Jim Stalker Dot Net

Unleashing My Inner Tolstoy!

Jim Stalker

Attitude Gratitude

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]I love Thanksgiving. It’s one day a year when many people pause and take stock of everything they have to be grateful for.

I’ve found that if I have to run to the supermarket to pick up Wondra for the gravy, all my interactions with others have a distinctive flavor to them that day. I think it’s because many shares in this attitude of gratitude. It’s a bit of magic.

With that in mind, I wanted to share a straightforward concept that can improve your awareness of gratitude and, as a result, raise your happiness quotient both at home and at work.

Develop Gratitude Awareness

I bet you have a lot of great and beautiful things going on to be grateful for in your life right now. The problem is you’re not taking the time to notice them. But, if you try to look for things to be grateful for and then write them down, your perceptions and attitude can change forever.

Let me illustrate with an analogy.

My commute home was the same route for many years. Then, one day, I noticed a giant water tower I had never seen before. A massive water tower! Once seeing it, I scratched my head thinking, “how could I have ever missed that!” It was always there. I didn’t see it. From that day on, I always noticed it.

You can do the same with gratitude.

Then, Make it a Habit

According to U.C. Davis Psychologist Robert Emmons, the author of Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, becoming aware of “things to be grateful for” is a habit you can develop by writing down “Five things you are grateful for” daily.

Emmons says you’ll quickly develop a “gratitude mindset” muscle within several weeks. And, like a muscle, the more you work at it, the stronger it will become. In short, you can start seeing things to be grateful for everywhere. You may start noticing your own “water towers” that, once recognized, you’ll never miss again.

Nothing to Buy

Emmons found that people who do this gratitude awareness development report being significantly happier after just three weeks. Like positive psychology pioneers Martin Seligman and Ed Diener, nearly all the prominent happiness researchers include gratitude as a primary building block to living a happy life.

What is also interesting about Emmon’s study is the only thing required to bring this happiness into your life is a slight change in perception. You don’t need to run out and get a new job, find a new partner, or buy some stuff. Instead, it would be best if you had a slight recalibration of how you view your current world.

Start This Thanksgiving!

So with Thanksgiving around the corner, perhaps now is an excellent time to try this practice. Take time to pause, look around, and see all that is there for you to experience gratitude. Then, write them down. If you do this, you’ll be surprised to see how much there is around you all the time, providing an opportunity to be grateful.

In a couple of weeks, you can list hundreds of gratitude opportunities. Once you start noticing them, amazingly, you’ll find yourself happier.

And happy people are more comfortable to be around. They are more productive. They have better, longer-lasting relationships. Yay science!

A Personal Note of Added Relevance

This past year I lost both my mother and father. We did not always have the best relations. And, because they were old, I knew that every conversation I had with them might be the last one.

I credit this attitude of gratitude to making those relationships as good as they could be. It became easier to let things go, live in the moment, and be glad they were alive. As a result, the last conversations I had with them were lovely. Gratitude was transformative for me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, if the job isn’t right, or the family isn’t perfect, don’t fret this Thanksgiving. Instead, be grateful, and you will soon notice everything will improve!

WFH Productivity Hacks

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Since the pandemic started, the work-from-home (WFH) population has skyrocketed. This transition is the nudge their company needed to create some long-overdue work flexibility for some highly self-motivated and capable workers. Others, especially those with little ones at home, were bewildered about what to do. Juggling kids, pets, and less-than-ideal workspaces proved quite the challenge.

And while knowledge workers might have a smoother transition from office-based to home-based work, many others aren’t as fortunate. Regardless of when the lockdowns end, it’s clear that more will be working from home in the future. Last week, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) announced they would not be moving into their new Seattle HQ in favor of working from home.

So, as someone who has worked from home for decades, I thought it would be helpful to share some of the strategies I have learned that make me more effective remotely. Plus, thanks to technological advances (like cloud and broadband ubiquity), making this pivot has never been easier.

Oh, and “hacks” makes for better copy than learnings.

No More Commutes – Yay!

Many are thrilled about the prospect of doing their job from Lake Tahoe (or some other less-pricey and more personally satisfying commute-free location). But, the only way increased WFH will become permanent after the lockdown is if the new WFH workers remain at least equally productive as they were in the office. But, as someone who made the transition from office to WFH many years ago, I can say that WFH and being fully productive isn’t always as easy as you would think they should be.

