethink this after reading the article.

12 – Take a daily walk – I generally walk when golfing, but rarely otherwise. I do get the odd hike in, the last of which was, by far, the most incredible experience I’ve ever had in the wilderness! I’d like to hike a lot more! I find some of my best ideas come to me while walking, and yet I rarely make time for it. I should make a change.

13 – Plan – This I do diligently. I’m a “planner”, in this sense, unlike some people I know. ;)

Strong Trees

I’ve had two quotes, both previously mentioned within this blog, rolling around in my mind lately.

"Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees." -unknown

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." -John Quincy Adams

I love what I do. I love this business, and the task of building this business, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo. There are times when that strong wind seems to be at my back, and others when it seems to be coming right at me (like during a very long, steep uphill portion of my run this past Sunday morning, when the wind was quite definitely coming right at me).

But, of course, the combination of the wind and the incline helped me get more out of my run. And I ultimately turned in one of my best times for 5k.

I will build a strong business. I won’t have it any other way.

As for the second quote, for me, it speaks to momentum. As long as progress is made each and every day, as long as you never quit, you will achieve.

It’s simply the Law of Inertia. I mentioned this back in the very early days of this blog, here.

The Future

This past weekend was a bit of whirlwind. Friends from high school get together annually, generally a weekend in August, at a cottage owned by one of the gang. We used to play football in the shallow water, swim, hang out on the raft, water ski, etc. Now, as parents, we watch the children play football, swim, hang out on the raft, and water ski or wake board. At least we’re all still somewhat involved. We also sit around a campfire at night and tell all the same jokes and stories that we tell every year.

The cottage is near Minden, Ontario, a good 3.5 hour drive. We left at 6:00am and were in my home town shortly after 8:00am. From there it was only another hour to the cottage. After a day by the water we left around 12:30am and were home by 4:00am. A long day, but it was nice to see everyone.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the future lately, both business and personal. They’re clearly intertwined. Both my Saturday driving and a free Sunday afforded time for quiet contemplation.

Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo will open in early 2008.

I am contracted with Parmasters Golf Training Centers to open four other locations in southwestern Ontario by July 2014. I believe the schedule will go something like this:
- London – Summer 2010
- Third Location – Summer 2011
- Fourth Location – Summer 2012
- Fifth Location – Summer 2013

Candidates for locations Three, Four and Five include Windsor, Cambridge, Guelph, Chatham, Sarnia, Woodstock and Brantford. I have a lot of golf and population analysis work to complete before final decisions will be made. I’ll also consider things like economics, the availability of suitable locations and local interest.

By targeting 2013 for completion, I’ve left myself a buffer of one year.

Change is a good thing, but not change simply for the sake of change. Moving forward, making progress, working towards a goal, growing, these are the changes that will happen over coming years. In speaking with a friend today, we both agreed that the pace of change, and the timing of major changes/openings, had to be manageable. While I’m eager to open these centers and simply get into a comfortable life of living with them daily, it’s critical that we get it right from the beginning, that we be sure when it’s time to move forward, and that we make sure all parties are consulted and all opinions are heard. Clearly, it’s also important to listen to wise advisors.

For now, I must get back to working on location One, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo.

The Early Years

It’s an exciting time in the Parmasters world. And those of us that are fairly new to the franchise owe a debt of gratitude to those that made those first few inroads.

Parmasters was founded some six or more years ago. Matt Jeffrey was the first franchise owner in Canada. Parmasters Memphis just opened in June 2006. Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo will likely open as the fourth or fifth center in the Parmasters family.

There were many lean and sparse years in the early 2000’s. Years during which many early Parmasters pioneers helped build systems, develop concepts, build supplier relationships, etc. Those were years when there weren’t any sites under development. No one knew when the first Parmasters center would open. The pressure was no doubt immense, and yet the successes were small, the progress seemingly very slow.

I wasn’t part of the Parmasters family during those very lean years. I became involved in 2006, a time when successes were and are becoming larger and more fulfilling. The Memphis center opened. Every month it seems more franchise sites are awarded. We now have locations under development in many different cities across North America and the world.

I was involved in approximately 40 different phone conversations today. One of those conversations included discussion about the early years for a franchise system. As I’ve noted, I wasn’t involved in the very early and lean years, but Parmasters is still a young franchise. We have two sites open, not 200!

Ten years from now, some young entrepreneur is going to come to the Parmasters world and purchase franchise rights for some location. He/she will learn about the early years within Parmasters and I have no doubt that he/she will consider 2007 an “early year” and he/she will include me in that list of Parmasters pioneers. I’m not sure that distinction will be warranted or justified, but I’m quite sure the label will be affixed.

Whether we are involved in a “pioneering” effort, or something more tried and true, is really of little consequence. Each day I rise and there are tasks to tackle, priorities to focus on and relationships to build.

I do hope future Parmasters franchise owners have an easier go of it. And if I can contribute to fleshing out some systems, processes, etc., that will help make it easier for those that follow, that’s very rewarding. But of course, as I remind myself daily, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Three Key Accomplishments

I’ve recently started a new practice of quiet contemplation and planning first thing each morning. I’ve set aside the first half hour of each day, generally from 6:30 to 7:00am, but this morning it was 5:30 to 6:00am.

