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February 07, 2005
Welcome to Alison's Blog - February 2005
Well, it's now early February 2005 and at last I'm ready to start working with my blog. Ever since New Year, I've often woken in the morning rehearsing how I might begin, and I guess the important thing to do is just to start writing, on the premise that 'there's no right way' to do this.
Why a Blog?
The way this blog came into being was when I was walking in Gunnersbury Park with Simon, my web designer and I was reflecting on some of my key learning during the past few years. I recalled how inspired and impressed I had been with the work of Roger Harrison in The Consultant's Journey (McGraw Hill 1995) when he discussed some of the client projects that didn't go so well and the learning that came out of it. So, it was okay to not know. Coupled with this and at the same time, was the experience I gained when doing my Masters degree in Change Agent Skills at Surrey when we kept a Learning Journal as a place to reflect on new insights, issues we were grappling with, what worked or didn't work in client projects, and how valuable I had found this process. And at that point, Simon suggested "the Blog".
One of the things that I really value these days is being able to celebrate and enjoy my own wisdom and at the same time delight in learning more and new things from clients, from other consultants, from suppliers, from friends and from my own experiences. So, there's something about finding a balance between knowing and not knowing, drawing on my experience and expertise and at the same time being curious. This prompts me to mention "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki (Weatherhill, 1996) in which the author looks at how to approach the world with a beginner's curiosity; with an open mind, the attitude that includes both doubt and possibility, the ability to see things as always fresh and new.
So, for me to develop, I have found that I am approaching my practice as a consultant, coach, facilitator and supervisor from a place of inquiry and interest. This is not always easy. Being a beginner can be frustrating, slow, and tap into feelings of ineptitude and incompetence. And as my tai ji teacher, Ad Brugman, would say: "And what's wrong with being a beginner?"
And here I am, on Day 1 in the life of working with my blog, wondering whether what I am writing is appropriate, 'good enough', inspiring, encouraging and appealing enough for you, the reader, to engage with me in this journey, this adventure.
Please do make contact. Let's share our learning, our wisdom, our adventures and who knows where it might lead us.
Posted by Alison at February 7, 2005 05:42 PM
Comments
I like beginner, i toyed with novice and then sensed that may narrow the play area. I found a quote of Margaret Wheatleys what I liked the other day - it went something like 'the need to be curious about the questions that need to be asked about that that has not yet been seen!
Posted by: annie at February 15, 2005 05:56 PM
