Excerpt

Introduction

I am writing this introduction on December 29, 2009. Three months ago I quit my job and I have spent most of that time wondering how best to spend the next phase of my life. Well, to be honest, it has been longer than that. This state of wonderment has consumed me for at least twenty months. What activities would fill my days and bring me joy (and, hopefully, income!)?

The answer has finally arrived in the form of a baby-blue coloured paperback book I was given for Christmas, just four days ago, by my cousin’s family. It is entitled “Éloge de la lenteur” — the French translation, by Sophie Artaud, of “In Praise of Slow” written by Carl Honoré (published as “In Praise of Slowness” in the United States).

After only two chapters of reading, the book has struck a chord, and a nerve, within me. I can relate to the effects that the measurement of time can have on someone. Reading the book I start seeing new ways to describe the tremendous impact of time management on a corporation, its employees and, ultimately, its bottom line. It becomes clearer to me that society has let the speed of modern life take over its more natural and, arguably, slower rhythm. I start to wonder how many of us have, through our devotion to time, lost what makes us “tick” as individuals — what is important to each of us.

This morning I started writing, on my blog (www.ideeahs.com), about the topic of slowing down. As I was writing about my experiences I realized that I had just found the answer to what I should be doing with my own time now that I have more of it under my control. I have a story to tell!!

A story of how I slowly started feeling blue working at “Big Blue” and how this emotion kicked-off a chain of events which led, finally, to my resignation. A story which I am sure many people working in the field of Information Technology (IT) services, and the broader corporate world, will relate to. One of measurements and best intentions turned sour. Of inauthenticity. Of a game. Of a system that is on the verge of, or is already, breaking.

The bigger story, though, is not about the corporate world but of how easy it is to lose one’s self in a large organization. Political parties, corporations and other massively powerful and influential forces have tremendous influence on each of us. One could say that they have taken over the world and each of our individual realities. In a way they have altered who we are deep down within. Their powerful brands have succeeded in suffocating our own individual brands. We have lost the “tick” of our own internal clock — our heart.

As these organizations, political and corporate, start being attacked by the very tools they have created — technology, democracy, world trade and travel — it is becoming increasingly important that we each take the time to rediscover who we are and to proudly make our own individual mark in the world.

The internet, mobile phones, blogs and social networking tools have brought down governments and ruined corporate reputations. They have permitted individuals to express themselves to a wider audience than ever before. More and more we are discovering how many diverse ideas there are in this world. We are being surprised that our own opinions, hobbies and passions are in fact shared by many on this planet and are not, therefore, that odd or rare. The ability of a government and corporation to exert control over people has been severely hindered by technological advances.

As a result, the importance of individuality is rising in this world. This is what “Avoiding the Blues” is about. My hope is that, from its reading, you will take away the knowledge that control over your life is not as far away as you might think. That the words will show you that imparting positive change on your small part of our shared world is possible. The first step, though, has to be yours.

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This book is largely about my years at IBM. It highlights a few key events in my career and summarizes what were, for me, the management and life lessons learnt from those experiences. I lay much criticism on the company, its various measurements and its policies. I know that these are not unique to IBM and believe that employees of other large organizations will be able to relate to my experiences.

Before we get into it, I want to say that IBM was my second school of life. IBM was my family — literally and figuratively. IBM was my friend and my mentor. It was a very large part of my life (I likely allowed it to take up too large a part) and it continues to be present within me. I want it to be and, anyhow, it could never be extracted from who I am. It is like a great friend that has passed away but that, due to the years of life together, will always impact how I think and react — who I am.

IBM taught me how to deal with customers, to debug operating systems, to install various hardware and software systems, to sell services, to manage people and to run a service and support organization. It also, indirectly, taught me some very important lessons. For all of that I owe it a large debt of gratitude.