notes

Blitz

This week I became aware of a phenomenon that shows up in nearly every lab.  It is known as the "blitz", short for "blitzkrieg" which in German is an amalgam of "blitz", lightning, and "krieg", war.

The blitz happens when we realize that a labster has hit a snag while working on an important project result.  We usually notice the snag when we realize that something's been on our compadre's action design for awhile, and it is still not happening.

There is nothing wrong with this.  The snag has occurred for one simple reason: the action is not a one-person action.  When we realize that we realize that it is time to initiate an intense campaign.  It is time to launch a blitz.

A blitz is when a pod, or even the whole lab, takes on the job and gets it done lickety-split, fast as lightning.  Examples: setting up C's studio this weekend, A's garden planting party, tearing down D's wall, organizing three years of tax returns in a single afternoon.  The execution is usually quite fun.

The blitz is possible because of two things, both equally important: a labster learns to ask for help, and other labsters learn how to radically make a difference on behalf of another's project.   

Featured project: News from Liz

The project results are just rolling in!  Recently I got this email from Liz, who is celebrating the fruition of her project:

Dear Susan,

I think I've just received exactly what I asked for last year in the lab:  A beautiful space frequented by lots of art lovers, and it's also a worthy arts institution.  I've been offered a solo show in one of the galleries at the Southwest School of Art and Craft in San Antonio.  It is an absolutely lovely place, converted from an old Ursuline convent, huge gardens, beautiful old buildings, right on the river walk.  And the gallery I'm in is actually a broad hallway through the center of it where every one goes.  The show opens next summer and goes for two months.

I'm so happy about this, especially when I realize it is very much coming from our work together.  Thanks a billion zillion.  Hope this year's lab is a blast!!

Love, Liz

P.S.  I just remembered I wanted to tell you that the woman who gave me the show in San Antonio was the First curator to come visit my new studio.  I think my new studio has so much to do with my seriousness about my work, and reflects the value I can now give myself as an artist.

Featured Project: Susan's Results

Hi Susan,

I presented your results to the rest of the FIT staff at our weekly meeting last Thursday. We were all very impressed, so much so that we would like to request to post your DEXA pre-post soft-body pictures on our website.  This is only with your permission and your name would not be associated with the pictures until you also gave approval.

If you felt like FITwas able to help out along the way we would also enjoy hearing more about your experience.

Regards, Matt S.K.

Fitness Institute of Texas
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
1 University Drive; D3700
UT Austin
Austin, TX 78712

This was the email I received the other day from Matt, a PhD student at UT who administered pre- and post- assessment tests of my body composition.  The first test was done in June of 2006, and the second was done this month.  Needless to say there was a huge improvement in the health of my body composition, one of the more vivid results of my 2006-2007 Project Lab project.

Test results:

I thought I had lost 20 - 25 lbs., which was great, but these charts show that I really lost over 30 lbs. of fat, since I gained over 10 lbs. of muscle.

How did it happen?  In the Project Lab I realized that it was OK to ask for help.  In fact, being willing to ask for help can make the difference between success and another New Years Resolution that falls down the wayside.  In the lab, I asked Amalia Litras to be my personal trainer, and she led me down this interesting road at an easy incremental pace.

The three words that described the essence of my project were Spaciousness, Luck, and Love.  During this lab I learned that it is not only OK, but it is actually possible to create space in your schedule to do things that are important to you.  Never again will I attempt to get high-quality exercise by squeezing it in sideways between other commitments.  In this lab I learned that all there is to do is accept the spaciousness to do what's important to you by just putting it in your schedule, and then seeing how to make it work when the time comes round to do it.  (Nobody was traumatized by the fact that I go to the gym at 11 in the morning once a week and then again at 7 another day, or that I carry a bike helmet into work once or twice a week and need to take a quick shower before I get to my cube or meeting room.)

Meet the new Labsters!

The new lab has begun!

Just some thoughts that inspired me today as we venture into the great unknown.  If you're not sure you know what your project is yet, all is well:

"The biggest obstacle to learning something new is the belief that you already know it."
- Zen master

"Who is wise? He that learns from every man."
- Ben Zoma, Pirke Avot 4:1.

"Teach your tongue to say "I do not know" and you will progress."
- Maimonides

Bumper Sticker

Today the car in front of me had this message on its bumper: DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK.  Isn't that great? 

Coincidentally, I received the same message from my fellow labsters during our Legacy Pod* meeting last night.  I was talking about things I could and couldn't do, and they told me that it was all in my mind, that I was really talking about what I thought I could and couldn't do.  They said that it seemed to them there was really nothing in the way of doing what I was saying I wanted to do except my thoughts.  Thank goodness for other labsters.

