Good morning, intrepid lover of life,
If you're reading this today, you are someone, I believe, who has an innate curiosity to find the good, wherever it might be. You are someone who understands that life is a constant source of inspiration and challenge. You know that sometimes life presents you with Bluebirds.
Last August, I was the designated mid-trek re-supplier when my partner Suki hiked the Presidential Range. My wonky knee would've made me a burden, so I opted to be the support crew. We met at the top of Mount Washington, where the world's worst weather resides. That day though, was glorious.
To get up top, I could've driven. Alternatively, I took the Cog Railway up. You're allowed to stay for only an hour. The trains are always full. If you miss your train, you might have to hike down. Well, our timing was a bit off, and I did miss my train. After a bit of negotiating, I was allowed to ride the rail the way the help does; on the back platform outside the car. That serendipitous experience is the source of this video compilation. The soundtrack is a cover of Bob Dylan's "It takes a lot to laugh; it takes a train to cry."
In June, I am co-producing an online Summit called "The Take Charge Challenge." We will be having 12 sessions over a one week period that will cover everything from wellness to money matters. I'll be presenting on Preparation, Perspective, and Progress. It's the same focus as a book chapter I've written that will be published around the same time.
On Perspective, if we don't take care, we can let current events affect us adversely. Our psychology can be polluted with politics, and we find ourselves mired in self-flagellating behavior. Everyone we know is in the same pickle. What you can do is change your Perspective. Be the force of Joy. At the very least, bring a smile to every interaction. Even behind a mask, smile with your eyes. Be the leader you know you can be. By bringing joy and showing appreciation, you are the seed for a thousand future kindnesses.
The Take Charge Challenge. It's designed for you. I hope you'll join us. More to come.
Let's revisit our morning routine.
S - Silence, or Meditation
A - Affirmations - Stuart Smalley? I think not
V - Visualization - All the greats do this
E - Exercise - Early morning aerobics launches your brain
R - Reading - One must feed the now activated brain
S - Scribe - Time to write. Time to reflect. Time to plan
Visualization has been a profound game-changer for me. I first experienced its power in the early 1980s. I was able to get staff passes to the US Open Golf Tourney held in Rochester, NY that year. With our cameraman tags, we got fantastic access. Arnold Palmer was on the par-five 5th hole when he heeled a shot into the woods, only 50 yards beyond the tee. We all crowded around the ball in the trees waiting for Arnie to address the ball. The safe bet was to chip out the 10 yards back to the fairway. Arnie chose to shoot 50 yards through the woods. He had to thread the needle between two trees 5 feet apart and 20 yards away. After his successful second shot sailed 175 yards toward the green, someone shouted, "how'd you do it?" He said, "I visualized it."
Whenever I have something big unfolding, I always visualize it. Maybe it's a conversation, or perhaps it's a presentation. Or perhaps it's a tough putt on the 17th, the one with the ramp and the windmill.
Have a great week. Next week, Deirdre Sartorelli, The Director of the Angle Center of Entrepreneurship, will be my guest on the Influencer Series. We will be talking about Disruption, which is all around us. See you then.
In Service,
James
