Informed improvisation

[flexagon]

A couple of interesting quotes from this Grant McCracken blog post¹ on transformation:

Personal lives have taken on an improvisational quality. We don't have standing roles and objectives so much as we engage in an ongoing process of informed, and we hope inspired improv.

and

As one of my respondents told me, "I like to think of myself as a cheap motel. There are lots of people living here, not all of them on speaking terms."

Heh. I don't like to think of myself as a cheap motel, but next time someone asks me about goals I might have to whip out that first one. Maybe at some really fabulous cocktail party: "Well, Mr. President... may I call you Barack?... I'm not sure I have static goals and objectives so much as I engage in... let's say... an ongoing process of informed improvisation. With the state of international affairs just now, I'm sure you can identify."

I kind of hate it when my unique personal life is so reflected in everyone's punditry about The Times We Live In Now. Does feel appropriate though. What I haven't told you yet is that my new boss likes me and my work so far. Deeply confusing, that. It's almost like things are fine or something. Okay, so... one day at a time.

¹ You may remember Grant McCracken's name from the surging vs dwelling discussion here a while ago. His blog is largely about stuff I don't get at all, but the good posts are great.

Comments

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

I wonder if nearly all of the evil-ness with your job before was because of the team you were on and most especially the boss you had. That means there's hope!

[flexagon]

Yes, in that it's likely to mean I'm not getting fired (I'll be more sure of that in mid-Feb). But I'm still conflicted on whether I want to stay for very long. It's a terrifyingly volatile environment where things can change fast... obviously. And everything is so, so, SO focused on what title you have, I'm really uncomfortable with that.

No point getting ahead of myself though... I like the new team well enough that each day seems okay for now, and I have a 401(k) that needs stuffing. :)