Would you believe that a small bug with the publishing date in Quartz was allowed to fester - nay, obstruct! - my updating of this blog?
Sometimes, a little nagging thought is allowed to grow, even when it’s not accurate or helpful, like this bug I addressed in just a few minutes. Simple stuff, yet somehow unrealistic when set aside for approximation to take over in whichever direction it finds best.
Moving on!
This year, I’ve deliberately over-indexed on networking events, meeting people, and keeping up with contacts I’ve made over the years.
For the most part, this looks normal: “Hi, how are you? It’s been a minute.”
Other times, it looks awkward but well-intetioned: “Hey, I know we haven’t chatted in years, but you’ve done amazing things in the interim. I just thought you should know that you’re awesome.”
I’m pushing aside grace and perfection in favor of doing. In short, doing my best to get out of my own way, wherever and whenever possible.
When I started consulting, I was thinking more about tech and hard skills, keeping what I know sharp and staying thoughtful of what’s next. I didn’t calculate the time needed in getting to know people, although that is arguably the most important work I do. There’s no real solution to be had in software, life, or anywhere else without understanding who is impacted, and what matters to them.
This is top of mind with UpWiSE as well: where are the intersections of what I want to make possible and what my members need the most? It’s not every idea I have, and that’s alright. If it’s at least some of my ideas, then I’ve contributed in a way that mattered. I’m still tempted to just build out what I believe will help. Those intrusive thoughts do win once or twice a week.
What I didn’t realize, at the start of either my business or being a director, is just how much time I wouldn’t have to do it all. I have to be selective in the projects I do, and now also in the time I give to building relationships. It’d be great to do all the things, and know all the people, but it’s not possible to do realistically.
I can say, though, that forming these new nodes of people and groups has made my life better. There are people I’ve met fairly recently, even, that I feel are a positive net benefit to me personally, even without exchanging money or anything physical. There’s some critically important about who we spend time with and whatever that energy or connection is that passes. When you’ve met more of “your people”, you’ll know, and it’ll just feel different.
If there’s a lesson in my rambling, I believe its that people matter a lot more than you know. Keep the best relationships you can, and let go of the ones that feel like the opposite.