I thought he would be techy

I thought he would be techy...

I am surprised to read that John Maxwell, one of the most forefront communicators on leadership today keeps a simple note book that carries a few sections to enable him to note things that might be of interest for him. He calls it his "Travelling Companion" and uses the Travelling Companion for things he decides to apply in his life and to keep life-changing insights he has discovered so he could refer to it every now and then.

What caught my attention was the simplicity of doing important things in a way that works for him - he's a highly respected leader, much sought after speaker and his books sells like Future Net hamburgers (if you stay around my area, you'll understand this), not too difficult to imagine him moving around with mobile communications gadgets marked to the latest state of the art technology. And he could be. PDAs, sleek notebooks and broadband access is really nothing new to be amazed about. In fact, we're getting into a time where if you do not have these, you're considered highly deficient. This is where I find myself respecting him other than being successful - he does the first things first, without waiting. I believe he sees value in the daily lessons of life and he does not allow important information to pass him by. I liked the way he would notice a touching poem from a funeral bulletin and would keep it in his Travelling Companion so he could memorise it. Talk about a love for living. I think there's plenty to learn here.

Start with the fact that he finds no need to be techy when it comes to his life-long interest: learning. I really had a picture of him etched in my head as some guy who talks and thinks technology. But a simple notebook, being handy and available with room to write in, organised, comfy as it is personalised. Most appealing feature to all writers (I think) - it is convenient, and provides a kind of "link" that motivates thinking. Yeah, I can identify with this. It used to be a particular spot in my bedroom, then it changed to be a particular table in the apartment, now it's the single seater by the sunny window downstairs. It's the "right spot" where you know you can still your mind and focus, integrate your thoughts. Then, there's another kind of link. I would call it the "pen-to-paper" link. It would be my favourtie pen in my writing hand, in my peculiar thinking pose and set on the road to reflection, and I need my personalised journal to add the final touch. I find it magical in such moments as thoughts crystalise into ideas and responses, such clarity at a different degree different from other times of the day. I think that is why I love my solitude hours. It's creating a personal space - inner space especially. Once it's there, thinking can be done comfortably wherever it is - on a plane, at a cafe, during a meeting, on the road... the possibilities are endless.

Check out his article and be inspired at www.injoy.com/leadershipwired