Deirdre and Button Phobia

Wow and oh my, what a day this has been. Very little mental energy left in which to write. It was an early start to the day as wanted to get a run in but right knee locked after drive from yesterday so worky work took over. In my first meeting of the day the analogy of button phobia was randomly thrown out. I have pondered that all day but am not quite sure of the official term or if such a phobia exists. I imagine just having zips, clips or string. There are probably many other material fastenings but as I said my mental state right now is in exhausted mode.

Back to hotel restaurant for dinner tonight with Nikki, who delivered an awesome session for me, and the senior leadership team, on communicating with edge. It was both timely and instructive. And whilst the food was less than instructive, although I did have to explain the concept of a floater coffee, it was timely tonight. I knew I was tired though as it took waving both hands in the air, similar to my cowherding technique earlier in the month but without sound, to attract the attention of any staff to pay the bill!

I spend much of my time communicating with others, in fact I would say all my time, as do you. I now have a greater insight into the concept of You (sender), Them (reciever) and It (the message), the authenticity of communication and the impact v intention. Communication in any form is a delicate and sensitive activity. The balance you need to have, and I need to ensure I strike everytime I put fingers to keyboard here, is fragile.

As an example, I wrote a letter to Izzy on Saturday night/Sunday morning. It took a long time, a sleep and many walk aways, but unconsciously I was using the actors rehearsal technique of 'why do I say this' and repeating it 3 times. This allows you to connect with the reciever and work out how do you want them to feel as well as what do you want them to know. I knew I needed to get alot of 'stuff' out to her but also wanted it to be a sharing not loading activity. I wanted Izzy to read it when she could and feel warmth, love, understanding, caring and smile alot. I know that it was recieved exactly as I meant it to be. She enjoyed it and could both see and appreciate the fact that I had invested time in writing it so that it was recieved in the right way. It is not often we think of the reciever when we communicate. The concept of Them has given me fresh impetus to ensure that I keep this front of mind.

The session we had today was focused on being inspiring in communication and it so apt that part of the dictionary defintion of inspire is 'to breathe life into'. Subconsciouly or not this is what Izzy does every time she write her blog. She brings to life the colour, sounds, sights and smells of her experiences and shares them with the world at large.

In other developments the next name for my bike is Deirdre as the sender of this name believes that it would be an amusing to hear tales of riding Deirdre. Umm I am still yet to be convinced but thank you enormously for calling me from your hols in France to check I was ok and that I had recieved your name entry.

Tomorrow is going to be a great & challenging day so I think I will rest now as I have a full session of facilitation then a rather long drive back to Somerset.