Grateful for… dependence and growth. Last week, we took our kids, age 2 and 3, on their first hike where we didn’t carry them in our backpacks. It was a short 1.5 mile loop in the mountains–they stopped to point at every wildflower, and insisted on holding the dog’s leashes the whole way. Incredibly fun to watch their independence. At the same time, my daughter is going through a stage where she needs a big hug to pee in the potty–rather than her diaper–and I’m going to cherish this phase for as long as it lasts.
Thinking about… The under-estimated value of simplicity. I recently led a large session for about 500 operational leaders at my company. A big lesson for me was the importance of a clear, simple message. If someone can’t remember your message, they can’t act on it–so simplicity is essential.
A season for… checking in with my goals. June is ending; the year is halfway through. So I’m going to take the time this week to do a quick “Azimuth Check” with my resolutions for year. Here’s what I’m thinking about:
- Read:
- My 2018 New Year’s Resolutions
- My 3 year Resolutions
- My 10-year Vision
- Consider:
- What were the big wins over the past 6 months? What could have gone better?
- What did I learn? What did I read?
- What will I recommit to for the second half of the year?
- Act
- Find a visible place to display my commitments
- Schedule vacation and optional travel
- Be grateful for the last six months
Quote I appreciated… This is from a letter written by Charles Krauthammer and shared on Twitter shortly after his passing: I thought it was a beautiful piece of encouragement, given to a person going through a difficult time.
“I’m fully aware of terribly discouraging [it] is to have put in twice the effort for gains that seem so meager at the beginning. But I can assure you that it can be done. And then it is rewarded.”
Have a great week!
