That didn't go to plan

This morning started with good intentions.  I was going to catch up on some reading on Communities of Practice - in fact I even shared the intention on social media.  However, this did mean that I had my phone in my hand as my friend sent me a link to a music video he thought I would enjoy...

It was a recording of a session playing 'High Drive' - a tune we are currently working on in the ceilidh band I play with.  It was a great recording - full of life and energy and I really enjoyed watching it.

I couldn't remember who wrote the tune though so I did a quick internet search, which not only told me who wrote the tune (Gordon Duncan) but also provided a link to another performance of the tune - this time in a concert setting with a trad group including a bassoon.  Never seen a bassoon with a trad group before!

The video clip was on You-Tube and, as usual, there were other suggestions of videos I might like to watch including a TED-x talk by the lead fiddler (Jamie Laval) in this group: 'How a fiddle tune can change the world'.

Rather than putting the phone down and turning to my planned reading I continued along the distraction path.  The talk was excellent - not only did it contain some great music the main things I took from the talk were all about Communities of Practice:

• talking about his approach to concerts and the preparation for each event which includes working with groups of young people "helping each other to create, to build things to grow" 
• involving many many local groups and stakeholder all joining together to share their passion (not just for music) and develop the event so that "before the show even starts there is this huge web of interconnections"
• at the end he sums up what he has learned through his career in traditional music "its the cumulative effect of engaging with people within an environment of beauty that always makes a lasting and far reaching impact"

Now, back to the plan and Chris Blackmore's book.

Difficulty in concentrating

I'm currently studying two modules with the OU: Managing Systemic Change (TU812) and Management Beyond the Mainstream (BB847).  Until now I've had no difficultly concentrating on my studies making sufficient quality time available when I provide the required degree of focus to enable my learning.

But not now - so what has changed? And why do I not have a sense of urgency to get to grips with these new units?

Impact of TMAs

I've recently completed and submitted two TMAs.

• One was marked very quickly and I got an excellent mark.  The mark was a surprise as I'd found the assignment very hard so has this good result made me rest on my laurels?  
• One has not yet been marked and is outside the expected two week turnaround time.  I haven't heard anything to explain the delay and I keep wondering why its late.  Also, I would like the feedback as I'm reluctant to progress with the next unit and TMA without the benefit of feedback from the first.

Next modules

On both modules I started new units a couple of weeks ago and have, in both instances, found the material less engaging than previous ones.  There are two reasons for this:

• the intensity of my engagement in previous units has made it difficult to mentally disengage and move on and
• I and finding the content of the current units less interesting an relevant to my practice - specifically there is less opportunity for praxis

An adverse reaction to Dilemma Theory

I'm just starting a new unit (Beyond Rational Choices) as part of my OU module Management beyond the Mainstream and have been reading about Dilemma Theory.

Dilemma theory seeks a way to recognise that two aspects which may appear to be in conflict or mutually incompatible can be reconciled in a win-win scenario

It just didn't work for me at all.  I've spent the last few months immersed in learning how to abstract myself from the detail and look at the bigger picture.  I've been soaked in complexity, dependencies and interdependencies.  And suddenly I've been thrown a theory which takes me diving down into the detail forcing me to think of situations in a simplistic way:  for / against with binary responses.  My reaction was so negative I was tempted to miss out this section completely.  The contrasting way of thinking was almost too much of a wrench.

Postscript

At work today we were discussing how to work with a large stakeholder group to get their input into the company business plan.  Someone asked how we could simplify the conversation so we could get clear unambiguous input and reconcile their opposing views.  
I suddenly realised that maybe there is a valid application of Dilemma Theory.  Think I'll go back and re-read the course materials again!