Jonathan Pool

Do you know why you don't fit?

Do you know what is causing the unrest in your current vocation or place in life?  Most of us don't.  We just know that something needs to change.

What is ironic is that we are more likely to move in a new direction - a new job, a new vocation even - and still end up stuck.   Frustrating to say the least.  I know because I've been there. 

I had what I call a two year cycle of unrest where every two years *something* needed to change.  Within my profession I changed the type of work I did multiple times. I changed the type of client I worked for (I was already self-employed).  I even changed my geographic location to live where I wanted.  Two years later I still had the unrest.

I was addressing the symptom and not the root of the problem.  I didn't know myself well enough to align the changes I made with who I am at the core.

My journey to a vocation that fits me really well was a long one.  Yours doesn't have to be.  I have a tool I use called the Idea FilterTM that is very useful for determining if an idea or vocational opportunity truly fits.  You can download the filter for free from the resources page.  Click Here

To evaluate an idea (or vocational possibility) effectively you must reflect on how it impacts each aspect of you.  The Idea FilterTM provides the framework to that.  The key to effective use of the Idea FilterTM is knowing yourself well.  Socrates guiding principle was "know thyself".  It is something we typically don't take the time to do in our western culture.  Do you know yourself well enough to filter any possibility against who you are at the core?  If not, it is time to build your own Wall of Perspective, but that is a topic for another post :-)

Jonathan

 

I help others see what they can be

Are you -

Striving against the odds to be and do something great?

Struggling to get to the heart of what holds you or your business back?

Seeking clarity and truth on who you are at the core and what will give you meaning?

I've been there and walked the journey from darkness into the light.  I can offer the resources and encouragement to help you break free and move in a new direction.

I am a teacher, speaker, scout and guide to those who desire to make a difference in their life and work.

I make a difference in everything I do.

How can I make a difference for you?

 

What I do

I am the Professor of Idea and Opportunity at Free Agent Academy

                                                    

I am a certified Paterson Process Strategic Facilitator

                                          

LifePlan -- What does spiritually sound process mean?

The LifePlan process is based on the principles of StratOp, Tom Paterson's strategic operating plan for business, and those principles have universal application.

There is transformational power in the LifePlan process, and it impacts all parts of our being -- the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. I believe that the spirit is the integrating influence of all the other facets of one's life, and that is what I am referencing when I refer to LifePlan as a spiritually sound process. 

In my experience when my heart is aligned with God's will, I feel His power flowing through me and transformation occurs.

The greatest business visionary of the 20th Century you've never heard of

The caffeine free soft drink in your cup holder 

The onboard electronic display in your automobile 

The ATM machine at the local convenience store 

The screw top on the milk carton in your refrigerator

All of these were conceived, designed, or facilitated by Tom Paterson - the greatest business visionary of the 20th century you've never heard of.  Trained as an engineer, Tom used his design, organizational, behavioral, and process management skills over the course of his career to impact our world in a dramatic way.

  

A brief history of Tom Paterson

While with RCA corporation he was responsible for the first patent of the ATM machine, found the technology that made the first lightweight camcorder possible, introduced automotive electronics to the auto industry, and supervised the development of the electronic systems for Disney – the most advanced commercial command and control system of its day.

At IBM he identified civilian space as a major aerospace initiative, architected the Apollo marketing plan, and prevailed in having the Lunar Lander be astronaut guided instead of automated for moon landings.

He created the business plan for the DC-8 at Douglas Aircraft. He developed a cost projection and management system that allowed Northrup to create the stealth bomber at a fixed price, and developed a planning process widely recognized as the most effective in the aerospace industry.

His idea of overnight delivery for Flying Tigers became the key profit driver in their sale to FedEx. He facilitated a planning session with Seven-Up that birthed the “caffeine-free” category of soft drinks.

Tom was a close associate of Peter Drucker - the founder of modern business management practice, and their working relationship spanned over 35 years.  Those who knew the duo refered to Peter as the business theorist and Tom as the process practician.

The Paterson Process

In the 1970's based on a challenge from the head of corporate planning for the Ingersoll-Rand corporation Tom conceived a process to create a business plan for a large corporation in several days - and the signature Paterson Process was born.

The Paterson Process, or StratOp as it is also known, radically altered the landscape of strategic planning.  The traditional method - strategic plans created by consultants at great effort and considerable cost typically were cumbersome and never implemented.  Tom's plan, created by the executive team of the firm, based on their wisdom and knowledge guaranteed ownership of the plan and provided a lightweight structure for implementation.

Countless business benefited from Tom's StratOp process.  Estee Lauder said she had never seen such an effective strategic plan assembled by her people and guided by Tom's facilitation.  Vincent Larson, chairman of IBM said "We have never seen better." and wanted Tom to teach his processes to IBM.

Tom is in his 80's now and just recently began to pass on his legacy to those who are gifted and passionate about helping organizations and individuals discover and live their unique purposes in an ever-changing world.

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I am honored and fortunate to be one of a small group of individuals who are certified in his process - The Paterson Process