“…And What Else?” Issue No. 16

“...And What Else?”

Newsletter and Thought Starter

Issue No. 16

Success begins by asking the right questions. So why not a newsletter that asks a powerful question: “…and what else?”

Hope these insights pierce through the clutter and create a moment to reflect on your purpose.

First Thoughts

Passing Judgment

I could see the car coming in my rearview mirror. I glimpsed the front vanity license plate and—ugh. It proudly displayed the mascot from the “other” school. I quickly began formulating arguments to their fandom and counterarguments to the counterarguments I would probably encounter—all in my head. I anticipated their arrogance and how they would respond to my school enthusiasm with a condescending chuckle.

As the car approached on my left I readied myself for the stare down. The car slowly came along and I took a side glance wondering what hand gesture awaited me and my school alumni sticker proudly adorning my rear window. And then it happened. Nothing. Well, not nothing. The car passed, its three occupants clearly focused on something other than me.

Once safely clear of my car, the driver politely signaled for a lane change and then moved ahead of me. He followed that maneuver with a thank you hand wave. I lifted a finger off the steering wheel in acknowledgment. The car then exited safely a half mile later, turn signal appropriately engaged.

Maybe next time I’ll resist judgment.

Thinking Out Loud Blog

He Pushed a Peanut up a Mountain with His Nose.

On July 15, 2022, Bob Salem became the fourth person to push a peanut up Pikes Peak with his nose. Let that marinate for a bit. A peanut up a mountain. I’m not sure which part of the story is more surprising: that someone decided that this goal was worth the focus and practice (I’m guessing that pushing a peanut with your nose requires some forethought and practice), or that three other people did the same thing?

The Forty-Two Challenge

Question #2: Who’s your hero? Why?

The Challenge: “Hero.” It sounds like a big word. But it manifests in small actions. At 91 years old, she still sends me a birthday card every year and calls to genuinely ask how I’m doing—that’s a hero to me. Thanks, mom.

Who can you recognize for their “small” heroic actions?

Share your reflections on your favorite social channel. #FortyTwoQuestions

The Accountability Community

Let’s get a little help from our friends!

The Accountability Community is group-oriented sessions that gather like-minded individuals who are eager to grow themselves and willing to support each other. These brief, targeted, but valuable sessions allow you to share your goals and create accountability in a supportive and trusting environment.

The Accountability Community features:

Regularly scheduled virtual sessions with like-minded, development-focused individuals.
Structured time to share progress and seek feedback.
An accountability agreement format designed to support your success.

Intrigued? Join our list HERE to learn more about these upcoming sessions.

Worth Reading

Atomic Habits, by James Clear

Clear’s philosophy is that small changes in behaviors (habits) can create significant long-term gain. He calculates that being one percent better each day leads to being 37 times better by the end of the year. The problem for most people, though, is they approach the behavior without first determining who they want to be and aligning behavior with that “person.”

Thought Starter: Clear says that it is one thing to say that I am the type of person who wants this. It is something very different to say I am the person who is this.

The approach Clear advocates for habit change is 1) Decide the type of person you want to be 2) Prove it to yourself with small wins. What is your #1 and what can be your #2 today?

Looking for more great reads? Check out these purposeful resources.

Worth Watching

Who am I? - TED-Ed

Is it worth contemplating who you are? If so, which who and which when? Ugh. While the philosophical among you will relish the challenge to argue that there is no boat (see video)—or there are two boats—for most of us the real question is not who I am, but who do I want to be?

Thought Starter: We are a collection of our experiences; experiences driven by our choices. What are you choosing today?

Final Thoughts

Abraham Lincoln is often misquoted as saying, ”Whatever you are be a good one.” He also never said, “These past two years have been stressful. But that’s no reason to be a jerk.” Yet both are still really good advice.

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