There is so much information and knowledge available to you now. Why bother investing the money into an expensive school when free courses are available? Because for some people, the degree carries weight. Paper money is valuable because you and the people you exchange paper money with agree that it’s valuable. However, if I give you $5 USD bill and you don’t live in the US, you may not agree that the bill carries the same value. Perhaps a 5 EU note would be better? Degrees are the same.Degrees are valuable to those who believe the degree matters. Those people are aging out of the system. What is starting to matter is your portfolio - what you produced.I think I still support the route of learning all you can and producing work to show. I am much more impressed by the person who made something that uses multiple skills they taught themselves than the person who has a student-like framework about the world.

Jeffrey Beneker selected translated Plutarch’s essays on leadership in “How to be a Leader.” Plutarch was an OG historian, philosopher, and biographer. Like a Doris Kearns Goodwin of antiquity. I enjoyed Plutarch’s insights, but I don’t know that I would go out and buy this book new. Basically…If you want to get into politics/leadership, your character matters. Be of good character.Older people have much to offer society and should still be leading; however,Don’t expect old leaders to act like young brash whipper snappers.Plutarch offers lots of other insights that I found valuable — but today’s servant leadership literature leverages those insights at length. If you read this blog, you probably have already read something about servant leadership.I am fascinated by today’s literature on topics like leadership. If Plutarch’s accounts of failed and successful leadership mirror the wins and losses of today’s leaders. What have we learned in 1500+ years? And, that questions begs another, why haven’t we learned our lesson?Perhaps it’s because our nature is oppositional to itself. We desire to control while desiring to be free. We are a paradox. We desire to exert influence our way in spite of our histories. In writing this post… perhaps I have changed my opinion slightly. I might still go out and buy this book, second hand though. Why? Because, when I’m reminded of how many lessons we’ve had the opportunity to learn, I become more driven to apply those lessons now. Why? Because I guarantee my competitors aren’t.

Life has a way of throwing curve balls at us when we least expect it. Better to plan now for Murphy’s Law and be ready, than being surprised when he shows up.So much about life is intersecting luck and preparation.

When I re-read books, I almost enjoy the books 2x more than I did the first time. Why? I’m not the same person that I was when I first read the book. I have learned more about the world, my opinions may have changed, I may be in a different setting. Perhaps nearly every aspect of my life is different? Because I’m not the same, I notice ideas that did not stand out to me before during my first read. I re-discover the book! If you haven’t re-read a book in a while, I encourage you to start. It’s an effective tool for seeing how you’ve changed. That’s not a bad thing.

Perhaps the best way to win an emotional and divisive argument is to ask that question.I watched a couple loudly argue with themselves. They argued over the question, did they leave enough leg room for their guest? Their guest happened to be sitting in the car waiting for them to finish the argument. I wanted to ask the couple, are you all getting what you want from this? The short term thinker in our brain might answer that question with a “yes.” I imagine the long term thinker would answer “no.” Too often favor the short and ignore the long term ramifications of our actions. Maybe that’s why we often feel like we aren’t getting enough?

I spoke with my college composition professor today. That same person happens to be an accomplished flamenco guitarist. I asked him about the history of flamenco music and how it’s evolved.The music may have originated in North India, and then traveled along trade routes to Spain. Along the way, the music picked up influences from cultures in the Middle East and nomadic groups like the Romani (I’m told the politically incorrect term is “gypsy” though I know people who self-identify as “gypsy). Flamenco music would go on to influence the music from cultures in the Caribbean and in South America. And here’s what’s interesting,.. the music would eventually come back and influence the players in Spain! Music moving back and forth across the lobe influencing and being influenced by all in its path. Beautiful.If we open ourselves up and allow it, we can be like music. Moving around our communities. Influencing and being influenced. Growing. Becoming even more beautiful than you are right now.

If you have a vegetable garden, you need bees. Bees pollinate the flowers which turn into your food. I’m thinking of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and the like — fruits technically. If you want bees, you need to advertise.I watched a bumble bee approach one of the flowers in the garden. I could almost hear the bee say to itself: “yeah it’s pretty… but is it worth it?”I guess I’ll bee re-thinking the flower strategy next summer. Perhaps a focus group…

I threw myself out on the ledge today. I’m glad I did.Next time you have the opportunity to try the thing you’re scared to do, do it! Once the fear subsides, you’ll experience an enjoyable rush.

I am going to focus on persisting this year. Persisting through a creative project always feels hard, but it’s not. I just have to show up, do the work, and ship the work, everything else is outside my control. And that’s the problem… the everything else can be scary. What if people don’t like the work? What if it doesn’t resonate? What if it’s not perfect? I think there are other ways I can help myself persist. I can be super clear about what I am trying to do upfront. And, most importantly, I can be super clear with myself about what I get out of the endeavor. I write a lot about endurance, decisions, creativity, and culture… but I am still a work in progress. Just like you, I aspire to knock my work out of the park. Just like you, I don’t.I find solace in a phrase Seth Godin says, “Write every day for 365 days, show me your writing, and I’ll show you that you have at least 1 good idea.”

Others may see something in you that you don’t see yourself. They want the best for you. They want you to work and be at your fullest potential. But, they are not you. In your life, you get to choose. And your choices for yourself are not always right or wrong. Context and history will determine if you made the a career/life choice best for you. Let go of the expectations others have for you. Let go of the expectations you have for yourself.Evaluate what’s in front of you, strive not to hurt people, and act. Give yourself time to reflect, learn, and act again - this next time, better.