Patrick…

Another interesting week at BTL. Held the usual practices. Had the normal building sessions one on one with business owners.
Rewrote the 12 and the 8 again and again and again. Reread Larry’s edits and ideas again and again and again. Changed the name of the central story of BTL from the hero’s journey to the builders journey. Had a number of people show up for practice without their jerseys, without their playbooks, and especially without their attitudes. They just came because they had nothing better to do. Had a few on FIRE!! Picked up a new client, let an old one go.

Took Kristi to the gym once and Tay twice. Watched him try out for basketball. Agonized over every miss and smiled whenever he glanced over. Had a couple meals with Miss and even shared one with Nick. Talked to Mom and celebrated a birthday with Jordan, Keturah and the whole Scott clan. Fell asleep early and often. Rode the bike. Played with the dog. Sprayed the weeds.

Can anyone tell me why the weeds grow so much better than the grass?

Anywho it was a routine week in sooooooo many ways.

Here was something unexpected.

I met Patrick from L.A.. I was having coffee and doing some work in between clients when he sat down to read the paper. I asked him one question…something about the blizzard of 78′. That was all it took. One hour later I knew that he was a former buyer for a clothing retailer, had tested positive for AIDS 16 years ago, been with the same partner for 15, been depressed for years battling his illness, retired, gotten more bummed, hidden, gotten more bummed, and found his OPUS like so many…by accident. He volunteers for AIDS. He gains energy from his work. He really cares for his patients. You could see it in his eyes.

Patrick and I come from different worlds. We probably don’t agree on much. However, after investing one hour together I realized how much we have in common.

Wouldn’t your team be soooooo much stronger if you tried to understand each other instead of “fixing” the other?

Do you have enough margin to meet the Patricks in your world?

Why? Why? Why?

Hey Patrick…it was good to meet YOU.