Ed Ford 950219.1220MST
Marc, Rick, others
Regarding getting others interested in PCT. I find the best way to do this
is first find those who need a practical solution to what you have to offer.
In my case, I teach techniques for dealing with others, especially in
difficult situations, such as public schools, probation work, residential
treatment centers, etc. Public schools are having to deal more and more
with very disruptive children. Some find out about me and look to me for
help. Once things get a lot better, perhaps there may be someone who
expresses more than just a casual interest in PCT. Not that I haven't been
explaining it, using it as the basis for the practical applications that
have been working for my clients. The problem is that most people could
care less. You saved their butts and that's what they were controlling for.
I've had four educators out of the thousands that have heard me, show an
intense interest in PCT, enough to attend our annual conferences. My friend
Jim Soldani, when he successfully managed a plant for Intel, and got
unbelieveable results for eight straight months, told me no one, but no one
cared how he did it and about the theory (PCT) upon which it was based.
Marc Abrams said it to me recently. No one has tied their theories to
practical solutions of every day problems. But even if you do, and to some
extent I have, very, very few care. I guess there are very few humans with
enough "fire in their belly" (my latest expression) who really want to think
things through sufficiently to learn why and how it all works. The most
fascinating thing about PCT is not the theory itself, but the delightful way
you can use it when looking for practical solutions in difficult settings.
I just perceive things now through my PCT perceptual glasses. And when
dealing with those who could care less about your glasses, you realize, as
you look through those glasses, you can't set another's reference levels nor
get them to perceive the world as you do. As one school bus driver said
after learning to deal with children, "I'm calmer and so is my bus." The
theory had little appeal to her. Only the fact she now "enjoyed driving all
those crazy kids to and from school." Enough said. Best, Ed.