The View from Here

“I remember the days that I prayed for what I have now” - Millennial Social Media?

As I prepare for two weeks away from the persistent and ever present company of Teams and Outlook, my mind is flooded with all of the tasks both personal and professional to be accomplished when I return. I am grateful for much this holiday season, as I am sure many of you are as well. It’s been a whirlwind first two months of year 36, filled with personal and professional trials and triumphs, learning and teaching opportunities, excitement, and exhaustion. As I reflect on all that has changed and all that hasn’t, I find myself contemplating what it actually means to be truly grateful. This is an area for me that is definitely a work in progress, but here’s what I know (so far) about the responsibility of gratitude.?

When we are truly grateful for things, we take outstanding care of them, cherish them, make the extra effort to make sure they are protected. So as I thought to myself these past few days that I was grateful for the family that I have been entrusted with, the opportunities to grow professionally that continue to come my way, and the health to pursue it all, I couldn’t help but to challenge if this was really true or simply what I had been programmed to recall when reflecting on gratitude. I know without a doubt that I don’t want to do life with anyone other than Josh and Josh but I also know more often than not they are getting a version of me that is exhausted, distracted, and irritable. That doesn’t sound much like gratitude. Now that I think about it, the grumbles of organizational frustration don’t sound much like gratitude either.? So what am I going to do about it? Start acting like the things that matter actually bring me joy, make my schedule align with my priorities, and stop depending on external forces for the shift needed to be the best version of myself where it truly matters.??

Like most radical changes this one starts in the mind. I am embracing a very simple concept that has been branded in many ways over the years. Growth mindset is the label I hear most commonly these days. I have decided to shift from concerning myself with perceived lack and move towards identifying the abundance of things that are at my disposal to be successful. I am committing to being a better steward of my time, not because it is limited but because it is valuable and precious. With the time I have, I can spend it lamenting things not currently in my possession or I can spend it creating the life I desire. Moving forward, I am embracing a simple mantra underscored by my faith, I have everything I need to do everything that I am called to do. If I start from a place of abundance, it makes the next step much easier. I no longer feel the need to approach opportunity with fear of missing out but with appreciation and consideration for alignment with purpose.??

Which brings me to Step 2 - creating opportunities for others to shine. I am fortunate to have the ability to do many things and to be a part of an amazing network of people who create space for me in many rooms. However, that doesn’t mean I need to accept every invitation or do everything just because I can. There is much that I could do, less that I should do, and the smallest bucket of all is what I can be impactful doing. I am looking forward to spending more time identifying and positioning who is next up, to create growth opportunities for the amazing teams I get to work with and space to breathe, learn, and excel for myself.?

Step 3 is controlling the "controllables". I find myself exhausted at the end of many days and often frustrated by things that pop up and require my attention when I would rather be focused on something else. I can’t control others but I do have complete control of my time, my actions, my attitude, and my effort. Accepting my limitations of control was accomplished long ago, but fully operating in that control is a work in progress at best. I am married to my calendar like most professionals, but the time boundaries are often treated as loose suggestions with meetings that run over and personal blocks constantly being moved. I am stepping into a season where I will exercise the discipline and discretion required to keep track of my time so that I can actually be impactful and make time for the things that allow me to show up as the best version of myself. I cannot control others actions but I can anticipate them. If working with AI and advanced analytics has taught me anything, it is that patterns are everywhere.? Taking the time to recognize the patterns of behavior for others allows me to anticipate their reactions and requests. My theory is that if I can anticipate, I can adjust my expectations and actions in a way that will minimize my frustration and allow me to maintain the feeling of being in control of what happens during my day. For example, if I know that “Joe” is chronically late to meetings which means the meeting will always go over, I can stop scheduling meetings that immediately follow meetings with “Joe” so that I don’t end up in the chronically late loop too. “Joe’s” behavior is unchanged, we never had to have a conversation about his behavior and yet my problem has been solved.?

There is still much work to be done to bring this plan to life, but I am excited to see where it takes me. Hopefully, you will stick around for the ride. I am truly grateful for each person that spends their time reading Here’s What I Know, and I am excited to demonstrate that to you in 2025 through more consistency. Until next time, love hard, live well, and be great!