Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

There is much good in the act of sitting down with another person and explaining to them what I think I am doing.

It isn’t always easy to explain to another person what I am about to do. It is, however, a good use of time. That act usually shows me what I am doing and if it is a good idea or not.

Years ago, the person sat across a small table from me. He was to describe a new program that was about to commence. He looked at me. Before he opened his mouth, it hit him. This was a bad idea that was not going to work.

It was a simple moment. All the great ideas, all the great conversation held in a closed group, when pushed out into another arena with other persons melted and evaporated. Nothing remained. Nothing.

A worthwhile exercise.

I guess there is much that could be written about this. Conversations among a cloistered group are suspect. The light of day exposes cracks in concepts. The metaphors are endless.

Find someone who hasn’t heard my idea. Find someone who is smarter than me. Find someone who has no stake in the outcome. Sit across a small table. Look them in the eye. Explain myself. Perhaps I will understand myself.