Supercharged CACM

Shifting to Priorities that Vitalize your Chapters

1,000 Little Steps and commentary

So this popped up in my email. It’s a very quick review of what it’s like being in a volunteer organization, wanting to move the needle forward a bit, or a lot.

BHS is 70 years old. Imagine the number of changes that have happened along the way, and yes, most have likely been faced with resistance.

And now, I am one of the change addicts, who want better, more relevant, improved and more loved. None of it is easy; all of it is necessary.

#everyoneinharmony says it all…

1,000 little steps

There’s nothing in the dentist’s office that was there fifty years ago. Every device, every compound, every technique has been changed.

Bit by bit. Involving thousands of people and organizations. Improvements large and small (mostly small), in every corner.

And every one of those improvements was met with resistance. Every change was fought, tooth (!) and nail. Every one had critics and skeptics and hold outs.

That’s how the world changes. By drips. Persistent, generous, tiny drips.

~Seth Godin

   ( Who inspires, frustrates, encourages and nudges me, and usually just gets it right.)

How’s your Focus and Energy Right Now?

Crowd Waving-SuperchargedCACM.com

It’s spring contest season. It might also be spring show season for you.

The big question is: Are you still having fun? And, will your audience have fun? (OK, that’s really two questions…or not?)

It’s a great time to focus, and use that energy for fine-tuning your voices, your sections, your goals. (Perhaps, there’s no need to remind you how focused you are right now?)

The power in this fact? These are all global goals. They will serve you well in every performance effort, every rehearsal, every Board meeting.

So this is the time to reflect, and see how you’re doing.
> Are you keeping your meetings interesting, and full of variety, so everyone wants desperately to be there?
> Are you aiming to avoid burnout, to have fun no matter where/what the deadline, so everyone can be at their best when the (show) time comes?
> Are you enjoying the journey, so others can, too?
> Are your weekly meetings setting up the habits that allow you to sing with joy whether performing or rehearsing? So it’s the way you always sing?
> Are you inclusive with your activities, and your leadership, so that progress seems limitless?

Life is short-with your goals in mind, be sure to have fun!

 

What Difference: Volunteer vs. Career?

Is there really a difference in thinking about engagement, satisfaction, effort, appreciation, and developing and retaining talent, between your vocation (job) and avocation (hobby)?

Perhaps, if you dislike your job, the difference is huge. But what if you have a considerable amount of job satisfaction?

Read below to discover some ideas from the corporate world, GM specifically, and think about [Read more…]

Maps vs. Globes (with thanks to Seth Godin)

Perspective. It’s what we miss when we jump to conclusions. Or jump to our standard response style, as based on our comfort level.

What’s the cost of staying within our standard models, rather than paying attention to what might be the appropriate type of response? Likely, the results might include a lack of understanding, a feeling of not having been heard, or even a brush off of some very valuable information. [Read more…]

What’s it like to be “At your best”?

So if I ask you,

When you are singing and rehearsing at your best, what’s that like?”

What is your answer?

Thumbs up | Supercharged CACMIs it hearing loud applause, ringing a perfect chord, being in a room full of singers proud of what they just sang? Must it include affirmation from others, or can you recognize it alone?

Are you a performer at heart, and your best is only as identified by your audience? Or are you satisfied with being your personal best in-the-moment?

And, does your chorus or organization define “best” differently than you do? [Read more…]