Some jobs don’t lend themselves too well to WFH. Fact. For them, with those jobs, it just won’t work. It isn’t straightforward. Maybe one day, through technology, the work will come to them in a different way that better enables WFH. Until then, we must accept that some jobs won’t work from home (even though they may be futilely trying to do them during the lockdown).

Others may not have the “right personality” for working from home. The problem isn’t the job, per se, but rather how the worker approaches the situation. In other words, the problem is YOU. You can’t be trusted to work from home. That is harsh, for sure. But, it is demonstrably true; when you take some high performers out of the office and move them home, they fail.

I’m Optimistic

For the twenty years I have been WFH, I was provided little to no training on how to be effective from home. People like me had to figure it out independently (with considerable help from coworkers and colleagues). And because I am in sales, where quota attainment and activity are linked, I can speak with some authority on what works and does not.

So, unless you are someone who can’t change their behavior, I’m optimistic you can become a WFH star. All you need to do is meet a few minimum physical and technological requirements. Then, adopt these ten “hacks” I refined for myself. You may even find yourself becoming more productive than ever! I know I am.

Let’s Not Forget

While there are tremendous employee advantages to WFH, there are also advantages to going into an office. I had started working for a new company and was in the office for a week of training. While I was sitting at a hoteling desk, my boss came over and said, “Hey, we’re having a meeting about one of our clients; join us!” I did, and the CEO also joined the meeting. Wow! I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t happen if I were in my home office.

Some prefer going into an office. They like the commute and being away from home. Should we force them to WFH? Maybe not.

Finally, some don’t have the physical space or the right situation to make WFH work optimally. During the pandemic, companies have shown great compassion toward workers with roommates, children, and pets running around. Will that continue? Not sure. Regardless of these distinctions, it’s safe to conclude that WFH is not for everyone.

For now and for those who WFH, here are my iterative and unvetted “hacks” to being more productive at home.

Ten WFH Hacks

  1. Have a dedicated WFH space.
  2. Have amazing broadband.
  3. Have all the latest equipment.
  4. Work during work hours.
  5. Establish a way to be reachable all the time.
  6. Be detailed and open with your calendar.
  7. Over-communicate.
  8. Always use video.
  9. Make networking a priority (internal and external).
  10. Up your technology game.

Some Details and Comments

Have a dedicated WFH space. When my wife and I bought our house ten years ago, I knew I needed an office. So we bought a house that had one. There is a door in the office that looks like an office (because it is). When my wife started working from home, we converted a bedroom into an office. We had a desk and drawers built-in. It, too, looks like an office and has a door. A dedicated “work” space (rather than using the kitchen) ups your professionalism game. Start with a dedicated WFH space, and you’re well on your way to being a WFH superstar.

Have amazing broadband. With video calls, there is no time to have anything besides blazing broadband. You don’t want to be the one person on the call who drags everyone down with dropoffs, artifact/pixelated images, and the need to be voice only. If you know you will be WFM, why not move to a place with excellent broadband? It’s nearly ubiquitous. Otherwise, maybe going into the office is a better option for you (at least until high speed comes to your town – or you move to one that has it).

Have all the latest equipment. Your company will typically give you a laptop and a printer, but that’s it. If you want to be a WFH superstar, invest in yourself. Get and use multiple monitors. Go big, 32 inches! Monitors make a massive difference in your productivity. Best, it doesn’t cost much in the bigger scheme. Then, get yourself a 4K camera, headphones, and a microphone. Sadly, what is on your laptop is junk. Aim to sound and look better than anyone else on a video call. Your professionalism will be apparent. The latest equipment will get you there.

Work during work hours. If I were to prioritize one “hack,” this is the one. Be at your desk from 8-5 (or whatever your hour are) just like you were at an office. Sure, there are temptations to run errands or do other things during the day. But you don’t want to be that person who “we never seem to be able to get a hold of!” Work while you’re at work.

Establish a way to be reachable all the time. Along these lines, if you have close work partners, establish a way for them (and your boss) to connect with you at all times. Maybe it’s a text or a personal email that is your “hotline!” For me, it is calling on the phone. I always have my apple watch on, so if you call, I will get it and call you back within a few minutes. I’m always reachable.

