Make Serendipity Work for You - Mark de Rond, Adrian Moorhouse, and Matt Rogan - Harvard Business Review

Make Serendipity Work for You - Mark de Rond, Adrian Moorhouse, and Matt Rogan - Harvard Business Review


I just read an article on the Harvard Business Review blog network about serendipity. It really got my attention.

When I was in Colorado, I commented to my friend how she has been open to so many different serendipitous moments in her life. Then I came across this article this morning.

This person suggests that serendipity is a practice or a skill set that can be cultivated. Its more than just plain old luck or being at the right place at the right time. It is about seeing meaningful combinations where others do not.

This made me think about the job opportunities that I have come into in the last few months. I had been describing it as "being in the right place at the right time." But maybe it was a kick start in seeing opportunities where there appear to be "none."

I think this idea pushes the bar in innovation and creativity and it makes me kind of inspired to look at things differently. I really like that.



That's the thought for the day.

Opening Weekend

And on that note, let the firestorm that is July officially begin. I've been trying to juggling a few shows and meetings and work and a festival this month. Last night I got a little wake up call about some things I scheduled. Luckily the things happening in the next week are all ironed out. Mostly. :) Upon looking at my calendar more closely and updating everything, it really isn't so bad. I just have to keep some things straight and prep for garlic festival while still going to shows and rehearsals.

Opening weekend of THE WIZ went well. There are two shows today but I am doing my Sunday music therapy rounds, so some other person is subbing in for today. I'll be interested to know how it goes. Each player has a definite style and way of doing things. You can often tell when someone is subbing in. I'll be sad not to be down there for the show. Even though it has been frustrating, the frustrating has turned into more fun.

But today I have to switch gears into music therapy and get to my sessions!

Counting the Different(s)

I read an article on the Harvard Business Review site this morning titled "How do you know a great person when you see one?"

I think part of this article says that great leadership or greatness is often times context dependent... right? Different situations call for different skill sets. Different people will shine in different circumstances. And how many times can I use the word, "different"?

This also made me think of the different temperaments: sanguine, choleric, melancholy and phlegmatic (definitely Choleric with a melancholy secondary)... combined with the 4 letter personality type (I'm an INTJ) and all of the other personality tests and things out there that are made to be tools to understand yourself better.

I was going somewhere with this.....

Oh right. Different skill sets shine in different places. I'm having a real problem with that this week.

See, I am the type of take charge, make a spreadsheet, get it organized kind of gal - when it comes to jobs and professional matters. The organizational state of my desk and bedroom leaves a bit to be desired, although I could tell you were everything is- just don't move it. Anyhow, when it comes to things that require a product, or schedule or payment, I have learned to be more diligent and cover my bases and try not to overschedule, double book or most important over extend myself. I've learned my lesson. The hard way. And I don't really feel the need to learn it again (we'll see how this goes after the month of July).

The problem I'm having is that this person in charge of one of my summer activities is driving me bonkers because he/she uses a different leadership style.

This normally isn't a problem. We have to deal with people who do things differently every day. But I can't let go of this. As you can see.

I am having a hard time just letting this person do part of their job.... even though I (big emphasis on I) would do it in a completely different way. This person has a great skill set and its being displayed in many other ways. But something about the way things are being done is making me a little crazy on the inside.

("Different" Count is up to 10)

We need people to do things differently (#11)? Yeah.

Do I have to like it? No.

Do I have to respect it? Yeah I do. But I can do that.

Sacramento

I am back from Sacramento. I spent the weekend with a colleague/friend swapping music therapy resources and working on improvisation styles. We had a nice time and it was interesting experience to kind of outline some of the improv styles but it was fun to play and improvise together. And then of course swap stories and talk shop. I enjoyed myself.

I then drove from Sacramento and did three sessions this afternoon. I am wiped out. The sessions went well. I am noticing some changes- mostly positive- in the way some of my clients are responding to music. It reminds me that clients are always surprising and that the therapeutic relationship is constantly growing. I like that.

I have a some sessions tomorrow- plus lunch at my favorite thai place and then I am in full The Wiz- mode. We start tech rehearsals this week and open on Friday. I am really trying to remind myself to take one thing at a time and enjoy what I'm doing every day. It makes it more fun and I find I can better go with the flow that way. This month is just crazy, so the one day at a time thing is going to be really important. I am thankful to be able to do what I love every day, both music therapy and my involvement in theater. My life is pretty good right now. :)

I am exhausted. Good night!

If a Tree Falls in the Forest....

Usually that would end with "And no one is there to hear it, Does it make a sound?"

BUT I say that if a tree falls in the forest and you're the one tipping it, then it certainly does make a sound. I know because we tipped some dead trees (that were about to fall anyhow) on our hike through Golden Gate Canyon State Park, just outside of Golden, CO.

I am back from a wonderful week in Colorado. My good music therapy friend got married on Sunday and I spent the week helping out with wedding details and enjoying freshly fired s'mores on the bachelorette camping trip. I came back with zero ticks and a ton of amazing memories.

This was the view on our drive back from camping to the bride's house. Gorgeous.

There is too much to write and talk about, but I will say that I enjoyed every minute of my trip- even the stressful ones. The rest of the bridesmaids were so much fun to be around AND I was able to reconnect with my Arizona MT ladies.

There we are! Reunited at last. I hadn't seen these lovely ladies in person since moving to New York last year.

The wedding itself was beautiful. The bridesmaids wore all different shades and shapes of green and we spent the evening dancing away in the big white tent.

Here we are waiting for the bride to make her entrance

Even now I actually miss all of these people and I can't wait to take another trip to Colorado AND go camping again. I've been changed. Ha. It was a beautiful trip full of inside jokes and obnoxious camp songs and lots of love. I do feel like one of the family now.

I am in the middle of my recuperation time, as an introvert I need that alone time to recharge from a crazy crazy week. But I am prepping for the next few things in my calendar- Mainly the orchestra pits for The Wiz and Aida and the upcoming Garlic Festival.

This weekend I am headed towards Sacrament to see a music therapy colleague for an improvisation workshoppy weekend. We're just going to spend the weekend playing and I'm going to share with her some of my improvisation resources.

Also, I went off the grid for a week and that was the week my email decided to Explode with amazing things and opportunities.

- I was invited to participate in a leadership panel at the next national music therapy conference.

- I got a call to play a 5 week run of Rent at a theater in the north bay area. It pays really well, and its a show that I've wanted to play.

- Heard back from the school and we are inches away from settling a contract for the fall!

- Was asked if I'd be interested in accompanying some music lessons/teaching theory starting in the fall.

Looks like I will remain pretty busy through the end of the year. Just the way I like it.

One other important thing I discovered this past week is a hidden talent. It must run in the family.....

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That's right....

I can stack rocks in artistic ways. I feel like my uncle would be proud. This particular sculpture was my crowning achievement in the way of rock formations for the weekend.

That's it. Time for my afternoon nap. I am glad to be back in the blogosphere!