Where Are We In This Story?

Time to read: 1 min, 16 seconds

Singing vigil in Minneapolis last weekend

Before I say anything about current events in Minnesota, here are a few important things for you to know.

• I am not a political pundit. Although I read extensively and listen to many experts, politics is not my area of expertise. Other people do this work well.
• I don't have answers. If I did, I'd be a political pundit. :-)
• My lens is personal responsibility, ownership, humans, and process. I help humans become more effective humans. To me, effective means connected, responsible, honest, transparent and kind (that is a short list).
• I believe in the possibility of world peace... if we humans would just get out of our own and each other's way. That's why I do this work.
• I have a lot to say. It's gonna take a few weeks.

I appreciate all of you who reached back to last week's newsletter with notes of solidarity, expressions of overwhelm, and questions. I'm going to take things in bite-sized pieces. Here is what I want to say today:

We are not at the end of this story.

We are still in the middle. We are in the middle of events in Minnesota, our nation, this administration, world history, and human existence. Part of (perhaps a big part) of this administration's current actions are to create despair and powerlessness. Or to create overwhelm so you can't pay attention to one.more.thing.

When it all feels like too much, overwhelm and despair follow. This is true in politics, work, and family life.

This is not the end. The story is being written every day by humans who stand sentry outside schools to protect students, drive their neighbors to work, protest brutality and aggression, and show up in their daily lives to tend, care, love, and spread joy. You are not powerless. You always have agency. No action, prayer, or connection is too small.

I've said this many times over the years of writing this newsletter. You matter. The energy you bring to your life and work matters. What you do matters. And all of this matters even more now.

Email me anytime. Many of you learned last week that I reply to every email, and sometimes you get a big download to your serious question. I'm always happy to hear from you.

Love to you!

Ooops!

Time to read: 21 seconds

Hello, World!

I realized at some point last Thursday afternoon that I never sent my weekly newsletter. In the years I have been writing to you, I've missed, maybe, 5 times. Early in this journey, I would have felt terrible, like I let you down and proved I'm not reliable. Those are the olden days of my striving and performing.

And now?

I simply noted that I was full with many priorities last week and decided to use the miss as a way to model humility, imperfection, setting priorities, and taking accountability. In the grand scheme of my life and yours, I know that missing a newsletter is a small deal. Believe me, there are many more painful accountabilities than this.

So, let this week be a chance for you to remember you are human. Humans miss things and make mistakes. Hold yourself with grace, whether those moments are big or small.

Does Generosity Matter In Business? Yup!

Time to read: 35 seconds

Last week, I spoke about generosity. Generosity matters in business, no matter your industry. If you work in medical devices, you aren’t going to give someone a free pacemaker with purchase, and you can always give your time and care.

I structure my business with many layers of support. This weekly newsletter is open to anyone and everyone. It’s free. I like communicating with you. I want people to have information that makes a difference, and this newsletter is a great format to share my best strategies and thinking.

I love it when people reply with stories, questions, and comments.

I offer group programs, team workshops, and 1:1 coaching as well. I know many of you will never reach out and never hire me. That's great! This community exists for however you want to interact with it and whatever you need.

Relationships are important to me, and that includes you, even if you quietly read this newsletter every week and never reply. I'm happy to know you!

Living With Chaos: The Touchy Feely Part

Time to read: 50 seconds

Custom charm bracelets!

Welcome to week 3 of Living with Chaos. If you are enjoying this series, please share it with your people. They can join here.

If you hate the f-word (feelings), keep reading. You need this.

Chaos breeds feelings. You get a new boss, you have feelings. Your child decides not to go to college, you have feelings. Your sister gets a scary test result, you have feelings.

The first strategy for living in chaos is to feel your feelings. This doesn't mean wallow forever or yell at other people. Feeling your emotions is for you, alone, to recognize and acknowledge your reaction to the chaos and how you feel.

Feelings are like weather. They move through 24/7. Sometimes emotions are sunny and warm and sometimes they are a thunderstorm. You are responsible to move your feelings through so they don't become stuck. If you don't, they come out sideways…flipping off someone in traffic or yelling at the barista, your child, or a co-worker. Then you have a mess to deal with which adds to the chaos.

So, take ownership of your feelings. Cry on the drive home. Take an evening to journal. Talk to a friend. Stomp around your basement. Do what works for you to allow your feelings to move through. That will help quiet the chaos.

Next week, another strategy for living with chaos.