Blog
Embracing The Good, Bad and In Between
“Pops, I think this is the most fun thing I do with you…”
These words were spoken by my 4-year old granddaughter Ellie as we were taking a walk through the neighborhood. It was the sweetest thing I could ever hear.
Her sister Maddie had started out with us, but the precocious 3-year old made a business decision in the nippy weather and decided quickly to return to the warm living room with Barb and the dogs.
It dawned on me that this was the exact same sidewalk stroll I had regularly made with my mother about a decade ago.
Follow Through
“The follow through is the most important part of the swing. How you finish will inform you on your balance…”
These words of wisdom came from my golf coach this past weekend. I’ve been working with Eric for several years, normally with a full lesson at the beginning of the golf season, and ad hoc help through the summer.
His words caught my attention.
Failing Forward Fast
My new LinkedIn Learning course is coming out soon.
We filmed virtually from my house the first week of January. I enjoy the script writing and filming. It’s right up my alley for fun!
The next assignment I had was a struggle. I was asked to provide something new that LinkedIn had implemented since I last instructed a course in 2018. They asked me to create quiz questions for each chapter.
At first glance, this seemed easy enough. Then I started. Writing a question was easy. So was writing the correct answer.
That’s when it got difficult for me.
Help! I Need Somebody…
“Can you talk?”
It was May 2008. I had just returned from the Rotary District Conference being held in Campbell River, BC.
Barb and the girls had been visiting her parents for the weekend, and were on the road back. Not wanting to eat alone, I invited myself to my parent’s house for a little Sunday dinner.
In the middle of the meal, Mom suddenly stopped, stood up, and put her hands to her throat, signifying she’s choking.
After three decades of CPR/First Aid training (including two years as a volunteer first responder), I knew instinctively what to do.
Freewill Choices
“Even if you choose to not decide, you still have made a choice.”
– That great Canadian philosopher, Neal Peart (as vocalized by his mate, Geddy Lee)
The term “choice” get a lot of airtime in our culture. It has been used and weaponized in politics, sports, entertainment, business, and our daily lives.
We all want more choices, better choices, and to make our own choice.
I find in my work with risk and resilience management, choices are being made constantly. That includes what the legendary band from Canada, Rush sang in their song Freewill. Choices are decisions made and not made, either through lacking information, paralysis, or simple apathy.
Playing Solo
Last week, I did something I’m not sure I’ve done since high school. I played a full round of golf by myself.
Eighteen holes. Middle of a nice, crisp, and later sunny day.
My playing partner had to cancel at the last minute. When I told the pro shop attendant that she could add people to my now empty group, she pointed to the two-some teeing off on the first hole. She said, “there’s nobody waiting to play, you can follow them.” I asked about groups behind me. Nobody for nearly an hour.
The Popcorn’s Popping
How do you respond when the popcorn’s popping?
Your initial reaction may be that your mouth begins watering. Mine, too. I love hot popcorn with plenty of butter and salt. But that’s not what I’m talking about…
I listened to a podcast talking about the legendary Seattle SuperSonics player, Gary Payton. During practices when Coach George Karl would introduce a play that Gary was dubious about, he would respond with, “Yeah Coach, that’s all fine but when the popcorn starts popping, it’s not going to work.”
Gary Payton was known for his mental toughness as a player. Are you mentally tough as a business person? As a human?
I used to like to believe that I was mentally tough. The problem was that I had no metrics to back it up. Now I do.
Deconstructing Calamity
I marked down a double bogey 6 on the 4th hole at Gold Mountain last Friday.
I hate double bogeys. They are just killers to your score and mindset.
At first glance, I might have blamed the 3-putt for the poor score. But that would have been a mistake.
Curing the Shanks
Life is a game of failure.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not a bad thing. In fact, I suggest it’s a necessary thing.
We’ve by now all heard of the concepts of “failing fast,” or “failing forward.” We acknowledge this logically, but emotionally we can struggle with it.
My easiest examples of failure come from playing golf. Maybe it’s because I get so many chances for examples.
