Vol.12 Empty Eggshells

Have you ever tried cracking open an egg to put it into a bowl while highly distracted?

No joke here, this has actually happened to me a few times over the years: bowl at the ready – check, egg in hand – check, crack the egg against the edge of the kitchen sink – check, unceremoniously (and without any thought) proceed to dump the contents of the egg directly into the sink (down the drain) and put the shell into the bowl – check/check. UGH.

Or perhaps this, heating up a prepared meal. Unwrap contents – check, ready the contents – check, discard the packaging into the trash (along with the preparation instructions) – check, discard other trash on top of the packaging – check, repeatedly open the trash and sift through contents in an attempt to read the instructions – check/check.

The point is these things happen while distracted and while feeling overwhelmed.

Deadline Day

Today is my (self-imposed) due date for the next installment of the Change Chronicle . I've spent this past week working on Microsoft Copilot and delivering an SAP functional assessment at a client's location.

Twelve to fourteen hours of travel, from hotel to home and home to hotel, all spent working with laser focus on my tasks.

This is not complaining; I'm very fortunate to find myself doing this. I love what I do, and I appreciate it every moment, even the challenges it sometimes brings. Perseverance is my secret recipe.

That said, I am human.

On the Road

I now find myself back on the road for three days starting Monday. The Change Chronicle is a priority for me, and I am proud to say that this is the 12th installment, with over 400 loyal subscribers counting on me to deliver. I'm immensely grateful for so many followers, thank you.

I actually thought only a handful would read this, I was very wrong on that.

These installments are composed out of love, I love sharing information and hearing from others. I love continuously learning and sharing new ideas.

This 12th installment was intended to be about #ChangeManagement in the #SAP world, or the need to have flexible plans and work with agility, or pursuing Change Management opportunities on a global scale. I've had multiple ideas, but not one of them has made its way past the long-twisted hallways of my mind.

Yesterday, I found myself on another airplane with my laptop on the tray table before me. And nothing. Rather than getting frustrated, I simply closed the lid and put it away (and feeling great about my decision).

I realized I needed a break. A mental health break.

If I am not at my best, how can I be available others? If I am not well, how can I help others? I realized in this moment that I need to take care of myself and simply look after me.

This article needed to be about me.

REMINDER: Put your own mask on first before helping others.

Checking In

I'm struggling between thoughts of disappointing my subscribers and hopeful some will find inspiration in these words. I know all of my subscribers were expecting more concrete content, and all I have to offer here are my deepest thoughts.

I am well aware of my limits; I know myself. I've had a lifetime to figure that out, and writing this mental health check moment brings me happiness.

I'll close with this: please take care of yourselves. Know the early signs when your plate is full, ask for help, and accept the help that's being offered. Take a big deep breath and find your happy place. My happy place is on the rocky coastline of Puget Sound, and that's where I'm headed right now.

I have another big week ahead, and I'm looking forward to it!!

These words helped me more than you may know. I was a bit apprehensive writhing from the heart, and I know now that this is exactly what I needed to do.

I'll see you in two weeks back here in the Change Chronicle. I will be recharging my batteries this weekend.

Look out Monday, here I come – I’m fierce, deal with it!"

~Kevin (aka "The Cloud Therapist")

Gratitude moment - Thank you Marek Antoniuk , Elliot Robia , Lisa Smak , Anna Witkowsky Williams , Christian Anton , Erik Moll , Billy Templeton , Jared Cheney , Leszek Pi?tek for supporting my ideas and aspirations, for your collaboration and encouragement, for your patience and kindness, and for the amazing work and time you are all dedicating to the success SoftwareOne through the creation of our #Microsoft #Copilot service. Go team awesome!

Please submit topics and questions for future volumes (I'm listening)

A quick note to my readers - thank you for your feedback, support, and encouragement. I strive to bring you relevant thought-provoking content.?#grateful ?that you choose to spend your time with me.

I appreciate your commitment to reading these all the way through. I know they can be quite lengthy. My goal is to bring you unique perspectives and things to mentally chew on.