Navigating Complexity

It is sometimes easy to get "bogged down" when dealing with complex problems.  There is a tendency to become overwhelmed when resolution is not quickly attainable.  Our minds have a tendency to fasten onto the myriads of difficulties rather focusing on individual component parts that are solvable.

I have found that is usually effective to begin by breaking down the problems into discrete, manageable pieces and then taking them one at a time.  It is desirable that they be evaluated according to either importance, or ease of solution and then prioritized accordingly.

When we look first at importance, solution of one problem often goes far in solving other related issues.  However, those large problems often bring a level of difficulty that leads to discouragement and half-hearted effort because our minds continually tell us we can't do it.  Extended periods with seeming lack of progress create a psychological barrier that adds to the burden of what must be overcome for success.

If we begin with smaller problems that are easily handled, we often create a pattern of success that bolsters our mental attitude.  We see the wins -- even the small wins -- as progress.  As each problem is handled and set aside, the list gets smaller and the tendency to be overwhelmed is reduced.

How we approach complexity boils down to a mental game we play with ourselves.  The trick is to convince ourselves that we can solve the problems and then retain that positive attitude throughout the process.  It isn't as simple as it sounds because some problems require Herculean effort to solve.  They may be beyond our ability.  Once you recognize that, you call for help.

The Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a type of mallow.  It is native to East, South and Central Texas where it is sometimes found growing along streams.  It is adaptable to both shaded and sunny locations.  The variety you see below is a domesticated one we have planted at our home.  The wild varieties are usually red.  I like the complexity of the blossom.

 Climbing

I spent a few years believing that I wanted to climb the company ladder.  I made it a fair way up before I learned that it wasn't much fun.  The politics become fierce and the dirty tricks come out.  Too often those rewarded were the least deserving based on merit but were masterful at manipulation and foul play.

Peter Drucker once said something like, "a person will climb to the level of their incompetence."  I think that is very true.  We are each designed with certain gifts and abilities that make us uniquely suited for specific roles.  Those who find themselves outside those roles due to blind ambition or poor choices will reach a point beyond which they can't go.  Others simply reach a point beyond their personal talents and abilities.

One of the most glaring examples that I have seen through the years is to take an outstanding salesman and put him into management.  Some do well in the role, but most are average at best.  Both sales and management suffer due to the promotion.

Pride and greed often get in the way of good decisions.  Pride in the form of "look at me and how far I've come!"  Greed in the form of seeking a higher level of income in a role that makes you miserable.  The key is to find what you are made for and do it to the best of your ability.  Bloom where you are.

The Climbing Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera) is found from Texas to Wisconsin and all the way east to the coast.  The beauty pictured below was in a hidden area of our small acreage.

 Sensitivity

There are a number of different species in the Mimosa genus that are called "sensitive briar" due to the fact that their leaves will curl up when touched.  They are sometimes called Catclaw Briar and they are a legume which sometimes colonizes where the land has been overgrazed.

I find them interesting because their flowers are showy and attract one to the plant and yet the leaves are sensitive to your presence.  It sounds like a few people I know who do things to attract attention yet are sensitive when that attention occurs.  Sometimes that attention drawing mechanism is in the form of clothing, or possibly piercings, tattoos or bright colors of hair.  They want to be seen yet when given the apparently craved attention are defensive or even belligerent.

All of us are sensitive about some things and all of us crave attention.  Sometimes that craving is misplaced and certainly is frequently misunderstood.  Society conditions us to "blend into the herd" and yet we are designed to be predators, not prey.  It is in our eyes -- literally -- they are set into the front of our face rather than on the side.  Prey animals have eyes on the sides of their head which allows them better vision behind them as well as to the front.  Predator eyes are set on the front of their face which gives them better ability to focus on a target.

Maybe that conflicted nature of drawing attention while being sensitive to it is a product of a society which attempts to make us something we are not built to be.  It makes you question whether many of our social structures are the product of a higher level of predator which preys upon lesser predators -- namely those who are subject to the conditioning of that society.

