(9) Express usefulness through simplicity.
Often we complicate the simple to impress and we fail to simplify the complex out of fear that others may know what we know. Yesterday I was listening to a debate on the results of a Staff Survey conducted at the University. It wasn't all good news and of course the Senior Management Team didn't come out well. They never do in these things (mostly because people like a grumble - actually, a lot of good things are happening - though there needs to be balance) but while some very interesting things were being said I found I couldn't listen to the petty that seems to really annoy people. Of course I can understand them, but over the years I have tried to just say, 'oussa..ah...' in a very soft voice, which my daughter swears by, and then moving on. It works. A colleague and I were whispering through the debate that actually, we never get stressed about very much. He has been through such a lot that, in his own words, he is tefal, nothing sticks to him. I have watched him, and supported where I could, while he negotiated that turmoil and I too am tefal. Every now and then we get a reminder that life is too short and I am more useful to the people around me by dealing with the situations I am able to, by keeping my usefulness simple. So, I can mow your lawn, dig up your tatties, wash your windows (I am good at them) to help you with some tricky pages of your thesis or your book. Nothing fancy, mind, just a line at a time, a suggestion here or there, usefulness through simplicity. As everyone in my house knows, this is my real karaoke song (strictly in the car) - are we human or are we [dad] dancer (I will tell you once I have worked it out):
 |
| Abbi in Tuscany - so young and so wise - oussa...ah... |
Often we complicate the simple to impress and we fail to simplify the complex out of fear that others may know what we know. Yesterday I was listening to a debate on the results of a Staff Survey conducted at the University. It wasn't all good news and of course the Senior Management Team didn't come out well. They never do in these things (mostly because people like a grumble - actually, a lot of good things are happening - though there needs to be balance) but while some very interesting things were being said I found I couldn't listen to the petty that seems to really annoy people. Of course I can understand them, but over the years I have tried to just say, 'oussa..ah...' in a very soft voice, which my daughter swears by, and then moving on. It works. A colleague and I were whispering through the debate that actually, we never get stressed about very much. He has been through such a lot that, in his own words, he is tefal, nothing sticks to him. I have watched him, and supported where I could, while he negotiated that turmoil and I too am tefal. Every now and then we get a reminder that life is too short and I am more useful to the people around me by dealing with the situations I am able to, by keeping my usefulness simple. So, I can mow your lawn, dig up your tatties, wash your windows (I am good at them) to help you with some tricky pages of your thesis or your book. Nothing fancy, mind, just a line at a time, a suggestion here or there, usefulness through simplicity. As everyone in my house knows, this is my real karaoke song (strictly in the car) - are we human or are we [dad] dancer (I will tell you once I have worked it out):