Be detailed and open with your calendar. This is two parts. First, schedule everything. Block off two hours for “thinking about my territory plan” or “researching companies.” Uniterupped time is where “flow” occurs, and great ideas arise. Schedule them. Schedule your breaks, too. Then, stick to them. End calls at 25 and 55 to ensure you’re on time for the next call. Don’t be the “always late” person. If you fill up your schedule with productive activities if you follow them through, you will have had a productive week at the end of the week. Second, be transparent about what you are doing. “Busy” or “Private Appointment” doesn’t help those looking to collaborate. Remember, we’re trying to save time, leveraging technology to be more productive.

Over-communicate. It’s effortless to get busy and be sloppy with cryptic communications that unnecessarily create more questions and waste valuable time. My wife taught me a cliche, “Do it right; do it once!” When you’re not taking the time to be clear, it creates all sorts of problems and inefficiencies. I say over-communicate. We all struggle with communication. If I am not careful, I can easily fall back into two-word emails that make no sense to anyone other than me. If it’s important enough to communicate, then take the time to clarify what you are saying. Everyone will appreciate this.

Always use video. Seeing a face with reactions is why F2F communication is so valued. Well, guess what? The technology is finally here where F2F connection can happen online dependably. Yet, many chose not to turn on their video. Don’t be that person. Insist on using video. Plus, if you have your equipment, you’ll look and sound amazing. Before long, you’ll find yourself establishing genuine relationships across distances. I have. Deeper relationships won’t happen without video. Insist on turning on the video. They’ll get comfortable. Plus, all the platforms now have virtual backgrounds as part of their applications. No need to feel embarrassed about a messy room!

Make networking THE priority (internal and external). Business is mostly about relationships. Cliche but true. If you can grow your internal and external networks while working from home, you’re well on the way to being a WFH superstar no company would want to lose. Ping people. Check-in. Offer help. Tell them, TGIF. Be fun! Remember, “out of sight, out of mind!” Be a positive influence that is easy to work with. Coworkers and clients alike will welcome your calls and be more than happy to help you build your network.

Up your technology game. Finally, you have to get control of your technology. Don’t be the person who doesn’t understand WebEx. Get some training on your own time. Refers live in a tech world, so make it a point to up your game.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking forward to returning to the office or making WFH a more regular part of your work-life, your performance will always matter most at work. So make that your number one priority.

I hope you find these tips and tricks that have worked for me through the years helpful in achieving that goal during this most unusual business time.

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Having a Secret Mission

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I like the idea of having a “secret mission.” I have gone so far as to develop one for myself. I bring this mission with me to work every day. Perhaps by sharing what I do, you might be encouraged to create your version, as I found I like having one. Plus, I think it makes me happier at work when I succeed with it.

The Background

As a kid, I found the word “secret” special. The idea of a secret identity, being a secret agent, and McDonald’s secret sauce all sounded more astonishing than they were. The main thing I learned was that secrets could be fantastic.

As a young adult, I became aware of “random acts of kindness” and “doing good without being found out.” Nice ideas. Positive. Also, secretive. I like that. Secrets can be good.

So then, what about Superman and Batman? The coolest superheroes ever both had secret identities. This whole “secret” business seemed hard-wired, maybe even archetypal.

So maybe, the proper secret mission could be fresh, pleasant, and archetypal. Perhaps I’m on to something in having a personal mission.

Some Modern Context

Simon Sinek talks about how leaders need to tap into their personal “whys” if they genuinely want to energize their teams. Leaders should know their most profound personal mission and bring that knowledge into work daily. Solid advice.

Having a precise “why” is where many typically dull actions, tasks, and other work-related duties can take on new importance. Moreover, a “why” that connects with a more profound personal mission can push you through when the going gets tough, inspiring others on the journey.

My Secret Mission

I try, every day, with all my interactions (work and otherwise), to focus on three very personally motivated behaviors.

  • Pay extra attention. Try to notice things others don’t.
  • Be encouraging. Let people know they are valued, appreciated, and capable of more than they realize.
  • Be natural and occasionally fun to be around.

Actions like these are not company mandates. Some businesses might consider them a tad unproductive. Too bad. I mandate them because I want to. I have seen them make a difference. Remember, this is my secret mission.

Pay Attention

We all remember, “don’t sweat the small stuff.” However, isn’t it the small stuff that matters most to people? With my secret mission, I try to sweat little details and notice them.

It’s great knowing someone has pets, but knowing the names of those pets? That makes you a Ninja. The same goes for work. People appreciate it when you see what they do and (to Sinek’s point) why they do it.

A keen eye, excellent listening skills, and an occasional question seasoned with a dash of Sherlock Holmes will get you to notice all sorts of details that matter to people. You need to start and work at it.