In my opinion, much of our education system is designed to push people into that sub-predator category so they will be subservient to a more aggressive class of predators.  It creates a "working class" designed to serve an elite which uses them to advance their own power.  The system we see evolved as a result of the need for factory workers and it continues to evolve today in ways that push the boundaries of tolerance due to the conflicted nature between design and conditioning.  It isn't only the educational systems -- much of which is a positive so please don't attack me for the comment -- it is in the media (currently the worst in my opinion is fake news on social media generated through AI by foreign and domestic adversaries), in literature, and in many other societal structures.

In some ways my words may sound like the beginnings of a manifesto of some kind.  They are not meant to be, but they are meant to, perhaps, serve a cautionary note on the trends we see in society that are pushing many to revolt against what they believe to be an oppressed role.  The balance between the needs of the economy and the nature of people is a sensitive one.

Just like the Sensitive Briar (Mimosa microphylla) which colonizes overgrazed land, perhaps the signs of strain in society such as rebellious behavior, are signals that people have been pushed too far.  Those who see themselves as "normal" often see that behavior in a negative light when it might actually be a warning sign of deep systemic problems that must be corrected.

 Life Lessons

When I was young, we had a honeysuckle vine growing beneath the kitchen window of our house.  To this day I remember how it smelled when the blossoms covered it in the spring and the butterflies, moths and bees buzzed around it seeking the sweet sustenance those flowers contained.  My mother showed me how to lightly pinch the base of the flower and gently pull the pistil out which drew a drop of nectar from the flower that was a pleasant treat.  It is a technique of foraging that I suspect is rarely taught to children nowadays.

It would be difficult to make a meal of the tiny drops of nectar, but the energy contained by them would certainly act as a refresher to someone in need.  That source of energy is what attracts the insects to the plant.

Dad didn't want the honeysuckle growing in the flower bed because it tended to spread and crowd out other things that he wanted to grow.  I was tasked with digging it out which was quite a chore since it required finding all of those runners and spreading roots.  I always enjoyed digging in the dirt as a kid and it wasn't the onerous chore kids today might think it to be, but it was bittersweet because I subsequently missed the Spring treat of robbing the nectar from the flowers.

I vividly recall the honeysuckle to this day and am reminded of it when I walk in the woods of our current small acreage.  In it I see life lessons taught to me as a youngster.  1) Nature provides. 2) Understanding how nature provides and how to utilize it is important. 3) There are prices -- the cost/benefit of everything. 4) Work is necessary to gain what we want but it sometimes carries the added cost of what we might have had.

Amazing, Wonderful Work

Some weeks lead with high expectations that all those rabbits you've been chasing will finally go to ground.  Others just feel like one more round on the gerbil wheel.  Monday often seems to set the tone for the week and the way it goes is a pattern for the days to follow.  For some reason I woke with the feeling that this will be one of those weeks where all those things that have been floating out in front that won't seem to light will begin to come together into something positive.  I guess we'll see.  The week hasn't really caught first gear yet.

I suppose my positive attitude began with the dreams that woke me during the night.  I have a tendency to wake multiple times and prefer to have a clock within view where I can mentally note the time and calculate how many more hours are left before an acceptable hour at which to rise.  My sleep rhythm and the circadian rhythm have gotten out of sync.  Anyway, the dreams that flashed through my mind each time I awoke seemed interesting and optimistic and something to remember, so I made mental note to myself to do so.  I can't remember a one of them this morning, only the vague impression that they were positive and filled with accomplishment and progress.

Maybe I need a notepad by the bed on which to record things which flash through my mind as self-proclaimed brilliance.  The trouble with that is my spouse, attempting to sleep in spite of my tossing and turning, would be further disturbed and likely become more than a little perturbed at the light coming on at all hours of the night in order for me to record my thoughts.  I suppose it isn't such a good idea.

Why is it that some days are filled with expectation and others with dread?  Why do most people dread Mondays?  The common explanation is that they prefer the chosen leisure activities of their weekend to the mandated structure of a job.  We dislike going to work.

I don't buy it.  I see people working on the weekends and other days off.  They sometimes work at what are considered recreational activities, but if you dive into the essence of work -- if you look at the many definitions of work -- it quickly becomes apparent that work is where we choose to exert effort.  My preferred definition of work is "activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something."

