Advice
14
Oct
A Perspective about Life
This is hard to do. But, stop for a moment and think about where you are in life. I know you hate it when someone asks you this type of question. You shouldn’t. Try it my way.
Don’t think about what you have not done, or what you do not have. Think about how far you have come.
I have had far too many orthopedic surgeries. The underbelly of a lifetime playing sports. As a result, I have become way too proficient at physical rehab. (Well, everyone has a gift for something.) When I see a person clearly frustrated attempting to do rehab of any kind, I offer in my most supportive, understanding voice a thought to consider. “Don’t look ahead trying to figure out why you are not yet there. Try looking back and see how far you have come.” They usually start to smile when they realize they could not walk three weeks ago, and now they are able to jog slowly. We all can smile, if look back.
Thinking about where you are in life takes on a new perspective when it is considered in the context of your accomplishments, and not your shortcomings.
I find myself in an exciting place. No cash windfalls nor hole in ones. Professionally, I am in a position to be more impactful with my life than ever before. That is important when your career has been working for nonprofits.
Supposedly, I am creeping up on retirement age. Furgettaboutit!! Never in my life have I felt more capable of making an impact than now. I know so much more about the skills needed in my chosen profession, than ever before. My leadership, my experience, my creativity, my passion, my listening skills, and so much more. I laugh about how little I knew years ago about these important traits when I thought I was good. Well, I was pretty good.
I have amassed so much valuable knowledge at this stage of my professional life. Possibly, more important is the understanding I have learned about effectively interacting with people. It may be a thoughtful discussion, or an angry complaint, or a naïve request, or a wild idea. People come at you in all shapes and sizes. I am better every year at being there for them in a way which ends positively. It is exciting.
So, stop for a moment and think about where you are in life. You may be surprised,
14
Aug
Inspirational Keynote at a National Conference
I was honored to be invited to Portland, Oregon a few months ago to be a keynote speaker at Fusion Forum, a national conference held for leaders in the financial planning and pension industry. My role was to inspire these business leaders to challenge the status quo of their industry and facilitate their creative discussions to affect change.
My personal financial planner seldom picks up the phone to call me, so it didn’t take a lot to make me believe that these executives, as a group, were not on the cutting edge of customer communication. A few people told me this was an impossible challenge. I did not think of it in that way. Rather, I saw it as a tremendous opportunity to impact experienced and capable people who very much needed a vision.
Many professionals sink into comfortable habits of conducting business the same as always. They are too busy to realize that customers often feel their ways are old and out of touch. At one point in my remarks, I referenced a quote from superstar New England Patriot quarterback, Tom Brady, who talked about his passion for getting better to avoid losing his edge:
“If you watch yourself every day, you won’t see it. It is like watching a kid grow. But, at some point you are going to say, ‘How did that happen?”