Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Letting Go

I haven't posted anything for a while as I have not been too well during the Covid-19 pandemic. It turned out after a lot of tests that I have cancer and I am now undergoing radiotherapy treatment, which has led me to have a long think about where I am.
 
I am 77 and have had a good life thus far (and was still playing walking rugby until the radiotherapy) so can't really complain but I do have a number of things that I need to take care of. Mostly to do with succession planning for my technical books and personal matters. So it really is time to start letting go.
 
I've got two great friends (one is also my son) who have taken on most of my technical books but don't have anyone to take over "Effective Time Management in easy steps", any offers? 
 
I don't think I want anyone to take over "The Way of the Project Manager" as it is very personal to me and it will eventually fade away. But if anyone is interested in doing something similar feel free to use it as a starting point or not, I won't mind either way.
 
For my health and wealth I'm setting up lasting powerers of attorney with my wife and children. 
 
The Way
In project management there is no point in trying to be perfect or admired. These don't have any impact on the project and they won't make the project or the team any more successful. By letting go of all emotional baggage and just being part of the team we not only benefit the rest of the team and the project, but we also benefit ourselves.
 
The Tao
Lao Tzu tells us: 

Empty your mind of everything
Let the mind rest at peace
The ten thousand things will rise and fall
 
Being open minded, you will act in a kingly manner
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao
Being at one with the Tao is eternal
And though the body dies, you are ready.
 
The term 'kingly' is used in the Tao as an alternative to 'the sage'. It indicates possessing the clarity of knowledge, being open-hearted and open-minded. I hope that I can aspire to be both.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your health challenges. May I suggest you look into Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as part of your Radiation / Cancer treatment? It can be helpful.

P M Blogger said...

Thanks Unkown, it looks an interesting possibility. Research is still ongoing in head, neck and throat (where my cancer is) but I will discuss it with my consultant after RT today. Thanks again, John.

dare said...

Hi John,

This is a hard challenge you have been given. I very much admire the way you walk it, despite today's words on there being no point in being admired :)

A friend and I have been long-term followers of your blog. I have often discussed with her that I would like to write something similar to your blog on my journey to motherhood and how the way has helped me become a better mother (there has been a whole lot of letting go!). I will get to it one way or another. It makes me feel better that you are ok with using your work as inspiration, so thank you for that.

And thank you for sharing your thoughts and your journey with us.

D

dare said...

Hi John,

This is a hard challenge you have been given. I very much admire the way you walk it, despite today's words on there being no point in being admired :)

A friend and I have been long-term followers of your blog. I have often discussed with her that I would like to write something similar to your blog on my journey to motherhood and how the way has helped me become a better mother (there has been a whole lot of letting go!). I will get to it one way or another. It makes me feel better that you are ok with using your work as inspiration, so thank you for that.

And thank you for sharing your thoughts and your journey with us.

D

P M Blogger said...

Thanks for your kind words D and yes do carry on the journey.
All the best, John.

Ervin PM said...

I just wanted to let you know that i occassionally seek out this blog for wisdom and you have been an inspiration for me for several years. I'm very sorry to hear about your current condition. Hoping the best for you! Thanks for continuing to bring calm to the chaotic :)

P M Blogger said...

Thanks Ervin, my philosophy is plan for the worst and hope for the best. So far so good, I get the final results in late May but I'm able to eat and drink almost normally again so the way looks good.John.