Every basketball player knows the feeling. The clock is running low and the score is tight. The back and forth game could go either way. Then it happens…

You turn the ball over and the opponent scores. Another bad pass leads to a quick three pointer for the other team. You’re now behind and the clock keeps ticking. Even worse, the opponent starts to play pressure defense….

Timeout? We don’t have one of those. So, what to do?… “Walk the ball up the court,” shouts your coach from the sideline.

Do what? Take the full 8 seconds to bring the ball up the court. Catch your breath, assess the defense, and call the play. Then, back to full speed.

Why should life be any different? A crazy schedule or a bad meeting… with another meeting coming up. How do we limit compounding mistakes – especially, when we don’t have a coach to shout from the sideline?

Take a breath or maybe a walk. But, be ready to remind yourself…. “walk the ball up the court.”

NH.

How to evaluate a client? Its simple… would you work for them?

If they offered you a job tomorrow, what would you do? Would you take it?

If not, why not? The industry, company, compensation, lifestyle, or people (… no offense)?

Your answer is simple exercise into what you do or don’t like. The latter of which is just as important as the former.

NH.

I am describing a complex topic that may be new to you. And, you may have no idea what I said. But, you understand what I am saying, right?

Maybe not? But, how would I ever know? Sure, you could always ask, but I already confirmed you knew, right?

Well, maybe not? Why? Because I created the barrier of right.

When we finish a sentence with right, we create an assumption the listener understood. Plus, we create friction for them to interject. Their potential clarification has become a contradiction. And people hate contradictions.

So, I continue to ramble on and the listener still has no idea and now no longer cares, right?

NH.

The more I read them, the more this becomes apparent. (Most) self-help or career savvy books boil down to two things: ownership and discipline.

Take ownership of your life, career, family, finances, relationships, problems, etc… approach each with disciplined thought and action… there is your recipe for (long-term) success.

NH.

This is a month late; but, I’ll post it anyway…

What makes a birthday special? The cake and candles? The notes from old friends? Short answer: both.

But on serious note, each birthday brings a moment of reflection. A look back at last year’s wins and losses learnings. Highs and lows. And the stories worth telling your grandkids (… like the time …)

This reflection naturally leads to a look at the year ahead. And, a question that I like to ask myself; “who is Nick Handorf a year from now?” The answer is built on a lifetime in the making, but here are my thoughts for the coming year:

• Seek simplicity: A trendy topic, but one that is becoming ever more front of mind in life and at work. I recently saw a quote from Yvon Chouinard, one of my favorite entrepreneurs, “I’ve learned enough to know that we have to, or chose to live more simple, it won’t be an impoverished life, but one richer in all the ways that really matter.” I think I’ll chew on that one some more this year…

• Prioritize deep work: A commitment to focus on what’s important, eliminating distractions, and simply getting stuff done. A call to focus on deep work over busy work.

• Engage with other cultures: The world has been closed, sheltered in place for most of the last 18 months. Its time to be intentional about seeking, interacting, and understanding other cultures once again.

• Experiment in the uncomfortable: I know my speed. My likes, dislikes. Hell yeahs and fuck nos. This year is a quest to explore the latter.

• Schedule less; explore more: My calendar has a habit to fill up quick. Trips here, events there… all opportunities that I am fortunate to experience. But, this version I challenge myself to be more intentional about creating space in my calendar to wonder, explore, or simply, slow down.

• Read and write. Repeat. Learn through the writing of others to evolve my own point of view and ability to tell it.

I’m not sure where these will land, but I’m excited for the journey of year 27. And in the words of the great McConaughey, “… i hope to look back and enjoy the view” on year 27.

More to come. NH

///

P.S. Thanks to Brad Feld for the idea. I defintely stole this concept of posting a “version” with each birthday.

An ancient concept, but recently introduced to me through the work of Ryan Holiday. I picked up his book, Ego is the Enemy, on a whim (or really like everything else in today’s world – a recommendation saw on Instagram) and then couldn’t put it down. Ryan’s ability to weave historic concepts with modern-day examples is not only approachable; but, creates a fresh sense of empowerment. The “yes, I too can be a stoic” type of feeling.

I’ve since ridden that feeling to learn more. Starting with reading Obstacle is the Way and, now Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Both foundational reads that expanded my perspective, though grounded me in the following:

• Perception | Action | Will…. control those and you control your life.
• Life is short and death is near…. don’t live in fear of the latter, instead use it as fuel to ignite the present.
• Others cannot harm you…. only you can choose to be harmed.
• Observation without opinion is freedom.
• And finally, this too shall pass…

A simple subset of what is an endless, tangible framework.

I could go on and have much more to explore, yet above all – one lesson stands above the rest. Whether 2,000 years ago or present day, people face the same foundationational problems, challenges, and fears. I mean, even Marcus Aurelius, the Emperor of Rome, struggled to get out of bed somedays or stay focused on the task at hand (and he didn’t have a cell phone buzzing every 15 minutes). Maybe simple, but these clear examples are why these lessons are timeless.

More to come. NH.

P.S. (he’ll never see this, but thank you to Ryan Holiday)

What is the outcome of your work? A product or service? Maybe, a recommendation? (shout out, consultants)

And, who is it for? A customer or client?

Regardless, we all create or deliver something for someone. We consider their needs, develop a product, and ultimately deliver the result. Will it work? Will they even like it? All fair questions.

But, how often do we stop to ask the simple question – does this result show respect to the recipient?

“What we take, how and what we make, what we waste, is in fact a question of ethics. We have unlimited responsibility for the total. A responsibility which we try to take, but do not always succeed in. One part of this responsibility is the quality of the products and how many years the product will maintain its durability.”

“… To make a high quality product is a way to pay respect and responsibility to the customer and the user of the product.”

– Gransfors Bruk AB (excerpt: Let My People Go Surfing)

The famous line of my Poppy Skip. A call to be about action over “lip-service” or his words, “bullshit.”

2020 was a hell of a ride. Now, as the calendar turned to 2021, we have all said things to do different or better in the coming year. Me especially.

Personally, professionally, physically, etc. etc. .. the list goes on. But, what does that all mean if not met with action?

“No one is remembered for what they planned to do”

– Bob Goff