Day 2,298

Growth:

Trying to save a few seconds can lead to losing half an hour if the savings are through deviating from process. There was a great reminder for me today of how easy it is to take a shortcut thinking that it will save time only to have it backfire and cost exponentially more time. So much better to follow the process and to remember that slow is fast in the long run.

Appreciation:

Once in a while days just don’t quite to go the way I’d envisioned. Nothing bad, just everything was off by a half a step or so. There seemed to be a little grit in all the gears so things didn’t go as smoothly as possible. My tasks all seemed to take 10% more time than they should. Everything was just a little off – even this blog isn’t quite going the way I wanted it to. Hmm…

Here’s what I am thankful for today. I don’t have many days like this. The overwhelming majority of the time it seems everything runs much more smoothly. I am grateful for days like this being in the minority.

I also appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow through days like this. I’m able to pull apart reasons why it is going as it is and how I can prevent it in the future. I’m practicing how to keep my emotions level as I work through it. Ultimately, it is a test for me to pass, an opportunity to show myself if I’ve really learned and grown as I hoped I have over the past year.

Sure, I hope tomorrow is a little more well oiled, but I’m still appreciative for the opportunity to work through a rusty day and to have the reminder of how fortunate I really am.

Presence:

While practicing a presentation I have tomorrow I paused and took a quiet moment of emotion for myself. The scene I was driving through was picturesque. I felt extremely close to Dad based on the nature of what I had been working on. My mind was a little run down and needed a pause. I put all of those together and enjoyed a quiet moment of emotion.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,297

Growth:

I know, I sound like a one trick pony recently, but I’m amazed at how much Awareness has impacted my view. More so than I can remember I’m pausing and reviewing my thoughts and actions as a third party observer and learning more about myself.

Most often it is the way my ego needs to be stroked or how my thoughts don’t take the positive view as quickly as I’d like. On a positive note I’m catching myself starting to listen a little more and talk a little less.

Appreciation:

The boys and I really don’t watch much TV, but there is one show we’ll slowly work through together – Alone. 10 contestants survive alone in a difficult environment and see who last longest with minimal gear and no human contact. We enjoy learning more about outdoor survival and ways we can amp up our camping game.

What I enjoy most isn’t the show, it is the time with my sons, talking, joking, learning, and appreciating our shared passion for the outdoors.

Presence:

On our run this morning Becky and I became keenly aware of the direction of the light breeze. The wind came out of the south west and was a little brisk. The sensation of the very cool air on my legs felt really good for some crazy reason and I enjoyed it more than I should have. Those same legs and cold also brought me another moment of presence when they started to thaw out and almost felt a little burny. 😉

Thanks!!!

Day 2,296

Growth:

I had a very profound realization today while hiking. At 46 years old I am not nearly as smart as I thought I was when I was 23.

Appreciation:

Dominic helped me with buying and installing new headlights and windshield wipers. Nice to enjoy more of those father son moments while we still have the opportunity for them! Struggles, successes, researching, troubleshooting, and joking all while smiling and laughing together. Awesome memories to make today!

Presence:

I really should take better notes throughout the day as there was a moment which seemed very meaningful at the time which has faded (at least for the moment).

The views on the hike Becky and I took today were amazing! The snow, the ice, the frost, the bluffs, & the trees. Outstanding!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,295

Growth:

Win or lose there’s always an opportunity to learn. Choose to grow from the challenge and you always win regardless of the result.

Appreciation:

Trust the process. It’s as easy as that. When the strategy works just follow it and trust it. No need for nervousness, put in the reps and do the work as necessary.

I spent a few hours today working through the creative process. What really struck me was that by following the process I was able to better lean into my creativity to script the right message. Today I’m grateful for all the work that came before today to help create the process.

