Review of a Review

For my VCT synthesis course, I must read "Making Things Happen" by Scott Berkun. I actually, for the most part, like this text. Although I found it a little dull at one point during the first chapter, Berkun already has won some points from me for adding a Douglas Adams quote and citing Anthony Bourdain (famous for his show No Reservations on the Travel Channel). I can't wait to personally read Bourdain's book Kitchen Confidential.

And watch the next new episode of NR tonight at 10 PM EST/9PM CT on the Travel Channel (42 via Time Warner Cable). /blatant promo>

"First, I would like to mention that I appreciate Scott Berkun’s tone of writing. It’s exactly as he promised, narrative, sometimes comical, and overall straight to the point.

I have to agree with what he says in the preface and appreciate the fact that he will not use big theory and jargon and try to keep things simple.

As Berkun goes about describing three key lessons about project managing, I was mentally caught on number two (that project management is simple, but not easy) for a while. Berkun described what he meant by “simple” and how it was not the same as easy. This lead me to think about everyday actions I complete or projects I’ve worked on that are simple, but not necessarily easy. The first one that jumps out is, of course, exercising [I'm trying to be a healthier person physically, so this really is at the forefront of my mind]. A simple idea (much like Berkun’s example of running a marathon) but nowhere near easy. Same goes for photography, it is simple – point camera, press shutter, take picture. And it can be easy, but it’s not if you want a well composed image with correct lighting.

Okay, maybe photography isn’t that simple.

But still, I feel like I understood what Berkun was getting at. I feel like I can apply his lesson of “simple view” to this entire semester so I will hopefully stop worrying about everything that has to be done. The “simple view” of this semester is to make ‘me’ ready for the working world. This requires so much, so it’s not easy, but it is simple.

I also hope to have a chance to observe a kitchen as Berkun suggested, or, at least, read the book Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (someone I admire, I’m a big fan of his show on the Travel Channel – No Reservations).

The idea of a beginners’ mind is not completely new to me, but it was a new way of describing the process of learning (which never stops). It is my personal belief that we learn every day of our lives, whether we like it/realize it or not. And I try to actually learn more than just what happens around me. I try to pursue knowledge in whatever subject I care about (advertising, marketing, astronomy, history, to name a few). However, I think if I keep a beginners mind about all of the above subjects, I may learn more and I may see new paths that haven’t been used.

The beginners mind is the idea that one cannot learn if he or she’s mind is full, so one must keep an open/empty mind in order for there to be room for more knowledge.

I do recognize that I struggle with keeping an open mind at times (often when I tell myself I am unable to do something – how can I know if I haven’t really tried and tried again?).

I can already see that this text will be informative, helpful, and comforting throughout this semester. I will end my post with the Douglas Adams quote that Berkun chose to place before “Learning from failure” section – for I find it incredibly apropo:

“Human beings, who are almost unique [among animals] in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” – Douglas Adams"