in·di·vid·u·al·ism

　
noun

1. a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual

2. the principle or habit of or belief in independent thought or action

3. the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests

4. individual character; individuality

5. an individual peculiarity

Right now, as we watch the GOP National Convention unfold, it is becoming increasing clear what is at stake.

For example, the GOP V.P. candidate Paul Ryan painted the memories of his transition from childhood to the present. As a kid he was able to wait tables, throw papers, mow yards, work in car factories, and then study economics, enter politics, and now, run for second highest office in the land.

He further remembered what his father told him at an early age. He told him that in life he would have to make decisions…and that what should guide him is that he could be “part of the problem or part of the solution.”

What is most important in this campaign is what they are promoting. In speech after speech, in one way or another, the underlying message is individual freedom. More specifically, the freedom to make and act on individual decisions.

While we cannot change the platforms these different campaigns will offer, we can only control our individual decision as a result.

For years, we have taken for granted the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. Considering the stakes, our singular goal from these conventions may well be to support and promote the administration that will leave you and me with the greatest amount of individual freedom…individualism.

As always…You decide.

　

Beyond the Static…Who Gets It?

How committed are you to seek the truth in decisioning when information interference is compounding exponentially?

Ten years ago, from a routine search engine, most topics would yield less than one million results. Today…hundreds of millions is common.

Then, consider the volume of social networks, digital editions, e-books, blog sites, and a zillion others…all forms of static and interference. Then, the hardware…smarter by the digital minute and growing by the nano-second.

The application of filtering becomes vital when the targeted information is conflicting. As you are seeking the truth, you are being drowned by a volume of competing noise.

The questions: Will you filter? How will you filter?

Could you use a MODEL? What should it include?

At the risk of redundancy, the Model for Intelligent Decisioning remains our best offer to help combat this compounding problem (does anyone believe it will get less conflicting in our future).

Again, the four steps applied to this dilemma:

Step One: Discovery (your issue, objective, problem, candidate)

Step Two: Commitment (your dedication, testimony, involvement)

Step Three: Solution (your specific answer to your discovery)

Step Four: Action (your plan of execution)

The beauty of a model is that it allows you to organize your thinking/decisioning using successive and interactive steps. On the contrary, if you are not willing to take the time to methodically organize, then the decision before you may not be that important.

Boiled down, we often find deciders in one of two camps.

The Methodicals or The Herders

The Methodicals will decide by commitment, resolve and relentless determination. The Herders will tend to fall (and decide) into a group (herd) with limited individual research, facts or true information. They will believe and accept unchallenged polls, data or news and then melt into their adopted herd.

One camp seems to get it…the other one does not, and of course there are those others who are stuck in the middle and stay frozen in place.

As always…you decide.

USA...USA...USA...

From an international perspective, we just celebrated the skills and achievements of our superior athletes in the 2012 Olympics.

Similarly, we are about to witness the Ryder Cup (golf USA/European event). Following that will be several other smaller events that will showcase the spirit and legacy of our unique American culture.

These events are related because of the unity and competitiveness of our national spirit, pride and the goal of winning excellence.

In November, we will have a national election. A national decision.

Q. How does this election compare to the various sports events and competitions?

It has to do with our heritage. This country was founded on certain fundamentals and laws that are unique and perpetual. To date, they have brought this nation through a myriad of trials, and not just athletics. This election will be another test of our American spirit as “We the People.”

In this election…would it not be the ultimate response if we could drop the partisan positions (herds), and decide on this country’s direction based on the welfare of the USA where we are all stakeholders and beneficiaries.

USA…USA…USA.

As always…you will decide.

The Emerging Lynchpin

Herds Happen

Will we emerge as individuals with choices and freedoms or herds without? Herds can be big or small. The individual question may be how you will influence your herd, or how your herd will influence you? That decision could change our world, and it is only a few months away.

From the term herd mentality is the word herd, meaning "group of living creatures," and mentality, implying a certain frame of a thinkable mind. The condensed and personalized definition might be: "how large numbers of people are influenced to act in the same way at the same time."

Herd behavior is distinguished from herd mentality because it applies to animals and people, whereas the term mentality implies a uniquely human phenomenon. Herd mentality can also imply a fear-based reaction to peer pressure which makes individuals act in order to avoid feeling "left behind or left out" from the group. Herd mentality is also sometimes known as "mob mentality.”

Today, we are being conditioned by unexplained and unchallenged polls, undocumented news information, articles and posts, corporate edicts, labor groups, political organizations, various religious movements, and a zillion other herding influences.

Considering the stakes, it would be well worth each of us to take a reflective inventory of how we are interconnected to these herds (e.g. all social networks are a form of herding).

The answer to how all of this may turn out could be:

“Who will influence the herds?”

As always…you will decide.

　

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