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Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016

 

Underlying activity and thinking lately are these two things …

First, focusing on better distinguishing ‘important’ from ‘urgent’. We’ve all heard/said this many times. I’ve become focused, perhaps fixated, on better distinguishing between them. Important first, without ignoring urgency of the urgent – seems easier than I thought. Maybe because it is early in the year and there are so many blank pages …

Second, building better synergistic relationships. So many are one-way streets. You know, I pay, they provide. Or they pay, I provide. Our economy is zillions of these connections but there are other constructs worth exploring. If I work with my suppliers and my customers to make our relationships into more fulsome complex-ified and interrelated, I think we’ll do more good things better.

Third?

Brew of thinking (or maybe it’s great coffee?) makes me wonder more than ever what is at the root of, what drives us to success, accomplishment, solutions – to create our best work? Is it confidence, incredible and edible confidence, or fears of failure and insecurities that wrack our brains and torment our bellies? Both?

We know we have it in us, and we doubt ourselves too – we strain to gain approval this way as children, but we had peers and parents to keep us accountable, grounded and real. Who now kicks us in the pants when we need it, pats us on our back when we need it, praises us and raises us up when we need it – and cuts us down to size when we’ve over tooted our horn?

Where do all those new opportunities fit? 

Urgent?

Important?

A third category, a fourth way …

 

Mark Kolke

P.S.: as I built my new daily schedule format this year I set up a line that encourages me to come up with a Fabulous Idea every day. Sounds good, feels smart. I put the line beneath it, with room for a tick-mark that says Act On It. One of the best challenges I’ve given myself in years. Easy to make notes of great ideas, toss them in the to-do pile where they gather dust rather than momentum …

written / published from Calgary, AB

morning walk:  -12C/10F, misty/light clouds, Gusta seemed so anxious to get back – wanted her breakfast! … a quick walk in the dark, one yappy-lapdog encounter


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