Every week in March brought me a road trip.  I hit San Antonio, a surprise trip to Houston, then on to the Big Apple for a couple of days, followed by a quick meeting in San Diego, and then into Richmond, Virginia.  Lots of miles, hotels, taxi cabs, and club sandwiches from room service.  I love those who think that all travel involves the same adventure of a vacation, the reality is that most of the time it’s pretty tough. 

I was recently interviewed for a magazine article and one of the questions was, “What draws you to a project?”   I answered, “When the issue is of significance.”  I have been blessed with a number of very significant projects.  Working on Transformation, designing two Narrative Arc projects that have created a model of behavior as it relates to top sales people, launching a rich media (video replacing print material) project that is creating a ton of excitement in an organization’s communication culture.  These strategic platforms are changing the way our clients do business, of how they engage their client base, and how they move forward in a world that is somewhat resistant to change.

I feel honored to be associated with all of our clients and I know the future is, in the most honest sense of reality, unlimited!

Thanks for the emails on the last few months of writing I have done on “TRANSFORMATION”.  Here are the next two pieces in the process:

• Change The Way You Think:  Yep, it’s the most common of truths. In order to change the way you behave, you have to change the way you think.  Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is harder to do than to change the way you think about something.  It often strikes at the core of what you believe; of your epistemology (your core knowledge).  Without a change in thinking, any transformation process is hopeless.  When NASA embarked upon putting a man on the moon, they had to believe it could happen in the face of technology that had not caught up to that dream.  A lot happens based on what you believe, and what you believe is based on how you think.  Transformative organizations behave differently and they got there by thinking differently!
• Pay Attention:  During times of transformation, things happen quickly.  There is a rush to a new future, and mistakes are common place.  You have to learn how to pay attention, to see what’s happening, and to notice the opportunities that present themselves.  The history of science is filled with inquisitive minds, that while looking for A, discovered B.  They were paying attention.  Our plans are really vague maps that point in general directions.  It is often on a side trip that we find real transformative value.

Next month I will finish off the TRANSFORMATION PROCESS with BE BOLD!  Transformation is not for the timid.  It takes a daring mind set and a level of resolute commitment.

I have never before mentioned a charity or cause that I support because I figure everyone has their own idea about giving back.  Last Sunday I had the opportunity to meet an extraordinary young woman named Tanya Pinto.  Tanya started a very small charitable organization that works with orphans in India (www.baaldan.com).  One day, as a successful advertising executive, she took stock of her life and decided that she could afford to take some time off and do something.  Sounds simple huh?

Well, she took off for India and spent three months working with the organization Mother Teresa started.  She then decided that she could do more good by collecting funds in America and taking a couple trips a year to India, where she PERSONALLY buys everything from school supplies to underwear for the kids.  She does it in India where a dollar goes a long way.  In the world of mega non-profit charitable organizations it is often difficult to know where a donation goes.  Not with Tanya,  a  dollar in goes exactly where it should.  She is an exceptional person who is literally changing the world.  I just thought you ought to know.