The Empty System | Profit | Ultra-Processed People
Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS.
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach:
Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
The Empty System
I love systems; I spend a lot of time researching system-thinking, and I adore productivity and how to make efficient systems. At heart, I will always be an engineer. However, I’ve noticed recently a number of system failures, and in each case it is for a simple and frustrating reason.
Have you ever made a large purchase - something like a car - and then get bombarded with satisfaction surveys? You may have scored the purchase 9 out of 10, but the more they send you surveys, your score starts to dip. You may have even had the sales rep directly tell you that they needed 5 stars for their bonus! (this did happen to me once, as well as recently after a ‘relaxing spa treatment’). The issue here is that the reason behind the system gets lost in the system itself and ends up harming it.
My other favourite example is in restaurant restrooms. I’m referring to the forms that are often found on the wall or door where it shows that a member of staff has cleaned and checked the facilities each hour. I’ve lost count of how many of these forms are signed for the whole day - by 11am! The enemy of the system has reared its ugly head again, the one that loses the meaning behind it.
Systems, if we don’t stay clear and aligned to a purpose, run away and default to an empty system. Just doing something without reason isn’t a true system, it’s just doing stuff.
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Profit
The book that you’ll find in my gift to you this week mentions the word ‘profit’ throughout it. It led me to look up the etymology of ‘profit’.
It is from Latin PROFICERE meaning "accomplish, make progress; be useful, do good; have success". The word is formed from PRO "forward" + combining form of FACERE "to make, do".
Isn’t it interesting that ‘profit’ means much more than the financial bottom line!
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Make a Recommendation
See if this week you can reach out to someone with a recommendation of some sort - a recipe, a book, a Netflix show, anything you can think of! The word recommend is formed from Latin RE “back” + COMMENDARE meaning "commit to one's care”. When we recommend something we are being caring.
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“What am I wasting?”
Another open question for you! Allow your mind to go where it needs and wants to with this question - what comes to mind when you ask yourself ‘what am I wasting?’
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Personal Stories
I had an outstanding couple of days with a client recently - outstanding because I had the honour of hearing peoples’ personal stories. When we have the chance to think about - and then share - our story, it’s so powerful. It helps us and those around us, to build empathy and compassion. Our stories are all unique, but sharing them helps fill in so many gaps and create strength in how we can relate to each other.
BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
The gift is only available to those that subscribe to the weekly LEAPS email
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The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, in blogs / features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences. Please get in touch. The downloads do not have watermarks.
If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis.
I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:
L: what have you learned?
E: what’s your energy / feeling word
A: what’s one thing you need to do?
P: what are you thinking / processing?
S: who or what can you shout out?
