Most all of us have used a recipe sometime in our lives.
A recipe is a set of instructions that describes how to prepare or make something, especially a dish of prepared food. The term recipe is also used in medicine or information technology (e.g., user acceptance).
A recipe is often thought to be used by a novice, but I find this to be counter to my experience. In leadership, I find books, podcasts, and magazines to be my recipes. Funny enough when I go to reference a recipe of my mom’s I find notes. She will note substitutes, improvements, and sometimes you may find a reminder that this dish was not worth the time.
Just as with recipes, as I read books, I also make notes, turn down pages, and highlight my favorite quote. My latest book choice was The Proximity Principle by Ken Coleman. I took note of the fact that we don’t make leadership climbs without other people. (1) As Jim Rohn states, “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” (2) Now, I find it difficult to spend most of my time with the list of 5 people I would choose. When I have the opportunity for precious time, I crave the time to be a beautifully written recipe of our lives’ intersected.
Life Intersected
1 portion of Engaging Conversation
4-8 Meanders off topic (to your liking)
1/2 portion of Creativity
60 calories of Laughter
Pinch of Banter
Begin with Engaging conversation and combine the remaining ingredients until time requires the intersection to end. Enjoy the memories.
Start with engaging conversation and allow it to meander. The litany of topics can trigger creativity. But Life Intersected is always better with some laughter and banter. The banter creates a bit of tension and learning about the other’s viewpoint. The Laughter keeps the amplitude of the conversation from becoming stale. The mix of the ingredients creates a long-lasting impact and a plethora of memories
How do you want to spend time with your 5 people? What is your recipe for life’s intersections? If you are inclined, please share your recipe. An interactive audience enables learning for us all.
(1) Coleman, Ken. (2019). The Proximity Principle. Brentwood, Tennessee: Ramsey Press, The Lampco Group, LCC.
(2) Groth, Aimee. “You’re the Average of the Five People You Spend the Most Time With.” Business Insider, July 24, 2012. https://www.businessinsider.com/jim-rohn-youre-the-average-of-the-five-people-you-spend-the-most-time-with-2012-7.