I know people who work much harder at hunting deer than they do for the paycheck that provides the funds for the ammunition required to hunt the deer.  They gripe and complain that their job is interfering with their opportunities to hunt.  Perhaps the issue is simply that they need to re-frame their thinking in regard to their job which attaches a monetary reward.  If you view it as the means of attaining the resources to do what you choose, then it becomes part of the very exercise of your enjoyable activity.  The day job on the road crew is just the first part of the hunt.

We humans are strange creatures.  We allow ourselves to be convinced that work is a bad thing.  It is something we are "made" to do in order to survive.  Such a mentality is contributory to the attitude that seems prevalent today that "the government" should provide everyone with a livable wage.  Well, to be clear, "the government" provides nothing that people who contribute to it by their labor didn't create in the first place.  In the words of Robert Heinlein who borrowed it from common usage during his developmental days, "TANSTAAFL." (there ain't no such thing as a free lunch)

I look forward to see what the fruits of my labor might be.  Work is a good thing.  It is gratifying to see what can be created through the efforts of man/woman both individually and collectively.  Look on your work with the eyes of a child and be amazed at what your hands and mind can accomplish.

Finding Value

We have a never-ending supply of firewood at our place.  It isn't intentional; the firewood is a bi-product of clearing trees from unwanted places like fence lines.  Some of what you see in the picture is quality wood that will make a good, hot fire while other pieces are less desirable and produce lots of ash while burning quickly.  What you see here includes oak, elm, cedar, bois d'arc, persimmon, honey locust, pecan, ash, hackberry and I'm sure, other species that I am unable to identify.  Oh, and this is only one of the woodpiles on our place.  There are several others.

Much of it has come from trees that have fallen in a storm and landed on a fence.  One of the best investments we made when we bought the place was in a Stihl Chainsaw.  I had tried other brands, but nothing beats the durability, reliability or ease of operation of a Stihl.  Yep, they cost a bit more up front, but when you consider they will outlast a half-dozen of other brands, they are a bargain.

Ummm....back to the trees that fall during storms.  Why is it that the ones that fall are the biggest ones around?  Those large chunks of wood you see in the foreground of the photo are about 16" in diameter.  They were from a single branch of a large tree that fell across one of our fences.  It took several days of work getting that particular tree reduced to firewood and several brush piles and the wood hauled off.  Even worse, it was on a stretch of fence that is difficult to access near a creek.

Strange as it may seem, I enjoy working down in the woods with the chainsaw.  Yeah, it is hard, sweaty work and tires me out more than I like to admit, but there is something satisfying in the labor.  I have no desire to go out and cut down a tree just to turn it into firewood, but if a tree falls, I feel that it is almost an obligation on my part to salvage what I can from it for other use.

I'm sure there are plenty of life lessons to be told here such as finding value in the bi-products of our labor, or in re-purposing things that no longer serve their original purpose.  I didn't set out this morning with those things in mind.  I merely realized that I'm proud of that pile of wood.  Along with its building, came a satisfaction in my own labor to create it.  It isn't anything spectacular like a work of art, or a house, or a business; it is simply a pile of wood.  It has yet to serve the purpose of providing heat for a home, or fuel for a campfire, but it is the fruit of much labor.

No matter how humble the task, there is value in our labor.  We each should learn to recognize and appreciate that in ourselves and in others.  The guy that digs the ditch needs a pat on the back just as much as the one who designed the highway.  Take time to show appreciation to those who labor quietly in those many jobs that never get the attention.  They need to know that others recognize their value.

Standing Against the Flood

We stripped it to its very bones,

The girders made of steel

Anchored in the banks on either side.

The oak with which we planked it

Was fresh-cut sawmill

Hauled about thirty miles.

With cutting torch we cut new holes

For each and every bolt

Then laid that rough-cut timber

One piece at a time

Until the creek was crossed

And then we checked our work

By driving over it with pickup and tractor

Into the hay meadow

Where the green grass needed mowed

An rolled into winter forage

For the cattle whose needs

Were our responsibility

And our privilege.

