Tuesday 21st May

The Pulse

Check your head

Written by
Paul Hassing

Businesses, Featured, Lifestyle

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26
Jun

It’s amazing how the mind can distort impressions.

The daily vicissitudes of running a business can wear you down; especially if you work alone.

Last month an event showed me just how negative (and wrong) my thinking had become.

This story has a happy ending.

It’s another life lesson, up there with guarding your thoughts and going with the flow.

Highway to hell

My crowded inner-city suburb has more cars than parking spaces. Competition is keen, even ruthless.

So when the local council dug large holes at either end of the few precious spaces near me, I got very nervous.

‘What are they doing?’ I wondered. ‘Making it even harder for me to park?’

The next week it got worse, as large hoops of stainless steel sprang from concrete foundations.

Hoopla

‘The bastards!’ I muttered. ‘It’s definitely reverse parking from now on. So much harder. Especially in one-way streets, and at peak hour. And if I make a mistake, I’ll ding my car!’

I was so annoyed, I even thought of pushing the hoops over while the concrete was wet.

This surprised me, as I’m generally a quiet, law-abiding fellow.

But I’d been having so many dramas with a narky client, a crackly phone line, a tardy PC, a leaky roof and a dodgy internet connection that it all seemed part of a plot to upset me.

Even when I’d calmed down enough to wonder if the hoops might be safety zones for pedestrians or chaining points for cyclists (both demographics to which I belong) I was still angry.

I couldn’t believe my hard-earned rates were paying to obstruct and clutter my already congested neighbourhood.

Penny drop

Imagine my shame, then, when I discovered the hoops’ true purpose.

It was dusk when I saw it: a beautiful row of shiny, trembling, native saplings.

Exactly what I’d wanted for years.

The council had wrought places for them in the bitumen and raised barriers to protect them from crazy locals.

Like me.

Two days later, a newsletter told all. (Would that it had come earlier!)

Seven streets in the area were getting trees for the first time.

It was a plot alright … to improve my standard of living.

Brain dump

I trust you’re not so foolish, but table this story as a warning.

If you spend too much time alone and/or in your head, things can get out of whack.

Does this episode resonate?

Have you been so wound up that you totally misread a situation?

Or has some client or supplier misconstrued you?

I’d love to hear your tales.

It’s hard enough to go first.

So please don’t leave me alone here

way out on a limb.

Paul Hassing | Founder & Senior Writer – The Feisty Empire

First impressions, thinking

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What others are saying

Author

Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire

June 26, 2012 at 10:55 am

Further reading (in case you can’t see the wood for the trees):

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/environment/trees/

Hats off to Yarra Council!

Reply
Author

Leah Klugt

June 26, 2012 at 12:18 pm

Awww nobody has commented! Im trying to think of a situation for you where I have thought similarly..if I can come up with one I will return here to post for you!

Yes, I think we’re all guilty of this. You get into a habit of expecting the worst from businesses and the services that they provide us. We are used to sub-standard treatment in both quality of product/service and customer service. Shame.

Truly though, councils have brought it upon themselves

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 26, 2012 at 12:25 pm
  
  You’re so kind, Leah. I was feeling rather lonely (and even MORE paranoid!). Thank you for sharing the void.
  
  Fair call about councils. (We can all talk about THAT topic if we wish!)
  
  Having had some dreadful interactions with them in the past, it’s nice to be able to point to one that’s getting it right. Best regards and thanks again. P.
  
  Reply
Author

Malcolk Owens

June 26, 2012 at 1:20 pm

Good post Paul!. Very occasionally the council does something of value and did so in our street. We had those horrible paper bark trees that sprawled beneath 40 years of power line trimming. They dropped branches and protruded out of their allotted space, over fences and made mowing the nature strip (I was always fascinated with that term) a nightmare.

Imaging my joy when I came home one day to find the bastard lying in pieces on the ground. Happy days! In its place sat a new, drought tolerant variety with a growth expectation beneath the level of the power lines above.

Good job council, but I still hate you for the 12 month fiasco that is a small carport on the side of my home: do a really need complete architectural drawings and original copies of the title and an environmental impact study for 5 pieces of timber and a bit of laserlite?

So I don’t care how many trees you plant, you still suck in my book!

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 27, 2012 at 5:13 pm
  
  I so love your take on things, Malcolm. Life through your eyes is a bittersweet, sometimes violent affair.
  
  Thank you for showing us both sides of your coin. I hope your council doesn’t install parking meters next!
  
  Speaking of which, why is it free to park in Kew (where rich folk live) and bloody expensive to park in Collingwood (where the money could be far better spent on food)? I just don’t get it.
  
  Thank you for yet another wonderful comment.
  
  Reply
Author

Desolie Page

June 26, 2012 at 1:43 pm

Can’t have you becoming even *more* paranoid, Paul.

I’ve always lived in my head – is there another way?
As for those romantic sagas (with me as the heroine, of course) that I devised – best not reveal them.
Those hours spent just looking, imagining and wondering – wonderful for the soul.

