Whether it’s a project, a road trip, a difficult conversation, or a catastrophic emergency, this is a question we face every single day and often need to resolve quickly. 

As leaders, we frequently address the question subconsciously. Our routines, patterns of behavior, and experience kick in. 

Before we realize what’s happening, we are four or five steps into the process and probably don’t even appreciate that we have not addressed this most basic of questions directly.

In keeping with the spirit of MMS, I want to lean into the character-building nature of making a personal commitment public.

Making a purely public commitment is one thing. Yeah, it’s out there, and people may throw a little shade if you don’t hit the mark.

But that’s not uncommon these days. Public commitments are like organizational goals. If you hit them, great! If you don’t, that stinks. We move on.

Personal commitments made public are another animal…

Although not the pure psychological definition, ‘cognitive dissonance’ often refers to the ability to hold two seemingly contradictory beliefs in tension with one another.

Cognitive dissonance, IMHO, lies in the advanced stages of executive thinking.

No different than any other professional skill, executive thinking is something that can be learned, improved, and perfected.

Just one more thing…

That’s all everybody wants.

One more dollar for their pet project to be completed.

One more opportunity for you to consider.

One more mentoring conversation to move their ball forward.

One more priority email response before the end of the week.

One more moment of your precious time.

Just ONE more thing…

“…malice needs nothing to live on. It can feed on itself.” – A.W. Tozer

Yes, it’s a dark image. I even toned it down a bit!

But…maybe we need to be reminded of just how ugly the spirit of malice can be once in a while.

In doing so, we put ourselves in a better position to take it seriously and face it head-on.

You and I need our calendars to help keep it all straight.

But as the proverbial saying goes – Calendars are great servants; terrible masters…

Do you control your calendar? Or...does your calendar control you?

It's a mixed bag, isn't it?

Many of us NEED our calendars to help streamline and organize our efforts.

They keep us in line and on time. That's a good thing, no?

You and I need our calendars to help keep it all straight.

But as the proverbial saying goes – Calendars are great servants; terrible masters…

I recently discovered “The YouTube.”

And that’s not necessarily a good thing.

But…that’s not the point of today’s stretch.

The point is that in my discovery of YouTube’s value, particularly during this intense season in American politics, I have been robbed of something of exponentially greater value…

Why are we so obsessed with the pursuit of "comfort"?

Care is needed in this conversation because, as humans, we suffer. And in that suffering, we are absolutely blessed when we are comforted.

Please know that is NOT what I'm talking about here.

I am referring to the apparent incessant search for a life of ease that makes no demands on us…

Have you heard of "kedging"?

Yeah, neither had I.

(Until I read about it in a book...but that's another article for another day. 😉 )

I had always wondered about the pure sailing MO - you know…before motors and propellers were a thing.

What if I need to go over there, straight into a strong headwind?

Or worse. What if there is no wind at all?

Some ships may be able to go to oars, I guess. But those really big tall ships? What did they do?!?

It is truly not that hard to stand out in the crowd of drab "sameness" - to have an impact on personal and professional relationships that is both heard and felt.

I received a letter recently that exemplifies the simplicity of it all...

It was a well-written thank you note.

That's it. And that was more than enough.