Then waters came in flood

And rose above the boards

We had so carefully laid.

Debris piled against the side

And lodged on top

But, still our work stood

Against the raging torrent.

We were gratified.

Life is like this bridge we built

Upon the work of those who came before.

Each plank carefully laid and secured

Against the times of storm

Which seek to wash our work away

But, if we do our work well

And anchor each piece securely

It will stand.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. -- Ephesians 6:14-15

Building Bridges

Sometimes getting from here to there can be a real challenge.  The obstacles that challenge us often seem insurmountable -- like the Mississippi River which daunted many westward travelers in the early days of our country.  Now bridges, like the one in the photo we took a few years back, span it in many places and thousands of people cross it daily. (Please disregard the cracked windshield.)

Progress takes Explorers but, it also requires Bridge Builders.  In times of disruptive change, Explorers chart the course, but Bridge Builders turn that vision into reality.  They find ways to overcome the obstacles.  They make certain everyone is able to follow the path until what seemed impossible becomes commonplace.

Today, we need lots of Bridge Builders. 

I came to a place where the land did end;

I looked in deep dismay;

I could see across to the other side

Where the land of promise lay.

Before me was a swollen flood

Of waters deep and brown

Full of broken, tattered dreams

Where it had swept them down.

But, then a man beside me stood

Who saw my fear-filled eyes.

He said, "I will make a way

To where the far shore lies."

He called the people waiting there

To listen to his plan

Then led them in a glorious work

To build a solid span

Across the rushing waters deep

Into the Promised Lands.

Because of his great leadership

A mighty bridge now stands.

Focus and Squirrels

Have you ever noticed that when you really want to focus on something important, a dozen distractions seem to pop up out of nowhere?  A good friend of mine describes it as, "Oh, look, there's a squirrel!"  I know where he gets that descriptive comment; he's a dog lover and nothing can change the focus of a dog faster than the sudden appearance of a squirrel.

I like squirrels.  I also like distractions when I'm in the middle of some boring task that has lulled my mind into a semi-stupor that causes my eyes to go into auto-close mode.  There are times though, when a distraction is the last thing I need because I am in hot pursuit of some brilliant thought that is running like crazy and if I don't stay on its trail it will get away from me.

Redbone Hounds are probably my favorite dog.  They can focus about as well as any creature I have ever seen.  If one has a scent in their nose their head will be down, tail up and they will be loping along the faint trail of volatile chemicals wafting just above the surface that only they can smell.  When that happens, look out truck because they will run right in front of you without so much as looking up.  We lost one that way.  I suppose focus can have its downside.

For me, the best way to get time to focus on a problem that requires it, is to instill the discipline of no e-mail distraction, no phone distraction, door closed, "KEEP OUT" sign that creates a momentary sanctuary of self-imposed isolation.  That's hard to do in the business world.  Sometimes it is necessary, but it is something that shouldn't be abused.  I also am a firm believer in accessibility.  Being available and open to the needs of others is an extremely important aspect of being effective in the world.  There must be balance.

I know the CEO/Owner of a substantial company who is highly accessible.  He frequently answers the phone if everyone else in the office is busy.  He freely gives out his cell phone number.  He isn't much on chit-chat, but he is accessible for business; however, there are times he will close his door and tell the receptionist to hold all calls.  It usually isn't for long, but if he needs focus-time, he will do it.  Then, of course, he spends the next however-long-it-takes returning all of the calls he missed.  I have never known him to not return a call.  Those two attributes are part of his success formula.  He does occasionally "chase squirrels."  He loves airplanes and helicopters and owns a few.  If you want to get him "off subject" just bring up flying.

As in so many things, I relate my work life back to nature.  It's all about balance.  Sometimes we need to focus, but there are other times...."Look!  There's a squirrel!"

Small Steps

Sometimes you just have to admire the neighbor's...ahem...uh...fences.  Yeah, their fences.

Of course, it sometimes takes really good fences to keep in the livestock.  It's a trade off, I suppose.  Oh, and his pasture looks to be in good shape too!