Encourage Folks

Who can’t use a little (or a lot) encouragement? Moreover, who can’t do more than they think? Answer: nearly all of us.

We’ve all heard the story of someone who felt discouraged and gave up regretting this decision later in life. It’s my secret mission to try to ensure that doesn’t happen. Plus, if I have my doubts, who am I to tell someone they can’t? Instead, I insist they can!

Some workplaces are not encouraging. Also, regrettably, some jobs suck. No Jedi mind trick will change it. That’s where a little appreciation goes a long way. So I make it my secret mission to give a little when possible.

“Thank you for coming to work today!” or, “It makes me happy to see you today!” or, “Wow, you’re talented!” take minimal effort to say but can make someone’s day. So, if it is that easy, why not tell them? I do. Trust me; you’ll be surprised by the reactions!

Find Fun

Some workplaces and people have no room for fun. I get it. The wiring of people and organizations is often unique. One brand of fun doesn’t work for everyone. However, is that a good enough reason not to have any?

No, it isn’t.

So, I make it my secret mission to find and create fun where I can, but in small doses. I agree that joy can be overdone.

Be Easy and Natural

Finally, this came late to me; being “easy to work with” is much better than being “hard to work with.” Duh, right?

However, being comfortable and at ease with yourself and others isn’t easy. It requires some skill at reading people, knowing yourself, maturity and patience when communicating and reacting, and perhaps most challenging, some humility.

So, if you’re trying to be the next Steve Jobs, running around with high expectations, severe judgment, and continually changing opinions, best be sure you are Steve Jobs. Otherwise, you’ll come across as an ass no one wants to work with who thinks they are a genius when they are not.

It makes me wonder; maybe Steve could’ve gotten even more done if his style had been more relaxed.

Conclusion

Doing excellent work is always job one. Any “secret mission,” no matter how elaborate, cannot compensate for poor performance. Performance should be your primary focus.

If you have that together, adding a “secret mission” might be a way to revitalize the workday for you and your coworkers. Perhaps you are the one who promotes exercise or reading more books. Maybe you are the champion of doing service work. I’ve seen all these “secret missions” from coworkers make a difference to folks over the years.

You can do it, so why not go for it? No telling where it may take you or your coworkers. Then maybe, when people look back at working with you, they’ll say, “Wow, what a great coworker!” Who wouldn’t like that?

Blind Spots

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I’m pretty sure we all have blind spots. I know I do.

Not knowing your blind spots and appropriately compensating for them can cause unnecessary problems for clients and coworkers.

Ray Dalio says, “The two biggest barriers to good decision making are your ego and your blind spots. Together, they make it difficult for you to objectively see what is true about you and your circumstances …”

So, the question is, how can I see and address my blind spots? That is the question I ponder in this article.

Why A Problem?

By definition, blind spots are, well, blind to you. The problem is when others see them repeatedly. Even if the blind spot is positive (too nice), it doesn’t look good when it goes unaddressed. It’s a bit of, “uh oh, here we go again!”

To illustrate this idea more clearly, here are a few blind spot examples:

  • Being a “lone wolf” not encouraging the collaboration and teamwork expected in the workplace.
  • Being insensitive to others in various ways, like talking loudly or in a harsh tone. Dominating discussions. Being consistently late. Using inappropriate language.
  • I am talking behind people’s backs. Gossiping.
  • I am disclosing inappropriate information to clients or coworkers.
  • Being negative. Or being cynical.
  • Thinking you’re “funny” when you are coming off as mean or, worse, “weird.”
  • You are not pushing yourself to your abilities.

All of these, believe it or not, are almost always driven by good intentions. The problem is the actor can’t see what is being perceived. The good news is all of these create a genuine personal development opportunity!

How to See Blind Spots

Learning about one’s blind spots requires courage and help from others. You can’t do this alone. What is essential is being open to feedback and having a sincere desire to grow. With this attitude, you can engage the right people to help you see your blind spots and make them partners in creating a better you.

Keep in mind giving and receiving feedback is a bit of an art. Giving feedback is as complex as receiving it. Taking a course like, “Giving and Receiving Feedback” helps, but not everyone does it well. So, go into this expecting a bit of indelicacy.

I suggest engaging your manager, coworkers, family, and friends on this treasure hunt. They can help you gain a 360-degree view of yourself you can never get without them.

Engage them in two ways. One would be slightly formal. “Hey, I’d like to get some feedback!” Frame the discussion with openness and a desire to improve.

