From the Bench: September 2011
The writings of M. Scott Peck, MD taught me just how important thinking is. Yet it is increasingly difficult to find the time to think as we all modulate between life- and work-styles equally characterized by the phrase, “time compressed.” There’s just not enough time to do everything, so we prioritize. Thinking, not to be confused with worrying, tends to get buried by the mountain of doing to be done.
I make the important distinction between worrying and thinking because the former is grounded in fear and the latter is born of optimism. Worriers focus on what may go wrong in the future. Thinkers believe in a future they can improve. Worriers obsess with controlling things to avoid failure. Thinkers understand the power of planning as enabling the improvisation necessary to improve possible outcomes.
The qualifications above are not to suggest that a person is necessarily one or the other—either a worrier or a thinker. We all do both, but I believe that thinking has become too rare an activity. To make matters worse, there are increasingly more things to think about. You could say that I’m worried that there’s not enough thinking.
Are you willing to think about the future? The Florida Chamber Foundation presents your opportunity on September 19-21, at the Future of Florida Forum. Attendees will encounter topics that need our attention. Consider joining fellow Floridians committed to planning for a future that may not be controllable, but one that can clearly be influenced by deliberation of the issues, analysis of data and strategic planning. Together we will pursue a common vision for prosperous people, sustainable communities and global leadership.
Two concurrent summits set the stage this year for the Future of Florida Forum beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 19. Following a joint breakfast featuring futurist, Jim Brazell, the Energy Summit and Education and Talent Supply Summit feature fast-paced discussions and new faces. The Energy Summit’s first session explores the current context of energy in our state, and the second addresses its future featuring newly appointed Director of Energy in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Patrick Sheehan. The third and concluding session in the Energy Summit presents Governor Rick Scott.
Nearby, the Education and Talent Supply Summit brings together experts and leadership spanning three areas of focus: PreK-12, higher education and workforce. Attendees will be among the first to hear from newly appointed Commissioner of Education, Gerard Robinson. Participants in the full Future of Florida Forum then gather for a lunch address by Chairman and CEO of NextEra Energy, Lew Hay. Click here to view the balance of the agenda, which covers a great deal of ground from immigration to redistricting and offers the first-ever appearance on the same stage of Secretary of Commerce, Gray Swoope; Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, Doug Darling; and President and CEO of Workforce Florida, Chris Hart. You’ll also be exposed to the latest in thinking, including updates to The Florida Scorecard and the release of the current iteration of the state’s first 20-year strategic plan under the Foundation’s Project 2030.
Be sure to register before this Friday, September 9, 2011, in order to receive your discounted rate. Join us as we engage the challenges ahead with optimism and a commitment to securing the best possible future for Florida. With no shortage of things you could be doing later this month, the Future of Florida Forum represents an opportunity to connect what you think about to what needs to be done.