There are cattlemen, there are grass farmers, mechanical whizzes and occasionally, truly good ranchers that seem to put it all together.  It doesn't usually work that way, though.

I shouldn't be talking.  There are plenty of opportunities for improvement on our place -- like my gates.  It seems no matter how hard I work at it, I can't keep the gates hanging straight.  Maybe I should blame it on the soil.  We have a clay pan underlying our pastures and it tends to swell and shrink depending on moisture and heat.  When the ground moves, so do fence posts.  It means constant adjusting, or in time, some gates will drag and some will rise up.  It's a never-ending battle.

I've been told my brace posts are too close.  I've also been told they are too far away.  I just ignore it and let them be until it gets so bad I have to deal with the problem.  Really, that's not quite true; I am constantly working on things and the improvements show.  I just take it in little bites -- one small thing at a time.

My fences really aren't that bad; they just aren't quite perfect.  They remind me that I'm not either, but I'm working on it -- a little at a time.

We all have areas where we need to improve.  When we recognize them, we need to begin the process of correcting them.  Small, incremental steps are usually the best approach. 

Make Hay While You Can

Cut it.

Dry it.

Rake it.

Bale it.

Round bales.

Square bales.

Horse hay.

Cow hay.

Hot summer day.

Dust in the air.

Sweet scent of grass.

It's that time of year.

Make hay while you can --

There's rain a comin'.

Take a Break!

Mental breaks are as necessary as is exercise.  I have found that the two are related.

I usually get both in physical labor.  Some people like to run, or go to a gym and work out, but I prefer to spend my time outdoors doing something physical.  It doesn't have to be mowing the lawn with a push mower in 95 degree heat, or working on a stretch of fence that needs repair; it can be as simple as sweeping the sidewalk.

The best mental break for me is a walk in the woods.  This time of year it isn't something I normally do because of the extreme heat, but when there is a cool morning and I have the time, there is little that I enjoy more.  Often, especially if I am out early or late in the evening, I will see wildlife.  Sometimes it is deer, or the occasional coyote or, feral hog, but I also enjoy seeing the various birds and listening to the frogs.

For some reason, when I am out and doing something physical, the cares and thoughts of work fade away.  My mind rests -- even more so than with sleep.  The constant background churning that is seeking solution to various challenges seems to fade away and I become more aware of the present.  I focus on the sights and sounds around me and simple actions like where I place my foot to avoid snapping a branch that would frighten away any wildlife that might be in the vicinity.  I focus on becoming part of my surroundings rather than an intruder blundering through.

I think our minds and bodies need the "rest" of physical activity just as much as they need the rest of a good night of sleep.  Without those breaks we lose our edge over time and with the fatigue of constant mental focus, we miss things that should be obvious.  It is amazing how often I return to a focused mental effort after such a break and the solutions appear clearly in my mind.

I have learned that small breaks during the work day aid in maintaining mental clarity.  Sometimes it is a deliberate walk to get a drink of water, or possible to step outside for a moment.  Such breaks help me to stay with a task.  It may seem counterintuitive to some, but the right kind of interruptions at planned intervals can speed the process by giving my mind the breaks it needs.

Give your mind a rest.  Get outside.  Do something physical.

Anticipation and Preparation

Some weeks start with anticipation and other weeks seem to start with dread.  For some reason, this morning as I sit down to write, I have a sense of anticipation for the week.  It "feels" like there are good things ahead that are calling to me -- drawing me forward.

One of the things I have to do this week is finalize a presentation that I am to make on Friday morning for a cattlemen's meeting.  I have a version of the slides completed but, I am not satisfied with the flow of the presentation so, I have been thinking through ways to revise it.  I plan to completely re-do it today.  I may be able to utilize some of the existing slides, but I intend to dramatically change the way the material is presented.

The venue for the program will be an arena setting.  The group will be fairly large, so the space was needed.  There are 5 of us on the program with a rountable discussion at the end.  It is definitely not my favorite setting for a program; I prefer smaller groups with more interaction.  I like to pose questions throughout a presentation and make it interactive.  It becomes a guided discussion in some ways, with utilization of slides to take the group through the material.  The large size of the group on Friday will mean primarily a lecture-type format.

