My daughter is learning how to drive.
We just got back from DC and we let her do a little with the whole family in the car...and in a different car..and at night..AAH!
Yes, this is scary from a father perspective on many different levels, but there is one bit of advice that I continually give her while sitting in the death seat.
"You gotta commit".
If you're preparing to turn, you turn as soon as it's safe. Changing lanes? Use your mirrors and then get in the lane now. Don't gradually drift over to the lane like the person in front of you that is simply knuckles and white hair in their Buick.
You gotta commit.
In fact, the whole family has made this their response for everything,
"Carter, are you gonna eat that ice cream sandwich? You gotta commit, bruh".
There are some things I want you to commit to in 2024..
And no, I assume you are already on the new year new you train of fixing the Christmas cookie addiction, so I will spare you any chocolate crinkle shaming and I certainly will not recommend the book "101 Fun Things To Do with Arugula".
Commit to being present.
That could mean many different things to many different people. Be there for your spouse, be there for your kids, your pets, the co-workers you claim you like.
How can you be better for them? Do you just cherry pick the areas where you're an expert?
Steph says I light up when the kids talk about music and pizza, but am I turning a blind eye to the rest of the story?
Commit to communication.
This is an area where I should be the expert, but communication is more than opening a mic and sharing the latest Nickelback news and doing weather at the bottom of every hour.
Scratch that, Nickelback has no new news.
Communication is verbal and non-verbal.
Making sure someone hears a message, but also delivering that message in the way it was intended.
Just because you say it, don't assume someone heard it. Make sure you have their attention, and be aware of the tone you use. You may just be trying to get out the info, but did you truly relay the message the way you intended?
Life is full of distractions, work on your delivery or you'll add to that list.
There are times I say "Caller 12, you win at 216-343-1021" and no one calls..yet, I'm talking to thousands of people.
I didn't cut through, so what could I do better?
Makes it seem possible that whatever important thing you said might not have been ignored..but simply not heard?
Commit to being present, and commit to communication.
And commit to more pizza, sushi, road trips, bubblebaths, good coffee and wine, friends, your faith...
and Star 102.
All my best as you figure out life and the relationships in it.
XOXO Glenn