February 1, 2021
Good morning!
How many shares of GameStop do you own? One more day… ’til Ground Hog Day. February 2nd has great significance, not because of rural Pennsylvania, but because it is the day when the earth’s gyroscopic gravitational pendulum shifts into full gear toward spring. The 90 darkest days of the year are behind us… we did it! Soon the cardinals will reclaim the treetops. In the next 45 days we’ll gain 145 additional minutes of light — with apologies to my readers in Argentina and New Zealand.
- “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence — and making sure your impact lasts after you’re gone.” (Sandberg)
- “Everyone is going through something they don’t talk about.” (Unknown attribution)
- I’ve never thought of myself as a slave to fashion — though too I’ve not sought to be the butt of jokes.
- I surface this topic in part because we are scheduled for -20° F weather in a few days; that could change, it’s a long-range forecast.
- My daughter knitted me three caps, each the wrong size to varying degrees.
- When I stack all three together the result is an insulation R value of about 53, good enough for forty-below-zero.
- Donning the triple-hat results in my head increasing to more than double its usual circumference, but my Tsar-like appearance helps me to blend in with the locals in Novosibirsk.
Taking Risks as a Leader
- “If you’re not making mistakes or bad decisions, then you’re not taking enough risk or learning enough to continue growing as a leader.”
- Word of caution: Beware many cultures — dare I say most? — do not hold space for you to practice this wise advice.
- My son taught me this about twelve years ago:
- “Don’t waste time enumerating your weaknesses; there will always be those eager to do that for you. When you focus on your strengths you will suddenly find yourself more confident, more respected, and more productive.”
- Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about this and try to do better.
- “Don’t waste time enumerating your weaknesses; there will always be those eager to do that for you. When you focus on your strengths you will suddenly find yourself more confident, more respected, and more productive.”
- If you don’t do anything else each day, take a moment to fill in these blanks:
- I will focus on _____________
- I will be grateful for ______________
- I will let go of ______________ (Stillman in Inc.)
- Many years ago I enjoyed and practiced wilderness survival as a hobby — and I often taught it to others while providing them with real-life, in-depth experiences.
- I think a version of this mnemonic device was created by the U.S. Army, but I learned it and have never forgotten it.
- It applies aptly to many situations that aren’t literally in the wilderness, but part of daily life.
- Size up the situation
- Undo haste makes waste
- Remember your environment
- Vanquish fear and panic
- Improvise
- Value living
- Act with confidence
- Learn, constantly learn
- Regardless of whether you’ll watch the game on Sunday, will you do something to mark the occasion?
- What are your go-to, non-negotiable foods?
- Buffalo Wings (though the Bills won’t be in the game)? Guacamole? Tacos? Pizza? What do they eat in Florida, oranges?
- I’m told Harry Truman fancied Bess’s fried chicken and her chocolate cake, though I’m not sure of her recipes.
- Did the White House have chefs in those days or was it each person for herself/ himself/ themself?
- Oh, wait… Harry didn’t live in the White House.
- Did the White House have chefs in those days or was it each person for herself/ himself/ themself?
- What are your go-to, non-negotiable foods?
