Introducing "The Capacities"

by Joan Friedlander

The lovely cup of coffee below is my visual representation of capacity. Each morning I measure out approximately the right amount of water and freshly ground french roast beans (half caffeinated and half decaf), steep the coffee in my french press, use my hand frothier to create the froth just the way I like it, warm the milk for a few seconds in the microwave, and sprinkle a little cocoa on top using a little sifter I bought at Crate and Barrel. It takes about 10-15 minutes from start to finish. It's not too much, not too little, is most certainly economical and is absolutely yummy.

Introducing "The Capacities"

My chosen word for this year is capacity. I started toying with the idea of capacity as it relates to growing a sustainable, thriving business last year in my article on the "Law of Diminishing Returns and Managing Expectations" in which I coined the term, "personal productive capacity." Capacity is an interesting word, one that contains several layers of meaning. In my mind, it sheds light on the many challenges we all face in running our daily lives and growing our beloved businesses.

Globally, human capacity is a term that is often used to refer to the economic ability of a country (we're talking macro economics here!) to compete successfully in the global market place.

We are not countries; we are singular human beings tackling the challenges of building and sustaining a viable small service-oriented business over time. 10 years of working with creative, entrepreneurial business owners and consultants has revealed that capacity is not accurately accounted for in planning and setting goals.

A quick look-up of the word capacity on www.freedictionary.com offered the following definitions.

1. a. The ability to receive, hold, or absorb.
b. A measure of this ability; volume.

2. The maximum amount that can be contained: a trunk filled to capacity.

3. a. Ability to perform or produce; capability.
b. The maximum or optimum amount that can be produced: factories operating below capacity.

I have identified the following as integral and relevant "capacities" to successful growth of a small business and a well-lived life. I present them in the order they came to mind. The brief definitions are mine. Clearly, ability is a constant companion to capacity.

The Capacities

Psychic or Mental - the ability to think, having the bandwidth to see what is around you, to step back and observe and contemplate and consider. Awareness.

Responsive - the ability to respond with measure and clarity, to be able to view the situation and act in an appropriate manner. To know when it's time to press forward, and when it is time to let go.

Decision-making - the ability to engage 'common sense' in everyday decisions. To have the ability to include facts, intuition and gut-level responses in the small and big decisions. The ability to decide once all information is gathered, and the patience to wait until all relevant information has shown itself.

Productive - the ability to focus for some length of time to produce a wanted result.

Creative - the ability to think beyond what you see in front of you, to take an innovative approach to solving problems and developing solutions.

Relational - the ability to connect and be present with the person(s) in front of you, to see another with empathy and to engage in a way appropriate to the relationship and situation.

Financial - the ability to fund the business with the necessary resources and tools for growth, and the ability of the business to sustain the lifestyle and well-being of the owner and any employees or team members the business employs.

Vocal - the ability to speak up, to stand for and to express.

Physical - one's real ability to carry out the tasks at hand. Furthermore, the ability to understand the current limitations on physical capacity and act accordingly.

Emotional - the ability to live with some uncertainty, to weather stormy circumstances, to slow down when needed, and to return to action when it is time.

Organizational - the ability to look at an group of people, a list of tasks or a larger project and create order and/or structure through which actions can be effectively carried out.

I notice that when I look back at the list of "The Capacities" I feel a sense of calm, a deeper intake of breath. Absent is any sense of overwhelm, stress or striving that might cause me to overwork, underestimate, perfectionate (not a word but you know what I mean), over spend, under spend, worry, judge and somehow come up short.

Capacity is a close cousin to sufficiency. Sufficiency measures capability. It says that there is homeostasis. Goldilocks had it right; not too much, not too little, just right.

How much water does a cup of water hold? One cup! Not right or wrong, good or bad, just so much and nothing more.

 

 

by Joan Friedlander, © 2011. All rights reserved.