8 on the 8th: On “rewirement,” blossoming, and giving 100%.

This newsletter is dedicated to those who get up every morning on a mission to make things happen.

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Welcome to the 8 on the 8th, where I share eight things designed to help you think, reflect, and grow based on my self-leadership journey. Success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. I hope that by sharing in real time, you feel the freedom to do the same.

- SRS

Below are my 8 for April 2024:

Word I am focused on.

Blossom (verb): To develop and become successful or beautiful; to come into flower; to develop or reach a promising stage.

This month, I'm hyper-focused on ensuring that I give maximum attention to the seeds I planted this winter and fall so I can enjoy the harvest this spring and summer.

What I am pondering.

What new BIG adventures do I want to take into this next chapter of my life, which I have dubbed the “Golden era.”

[Golden Era is defined as a period when something or someone was particularly successful, good, or exceptional.]

What I am loving.

Warmer temperatures and more outdoor activities. My favorite activities are walking and thinking, preferably simultaneously, and Springtime sets the stage for me to do that more often. I often use my a.m. walking time to think through my tasks for the day and finalize my plan of attack.

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Where I am speaking.

April 11: Women in Tech Conference at Chevron - In-person

April 18: UH Small Business Development Center - In-person

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What I am reading.

The 40th-anniversary edition of Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges, Ph.D.

Transitions are one of those inevitable things in life – no matter who you are, what you do, or what you have, it’s guaranteed that you will experience many transitions in life. Whether you plan a transition or have one thrust upon you, there will undoubtedly be difficult, painful points on the journey.

If you have spoken to me lately, you know my new favorite term is “rewirement.” So, when I read this in Transitions, the words jumped off the page:

“So in the end, the homeward journey of life’s second half demands three things:

First, we unlearn the style of masting the world that we used to take us through the first half of life; Second, that we resist our own longings to abandon the developmental journey and refuse invitations to stay forever at some attractive stopping place; and Third, that we recognize that it will take real effort to regain the inner “home.”

The transitions in life’s second half offer a special kind of opportunity to break with the social conditioning that has carried us successfully this far and do something really new and different. It is a season more in tune than the earlier ones with the deeper promptings of the spirit.”

Stay tuned for more on my “rewirement” and second-half of life transition(s).

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Who I am quoting.

Greg Harden

“The greatest competition you’re ever going to face is yourself. If you can take yourself on and be better than you were yesterday, you can take on anybody. So imagine this for me: If you train yourself to give 100 percent, 100 percent of the time, to the stuff you hate, how phenomenal are you going to be when you get to the stuff you love?"

"This is where I’m trying to take you, and as I said earlier, it’s one of the most important things I’m going to say to you in this entire book: If you make it your mindset, your vision of who you are, that you’re going to make it a habit to give 100 percent, 100 percent of the time, in everything you do—if you make that your norm, your base level, your default mode—then on your absolutely worst day, even when you slip, you’re still going to be better than the average person on their BEST day."

What I am recommending.

Full Focus Planner -- https://fullfocusstore.com/pages/planner

In an increasingly digital world, having a physical planner encourages you to step away from screens and engage with your plans in a tangible way. Its goal setting, task prioritization, time blocking, and reflection are done in a minimalist and elegant fashion.

What I am suggesting you reflect on.

Two questions:

1. What seeds did you plant in fall and winter that you look forward to seeing blossom this spring and summer?
2. What plants in your garden of life need tending? Relationships? Work? Self-care?

Final thought

Here's to making it happen today and every day this month!

BONUS SECTION:?ICYMI

• My friend and co-host of Culture Club HTX, Leisa Holland-Nelson, is the Chair of the American Cancer Society of Greater Houston's board and I had the great pleasure of supporting her at the Tickled Pink luncheon, which is the American Cancer Society’s premier fundraising luncheon honoring exceptional Houstonians who have made significant contributions to our community. Leisa and the host committee educated and entertained over 700 guests and raised over $400,000 to fund groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and much more, making a real difference in our beloved Houston community.

• Speaking of Culture Club HTX, we turned one month old and hit 75,000 listeners! If you have not had a chance to check out the show, you are in luck! You can find the latest episodes and other fun show content on the following channels:
• Spotify
• YouTube
• ESPN 97.5 You can listen live on Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. CST