A year ago in January, I blogged that I’m not going to go a month without posting something here. I was committed to getting on with it now. It would keep me on track with my plan and commitment to myself to “let my right brain loose”. I executed to plan for 4 months and then went AWOL from blogging. Why? Detailing the excuses would bring way too many words here and likely eliminate anyone’s interest in reading.
But I’ll provide 2 explanatory bullets and a short note and that’ll be that:
1. New job / career started in May that redirected my primary focus and my responsibilities as a provider to my family (which is a good thing).
2. The tragic loss of both of my wife’s parents in June (not such a good thing).
Engaging in #1, dedicating to the learning required to understand a new role, expectations and objectives while navigating through the grieving and associated responsibilities associated with #2 takes its toll.
I can’t say “let’s close the door on 2017, put it behind me and only look forward” because what’s happened has happened and there are still things needing closure. However, let’s optimistically march forward here in 2018 stepping off to tie up those loose ends relating to last year and strive to focus forward with “courage and tenacity, showing up every day focused on what’s important even when it’s not fun”. The words in quotation marks are attributed to Carey Lohrenz, who provided some inspiration recently at my company’s annual sales conference (see https://careylohrenz.com).
Much happened in the last half of 2017 in addition to my personal trials and tribulations…not sure what to list or comment on. But here’s my bullet list of mindful chaos, from the personal and professional thinking and coming in from left field. These will either stay as is or there will be musings to come:
• Son’s Wedding (June 2018) • Settling the In-law’s Estate • Self-driving Cars? • One Year Trumped • Artificial Intelligence • Cyber-security • Digital Transformation (again) • Internet of Things (aka All Things Connected) • Promote the Right (side of the brain) • Church and Community • Crypto-currency • Blockchain • Health and Fitness • Big Data Analytics • Biometric Security • Teeth Marks on the Tongue • The Magic of Thinking Big • Plasma Rocket Engines • Cameras EVERYWHERE • Pizza Delivery by Drone • Eagles Win Super Bowl? • Dunbar’s Number • Electro Hypersensitivity • Ball Bearings and #2 Pencils • Why Baseball is Important • The Dark Web • Nootropics • Digital Exhaust • Machine to Machine • The Cult of Personality
Yes, I realize there’s 30 items on my list above. With it now being February, I know the probability of me completing 30 more blogposts in 2018 is suspect (especially based on my 2017 history), but let me bask in the warmth of optimistic idealism, ok? Whether I can generate enough “real” internal drive and discipline to create something of interest (to me mainly) regarding these items is another question altogether. I haven’t clue if I’ll be able, or when it comes to reality, actually desire to spin up 1500 words on these items. Some of which are truthfully thought-provoking from a perspective that overlaps into my technology-related professional world as well as into my personal mind stimulating curiosity. Some are just plain personal that are at or near the top of the things that keep me up at night.
I also realize that if somehow there becomes some actual nuggets of knowledge from whatever it is I may provoke from inside myself with regard to these topics I will go counter to the claim of purpose about this blogsite. Remember? It’s about nothing, the only thing I know something about.
Anything on the list drive any type of inquisitiveness in you? Feel free to let me know. Otherwise I’ll muddle along on my own pace to Get On With It Now.
Stay tuned, there will be more. I promise.
-Cary
Email: carynoel1@gmail.com
Twittter: @carynoel1