Regardless, of position, always be a Servant. Stay Humble. Be a Learner; improving always.

A friend of mine was telling me today about how one of his kids as well as a person he’s mentoring are each displaying areas where they struggle with, "getting nervous making phone calls to people." He went on to say, "If you’re going to be employable you have to be proactive and know how to talk to people."

Wow, do I know this?! I have been crippled at points in my life. Often I revert to those feelings. Many of you know me as a leader, producer, coach, etc. I present online and on stage multiple times per week. I have to make many calls, obviously as well. I have to will myself to step up and push past fear daily.

In the text thread with him I replied, " It’s not fun. However it’s the real world." I encouraged him to let them know how much harder it is for people like me and our President Elect. I went on to express my feelings that, " It it THE WORST. Terrifying and awful. Every time."

He followed by noting, "I’ve never thought about that."

I know that he means zero disrespect with that statement. Honestly, I took it as encouragement that I’m better at handling myself than my fears and internal struggles typically have me believe about myself.

I continued my dialogue with him saying, "I have NO IDEA how he has done what he has. Same as the previous King of England. It’s crazy inspiring." I then asked him, "Have you and [your wife] watched The Kings Speech?"

You must. In general, it’s a good film and worth seeing. More so, it’s arguably the best piece of art to understand me.

Similarly, and even were it not regarded as one of the top articles written in 2020. I encourage reading this:

Similar to the Best Picture nominee, I recommend not only for the great writing, but also to understand me.

II Corinthians 12:7-10

I wrote the following note to one of my graduating seniors I coached this past year. I suggest it’s good encouragement to all of us as we navigate transitions and seek to live life well.

I wrote the following response to a friend who just read the David Allen book Getting Things Done. I thought it might help this audience too.

Huge fan of GTD in all of my life. It has helped me to far better be the out-of-the-box thinking, spontaneous, creative leader that I’m actually wired to. Apply it to your whole life. Practice it. Make it true for you. Practice it more.

I’ve followed it for a dozen or so years. I keep getting better at it.

Last year I switched from digital to Bullet Journal. Integrating GTD methodology into the BuJo world has vaulted my creativity and productivity at a rate that I never would have even hoped. I wish I would've done so half a decade sooner.

I’m happy to share coaching...

I wrote this commitment in my Commitments page (pg. 2 right after my Vision/Values page) of my Bullet Journal last summer. I have held to this discipline on a daily basis now for more than half a year straight. The fruit of such has indeed been experienced.

Where design and context are aligned,clear purpose can be found. As a designer, we are the answer for how we can improve the world. Bring beauty and care to the context of the situation. Make it better.

—unknown

A friend read me this quote. I like it. It’s a reminder to be about the daily work of living out your vision with purpose and commitment.

Do you have a Vision and Values document for yourself? If you don’t yet, please reach out to me. I would love to talk about what a coaching relationship might look like.

Excellence is not to be confused with perfection. Excellence is beautifully imperfect; as it recognizes the continued pursuit of improvement. The iterations will always continue; so make the most of the time and resources we have. Recognize when it’s better to leave one project at good and refocus by encouraging each other and developing another project until it’s time to call that one great. (Even though we have such high standards that we know what we wish we could keep tinkering further...) Then celebrate! Especially after big projects, remember that "We get to be a part of this!" Then next week, begin working on v2.0!

I used to struggle with perfectionism. I remember in high school when I couldn’t understand my best friend who could just rip through homework and turn in something that was barely 80% effort. Instead I wouldn’t turn something in because it wasn’t worthy of what I knew it should be. I’ve come a long way since then. I now can present something if it’s the best I believe it can be with the recourses justifiably allocated. I can reconcile that. It has actually become a core value for me. A Maximizer shall get greatest value out of resources…. I still want for perfection, but I also find beauty in excellent. I can coach that now. I’ve come a long way.

I just read a Forbes article written by Victor Lipman that included five tips for taming perfectionism. I thought I’d share.