CC Minus 519: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not ..

Today was a great day! Worked on some stuff I LIKE. Actually COMPLETED something. Created real VALUE for the people involved in both the receiving and the delivery. Doesn't get much better than that, right.
If I get a whole run of these ... then who knows what might happen. There are bets being placed on my real retirement date vs. my advertised retirement date. Most are betting on me missing the advertised date.

I kinda get nervous about that too, if I'm having fun.

Here's the dilemma: How do I make the next 17 months fun AND not feel like it's so much fun I don't want to leave? Need a risk mitigation plan here.

Some answers that come to mind are: create PULL outside; limit hours dedicated 'there' so I have time to discover what's going on elsewhere; start re-building outside commitments.

CC Minus 522: Packing 36 into 24

... hours that is.

In case I lose focus, or lose my nerve as CC-0 approaches, remember this:

• packing 36 hrs worth of living into 24 will shorten your life - guaranteed
  
• even if I love the work, can't I come up with something more fun?
• how about doing something that I control on my own terms?
  
• oh yeah, and what would it be like to truly pick what you work on vs. being forced at gunpoint

25 years ago when I arrived in this new cell, I had the idea that I was on my journey, on my terms, making my choices. Somewhere on this journey I lost my way and turned over the reigns ... they are choking me. Gotta cut the rope so I can breath again.

Read this, when in doubt!

CC Minus 525: Rollercoaster Workshops

Started the day off with renewed optimism for the activities we were working on, the challenge of a new program, an eager group and a fresh slate. No time pressure to deliver the product. Smart brains on the task. Was this the same weary, cynical person that went to bed last night?

The ugly cynic and familiar weariness started to appear by early afternoon. By mid-afternoon we were all losing focus, energy, optimism and allowing fatigue, confusion and 'can-to do it' thinking to seep in through the cracks.

What could I have done to better support the group?

• stay OUT of my email
• stay OFF of IM
• listen more actively
• reflect and clarify where we are

Bottom-line ==> Be MORE PRESENT !!! I knew that. You need to invest to get more out of it.

Tomorrow is another chance to start again. Stay tuned .....

CC Minus 526: Keep the Buzzes Going

I'm pretty chuffed that I just stuck with my O'Douls tonight. Another lovely day that would typically demand massive anesthetics. But I'm really looking forward to that massive caffeine buzz in the morning.

CC Minus 527: Ratio of "Gotta Have a Drink Days"

Seems that the ratio of Gotta-Have-A-Drink vs. Hey-What-A-Great-Day is w-a-a-a-ay out of whack these days. Having broken my Lenten fast on numerous occasions this year -- that's the alcohol abstention one -- I've decided to turn a new leaf for the last 2 weeks. And whaaddya know, as soon as I resolve to do better, I have a lousy day.

The details will seem irrelevant at some point in my future, BUT the way I CHOSE to handle it might be significant. So am practicing some good advice that I might give others:

• don't let "The Man" control your mood and reactions
• don't react immediately (well, I did spurt forth a couple of F*** expletives at one points)
• DO try to find something good in all of this ..... hmmmm not there yet!
  
• DO take at least one action that is a positive reaction ...... hmmmm not there yet either!

Obviously this is a work in progress. I managed the "don'ts", just need to finish up on the "dos"

CC Minus 528: The Rules of Life after 55 - #1

This thing by Bill Gates is circulating: The 11 Rules of Life. Very focused on teens. So what would a retired person tell me about the Rules of Life after 55?

Maybe it's some of the same Rules, just time-adjusted for the next chapter in life.

Rule #1 seems to always come in handy "Life is not fair; get used to it".

I'm sure the people who retired in 2007 and took a lump sum in stocks can relate to revisiting this one. Or the colleague that got cancer shortly after retiring. It's not about "fair", rather about making "lemonade from lemons", "playing the hand you're dealt" and "dancing with the one your with". All very trite, AND at the same time can really work to your advantage.

CC minus 529: Unlearning

Read something today by Steve Davis about "Unlearning". The gist of it is that we spend so much energy trying to filter and absorb new information, rather than truly digesting and working with the old. Maybe there are some things that we need to unlearn.

Am sure that I will have to *unlearn* lots of things post corporate life. Wondering what all those things are that are good that I might have to let go of. Wondering what all those bad things are that I can free myself from, if I can do it?

hmmmm

Testing from bar - can't figure out how to add the text !

CC Minus 530: Creating a pull to the next world

Two thoughts on my mind today:
1) I must have a "Pull" out of the corporate nest or I won't want to leave
2) I'm thrilled at some of the comments in my corp Blog
How can I connect these two things?

I love the intellectual challenge, but hate the sheer volume of work. The mountains of emails, meetings, and mindless activities associated with a large system just take away from the core creative work and leave you feeling used up and washed out on the side of the road.

Can I break the cycle, or do I just have to leave?