17Jul22 sent from MGM, AL

Sharing MY reflective practice with YOU... click reply, and let me know how you are! *If you wanna share "The Note," just send this link to your friends: https://sendfox.com/jw 

2022 - Y.4 N.9 "New Questions"

Hi ,

You know that this thing I call "The Note" is my way of sitting down once a week, looking through my journal, and putting together ideas I have in a way you can read.

I've got three things to write about:

1. Who > Why
2. Ideas < Ideals
3. Fear = Love

Before writing a few paragraphs from my heart on each of those, I have TWO things going on in the next few weeks. Please join in on either or both!

First, on Monday, 8 Aug from 1705 Central (5:05 pm), I'll be hosting a "Gift and Power" workshop. All the info is here (and, feel free to share!).

Second, on Monday, 8 Aug, and Monday, 22 Aug, I will host two gatherings to discuss Marshall's newest book. I read it on vacation and can 100% recommend it. And, yes... also share this link with a friend.

//

I spent some time on my bike ride this morning reflecting on what I'd write about and send you today. There are three things I am thinking about this week. The common theme: "It's time to ask new questions."

After you read, I wonder if you'd hit reply and let me know what questions YOU'RE sitting with!

1. Who > Why

I still have folks I work with ask their people to start by defining their "purpose."

I find that "why" isn't as powerful as it should/could be. I believe that the more I share "me" with people, the more we have to discuss. I strive to meet people where they are and discuss OTHER question words such as: who I am, what I care about, how I got here, and where I'm going. The result? A more profound connection.

That connection has led to new opportunities that I didn't know existed, no matter HOW much I tried to define my why.

A couple of hours ago, a mentee FaceTimed me and reminded me of our first meeting about a year ago. Today's conversation reminded me of something I had forgotten. They had heard about me from a friend and reached out, asking if we could talk. I love to spend time with people who answer the hard questions, the big questions.

At the bottom of their email, I saw a URL and clicked on it. I clicked that URL and spent about an hour on the website. I replied to the email and let them know what I saw online and how their web footprint made me feel. I gave them some homework; and said that I thought they were doing fantastic work.

Today on FaceTime, that person told me that the email I sent and the subsequent time we spent on Zoom going through their answers helped more than I could ever know.

Question #1: "Who is my who?"

2. Ideas < Ideals

There's a thin line between what we think we can do and what we believe in doing.

Ok, so I just did that thing where I used the wrong pronoun. I should have written:

"...between what I think I can do and what I believe in doing."

Recently, I attended a leader development program at the Disney Institute. Over the four days I was there, I filled a Moleskine page on my IDEALS - as in my values...principles...standards...rules. These are the ideals that shape what I believe, what I think is possible, and what I expect.

Over the past 20 or so years, people have asked me to share my values. From running a company with Jodi to writing books to eventually moving to Alabama to work with the Air Force, I've always struggled to limit myself to a few values. More recently, however, I have had to make some hard decisions, stand up for what I believe, and share with people how I'm feeling concerning what I see going on out there.

So you know, here is what I believe in:

I value "connection" more than a score. 

I value "intention" more than I value chance. 

And, I value "better" tomorrow than I do the comfort of today. 

The decisions I make come from that foundation. Every time.

Q #2: "What do I stand for, and what do I reject?"

3. Fear = Love

Years ago, a mentor gave me this definition of fear:

F.alse

E.xpections

A.ppearing

R.eal

I have read more about psychology, spirituality, sociology, and biology, and I acknowledge that when I'm scared of something, I can explore where that fear comes from and understand where those false expectations come from.

Last week I worked with three groups of Airmen for about 90 minutes each. Once again, I watched as the walls went up when I invited people to join the program. Then, I watched people peer over the edges of walls as I modeled what I believe we're all hoping for (connection). And finally, I experienced the walls come down as we were all humans together. We connected.

THAT is the problem I am in love with. And, it's my greatest fear.

I read about it. I think about it. I write about it. I talk about it. I want to understand how I can be MORE of a force for good when it comes to this concept of #connection.

While some people call it "being vulnerable," I continue to watch as folks break down the biases - their expectations - of what could happen if we be honest with one another. What do people fear? The same thing they genuinely love.

Real connection.

Q #3: "What problem do I love?"

I hope you're well out there. Would love to help how I can! Please do let me know what questions you're asking yourself this week.

Much love and a big hug from Alabama,

Dr. JW 

PS: "Gift and Power" workshop on 8 Aug all the info is here and on the 8th and the 22nd you could gather and talk about "The Earned Life" which is Marshall Goldsmiths's newest book. Of course, feel free to share this link with a friend.

PPS: Based on reading Marshall's book, I'm re-looking at the concept of #Empathy. Here's a #dirty version of what I'm thinking. I will clean it up before we meet in a few weeks!

How did The Note* from MGM (Montgomery, AL) begin?

Jodi and I moved to Alabama in 2019. After being here for just less than a week, I opened up my email to send a note to my family in friends in California and beyond. Jodi was on her way to join me here, so I took some time to reflect on this significant life decision/change I had initiated. That Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019, I sent an email at 9:38 pm (or, as I was beginning to learn: 2138). Here's how it started:

Today was my first day as an employee of the United States Air Force. And, I am bold enough to say I've never been prouder or more excited to serve a community.

Though I "moved" to Alabama last Wednesday [Jodi plans to be here Monday], I went to my New Employee Orientation just today. The 90-minute briefing culminated in me taking the Oath:

"I, Jason Womack, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well; and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

All at the same time, I felt pride, Honor, and a hefty dose of responsibility. I'm helping leaders on a grand scale.

*The following Sunday (and many subsequent Sundays!) I've sent a note to my family and friends. Thanks for reading, and gratitude (more!) for clicking reply and letting me know what YOU'RE reflecting on!