I like to believe that I practice a self belief of ‘Growth’, rather than one of stagnation. But, there have been plenty of times in my life where I have dug my heels in and been stubborn. I am a true Capricorn. The goat. I have seen myself put my head down, to expose my horns and stomped my feet. Scrapped the ground with one. Hilarious, as I think back on myself now. I really have done that.

I can remember one instance with a cement company and their management team. The business was going down the gurgler. They were full of blame, anger and stubbornness. I as a youngster took them on and tried to challenge their thinking.

I not only called them on their performance but also their behaviour.

That went well. They didn’t want me back.

The funny thing was, the list of advice I left sprawled around the conference room, was the most important lesson of their week long course run by someone else. I pulled it out of them using their own arrogance, with advice for another imaginary team about to attempt the same problem solving exercises I had lead them through. What advice would you give someone else?

Their words. As they showered me in advice I wrote their words on the butchers paper. Word for word. I worked them hard, making them explain clearly what they meant.

Before I left, I challenged them to take their own advice. Explained it back to them and how it could help their leadership, management and business.

I wonder if they ever did? Listen to themselves. Did they hear me call them on their own ‘bullshit’?

They say we don’t argue with our own data.

I felt something was leaving me last night in my dream state. I hope it’s the last bit of that stubbornness that gets me in trouble.

As I age I get younger and more relaxed. Letting go of dreams of success, changing the world and doing something meaningful. It drove me so hard when I was younger.

As I age I seem to enjoy life more, rather than so overly focused on success. Apparently it’s a normal Capricorn trait. The reverse ageing process. We start all serious and old and get younger and more relaxed as we age. I am enjoying the bit where I become more comfortable with me.

Perhaps it’s about becoming less fearful. Perhaps it’s the bit of me that undermines my own success. The bit where I worry about what others will think. Being judged. Scared to put oneself out there.

Hmmmmm

Growth Facilitating. Life is a process. One of continuous learning and change. When we get stuck in the same, things turn down. Don’t. Practice continual learning and change.

Do something new. Strive for better and different.

Off to the snow on Monday for some photography. Hoping for some fluffy white in the trees like this photograph in Cradle Mountain. There is still time to join us in an ISO Escape.

https://www.lensschool.com/workshops-tours/iso-escapes

There are still three that don’t have any locations yet. Perhaps you’d love me to take you somewhere special to help you grow with your photography. Growth Facilitating others is my lifelong speciality. I can confidently tell you I am one of the best photography mentors you will find.

Snow in the trees. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020

When do you think those two dead branches in that tree that are just balancing there will fall? Perhaps you didn’t notice. I certainly did.