Playing Your Part

The Academy Award nominations were announced recently.  Recognition was given to actors and actresses who did their jobs well.  They played the roles, or parts, that were assigned to them.  What parts do you play on a regular basis?  Are you a parent, child, sibling, friend, cousin, employer, or employee?  Let's examine how the parts in your hair can be symbolic of some other "parts" you may encounter.  Do you part your hair on the right (impart), on the left (depart), or in the middle (partition)?  Maybe you have no part in your hair (partner). 

Impart - You have something unique to offer based on your experiences, personality, and skills.  As you encounter people or situations that have deficits in the areas where you have a surplus, be prepared to impart (share) what you have that may help them.  Think of it as helping them progress on the right path.

Depart - When you depart (leave) a room or conversation, you want to leave a good impression behind.  You want to be missed and remembered fondly.  Strive to be known as someone with sound judgement, a positive attitude, and good sense of humor. 

Partner -  You may join with a person or group to pursue certain goals.  In order for a partnership to work, there needs to be give and take.  To be effective, a partner should give their enthusiasm and support.  Let the others who are working with you know that you believe in the vision and are willing to work toward the identified objectives.  Partners must also take responsibility and risks.  Own your decisions and be prepared to be a trailblazer. 

Partition -  Once you see the big picture, it may be helpful to separate it into frames.  Partitions can be useful when you want to minimize distractions and maximize focus.  Divide your research into sections:  online, personal interview, and observation.  The different perspectives will highlight the common threads.  Put up an access wall to shield yourself from unwanted communication.  Let the call go to voice mail.  Leave your house and go to the library, bookstore, or coffee house for anonymity.  Do what you need to do to be productive.

How will you "part" your hair this week?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts on the post.