New Traffic Pattern Ahead

It's been a super busy week for me starting a new role, but something was rattling around my skull that I had been thinking a lot about as of late and wanted to share.

Plans don't always work out the way you intended them to. The most important thing is how you react.

Without getting into the nitty-gritty details, my cardiologist recommended this week that I shouldn't run marathons anymore due to potential scarring from past atrial fibrillation.

Well shit.

Getting this advice kinda messes up my plans for a "comeback" race in 2022. I had mentally been prepping to get back into shape for next year's Chicago marathon, which changes things.

I didn't know what to feel. I cared. But I didn't care too. It was weird.

But being told "you cant do something" (or even worse, you shouldn't do something) has always been a bit of a shiny object for me. I want to do it even more then. It’s a problem.

This time, I decided to pivot. Change the goal. I can't run 26.2 miles? What if I make the new challenge "how fast can I run one mile."

It's known as the "Magic Mile challenge". All of my training this week has now altered to re-focus on this new challenge.

I guess the point of all this is, don't give up.

If you are trying to do something, and a roadblock comes your way, change the game. Take on a different challenge. Move forward. Pivot.

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Forward Thinking

I enjoyed "5 Things You Need to Understand to Stop Being Lazy", which is from a book I recommend: Atomic Habits.

If you're looking for some tiny things that you can change every day to make yourself more productive, healthier, or whatever habit you want to build, there's some great advice in here.

Thought of the week

Latest obsession

I've written previously about the extraordinary Smith Tea Maker. Now back in stock for a limited time is the best blend: Silent Night (No 12).

Described as 'A caffeine-free candy cane in a cup. Northwest-grown peppermint leaves waltzing in a winter wonderland of cinnamon, ginger, and sweet licorice.'

Highest Recommendation. Just save me some.

This weeks "Deep Links"

Here are a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week:

• "The Four Energies" looks at how energy is split between 'what you love and what upsets you' - More
• "The Return of the Runner" is a wonderful spoken-word piece from my friend Chris Johnson. It came in to my inbox this week right as I needed it, and it  resonated with a lot of my feelings hearing "I cant" do something - Listen
• "Why the Best Things in Life Are All Backwards" is an essential read this week on how trying too hard to get the things you want in life may have the opposite effect - More
• 'There's a lot more to being a clown than just putting on a big red nose and a big baggy pair of pants.'. So "Clown shortage: Appeal for new recruits in Northern Ireland" feels like the perfect 2021 story - More
• "Bad Bosses: Stories of asshole managers—and the workers who fought back" describes some absolute lunatics in the workplace in - More
• I had to read this one twice. It's so bizarre. Just read it - "Goldman Sachs, Ozy Media and a $40 Million Conference Call Gone Wrong" - More
• File under huh; I'll never look at money the same. "15 Microprints Hiding in United States Currency" puts each form of US Currency (literally) under the microscope - More
• "' Logan Noir' and A Brief History of the Black-and-White Cut" explores the vibe of noir films and the art of several black and white releases. On a side note, also check out Greg Williams downright amazing B&W shots of Daniel Craig's James Bond - More
• "To fight burnout, workers can't allow well-being to feel like another to-do" feels to be an essential thing to focus on - burnout is a global problem, and some of the methods to force workforce well-being are contributing to the problem - More
• I've mentioned Craig Mod 's fantastic writing as he uses walking as a method to drive his creative work. "Walking as a Productivity System" looks at how he uses 'a walk as an operating system that he can use to support, feed, and inspire all the basic functions of his writing' - More
• One of the big mistakes I often run across is when an organization says, "we have to move fast." As a runner, I've learned that you slow down to go fast, and "The Measure of Time" articulates this well - More

Fin

My wife and I caught this performance on The Voice the other night, and it was something that I wanted to share.

Enjoy Holly Forbes performing Elton John's "Rocket Man" during The Voice Blind Auditions.