First steps out

Tomorrow I travel to Samara Russia to conduct a 4-day seminar in museum learning with a colleague from the children's museum world. Our work, sponsored by the Fund for Arts and Culture of Central and Eastern Europe, will involve an interpreter, a cruise down the Volga River, demonstrations of high and low tech techniques for involving visitors in museums of all kinds, and an exchange of ideas with colleagues from regional museums in the area south of Moscow.

It's a beginning step out for me, from my management role at Greenlights. On the eve of my departure Greenlights is abuzz with activity - publishing our monthly e-newsletter, working through details with a new Back Office potential client, setting in motion a challenge grant amongst our board members to ensure success beginning next year, and moving forward with the rest of the fall lineup -- from our Nonny Awards to our Board Primers.

I find myself a bit dizzy trying to pay attention to the road ahead and to the road under my feet. It reminds me of bicycling. If I look down the entire ride, I am faster, and more aerodynamic - if I look ahead and around me I enjoy the ride more and anticipate more. And if I look away from where I am trying to go, I run the risk of a mishap. I can;t look one way and ride my bike in a different direction.

My lesson? I think it's about trying not to multi-task, but to serially focus. One thing at a time. So I dutifully spent the end of my day today closing up shop, and tonight as I pack and prepare for my Russian travels I feel myself letting go of the day-to-day Greenlights details.

It's a good feeling.