A small Gift to Salem-News Readers.
(BEND, Ore.) - What a question! Everybody does, sometimes with great difficulties, presented by complex and competing factors full of fury and firing up indecision that much more.
Finding myself in just that dilemma some years ago, I sought all the help I could get in some basic research. I was fortunate to be guided then by one of the practitioners in the then-new arts of “decisioneering” - later and better known as “systems thinking”, complete with much more complex but not necessarily more helpful plans, practices and protocol.
Written from extensive current-then research, this one cites seven classic references including Drucker, Flippo, Marcus, Fritz and Bennett. Fritz was my personal guru, since he was old friend from I.U. EdD. program days.
Current check here shows that this basic research still stands, with additional documentation of same basic findings, simplified and personalized in this one early-on.
What followed for me changed my life and my wriiting/consulting career “in the media” and education, while building a simple report for professionals that, over the next year, drew some 5,000 requests for reprint from the technical journal in which it originally appeared.
Full professional research now indicates that the values found by all those requesting then, still prevail, despite ongoing cognitive science findings accomplished since - which endorse and strengthen the five principles outlined in the article.
Analyzing your personal decision-making style can take the agony out of deciding; and for many may serve as solid introduction to “systems thinking” which is now recognized as essentially different than our habitual, long-injected by life, “linear thinking”, which cognitive science today shows is often at the heart of ongoing and very intense disagreements on issues, and even on factual situations.
SO, as a sincere appreciation for the warm welcome I have received in these columns - sometimes only describable as “hot”! I now offer that same article as a thank you to all Salem-news readers.
The simplest way to deliver to you will be by stamped and self- addressed envelope sent to me. My Bend address is available from Editor Tim, on a confidentiality-promised basis.
Only some few copies of this essential self-guide piece remain in my now-depleted and under-culling writer’s file; but I have scanned the four pages into my computer and will provide print-outs for all requests; OR will send PDF-format if requested with email address supplied.
Merry Christmas to all...and best wishes to avoid that neocon trap involved in continued “linear-think” while the world rapidly progresses.
This, after all is ALREADY the 21st Century !!
Please send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Henry Ruark c/oSalem-News.comPost Office Box 5137Salem, Oregon 97304
Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?Salem-News.com