Modern Meditations: Part 1
This is my “Modern Meditations” project. A list of personal reminders that I’ve written down over the years. The title plays off of the original “Meditations,” written by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. A loosely organized collection of personal reminders on how to be productive, have an impact, and find joy through work and life.
#1: Choose love over fear
The psychiatrist Phil Stutz says that “pain, insecurity, and the need to work are constants for all humans.” I often see the day as a string of choices. Some small, some large. Plane’s late, daughter started walking, you’re missing precious time. Will I grab a beer at the delta lounge or walk around the airport and close my rings? All these little moments. In each one there’s an opportunity to take a step back and make a choice. What will you focus on? Your appreciation for the situation and the people around you? Or whatever’s not quite right about the moment? #choices
#2: Make things less fuzzy and more practical
You’re steeped in information. Ideas that are 3 or 4 levels up from the basic ones. Productive things happen when you simplify. People become empowered to use them, compare and blend them with their own ideas, and use them to help each other and improve organizations. #simplifywork
#3 People are fundamentally good!
There’s a large percentage of the population that believe that we’re fundamentally flawed at our core. I grew up in a sect of Christianity that was hyper-focused on everything that was wrong with us and an inevitable end of the world. They even predicted the date that humanity would destroy itself. I instead believed (and still do) that we are perfectly capable and have everything we need to build a better world. That with enough vision, problem solving, and unity, humans can do anything. It’s incredible what we’ve accomplished so far. Yes, there are major problems (global warming, nuclear threats, war, poverty, injustice). But, we’re all humans. We’re problem solvers that at our best, figure out a way forward. #positivemindset
#4 you don’t run projects, you lead people who lead projects
Its easy to get wrapped up in the planning process. There are so many pieces and someone needs to see how they all come together into a charter, timeline, and work streams. All of that becomes easy if you put people first. Their interests and concerns for the project. Where they differ. Where they come together. Then it becomes a puzzle that you invite them in to solve. Instead of being overwhelming, it becomes fun! #treatingotherswell #simplifywork
#5 teams in sync, go faster and further
Imagine you’re rowing in a coxed racing shell. It doesn’t matter how strong any one rower is. If the boats not in sync you won’t get to top speed and will likely lose. This means oars going in at the same time, bodies swing at the same angles, even power across both sides , and of course the same race plan. Or even going in the right direction! It’s the same with organizations. The more in sync everyone is around the vision, strategy, and core values, the better the organization does. #teams
