Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

(BEND, Ore.) - What a question! Everybody does, sometimes with great difficulties, presented by complex and competing factors full of fury and firing up indecision that much more.

Finding myself in just that dilemma some years ago, I sought all the help I could get in some basic research. I was fortunate to be guided then by one of the practitioners in the then-new arts of “decisioneering” - later and better known as “systems thinking”, complete with much more complex but not necessarily more helpful plans, practices and protocol.

Written from extensive current-then research, this one cites seven classic references including Drucker, Flippo, Marcus, Fritz and Bennett. Fritz was my personal guru, since he was old friend from I.U. EdD. program days.

Current check here shows that this basic research still stands, with additional documentation of same basic findings, simplified and personalized in this one early-on.

What followed for me changed my life and my wriiting/consulting career “in the media” and education, while building a simple report for professionals that, over the next year, drew some 5,000 requests for reprint from the technical journal in which it originally appeared.

Full professional research now indicates that the values found by all those requesting then, still prevail, despite ongoing cognitive science findings accomplished since - which endorse and strengthen the five principles outlined in the article.

Analyzing your personal decision-making style can take the agony out of deciding; and for many may serve as solid introduction to “systems thinking” which is now recognized as essentially different than our habitual, long-injected by life, “linear thinking”, which cognitive science today shows is often at the heart of ongoing and very intense disagreements on issues, and even on factual situations.

SO, as a sincere appreciation for the warm welcome I have received in these columns - sometimes only describable as “hot”! I now offer that same article as a thank you to all Salem-news readers.

The simplest way to deliver to you will be by stamped and self- addressed envelope sent to me. My Bend address is available from Editor Tim, on a confidentiality-promised basis.

Only some few copies of this essential self-guide piece remain in my now-depleted and under-culling writer’s file; but I have scanned the four pages into my computer and will provide print-outs for all requests; OR will send PDF-format if requested with email address supplied.

Merry Christmas to all...and best wishes to avoid that neocon trap involved in continued “linear-think” while the world rapidly progresses.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Henry Ruark December 26, 2007 2:00 pm (Pacific time)

Thomas et al: Unfortunately, for some that remains the only defense of open channel operations. But, please note, when I make points I furnish source link for "see with own eyes" and own-mind evaluation, for signed Op Eds with my full credibility in Staff note. Others, when challenged to do so with similar links, fail that democratic test: Put up or shut up. Seems fair enough to me, after two or three-level usually friendly exchange --or up to 20 challenges to ID !!-- to then face reality for some who play by other rules -- and continue to hide behind any convenient tree via anon name or no ID as in social-compact conversation, when one knows the other, or damn well should...

Thomas December 26, 2007 12:21 pm (Pacific time)

Personal attacks and demeaning comments seems to be pretty much sop for you.

Henry Ruark December 26, 2007 11:22 am (Pacific time)

Thomas et al: Well-stated, Thomas. First defense of many for dialog question of their conclusion is to confront and attack and deny and defy...but never to supply further factual action since they are so insecure. Here we often supply link to souce, original or another, to make sure readers can "see with own eyes" and use own brain-process to evaluate. Main principle of rational argumentation, among others, is Fallibility, stating strong possibility any opinion from any one of participants can well be erroneous, "fallible", inaccurate to some degree. That is great strength of honest, good faith, democratic dialog, assisting all to move a bit closer to "truth". But that dies a very damaging death when only personal attack and demeaning statement are allowed to take over this essential process for democracy.

Thomas December 26, 2007 10:36 am (Pacific time)

People you should always address and comment to those who provide viewpoints you find not only inaccurate but designed to be misleading. Be prepared to be demonized by these individuals who do not like to have contrary viewpoints presented, they are weak-minded people and will ultimately never respond to factual primary-sourced material...they can't, so they will change the subject or augment some issue that is not relevant simply to obfuscate their true intention of inculcating via propaganda...

Henry Ruark December 25, 2007 7:52 am (Pacific time)

To all: Vervy best and strongest best wishes for this Christmas season and the coming New Year in which we all have work to do to recapture our once world-leading democracy. Open, honest, ongoing, and democratic dialog, based on deep individual feelings well expressed here with respect for others, is one of best possible ways to make your own contribution to that surely badly-needed effort NOW. "Go it, frends !!"

Henry Ruark December 20, 2007 11:01 am (Pacific time)

Lee Mason: Unfortunately our policy demands full ID to editor to protect email address. Return-envelope avoids this necessity for print-out but my email transmission of PDF does not; so ID to editor required. My note failed to make this clear and unquestioned; events since now make it clear it definitely MUST be required . Nonentity attacks thus now clearly seen as damaging this channel, demanding avoidance by any responsible writer, and adding difficulty for all. Happy to send by mail if you prefer NOT to go ID for PDF; just send envelope to mailbox cited. Remind nonentities they damage ALL demo-dialog via personal, professional attack forcing such security action. I'm "Anon" in note so signed,UNsigned in error.

Lee Mason December 20, 2007 7:35 am (Pacific time)

Can you email me the PDF Thanks Lee leebm29@yahoo.com

Anonymous December 20, 2007 7:14 am (Pacific time)

To all: It is the so-called "systems approach", driving deepening inevitable changes via new technologies, which is forcing worldwide economic, social and cultural events. SO better learn while there is still time. I'm far from personal mastery on the techniques, but even so find them not only greatly helpful, but intriguing in and of themselves. Major principle is continued sharing for cooperative learnings among entire population. References in some depth available as PDF on request to editor with full ID and email address.

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Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

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