UNDERLYING Contradictions

Underlying Contradictions:
In ToP Facilitation, we have several steps to a strategic plan process. The first is creating a VISION. This is my favorite! We get to brainstorm all of the great things that could be! The second is identifying all of the WALLS or UNDERLYING CONTRADICTIONS that are keeping us from achieving our vision. I used to hate this part. But, then I realized how enlightening this step can be. If a person or group really digs deep they can not only discover, but bring voice to those issues that are having a significant impact. Why can’t I/we achieve _____? It is by being honest, open, and sharing our issues, concerns, and fears that we can form a plan to overcome our underlying contradictions or walls and move towards our shared vision.

I think this is a lesson we can learn from now. Many of us have faced a challenging week with the election. We are seeing how truly divided we are as a country and even in our communities. This is hard, really hard. But instead of hiding and ignoring issues, they are coming to the surface. At the surface and out in the open, is a place that we can deal with them. We can talk. We can make plans. We can figure out how to come together by understanding better where we are, where we have been, and where we would like to be.

I plan to make an effort to be part of the process! What am I going to do? I am going to keep working with my counties and local government to do the best we can to offer services to our communities. I am going to volunteer at SCORE to offer solutions and advice, hopefully some strategic planning, to small local businesses. I signed up this week! I am going to continue to offer virtual mini strategic planning workshops to help groups, communities, and individuals plan their next steps. Interested? Message me! I’m going to offer these at no cost through the end of the year. I will also send out five free copies of my strategic planning workbook…drop me a note to be entered Into the drawing. And, I’m going to stay hopeful!

What are you going to do?
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be audacious.
…for audacious acts can incite real change.