Too many small instances this past week where I find myself looking back and thinking I wasn't communicating quite well.

I deliberately phrase it this way instead of - 'I was misunderstood' or 'Somebody else wasn't listening'.

I want to be responsible not only for my words that come out, but also for the manner that they arrive in another's head.

Also, came across a really cool "House Rule" from @nicchristensen for her family:
"#2 Don't hurt your own feelings." Spending some time in my head with this one; wonderful.

After a little pity party and negativity last week, I work through out loud how I processed and where I'm at today.

Let's not confuse freedoms, rights & liberties with privileges, comforts, conveniences, wants, & desires. Especially not without a firm and healthy arrival at responsibilities, obligations, & duties or absent common decency, courtesy, integrity, patience, and release of entitlement.

I'm embarrassed to even upload this "sound event". I don't even want to call it a podcast. My intentions were to re-direct everyone to a Podcast I recorded with Will & Eli a day before with very little other than a quick explanation why I didn't feel ready to record this week.

Then, I felt that it wouldn't be authentic of me to scrub and curate my own thoughts when that is exactly opposite of being open and real.

I went back and listened to myself today ( a day late on my regular Wednesday publish ) and again almost decided to not post. I sound like a whiney weak a$$ b*tch. 

My apology is in not apologizing and just publishing. I had a mega constructive day since and will outline some calculated thoughts and discussion for next week.

But hey, I still submit that you are an absolute self absorbed douche nozzle if you can't think outside of yourself and your own comforts today.

Audio File of a video podcast we did to discuss leadership during these uncertain and stressful times.

Leadership, Management, and Authority are not synonymous and it doesn't mean the three must co-exist. All three are essential components in life, are usually inter related, but not dependants.

Three things that are largely consistent across most scenarios/situations that we can especially invite into our leading behavior are:
-Consistency of personality and manner
-Maintaining routines and innovating how they are executed
-Listening & Leveraging (discernment between emotional vs rational, facts & opinions, and to avoid conditioning gossip, criticism, ignorance, and undue information).

A few quick thoughts on increasing punishment (in both severity & quantity; with credibility) to prevent criminal activity. Rebalancing the risk vs gain ratio and recalibrating incentive to reward rehabilitation.

I would much rather deter someone from breaking into my home than have to realize the damage and loss and then the hassle of catching and reconciling the activity.

What if we adopted this mindset into other aspects of our way of life and leadership? Because right now the general prevail is opposite and that is a function contributing to many problems in our society, i.e. obesity, instant gratification, debt, ... not just criminal activity.

The (total) cost of rehabilitation is inordinately greater than prevention. What is the saying? an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?

Live Podcast: Sunday 29 March, 7pm Mountain.
Topic: Leading During Times of Hardship & Uncertainty

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At a certain point, the last thing needed is someone sowing seeds of discord. Especially not from a position untempered from personal, petty, selfish, or whatever discontent position.

In times of exception, the only thing to do is be part of the solution and support; however large or small. Criticism and challenge and narrow conversation are absolutely not needed. There can be a time for that post event, but it isn't midstream the execution. And beginning anew or reinvention of an 80% solution is absurd.  

The use of constructive conversation and perspective sharing (opinions - personal or professional) require appropriateness in timing, delivery, medium...

We should all be taking note of those that are disappointing. Media should stop giving them a platform to broadcast their voice and attention. We should refrain from passing judgment and temper our emotions. And then, afterwards, remember these personalities and marginalize them from further harm. 

You ever feel like something is wrong with you because you aren't super intense about goal setting, meaning making, or finding your purpose? Lately it seems there is such tremendous focus on living a purpose filled life, leadership, knowing your why, etc... that I get distracted from just living and enjoying the moment. The intensity and passion around all of this must be full steam or you aren't living up to your potential.

I think there is value in chilling out and enjoying the moment as well. Returning to balance. Being normal again with the understanding that not everything has to have some deep meaning or purpose.

Then, I started drifting into ownership, delegation, and supported/supporting relationships. I don't know why.

Uphold the standards of class and dignity that you expect from others. Or, want to see from the world. Regardless of the disappointing reality of what is. Be the ideology, as best you can, and put money in the bank to invest in a better reality.

Stay the High Ground.

It's too easy to allow cute little phrases and sayings to guile you into acting less than you are. For example, fight how they fight, eye for an eye, war is hell, hit harder and get hit less, etc. 

Stop looking for excuses & rationalizations to be less, look for cause, reason & purpose to be more. #elevate

Just a little disappointed in the leadership spectrum of our elected officials, across all parties, in representing the dignity of what I believe our citizens deserve and need. It's cute and funny and comical; and it's not. 

Why is it that everyone asks for forgiveness at Death's doorstep? Wouldn't the time to prevent needing forgiveness be now? Through changed behavior?

Maybe a better question would be - why do we allow people on their deathbed to be absolved of their bullshit when they have known better their whole loves? And chose not to change?

It's all about comfort - for them and for us.

Change requires Need. Want helps. Want can instigate. Want can sometimes be successful. But Need is absolute.

Thought instigators this week:
"At some point you don't need any more advice or motivational quotes, or clever sayings. You just need silence and a work ethic." ~sent to me from Mr Long.

"The best apology is changed behavior." ~@jesseburdick [ IG 20Feb20 ]

"How to Die" ~Seneca ( from Chad Cassady )
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691175577/how-to-die?fbclid=IwAR2DlssWgaP4A9neHxY1lqDuVUbDpwnJ_0ge3dUhw5SB6lJIi8eyNl0iyTQ 

I found myself falling into the trap of trying to seek comfort and escape from some recent daily stress; because I have the means, 'outs', and luxury to. And I am unravelling the more and more I opt to seek quick comfort fixes.

That's the problem, we are creatures of conditioning. In both directions: positive (progress) and negative (regress). You develop skills, mechanisms, and strategies to cope with stress when you force yourself to deal with it. Not run away from it. It's time under tension that builds strength.

Stop opening the fridge at the first thought of hunger, stop needing your scented candles and bath salts, 6 pack of PBR, massages, teddy bears, and coddling conversations. Spend time practicing to deal with things, constructively. Let things hurt a little. You'll be better than ok afterwards.

Thought instigator for this week:
Peggy Noonan: https://peggynoonan.com/the-democrats-unserious-week/