January 2, 2023, sent from Novato, CA

"The Note" = sharin' what I'm thinkin'

Hiya ,

Well, it's the first Monday of the new year. Being a reflector, it's natural for me to look back.  Being an innovator, I get distracted by the breadth of topics I can consider. Give me a new page in my reMarkable tablet and 15 minutes; my mind could go anywhere!

What do I know for sure? There's something out there I could think about better…more deeply…with intention. 

My self-imposed task: Choose Wisely.

A Focus on Change

When I focus on change, I pre-flect (think before thinking) about the long-term gains from short-term efforts. (I'll write about that later this spring.) while I know things take time, I believe that "time" is just 1/3rd of the calculation.

I'm talking about gain. Not pain.

It shouldn't hurt to change.

Yeah, I know. Change can be challenging, but it can also be an excellent opportunity for personal growth and development.

That's the sterile way of saying it.

Now for the human way: "Something new is coming my way; the more aware I am of real-time change, the more ready I'll be for the change on the way."

But…

It's not a one-for-one. It's not like I can practice change on - say - a "health" change and think that I will be more prepared for a health thing. I have to feel, believe, and accept that practice simply gives me the right to perform.

It gets me into the room where it happens.

Learning how to change requires I practice doing things differently. Now that I'm 50, I promise you that inertia could block any logical thinking by overtaking: the unconscious, the habitual, the Reticular Activating System, the normalcy and acceptance of well-rehearsed Self Talk.

Now, I could go on and on describing what and how I relate to any one of those. Instead, I'll write about some things I'm practicing. And, I trust that there isn't a direct "why?" for these 'cause I assume that by practicing change "here," I'll be ready for what's coming from "over there."

Dryuary: In a book I wrote a while back is a line...something like, "if I track it, I can change it." I tracked last month, and I was up over 40 units of alcohol throughout the month. "Happy Hour, anyone?" Along with my parents and friends, I intend to drink a LOT less in January (and this year). Of course, "dry" would imply 0 beers; I didn't commit to that. What did I commit to?

Wayyyyyyy less. My guess is that I'll make it MOST days this month without havin' a drink.

Calendar Fidelity: Speaking of tracking, I turned in my "additional speaking/duty" spreadsheet yesterday. For the 90 days starting October 1, I facilitated sessions for 790 Airmen and Guardians, totaling roughly 146 hours of preparation time for 55 hours of facilitation time. What I am sitting with today is that I need to be much more aware of how I will use one-to-two-hour-long blocks of time that I can string together. While I've always been "pretty good" at time management, the "practice" I made while writing my dissertation will come into play. 

Longer blocks of focused time on projects and dreams that are further out on my calendar. (Yeah... that 30/30 Rule that Jodi and I wrote about a loooooong time ago!)

An Updated "said yes to" Inventory: I still have the original and organized "to-do list" I made in 1997 upon moving back to Ojai after living in Argentina. That was the beginning of my "separating" tasks by like-items. It was also where I consciously learned the difference a verb can make. 

This year, I'm going to update the "here's-what-I've-said-yes-to" list and publish it (to myself) in a way that I could ask for help/guidance (from peers, leaders, and mentors). I want things on that list to ONLY be the "Heck Yes!" items that pull me toward a vision of the future that is clearer (better, more fun, and more exciting) than the present. Oh, it means I will say "No" to some things.

That is a verb at the beginning of a to-do list item. 

So, my three "mantras" as I head into the next few months are:

1. Practicing change on the small things - consistently - will help me become more resilient so that I can handle more of the things that come my way. 
2. Practicing change and seeing it as a positive can also help me stay open to new experiences and ideas, which can lead to personal and professional growth.
3. Practicing change can even invite new opportunities and positive experiences.

I will continue to remind myself that change is a natural part of life, and it shouldn't hurt to do things differently. By focusing on those three changes above, I get to practice doing things differently before I have to do things differently. 

That's why I believe that practice doesn't make perfect. (And, not even PERFECT practice makes it.)

Nope... "practice makes easier."

Happy new year, I look forward to writing to you more this year.

Much love,

Dr. JW

PS: Speaking of writing... I will host a three-session "Write My Life Stories" course. (Links here...) If you want to spend a few hours over the next nine (9) weeks writing three (3) stories about your life:

1. Check your calendar. Please commit to (a) spend 2-3 hours writing each story, and (b) meet from 1000-1200 Central on the following dates: January 15, February 5, February 26
2. Let me know ASAP if you're in. We'll meet on Zoom, on Video, for 2 hours on those three Sundays. I'm capping the group at ten people.
3.  Tell your unconscious mind that you're going back in time to write the FEELING of your history. (This is going to be more than "fact writing." I'll share more with you later!)

Wanna share "The Note"? Send this link to friends: https://sendfox.com/jw 



* Why do I write?

2 Jan - I write to figure things out.