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In Life 3 Mins Read

The Calm Before the Storm: A Personal Reflection

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I tend toward optimism. We only have the present moment; the past has already passed, and the future is merely a figment of our imagination. However, this year has been incredibly unique and unsettling. We live in uncertain times, but haven’t we always? This year was no exception, with ongoing wars, unpredictable elections, and weather events related to climate change.

And the cherry on top: the drone thing. 

My opinion is nothing (at this point). 

Logically, the military wouldn’t allow these drones to fly around aimlessly. Just go and find footage of drones trying to access Area 51. They don’t last more than two seconds. Meanwhile, these entities are flying over military installations without any interference. The government has no idea what the fuck it is. The Pentagon denies that it is foreign interference. Yet the objects themselves look very much like commercial drones. 

I feel something is missing in between, and until I hear that part, I have no comment. Just a bunch of question marks.

But at the same time, I’m having this feeling (and so have some others) that we’re sort of in a calm-before-the-storm moment. 

Something is coming. 

What is it? I have no clue, but I know lately I’ve been leaning more toward self-care. Taking things a little slower and being mindful/meditative has helped me with this.

However, I struggle to pinpoint my exact emotions. Digging through Reddit threads and other social media platforms, I see many others have this same feeling. However, unlike some experiences with a syndrome called hypervigilance, it’s not a feeling of fear or dread. I’m adopting a Buddhist approach and simply observing the situation. It’s not keeping me up at night, nor do I dwell on this feeling. It’s just… there.

I’m publishing this so I can look back and laugh endlessly when I revise it next year—or at least that’s what I hope for. 

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In Humor 2 Mins Read

Let’s Go Ahead and Put a Pin in the Corporate Jargon

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Happy Friday, Team (more like friYAY!:)

As a thought leader, I’m opening the kimono to do a dive deep into the synergies of our holistic, disruptive ideation process. I feel we need to leverage our core competencies and operationalize our blue-sky thinking.

At the end of the day, we need to move the needle and get buy-in from all stakeholders. It’s time to think outside the box and get granular with our next-generation solutions.

I believe we need to take a burn the boats approach and embark on a new paradigm shift for our business. No more blue-sky thinking or low-hanging fruit. Let’s just focus on delivering real value to our customers.

We need to future-proof our actionables and begin to align our KPIs toward sustainable renewable revenue streams.

I suggest a robust value-added framework of success metrics that will not only drive real results, but also provide transparency and accountability. We should establish key milestones and track our progress, synergizing our resources and optimizing our workflow cadence. 

A more robust effort must be made to engage our cross-functional thought partners. We need to align our team and ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction. It’s time to cut the fat and focus on our core competencies. By streamlining our operations and optimizing our workflows, we can drive real, sustainable results.

This will enable us to move the needle and truly move the dial for our stakeholders. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work – no more talking in circles, it’s time for action.

Anyone who is not with this new direction can simply be shown the door. We will schedule a meeting with our Chief People Officers® to wind down your engagement, discuss your careabouts and begin your decommitment ceremony from the company.

Let’s take this offline and circle back on the deliverables to close the loop.

COFFEE CHAT 4:45PM FRIDAYS
Putting this in your calendars for Friday so we can better align as a team. This is 15 minutes to relax, unwind, and socialize about our ideas for the week. Because here, we’re family. CAMERAS ON, MANDATORY. 

See you all there.

Also, there’s birthday cake in the breakroom from 4:00 to 4:12pm for Kathy in accounting. 

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In Life 2 Mins Read

Jimmy Buffett’s ‘Endless Summer’ Comes to a Close

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It’s been a rough couple of weeks.

I’ve had FOUR people close to me pass away (which is a complete mind fuck, let me tell ya).

Then I woke up on this beautiful Saturday to find that Jimmy Buffett was no longer with us.

I was not a massive fan of his music (some of his songs, quite frankly, got on my damned nerves), though I did appreciate his impact on his fans and the legacy he leaves behind.