People learn in different ways.  Most people are hands-on learners.  The ideal way to teach (in my non-professional opinion) is to have students "do" the thing they are expected to learn.  The second best way is to use strong visual aids.  The mind is better at capturing images than at interpreting words.  The least effective way is a lecture without visuals.

As I mentioned, I prefer to utilize questions throughout a presentation in order to gain participation from the audience.  It is easier to get people to grasp the material if their mind is engaged on multiple levels.  Asking questions causes them to think about the subject on a deeper level.  It helps to disengage that part of the mind which is focused on other things and re-focuses it on the subject at hand.  If you then add in the visual layer you can further "tune" the thoughts into a direction in which you want to proceed.  The words are an additional layer of information that shouldn't be "reading the slides" but, should act as a supplement to the visual aids that focus thinking.

The goal is to focus the learners minds on the subject.  If not fully engaged, the mind will drift to other things that are constantly vying for attention.  It may be things left undone, or it could be anticipated actions or events yet to occur. 

There is also the danger of lulling the audience to sleep.  The best way to prevent that is to include visually disruptive slides -- something that "shocks" the brain into awareness of thought.  We can only absorb "dense" material in small doses.  In order to increase the amount that can be absorbed, it should be punctuated by natural points of "pause" such as a visual joke.  A cartoon is often a great way to "disrupt" a presentation in a way that lightens the mood and provide the visual "jolt" to the audience.

It is probably obvious where my mind is focused this morning....

Timing

Rain.

Cattle.

Travel.

Disparate pieces of a bigger puzzle coming together in ways unforeseen.

People.

Places.

Conversations.

It's crazy how things fit together in ways we could never imagine.

Change.

Ideas.

Projects.

Meetings that come together when they seem impossible.

Life.

Faith.

Process.

Growing patience through the waiting out of God's timing.

Negotiation and Compromise?

Life can often seem like one continuous negotiation.  There are things that we desire for which we must determine what we are willing to exchange.  We must continually weigh the "current value" of what we have against that which we want and decide whether we are willing to make the trade.  This is true of our time, our money or, sometimes, our lifestyle.

Work is a negotiation.  We trade our limited time for something that will provide an income which can then be used to purchase "things" that we desire.  Frequently work also requires growth.  This comes when we are asked to do things that take us beyond our comfort zone into the unknown depths of something we have never before attempted.  It may be in the form of expanded responsibility, or in developing and cultivating relationships such as with customers.

Typically, the amount of compensation is closely aligned with the level of discomfort one must experience.  One example is in travel.  Many jobs in today's economy require extensive travel which means time away from home and family.  Incentives to entice employees to endure that situation are usually necessary.

Negotiation, though, isn't limited to our work life, it is also relevant in family life.  One example is the classic conversation between husband and wife over the choice of restaurant.  Another might be related to the choice of vacation spot (for those who experience such things).  Hopefully, the trade is one which is conducted amicably and all parties are satisfied with the outcome.

In spite of the perceptions fostered by media and the political parties involved, what occurs in Washington in the halls of our government is also a negotiation.  It saddens me that it cannot be conducted amicably and that it is often an exercise in power rather than trade.  Heavy-handedness is never a good solution in the long term.  It fosters ill-will.  Negotiation should include compromise in order to achieve an acceptable solution to all.

Today, if we see either party depart from some hard-and-fast line which has been arbitrarily set -- typically by the more extreme factions -- it isn't seen as compromise, but rather as caving to the opposition.  I think we all need to remember that in a land as diverse as this one, we don't all think alike and we each have a unique perspective.  We must learn to compromise and more importantly, to accept compromise.  It can be done without losing our personal moral compass.

Hopefully, in the end, we all will grow through the experience of threading a pathway between various belief systems and views of how things should occur.  If we can do so, the result should be rewarding to all, not just the few who get their way.

Urgent vs. Important

Many years ago in a job interview I was told by a member of the Board of Directors of the company that he would rather hire someone who worked smart than just worked hard.  He said, "I can find plenty of hard workers, but it is hard to find workers who know how to effectively manage their time and who work on the right things."