Presence:

There was a moment right out of a winter scenes greeting card when Becky and I walked LuLu today. The snow and frost covered much of the landscape and the sun was just starting to come up in an orange hue in between the branches of a dark green pine tree. Truly awesome.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,294

Growth:

Timing is everything once in a while. Today I had a moment in which I was almost the best me I could have been and it was almost all due to the reading of Awareness recently. I had just finished it before that moment and have already doubled back to re-read it afterwards.

Appreciation:

There were a few moments today in which I felt I was living into my purpose. The satisfaction and joy felt during and after those experiences were priceless! Each day I’m tracking the happiness of my day on a scale of -2 to +2 to help me bring awareness to what really energizes me. The feeling of purpose has pushed today into a +2 day.

Presence:

I’m grateful for starting and ending each day with intentionality by reading my 2023 Plan. Those couple of moments of focus are helping me keep my most important goals top of mind by priming me mentally. Those focused moments of presence and intentionality have led me to increased presence with my family and friends.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,293

Growth:

Focus and process really take work. After wrapping up last year with a dose of Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport I’ve spent many moments pausing and catching myself as I turn to my phone and computer to allow me a distraction – usually without realizing I’m doing it until I catch myself in the act. Definitely more to work on, but I’m already seeing signs of progress. Awareness of the action is one of the most powerful ways to start to make the change.

Appreciation:

As I continue to prep for some of my upcoming author talks I’m continuing to be surprised a just how many stories and nuggets of wisdom I put into my book. Each time I dive in to find a story to use I end up finding about four or five that are on topic AND get distracted with another two or three future topics. Maybe it’s just me or maybe it’s a writing thing, but after I sent it off to print I actually felt kind of underwhelmed with the final project. I kept wondering if I put enough in or if I did justice to my time during the experience. Now I’m feeling much better about the finished project, these types of deep dives are helping me see that there is a lot worked into it. Funny how that works, isn’t it? I felt very confident about it until I shipped it, then I felt as if it weren’t good enough even though I had received very positive feedback, and it wasn’t until I started to really dive back into it almost six months later that I finally saw it as a solid work again. Definitely a good thing to remember before as I write my next ones.

Presence:

This has been one of the most scenic winters I can remember! This morning there was another fresh coating of snow in all the trees. My drive up to Winona was spectacular! So much snow in the early morning darkness causing the entire world to be awash in a black and white view. The colors of brake lights and traffic signs really popped due to their contrast with the black and white tones behind them.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,292

Growth:

When we use labels on others we see people only as the labels we put upon them. This mutes our ability to see them as their true selves. As an example, I saw Dad as “Dad.” As he lay in the hospital I was quickly introduced to Dad “the brother,” Dad “the friend,” and Dad “the church parishioner.” So many versions of Dad that I never really took time to see because I only saw him as “Dad.”

How often in life do I see only one facet or version of a person? How many times would my life and theirs both be enriched by seeing them in totality?

Definitely something for me to continue pondering and working through, the removal of the blinders of labels.

Appreciation:

Over the past couple of years I’ve witnessed such a circularity of leadership. Yesterday was my 23rd anniversary of joining Express and I’ve been asked several questions about my career which have had me waxing nostalgic. As I think back to where I began and then contrast to where I am there’ve been two very striking observations.

First – there’s still so much to learn, even after 23 years.

Second – the circle of leadership is incredible to see. Like many things in life it’s difficult to see it looking forward, the best views are when connecting the dots looking backwards. I’m finding myself having the same conversations but from the other side of the table this second time. So many excellent words of wisdom I’ve received from so many strong mentors in the past, their words now coming out of my mouth to help others. I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to share their wisdom and to pass along their legacy.

Presence:

There are so many nuggets intertwined into the stories in de Mello’s Awareness that I can’t help but be 100% present in the moment as I read the book. As I read it over and over again there’s more and more depth to be found within its pages. There are some pieces to thought provoking that I’ve learned to pause the book to truly be a sponge to the concepts. Here’s the one that caught me today:

“Pleasant experiences make life delightful. Painful experiences lead to growth. Pleasant experiences make life delightful, but they don’t lead to growth in themselves. What leads to growth is painful experiences. Suffering points out an area in which you have not yet grown, where you need to grow and be transformed and change. If you knew how to use that suffering, oh, how you would grow!”

