Full speed ahead

At least we can now see the tunnel.

We all started a journey about 4 months ago; some of us with no idea where we were headed. Always having been told to look for the light at the end of the tunnel, I just presumed that getting "accepted" into the program was like entering the tunnel. However, getting into the program is like getting ready to go fishing -- it takes a while to see the lake, after you hook up the boat, find the gear, buy the bait, and drive to the lake.

We have been driving for a while now. The experience of the last three months has been more about getting to the lake (or tunnel, if will), than about fishing, or seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now that I have some idea of where I am (in the tunnel), I am pretty sure that the bright spot ahead is the light at the end of the tunnel. I am looking forward to the next few weeks as I discover the next steps in this process.

I am not an instructor, and am anxious about the "getting my foot in the door" part of the tunnel that lies ahead of me. I look forward to the new discoveries, new direction, and new opportunities ahead.

You never really doubted that you could do it now. . . did you?

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure,than successes, than what other people think or say or do.It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in acertain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes."

Charles R. Swindoll

American writer and clergyman, b.1934

I have been asked why I picked the name docktodoc for my blog. Well, its a short story, really. My paternal great-great grandfather was King Dock Burnett (later changed to simply Dock K. Burnett. My grandfather was Drewery Dock Burnett. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet either of them.
My father, Roy (no middle name, except for the "C." which the United States Army required him to add in the 1960's) Burnett has told me stories of the strenght and character of these men all of my life. Although Dock was a family name, and not a title, everyone knew Dock Burnett.
From the seed of these simple carpenters and gentlemen farmers, here I stand today, Roger Dale Burnett. My goal is to be Dr. (Doc) Burnett, as was my grandfather, and his father before him.
Who knows, if my attitude is what it should be.....it just may happen?

Is it, or not?

Upon first viewing an optical illusion, one infers their own personal bias in order to arrive at an acceptable interpretation.

No doubt many, if not all of us have seen the old/young lady in the picture to the left. But is she, (old or young) really there.

Having seen the image before, surely one only has to glance at the image to quickly recognize it for what it is.....but look closer, Is it what you first thought?

We, that have seen the image before knew it immediately, but we were wrong. Those having never seen the image before, may at this point still be wondering where the "illusion" is.

Look at the next picture.

Is the "old hag" or "young woman" pictured here?

Look closely for the image of either or both. In the first picture one can probably find a "young woman", and in the second possibly see the "old hag".

Now look at the image below, and consider that the "old hag" is looking down and to the left.

Do you see her?

Look again.

Do you see the "young lady" facing left, and looking over her right shoulder, away from the viewer?

She is there.

They both are there.

But not so much in the first or second pictures above.

So, do we see what we think we see? Or, do we see what we are expecting to see, based on previous experiences? This image has been used many times to explain the optical illusion phenomena. But have you ever considered that maybe it can also explain more?

In many cases, only after having an optical illusion explained, can the viewer re-evaluate the illusion and discern the existence of a totally different image. My personal biases were no less at play in preparing for the "Evaluation of a Course Syllabus" assignment, than would they have been viewing an optical illusion for the first time.

In this program I must admit, I placed the respective syllabus in its respective 3-ring binder to use as calendars of events. However, after completing the reading for this assignment, and comparing the syllabus for this course to the requirements set forth, my eyes have been opened to the true purpose(s) and value of the syllabus.

The illusion has now been explained to this viewer, and his eyes can now see the true picture.

Around the World in 80 nanoseconds

I find it truly amazing that we are able to send a single thought, or a million pages, around the globe with a click of a button. And, I hope to learn more about the existing technologies that make this possible, as I go forward in my studies.

Possibly just as fascinating though, is that no matter how advanced our communication technologies may become, one can never forget the basic principles of communicating:

1) Know your audience.

2) Know your purpose.

3) Know your topic.

4) Anticipate objections.

5) Present a rounded picture.

6) Achieve credibility with your audience.

7) Follow through on what you say.

8) Communicate a little at a time.

9) Present information in several ways.

10) Develop a practical, useful way to get feedback.

11) Use multiple communication techniques.

During our Pre-work Communication Meetings (PCM's) we have 3 minutes to get our point across to as many as one hundred drivers/students. Over the years we have used printed material (hand-outs), video clips, audio recordings, face-to-face delivery, computer based teaching (CBT's) , and combinations of various methods to encourage our employees to think about the subject matter being taught during a PCM. But, sometimes one simply has to get "grounded".

In order to get the most information to the largest number of people I created a "chalk-talk" or "sidewalk-talk" PCM, for one of our larger centers. This format allowed each of the drivers time to view the information at their own pace, as they arrived in the distribution center. After allowing everyone to "clock-in", I presented the 3 minute PCM on cholesterol.

Feedback from the drivers was simply amazing.

So as I learn some of the newest technologies for communicating, I must not forget to use the appropriate communication technique for my audience...............whether its

a piece of chalk, or a computer.

01010101010101010101010

Fall brings new life and new discoveries

Springtime is viewed as the time of renewal for obvious reasons. Anyone having ever seen the Crocuses burst into full bloom following a long dreary winter, would surly agree that they are a true sign that the whole world is again coming to life.

As a young boy, living within hiking distance of William B. Bankhead National Forest, Springtime quickly became my favorite season. The cold nights, and short cool days of Spring made it possible for me to safely explore the natural topography before the snakes and spiders would able to come out to do the same. Memories of my childhood take me back to that time when new discoveries were only as far away as the edge of my back yard. Every adventure was a learning experience, contributing to my knowledge of nature, and to my love of the great outdoors.

Today, as Autumn quickly approaches, I find a new season of beginning. This Fall, as the leaves change from shades of green, to the enumerable shades of red, orange, yellow, and golden brown, I find that I am once again experiencing that feeling of my world coming to life. Having spent the first week of this semester trying to organize each class into it's rightful spot, I can now dedicate the second week to planting the seeds for my own personal growth.

I believe it is now safe to say that the anxiety of the first weekend of classes has given way to a feeling of eagerness to go forward.

Getting Started

The Red Queen Principle:

L. Van Valen (1973), proposed this principle based on the observation to Alice, by the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass , "In this place it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place."

Not to say that I am running as fast as I can, but my first few days as a doctoral student could be compared to one being deposited in the middle of a jungle, with ample food, water, and instructions on how to use the brand new GPS (global positioning system). Eventually it will all make sense. But at first, I just wanted to look through the food rations to see how long I could wander in circles before I finished reading the instructions.

Now that everything is organized (and I use this term loosely), I can go forward with a little more direction.

Reference:Van Valen L. (1973): "A New Evolutionary Law", Evolutionary Theory 1, p. 1-30.

First Impressions

Excited, invigorated, anxious -- either term could easily describe my emotions on the first day/weekend at the University of Alabama. But, beyond that finite experience is where the rubber meets the road.

The ability to have everything at one's fingertips is not a totally new idea. In Corporate America, where everything is "electronically formatted", and one must dial up, down load, or log on, I have settled into a comfort zone that I have yet to manage in this program. One would only expect this within the first week of any new endeavor. But, fearful of falling behind I have tried to open, view and digest ALL of the information on every site that opens.

Quite possibly my most important realization is that I, yes even I, must slow down and take this one day at a time.

I am very excited to be in my first week as a doctoral student at the University of Alabama. Now I must take a deep breath, and plan for that which needs completed today, and let tomorrow's new discoveries wait.