Day 2,249

Growth:

Never shave your mustache until you have to. In preparation for our snorkeling trip today I shaved off my mustache last night. Imagine my giggle when I read the email this morning saying our snorkel trip was canceled due to weather and wasn’t available tomorrow. Had I been smart I would’ve read my email earlier and shaved later. No worries, it’ll grow back!

Appreciation:

One of the benefits of Iceland is that when one door closes unexpectedly there are many more waiting to be opened. Rather than sulk we immediately shifted into Plan B and went on an awesome hike to see Iceland’s tallest waterfall. No tears were shed, more lifelong memories were made, and all was well. How fortunate to be so close to so many epics adventures!

Presence:

After hiking and dinner Gavin and I hopped into the hot tub while Steve wrapped a couple of things up inside. We relaxed in the outdoor hot tub with our stocking caps on and enjoyed the hot water. For a while all three of just sat back, listened to the wind, and enjoyed watching the stars. Pretty awesome!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,248

Growth:

To decide what we wanted to see today we relied on one of our guidebooks. After watching Eurotrip and laughing throughout the show Gavin recommended I bring Frommer’s book on Iceland. As luck would have it that made a huge difference in our day! Turns out good old Frommer and team know what they’re talking about and recommended an excellent drive resulting in some epic views! As Jack Handy once put it, “some times the so called experts actually are.”

Appreciation:

I’m very appreciative for Gavin’s decision to make a return trip to Iceland. This island is mind blowingly magnificent in some many ways and it feels like it could be home. This country has quickly become one of those places that resonate with me at an awesome frequency (along with New Zealand, the big island of Hawaii, the upper peninsula of Michigan, and – of course – La Crosse)

Having the opportunity to come back has been almost as surreal as the first trip here. I’m still wrapping my head around it.

Excellent choice Gavin!!!

Presence:

Another handful of magical moments today. A few a that really jumped out all revolve around seeing the sun. I totally take seeing the sun for granted, but being in Iceland in late November has really helped me appreciate seeing that shiny orb.

When the sun came out today it did so in some pretty dramatic ways…

Thanks!!!

Day 2,247

Growth:

Remember to wait, to be safe, and appreciate the added benefit of the forced pause time. As a storm rolled in just as we were about to hike we opted to wait it out in the car. We decided to take a 30 minute nap while we waited. The alarm went off, the skies were free of storms, and we hiked with almost zero precipitation. Added bonus – some of the higher elevations now had a fresh dusting of snow which added a magical feeling to the entire experience.

Appreciation:

Sometimes I build up a memory into something way bigger than it truly was. Today we repeated a hike we did in June and I was nervous about whether I was remembering it correctly. When we got there it was quickly obvious that my fears were correct and it wasn’t as I remembered… it was even more grand! How awesome to have an incredible memory turn out to be not nearly as incredible as it should have been. I did my best to remember harder this time.

Presence:

This moment for so many reasons.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,246

Growth:

Awareness, awareness, awareness. Listening to my inner voice, hearing what I am saying, and being aware of my thoughts. Humbling and helpful all at had same time.

Appreciation:

Today was our ice cave tour and my mind is still reeling from how incredibly unreal it was! At times I paused and considered how to take a photo to do justice to the beauty around me. Some of the times I figured it, but many I couldn’t. In those times I paused, soaked it all in, and appreciated being in the moment.

Presence:

Do I really need to say anything with a phot like this?

Thanks!!!

Day 2,245

Growth:

Sleep is a wonderful thing. Never underestimate the power of a well timed 30 minute nap.

Appreciation:

On our overnight flight Gavin propped his head against my shoulder as he fell asleep. Knowing that moments like that will likely become more and more rare I soaked up each and every precious second of it.

Presence:

How’s this for a sight today? Wowza!!!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,244

Growth:

A few weeks ago one of my teammates shared an Out of Office reply that was truly terrible in many ways. What one could conclude from their automated response was that they a) didn’t value personal time, b) felt their employer put too much on them, and c) didn’t trust their teammates. This led me to leave a very different automated response focused on how much I trust, appreciate, and respect my teammates. I hope they see the reply and smile when they see it. I am so thankful for all of them!

Appreciation:

What I’m most thankful for today is the focus Becky and I have had on what is one of the most important things to us – travel. By keeping that passion front and center we’ve had some wildly unique and memorable experiences I’ll remember forever.

Presence:

I had to whip a quick U turn while driving back from Stoddard this morning. The drive along the Mississippi River yielded a unique opportunity. There were hundreds of tundra swans all huddled up in a backwater channel just off from a scenic pullout. Talk about awesome!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,243

Growth:

Today I was reminded of the importance of creating space and focusing. Someone once said to treat each day as if it were your last before vacation – and today literally was just that! The impending collision with a deadline really focuses the brain.

Appreciation:

I’m so glad Becky and I started our day with yoga this morning. It was originally meant to be for her before she spent the day traveling but it also turned out to be for me. After two days of driving 4+ hours each day I didn’t realize the damage it caused to my hips and back. Yoga helped get it all straightened out and felt amazing. Centering, balancing, and healing…. Ahhh…

Presence:

Listening to learn is very different than listening to be right. Today I had to stay 100% present in a conversation lest I start thinking of how to prove my point rather than hearing what the person truly intended. By staying in the moment all I could do was listen and it helped me hear a response I wasn’t expecting. Powerful stuff!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,242

Growth:

What a day of learning! So many new ideas at out Workforce Solutions Summit – both in retaining and speaking. Planning, practice, and intentionality were amongst the most important.

Appreciation:

When speaking on our 2022 retention strategy I’m reminded how grateful I am for such a wonderful team I get to work with every day. They all are the true heroes behind our retention and engagement successes, I appreciate them big time!!!

Presence:

Once again the presence necessary for speaking was a tremendous positive experience. What was even better was when I noticed I was still tense and had my shoulders up. Deep breath, “flip the switch,” “can I do this,” and then off to the races!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,241

Growth:

Sometimes it takes a step back to see how far we’ve come. In preparation for a client meeting I realized my teams have put people to work at well over 1,500 different businesses since I’ve been with Express. How crazy is that? So many experiences through the past 20+ years!

Appreciation:

Today I got to help in one of my favorite parts of my role. A new business is looking build and open a new location and we’re looking for advice on the local hiring market. We spent well over an hour sharing best practices, notes, and potential solutions. Having an opportunity to grow the business from incubation into maturity is quite rewarding on so many levels.

Presence:

During my drive home I was absolutely enthralled by one of my all time favorite Vonnegut books, Slaughterhouse-Five. There was so much detail I picked up that had been missed the last time around. Thought provoking, humorous, and philosophically challenging all at the same time. Genius!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,240

Growth:

Remembering to look ahead at my calendar a couple of days before I leave work for the day provides the opportunity to get a little ahead. Simple practice to work into my daily routine.

Appreciation:

I’m really thankful for the long sunny days of summer today. The early darkness and cloudy weather really reminded me to appreciate those summer days – especially like the ones we had in Iceland this past summer when it was light all day long!

Presence:

With a deadline looming I went into full on flow mode. Office door closed, phone off, headphones on, and whiteboard at the ready. What a difference a focused state of flow makes!

Thanks!!!