Hi Friend
What a strong, fun work week! I brainstormed with a client about an event for 2022, which is always a fun exercise. I took a two hour tour of a beer distribution operation, which is a new client in the Fall. I was amazed at how quickly things turnaround from sales, to pulling/loading to out in the stores. It’s super impressive how humanity and technology interface. Well executed processes fascinate me!
I recorded a conversation with my friend Teela and a Keynote Speaker for an event I’m MC’ing in September. I went to Stillwater to support one of my speaker friends, Shannon. Most importantly we put the finishing touches on our upcoming Guide, called “Please Don’t Host Sucky Hybrid Conferences.” Monica did a killer job with the layout & design. I’m hopeful it will be an essential resource for anyone producing a conference in the near future.
What I enjoyed so much this week is the variety of activity & people I got to engage. I’m grateful for the diverse worlds I get to play in. Exposure & conversation tend to create amazing learning experiences. Hearing how other people spend their time and energy – what is normal to them – and completely unknown to me, challenges my imagination.
I suspect our weekly layers of learning are often lost because we assert little effort to retain them. Even with my journaling habit, I never go back & re-read what I wrote. I’m hoping just the act of writing it down causes it to remain more readily accessible. I don’t know if it does though.
Obviously, I’m recalling my week here and sending you this letter of recollection, in hopes that it will also embed some knowledge in my noggin.
Everyday is an Education!
Everyday is also a test.
I’m tested on so many fronts from the moment I wake up. Will I hit snooze? Will I adhere to the routine I’ve created? Will I accept or reject the different thoughts that dance across my mind? Will I take or delay action? Will I point myself towards difficulty or away? Will I put jelly on my toast or leave it dry? Will yesterdays knowledge inform todays decisions?
These and many many more come in a variety of ways through my mind, through responsibilities, through relationships and through every day life. Some are multiple choice. Some are True or False. Some require an essay. At the heart of every test lies the core challenge: Will I ADVANCE or MAINTAIN?
I believe so much in forward progress that it threatens my identity when I feel like I’m capitulating to maintaining. It reminds me of the U2 lyric from God, Part II, “I don’t believe in riches but you should see where I live.” In this season of my life there seems to be a recurring loop of maintaining. It’s disheartening. I equate maintaining with going backwards.
There is very little space for a life to idle in place.
I’m also conscious that maintenance exists within maintain. Recalibrating, rotating and replenishing are vitally necessary resources for renewing our souls. However, when it is reoccurring, I lack appreciation for the necessity.
What’s weird is that I can review this past week and see clearlythat we gained ground in our efforts. Yet simultaneously feel like I’m standing still! 😟
Instigating Ideas
1. Capture your lessons from last week.
2. Share something you learned with someone.
3. Define where you’re being tested.
4. List one or two areas you’ve made advances.
I know why I feel stunted, even in a week of forward progress: LINGERING TASKS. Despite accomplishments, the things incomplete and undone magnify disproportionally, so much so, that it effects my self-perception. The ongoing test of resolve to see the whole picture in context remains a continual quiz. Thankfully I have this medium to reflect on what I’ve previously learned about myself and life.
As stated, exposure and conversation make for the best educational encounters; expanding my own world view and talking to myself, included.
Are you advancing but feel like you’re maintaining?
Review, reflect and write it out.