Some questions to ask are:

  • What do you know about me? What could I change to improve my effectiveness with others or business?
  • What negative things might people say about me? I can take it!
  • Knowing me, what do you think people get wrong about me?

Another feedback you want is in-the-moment, right after a call or meeting. “Can I have some feedback?”

I like general open-ended questions for this type of feedback. What is essential is to get it right away.

  • How did that go?
  • How did I do?
  • What could I have done differently that would have driven a better outcome?
  • Anything else?

A Word of Caution

As mentioned, receiving developmental feedback can be difficult. If you want more, you best not look all pouty or hurt while you’re getting it. Don’t be defensive. If you do that, you won’t get any more.

Displaying enthusiasm is not the natural reaction to criticism. You take it personally, and it hurts a bit. It would help if you addressed this consciously. One way to take out the sting is to remember the person is giving you gold that can change your career trajectory!

Tying it All Together – A Story

I am passionate about this topic because I was a bit of a mess early in my career. I was opinioned, over-confident, and a bit of a lone wolf. Best, I didn’t see it. These were blind spots. I thought I was I was a good employee. It may have been because I was in sales, but little did I know I could have been better than just hitting my number.

Over the years, I sought feedback on all those points and was encouraged to develop myself. I took courses on feedback, collaboration, and facilitation. I earned a Master’s in Communication. But mainly, I consistently engaged my peers in helping me see my blind spots and hear what might be a bit uncomfortable to digest.

I was consistently praised for my teamwork and collaboration with the teams I’m on in my last half-dozen reviews. Best of all, I was told that I was highly coachable. What was a weakness has now become a strength.

I hope this encourages you to seek feedback and work on your blind spots. It’s helped me; maybe it can help you.

What blind spots have you overcome?

Birthdays and Social Media

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]This past Saturday was my birthday, and I had a great day. Thank you!

This got me thinking about birthdays and social media. You may have noticed that LinkedIn provides notifications of connection’s birthdays to those who opt-in for that feature. I used to think that LinkedIn was “business only” and birthday notifications were wrong. I’ve changed my mind. Here’s why.

THE DUNBAR NUMBER

British anthropologist Robin Dunbar has postulated that there may be a limit to the number of relationships a person can actually cognitively maintain. The imprecise “Dunbar’s number” is about 150 relationships. And it does sound about right. Anecdotal evidence like Christmas card lists, wedding attendees, etc., confirms this 150 number as true or at least in the ballpark.

The Dunbar number was derived from studying primates in the wild and does not account for technological advances humans have made, such as Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) and Social Network Sites (SNS). Interestingly, Facebook reports the average number of “friends” per member as ~338. Double the original Dunbar number. Even more interesting is LinkedIn put the number of contacts per member at ~990. Technology!

LOOSE AFFILIATIONS

In her article, Massachusetts Institute of Technology social media scholar Judith Donath, “From Darwin to Facebook,” posits that part and SNS’s value is derived from providing a way to maintain and develop what she calls “loose affiliations.” These loose associations of schoolmates, coworkers, neighbors, family, and acquaintances were difficult or even impossible to maintain before SNS.

According to Donath, loose affiliations are worthwhile to maintain from an evolutionary standpoint in that they promote increased survivability in today’s complex world. Having trustworthy advisers (as in people you actually know, have known, or interacted with) can enhance social survival. In other words, more loose affiliations are a competitive advantage.

If this advantage is driven by evolutionary adaptation (as Donath suggests), strengthening our cognitively limited circles of friends beyond the doubled Dunbar’s number is something to aspire to. Hence the seeming innate drive for more Facebook friends and LinkedIn connections.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

There are many practical ways to build and maintain these useful loose alliances via SNS. Writing articles like this one is one way. But, it’s much work. “Likes” are easier but can often go unnoticed. Comments may be the best way. But in widely trafficked sites, the wrong comment can have an unintended negative impact.

The simplest way to maintain a loose affiliation is wishing your SNS friends a “Happy Birthday” once a year. Facebook and LinkedIn have made the process amazingly simple. First, they remind you of the person’s birthday. Then, they give you a prominent button to click that uses some AI to deliver a “personalized” message. The whole process takes less than a couple of seconds.

And, who doesn’t like to get dozens or hundreds of “Happy Birthday” wishes? It’s nice. It’s a kind and simple gesture that doesn’t take much effort. Plus, the cumulative effect of receiving many birthday wishes is sweet. All those connections chiming from different times in one’s life can really add to the magic of the day.

