The Missing Post-It Notes
A few reminders I found myself looking to post-it for posterity this week
It’s now been a few months since water damage displaced me from my office set up in the basement. Although I miss my standing desk, I’ve gotten pretty adept at making due in the living room, kitchen and screen porch since then.
The kids are on summer vacation now too so we’re back to doing an early morning rundown of discussing times I might be on calls. For them it’s mostly so they know when the TV might be usable. For me it’s so they know when not to to open and close every cupboard looking for a snack, blast said TV, or use an Alexa to make an announcement to all devices that they are out of toilet paper.
The most noticeable thing missing from my new transient WFH set-up is the lack of post it notes at the ready. As much as I love my digital note taking system, having a pen and paper to scribble something is still super satisfying.
Post-Its have a unique capability to capture a daily to-do list or a life changing mantra. Ted Lasso is a TV character, but before he had “Believe” put on a poster above the team’s locker room door, it’s safe to assume he had it on a little piece of yellow sticky paper on the computer monitor at his desk.
And right after he put “Believe” on his monitor, he wrote “buy dish soap” on another one.
Coming off knee surgery I don’t need to run too many errands just yet, but here are a few reminders I found myself looking to post-it for posterity this week.
I am the greatest storyteller who ever lived 🟨
My brain is apparently an amazing storyteller. Depending on how long or how often you’ve been a Personal Sprints subscriber, you likely know that I had a panic attack years ago while driving. For seemingly no reason, my brain told me a story that I wasn’t going to be able to safely get myself and my family out of the Fort McHenry Tunnel. Must have been a pretty good story, ‘cause I believed it.
But we’re supposed to embrace our flaws as superpowers right? In that case, I might as well use my powers for good and tell more interesting stories. So I changed careers and help others find their story that needs a retelling, whether its to themself or potential colleagues.
Stories that led them to promotions, new jobs, leadership opportunities, and self acceptance.
Useful > Truthful 🟨
I’m not advising you to tell lies, but when it comes to helping anyone, the information that helps to overcome fear or doubt is always worth more than a truth on its own that keeps them stuck.
Uncovering what is useful to someone can almost always involve asking more questions. Telling the truth doesn’t always require that effort. Use that as your guiding light if you find yourself in a situation that involves you feeling the need to defend your being honest to others.
When in doubt just add value 🟨
Building trust takes time and unfortunately the internet is filled with people and things competing for our time. This can easily lead to overthinking ways to stand out from the crowd or under thinking it and going for something that comes off as gimmicky or disingenuous.
Networking is kryptonite for many. I counted myself among those who loathed it for most of my career, so I’m pretty well versed at spotting the mental gymnastics of someone explaining why they don’t do any networking.
Unsure of what to say, many stay silent and don’t strike up that conversation that could easily be a meaningful one in their career.
Networking can be novel (video or audio notes) without being gimmicky. It can be impromptu and still be intentional. The easiest way to get better at it if you feel super uncomfortable at it is to simply focus on adding value to the conversation.
A tip, a complement, an article or podcast they might find interesting. People value these things.
And if you’re still unsure what they value, just ask.
🎥 Now Streaming 🎥
There were plenty of movies to be watched this past week after my surgery. I’m still working on getting my kids into “Lord of the Rings:, but they did agree to watch 2 of the 3 movies with me so far.
The Indiana Jones series was an unexpected marathon. We watched 4 of the 5 movies over the weekend and my son was not pleased with me when I told him I was going to be returning to work this week. He wants to take a second try at “Temple of Doom,” a movie he remembers being too scary for him years ago.
I was a bit Brat Packed out after last week, but I still love John Hughes so we opted for some Brat-less “Uncle Buck” and “The Great Outdoors.” My son is beginning to appreciate John Candy now that he knows him outside of his Polka playing with the Kenosha Kickers in “Home Alone”.