Enjoy it. Because it's happening.

There is a simple truism and it is, "if you do something, something will happen". And yes, it does conjure up images of that famous crime fighter Captain Obvious*... please indulge me a little before asking me to reach for my cape.

Let me begin by saying that "doing something" does not include "hoping", "worrying", "praying", "wishing", "lamenting" or anything of this ilk. As much as some people believe that something will happen as a result, it rarely does... other than wasting energy I suppose. 

"Something" refers to action; measurable and elicits a reaction. In other words, if you want to make something happen, you have to take action! And with that Captain Obvious strikes again... or does he? Have you ever know someone who was "waiting for it to happen?"

Dr Seuss famously called it the Waiting Place: 

"...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting. 

Only by doing something can you "escape the waiting place" and make things happen. It may be obvious, but if we are truthful, we have all spent some time in the waiting place. "If you do something, something will happen" may not be as obvious as we think, and definitely easier said than done. 

Don't get me wrong... "doing something" and taking action is actually easy! Where that challenge lies is what happens as a result. Sometimes it may not go exactly as expected. But that is OK! The important point is something is happening - It is all good!

I feel obliged to point out that when I refer to "doing something", it is in the context of positive action, being constructive, and that you would have no issues involving your mother. So as you are making something happen (with or without your mother), remember this - 

• You are getting closer to your goals and dreams**
• You actions are initiating a change, and change is good!
• Making something happen is usually an iterative process, Things build upon themselves.
• For everything that happens, you have learned something.
• "Making it happen" will take you places you would never thought possible.
• You have a lifetime, so keep working it.
• Enjoy it! Because it is happening.

Life, love, work and play... these are our adventures; do something and make them happen. 

gpe

* Captain Obvious: a title given to someone who openly states something obvious... such as "Hot Chocolate is hot"

** Dreaming is internally driven and the birthplace of aspiration, goals and ultimately action to make it happen; different from "wishing, etc" that look to external forces or hold negative energies.

In memory of...

It was two years ago today that I said my final farewell to my oldest friend; we laid him to rest on a Monday and I vividly remember the white gloves we were asked to wear as pallbearers - Symbolic I suppose... no longer to be touched by the flesh of the living.

Not surprising, hundreds paid their respects and he was eulogized by the chief of police; we laughed more than we cried, and celebrated his life... how could you not but laugh when told the story of being bitten on the ass by your own police dog. His life was a treasure chest of stories and people; rich by any measure.

Cancer, all too familiar and sadly predictable, took him from his wife, his family and his friends - All that is left are memories and these stories of a lifetime. Stories of friendship, character, compassion and courage; stories that have, in a humble way, shaped my own. 

"You got a lifetime. No more. No less"* - Knowing this, you write the best story you can and live your life. 

And life goes on. 

You find yourself putting these memories on the top shelf, and continue writing your own story...never forgetting, but eventually not quite remembering. Until a moment occurs; once more to be flooded with the memories of friendship, brotherhood and laughter. A reminder of why we are here, and what is important.

July 1st is Canada Day and the skies will be filled with fireworks to celebrate the nation; I will also quietly celebrate the life of Garth Jung, as this is one of those moments that I remember my friend and his story.

In Memory of Garth Jung (1960-2013), and all those who have touched our lives.

gpe

* Neil Gaiman said this

"In your heart of hearts... will it work?"

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

Some time ago I was in a meeting that was rife with opinions regarding the issues of a project, technical discussion, and ultimately would it get off the ground. As the meeting was breaking up a leader looked at the project owner and simply asked, "In your heart of hearts, will it work?". I thought it was a brilliant question!

For those of you not familiar with the term "In your heart of hearts", it is an idiom that refers to knowing something for certain very deep inside yourself, although you might not want to admit it - Not even yourself sometimes.

The question had nothing to do with technical specifications, resource management or operating mechanisms, but something far more fundamental and core to building something sustainable - TRUST, HONESTY, RELIABILITY, the ability to get at the answer and make a better decision. 

Most of us are trustworthy, honest and reliable; it is the way we try to run our lives. Every so often though, we find ourselves with a situation that we believe in so much, have worked on so hard, and have committed so much to, that if signs arise contrary to what we believe, we suppress it - In effect, we start fooling ourselves. More often than not, it is not malicious, but simply "being human"; this is why I love this question so much... it gets to the heart of the matter. (Yes, the puns are intended)

In a practical sense, the answers to "In your heart of hearts... will it work?" are simply YES, NO or I don't know"... often there is preamble before you get one of these answers, but you will, just be patient. For the less patient in the crowd, you can set the question up like this... "In your heart of hearts... will it work - Yes, No or I don't know?" There is much less preamble in my experience. 

To be effective, this question should not asked by text, twitter, email, phone or anything other other than face to face. Remember that business is a social enterprise, so when you ask a "heart of hearts" question, you need to be face to face;  not only to uncover the answers you need to make a business decision, but also to confirm the fundamentals of trust, honesty and reliability. 

 It is such a great leadership question to ask, or to be asked... as like I've said, "it gets to the heart of the matter", helps make better decisions, and confirm you are working with the right people. You just have to love it!

There just seems to be an endless amount of puns with this... sorry!

gpe