In the early 2000s, I was a part of a project team to eliminate paychecks and paper payroll statements at JPMorgan Chase.  It may not sound like a big deal now, but back then, it was for the 60,000 plus people that received them. Further, to our knowledge, no other company had done it at scale.

Concerns, despair and even a bit of controversy began to stir as folks believed that employees were pretty wed to “their paper.”  However, as a team, we stayed focused on “the stars.” We saw the possibilities for the employees and the company, and got it done!

I have learned that as you come face-to-face with challenges, your perspective can make the difference.   You can focus on the crud and despair of the mud or the wonder and possibilities of the stars. That is a choice.

Last year reading “goodby things” prompted me to take inventory and to ask “additive, neutral or distracting to my journey?”
If distracting, they must go. If neutral, evaluate relative to replacing with something more additive.
Your journey towards your passion and purpose are worth it, take inventory.

What an internal trifecta!  The question is, can you answer all three in the affirmative?

If not, give thought to what you need to change to make it so.  Once you know the “what,” you can create the “how.”

When we venture out of our comfort zones to the unfamiliar, we expand our options and our perspective.

Of course, we would love for life to be life school with a detailed syllabus so we know what we are going to learn, what we will be tested on and when. In reality, it doesn’t work that way.  Embrace each test, trail, barrier, and challenge as a part of your journey, making you stronger and building your resilience for the rest of the way. 

Scientists have said that on average an adult makes up to 35,000 remotely conscious choices each day.  Over 200 of them are about food alone.  At the moment, a singular choice can feel insignificant but a series of related choices often form a habit and a cumulative result.

Consciously make a choice about how you will begin each day.  Randomly based on how you feel when you wake up OR with a focused list aimed at your passion, goals and a few priorities to guide you through the day.

We are truly less than “perfectly polished.”

That is not weakness, there is no shame and you don’t have to present a façade to appear “perfect,” at least not with the right folks. [Read more at link]

An enabling factor here is clarity of what you are working towards. [Read more at link]

I am learning to change the rules, be balanced and play more.   Play with your significant other, your children, broader family and even by yourself (e.g. gaming, puzzles, whatever you like to do).   It’s healthy and we don’t get the time back.