You Cant Direct the Wind but You Can Adjust the Sails

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You Cant Direct the Wind but You Can Adjust the Sails

You Cant Direct the Wind but You Can Adjust the Sails

Dear Friend,

First of all, let's take a look at the meaning of the word "metamorphosis" and how it can possibly be of interest to IT Service Management. Metamorphosis: Noun (plural metamorphoses - say metuh´mawfuhseez) ? "the change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation; the structural or functional modification of a plant organ or structure during its development." Applied to IT Service Management, this does clearly suggest a process by which we can possibly transform ourselves and adapt to an ever-changing and complex environment or marketplace with the clear intent to become and remain successful.

It's all about our personal growth and our ability to react to the multiple challenges of life in general and the modern IT world in particular. In a way, I am tempted to say it's all about the metamorphosis of ITSM tadpoles into leaping frogs! Identifying and aligning all the pieces of this complex puzzle takes time, quite a bit of thinking and determination. It also requires that we constantly reconsider our approach and refine our strategies.

Transforming ourselves has been a necessity since the dawn of humanity and it is not any different in the modern world: if we want to stay in business, we have to evolve. Let's keep in mind that it is us who have to adapt to the environment or the marketplace and not the other way around. This is a hard fact, it cannot be argued upon: no one can expect to win at any game without first knowing the rules and principles. Life is a serious game where it is possible to have a lot of fun. It has strict rules though. First we need to study the rules then comes the fun. Likewise, IT Service Management is a serious game where it is possible to have a lot of fun in the process. Again, first we need to study and master the rules.

It takes time to fully master all the different rules and principles of life, the Great Pyramids of Giza were not built in a day after all. It is a visible sign reminding us all of the astounding results that can be accomplished with vision, determination and persistence. This is exactly the same behavior we want to apply in our ITSM practice if we are to get results of the same magnitude.

What we have to do is study the founding principles of success and get better at applying them effectively in the real world: on the IT battlefield. It's a fact: we need to get better at mastering ITSM strategies that lead to higher levels of success.

Regardless of our level of success, both individually and as a team, the #1 critical success factor to accomplish this is determined by our ability to identify and process the information that will give us the leverage that we lack to reach the next step and thus enable greater success. The most efficient and fastest way to increase our success is through the adoption of behavioral patterns that will create more and more success for us. It pretty much works like a snowball effect: the first step is to get started to the best of our knowledge and abilities. It can always be improved in the course of time. That decision is ours to make. No one else can make it for us! In my monthly newsletter, I discuss how it all works: how states of mind and behavioral patterns are intimately connected and how one does influence the other greatly, be it in a positive or...in a negative way.

Guidelines:
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy sent to article@itsm-made-easy.com would be appreciated.

About the author:
Christophe Poizat is a highly committed ICT professional with excellent communication skills developed over 20+ years on some of the largest and most challenging projects (Europe, USA, Australia).

Visit http://itsm-made-easy.com and find a new source of inspiration to take your IT capabilities to another level.

In The News:

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AP - President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presidents as an extraordinary event on Wednesday as the current occupant, President George W. Bush, reminded his predecessors and successor that the office "transcends the individual."

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AP - President-elect Barack Obama said Wednesday that reforming massive government entitlement programs Â— such as Social Security and Medicare Â— would be "a central part" of his effort to control federal spending.

Reid says Burris might ultimately get Senate seat (AP)

AP - Changing course, Senate Democrats emerged from a meeting with Senate appointee Roland Burris on Wednesday and set forth the legal steps under which they're willing to welcome him into the Senate in President-elect Barack Obama's vacated spot.

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AP - The federal budget deficit will hit an unprecedented $1.2 trillion for the 2009 budget year, according to grim new Congressional Budget Office figures.

Israel orders brief halt, then Gaza fight resumes (AP)

AP - Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets resumed on Wednesday after a brief lull to allow food and fuel to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza, where an Israeli warplane dropped leaflets urging residents to flee because of imminent attacks.

Heavy rain causing flooding across South (AP)

AP - Heavy rain across the South on Wednesday caused flooding, school and road closures and a landslide that destroyed a home in North Carolina.

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Jay-Z to play concert on eve of Obama inauguration (AP)

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German polar bear Flocke gets zoo company (AP)

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Meyer: Utah, Texas, USC should fight to be No. 1 (AP)

AP - Florida coach Urban Meyer believes Utah, Texas and Southern California should fight for their teams to be recognized as national champions.

Israel, Hamas briefly hold fire to allow Gaza aid (Reuters)

Reuters - Hundreds of embattled Palestinians ventured outside to shop for food on Wednesday during a three-hour Gaza truce, a first step toward an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire under discussion by Israel and Hamas.

Budget deficit to hit $1.2 trillion (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009 as the global recession saps the economy, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, presenting a daunting challenge to President-elect Barack Obama who has said tough choices will be necessary.

Senate Democrats seen moving to seat Burris (Reuters)

Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Senate Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday about swearing in former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris, nominated by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.

Private job losses mount, ominous for payrolls (Reuters)

Reuters - Job losses and plans to lay off workers hammered the struggling U.S. economy in the final month of 2008, according to private reports that could foreshadow surprisingly grim labor market data from the government on Friday.

Gates says Afghan surge may cost $5.5 billion in FY09 (Reuters)

Reuters - Defense Secretary Robert Gates has told Congress that a planned buildup of U.S. forces in Afghanistan could add $5.5 billion to U.S. war costs in the current federal fiscal year, officials said on Wednesday.

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Russian gas flow halted through Ukraine to Europe (Reuters)

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Iran biggest Mideast challenge for Obama: White House (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama should seek tougher sanctions against Iran, which will be his biggest Middle East challenge, outgoing White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley said on Wednesday.

Israel eases Gaza bombing as Egypt launches ceasefire bid (AFP)

AFP - Israel silenced its guns for three hours on Wednesday to give embattled residents of Gaza's main city time to seek out food and fuel as international support grew for an Egyptian ceasefire proposal.

Crisis deepens as Russian gas supplies to Europe halted (AFP)

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You Cant Direct the Wind but You Can Adjust the Sails

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