I accepted writing about the word availability and wondered how it was even a character trait. I have since learned two things. #1) I didn’t know what availability really meant, and #2) availability is a Force Multiplier.

• The operational definition of availability is “making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving.”
• I was challenged in my study of availability. In order to discuss Availability, I would like to discuss 3 words: access, attention, and acknowledgement.

When I think of access, I picture a key. It is a big deal to give someone a key. Especially to your home. Keys represent access but it is irrelevant if you are never home. I’m sure that most of us have an open-door policy. I was challenged because I feel that I have given many people the key of access, through my open door. Access can be a place of shelter or a sanctuary. Shelters are temporary but sanctuaries are dedicated places that serve a purpose.

I apologized to a couple of people because I realized that I gave them access, but I wasn’t home to meet their needs. Access is great if you are present or dedicated to serve a purpose.

Also, during my journey of understanding availability the words set aside continually showed up as I was looking for different definitions and descriptions of availability.

Set aside means:

• A program requiring a percentage of opportunities (as for jobs or funding) to be reserved (attention) for an underrepresented group (acknowledge). This can be looked at in two parts:
• In moments of inconvenience, you offer your attention. I have always marveled at people who have this skill of giving their full attention to someone. They make you feel like you are the only person that exist in the moment. You can feel when someone is ‘fitting you in” versus, you are the only one that exist in that moment.
• Acknowledgement- what if your doctor acknowledges there is a problem and walks out of the room. I would feel cheated. You can acknowledge someone and not be available to them.

This brings me to realize:

• Access is not availability, but it is an ingredient.
• Attention is not availability, but it is an ingredient.
• Acknowledgement is not availability, but it is an ingredient.

This brings me to my definition of availability. Availability is the stewardship of the vulnerability of those entrusted to your sphere of influence. It is found at the crossroads of access, attention, and acknowledgment.

Availability is a Force Multiplier because words of affirmation, gifts, service, and affection mean nothing without availability!