A late season trip to Vermont for some skiing provided a great end to the week. We were really fortunate and got three mornings of fresh snow and just as many breakfasts with hot, fresh donuts in the lodge. I love watching my kids build their skills, and constantly admire my wife's incredible grace gliding down the mountain. For me, getting back on a board is always a humbling (yet fun) experience. As a late life learner each ski trip we take allows me to rediscover that "learning is fun, don't get frustrated" mindset. Enjoy the journey, right?
Here's what else I've been...
Talking about - Energy and fatigue. A friend and I swapped stories of recent burnout and recovery. Nothing serious, but it got us thinking. Neither of us are runners but we stumbled on an interesting analogy between running styles and energy use, be it mental, physical, or emotional. It seems that some people are sprinters; they burn hot, run fast, and pour everything they have into the immediate problem at hand with an unyielding solitary focus. The results are amazing short term results and long recovery periods. Others are joggers; they move through things with a steady pace, constantly progressing, stretching at stoplights. Then there are the marathoners; they train to keep a good pace and tackle large problems by breaking them into chunks. I'm working to be the marathoner. Specifically the example that Germán Silva just set. Check out his incredible story of running across Mexico.
Reading - More than once this week, our leadership team revisited our company values. We're curious if they're the same as when we founded Fulcrum? Are they well defined and understood? Which ones are required and which are preferred for our team members? It's a great conversation. Values showed up in two other places for me this week. The first is a book I’ve added to my soon-to-read list: Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman. Seligman is a leader in the positive psychology field and has done some amazing work on Authentic Happiness. The second was in a Facebook post by Gary Keller. To quote: “Charisma attracts and Character retains. Too many entrepreneurs have a lot of charisma and too little character. Their charisma will eventually betray them. Character means you walk your talk. It’s the same as integrity. Character is who you are. Integrity is living that out. Charisma is the talk. Character is the walk.” Man, I love this idea.
Watching - For the last three nights my family has huddled and cuddled to watch the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds of March Madness. We will likely do the same tonight. I love seeing the huge hearts of the players and the high stakes of single elimination play. The stories of top seeds falling and Cinderellas advancing are so much fun to watch. St. Peter's historic run into the Elite Eight has been the story of the tournament thus far. I thought this take on the financial implications of their success was interesting. Stripping away all of the outside factors, I love watching March Madness for two things: (1) will that last minute shot go in and create chaos, and (2) can a team hold the lead and hit the pressure free throws to cement the win. Free throws are that perfect place where pressure and practice connect to see what we're made of.
Here's to a poised, energetic posture as you walk your talk this week.
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