by Dennis Blank

photo via pixabay

Through the haze, d’blank's vision of the future begins to take shape

Dear Lou:  It was a seven day trip back to New York from Florida, so I had plenty of time for visualization. I also listened to a lot of radio along the way. (Check out my "Road Notes.") For example, on NPR's "Whad' Ya Know?"Michael Feldman interviewed some woman psychologist who just wrote a book about how the male brain is different than the female brain, and I'm wondering if that might be part of the difference in how we see this visualization thing.

I can visualize; for example, for more than 30 years, whenever I have trouble sleeping I visualize myself as the third baseman for the Cleveland Indians and the best player in baseball. I've evolved this vision into a fairly complex storyline over the years. Never-the-less, I still haven't had so much as a cup of coffee with the Tribe. Plus, visualization now tends to make me sleepy - a real disadvantage while driving.

That said, I focused on the list you suggested last week. The visuals I'm getting are a little abstract and in black and white; more Franz Kline than Paul Klee. But here is what I can tell you. I see myself engaged in a project or possibly a cause of some kind, in which I am working with a group of like-minded people. I could be working with them face-to-face, or from a distance. We would be a community of sorts. My role could be almost anything, but I would like it to include writing as a regular activity and I would like to be someone who could be counted on for new and interesting ideas. I'd feel needed and valued for my contributions. That's as far as I get. I have no clue what others are saying about me or what my headline might be.

Have I made any progress?

d'

Dear d'

Glad you had a good trip and hope your daughter's graduation was a delight. Thanks for attempting the visualization. As I explained to you, being third baseman for the Cleveland Indians is a dream, not visualization (dreams are good too). However, what you got to in the last paragraph is closer to what I was hoping for; so yes you have made wonderful progress.

Now, be on the look-out for people who are talking about things that are interesting to you; are asking for your opinion and ideas; or are involved in some activity which has you wanting to learn more and maybe help out. Trust me your awareness is now up!

Today I attended the Air Force retirement of a client and it was quite moving. He was talking about leadership and legacy and one thing he said was "Every day you have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life." I know you want Life 3.0 to be meaningful and I know you want to leave your own legacy. In the next week see how often you can provide value to one other person (opening a door, listening, writing your blog). You never know the impact you can have but you can make a difference.

Off to Seattle!

Coach Lou 

Coach Lou is a co-founder of Chain Reaction Partners, an executive and leadership training consultancy in Boulder, Colorado.  d'blank is the author of The Daily Blank blog.