SEEKING YOUR FEEDBACK

aiming for kaizen, incremental improvements to ACC

One of my deepest beliefs is in the power of kaizen, the Japanese practice of continuing gradual improvement. A confluence of events brings me to requesting feedback from you to ensure your time reading this column is worthwhile through such improvement.

Paid subscribers are always welcome to comment in the section so named at the bottom of each column while other readers email me at panache@duck.com. Today anyone can provide feedback in the public comment section.

I have published a column without fail since launching on 5 November 2022, though some columns have been decidedly meatier than others. I am keenly aware of how much psychic energy we are all using every single day as our world changes. I want to prevent this column from sliding into mediocrity too prevalent in the explosion of online sources. My fierce pace forces me to ponder nagging questions I have tried ignore.

My goal remains, as it’s been from the beginning, to highlight how actions in various circumstances create consequences—whether foreseen, unintended, or delayed—in hopes of opening our eyes to alternate paths as a society to address the multitude of challenges we face. My goal is not any grander than that nor do I falsely expect to solve the Taiwan-China dilemma or cure cancer.

I believe one topic at a time allows us to reappraise problems, reconsider our own assumptions, and recognize options we might have ignored. Hence, I write about what I find interesting, linking otherwise disperate topics if I see unexplored connections.

Admittedly, some days go better than others.

I also humbly recognize that adhering to this breakneck ambition does not always produce the highest quality product you deserve. Yesterday I failed to hit the mark I intended, forcing me to acknowledge I am trying to do too much, as a subscriber told me last summer and another raised with me this morning (If you read the uncorrected version somehow, Senator McConnell was the sole member of the Republican majority to vote for Secretary Kennedy. Oy vey, those missing words mattered from the original version but I was rushing).

As I noted at our local book club last night, if a topic has not motivated me by 4 pm, I start to become panicked. I get up at about 3.30 every morning to avoid being rushed as I start my day so it only makes sense that if I’m rushed later on, things don’t go as well either. I am also still in the “retired but professionally engaged” status which only crunches my time, despite my best intentions.

Additionally, Substack provides me with the daily statistics indicating, on average, no more than 59% of those receiving the column open it within twenty-four hours. While I assume it awaits you patiently for reading at some point, I recognize that 59% means I may be overwhelming you for the sake of not breaking my streak.

I genuinely welcome your thoughts on the following questions (knowing I am unlikely to satisfy everyone so apologies up front):

1. How frequently would receiving Actions Create Consequences benefit you? Two days weekly? Three? Once a fortnight? Weekly? Perioidically? Fire away as there are no wrong answers to this question—it’s not a quiz but a survey. Please feel free to tell me simply a number or provide further detail as I welcome it.

2. En lieu of one session of writing, would you prefer a subscriber chat? I understand everyone is busy so I am not sure it would suit many of you but I am curious because it’s difficult for separate responses to enable sustained dialogue or conversation. I am always ready to experiment.

3. I would likely make the chat dedicated to those who put financial resources into support as a thank you for their commitment but probably open it periodically to general readership. But, what other models have you seen for this? Any ideas welcome.

4. Are weekend columns helpful or do they interfere “down” time? If you have preferences, I would appreciate hearing of them.

5. Would you prefer I offer an audio column either in place of the written column or in addition? Please be specfic as I see what other authors do but I am not them so I want to produce something appropriate to our interests as a community within Substack..

6. Any other thoughts on topics to discuss are welcome. I asked this question a couple of years back but got only a single response which I was unsuccessful at fulfilling.

To conclude, I appreciate you so I want to maximize the column for you. If you answer questions one and two, then think of additional responses later, please keep those emails flowing as it’s not a “one and done” exercise.

Harry Truman sat happily in the sunlight this morning, wondering if he will get a treat for Valentine’s Day.

Thank you for your commitment to Actions Create Consequences. I enjoy this project more than I ever expected because of YOU. I know your feedback can help me improve upon it.

Be well and be safe. FIN