The purpose, if summed up in one word, would be “focus.” It’s about doing the right things, and also doing those things well.

I spend part of this time reaffirming the path that I and my loved ones have chosen. There will always be a long way to go. Visions are meant to stretch us, to challenge us. We must believe that we can have and achieve those circumstances in life that bring us fulfillment and true happiness. Otherwise, why are we here and what are we doing?

I also ensure that my view of the current situation is accurate. Great minds have said that one of the keys to success is acknowledging your current situation. As Dan Sullivan noted, “all progress begins by telling the truth.”

From there, it’s a fairly simple matter to determine what must be done next. “It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires a great deal of strength to decide what to do.” So spoke Elbert Hubbard. In this step there is always the temptation to be blinded by urgency, and to not consider importance. I blogged about the difference here.

At the end of this process, I have a list of three accomplishments for the day. I then proceed through my day, focused on these three key accomplishments, thankful that I have already achieved them.

And by nightfall, I generally have achieved the three key accomplishments for the day. Time for sleep, and the next three key accomplishments.

Space Plannng and Equipment Lists

I’ve added a few more links to the side bar on this blog. They include local associations, such as the Golf Association of Ontario, as well as local tours, such as the many wonderful junior tours throughout Ontario.

We’re making steady progress with Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo. We’ve started more detailed space planning, we’re delving into more details within our list of required equipment and we will likely issue additional press releases in the coming weeks.

The space planning is very exciting. This involves looking at the raw space – the term “vanilla shell” is very common in the industry – and deciding where the various components and activities will be placed. Our site will include 6 or more golf simulators; several other driving bays (where you hit into a net and thus are not distracted and/or mislead by ball flight); a massive slightly undulating putting green surrounded by rough and sand traps; two or three meeting rooms; a café; a golf fitness area; locker rooms; a pro shop retail area; club repair and a few offices. All of these components must be arranged such that they flow nicely throughout the 15,000 sq. ft. space.

Our detailed equipment list will flow out of our space planning. At least, we’ll know exactly how many simulators to order, how many tables for the meeting rooms, etc. The real decisions will lay within the thousands of details, such as the exact style, make and model of meeting room chair, the cutlery for the café, the design of our check-in counters and store fixtures, and the list will go on and on.

I am very eager to get into these details and finalize our space planning and equipment list. All things take time. I have good people around me that I can consult with, including our design firm, Tsao, based in California, to ensure that the center is both highly attractive and functional.

Misreading Putts

I chatted today with a fellow from 3L Putt Inc., based in beautiful New Hamburg, Ontario. They’re the makers of the Argon Putter. I could tell you all about it, but you’re better off following the link and visiting their website.

I played the Rockway Golf Course last night. And I really should have spent some time with the Argon Putter before I teed it up. My putting was terrible!

Of course, there are several components to effective putting, and my execution was not really off. I just couldn’t read the greens. It was just one misread after another! And with all due respect to Rockway, it’s not as if their greens are particularly quick or treacherous. I played several putts to break one way, that actually broke in the opposite direction! Yikes!

By the end of the evening I was trying my best to learn something from the situation. How could I improve? Well, clearly I need to spend more practice time reading greens.

Also, I didn’t warm up last night. It was a busy work day and I simply ran up to the first tee. I do that VERY rarely, but did so last night.

We were also rushing last night, trying to finish our round before darkness. I find it very helpful to look at a putt from both behind the ball and behind the hole, and I can generally do so without slowing the pace of play. But we were really moving last night.

Lastly, it was very late in the day and the greens had seen a lot of play. There were a little bumpy. Of course, that doesn’t explain my putts breaking in the opposite direction to my read, but it does make me feel just a little bit better.

Find Your True Talent

Tiger Woods put on yet another impressive display whilst capturing the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday. I believe it was golf analyst David Feherty that summed it up best. I believe the quote went something like this. “When he plays ok, he contends. When he plays well, he wins. And when he plays really well, he wins by 10!”

This left me wondering about that one thing, that one skill that each of us possesses. I believe each and every person possesses a talent for something. Let’s call it their “true talent.” Many– perhaps most – never discover their true talent. Others discover their true talent, but do not develop it to its full potential.

But those that discover their true talent, and go on to fully develop it, I believe lead incredibly rewarding lives.

Clearly, golf is most likely Tiger’s true talent. We could get more nitpicky and argue that his true talent is focus, or determination, or work ethic, or performance under pressure, but for now let’s just go with golf. And clearly he’s in the continual process of developing his true talent to its maximum potential.

I wonder if Faherty’s quote would apply to any other individual that found and developed his/her true talent. “When he/she plays/works/performs ok, he/she contends. When he/she plays/works/performs well, he/she wins. And when he/she plays/works/performs really well, he/she wins by a very large margin!”

And I wonder if the same applies to companies. Again, I believe all companies possess a true talent. And I believe those that find and optimize their true talent go on to achieve incredibly rewarding successes. Such companies touch upon and improve the lives of thousands of people and communities.

