Pay Attention!

Probably, very few of us can remember the first time we heard that instruction.

But - we know it happened way back when we were children.

And - for some of us, it happened quite a bit.

Yet - who has ever taken the time to tell us how to do it?

Answer...Edward de Bono¹.

Here is an introduction to a simple tool de Bono presented in his book 'Water Logic'.

First...about Directing Attention, de Bono explained:

Attention flow is determined by:

• what is out there, the outer world
• our standard perceptual patterns
• the context of the moment and
• what we are trying to do

Then de Bono presented his simple attention-directing, thinking, tool... 

PMI (Plus-Minus-Interesting)

You can develop your faculty of ATTENTION by taking the time to focus on 3 things:

• the Plus aspects of the situation
• the Minus aspects of the situation
• the Interesting aspects of the situation

de Bono clarified, "PMI is not at all natural. Rather, it is natural to interpret, recognize, and judge as quickly as possible. PMI ensures a basic exploration of the subject before judgment."

The way I describe it...

PMI is provocative. It disrupts the normal [natural] way our brains/minds function. It enables our thoughts to escape from deeply-patterned ruts. When our thoughts get out of the ruts the neurons in our brains say to one another, "Wait a nanosecond here...something isn't right...we better pay attention to this." The next thing our minds know...we are paying attention. In essence, when we use PMI we trick our brains into allowing our minds to pay attention. And, if we practice PMI until it becomes a Habit then that Habit will be a good one.

The Good Habit will be the strength/skill known as the ability to Pay Attention!

PS: If you have not tried PMI before then, for you...it is a New Thing.

Footnote

1. 'Water Logic' (1991)

Thought Tweet #448 Don't let Situations catch you unprepared...anticipate Situations, engage forethought

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

So many people think they are 'too busy' when the reality is they are 'too unprepared'. They live a business life consumed by a repeated series of fire-fights. Many of the fire-fights are directly linked to specific individuals' behaviour. And, habits being what they are, to a very large degree, behaviour is predictable. Think of a probable Situation. Think of who will be in the Situation. Think of how the people in the Situation will act. Plan your best Actions before the fires start. 

People gain comfort under discipline.

People gain self-esteem under discipline.

People gain happiness under discipline.

The extent of the gain depends upon application of the discipline. For the gain to be maximized, the discipline must be created with accurate forethought and applied with fairness and top-notch communication.

Successful work environments maintain a fine balance between autonomy and discipline:

• not too much discipline because that kills enthusiasm
• not too much autonomy because that creates work-Frankensteins
• not too little discipline because that raises decision-making confusion
• not too little autonomy because that fires up the spirit of rebellion

Routine work is most-suited to the discipline of Process Systems. 

Routine work lends itself to the application of blankets of Process Systems.

For routine work, Process blankets provide comfort...and effectiveness...and efficiency.

And, when Process Systems are planned with accurate forethought and applied with fairness and top-notch communication they provide comfort. This comfort allows the building of Good Habits for smooth performance of routine work.

And, this frees up brainpower for creative thinking and innovative work.