"Keep fighting the good fight"... it was the only advice I had.

I just got back from visiting one of my favourite uncles who has recently been diagnosed with stage IV small cell lung carcinoma (colourfully captured in the attached photograph) . For those not familiar with this particular cancer, it is one of the more aggressive types with an extremely low survival rate (2% after five years) and is strongly associated with smoking; my uncle, his family and those around him are bracing for battle, with chemotherapy being the first salvo.

As we parted, shaking hands, hugging, and offering all those words of encouragement that weave themselves into these situations, I looked at my uncle and said, "Keep fighting the good fight". For me, it seemed to be the only advice I had to give, and maybe, the only real advice there is to give.

A phrase with roots in Christianity, "fight the good fight" was the "call to spread the faith" and was sometimes very much a literal activity - Nowadays, the phase more often than not is used to recognize, encourage and offer support for the difficult challenges that LIFE can bring our way. And more importantly I believe, it reminds of us of those traits that we can muster to help us overcome great adversity and accomplish wonderful things!

• Courage
• Resourcefulness
• Wholeheartedness
• Tenacity
• Thoughtfulness
• Fortitude
• Strength
• Honor
• Respect
• Honesty
• Love

All coming out of that simple word... "Good". 

Originally offered as advice, I think it is truly more of a mantra that reminds us of who we are, what we are made of, and what we can accomplish under the most difficult of situations. And when the "good fight" is over and the dust has settled, we can hold your heads high and show others how it is done.

So whatever your challenges, be them big or small, " keep fighting the good fight"...  I know that is what my uncle is doing.

iamgpe.  

A piece of banana cream pie... the 2016 version.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

There will be a point in all of this; I am almost certain.

I was out to dinner the other night with my father and daughter; at the end of the meal I thought I would treat myself to dessert. As I was looking over the menu, I noticed they offered banana cream pie (number two on my dessert list... number one is chocolate, but only by a hair).

As I placed my order with anticipation, I was instantly reminded of a small circa 1930's diner just north of Carlsbad, California that serves the best banana cream pie ever - The pieces are generous, five inches high, large pieces of banana prevail and covered with whipped cream in just the right proportion to bring all the flavours together. Best pie in the county I was told... maybe even the state. 

Banana cream pie was about to be redefined for me. 

As the server placed the banana cream pie in front of me I had to take a moment to comprehend what I was seeing; what I found myself looking at was a white bowl and a spoon... it was explained to me the banana cream goodness was inside. Admittedly, the dessert was good and it did have real banana in it, but in the end there was no pastry, and I missed the signature wedge that defines a piece of pie. 

When the server came back she asked how it was and I said, "It was good, but it really wasn't pie you know." She smiled and said, "Yes it is. It tastes like banana cream pie and there is pastry* at the bottom. We bantered back and forth until I paid the bill. We parted with differing opinions.

Looking back, the natural question to ask is, "Who was right about the pie?" We both agree that it tasted like banana cream pie, but differed in aspects of crust and presentation. Hers comes with a spoon, when everyone knows you eat pie with a fork.... I mean really, what's up with that?  

And finally, we get to some sort of point in all of this. 

The banana cream pie is not about "right" or "wrong", but rather about individual experience, creativity, way of thinking and interpretation... all to be respected, considered, and appreciated. A simple reminder that not only will people look at something differently, but will also have differing ideas on what something should be - A crucial consideration for driving change, progress and evolution. 

What the banana cream pie is really about is "expectation"... and the importance of clarifying what exactly that is.

If the expectation is to have a tasty "banana cream pie like dessert" that can be served quickly and at low cost for a busy restaurant, then the 2016 version is spot on (as I said, it was tasty)... but if the expectation is to have a generous piece of pie with pastry, banana cream, whipped cream and a real fork... well, I guess a trip to California will be required.

The best pie in the county I've been told,

iamgpe 

* The pastry she alluded to was a granular substance and impossible to define with regard to its origin... all I know, it sure wasn't wheat.

Sometimes "solutions" can be just as "problematic"...

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

If you want to evoke a response just mention a "problem"... "I'm glad it's not my problem". "I wouldn't want to be you". "Oh, that's a tough situation". "That's really unfortunate, I hope you can work through it". The bigger the problem, the more exclamation marks you will find involved.

Whereas, if you happen to mention you have a "solution", you will elicit a far more upbeat response... "Way to go". "You saved the day". "You are a goddess and have saved the company". The bigger the solution, the more exclamation marks you will find involved.

Intuitively, leaning towards the "solution" side of the equation makes for a better day; although having said this, the Contrarian off in the back corner just looked up and wants to offer a thought or two. He has no debate with the fact that "solutions" are better than "problems" and he also wants to scream out, "You are a goddess and have saved the company!!!" He does however suggest that you shouldn't be so quick to perceive a solution as all rainbows and unicorns, as they can be problematic unto themselves (no pun intended; well maybe a little).

Solutions are defined by the problems they "solve for", so as a quick litmus test you need to ask your self:

• "Do I have a solution for a recognized problem?"

• "Do I have a solution looking for a problem?"

• "Do I have something really cool, but not sure what to do with it?"

Other questions may come to mind, but the point is a solution needs to have a problem to solve for - Anything else is problematic as it becomes distracting, wastes time, and detracts from finding a real solution. And even with an aligned problem and solution, it doesn't mean you are free and clear to receive all of those accolades because there is still that whole matter of "line of sight".

Now that you have a problem that has found a solution, the question becomes how are you going to get there. People will want to understand how you are going to actually get to the solution - Do you have "line of sight" to how you will make your solution a real one... what is your pathway to success?

The concept of "line of sight" is beneficial in three regards:

1. "Line of sight" forces the development of the plan making the solution a reality; it forces the execution steps for success to be developed.

2. "Line of sight" reminds you to develop tight and concise language to articulate the problem, solution, and the pathway to success. More often than not, you will need leaders, partners or investors to "see what you see" to get support.

3. "Line of sight" will help you determine if the solution is workable in the first place.

It looks like the Contrarian is finished and has gone back to whatever he was doing... although he did mention something about "you saving the company".

iamgpe