* Legacy Pod - A pod that continues to meet after the Project Lab is over.

Kaizen

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with the first step." - Lao Tzu

I've been reading this book, and I am starting to realize that the next Project Lab, which begins on September 15th, is going to make use of the power of small:  small questions, small thoughts, small actions.  This kaizen approach is about making things happen in tiny ways, incrementally, sort of letting them creep into your life, without any panic or fight and flight syndrome.  Instead of our project results ending up like New Year's Resolutions, which start with a flourish and soon end with a whimper, we can instead create some space and breathing room and then with a whisper invite in our dreams, take some baby steps towards our future, slowly, safely, steadily, serenely.

The next Project Lab promises to be a gentle one.  And big: big, as in "small is big".

Featured Project

Connie's Project Design Three words that describe the essence of my project are: creativity, mentoring, roots. The results of my project are: I have published one or more short stories. I have an established editing business that is generating income and service to others I have found an affordable place to stay in Orkney for the summer of 2007.

Before we go on to the part about how Connie's project turned out, I want you to first click on the play button and listen to a clip of Connie reading the beginning of one of her stories, The Pictures, in her wonderful Scottish accent.  Download pictures.doc

Below are Connie's notes for our last session, when we presented our project results and learnings.  The photos are from her show and tell.

Three things I've accomplished

I registered my editing business, Watchstone Editing Services, with the state and acquired a federal tax ID number.  I had business cards made and wrote a business plan and a marketing plan.

I finished three short stories and submitted one for publication: Halfway House to Glimmer Train.

I submitted the first chapter of a mystery novel, The Seal's Tooth, to the Texas Writers' League competition in March.

Three things I've learned

I'm not that interested in business anymore.  My main objective in starting the editing business was to make enough money to buy a cottage in Orkney.  That is now a longer-term project due to rapidly increasing prices.

I really wanted to understand what the characteristics of a publishable short story are and whether I could write well enough to publish my work.  By submitting my work for writing competitions and participating in writing groups, I'm gaining confidence and valuable feedback.

I've learned that Austin is a really enjoyable place to live.  I had always yearned to return to Orkney to live when I retired, after some difficult experiences in the U.S.  But I discovered that I really enjoy living in Austin and that it is very important to me to be close to my daughters.

Acknowledgments

Project Lab has provided me with the support and encouragement of interesting people knowledgeable about creativity and about Austin.  I have learned so much about this city and really like living here.

Labsters are a great group of creative people trying to achieve important goals and make important life changes.  It has been fascinating to watch each individual pursue his or her goals and make significant breakthoughs despite challenges and setbacks.  Special thanks to Susan Keeler for her patience, support and enthusiasm, while facing some very difficult personal challenges.

Myself: This year for me as been about adjusting to a new phase in my life, letting go of my need to move back to Scotland full-time and permanently and accepting Austin as my American home.  I have found it to be a warm and friendly place.  My family is coming together here and I'm getting involved in the life of the city.

What's next for me

I plan to focus on two things while continuing to find my feet as a writer:

1. Design and build a garden behind my house.
2. Get more involved in volunteer work, e.g., LAMP, and the resurgence of Webb Middle School in my neighborhood, while exploring other opportunities for community involvement.

Next Project Lab

The next Project Lab will start mid-September 2007, and then meet the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 to noon at Ventana del Soul.

Fee: $400.  Two payment options:  In full at first session, or $200 at first session, $200 at New Year, 2008.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up, email or call Susan at 512-751-8323.

September 15, 2007

October 6, 2007

November 3, 2007

December 1, 2007

January 5, 2008

February 2, 2008

March 1, 2008

April 5, 2008

May 3, 2008

At the end of the lab comes acknowledgement

This Project Lab ends next Monday.  All this month I've been thinking about acknowledgement, acknowledging what I've learned, what has happened, and who helped make it happen.  My monthly result was to write this testimonial for Amalia, the personal trainer who taught me so much about creating the spaciousness to exercise.  Lori took this photo of me doing the tree pose in front of her trees to send with the testimonial so Amalia could put it on her GrassIron website.  Liz told me on the listening calls that acknowledgement "makes you rich!"  Certainly it makes me feel satisfied, and, well, Liz, you're right: it makes me feel rich. 

One of the main things I learned in this lab is that if I'm stuck I should consider asking somebody for help, and I should maybe ask for it too!  But then after you get the help, and are no longer unstuck, and everything is flowing happily again, you can acknowledge what has happened.  Because we never really create the cool stuff by ourselves.  And after you've acknowledged the support you've been given, that's how you feel: rich.