Hi Friend
It’s happening. That sense of seasons changing. Even though I don’t have kids in secondary education any more, I know that school started this week. Instagram is flooded with first day pics. You see the relief in parents eyes that the kids are finally out of the house. There is a sense of hushed hope.
I’m also experiencing it. We’re headed into the Fall with more speaking dates being added to the calendar consistently. We possess that same sense of reserved hope that all these live events will happen. Though just this week we also sent a virtual producer proposal to a conference who is considering shifting from in-person to virtual.
One season that hasn’t changed is Uncertainty. That looming sense still remains. Fortunately there is a simple way to navigate it: Persistence. We just keep moving forward as if what we’re doing now will matter in the future, both near and far.
We’ve been working on our Hybrid Guide for the last month and it’s finally going to see the light of day this week. It’s cooler and more useful than I imagined it would be. I’m really excited. You know what’s weird though? Right as we think we’re creating something relevant, the conversation is shifting back towards virtual-only.
Granted the Hybrid Guide contains all the elements for an amazing virtual experience, but it’s not branded that way. For a brief second I thought “Should we pause, re-edit and delay getting it out in the market?” (Of course I didn’t say that out loud to Monica or Sarah). 😳
Shifting Unknowns Can’t Dictate Direction
Unfortunately, many humans allow their lives to be shaped by external surroundings. Determining where to go or what to do based on circumstances. Granted sometimes that makes a lot of sense. Equally, choosing a path despite outer circumstances leads to unknown conclusions.
That’s the difference. Following the ebbs and flows of societal shiftings leads us to a predictable end. Setting our course, despite moving landscapes, enables to achieve in a divergent way. In the business community all the famous CEO’s and companies who chose to cut their own path become the one others try to emulate.
Of course there are loads more non-famous CEO’s and companies who have floundered, failed and missed the mark, because they lacked awareness of changing times.
Determined Despite
Settled Choice
Anticipated Vision
Aware but Undaunted
Courage, Possibly Foolish
Unproven, Until
The beauty of determining to do a thing, to be a thing, to aspire towards something creates its own north star. Having that anchor in the future doesn’t diminish the reality of our surroundings, it just deflates the influence it might have.
What’s deep in you that keeps you fixed on it, regardless of the world around you? I suspect the more of those things we carry truly, the freer we are to navigate a tumultuous landscape.
Instigating Ideas
1. Write down something you’re anticipating from this upcoming season.
2. Share your future anchor with someone.
3. What outside influence are you giving too much weight to?
I’m headed to the airport in an hour or so to enjoy my week in Chicago. Tonight I will be watching the White Sox and Yankees in person. Woo Hoo! The week I’m taking a workcation we are launching the Hybrid Guide campaign. Can’t tell you how great that feels to have a capable team here, while I’m there, knowing it’s all going to go smoothly.
You will be getting an email inviting you to download it. I would love for you to take a look at it. You know me, I’d love to hear your thoughts about it as well. Feel free to pass it on to any of your friends who are hosting conferences.
Uncertainty has always been a constant reality. These days it’s just so much more magnified that we’re forced to acknowledge itand confront it directly. I hope you remain determined despite outside forces compelling you otherwise!