Take a Bike Ride....

I set out this morning for a routine jog, and just before I got rolling, I came upon a bike station. Nothing uncommon, but today, it stopped me dead in my tracks, and I decided to alter my workout and take a ride. On top of that, I couldn’t recall the last time I rode a bike, so now I am excited!

Since this was my first time renting a bicycle on the sidewalk, I took a minute to read the instructions, and what do you know, you can use contactless payment. I then opened the Amex app, scanned my iPhone, and presto! …I heard a click, the lock released, and out popped a bike. I pulled it out of the dock, adjusted the seat, and zoomed off!

Right out of the gate, I gained a new appreciation for the bike lane on the city streets, and thank goodness traffic was light because my start was a little shaky! 12-blocks in, I approached a hill, started to pedal faster, and then realized that it made sense to change gears to prevent a lot of huffing and puffing.

As I began to think about that in the context of life, I reflected on a few situations when I did not shift into or utilize the correct gear and wasted valuable time and energy. Life is full of ups and downs, and this experience was a reminder to work hard and smart!

Please share your thoughts. Have a peaceful weekend!

#nyc #life

Happy Memorial Day!

As the sun began to rise to kick off the Memorial Day weekend, I heard a whisper in my ear, then my eyelids started to open, and suddenly, I realized that I was dreaming! It was the kind of dream in which the framework of a new idea was forming, and instinctively, I went back to sleep because I wanted this mental picture to develop fully. Has this ever happened to you?

I usually wouldn’t think much of this experience, but in this instance, I felt compelled to give this idea some focus. Thus, when I woke up, I hopped out of bed, turned on the lights, and rushed over to my MacBook to capture my thoughts. I am convinced that recent conversations about creativity and a few articles that I’ve read on the expected wave of innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered this dream.

Indeed, thoughts are fleeting, and the discipline to consistently jot down your ideas, whenever they come up so that you can review and refine at a later time is paramount. Who knows, you could have an idea that sparks meaningful change all over the world. “Everything begins with an idea,” - Earl Nightingale.

So as I go outside to find a comfortable area to continue writing, I take a moment to admire the breathtaking view of the sun rising over NYC. I wish you and yours a fun holiday weekend!

#nyc

Run Your Own Race

I woke up this morning with a desire to feel the vibrant energy of New York City, get some fresh air, and clear my mind from a busy and productive workweek. When I went outside, I bumped into a couple of people warming up to take a run. I politely introduced myself with no handshake…6-feet apart, of course, and asked if I could join them.

After exchanging pleasantries, they informed me that they planned to run 7-miles around the city. Yikes! I am more of a 3-mile runner; however, the competitive juices kicked in, and I commit to the run, now let’s make it happen!

I spent the next few minutes stretching, followed by tying my shoelaces tight, pressing the start button on my stopwatch, and then we took off! 200-yards in, I realized that these were real runners, and I wasn’t going to be able to keep up. At that moment, I remembered a conversation that I had with a mentor about “running your own race,” and I began to relax. I thought about the underlying message in that discussion throughout the run, and before I knew it, I completed the 7-miles with energy to spare.

So on this gorgeous Saturday, I am reminded to keep running towards my goals with laser-like focus, and to run my race, not someone else’s.

Are you running your own race?

Have a fun weekend!

#running #focus

At the Park

Throughout my journey, I’ve often found peacefulness spending time in a park. Whether it was the scent of the flowers, the sound of the birds chirping, or the feeling of a nice breeze hitting my body, I’ve generated some of my best ideas while chilling out in the park with nature.

With that in mind, I strolled over to a nearby park this morning to do some thinking. When I arrived, I spotted a bench near an old-fashioned telephone booth, grabbed a seat, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began to ponder.

For those of you 35-years of age and above, the vintage red phone booth in the background may take you on a trip down memory lane. The last time I used a payphone was in the hallway at my college dormitory to call home to plead for some money!

Now relaxed on the bench, I opened my eyes and began to marvel at the environment. I then grabbed my iPhone and started typing in my thoughts and feelings without judgment. Fully present in the moment, I dozed off for a minute, and suddenly, I snapped out of this meditative state when my phone hit the pavement…BANG!

I laughed at myself, checked the screen to make sure that it didn’t crack (all good), finished my thought, and got on with my day. 😊

Did you find time to reflect today? 

Have a fabulous weekend!

#mindfulness

Time

While walking along the Hudson for some cardio exercise, I soon approached the Hoboken Terminal on the way to Jersey City. It’s foggy, and as I got closer to the station, the fog began to lessen, and my eyes locked on the Lackawanna Clock Tower. For years, I’ve never paid much attention to this landmark, but on this morning, with the clock reading 6:50 am, I felt the urge to reflect.

As I casually made my way to a nearby bench, I felt a sudden breeze and realized that I was on a collision course with a runner. We made eye contact; we both smiled, and then she gave me a friendly nod and kept it moving! Now seated and ready to journal, my first thought is that it’s time to think in new ways because normalcy, as we know it, will never be the same.

Nobody truly knows what the new normal will look like in the foreseeable future. At the very least, this is an excellent time to become better at virtual engagement while also fine-tuning your personal and professional development strategy. The prevailing thought of many people that I have talked with is that the ‘TIME is NOW’ to get out of your comfort zone, unleash your inner creativity, and position yourself to remain relevant in the new economy!

What are you working on?

Stay safe, healthy, and positive this weekend!

#strategy #life