An important lesson I learned is don't assume the person who told you “it doesn't really matter” wasn't exactly like you a few years ago. They're not against you, they're fighting the same battle for autonomy as you but they've been there longer and lost more.

Organizations are like bread factories that bleach all the nutrients out of the grain and then artificially add a few select ones back into the mix.

Fixing the problem is very difficult. These ideas have been around at least since the 1960's, e.g. McGregor's Theory Y and even Abraham Maslow wrote a book on Management. Even well before that John Dewey worked out some similar (I think better) ideas and famously applied them to education.

The problem is that organizing for intrinsic motivation doesn't scale very effectively. Without structure there are a lot of cracks for people to get left behind and free-riders to take advantage of, so the system evolves back to the kind of organizations we know and hate.

It's not impossible though (I hope) — which is why I spent years working on it. The solution will require having the right technology (which we might have now) and preparing enough of the right leaders (will take time) to propagate the right culture.

It's amazing how synchronicity works too. I literally read the first few (like 3 or 4 pages) of Dan Pinks “DRIVE” tonight and he talked about an experiment of monkeys solving a puzzle. It was placed in their “cages” for no reason. The monkeys started to solve the puzzle – without any form of recognition – no food, special favors, monkey sex, affection. They got nothing out of solving the puzzles. After a couple weeks – they tested the monkeys and they could do the puzzle test within a minute.

They were motivated by the sheer desire to solve this puzzle. There is a drive in us that is very strong and does not need to be awarded any kind of recognition. We simply do things out of enjoyment or interest.

When the monkeys were given reward – such as food – they actually performed worse!

Again, I've only read a few pages and stumbled back to your page tonight as I edit photographs for a client tomorrow.

Get this Brian, I was off on stress leave while the 'annual reviews' were happening at my work. They never asked me to fill it out and just put their own comments in. Not even once I was back – “it doesn't really matter.”

Yet, on my own blog – I did a 5 or 6 part review that is very in depth for me. For no other reason than to reflect on what I personally accomplished this year and felt proud of. It's helped me to see where I came from and where 2010 will head. I also have a lot more direction and discipline. It's nice to feel positive and I hope to make it out to some geek dinners for once!!!

Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your FiftyTwoWeeks project. I'll keep my ears open for ideas.

I'm excited for 2010 and making it what I want it to be.

After what I personally accomplished in 2009 I think I now have a better understanding about the time and effort needed to make things happen.

I hope that everyone's 2010 turns out to be a year in which they make things happen, for their own personal gain and enjoyment, but for their communities as well.

Last of all, I am super excited about my new project, http://fiftytwoweeks.ca/ , which is all about creativity and exploration.