Musings at Altitude

I had 4, day long meetings last week.  It would have been 5, but thanks to the airlines, I couldn’t get there for the first day of the week.  But 4 was plenty!

After 18 hours at home (yep, that’s it), I’m now out in the Washington DC area for 5 more day long meetings this week.  The airlines weren’t nearly as nice to me and got me here on time, so I have no excuse but to show up this time for all 5 days.

I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed these types of sessions.  I’m a burst kind of guy.  I need 2 hour sessions that get something done, and then a long walk or a drive to a Starbucks for some sanity.  Day long meetings with breaks every two to three hours wear me out mentally and physically, and rarely get to any tangible results.

In the 18 hours that I was home though, I got to eat sushi for dinner, watch hockey with the girls, wash clothes for this next trip, hold the newest member of the family (my 2 week old grandson that should be getting out of the hospital Tuesday – yeah!), get my spiritual reservoir filled, and yes, visit Starbucks.  Since 7 of those hours were spent sleeping, those other 11 hours were packed tight and an incredible thrill!

Wouldn’t it be cool if all of life could be scripted in that same way?  Moving from one thing to another with different needs being met through different 1 to 2 hour chunks of time.  And after every specific chunk, a quick review and then decision on that next chunk to optimize the passion and to maximize the results.

Come to think of it, why can’t it be?  Why do we have to script day long (and even week long) meetings that strain the brain to the point that nothing but mush comes out anyway?

We need passion meters in every meeting and anytime the meter dips below “sheer excitement”, the meeting ought to be halted and everyone diverted to something motivating that needs to be done before joining back together to continue the meeting.  In fact, every meeting ought to be focused on something that drives passion.  If not, why have the meeting?  Even tough issues can be addressed in a motivated and passionate way.