Those words have stuck with me through the years.  I have always tried to work smart at whatever the task.

Don't misunderstand, I have always worked hard too, but I have found that if I invest the time to think through things and to identify those things that are most important -- i.e. to work smart -- I am not only more effective, but I get more done.  Age and experience have helped with that too.  Through the years I have tried and failed enough times that I can apply that "learned wisdom" to the tasks I face now.  Prioritizing is something of an art form because if done well, many tasks go away simply because they no longer are required.

Again, as I mentioned in a previous post about planning, I am thinking of the Franklin-Covey Time Management advice to identify what is "important" and what is "urgent."  I always thought about these two things differently prior to being introduced to their system.  These two definitions are key to being more effective.

Items identified as "urgent" are those that seem to be "in your face," "deal-with-me-now" things that pop up during the day.  An example would be a flat tire.  It obviously must be handled immediately.  It is an "urgent" item.  On the other hand, an "important" item that might prevent the frequency of the "urgent" items occurring is to replace the worn out tires with new ones.

That is the difference between the two.  The "important" things are what you can do that helps everything to run more smoothly long-term.  They tend to eliminate many of the "urgent" things from popping up.

If you devote -- set aside -- some time every day to focus on the "important" things, over time, your life becomes less stressful and better manageable because many of the "urgent" items stop popping up to ruin your day.  It frees even more time to work on what is truly important.

This, at its heart, is the difference between "working smart" and "working hard."  You can work hard all day long, day-after-day on the "urgent" things that seem to continually be happening and never truly make progress, or you can spend time each day addressing the larger, systemic, "important" issues that can eliminate many of those problems from ever being an issue.  Work smart and work hard, but work hard on the things that will make the bigger difference.

Serving a Layerd Cake

A number of my contemporaries have retired and a number more are contemplating such.  Although there are times the thought crosses my mind, I don't think it is something for which I am ready.  I can't envision myself in what most consider as retirement.

My career has consisted of a series of periods doing different things.  I won't go into details of the various segments, but suffice it to say that each stands somewhat alone in that they are all dissimilar in many ways -- almost as if they were each a separate career.  Usually a career is built as one continuous advancement after another that leads inevitably up some "ladder" of progressively greater responsibility, or higher function within a trade or industry.  Mine hasn't really looked like that, but each piece could stand alone as if it was a separate book rather than a chapter in a long story.

The consolidating factor between them is that in retrospect, each contributes to the next in the knowledge and experience gained being applicable in some subtle fashion.  It is as if it is a layer cake with clearly separate layers which build upon each other.  I can only hope that at the end there is a generous portion of frosting.

One of my "outside interests" is archeology.  I enjoy delving into the past and it intrigues me to find an object that is from some ancient period and speculate as to its use and those who used it.  I have never been involved in a professional archaeological dig, but it is something I have often thought would be enjoyable.  Perhaps there will be opportunity some day to do so on a volunteer basis.

My mind connects archeology to my career because it too is often a series of layers which build up over time to create a timeline of events.  Human habitations seem to be renewed over time even when cataclysmic events may erase them for a period.  Often, the renewal is located upon the rubble of the ruined.  It seems that certain locations remain attractive in spite of past occurrences that may have led to their demise.  When such a location is discovered, carefully conducted excavation using proper scientific techniques can reveal a history of the people who lived, worked and died on that particular piece of ground.  History is recorded in many ways.  The facts captured in the remains are unchanging even though our understanding is often obscured by the passage of time.

I see the same in my career.  Even though each segment stands alone, in retrospect there is connection that ties them into a cohesive whole -- an interconnected history.  As I look toward the future I can only speculate where the path will lead, but I know that the pieces will all fit together.  Perhaps someday retirement will seem a suitable place to be, but it isn't on my current horizon.

I have never discovered within the Bible any reference to retirement.  Instead, there are many references to serving others.  When you view your career -- your job -- as service to others, it changes your perspective.  It adds a higher level of purpose to your life.  It gives you reason to pursue, to improve, to build, to bring value, to enhance the lives of others.  It impels you to live. 