What I did admire was his salesmanship and his writing.

He took his laid-back lifestyle and turned it into a multi-billion dollar empire. He sold a dream of living by the water, drinking margaritas, and sailing on your boat to millions of fans who most likely had never even been on the water or had ever seen an actual beach.

Jimmy Buffett’s music and persona have become synonymous with escapism and the desire for a carefree, tropical paradise.

Many aspire to emulate his ability to create a brand around his lifestyle.

He was also a gifted writer. Being someone who tries to live that ‘Florida lifestyle,’ I was drawn to his books as an escape mechanism during the winter months and when circumstances dictated that I couldn’t be in Florida. Buffett’s books captured the spirit of his lifestyle. From tales of adventure on the high seas to stories of love and loss in paradise, his writing allowed readers to escape their everyday lives and dream of a life filled with sunshine and palm trees.

The loss of Jimmy Buffett is a reminder of the power of music and the ability of an artist to create a world that resonates with many people.

His songs transported listeners to a place of relaxation and enjoyment. Whether it was a beach party anthem like “Margaritaville” or a reflective ballad like “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” Buffett had a way of connecting with his audience on a deep level.

Although Jimmy Buffett may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on through his music, books, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

As the Parrotheads would say, ‘Fins Up’.

Rest easy, sailor.

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In Life 3 Mins Read

Dealing with Difficult Decisions? Use the ‘Play the Tape Forward’ Technique

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Should I?

Or shouldn’t I?

We often find ourselves at difficult crossroads. 

“Play the tape forward” is a common cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) technique often used in addiction recovery. Still, it can be helpful for anyone trying to make behavioral changes or decisions, and it’s essentially a form of mental visualization or forecasting.

Here’s how it works:

When confronted with a decision, particularly a potentially harmful one, you mentally “play the tape forward” to envision the potential consequences of that decision. 

For example, suppose you’re tempted to drink alcohol after being sober for some time. In that case, you play the tape forward by imagining the immediate pleasure of drinking – and also the adverse outcomes — such as feeling hungover, experiencing regret, damaging relationships or job prospects, or jeopardizing your sobriety and health.

Be as specific as possible in your visualization.

The more detailed you are, the more powerful the exercise will be. For example, you might imagine going to the liquor store and buying a bottle of wine. You might imagine yourself opening the bottle and taking a drink. You might imagine how the alcohol would make you feel physically and emotionally. Or how lousy you’ll feel the next day. 

Once you’ve played the tape forward, reflect on what you’ve imagined for a few minutes. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from the exercise?

Playing the tape forward can often help you see the negative consequences of giving in to your cravings. This can make it easier to resist temptation in the future.

Playing the tape forward can help you make more mindful, informed choices by allowing you to consider both short-term gratification and long-term consequences. 

Here are some additional tips for using the “playing the tape forward” technique:

  • Be as specific as possible in your visualization. The more detailed you are, the more powerful the exercise will be.
  • Focus on the negative consequences of giving in to your cravings. This will help you to stay motivated to resist temptation.
  • Practice the exercise regularly. The more you use it, the more effective it will become.

This method can be used for any kind of decision-making, not just in the context of addiction. It’s a valuable tool for weighing the potential impact of actions and behaviors.

Other CBT techniques to consider

If you find the “play the tape forward” technique helpful, there are several other CBT techniques that you may want to explore:

  • Cognitive restructuring: This technique involves identifying and changing negative thought patterns or beliefs contributing to unhealthy behaviors or emotions.
  • Mindfulness: This practice involves focusing on the present moment and accepting things without judgment.
  • Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing yourself to situations or stimuli that trigger anxiety or fear in a controlled and safe environment.

Finding the techniques that work best for you and your unique situation is essential.

Consider working with a therapist or mental health professional to develop a personalized plan for managing difficult decisions and behaviors.

Photo by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash

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