Sunday 29 November 2009

De Bono's Hats...of all the things to remember

It's funny how some things just stick in your mind. I can't remember my dentist's appointment or that there's something in the oven but, Edward De Bono is lurking in my grey matter and I didn't even know it.

De Bono and his Hats were first introduced to me during my Teacher Training. It was part of the Critical Incident criteria. I had to apply his Hats to an incident at college. So I did this, duly wrote it up and handed it in....The End... or so I thought.

I have not thought of De Bono in years until this week when a friend of mine brought me her homework that needed proof reading. She has returned to university to take Nursing. Potty, nickname only, had a new assignment and didn't understand what it was asking. Now as I write this I can't remember what the assignment was but I can remember that De Bono's Hats was a possible answer (I think it had something to do with social experiments). I introduced Potty to his hats and the meaning of the different colours. I was amazed at how I remembered it all. It flowed off my tongue as if I spoke on the subject everyday.

So here I am at an ungodly hour of the morning completing all sorts of mundane, but necessary, admin jobs for my new business. I am flicking between being in charge of accounts, marketing, sales, management and being a teacher and of course this once again put me in mind of De Bono's hats. I know it's not relevant but completing all these different tasks reminded me of the English idiom (I think it's an Idiom?) about wearing different hats for different roles. And, of course, there in lies the correlation my brain made to the infamous Hats.

I have to wonder at the workings of a brain that remembers one thing and disregards the rest. As a special needs teacher knowing how to crack this anomaly would be the answer to my, and my students', needs.

So, with my Blue Hat firmly in place, I shall continue to complete even more mundane admin jobs and see where my brain takes me next...somewhere warm I hope.........

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Cutting Costs or Cutting Corners?

Setting up a new business is quite costly. Adult Community Training has been, or is being, set up and funded by me. I think this is quite something considering I have no money! But, one thing a woman can do is 'make do'. So all purchases have been carefully researched for the best bargain....lets cut to the chase here....I mean the CHEAPEST.

Yes, I'm cheap but oh so cheerful and so will ACT. The furniture is second hand, so are the computers and resources. I suppose I'm second hand too! Unfortunately there are somethings that can't be had second hand e.g. solicitor's fees, websites, electricity, telephone, broadband and the list goes on.

While I'm, quite happily, scrubbing the second hand acquisitions and looking at the slightly knocked and banged up furniture I wonder how long they will last. Was it false economy buying used furniture? Will it fall to pieces in the first month and need replacing?

Only time will tell. So I will carry on scrubbing, polishing and, in some cases, repairing my treasured acquisitions, readying everything for a brand new opening.

Thursday 19 November 2009

Christmas...not this year

We are fast approaching the opening and I haven't been able to get in the premises yet! The solicitors are doing their bit...they better had be for the price. Why oh why did I not study law. I should get the keys on the 1st December. As I want to open on the first of January I have a hell of a lot to do through out December. So, with all this in mind, I have already bought & wrapped present and wrote all the cards.

I have never been this premature. In December I am also away for a week. It was probably not the best idea to book a holiday at such a busy time. But, I knew that once the business opens in January, I won't get a holiday next year. Ah... sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice...or is that martyr?

Sunday 8 November 2009

Remembrance Sunday

A day of remembrance. It was very moving to watch the ceremonies on TV this morning. It hit me harder this year because my son has enlisted in the army. It is easy to forget the country is at war. Remembrance Sunday used to be just about World War 1 & 2.

My husband's mother was German so we remember both sides. His maternal grandfather was a prisoner of war in Stalingrad. I try to remind my son that their are 2 sides to any argument and 2 sides to any war. Any soldier is a son, brother, father or husband and there is grief felt for any death or injury.

I, however, am in a unique position that enables me to empathise with all sides in all wars. I am grateful for this insight which I believe makes me a better person than I was.