Covey fans view this as beginning with the end in mind. This is simple enough, but as a recovering IT Hero, I had some natural inclinations that I thought were helping me baked into this three step process. There is much good that can be brought from networking to share Best Practices.

In definining what is productive, what is counter productive and what is the best possible outcome, this IT hero had the syntax logic a bit skewed. GET OUTSIDE YOUR HEAD to do this analysis to overcome your own "worst enemy thinking" and to recognize what's valuable in what you offer. In today's intentions, let us explore how we recognize the true value of Best Practices.

1. Define What is PRODUCTIVE
2. Recognize What is COUNTER PRODUCTIVE:
3. Plan for BOTH, Focus however on the BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME

"Positive thinking" is not ignoring the existence of counter productive processes, systems and behavior.
Possibility thinking is defined in strking a balance between resistance and positive outcomes, and focusing results towards the best possible outcome. A simple notion but here is how this IT hero had it backwards.

Resilience is admirable, noble, and profitable, unless you are orienting solutions to averting 'what is the worst that can happen".

Vision is necessary, useful, and guiding, unless you are orienting your view from a position of extreme loss, pain, failure and fear.

"Proving your value" by waging war on threats, at the cost of differentiating opportunity is a sure way to undermine your greater purpose.

INTERESTING THINGS I LEARNED IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:

1. I don't know it all, and neither do you, but if we can listen and partner, we create solutions.
2. If I am trying to prove to you my heroic actions, I am surely overlooking the real priority.
3. "Value" is not in continued employment, it is in continually progressive experiences.
4. Stubborn is an option, not a value, and it costs alot to maintain productivity without creativity.
5. Planning for the worst case scenario is practical. Executing for the worst case scenario is insane.
6. We seek problems in life, career, and projects, because we need their gifts. What are YOU seeking?
7. Seek to understand. Our opinions are evolving and typically based upon incomplete information.
8. Possibilities live and thrive from creating solutions from obstacles-- THAT creates value.
9. Sometimes it is the obstacle we pretend to know that obscures the real opportunity.
10. Celebrating the diving catch win looks great, but isn't positioning more about strategy?