The complex… Repetition leads…

The complex… made simpler(er)

With rare exception most of us entered the business with fair mechanical skills, but electricity was another matter. For most it was uncharted territory. If we were totally honest, it was frightening. Unlike a leaking fitting or a clogged wash arm, electricity is potentially dangerous. But knowledge is power.

First there are two types of electrical current: direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Direct current only flows in one direction. Alternating current (AC) changes direction 60 times per second (ergo alternating current).

120-volt AC circuits use an insulated black and white wire and a bare copper ground wire. The black wire is called the “hot” lead and the white one “neutral”. That neutral wire provides the return path for the AC current that’s delivered by the black wire. The bare wire grounds the powered device and will cause the circuit breaker to trip if either the white or black wire is shorted out in that device.

240 volts can either be Single Phase or Three Phase (there’s no two phase). The difference between them is how the 120 volt black (L1), the 120 volt red (L2) and 0 volt white (L3) and copper ground wires are used. For single phase, L1 and L2 only two wires are used because L1 and L2 are 180 degrees out of phase and take turns as the neutral return wire. The white wire isn’t needed for single phase power.

In a three-phase 240-volt circuit L1 & L2, L3 and ground are all used by attaching each to its’ respective connection point to provide 240 volts. BTW, a 240-volt circuit should always be protected by a two-pole circuit breaker. so that if either L1 or L2 is shorted, power to both L1 and L2 is cut.

Next up: Testing that 240 volt source.

Repetition leads … to perfection

Do almost anything long enough and repetitively enough and muscle memory of it can take root. Once we’ve embed the muscle memory of how we grip a golf club, or keeping our head down as we swing, we no longer have to think about them. Accomplishing that condition means our mind is then free to think about the finer points of the game.

But it’s as true for mental skills as it is for physical activities like swinging that golf club. And accomplishing that means the task can be performed without having to think about the details of doing it. And with it becoming more automatic we can fine tune doing it to get even better.

Take that opening statement that’s intended to create favorable attention in that prospect’s mind. If we can call on one that’s well designed – and already imbedded in our mind’s muscle memory, the rest of our attention can read the room to see how well (or not) it’s working.

If we can mentally embed the “script” in our muscle memory for presenting the case for improved results, lowering costs or delivering better service, we can be mentally free to improvise it as necessary and improve it when that’s possible.

Next up: A case for canned pitches.