Adapt or Die (Sort of).

Welcome to the August edition of 8 on the 8th, where I share eight things based on my own self-leadership journey designed to help you think, reflect, and grow.?

—SRS??

And with that, let’s dive in:?

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WORD I AM FOCUSED ON—?

(noun): ADAPTABILITY - The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.? ?

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WHAT I AM PONDERING—?

Shifting and managing perspectives—my own, specifically what happens when I decide to be open to seeing things in a new and fresh way.?

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?WHAT I AM LOVING—?

I love hearing from you! I have received lots of feedback about this newsletter and book recommendations (which I really appreciate!). So, keep your feedback coming.?

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?WHERE I AM SHARING MY IDEAS—?

As you might remember, I revamped my website a few months ago. I have been adding articles over the last few weeks – you can check them out here.?

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?WHAT I AM READING—?

★ Q - The Autobiography of Quincy Jones?

Q documents Jones’ incredible journey from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the most influential figures in music and entertainment. This story is a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of music to transform lives.? ?

★ When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Ch?dr?n??

This book is about embracing and moving towards pain and difficult emotions rather than avoiding them. Ch?dr?n suggests emphasizes staying present, facing our fears, and accepting reality as it is.??

(I've read this book a few times over the years. It has become a touchstone to help me navigate the choppy waters of life.)? ?

★ Stop Fixing Yourself by Anthony De Mello??

De Mello emphasizes you are already whole and complete as you are and that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with you that you need to “fix.” Instead, he encourages readers to become more aware and present, suggesting that by simply being watchful and awake, the false and neurotic aspects of ourselves will naturally fall away.? ?

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WHO I AM QUOTING—??

PEMA CHODRON ??

The real transformation takes place when we let go of our attachment and give away what we think we can't...to the degree we can live like this, we can communicate the ability to others. This is called giving the gift of fearlessness.?

ARISTOTLE ONASSIS ??

We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.

WHAT I AM RECOMMENDING—?

Practicing radical accountability. It is simple but not always easy. I have found that committing to radical accountability will force you to pay more attention to what you say “yes” to, which is a good thing. So, you might do less, but your integrity increases because you do what you say you will—which everyone appreciates.??

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WHAT I AM SUGGESTING YOU REFLECT ON—?

Ask yourself: What will you do with the 145 days (about 5 months) we have left in 2024 to ensure that you can count this year as productive for you??

★ Final thought—?

Remember: things change.??

One of the things I have been hearing a lot lately is that Summer 2024 did not turn out as many people thought. There were hurricanes, losses (of all stripes), disagreements, general confusion, tomfoolery, etc., you name it, and people have told me they have?experienced it.

I hear you, and I get it – it’s been a bit of a “valley” of a summer. However, what I am certain about is the impermanence of things.? So, hang in there and trust that the tide will turn; it always does.?

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