What's (Actually) Going On
Mid-Year reflections on uncertainty, consistency, and remaining present.
Here are the facts.
It's been difficult for me to write lately.
It’s been difficult to write because it’s difficult to tell the truth.
Writing for me is generally a reflection of my outlook, and the less certain I am of my thoughts and feelings, the more I want to avoid this reflection. My relationship with the mirror is highly fraught and complicated.
Nevertheless, here I am again, in the name of showing up. A re-definition of consistency, if you will.
If not once every two weeks, or once a month, you'll get me (and I'll get myself) once a quarter.
What gives?
On my mind right now: violence, recession(?), pandemic(s), climate change, the snatch-back of human rights, along with dance music, TikTok escapism, Y2K nostalgia, and night luxe aesthetics.
There’s this ongoing tension between the joy of today and the fear of tomorrow.
I'm re-thinking how I show up as a leader at home and at work and in the world.
After all, I'm still in a relatively privileged time and place to make an impact.
What do I do now?
I realized that my attention span is on a steep decline, so I've proactively limited my engagement with the usual suspects.
Trying to keep less tabs open overall.
That means putting parental controls on my screen time and banking hours that I can spend sleeping, creating, or consuming "slow media," like long-form articles, books, and audiobooks.
It's not necessarily as fun as searching for my next tee-hee in an endless scroll. But I do feel better.
What's on my shelf right now:
Mastering Leadership: An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results
Immunity to Change: How To Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization
Micro-Resilience: Minor Shifts for Major Boosts in Focus, Drive, and Energy
When They Win, You Win: Being a Great Manager Is Simpler Than You Think
Build the Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business If You're Not a Rich White Guy
Also on my side table:
Who Is Wellness For? An Examinaiton of Wellness Culture and Who It Leaves Behind
You can see a few themes here.
I am really working on my business leadership chops. But I still want to stimulate some critical social thought to balance out the capitalist ambitions. I'll explore more of that in a later send.
Holding On to Hope
Ongoing crises provide an opportunity for true character development, if you have the resources.
I don't want to be distracted from this opportunity. I have the resources.
I’m finding new ways to lean into the change and learn and grow.
What about you?
Questions to Consider
Who do I want to be?
How do I want to change?
What tools do I already have at my disposal?
Liked and Followed
Just now getting into Severance.
We're making these saucy tahini noodles every week.
Palm Springs has an art museum.
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Thanks for reading.
Until next time,
JP