Sunday, February 21, 2010

Embracing Expectations

Last year, Jim Tracy, in his first Spring Training as the Colorado Rockies' manager, spoke about about wanting the team to embrace expectations. I hear a great deal in the business world about the phrase, '"exceed expectations" and quite frankly, I've always viewed those two words with the same skepticism as I view most of the business jargon that comes my way. What I appreciate about Jim Tracy's take on that overused phrase is talks about presence, a gentle, grace-filled presence that runs too short for me and most folks I know. 


I've got a big week ahead of me and Jim Tracy's stated, and then implemented, desire for his team will help to propel me into mine, which will take a certain kind of focus that is about bringing what I've got to a certain situation with the potential of transforming my self and our life. What does it mean to me to embrace my expectations for myself? 


1. Be honest with what I'm able to do and then do it.
2. Ask a lot of questions. As far as I'm concerned, there are no bad questions, just the ones that don't get asked.
3. Rely on outstanding mono-tasking skills and leave the multi-tasking to those who have something to prove.
4. Drink lots of water instead of coffee. 
5. Keep up my yoga practice. 
6. Be proud of my skills. I've worked my butt off to get them as good as they are. 
7. Make good mistakes that show I'm willing to try and to learn.
8. Trust. If it's the right fit and situation, the rest will fall into place. 
9. Breathe. When all else fails, hopefully we still have that. 
10. And as Dory, my favorite Pixar character and which my kids are sure is based on me, says: "Keep Swimming."


To end tonight, I'd like to honor the life and poetry of Lucille Clifton, who died at the age of 73 year old on February 13, 2010. A friend said of Ms. Clifton's passing: "A passage that means less grace in the world..."



blessing the boats 
by Lucille Clifton

(at St. Mary's)

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back    may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that



From Quilting: Poems 1987-1990 by Lucille Clifton


Have a good start to the week. 







1 comment:

Lisa Trank said...

just to add - this morning I tried the experiment of asking questions and it was amazing. What I found is by asking questions, the "dream" is a goal to work toward, rather than pretending it's already happened. Happy Day everyone!