Grab that apple

In the “Bloomberg Prognosis” newsletter, there’s an article that totally disappoints me: Does My Positive Home Test Get Tracked? 

There’s no consistency in tracking at home Covid  tests that are positive– and it’s known that people are willing to share their results. 

You know what would be great right now? Creating a system to track tests and results so we are more prepared for future outbreaks. The best way to do better in the future is to prepare! (I can’t help but think I’m stating the obvious.) 

It seems bizarre to me that there’s plenty of evidence that planning is kind of EVERYTHING.

I googled “Why planning is important” and the internet provides a veritable overflowing cornucopia of links.  I chose a random site and they have a great top 10 list. 

Look at this! Planning helps you:

• Set appropriate goals

• Breaks down a problem or goal into smaller pieces

• Reveals weaknesses and strengths

• Increases certainty and confidence

• Increases efficiency

• Reduces risk

• Increases credibility

• Encourages creativity

• Improves decision making

So, by not using data we have at hand, we’re leaving ALL THIS on the table. Isn’t it tragic that our country has, comparatively, one of the largest coffers of money and can’t make use of information that’s basically hanging off trees like ripe apples? 

Laziness? Disorganization? Bipartisanship? I can’t begin to think of where the blame lies. I just know I never want to behave like this– turning my back on useful information is reprehensible. 

Do you feel the same? Let’s work together to avoid missed opportunities of all sizes.

Let’s talk.

Less IS More (Sometimes)

Reading your inbox is such a snooze but if you can keep one eye open, and reading, there are little gems to be found.

I was skimming through an newsletter from IDEO (the #1 source when it comes to thinking creatively in the workplace, they have great intro courses on demand) and my eyes latched on to the title of this article they linked to— When Subtraction Adds Value from HBR.

Basically, we humans like to find new and more, rather than winnow down and do less.

Add a new feature! Create a new law!
Instead…how about removing a law?

Or get rid of redundancy—no longer generate text AND email AND phone call appointment reminders?

The article details a study where people were offered a grid with color blocks that were asymmetrical and asked them to create symmetry in as few steps as possible. People chose to ADD color to accomplish the task, not remove color (and removing color would’ve been far less steps).

It’s so easy to move forward by creating more— it’s really difficult to think about doing less.

If I read one less news article in the morning I’d get started on my work faster. I’d probably be just as informed.
It’s a great idea in theory, but I’m not sure I can follow through. At least now I’m a little more critical of my choices.

Do you have action steps that have a few too many steps? I’m happy to hear where you’re struggling, get in touch! Really! Get in touch.

Think about the animals (they’re you’re friends, right?)

I have a passion for gardening. Specifically, native plants. That could set off alarm bells for some readers (is this going to be preachy? Will this be educational?) Preachy? No. Educational... heck yeah! That’s what we’re here for!

What’s the big whoop about native plants? Wait for it...they support native wildlife. If we flip the scenario around, replace native plants with non-natives, what will the animals eat?

Sure you think you’re cultured, but if I brought you to the native Inuit and you sat down to a meal of seal blubber, you’d need to acclimate for a bit before you’d find the meal appealing. (If you’re native Inuit and reading this, kudos for you for having a varied diet!) And, don’t forget, Inuit eat seal blubber for the specific properties that help humans cope with the harsh winter environment. 

So now think about the animals in your neighborhood looking at a foreign food source. We all can imagine their animal brains and bodies are not as cultured as ours. They’re not cool with having new foreign-to-them food. (By the way, humans love plants that don’t get eaten. What beautiful untouched ornamentals we’ve planted! But if it’s not getting eaten, that plant doesn’t...belong in our environment. Mind blown? I have to admit, every time I hear it, mine is.)

Here’s where I point out the connection between non native plants and your ideas. Some ideas are great-- but they don’t belong. When you have a problem and just snap to a solution… take a moment to think if it really fits your environment. Perhaps you need to keep looking (and thinking) until a solution appears that fits better. Takes some time to find yourself a solution you can feed off of. Not an ornamental band-aid but a real keeper.

PS In the native plant world there’s a phrase that I love (and I think you will too) RIGHT PLANT, RIGHT PLACE. Plants will thrive if you put it in the environment it is meant to be in.

Has some similarities to answers, eh? I think so. Right answer, right place.

If you’d like to see how this fits in to your ecosystem Try me.