teach people to fish for themselves

Although I will continue to do this I’ve decided after careful consideration that is very similar to my “help people to reach their true potential” goal. So i’m closing this one down for now.

So now i’m down to just 14 goals and if I didn’t know better I would think Malc was making a carefully staged exit from 43things. No chance … I just believe that 43 things is way to many to get my head round at any one time.

I mentioned jackie in another goal but for the past 5 weeks she’s been standing in for me and done a fabulous job. I love the way she has grown in confidence over the past 6 months.

Her first words to me when I got back … I dont know how you do that job … the thing is Jackie … you did it too, and you did it well !!

In two short hours I saw the best and the worst of David. One minute asking brilliant questions of the CEO, and later that day making wild accusational statements to the point that he alienated himself from the rest of the team.

Why ? Why does he do it ? Arrrrgggghhhh !!

Oh well I meeting up with him again next week so no point worrying about it till then. He is so frustrating but I not gonna give up on him.

Michael was given a digital camera for Christmas and although he had a small interest in photography wasn’t really that confident about going out and taking pictures. Few weeks back I offered to meet up and teach him a few basics both on taking photos, and photoshop.

Since then he’s been out on his own or with friends a few times including a trip to Chinatown in London.Last night he sent me an email with a couple of photos attached. I love this shot so much that I just had to post it. Wow is he one quick learner !!

I’ve been working with Kevin for quite a few months now. Long story but basically he works at a school and has been helping to redesign the community website I run on a volunteer basis. Basically I’ve been mentoring him but in doing so given him the freedom to design the site. Tomorrow is the big day cos the new site goes live. We got papers, radio, council, police, schools, chuches, mums, dads, kids, uncles, aunts, stray dogs, in fact everyone turning up at 1pm for the launch. If you wanna have a sneak preview at Kevins work then click here I am so tempted to tick this off as complete but I’m sorta addicted to this and already got a few more people lined up.

Volunteered to mentor David. He has a huge passion, his heart is in the right place but he is so desperate to be liked and as a result has this wonderful habit of pissing everyone off.

I spent 40 minutes with him prior to Christmas and made a good start. He listens, he understands, and his behaviour has changed just a little.

Now the difficult bit … I found out he is gonna apply for a job which is so not the right job for him. He didn’t tell me about the job but I sorta get to hear everything that goes on in our company even though there are 60,000 people. Next week I’m meeting up with him and need to get him to think about if it is the right job for him. Not easy cos I need him to make the decision but in the same way I mustn’t let him fail. The good thing is that I know if he foccuses his efforts then he can do an amazing job where he is and will get a lot more out of it.

David is gonna find it hard to learn how to fish but I’ll help as much as I can.

No shame in “borrowing with pride” and thanks for reminding me of the quote …

“Give a hungry man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime”

So then if I can help anyone to learn then I guess I’m doing my little bit for society.