Of course, there’s a wealth of business research and popular business books that urge corporate leaders to find their companies’ true talents and then optimize same. These studies and books may use different language, but they preach the same message.

“Just do what you do best!” –Red Auerbach

“If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn.” –Charlie Parker (trumpet)

Integrative Thinking In HBR

In reading my June 2007 issue of Harvard Business Review I came across an article that struck a chord. Titled “How Successful Leaders Think”, by Roger Martin, it was based on the premise that we can learn far more by learning how great leaders think, or thought, than by how they act, or acted.

Martin keys in on one common thread that ran through the bulk of the “great” leaders he interviewed: they “have the predisposition and the capacity to hold in their heads two opposing ideas at once.”

Most decision makers “seek simplicity along the way” to a decision and are thus “often forced to make unattractive trade-offs.” The leaders that Martin interviewed did not feel forced into such trade-offs. Rather, they carried forth two opposing ideas/solutions/models/etc. for as long as possible, they embraced the accompanying complexity, and they felt comfortable with their ability to handle said complexity.

Martin notes, “integrative thinkers don’t mind a messy problem. In fact, they welcome complexity, because that’s where the best answers come from.”

When faced with two opposing ideas, most decision makers attempt to quickly determine which idea is correct/best/ideal, and thus which is faulty. They may take the approach of challenging both ideas very early in the decision making process, attempting to poke holes in one or the other, and thus eliminate said idea from contention. This reduces complexity and the decision maker feels more at ease.

Martin boils it down to four stage decision making model and juxtaposes “conventional thinkers” and “integrative thinkers.”

Note: This table is quoted directly from the article.

Step 1 – Determining Salience
Conventional Thinkers – Focus only on obviously relevant features
Integrative Thinkers – Seek less obvious but potentially relevant factors

Step 2 – Analyzing Causality
Conventional Thinkers – Consider one-way, linear relationships between variables, in which more of A produces more of B
Integrative Thinkers – Consider multidirectional and nonlinear relationships among variables

Step 3 – Envisioning the Decision Architecture
Conventional Thinkers – Break problems into pieces and work on them separately or sequentially
Integrative Thinkers – See problems as a whole, examining how the parts fit together and how decisions affect one another

Step 4 – Achieving Resolution
Conventional Thinkers – Make either or choices, settle for best available options
Integrative Thinkers – Creatively resolve tensions among opposing ideas; generate innovative outcomes

Most notably, integrative thinkers do not make either or choices. They carry forth, deep into the decision making process, not only opposing ideas but a wealth of data as well. Ultimately, they seek a solution that “integrates” the best of all available options, whether they are opposing ideas or not.

Took A Free Day

I took Sunday off. I did some reading but no work at all. I didn’t even return any emails. It’s been busy. Sunday was a Free Day. Jay Paterson blogged about this many months ago here.

I’ve been thinking more and more about this concept of Focus and Free days, and how to best spend the 168 hours we have each week. I’ve re-read Jay’s post a few times.

It’s such a departure from my normal modus operandi. I generally work a lot. Almost every day.

I remember speaking with a friend recently. We’ll keep his identity confidential. He invited me to his cottage. I noted that I was rather busy and don’t really take very many days off. He replied, “I know. That’s why you should come to the cottage.” Point well taken!

I didn’t fully enjoy my Free Day on Sunday. All day I was hoping to get some good news, some great news really, and it never did arrive. The great news did finally arrive today, although it was short lived. But, we accept what life sends our way and treasure every moment. We act with great belief, intention and industry. And we continue to believe no matter what comes our way and no matter how many obstacles appear before us.

I was reminded yesterday of this telling quote:
“The art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of our great men.” -Captain J.A. Hatfield

Let Go Of The Frustration

I mentioned in my previous post that I wanted to quote Andrew Winston, our Vice President of Franchise Training. I had lamented to him about my many technology issues of late. Here’s part of his reply.

“When I golf and hit the ball into the forest, I have an undying belief that the trees will kick the ball back out onto the fairway. ‘Trees are our friends’ is what I yell and it works. I guess what I'm saying is that your attitude will dictate your results. I know it's difficult when each step you take is a hassle. But let go of the frustration when you're dealing with the minutiae and it won't mean so much on the negative side.”

He’s right, of course.

I’ve had a lot of minutiae pile up over the last couple of weeks. I generally deal with most of the real non-value-added stuff on my weekends, but my weekends of late have been busy, or I’ve taken time to relax (like last weekend). So some of the real boring stuff piled up.

My plan for this weekend is to rip through all of that as quickly as possible. I got organized last night and figured out what had to be done. I like to start with the worst/least-enjoyable tasks and work my way through to the more pleasant tasks.

Also did some yard work last night. My eldest son cuts our grass, but there are other tasks that he’s not quite ready to tackle.

I started this morning with a great workout and then dove right into my to-do list. I’m at least three quarters of the way through the list and have only a few of the more pleasant tasks left.

I hope to complete most of them today and then set tomorrow aside for some RnR.