Michael Jackson - A System Breakdown?
Michael Jackson's sudden and tragic death has received a great deal of attention. I offer my condolences to the Jackson family. The cause of Michael's death is not yet conclusive, but I respectfully suggest that, for a Systems Thinker, the cause is evident.
People are Systems, Too
Similar to an organization, all organisms consist of systems and subsystems. Our physical body has a nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system, and so forth. When a physical breakdown occurs, we go to a physician to fix the underperforming system. When a mental breakdown occurs, people seek the help of a psychologist or other professional.
Every person consists of physical and mental systems that work together to form a unique individual. Not all systems perform equally well, however. Some people have very stable physical and mental systems. Others have highly effective systems in one part of their life, but are completely dysfunctional in other aspects of their life.
It is common to see famous entertainers, athletes and politicians who are very effective with the systems the public sees (acting, sports, speech, etc.), but who have very poor personal or family systems. They are often in the headlines as much for their broken systems as for the systems that made them famous.
Patterns of thinking and behavior are personal systems that strengthen us or weaken us; they cause us to achieve or fail; they bring out the best of our human nature, or the worst. We learn good and bad systems of behavior at home, school, and in our vocation; we pass many of them along from generation to generation.
What are You Becoming?
Most people have control of their personal systems and can make them perform better if they choose. Slightly paraphrasing an old saying, "Life will grind you down or polish you up depending on what [your systems] are made of." Only you can determine whether, at the end of your life, you are like your saintly grandmother or your drug-addicted uncle (hypothetically speaking).
Michael Jackson was gifted in music and dance. I applaud any musical systems he developed using creativity, hard work, and persistence--systems that achieved excellence. Michael Jackson also had broken systems in his personal life that were quite serious. Physical, mental, financial, and interpersonal problems were apparent. Some of the damage was inflicted upon him as a child, but many problems came from his personal choices.
In the end, Michael Jackson died of a system breakdown--as we all do--but his death came earlier than necessary and could have been avoided!
Do You Have the Will?
A loving God has given us a system of laws to make our lives peaceful and happy. Our Founding Fathers gave us a system of government so that we may enjoy liberty, safety and opportunity. There are great books to teach us systems for raising children, investing money, having good health, and running a profitable business.
We have access to knowledge like no generation before us. We have the ability to choose. We only need the will to do our best today and then a little better tomorrow--to create effective systems that give us the results we desire.
You can avoid system breakdowns by looking at your world through the eyes of a Systems Thinker. Start now to improve your personal, family, and business systems. Let me know if I can help.
Wishing You Prosperous Times,
Ron
rcarroll@BoxTheoryGold.com
800-400-9320