Crazy Thankful

Ah, yes. Thanksgiving. That special time of year when we get really thoughtful about those who mean the most to us. Those we love, those we miss, those who make a profound difference in our lives...

It's really powerful when you think about it. 

Then, of course, the next day we open up the shopping mosh pit and beat the crap out of each other at Target trying to save $100 on a TV we don't need.

'Merica.

Thankful for Work Stuff
After so many years driving to hospitals for work, I now travel extensively to...wait for it...hospitals!

I know...huge change, but I'm actually thankful for that. Although nothing says "I'm blessed" like switching your commute from a car to an airplane.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Jay, you have a cool gig with a cool company and you get to do all of that traveling!

Sure, I'm thankful...that hotel rooms have irons...it's the little things.

Thankful for Work People Stuff

The really important part of Thanksgiving however, is remembering the people in our lives.

- The hiring managers that never get back to us with their feedback.

- The leaders who are afraid of social media. They keep me employed. 

- The wanna be executives who are so full of themselves they miss the point of leading.

- The executives who still think the world knows how good their organizations are because...well..."they're special!" See "permanent employment for Jay" above.

How About You
So many things to be thankful for this year. But most of all...I'm thankful that you all have a sense of humor.

Keep pushing friends...we're going to change the world if it kills us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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No Shame this Season

"When I look back upon my life,
it's always with a sense of shame.
I've always been the one to blame."

Happy Holidays?
One of the most exciting times of the year is kicking off right now...the hectic, joyous, family-oriented and festive stretch from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. I love it...even though I know I can't see everyone that is important to me, it is still a great time of year. Plus, I will make sure I connect with those that are too far away for me to see in person.

But not everyone in our personal and professional networks will experience the holidays in this way. The burden of life's struggles, the challenge of broken relationships, the disappointment of a stalled career...can all build up to a very different view of "the best time of year."

We have an opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

Happier Holidays!
There is no simple solution to "help" our friends and colleagues. One thing is clear to me though, doing nothing adds no value. 

Here's a short, and admittedly woefully inadequate list of options available to us this year that might...if nothing else...bring a moment of caring front and center for those in need.

- call them
- connect via social media
- send a note (yes, an old school hand-written note)
- give a public shout out to let others know how special they are to you
- invite them to spend time with you
- encourage others to reach out to them
- purchase a small gift to show them you care

How About You
"So I look back upon my life,
forever with a sense of shame.
I've always been the one to blame."

Lets not have this be the mantra for those in our world this holidays season.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Gratitude

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

  
I'm wrapping up one of the most hectic years of my professional life. The cliche that "change is constant" took on a whole new meaning for me as I experienced nothing but change after change after change. You probably did too...that seems to be the new normal. 


People
What strikes me at this time of year when we all seem to soften our hearts a bit and reflect; is that despite the challenges, stresses, and abundance of drama that found its way to me, I continue to be surrounded by good people who do really good work.

Quite honestly, I could only accomplish a fraction of the work that needs to get done without them. They are not distracted by the noise around them, or the crisis-of-the-moment, or any of the myriad fires that seem to pop up each day. They are steady and professional and effective.

That is a blessing few leaders ever get to experience, and I am grateful.

Network
Another significant part of my life that has come through over and over again this year is my network that stretches far beyond the walls of my company. Having an extensive network that you never connect with in a meaningful way isn't really a network at all. 

However, when that extra step is taken to move beyond a connection or a follow and those connections become phone calls, long discussions, or face to face meetings, only then can the real power of a network be realized. My network has been steady and professional and supportive.

That is a blessing few people get to experience, and I am grateful.

How About You
As you reflect on your work life at this time of year what comes to mind? Is it your task list, or projects, or never ending Inbox? Or, is there something else that deserves your time and attention?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


 
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