Progress. /  by steve goslin

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. cs lewis [1]

Progress means getting closer to the object we desire. Sometimes that means change, possibly even a complete alteration to our thinking or direction. Progress therefore invokes violence; violence of honesty, violence of action, and violence of consequence. Progress is not easy.

[1]: Christianity Today has a longer discussion of Lewis' use of progress and other "slippery" words we use poorly.

More Than Feelings. /  by steve goslin

Peter Bregman has some pretty good suggestions for What to Do When Anger Takes Hold.

"To succeed in life and in leadership, we need to act powerfully in the context of strong emotions and still have the impact we intend."

It's not in the having of strong emotions that we get in trouble. It's what we do with them that makes all the difference. Bregman offers a meditation discipline as training for unruly emotions.

I find that I often am realizing my emotions as they take place or after, and heading them off at the pass seems like a fantasy. I have experienced times of ease through meditation and confess I've gotten away from the discipline. This is a great challenge that it is both critical and wise to interact with our emotions in a healthy way, rather than letting them reappear down the road to more disastrous outcomes.

Thinking like Elon. /  by steve goslin

Tomasz Tunguz shares a few observations about the way Elon Musk thinks, after seeing him speak at All Things D last year.

Perhaps Musk's genius comes largly from observation. Several moments of clarity I've experienced (while not on the level of shooting people across the country in tubes or creating a competitor to Visa) have been in times of stillness and reflection rather than times of busyness. I am challenged that while there are many things to do, many things which I enjoy and am interested in, it is the discipline of pulling back that I should employ for greater advancement. I've witnessed this principal in the past, and am challenged to once again think, as much or more than I act.

via Thomas

The Google Way. /  by steve goslin

A few thoughts from Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg and their new book How Google Works centering around management and work-life balance, something I've brought up before.

How can we have passion in what we do and yet attempt to draw a strict line? Perhaps that's an outdated way of thinking, as Schmidt and Rosenberg suggest.

It will be a continuing discussion as non-traditional jobs continue to rise and the old pension-backed workforce diminishes.

Wrong Ladder. /  by steve goslin

"We are dogs thrashing in the collars of our own obligations."

I forget how I came across The Minimalists website, but this article is striking not necessarily in its uniqueness of message, but in its caution as we pursue our dreams and froth at opportunities to work longer and harder.

What does a success look like which doesn't cost us ourselves? How do we aim high and also maintain healthy boundaries for our families and other interests? Is it important to temper our passions?

I have another article to share soon discussing this recurring conversation of work-life balance.

The Road not Taken. /  by steve goslin

Frost's classic poem stands alone, lauded by Americans who blaze their own trail. It stands alone as an inspiration to me personally as I log and consider the literal roads I've taken and the continuing road of The Search.

The idea dissemination of this blog is actually secondary to the external processing as I reflect and consider what it means to be called to a particular work or a particular life that nature or nurture, or random chance, has positioned/empowered me specifically, to undertake.

It's both an esoteric consideration and a teeth-bearing, pragmatic, real question as well.

Why are we here.

Of all the things we can do, what do I choose and why. What do you choose?

My experience is that we all want clear answers and signs and search for such signs at cost of missing the journey. I love and hate the journey. I'd rather be doing what I'm supposed to be doing. (A common discussion in my household.)

What about you? How did you come to be who you are? What informed your decision for the road you're on?

To wit, what roads did you not take so that you can be where you are today?

Begin where you are. /  by steve goslin

This short challenge by Seth Godin is encouraging and challenging for those of us aspiring to do more. His list is chiefly for digital/marketing work, but mad lib in your own rubric for your respective field and get to work.

I can attest to the fact that after two weeks of trail-building the mental energy alone is a breath of fresh air.

Are you willing to build a trail?

Let me know how it goes for you!