IDI Example
Below is an extract from an actual IDI, used with permission.
Main Question: What does it mean to be in effective control of one’s career development and management efforts?
Cycle 1 Question: How has my upbringing influenced my desire and ability to be in effective control of my career development and management efforts?
Contemplative Frame: Family values
Foundation text: The first factor for our enlightenment . . . is the quality of mindfulness, a clear awareness of what is happening each moment.
M1: The phrase sounds simple, “a clear awareness of what is happening
each moment.” I find it is deceptively hard to accomplish, though. It takes
a huge amount of commitment and focus to stay concentrated and aware
when there is so much daily distraction. This is something I would like to
explore, how to accomplish what is important to me. I believe that a few
distractions every day eventually rob me of a large block of time I
want to put toward designing and executing my career plans.
M2: I notice I carry a strong sense of time, of filling every moment
with what I need to do to accomplish my goals. I am out of balance
with my rush to accomplish things.
D2: How do we decide what gets pushed to the side? Career,
relationships, family, education, knitting? It seems something
always suffers.
D3: Do I really need less responsibility in order to attain
awareness? Am I so busy doing the things that come next I miss
the beauty of what is now? Or do I even care to experience the
beauty of what’s now? Why do I allow my days to be swallowed
up by night, again and again all the while rushing to accomplish
the task list, rather than slowing down and accomplishing more.
I feel I’ve has a successful day when I’ve accomplished numerous
tasks. I rarely look at a day where I accomplished one task well
as success.
D2: There never is time for everything, how do I decide what is kept
and what is pushed out of the circle of control? Grew up understanding
family is very important. You must work at maintaining your relationships,
family is forever. But with the expectations I have each day, my personal
needs are pushed further and further out of the circle.
M1: I feel some anxiety about understanding what I should be choosing to be
aware of in each moment. What is of value, and what is extraneous or just
distracting? How do I tell the difference? How can I catch everything and
therefore show that I am capable of being aware?
M2: I notice that my view is pointed toward showing capability,
competence. This seems to be the measure I always use.
M3: I feel a sense of anxiety about always making the right
decision, being smart enough to make the best choice.
D1: I am aware of things around me but what is the quality of this
mindfulness. What am I supposed to recognize, what is the important point
in this? The word quality brings up feelings of expectations I might not meet.
M2: I can relate to not meeting expectations; this is a fear I live with.
I won’t be competent or worthy if I fall short, whether it’s meeting a
sales plan, being a good parent, being a good student or friend.
D2: Is the ultimate goal to be making thousands of steps, such as
decisions, towards our goal every day? Selection of choices that will
ultimately bring change or the process of change. Dharma is the ultimate
truth or reality, but who decides what is reality? Assuming it is me,
when is it true? Am I avoiding the concept by questioning the reasoning?
My truth is well hidden among my fears.
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