Friends of Dave #307: strange things are afoot
Do You Feel Good About Yourself?
Some housekeeping before we get to the preamble: as most of you probably know, Elon Musk recently bought Twitter in a widely publicized and criticized deal. As a result, this week he began gutting the company, reorganizing and laying off employees (threatening to replace up to 75%).
What you may not realize is that, in January 2021, Twitter acquired Revue, the platform I have been using to publish this newsletter since I started.
There are rumors that Revue is now going to be shuttered -- possibly as early as by year end. I'm not sure how much of it is real or fake news at this point, but nonetheless I will be actively looking at alternative publishing options and will likely have to migrate to another platform as result.
I'll keep you all posted.....in the meantime, if you like getting these emails, you might also want to subscribe on LinkedIn as well just in case of a sudden shutdown. I post archived preambles there midweek -- and will be communicating any migration plans there as well.
You can subscribe to the LinkedIn version >> HERE <<
And now a quick preamble...
I'm not going to lie -- one of the biggest highlights of the past few months has been watching my youngest son play sports. For long time FoDs, you may recall that this is the one who has always enjoyed being part of a team (even if he has since broken his habit of wearing a different team jersey to school every day).
I assure you, I am really not one of "those" parents who use sports to live vicariously through their kids.
No, you can see he has real, genuine joy when he competes. Rain or shine, practice or games, win or lose he loves every second of it -- and you can tell it makes him feel good about himself when he improves a skill, makes a big play to help his team or gets an encouraging shout out from another parent or a coach.
And even though it is still early in the school year, it is apparent to my wife and me that it is having a positive effect in the classroom as well. Socially and academically he is really in a good place and the proverbial engine seems to be firing on all cylinders (at least for now).
Ever had that happen to you? Ever done something, personally or professionally, that just makes you feel so good about yourself and your state of being that it drives you to do it even better?
I think we often underestimate how much our self esteem plays a critical role in how we perform a task or activity and their outcomes.
Think about those times that maybe you achieved a goal, exceeded a quota, or just kicked some @ss. You can't do that when you don't like yourself or have confidence in who you are and what you can accomplish.
Similarly, think about those times you missed the mark. Think about the doubt and the negative thoughts or even shame you might have been feeling based on things said to you by others or in your own head.
Seems to me we'd be a whole lot happier and successful if we were able to identify those things in the world that make us feel good about ourselves and choose to spend more time and energy on them.
It doesn't have to be pursuing wealth, or titles, or awards or praise from others. It's simply pursuing those things that make us feel pride and joy about ourselves at a given time.
I enjoy watching my son play sports not because of where it may lead him one day...I enjoy knowing that it is making him feel good about himself now, in the moment. Good things are more likely to follow for him as a result. And that makes me, as his parent, feel good about MYSELF.
It serves as a simple reminder: next time you find that you may not be achieving or operating at a level you expect, pause and think about shifting your focus to something you really enjoy doing. That quick boost to your self esteem might be all it takes to get you back on track!
And if that doesn't work.....read a bunch of the articles from this week. I'm serious -- they were picked with a lot of love and each one is a winner. You'll be entertained or learn something new.....and Friends that truly makes me feel good knowing that....
For most of you in the US, enjoy that extra hour of sleep you will get this Sunday -- you deserve it!
XOXO
Dav
Think on This...
Lessons in corporate governance from the Jesuits — aeon.co
As corporations struggle to survive in a more uncertain world, they should look no further than to the success of the Society of Jesus.
For Your Day Job...
Improving your company’s business resilience Economic downturns are impossible to predict and sure as sunrise. Build your business resilience now, because when the sun comes up, you’d better be moving.
I Stopped Climbing the Corporate Ladder When I Realized Everyone at the Top Was Deeply Unhappy — medium.com
Find work that makes you come alive and helps make a difference. That’s the holy grail.
Restructures and redundancies force people to re-evaluate their careers. Once you play the game for too long, your imagination and creativity become so incapacitated it’s hard to reignite them again.
Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
INFOGRAPHIC: What Types of People Appear Most on International Currencies? — www.visualcapitalist.com What types of people are celebrated on our money? Here's a look at the various occupations that are featured on international currencies.
Where Is Weed Sold? Circle K Gas Stations in Florida in 2023 — www.bloomberg.com Deal with Green Thumb Industries will begin with 10 stores in Florida. This could help marijuana go more mainstream.
How To Make French Toast Even Better than the Diner — getpocket.com Pay close attention and you’ll always have the French toast you deserve.
What became of America's Drive-Thru Fotomat? — www.messynessychic.com
Those of a certain age no doubt remember dropping off film at a Fotomat drive up kiosk and returning a week or two later to get their pictures. But what ever happened to the kioks? Interesting look at how many have been repurposed over time.
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