Going beyond capable

Having ability is useful. Having capability gives you a subtle but significant extra level.

ability – possessing the means or skill to do something

capability – the extent of that ability

Once you have created a few episodes, you are pretty much sorted with the basic ability to podcast. You will still face issues but mostly you will know what to do about them. You have done it before and learn even more by repeating.

There is more if you want it but this means increasing your capability.

What would you most like them to be saying about you?

  • capable.
  • very capable
  • extremely capable
  • more than capable

Being thought capable feels like faint praise. Let’s aim for the best we can be, without damaging ourselves in the process. Incremental improvements build over time. Where will you start?

Becoming more capable – suggestions

1 Find something you do well and learn more about it–do it better than good. You don’t have to. You already have the ability. You are capable. But what if you could move along the capability spectrum towards the magic of “more than capable”? (And it will make your podcasting easier)

2 Decide to keep learning. Stay curious and looking for answers. Identify what would make a difference to what you are already doing and add a new level. Follow a trajectory.

3 Stay attentive, noticing what other people are doing – what works and what doesn’t; what you like; what you might adapt for your own work. Write it down – explain it to yourself in a few words – why it works, or why you like it.

Next Step Podcasting – for those who are serious

Watch out for more details coming very soon about a development program for podcasters who might be stuck, stalled, or need a refresh. I can’t wait to share what I have got for you.

Something to see

Tom Peters (now aged 78) published a book earlier this year – Excellence Now: Extreme Humanism – In this video, Seth Godin and Tom Peters talk about the book and his work. Fascinating insights await you.

https://vimeo.com/531487426/12b5283f03

Something to hear

Back in March 2020, Roman Mars in his podcast 99% Invisible marked the loss of two important people from the field of architecture due to COVID-19 –  Michael McKinnell, co-designer of Boston’s Brutalist City Hall, and Michael Sorkin who wrote 250 things an architect should know. The detail of the episode may be beyond your current awareness (it was mine) but the audio design and delivery is definitely worth learning from. Reading a list has never sounded so good.

The Smell of Concrete After Rain - 99% Invisible

The Smell of Concrete After Rain – 99% Invisible

Stories inspired by two people from the world of architecture and design we’ve lost due to COVID. No matter which James Bond actor is your favorite, it’s undeniable that the Sean Connery films had the best villains. There’s Blofeld, who turned cat-stroking into a thing that super-villains do, and then there’s Goldfinger—Bond’s flashiest nemesis. Fun

The Smell of Concrete After Rain

https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-smell-of-concrete-after-rain/

Something to read

Trees in community. The wood wide web – there are some things to see and hear too as well as read. It opens up a fascinating dimension of life we may have overlooked. A simple introduction to what could be a massive rabbit hole. At least it is a distraction and perhaps an inspiration to get better at networking – if the trees can do it why not us?

Talking Trees: How do Trees Communicate?

Talking Trees: How do Trees Communicate?

Educational Resources: Humans use the internet to communicate. Similarly, trees use a complex underground network of fungi. These relationships are examples of symbiosis.

https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-in-context/talking-trees-how-do-trees-communicate

And finally

  • listen to yourself (as a critical friend) two weeks after you publish
  • look where you are going