Weekly Quote: Be a Propeller

A sort of flow state comes along when what Adam Grant references in this week’s quote occurs. When I’ve experienced an argument like this, there is a sense of mutual respect, a desire to grow an idea through disagreement, and even excitement as the interested parties discuss concepts and find a path to come closer together on a resolution.

In situations like this, our ideas are collectively improved because of the outcome. Even if the argument doesn’t begin in this spirit, we are empowered to help find its way to something that can take flight.

If you haven’t read Think Again yet, you should. It’s one of my favorite books from 2021, and I’ll be writing more about my takeaways in the coming months.

Remember that it’s never too late to be the propeller.

Weekly Quote: Go Outside

This week’s quote from The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul. Despite still being some two months until the end of winter here in Massachusetts, the sun feels a little brighter now and is gracing us with its presence for a few more minutes each afternoon. As my mind turns hopefully to spring, I’m looking forward to more frequent and comfortable walks in the nearby park and time spent at the playground with my family.

I spent many years in windowless offices, and I learned firsthand how meaningful sunshine and fresh air are. If you are at your desk, get up and go outside, even for just a few minutes. Take it in. It’s good for you

Weekly Quote: Make a Plan, and Watch it Change

I had plans for the week, and I bet you did too. Of course, sometimes, pretty frequently actually, those plans change. Sometimes, it’s a minor course correction. Sometimes, the entire plan is, as Eisenhower said in the well-known quote above, useless.

I know how empowering planning can be, both personally and professionally. As a parent, having a plan helps keep my kids on track and helps to keep my wife and me somewhat sane and just barely rested. As a leader, having a plan is vital. In some situations, the plan may be a starting point to help everyone in the room see the vision and catch some confidence to know there is a direction for the team to move in. Other times, it may be fully formed and ready for buy-in and implementation. In just about any situation, a plan is ideal, even if you don’t end up using it.

Look, I’m not trying to help the Allies win World War II or serve as the 34th President of The United States. I still think this quote is a universal truth, and that's part of the reason why it’s so popular. For me, reality this week is different than what I planned, and I am making the best of it.

How is your week going? Are you on target or chasing the weekend to regroup? Send me a note and let me know.

Conquer Resistance

I read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield about a month before I created this site. I had a lot of doubt that I’d be able to accomplish much of anything while we journeyed through life with a newborn baby who wasn’t big on sleeping. We also have a two-year-old and learning to keep everything in balance cast a shadow that I could do something that required regular creative attention.

That, my friends, was a textbook example of Resistance. As the quote suggests, fear is the fuel that feeds so much of our doubts and negative beliefs. We have the power to be our own worst enemies.

The same is true in all aspects of our lives. For example, we might tell ourselves that we shouldn’t take the risk of pushing for a new role at work. We don’t believe we’re good enough for that person who we like and have a connection. We don’t feel comfortable having that vital conversation with our children or spouse. That’s all based on fear, and it becomes a negative feedback loop that keeps you from moving ahead, from making connections, from growing.

Read The War of Art if you’re trying to do anything and feel that creeping sense of doubt about it. It’s a wonderfully written book that helped me realize that I could do this and still be a great father and husband. It helped me move past fear-based thinking, and I am better because of that.

Handling Minor Adversity

Here’s a great reminder that how we handle the little things matter, whether at work with our teams or colleagues or at home with our kids, partners, or in-laws.

For leaders, the little things can be a big part of a given day, and minor adversity happens all the time. So remember this quote the next time it seems you can’t catch a break. How you react matters, and people are watching and listening to learn how you handle it and who you are.

Once they find out, they won’t forget.