Author: Mike Fitch (Page 2 of 7)

It’s interesting to think about the concept of Independence Day while Austin, much like the rest of the country, hunkers down to flight off the current pandemic. Over these last 3 months, we’ve been anything but “independent”. On one hand, we are reminded that our individual behavior ripples to those far beyond our immediate circle. At the same time, we are shut off from many of the social customs that create a sense of community.

I love making temporary friends over a beer as much as the next person, but true independence is not just about whether I have the right to walk into a bar. It’s more about my own identification of self value. To be truly independent means being comfortable in your own skin and the ability to adapt to the uncontrollable set of circumstances that will always swirl around us.

But it can’t stop there. In times of challenge, it’s important that we look out for those around us. Only by taking care of ourselves first can we start tending to our loved ones and extended communities. To borrow an oft cited travel analogy – it’s about putting on our own oxygen mask first.

We are both Independent and Interdependent. Now more than ever.

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Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

I’ve had a few conversations lately about the need for grace.  Not Amazing Grace in the biblical sense, but a more down to earth “Ordinary Grace” which encourages mercy and kindness between people. I saw one definition that described grace as “courteous goodwill”. Two simple words that seem difficult to fulfill in reality.

Whether you are for wearing face masks or think it’s an awful idea.  Whether you are a Democrat or Republican. There are ways to have a conversation that don’t require insults or derogatory statements.  Few arguments have ever been won based on who can yell the loudest.  What we need now more than ever is a level of kindness.  

As people grapple with the current situation, it’s helpful to put labels on things. We gave the disease a name and talk about things like “face coverings” and “social distancing” that had little to no meaning only a couple months ago. A phrase that keeps popping up to describe the whole weird enchilada is “new normal”. It’s quickly become my least favorite phrase in a while. Ok, Boomer….

The multiple comparisons to the global flu of 1918 should be proof enough it’s not new. Not to mention SARS, MERS, etc. And if wearing a hazmat suit to pick up the mail is normal….well no thank you. I’ve long believed that after the worst of this fades – we’ll quickly go back into our “old normal” in most situations. Here are a couple things that I think might stick.

1. Video Conferencing is now in the mainstream. Once the realm of tech junkies or scientists in far flung locals – now kindergartners and grandmas alike know how to “Zoom”.
2. Less mindless busyness. We don’t need to get in our cars every time we forgot to buy tomatoes. Turns out what you have in the pantry is probably enough to make a delicious meal and spend those extra 30 minutes with your loved ones.
3. Social media will take a backseat to real engagement. This one might be wishful thinking on my part, but I love the fact that teenagers are discovering that you can also talk through that little texting (and Instagram posting) device in their pockets.

Across the country, we are starting to see stores reopen and people venturing out again. For some, too soon. For others, not soon enough. We’ll get through this eventually, but we’ll have more health and economic issues before it’s over. Once we are on the other side, I hope that some of the kindness remains. Until then, I’m off to my next Zoom Happy Hour, waiting for my contactless grocery delivery (hoping they didn’t forget the tomatoes), and streaming Tiger King in the background. Normal-schmormal….

I had a dream recently where I was on a plane going somewhere I wanted to visit. The pilot came on the intercom and said in order to reach our destination, we’d have to make a rapid decent, rise quickly over a building, and touch back down beyond it. As we did our “touch and go”, the final destination came into view and was even more beautiful than I had imagined.

While it seems a bit corny in waking hours, dreams of course have a way of bringing forward their own message from our subconscious. In this case, the message and metaphor seem obvious, but it was the message my conscious mind needed to hear. Sometimes you have to go through obstacles to get where you are going. The obstacles are often less scary than imagined, but the payoff is even better.

And while the story above is a true personal account, Stoicism is having a bit of a moment. Lots of people have recounted the quote below. I guess some things really are timeless.

The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way – Marcus Aurelius

Gratitude and kindness are different sides of the same coin. Better yet, they are both free.

The start of a new year often brings renewed focus on self-improvement. While working for improvement is a noble and worthwhile cause, there exists a lot of noise and conflicting messaging.

• Improve your weaknesses or focus on your strengths?
• Follow your passion or do what your are already good at?
• It’s all about The Hustle. The Hustle is crap.
• Financial Independence and Retire Early or find a long meaningful career?

The truth of course is there is no single path, no silver bullet. Rather than following the hashtags, I think the best option is to focus on whichever message resonates within you. Everyone is unique and driven by different motivators and aspirations. Much like diets, you are much more likely to follow one that fits your lifestyle, current situation, and ultimate goals.

Do your research and check out a bunch of different styles. Try them on for size. I’ve provided a few examples via the links above, but in no way an exhaustive list. The guides and mentors are helpful reinforcements, but ultimately the person in the mirror owns the results.

I was listening to the radio on the way to work this morning when a Johnny Cash song came on. I’ll admit a bit of bias via nostalgia from my parents listening to him when I was a kid.  But it occurred to me that his music has stood the test of time. In some sense, I’d argue he was a visionary who is more appreciated with the passage of years.

Which brings me to an analogy for business and life. Whether your job goes away, the app you built doesn’t talk off, or you don’t feel appreciated in the moment…..make sure that when you look back you are proud of the work you did. You can’t dictate the outcome, but you can always control the quality, integrity, and effort you put forth.

When I think I’m too busy to work on the next project, read the next book, etc. I’ll remind myself of this. 16 dates in 14 different cities. This is 86 year old Willie Nelson’s tour schedule for the first 2 months of 2020. Given that fact, it’s entirely possible some of these get cancelled/rescheduled, etc. and people will second guess his decision, judgement, health, etc. The point is that he’s out there doing it.  Perhaps not coincidence that the same person that recorded “Still is Still Moving” is also most famous for “On the Road Again”.

As the saying goes – the days are long, but the years are short. Here’s to making the most of the long days in 2020.

Jan 3 – San Diego, CA
Jan 4 – Bakersfield, CA
Jan 6 – San Francisco, CA
Jan 8 – San Francisco, CA
Jan 9 – San Francisco, CA
Jan 11 – Redding, CA
Jan 13 – Stockton, CA
Jan 14 – Ontario, CA
Feb 11 – Savannah, GA
Feb 12 – Melbourne, FL
Feb 14 – Clearwater, FL
Feb 15 – St. Augustine, FL
Feb 17 – Key West, FL
Feb 18 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Feb 20 – Estero, FL
Feb 21 – Orlando, FL

(Willie Nelson wrote “Funny How Time Slips Away” in 1961)

I recently came back from a trip to see family in Minnesota. Flying back to Austin can feel melancholy. A foot in two worlds – not quite away and not quite home. It reminded me of a couple things. Both obvious, but easily overlooked.

Enjoy the moment – it’s easy to get lost in the past or future. The best way to break the blues is to embrace your current situation. You never know when you might meet an interesting person on your journey.

Appreciate what you have – rather than dwell on the things you’ll miss, focus on the personal relationships that you carry with you no matter where you go.

Now that I’m home, those same rules will allow me to maximize my current life and not focus on what’s going on without me in my hometown.

And when I go back, I’ll enjoy those new moments all over again.