Those hours worrying, trying to work out all the possible outcomes of a situation – I’m trying not to do it.
How many times I’ve been wrong!
But it’s hard to break that habit.

Shall I share one of my many came-to-the-wrong-conclusion episodes?
Mmmm, not today.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 26, 2012 at 1:47 pm
  
  Ha ha, Desolie! Yes, that would be dangerous.
  
  You’ll always be my heroine: resucing me with kind comments and helping with generous retweets.
  
  It’s enough to know you’re here, without having to crack your head open and peer inside.
  
  Many thanks indeed for taking part.
  
  Reply
Author

Tash Hughes

June 26, 2012 at 2:53 pm

I think it must come with the territory, Paul – we writers do work alone and live in our heads… I’m sure I’ve misread many a situation from being wound up but not one example comes to mind now you’ve asked!

If only the world woud recognise our genius and run things the way we know they should be run

We were caught out by our council recently – by in the opposite direction to yours. Our local playground was demolished without notice so the neighbourhood got excited about something new and better. We got something new anyway. It’s been open 2 weeks so the kids are still enjoying the novelty but it just isn’t as good although the surrounding landscaping is really good.

But more trees in your street is worthy of a cheer – YAH! And could the barriers also be used for chaining bikes for an extra win?

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 26, 2012 at 3:07 pm
  
  Great add, Tash; we do indeed. Yes, the Universe of Truth and Light should be given at least one term before we pass on!
  
  Sounds like you got emotional whiplash from your council. What a fortunately/unfortunately situation!
  
  And yes, the barriers would be ideal for bikes. So it’s a bit YES to your comment from me. Thanks!
  
  Reply
Author

Adam Finlay

June 26, 2012 at 7:40 pm

Great story, Paul.

I saw red a few years ago when a massive project coincided with a neglected promise from my employer. I spoke out, bluntly. I don’t think I misread the situation, but I probably misread my stress levels. And now, I regret speaking out in so bluntly. Most folk fumble along as best they can, and that could be said for my seniors at the time.

So, I concur. Check your head.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 27, 2012 at 7:48 am
  
  Thank you for sharing your story, Ad. The second hardest lesson I’ve learnt in life is NEVER to send a message in anger. Confucious was right. And not just about frowning nude shopkeepers digging two graves next to glass houses. In the desert. Best regards, P.
  
  Reply
Author

Nikki

June 26, 2012 at 7:57 pm

Hi Paul, long time reader – first time commenter! Sadly it’s easy to think the worst of big business/council/government as we have all been burnt so many times. I am delighted your area is being ‘greened’ and not at the expense of precious close-to-home parking. Well done to your local council..

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 27, 2012 at 5:07 pm
  
  Hi Nikki and welcome! I’m sorry your comment got hung up in The System. It happens to first timers now and then but you should be right as rain from now on.
  
  Many thanks for reading and taking the next step. I always get a thrill when the 1 commenter per 100 readers goes up to 2!
  
  Sounds like you may have had fun and games with a council in the past. I’ve done my share of carping about them, so I think it’s important to give credit where it’s due. Best regards and don’t be a stranger!
  
  Reply
Author

Paul Cunningham

June 26, 2012 at 8:20 pm

Paul, you need to calm down a bit, this hyper-vigilance doesn’t suit you at all.

Vicissitude is a great word though. I’ll try and work it into a few of my sentences over the next few days.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 27, 2012 at 5:09 pm
  
  You’re dead right, Paul. You can look forward to a post soon on the importance of retaining a counsellor (not councillor!) when running a business.
  
  Glad you dug the word. It makes using them all worth while. Many thanks for your contribution.
  
  Reply
Author

Janet Bolitho

June 28, 2012 at 8:28 pm

Councils increasingly value urban trees. Check out http://www.sustainability.mav.asn.au/sustainability-accord/urban-trees. An American programme has been adapted to Australian conditions to enable any council to upload all their tree data and quantify benefits such as air pollution removed, carbon sequestration, amenity value etc. Check it out http://arboriculture.org.au/i-Tree-Australia
I know you wanted to talk about jumping to premature conclusions but I wanted to tell you about the good things councils are doing for the urban tree population.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire
  
  June 29, 2012 at 9:16 am
  
  Wow, Janet! How cool to have real-live councillor in our midst! I love it when we hear from original sources.
  
  I like your positive tack far better than my negative one. Thanks very much for those links.
  
  I’ve been following your blog for yonks now and heartily recommend that our readers click your name to check it out.
  
  With best regards and MANY thanks for visiting.
  
  Reply
Author

Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire

July 10, 2012 at 4:24 pm

Now that my local council is front of mind, I keep noticing other cool stuff they’re doing:

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Parking-roads-and-transport/Sustainable-transport/trains-not-tollroads/

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Parking-roads-and-transport/Current-projects/proposed-separated-bike-lanes-in-wellington-street/

Good show!

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