Sometimes I like the veer from my regular format for a
blog. Today is one of those days. Since many of our followers are writers, thus
business folks, I thought this story of the Geese flying in the “V” Formation
hits home with many of us who work together.
A reader may not realize just how much cooperation and
coordination it takes to produce a book.
Everything from writing the story, working with a critique partner or
two and/or a group to clean up the story before it’s ever sent to the
editor. Then the editor reads your
submissions and makes his suggestions. Once those changes are made or sometimes
negotiated with a STAT, which means basically “I like it so prefer it left as
is.” Then the copy editor goes over your
manuscript to edit (cross the “t’s” and cross the “I’s”) … you got the
idea.
Cooperation and communications; thus the lesson of the Geese
is perfect as a reminder of what we have to do in life, whether you are a
writer, the monarch of the family or work as a volunteer or committee member.
I certainly want to thank Grace Ford for sharing this wisdom
from our feathered friends about the importance of good teamwork.
I.
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an
uplift for others behind him. There is
71 percent more flying range in V-formation than flying alone. People
who share a common direction and sense of common purpose can get there quicker.
II.
Whenever a goose flies out of formation, it
quickly feels the drag and tries to get back in position. It’s
harder to do something alone than together.
III.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back
into the formation and another goose flies at the head. Shared
leadership and interdependence gives us each a chance to lead as well as
opportunities to rest.
IV.
The geese in formation honk from behind to
encourage those up front to keep up their speed. We need
to make sure our honking is encouraging and not discouraging.
V.
When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two
geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or dies. Stand
by your colleagues in difficult times as well as in good.
Now, wouldn't it be wonderful if every group who worked
together lived by the lesson of the geese?
What a wonderful way to remind us, we are not in this live alone. Doris
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doris. It's so good to hear from you. You are so right, we can't do it alone, so let's all be like geese and help one another to make it to our goals. Big hugs, Phyliss
DeleteSuch a positive and uplifting analogy and perspective on creating, perfecting, and publishing a story. I liked the encouraging honks. Since we work most of the time in isolation, it's so wonderful to get that positive and sincere feedback from others.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know two geese would stay with a wounded comrade...and so many people think animals don't have feelings. The Golden Rule also applies to writers in a group I think: Reciprocation. I see so often how some writers will take time from their busy day to visit blogs, notices, and promo to lend support, but not receive the same encouragement in return. I try to visit other authors as much as I can, and I especially want to reciprocate those authors who show me the same consideration and kindness.
I really enjoyed your post, Phyliss. It's a good reminder for us all to work cooperatively and kindly with one another.
Thanks, Sarah. You really added some excellent points, particularly about authors working in isolation ... whether we are actually at a computer typing, writing on paper, or the story is running through our heads, we are isolated. Yet, we all have friends and fellow authors to depend on to lift us up when we get tired and encourage us. I'm fortunate to have a wonderful support system. A very important point you added is how we all need to visit blogs, etc. to encourage others. Sometimes it's hard because of timing, but we all need encouragement, so thanks for your good and positive comments. I truly believe encouraging other writers will give you back ten fold. Big hugs, Phyliss
DeleteWe have a large natural preserve on our ranch; the family has maintained it for over 100 years. As a result, we have hundreds, at times thousands, of ducks, Canadian honkers, as well as several eagles (golden and bald), an osprey or two, hawks, songbirds, killdeer, Sandhill cranes, herons, etc --- and many of them nest in the spring and are here most of fall and winter. The geese are especially fun to watch with their goslings and they fill the pastures and fields (the love the 'seeds' that often fall out of the hay in winter.....easy "pickings!"
ReplyDeleteWhat's awesome is that wildlife like this cohabitates with cattle so perfectly (a rarely understood fact!)....and interestingly, most Canadian honkers actually mate for life -- although a sibling honkers my husband's family hatched out one year (after the nest was abandoned) eventually mated. They were amazing and hysterical! Along with an old domestic gray goose, they took up residence with the pigs and wouldn't leave them. They'd stretch their necks over the backs of the pigs as they lay in the sunshine! The old gray goose thought she was a pig, even went through the "pig chute" when we had to "ring" them --- honking all the way as she followed after them!
Our daughter, who has chickens, now has a resident honker, too --- he landed one day in the yard and has never left -- even when passing honkers honk to him to join them. He has now lived with the chickens (standing guard as it were -- and geese are BRUTAL watchdogs....be careful when approaching a "watchdog goose!") for well over a year.
Hi Gail, oh can I come visit you? What a great description of your ranch and the animals. I do believe they watch out for one another, as a general rule. I know this is strange, but since I tore my ACL, my cat stays beside me almost all day long and now has to sleep with me, touching me. When I was talking a med that caused me problems and one thing it did was create a certain sweet smell, my cat was in my face all night long. She knew before I did that I was having adverse reactions to the meds. It's strange how animals have a special sense. I love your addition to my blog. Thank you, thank you for adding so much "life experience" to it. Big hugs, Phyliss
DeleteA lot of food for thought. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRobyn Echols w/a Zina Abbott
Hi Robyn. Good to hear from you, my friend. I love this story and thought it is fitting to the jobs we have as writers, as well as other responsibilities in our lives. As Gail pointed out, there's a lot we can learn from God's creatures. Big hugs, Phyliss
ReplyDeleteHONK! HONK, HONK! What a great post, Phyliss! I love this! I had no idea about the facts about geese--did know a "bit" about the writing/editing part. LOL But it's all very true and good advice we can all remember and use in daily life. Glad you posted this--it really makes me think. I 'm saving it!
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Thanks, Cheryl. Now how in the world would you know about the publishing concept? Oops, you and Livia own a publishing company. LOL (I never know if LOL means laugh out loud or lots of love ... in this case it means both!) I've saved this for a lot of years as a reminder but it sure fits about everything in life. I'm gonna put a gaggle of geese in flight on my board about birds on Pinterest. Thanks my friend for leaving a comment. And big hugs from Texas. Love, Phyliss
DeletePhyliss, I love your blog. Very interesting about the geese and I love how you applied that to the business of writing. I love watching birds. They're really smart. There's a lot to learn from them. I don't anything is prettier than the sight of geese flying over against the backdrop of a blue sky.
ReplyDeleteHugs, dear friend!