My partner, Gerry, was leading a two-day workshop we had created called Eagles. It was focused on helping people build on their strengths, find their sense of purpose in their lives and work, and to create goals that in many cases became life changing. In the workshop we had people create "vision collages." They cut up magazines and pasted together words and photos they found helpful in expressing what mattered most to them related to work, family, community and spirituality. We would have them start the collages near the end of the first day of the workshop, ask them to complete them overnight, and come prepared to share whatever they were willing to share the next morning.
At the end of this particular workshop, one participant told Gerry he would be late arriving the next morning and was afraid he would miss his chance to present. Gerry assured him, whenever he arrived, they would take time for him to talk about his collage.
He came in at the tail end of the presentations. Although he had missed the inspiration of hearing other people take a few risks in sharing their personal stories, he dove in. As Gerry remembers it, everything was going smoothly as he talked about some newly discovered insights about where he wanted to head in life and what else he would like to accomplish. Then he said something to the effect of... "Now, this next part is going to sound... silly... but I'm going to put it out there. I have always had this powerful desire to drive a Zamboni."
Without missing a beat, almost every person in the group of two dozen pointed across the room and said, "Then you need to talk to him!" Him was the guy who had shared earlier that one of his great passions in life was the off-work-hours he put into coordinating volunteers, ice time, and rink maintenance for the youth hockey association in his community.
Putting it out there for this one guy essentially put a set of Zamboni keys in his hand. Dream achieved.
That was a little thing, but I've seen it happen time and again on things big and small. Someone willing to speak. Someone else willing to listen. Connections made. Needs fulfilled. It's not magic. The work of achievement doesn't go away, but the universe has an uncanny way of bringing together its disparate pieces.
The Zamboni Principle. Put it out there, and then pay attention. Stuff will happen.
Make a Difference,
Brian
BLOG: Brian@GrowthWorks--Life, Learning & Leadership
www.growthworksinc.com
