Why Subtract, When you can Add?

Long ago, while I was struggling through an early math class, the whole concept of subtraction was frustrating and difficult for me; my mother gave me some guidance. “It use to give me trouble too when I was your age,” she told me. “I hate subtraction, so I don’t ever do it.”

This notion intrigued my young mind. Maybe Mom was going to get me out of math class. Could it be that easy? It wasn’t. “I figured out I just needed to add everything,” she confessed.

I felt duped. Not only wasn’t she getting me out of math class, she was making me do more math. She easily read the concerned and disappointed look on my face. “For example,” she continued, “instead of 7 take away 2, I think, what plus 2 equals 7?”

It was a great little tip, the wisdom of which I have not fully realized until these last few days. First off, what a terrific revelation of my Mother’s character and outlook on life. As a child she realized that she didn’t like subtraction. Instead of bemoaning that fact she searched for what could be added. To this day she explores the power of addition. She may be more tentative as she has aged, she grumbled about the Internet for months, but once we signed her on she mastered it in a couple of days. The innate positive-ness of her philosophy inspires me and it epitomizes the art of possibility. Rather than deleting things from your life, because they are burdensome, or too hard to figure out, consider exploring what you can add to it.

I began to think of this in terms of goal setting. For instance, in subtraction,

7 – 2 = ?

you do not know what your goal is, other than to make the outcome smaller. Yet if you flip the same problem around and look at it with a shifted paradigm that forces you to add, look what we discover.

2 + ? = 7

You now have a clear goal, 7, and a clear starting point, or existing condition, 2.

Just bridge the gap by adding to the existing condition and reaching your destination is assured.

Said another way...

2 (is the starting point, or existing condition) + (is an Attitude of Addition) ? (is the Gap between existing condition and goal) = 7 (the Goal, or destination)

What a beautiful way to view problems in the world! Thanks Mom.

Followers Talk, Leaders Act

It is easy to talk about leadership. It has become a subject of study. Books have been written, seminars conducted, presentations videotaped, and lectures recorded. There are no shortages of quotes on effective leadership. The attributes and skills, demeanor and aptitude tests that define what scholars believe makes a leader lurk around every corner. In contrast, there is an echo chamber of biased and belligerent pundits, regularly showcasing leadership, veiled in an arrogant and sanctimonious self-assuredness. Regardless of how unauthentic, it is leadership.

Talking about leadership has become perpetually in vogue these days. Yet with all this study, pontification and observation there still remains an acute absence of something. Leaders. In their unquenchable desire to find role models and visionaries, most people have neglected looking in the one obvious place. Themselves. Great leaders are quoted and imitated, criticized and followed because it is easier to do so. Real leaders act, and people respond to action, good or bad.

Successful leaders, whether of the PTA, a major account, a large corporation or a country, envision things that do not yet exist. When they think about how to achieve their vision, they become enthusiastic. The ideas consume them and give them a sense of purpose, of motivation, and of passion. True leaders acknowledge this, and relish the adventure.

Believe it or not, you are a leader. Either at home, or at work, on the playing field, or in the town hall, one of the many roles you play in your busy life is that of a leader. The question remains, are you considered an effective leader? It’s an important role to play in at least some areas of your life. So study and read, listen and observe, and make sure you take the time to dream and to plan. Muster up your enthusiasm. Then, above all, commit and act.

Several times each day you are faced with a choice. Will you lead, or will you follow? Make the choice that is right for you. Don’t let it be made for you by others. And if you find you often choose the role as follower, do not complain about the lack of leadership.

Teachings from the Father and Son

I recently attended a seminar where the reflective question was posed, “How do you remind yourself that God is present in your workplace and how does that awareness change the way you work?”

It was an interesting question and I must admit I wasn’t particularly happy with the answer I was coming up with. I didn’t think I reminded myself very often at all. It seemed like it was something I should rectify, but I wasn’t sure how.

When I returned to my office I scoured my desktop for some icon that could act as an unobtrusive religious symbol. My laptop, docking station and monitor took a vast amount or real estate. Stacks of papers to file, act on or route robbed even more. What little shelf space I had was committed to books and business tchochkies. Before long pressing matters tore me away from my search.

While at home my young son continued to pick up and throw rubber balls at me. This was a fun game we had been playing for several days but it suddenly became much more significant. As he ran after me, arm cocked and ready to catapult another ball toward me he gleefully said, “Here Daddy, here.” At that moment I interpreted what he was saying as, “Hear Daddy, hear.”

Instantly I flashed back a few years to a nice family gathering. The occasion was my father’s birthday, (for that matter, my daughter’s too.) He rose to give a little speech, a recollection of what someone had shared with him as a younger man. He said words to the effect,

“In life we find ourselves juggling any number of balls in different sizes. There is career, finances, health, perhaps new business ventures, schooling or needless worrying. All of these things are made of rubber. If one drops because of neglect or a miscalculation, it can bounce back. However, there is one ball that represents family and it is made of crystal. This ball requires the most vigilant attention, because if it should fall due to neglect or miscalculation it will shatter and can not be replaced.”

With moistness in my eyes I gave my son a big hug before he could pelt me with the ball.

On my desk sits a picture of my family. Alongside of it I have placed a rubber ball I tend to throw or squeeze when the day turns tense. The two items work in concert to remind me that God is present and he came to me through my father and my son.