Gregg Patterson: Learning to See “Wonderful”
Needing—The Eyes to See
Some managers are blessed with The Eyes to See “wonderful” wherever they are, whatever they’re doing and whoever they’re with. These fortunate few see the profound in the ordinary, the philosophy in the details, the story behind “what is” and the BUZZ in the routine.
Seeing and “trumpeting” The Wonderful they see makes the manager’s life—and the lives of everyone around them—better, happier and more fulfilling.
However………..
Some people, the fortunate few, are born with The Eyes to see Wonderful—and others are not. Those who already have The Eyes want to see more and those who are blind want their eyes to be opened.
Tactics are needed.
Consider these………………
Do “The Do’s”
When it comes to seeing Wonderful, eyes can be opened and “Seeing” can be sharpened if the right Do’s get done consistently over time.
Here are the basics………..
Do “Right Attitude”. Facts are facts, stuff is stuff, place is place and people are people—how you SEE the facts, the stuff, the place and the people is the key. If you think you’ll see wonderful—you will. If you think the stuff will be interesting—it will be. You choose. Attitude matters
Do “Big Curious”. Being endlessly inquisitive about everything and everyone is fundamental to seeing Wonderful. The more questions you ask about where you are, who you’re with and what you’re doing, the more interesting anyone or any something becomes. Be curious and you’ll see Wonderful.
Do “The Iceberg”. Beneath every visible something—the club logos, the dining room carpet, the new bunker on the 17th—is a HUGE invisible bundle of ideas, discussion, decisions and actions. “What is” stands on the shoulders of “what was.” The fairway is the visible part of the iceberg—green, lush and beautiful. But getting green, lush and beautiful was a long and interesting journey involving committees, votes, banks, sod farms, construction firms and city inspectors. Doing The Iceberg forces you to ask how “whatever it is” came to be “whatever it is”. Do The Iceberg—and discover Wonderful.
Do “The Microscope”. Everything is more interesting the closer you look. Slow down, take your time, focus and look closely. The closer you look, the more detail you’ll uncover, the more Wonderful you’ll see. Do The Microscope—and you’ll see Wonderful.
Do “The Spin”. Learn to spin whatever you experience into an insight and a principle. Staff stealing—think ethics. Members moaning and groaning—think “human condition”. Board squabbling—think good governance. Unmotivated staff—think team development. There are BIG thematic issues—applicable everywhere!—embedded in the little stuff you run into every day. Do The Spin and you’ll see Wonderful.
Do “The Bridge”. Make the connection between the books you’re reading, the seminars you’ve attended and the conversations you’ve had with where you are, the challenges you’re facing and the opportunities that arise. Doing The Bridge makes the connection between the issues and ideas “out there” in the idea marketplace and what’s happening “in here” at the club. Do The Bridge and you’ll see Wonderful.
Do “Right Network”. Connect with positive, reflective people who see and trumpet the “wonderful” in where they are, what they’re doing and who they’re with. Let their positivity energize you—and you’ll see Wonderful.
Do “Right Fit”. Find a club where your skill set, your values and your enthusiasms are in harmony with the place, the people and the position. Finding The Right Fit is the key to seeing Wonderful long time, big time.
Do “Balance”. The day-to-day become more Wonderful when your life is in balance, when you found time for work, play, reflection, community and family. Living a balanced life brings peace and frees you to see the Wonderful in where-you-are-now.
Do “Talk”. Discussing The Wonderful with others will affirm and amplify The Way You See. Talk makes the Wonderful you’re seeing even more wonderful.
Do “Write”. Writing makes ideas and observations visible. Writing about Wonderful enlarges and enriches the experiences you’ve had—or want to have. Write about Wonderful and you’ll see Wonderful.
Do “Big Thanks”. The most powerful tool for seeing WONDERFUL is a profound sense of gratitude—a thankfulness for being where you are, what you’re doing and who you’re with. Gratitude—for the view. Gratitude—for the staff who deliver and members who like you. Gratitude—for a community of caring. Gratitude will sharpen your way of seeing. And you’ll see Wonderful.
These are the Do’s that need doing to see Wonderful. They work
However…………….
Avoid “The Don’ts”
Be warned——“there be demons” on your Journey to Wonderful.
Don’t—Embrace Negativity. A negative mindset will blind you to The Good. “Ain’t no wonderful here” thinking will negate The Wonderful.
Don’t—Keep Up With The Joneses. Avoid status anxiety—the fear that your “stuff” isn’t measuring up to the stuff that others have got—because you’ll never be content with the stuff you’ve got. And believing you “ain’t got enough” will blind you to The Wonderful.
Don’t—-Fantasize about Greener Pastures. A never ending hunger for The Good Stuff “over there” diminishes the ability to see the Wonderfulness of where-you-are-now. Next Step Thinking. The never ending “Itch to be Gone”. Ambition is good—as long as it doesn’t blind you to Wonderful.
Don’t—Accept Wrong Fit. Avoid clubs that aren’t right for the talents you’ve got and the mindset you have. Frustrated, underachieving, blame-ing the place and not The Fit. Wrong fit will diminish The Wonderfulness of where you are now.
Don’t—Hang Around Lovers of Negativity. If you hang around people who talk trash, who see The Un-Wonderful everywhere, who love nothing more than doing the bitch and the moan, your vision will darken and Wonderful will stay hidden.
Don’t—Spend Time with The Boring. Boredom is a state of mind—and a choice. Boring people see boring because—more often than not—THEY’re boring. And boring diminishes The Wonderful.
Don’t—Glorify Badges. People like badges—the degrees they’ve received, the car they drive, the job they have. But the search for new and better badges will blind you to the wonders of the here-and-now.
These are the Evil Ones. See them. Know them. Spank ‘em.
Prepare
People like people who see and then trumpet The Wonderful they’ve seen.
Having The Eyes to See Wonderful is a “must have” in a life well lived.
Tools are needed.
Know the tools. Master the tools. Use the tools.
See Wonderful,
And enjoy the journey…………………..