Retirement, on the other hand, seems to imply, "I have given all I plan to give, now I will take for me."  Maybe we need to redefine retirement as a change of direction -- a change of career.  Let it be the frosting between the layers of the cake which is our service to others.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

A Short Commute

I'm glad I don't have a commute into work every day.  That is probably the biggest advantage of working from home -- no daily travel to and from work.

It hasn't always been that way.  My first job out of college was about a 6 or 7 mile commute into town every day.  We lived in the country.  The next two were just a couple of miles.  The third one varied because we moved in the middle of it, but it was anywhere from 12 miles down to about a mile.  Later jobs had as much as 30 miles one way commute, but all of those were country miles and were a great way to get "geared up" for work and then to "unwind" on the way back home.

The worst commute I ever had to deal with was driving into Grapevine from Justin, Texas, on a daily basis.  The distance wasn't unreasonable, but the traffic often was.  I generally allowed an hour for that travel -- one way.

For many years I have worked from home.  The downside is that most "from home" jobs also require lots of travel.  Your office is where ever you happen to be.  As long as I had my cell phone, laptop computer and an Internet connection, I was at the office.  That makes for some very long days when on the road, because often, the evenings at the hotel were spent working on various projects, whether involving spreadsheets, presentations or, just responding to e-mails that accumulated during the day.

I always thought some type of Star Trek transporter device would be ideal for those who have jobs requiring extensive travel.  I can see having a device on your belt that you program coordinates into, push a button and are suddenly transported elsewhere.  There are lots of problems with such a device beyond the obvious one that it doesn't exist.  It would have to include a proximity alert so you didn't suddenly materialize inside another object -- or another person.  It could be used by criminals to pop in and out of targets.

One solution would be to have designated platforms for departures and arrivals -- such as the "transporter room" on Star Trek.  The limitations would simply be the queue for the transporter -- how long would you have to stand in line waiting for a departure and arrival time?  Can you imagine the logistical nightmare computer algorithms required to handle that problem for a giant skyscraper in New York where 10's of thousands of people work and are arriving to/from just as many different places?  There would also still be some other form of travel to your actual office.  Maybe have one transporter platform per block -- but that's a lot of infrastructure cost.

I guess there will always be problems and inconvenience associated with travel.  Mass transit is a solution that works in some places.  Car pooling works in other cases.  Working from home at least eliminates some travel for those able to do so.

Maybe the best solution is for more people to live where they work.  There was a time when most store owners lived either in the back or, above their store.  In our small town we are seeing a number of those old buildings being restored with apartments above that are accessed by street front private stairways.  The apartments are operated as a separate business from the store or, restaurant below.

Well, it's time for me to head to work.  I will finish this post and switch applications on my computer....

Data and More Data

Last night was one of those nights where I slept poorly.  They don't happen frequently, but for some reason I kept thinking about work-related items.

This morning I awoke to an e-mail that is going to require extensive research before I can respond.  Somehow, on a subconscious level, I suspect I expected the e-mail and that is why I couldn't sleep.  My thoughts during the night and what was requested are much too similar for there to be any other explanation.

Years ago I determined that graduate school was not my thing.  I started down that path but, became disenchanted with the political aspects of it.  It's funny how through the years I have probably researched and written the equivalent of a good number of thesis -- maybe even the equivalent of a dissertation or two.  Perhaps it's God's way of pulling a joke on me...

This past weekend was spent organizing and evaluating a fairly large data set.  Yesterday was spent in analyzing it.  Today will be spent in supplementing it.  Oh, well, it give me something to do....

Building Fence

Take a mark and find the line;
Clear the brush and weeds and vine.

Set the corners up just right;
String the wires all nice and tight.

Pound the posts into the ground;
Hope no rocks will there be found.

Tie the wire with even space;
Then the stays go into place.

A level gate is wanted most
As hinge mounts go into the post.

Hang the gate right in its place;
Wipe the sweat from off your face.

Building fence, the rancher's chore,
Was so much fun, let's build some more!