I wrote what I consider to be a key to success in a comment and a very nice Kossack said they were putting on their refrigerator.
It concerned the twitter craze with "Good-Bye GOP" and my general lack of enthusiasm toward twitter. This is an approximation:
though I generally have low expectations of twitter, I admit that nothing is less predictable than the impact of social media. It can work. It is a tough slog to go against corporate American and their media and nearly impossible to know exactly how to do it, one has to be willing to try hundreds of ideas. . and fail, in order to find the one or two that work.
I wish I could take credit for this wonderful insight but I can't. The lesson hit home in one of the least likely settings and I think people here will appreciate it.
The State Bar Convention
I used to be in private law practice in a small state. As many lawyers do, I attended the state bar convention. The convention was dull and mediocre but there was one gem of an activity that will stay with me for life.
I am not a golfer. Therefore, the golf tournament was out, I could not have had less interest. Still, the idea of sitting in a hotel room held no interest and sitting in a bar with a bunch of lawyers. . . even less.
To their credit, they offered an alternative, an afternoon on a challenge course - often referred to as a "ropes course." I took it but without much enthusiasm.
Teaching us "the Ropes"
The class was taught by a grizzled, black, retired Sergeant from the army. He was a wonderful contrast to us exclusively white, middle aged lawyers.
He didn't want to get anyone up in the air too high. What he did was set up a course of rope just a foot off the ground, with some holds, different challenges, an end goal and a about 5 very daunting rules. We had one hour to complete the course.
We did it in a group of about 10. We took the first 20 minutes and talked about the best approach and did a good job of getting good ideas out and discussed. We set out a plan that if it didn't work in 10 minutes, we would meet again and form a new plan based upon our troubles.
We didn't even get halfway through the course, despite lots of eyeballs looking at different angles, good discussion, seemingly good plans - - we weren't even close to finishing.
When we met to review our approach, many of us offered to the instructor that the course was designed primarily to test our ability to communicate bc there were some near impossible challenges and it was the communication that was important.
The Real Lesson; A Pep Talk Only a Drill Sergeant Can Give
Here is close to the exact response of the sergeant (and his wonderful unique voice).
"Just last week I had a class of eleven year old girls that finished, successfully I might add, in a little over 35 minutes. Now, y'all gonna ask me, Sarg, how they come up with a winning plan in less 'an hour? They didn't. They didn't "plan" nothin'.
They didn't spend a bunch of time sittin' around being geniuses. One of the first questions they asked was "could they go back ta the beginnin' if they fell" course that was fine - - y'all knew that, you "planned" to try another "plan" - - ain't no rule against that. But, ain't nobody gonna find out what is doable and not doable in an hour without damn well trying to do it! And y'all were so scared a failin' you ain't never got around to succeedin'. These little girls approached it with less pride and more cur-ri-os-ity. They just got right on and kept a goin' till theys got it right. Bunch of little girls beat up on all you brains. (ok, slightly sexist, the guys was old school in language, certainly NOT in his respect for those girls).
And then dropping the country speak and being a little more serious
"And that is the lesson counselors. Life is too complex to always rely upon your big ole brains to get you where you gotta be. But, there are few real penalties for failure, especially if you get right back up and try again, learning from your mistakes, only way the army ever learned a damn thing. That is what I want you to take away, sometimes the only way forward is to fall down, if you are too afraid to fall, you are gonna be stuck there thinking."
Now, I hope this ol' army reject taught y'all somethin' t'day"
He was mobbed with handshakes, laughter and questions about reserving his time for different groups we knew. He then said, "look, I know I was havin' some fun at y'all's expense, you guys are a good group and I appreciate you coming out."
I will never forget it, I almost feel sorry for the guys that only won at golf that day.
We will likely never make the "perfect plan" to turn the country away from it's Kochian, corporations first slide, but we don't need one. We need only be willing to try lots of ideas and not worry if many don't work. Every effort counts.
Hope this interests the community. It was worth a try, if it fails, oh well, I am not afraid to try again soon. Peace.
Update: Another key to success on Kos, don't publish diaries right before Joan, Meteor Blades and Pooties, tough to get eyeballs, haha, live and learn y'all!
Update Number 2: A comment below reminded me of one of my favorite quotes and it fits with this theme;
I never scored a goal on a shot I didn't take.
Wayne Greatzky