MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

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JUST DO IT!
Monday, January 3, 2022
 
 
I expect that making lasting changes is as difficult for you as it is for me …
 
It is effing hard.
 
It doesn’t matter whether it’s earth-shaking-life-altering large or how we arrange things in our kitchen-small, it’s not the theory that gets in our way.
 
Given enough blank pads for scribbling ideas, calm/relaxing days to scribble, we can map out many adventurous re-inventions of ourselves. But none of those things, however simple they might first appear: losing weight, saving money, getting fit, changing jobs, etc. ~ none of them are single simple choices with a single action solution. Some might start out looking that way, but they weigh far heavier on our minds.
 
Effing hard indeed.
 
And I’m not talking about maintenance alone.
 
These are my thoughts – they were, the other day, as I was drafting this column.
 
On New Year’s day, I was reintroducing myself to a folder of inspiration reading and the ritual of reading what’s in that folder daily as a reminder of things I need to do every day and think about every day. It’s more than a business discipline or achievement-ritual; it’s a reminder and a mindset re-set too. I’ve gotten sloppy in the last couple of years, so reminding myself not to forget or skip this vital component of my business and life strategies is, I believe, essential for improvement to occur.
 
The first page in that folder, an excellent reminder for any uplifting habit we’ve established, says: don’t miss twice. The second page asks this question: what should I do that nobody else is doing?
 
What are you doing with your good habits?
 
Are you practicing them every day?
 
If you miss a day and slip off-track temporarily, what do you do then? 
 
Don’t miss twice!
 
What should I, you, or anyone else be doing that nobody else is?
 
I don’t think it needs to be that precise.
 
Can’t we reflect on what we are best at, happiest at, most accomplished at, most qualified at, and most want to do? Yes, it’s hard to write our strengths and weaknesses on a page.
 
Tougher still to show them to anyone …
 
But stay with that, though – it’s valuable. Some recent re-thinking of some work I’ve done and need to bring back nearer the center of my focus has reinforced that for me. They certainly are getting some attention in my daily work, not because I’m unique, but because I know what gives me joy and adds value for others. Revisiting that focus has been, for me, important re-connecting with myself. It’s not just reading and reminiscing about my resume …
 
It’s raising my expectations of what I’m capable of doing – and being busier doing it.
 
On Saturday, January 1st, I read my Globe and Mail, which touted graphs/charts that would tell me everything I needed to know about 2022.
1-14 charts on inflation and monetary policy
2-12 charts on building back better
3- 7 charts on the labour market
4-14 charts on economic recovery
 
That’s 47 charts later … oy!
 
If only we could fix the world with 47 charts. I’m considering if I should discontinue my subscription! 
 
Nobody knows anything with certainty, but we are pretty clear about who we are, what we are good at, and what gives us joy.
 
I believe we should be making only passing references to the charts, DIY books, self-helper gurus and spend more time inside, examining ourselves for the best answers.
 
What are you best-in-class at doing, love to do and want to do?
 
As our friends at Nike say in their slogan:
 
Just do it!
 
 
 
Some recent talks: Mark Speaks

 


 
 

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