Anthony de Mello, Awareness

Thanks!!!

Day 2,291

Growth:

Of all the different titles I read last year there was one I read four times in 2022. I thought it only fitting that it become my first book of 2023. Awareness by Anthony de Mello has been on e of the single most impactful books I’ve read in my entire life. Each re-reading brings a new found bit of wisdom to help me live a better live.

One of the many passages that resonated with me today was this:

It’s not that we fear the unknown. You cannot fear something that you do not know. Nobody is afraid of the unknown. What you really fear is the loss of the known.

Anthony de Mello

Appreciation:

I’m thankful for the many ways we all connect in our interests as a family. We each have our very unique interests and hobbies, but there’s some significant overlap on a macro level that helps us all find common ground even when we’re each interested in our own things. What really got me thinking about this today was the recommendation Dominic had for me in a documentary to watch while riding my bike trainer this morning. He knew I have a shared interest in the mountains, especially in the Himalayas, and hit a home run for me! I appreciate the overlap we have in our interests, especially as they relate to the appreciation of the outdoors and nature.

Presence:

In the office today I had a craving for a little snack. There was an excellent supply of candy and other sweet goodies available, all calling my name. One of the things I’m tracking in my 2023 plan is whether or not I cave in to temptation of sweets. I paused, took a deep breath, reminded myself that this was just a craving and not a hunger, and walked away. Those little wins feel so good!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,290

Growth:

So easy to start with big plans, to dream huge, and then suffer and crumble under the weight of too many big ideas. Frustrating to see a huge opportunity but have to break it into small components to build upon each other over an extended amount of time with slack built it.

Fun to try new things for a bit to see what works best. Difficult and pedestrian to do the same simple processes over and over again to get long term inertia going.

My ambitions are big, but my actions must be small and consistent. Slow and steady wins the race, consistency and grit will be the victors every time. Here’s to remembering this in the moments in which my eyes are bigger than my appetite!

Appreciation:

Today I had the opportunity to put a handful of hours into my writing practice and it is 100% because of the support of my family. The reason I am able to create space to do this is because of how hard they all pitch in to cover soon have the opportunity to chase this dream. I am thankful for all each of them did to allow me to stay focused.

I can’t imagine not having a family team like this to help support each other in all of our endeavors.

Presence:

There was a small and very unexpected moment today in which I was one hundred percent focused on the present. I hopped in the car to drive to yoga while Becky grabbed the last of her things to join me. I’m that moment I sat in the car with no radio on, no phone on me, and all alone. It was incredibly serene and peaceful and I enjoyed every second of it. Having a moment left with nothing but my thoughts was a wonderful bonus gift to get me in the mood for yoga.

With all the noise in life – most of it welcomed and positive – the moments of quiet can be profoundly soothing.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,289

Growth:

I’m wrapping up my 2022 reading list and have been very interested in the research project. Breaking down the total number of number of books read (112), the number of unique titles read (104), and the number of different genres read (business just edged out fiction and personal development).

Here’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from reviewing the data…. I read more books this year than in any single year of my life and all that diverse reading has resulted in many new ideas, living a more clear purpose, and more joy.

Appreciation:

The day is one like any of the other 364, yet it holds the potential and promise of a future unlike any of its brethren. A clean slate, a new calendar, unlimited opportunities. So much more magic than other days…

…yet truly no different than the rest. Each day is the first of the present and of the future. Each day of the other 364 holding all the same glittering opportunities of todays date.

Why do I treat them differently? How do I realize that each day is the beginning of the future, all starting in the present?

I’m grateful for realizing the folly of my thoughts and the opportunity to learn and grow as a result.

Presence:

My bed…. Ahh… nothing quite like the sensation of laying down in my own bed while blogging and getting ready to go to bed.

Thanks!!!