There's a Duck in That Tree!

"There’s a Duck in That Tree!"

I looked around and up; and Cara was right. There was a duck in "that" tree! But there’s more to this story…

As many of you know, I now live in southwest Michigan, just a three mile drive to the lake, a normal and reasonable place to see ducks. However, our family lives in an established neighborhood with a heavily wooded ravine area behind us. We see plenty of squirrels and raccoons and deer and a stray coyote or two, but ours is not a normal and reasonable destination for ducks.

Two weeks ago, while meeting with a client, Cara’s attention briefly diverted as her eyes caught a glimpse of a duck about twenty five feet up from the ground in an oak tree. Her exclamation, "there’s a duck in that tree," was one of surprise and disbelief. Immediately, we both stood up to gaze out the window to assure ourselves of the truth; the truth of what we were seeing that just wasn’t normal and reasonable—at least, we didn’t think so. But it was what it was. There really was a duck in that tree!

The image of the duck in that tree has stayed with me over the past few days as I’ve bumped into some other thinking that initially hasn’t seem "normal and reasonable" for me. As I consider what doesn’t seem “normal and reasonable,” I’m remembering the duck in that tree- it is what it is. Maybe some of what has crossed my thinking will sound familiar to you.

Just this week, I was out for a walk with a friend. I was expressing my frustration that, after nine months since our move, I’m still not as productive and as efficient as before our move and what should I do about that?! She mulled that over my question for a few seconds and responded, "Maybe that’s not what your focus is meant to be."

"What!?!" Productive is a quality that describes me. Efficient is a quality to which I aspire. Productive and efficient are normal and reasonable for me. What was she thinking?

My friend continued. "Maybe, with some of the change in your circumstances and goals, there are different qualities emerging that need your time and energy even more. What about joy and calm for your family? You’ve said that there’s been more of that—maybe you are meant to focus more on joy and calm rather than productivity right now."

"Joy as a focus over productive and efficient? Hmmm…" (Is anyone grinning yet?)

I’m not exactly sure where I’ll be headed with that, but I have a feeling that her thought is a "duck in that tree"- not exactly my usual “normal and reasonable” thinking, but it is a part of my new reality that I want to know and to cherish.

Here’s another.

Last weekend, I attended a workshop called, "Asset Mapping: There’s More to Work With Than You Think." Jill Schumann, the presenter (and C.E.O. of Lutheran Services of America) noted that, for many of us, our “normal and reasonable” thinking is often a focus on what we don’t have. Asset Mapping (as described by Luther Snow in his book, *The Power of Asset Mapping) is a “duck in that tree” for many of us. It’s a powerful opportunity to reframe our thinking to a new reality of focusing on what we do have in our Personal Value Package^sm for greater personal strength and contribution. (See "Know Your Personal Value Package to Be More Value-Able" and "Discover Your Magic - Houdini Did!" for additional information on Your Personal Value Package^sm).

Jill shared several key thoughts that may also benefit you. I’m already appreciating their value.

Asset Mapping builds on abundance thinking. It assumes that our gifts and talents can grow and lead to enlarging the "pie" of opportunity. Instead of thinking that we don’t have enough in the way of resources, we begin to realize that we’ve only touched the surface of the richness that we have and can share.
Asset Mapping focuses on the collection of strengths. As I more consistently note and value my strengths, I am better able to recognize and respect yours. Together, we do the same for others and discover a wealth of resources in our families, work teams, and community teams to be used for valuable goals.
Asset Mapping is a process for building positive movement and energy within a group. The strength of our collective assets gives value far beyond what was initially thought possible.

“There’s a duck in that tree!”

The initial exclamation made me laugh out loud. Though I still grin when I think about it, I now remember that what initially seems strange and different may be the new reality that I need for new growth.

What do you think?

*The Power of Asset Mapping is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

By Susan B. Wilson, President, Executive Strategies