My operations partner and I were standing in the spotlight. As we presented our plans, the audience’s questions clearly demanded a context to our remarks. The exchange was intense. As clearly as we thought we were articulating the challenge, I could see that the size of our challenge was not clear in their minds. As I spun possible solutions around, I realized that the clearest answers come in packages with few words.
I am not the first to realize that putting things into context is important. In an old case, when an individual was going to be accused, the bigger picture was important. “After reading the letter, the governor asked Paul what province he came from and was told ‘Cilicia’” (Acts 23.34) I have no idea what Cilicia was like then, but it told a story. I needed something similar.
The flash was obvious one I paused. “We do on average 12 transactions a day. On the first Monday, we will do 712 transactions. We will manually process 58 times the volume we do today in one shot. Given I have 4 people doing the work today, the multiple says I need 200+. I am asking for 94. As bad as it might look, it is a actually a good story.
The audience got it; 12 to 700. Simple math and I was not counting the other work I needed to do, another 1,400 transactions a day!
As I think of the day just dawning, I wonder if I can see the context. I have flights to catch, people to see, and a few challenges to wrestle with. I know many of the details that come along with each. Yet, the context of today with the past and future is not as clear.
What are my greatest values today?
What would the ideal day look like?
Why?
If I can answer these, then I have a perspective to see the moment at hand. Hope is often found in perspective. Seeing the moment at hand with Hope is a door to living fully. I like the idea!