THE LAW OF RECIPROCITY

Social Psychologist Robert Cialdini spoke of “the first principle of persuasion,” reciprocity. Basically, people tend to return a favor. Wish me a happy birthday today; I wish you a happy birthday tomorrow. I then feel a small sense of obligation. Who knows when that favor can be returned?

All this is to say I currently wish everyone on Facebook checks the box a Happy Birthday on their day, irrespective of my relationship’s depth. No judgment. Everyone loves being remembered. Moving forward, I’m going to do this on LinkedIn as well.

So next time you see that it is someone’s birthday on SNS, go ahead and click and send them a note written by AI but sounds personal. Push past your Dunbar limits. You’ll feel good about it. And, best of all, as you brighten their day, you’ll simultaneously be helping to evolve the human species.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

My Secret Side Hustle

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For my entire adult life, I have been teaching group-exercise fitness classes. I have taught in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Silicon Valley, Aspen, Manhattan Beach, and Granite Bay. I taught at some exciting times for the fitness industry at some fantastic health clubs. I suspect I have taught just north of 7,500 classes.

I’ve met hundreds of people who made my classes part of their regular fitness routine. Many became lifelong friends. I’ve counted at least seven marriages that grew out of my classes. Teaching these classes was incredibly fulfilling, tapping into parts of myself my 9-5 jobs didn’t. Teaching classes was my hobby – my side hustle.

Flashdance

This teaching and motivation were unknown to those who knew me in my vocation as a sales executive. The secrecy wasn’t planned. Teaching fitness classes started long before my career did. When I finally started working, it just seemed awkward to bring up.

“Hey, do you know I teach aerobics?” “Um, yeah, so what?”

So, I just never talked about it. Plus, I didn’t want to explain the spandex of the early days.

It’s hard to explain if you weren’t there, but for about a decade, my classes were, in the words of Ron Burgundy, “kind of big deal!” I had what they called a “following.” It was a bit like the movie Flashdance living a double life. Instead of “welder by day – dancer by night,” it was “sales executive by day, fitness instructor by night.” That is not a hit movie.

A Dichotomy

A strange dichotomy arose in my work life (plural). During the day, I’d put on my tie, go to work, be restrained and professional, and methodically execute the countless details required to be successful at enterprise sales. Then at night, I would let it all go being the crazy person needed to lead a class in high-intensity, sweat-drenching, choreographed exercise.

I moved from aerobics to high-impact aerobics, funk, and spinning. I’ve stayed employed in fitness for decades. Most importantly, I showed up, night after night, year after year, with high energy and a fun demeanor regardless of what was going on in my life. All done concurrently with my sales career.

Balance

Having a vocation and an avocation like this made for an outstanding balance in my life. Many know and tap into this.

  • Tough day at the office? Redemption with a great class full of smiles, high-fives, and thank-yous was around the corner!
  • Terrible boss? Having this fun hobby, endurance is more effortless.
  • Feeling the day job isn’t pressing the “meaningful” button, helping people stay in shape did.

As the years passed, my day in the sun of group exercise passed, and my classes were no longer any big deal. But they were still fun for me. I still teach today, only to much smaller classes.

It turns out this fitness instruction side gig was pretty sweet for me. I started young and was able to adapt through all its iterations. Teaching got me focused on others and taught me how to deal better with people. Putting classes together developed an otherwise dormant creative muscle.

Plus, it helped me stay in shape. Like all meaningful side projects, it gave my life a sense of balance. Good and bad. Exciting and not-so-exciting. Best of all, I met my wife in class.

Side Hustles

Lately, side hustles have become a thing – they sound fantastic. A hustle can indicate someone who is scrappy, motivated, and multi-talented.

Over the past decade, I’ve heard many open conversations about side hustles at work. I have heard stories of employees selling stuff online, consulting in other fields, and doing group exercise instruction as a yoga instructor. I get it. Yoga isn’t weird; it’s hip.

As a result, I became more comfortable talking about my side hustle at work and elsewhere. I could write this article (so long as it was broad). Few, if any, are interested in the nuance of aerobic choreography. But, trust me, it is fascinating.

If you have a side hustle, I hope yours is as fun and rewarding as mine has been. A good one can provide a hedge against life’s difficulties in the workplace and elsewhere.

I also hope you don’t have to defend photos of yourself like this one from yours.

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