An entry-level task in AA is learning to follow
instructions. Unfortunately, even though this is an entry-level task, it took
me, I think, decades to learn it. I have fallen all too often for the ego’s
temptation to make a task ‘my own’ by adjusting the brief, as the ego suggests I will
be invisible if I do not personalise it.
Some examples:
- Turning a reading in a meeting into an audition for the Royal Shakespeare Company
- Changing pronouns or other words in readings to instruct others on what I think is ideologically correct
- Reading the script without giving a running commentary on my experience of reading the script or what I think about the script
- Finding my errors hilarious rather than embarrassing and turning myself into Bobo The Clown
- Ad-libbing, adding things I think ought to be in the script, or removing things I think oughtn’t
- Any other failure to perform the job as specified
One can go to the other extreme and, rather than going too far, fall too short.
Some examples:
- Turning up late
- Arriving so late I’m flustered so underperform
- Not training myself on the task before doing it
- Not garnering experience from previous incumbents
- Not reading the script in advance to prevent stumbling
- Not doing mental or actual walkthroughs to anticipate and solve difficulties
The aim is to do the job, no less, and no more.