Grand Dynamics International

INTRODUCTION: Today is another beautiful day. I am in the Sacramento airport, complete with free wireless ), heading back home to Jackson. I feel relaxed and at peace. This morning I had a great run, and to my surprise was exposed to some rare Metro-California wildlife. 15 turkeys roosting in a tree all started googling-gobbling LOUDLY at once as I ran through the wooded trail along the American River! They were huge and some had the full tail fanned out. I have never seen that before. I contemplated what that meant and why i saw them all… then remembered all the times in life I have been called a TURKEY – HA!, about the Thanksgiving Paradox (Black Swan Reference), and then the mind kept rolling…. that’s another story! I am HERE, NOW, and take 10 long, meditative breaths and celebrate being alive on this planet.

AT THE METRO: Holly and I had a blast greeting and talking with Sacramento people non-stop for 5 hours! At one point, we had about 25 people surrounding table-top initiative station working on the Great Nail Balance, spinning the Buzz Ring, and engaging in lively conversation derived from the Thumb Network Ball! Sweet. It was great to hear comments like, “Grand Dynamics is definitely the funnest booth here”, “This is really great to have a company like Grand Dynamics in Sacramento”, “When can we get together to plan something” and “Wow, I need this for myself – and my company!”

STN OPEN ENROLLMENT EXCITEMENT: Our Seeking True North open enrollment event in Grass Valley April 21-23 was quite a popular topic and I am excited to see many of the people I met there for a few days of inspired focused personal and business development. To those California people reading this that I met – send me an email and let me know you are planning to come!

CA ECONOMIC CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE: California, like most places right now, is filled with businesses that are challenged. However, business representatives mostly remained optimistic that there they would make it through these though times. And the general consensus at the expo was that it would require WORKING TOGETHER. Certainly internally with an inspired staff operating on full cylinders, but also externally with businesses supporting other businesses to further each other’s goals. This is one theme that has become more and more apparent, and necessary, in challenging economy. COMMUNITY and working together in a way that businesses support each other. Certainly there is the exchange of goods or services, but the deeper question is how can we support each other in the BIG PICTURE of business economics. Keep your eye out for opportunities to network and support each other. When contracting with another company, is there a potential for a MUTUAL EXCHANGE so that both companies benefit? What referrals can each of you provide for one another? How can you help someone else as you further your own goals? When we rebound out of the economic challenges, will you be proud of how you MAINTAINED COMPOSURE, CREATED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, SUPPORTED OTHERS, or will have you just barely “made it through” AT ANY COST?

Tim Walther
GDI President

Today I awoke in Denver Colorado after playing percussion at a live show last night with my great friend Ivan Huber and his band – Art Compost and the Word Mechanics. Our music was the instrumental jam-band and warm up for the Poetry Slam – where random people would perform poetry to our eclectic instrumental fusion. It was a great way to finish up this stint in Colorado and another vivid example of people living out their passion through artistic expression.

Last week was largely spent in Colorado with the national and international GDI team at a “unconference” called NCCPS. The format for this conference is quite intriguing. The format is known as Open Space and essentially involves participants arriving at the conference with NO SET SCHEDULE. Have you ever been to a conference with NO SET SCHEDULE?

What an incredible concept!

About 200 experiential educators converged in Boulder Colorado to discuss the art and science of experiential learning including leadership, facilitation, work, play and team dynamics. I love this conference because it provides the platform for participants to present and discover the most important topics in their personal and professional growth. The entire agenda for the conference is created in the first 2 hours of the 3 day conference. This occurs by participants proposing that the time slots be filled with Presentations (a ready-to-go presentation) Workshops (a facilitated seminar with expertise provided upon request by the presenter) Discussions (facilitated conversation or activity around topics of interest) and I NEED (topics that participants want to have someone else present on.) This provides the platform for presenters to try new things and get feedback from the audience and to really dive into the topics that are most important. Each day the conference schedule is revisited and topics updated.

Grand Dynamics had an excellent presence and delivered several presentations including The Master Facilitator (Holly Baade), New Games and Activities (Will Leggett), Creating International Initiatives to Change the World (Josh Morris) and of course, SEEKING TRUE NORTH! I was inspired by our industry greats like Chris Cavert and Sam Sikes and the plethora of facilitators I was lucky to meet for the first time, many of whom have the potential to join the ranks of Grand Dynamics contract facilitators. One cool workshop even included how to design and deliver a team building workshop where participants find, build a GIANT CATAPULT! (technically it’s a Trebuchet )!

Thanks to Tom Leahy and the whole NCCPS crew and to everyone that SHOWED UP. I am looking forward to the drive home today and reflecting on all the great things in life and all the new opportunities that continue to unfold for Grand Dynamics. And also looking forward to strategization of the ACTION! The energy and vibe is positive and the universe continues to offer magical connections.

As I said in my NCCPS closing comments, There is Genius and Boldness in ACTION. Whatever you can dream to do, do it NOW. For Success is reserved for those that SEEK IT OUT. Happy Hunting!