Upgrading

Continuous improvement is a necessity in life. In fact the only thing truly constant in life is change. I have finally managed to upgrade the browser on my dinosaur of a pc and will hopefully be better able to manage my site. One hopes that this will translate into better links, more photos once in a while and a richer text content.

My sister Rene' is out from the U.K. for a couple of weeks and I was able to spend much of the last day with her. It reminded me how important it is to maintain the connection with people and spend time with those we love. One of the hardest things for me has been to stop thinking of her as "my little sister" and accept that she is a grown up, quite capable of taking care of herself. To think of her in the same way that I did in the past would be foolish. She is older, wiser and capable of so much more than when we were younger. I love her to bits and am so glad that we have been able to share things in greater depth as our maturity has grown (hers has, I hope that mine has too).

Slow down for the sunset.

Was driving back from out of town the other evening when I noticed the sunset. Sunsets in Africa are spectacular and this one was no different. Then it hit me, I hadn't watched a sunset in ages. I had got too wound up running around doing other things to pay much attention to the beauty around me. So, I slowed down a bit and enjoyed the colours as they mingled, shifted and faded away.I encourage you this week to take a small break and do something you havn't done for a while, relax and enjoy it.

Three little pigs

The tale of the three little pigs is a great moralistic fairytale describing how foresight and a bit of resilience can avoid you being turning into proverbial bacon. Personally, I prefer a more modern version of the tale where the third pig loads his shotgun and, when the wolf asks to be let in, blows him away to kingdom come. Either way, planning helps. While you may not be able to spot every trial, there are some things you need to do it you ever want to be able to achieve your dream.

Had an excellent conversation with a young patient yesterday who dreams of playing professional rugby. As a result, he was able to convince his parents to invest in a knee operation to treat in injury that would have otherwise sidelined his career. He should make a full recovery and be back on the road to achieving his vision in the next few weeks. The comment that got my attention was “I want to have no regrets”-if you have ever read the first few entries in this blog, you will know that is one of my aims in life. He will probably go far-especially with parents who believe in him as well. He was aggressive with the trial that came his way- he boiled the proverbial water while it was coming at him down the chimney. We need to the same with our trials-face them, think up an innovative solution and act on the problem.

Question everything

Magazine interviews have the potential to be the most boring pieces of literature available, easily glossed over and avoided due to the mindless nature of common questions. Small talk may help break the ice, but it’s never going to give me any substantial information. If I want to know her eye colour then I’ll look at the photo accompanying the commentary. I recently came across a series of refreshing interviews in a magazine in a colleague’s waiting room. Questions like “How would you spend you last day on earth?” can give you insight into someone’s value system. “What would you do it money was not an issue?” can help you see if you are satisfied with your current situation.

If you had an hour with a person you admire, famous or infamous, dead or alive, what questions would you ask them? I can almost guarantee that you would not be wasting time on the weather. Why then do people inflict mediocre questions on people? My aim this week is to ask entertaining and though provoking questions of the people I meet, probably only one per conversation else it may scare them. Share the most creative question you have ever been asked or asked as a comment on the site for others to see.

Email Updates

This blog can now be accessed through e-mail. All you have to go it use the subscribe form on the right and you'll automatically recieve all my posts by mail-no more remembering to log on and check the site. You can unsubscribe at any time. A word of warning though, you may need to keep an eye on your mailscanner once subscribed to make sure it isn't blocking the mail as spam. Sign up and give it a trial today!

Just a thought.

How many times have you faced a bad superior? Does your immediate boss have any really irritating habits? Does your manager know how to bring the best out of you? I thrive on recognition so someone else taking credit for something I have done and not even acknowledging my input is probably my greatest let down. Let me know your pet management hate, and if possible your solution. While you're at it what do you look for in a great manager? I would hate to inflict your experience on some poor waiter under me.

'Suddenly' moments.

I write this a bit jaded and weary after my first day on a new job! That’s right-new job. I’m now a part time manager for a fantastic coffee shop attached to a world class conference centre in Harare. I am still doing physio, just less so.

How did all this happen? It’s a case of a “suddenly” moment. I once heard a speaker refer to “suddenlies” in reference to points of time where everything falls into place and opportunities come your way. This is one of those. I did not apply for the job, I did not actively seek the job, but it just happened in a series of events. I won’t bore you with the details but, 2 weeks ago, I was approached with an offer and after consideration said ‘yes’. In my life list there is an entry “coffee shop” that entry now has a large tick next to it.

The main things with a “suddenly” is to be prepared. For some time I have been trying to wean the practice off me-to a point where it is independent but for minor tweaking and still makes me money. I’m not quite there, but am far enough along to be able to take the extra position. Where this will end up I’m not quite sure, but for this season, I am committing to stretching my management ability and creativity. So if you are in the mood for a Cappuccino pop down to Cee Cee’s on a Mon morning or Fri and Sun night and say hi.