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September 06, 2004
Week 2
The second week of classes began today, and for once I actually felt like I was in college. Karl-Hendrik led a series of lecture/discussions based on the Natural Step philosophy, which I'm finding intriguing.
I'm new to the whole Natural Step framework, which puts me in a slightly different category than most people in the program. It basically integrates strategic organization planning with systems thinking. What, you're thinking? Well, check out the website for more information…
For me, the biggest surprise is that I'm finding the strategic organizational planning portion of the class to be useful for personal decision-making—particularly as I start to consider where I want to go once I graduate this spring. As many of you probably know, I accepted entry into this program largely as a way to escape my previous job with dignity. Of course I was interested in the program, but this year in Sweden was mainly a means to an end—a "responsible" way to quit my job and move abroad. I felt the need for a big change—and this Master's Program in Sweden offered me that change. But as for where I thought this degree would take me, well…I'm not sure.
I tend to make big, life-changing decisions through a pattern where I gradually grow discontented with something (a job, relationship, home, etc.) until a dam bursts and I make a huge decision in a rapid timeframe. The speed with which I bought my condo springs to mind as an example.
For the most part, these changes have been for the better. On the other hand, I rarely have an idea of where I'm going in the long-term. And now that I've dropped everything and come to Sweden, that worries me a little.
Enter strategic organizational planning (or "Backcasting from Principles", the specific type of planning we're using)—which works for any complex system, like an individual, company, community, municipality, or entire biosphere.
1. First, you decide on the system conditions and boundaries. That is, you have to understand the rules by which your "system" operates. If I'm the system, my system conditions would include things like gender, life expectancy, citizenship, etc.
2. Next, you choose principles for success. For me, I ask "what would a successful life look like?" From this question, I develop several principles on which my planning will be based.
3. Then, I brainstorm strategies that will take me towards my definition of success. Each strategy must comply with all my principles for success, and be constructed within the "system" boundaries.
4. Once I have strategies in mind, I can construct actions (more specific than strategies) to take me towards success.
5. Finally, I choose tools to help me achieve my chosen course of action, using the strategies designed to guide me towards success within my system boundaries.
So you see, it's all very simple—I have decided to become a clown.
Well, not really. There is another model that is designed to help you decide which strategies, actions, and tools to use to get to "success"—because the Systems/Success/Strategies/Actions/Tools design alone doesn't help you prioritize which strategies will be most effective. So, there's a Step B. (Isn't there always?)
1. First, you reiterate the system boundaries.
2. Second, you analyze your current state.
3. Third, you envision where you'd like to be ("success").
4. Fourth, you decide which strategies (devised under Step A) most effectively move you from "B" to "C". This is accomplished by asking yourself, does Strategy X:
1. Move me in the right direction?
2. Provide a flexible platform, so that I can easily adapt to changing circumstances?
3. Provide an adequate return on investment? (That is, is it worth the effort involved?)
I'm not explaining it very well, but it's really an elegant mechanism for decision making. And I'm in the process of running my life through the process and seeing what shakes out. Right now it's all in my head, but once I get something committed to paper, I'll put it in the online journal.
But before I get to my reading for the evening, let me recap my day.
I took a shower last night, using the amazingly effective "IKEA bed plastic packaging" shower curtain. As a result, I got to sleep in until 7:20 a.m. while Roya and Jess got up earlier. I managed to get to class a little early, so I was able to check email (where I was sorely disappointed about the lack of email from the States—is it Labor Day that causes such a lack of entertaining communication? I didn't even have anything from my family! Tsk, tsk.)
Class ran until noon, when I went straight to the library to finish email and internet tasks (finally, my Quicken is resolved!). Then I took the bus back home, stopping at Willy:s on the way for groceries. Once home, I quickly unpacked, ate some leftover couscous, and got back on the bus to Centrum. I stopped in at Karlskronaham (the apartment company) and paid rent and submitted my list of complaints. After that, I tried to find Scotty's house (he had invited me over for a cup of coffee), but after wandering about for 15 minutes I gave up and went to the ice cream parlor. I indulged in hazelnut ice cream while reading the introduction to my coursebook, then decided that my quality of life would significantly improve with some curtains. So off to Spar I went—choosing a curtain rod, curtains, and a matching pillow for the bed.
Having spent more than I planned, I took the bus (yet again) back to campus, where I sat in on the last part of a group meeting (about creating a program brochure) before attending my first Swedish class. All I have to say about that is: Hej! Hej! Jag hetter Jennifer. Jag talar Engelska. Tack så mycket!
After an all to brief Swedish lesson (that was incredibly heavy on administrative matters), I came home and prepared a lovely dinner of pasta with mozzarella, avocado, and tomatoes (I've eaten pounds and pounds of tomatoes since I've been here). In between typing up my day's notes, Roya came home and helped me install my new curtain rod and curtains. They look lovely, and I'll upload pictures soon.
That's about it. I did get my first mail delivered right to my apartment door. It consisted of a New Yorker magazine forwarded from my mom, and two Thank You cards from my friend Laurel, who is expecting a baby any moment now. It was delightful to get tangible material from home, and I encourage everyone to send stuff immediately!
In other news: Poor Jess has a terrible cold/fever, which I am trying to avoid. In fact, a good 1/3 of the class has suddenly come down with cold/flu symptoms. We're attributing it to different strains of viruses for which we haven't built up immunities. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and have decided that denial is the best defense against my increasing sneezes and congestion. With the current rate of contagion, my health is at serious risk. Perhaps eating more chocolate would help? It's worth a try…
