DAY ONE: MORNING (I) – Jenny

MAGNES JACK: Anyone want to have some fun changing?

[General smiles and nods]

Jenny: Magnes, I would.

MAGNES JACK: Great! Tell me more.

Jenny: Well, I’m in a job at the moment, it’s a great job, and I’m very good at it, and now I know it’s not what I want to do.

MAGNES JACK: Ok. And?

Jenny: What I want to do is much less money, though a lot more fun!

MAGNES JACK: And are you sure about that?

Jenny: What, the money side?

MAGNES JACK: Yes.

Jenny: Pretty much. Because it’s the charity sector I want to go into. And they all tend to be pretty strapped for cash.

MAGNES JACK: But they are rich in other ways?

Jenny: Yes. That is why I want to do it. I’ve had a taste of it on volunteering basis and loved it so much, that now I just want to launch myself into it.

MAGNES JACK: Jenny, that’s great! But you know what, sometimes we need to look at how we are framing things, because in our desire to jump ahead, we often delete a great many possibilities.

For example, you have said that the money being paid to officials in charities is low. That maybe true for some, but not all. If you can triple the income of a charity, then I’m sure you would be amply rewarded. Now you may choose to give some of your income to another charity that is up to you. Or you may see that having some comfort allows you to be even more productive in your work for the charity.

There is a distinction between “charity work” and “working for a charity”.

Jenny: I see what you’re saying. That I’ve already narrowed down my options, and then trying to make a decision based on narrowed options.

MAGNES JACK: Exactly. And narrowed options, particularly not very nice ones, are not much fun! [Smiling] I call this FLUID-FRAMING.

FLUID-FRAMING
When we think about change, whether we know it or not, we stick frames on it which include some things and exclude others. This is part of what makes change such a struggle; because the journey defined by these narrow frames are often a little oppressive. With Fluid-Framing we stand right back and open up the field as it were, and play with frames that lead to more fun possibilities.

For example, whilst working for a charity, you might also do some freelance work in the business world. Not only would this keep you up to date, but also might provide some crossover e.g. sponsorship, into the charity world.

Jenny: That’s a very good point. I think I have gotten so focussed on it having to be this way or that, that it’s become quite stressful. Because to follow this path, would mean giving up a whole lot, that I’m not sure I want to.

MAGNES JACK: Sure. It’s very common. We all do it. May I suggest then that you have a think about this, and look at designing some paths that have a lot more fluidity and possibility in them, and who knows, maybe more phased, in that you don’t move all at once from here to there, but in phases. Having said that, once you have gone through this exercise, you might just decide, “You know what, let’s just do it.”

Jenny: Thank you. That really helps. I shall let you know how it develops! [Smiling]

MAGNES JACK: Ah, it’s so good to see some smiles on faces.