Now that's a commitment worth keeping...

First day back on the HBS campus for what is likely to be a busy fall semester.  A year ago, I was a nervous, novice first time coach in the Executive Education Program.  I now have three coaching cohorts on my resume; one last fall and two this past spring. This semester I’ll be coaching in three different programs concurrently.  A nice little challenge to keep me sharp and focused.  “Use it or lose it” isn’t just a cliche to me.  It is an approach to sustained mental and physical health that I think rings particularly true.

PLD - the Program for Leadership Development - is for C-Suite aspirants.  AMP - the Advanced Management Program - is for C-Suite occupants.  And OPM - the Owner/President Management - is for just that - folks who either own or are President or both of their ventures.  Should be a fascinating collection of participants and a compelling coaching and professional challenge.  I can’t wait.

So, back to the above sign.  The HBS campus is covered in these quickie, pithy, inspirational quotes. It’s almost as if they designed this public service campaign with me in mind.  I saw this one and it really resonated.  I immediately thought “this is fodder for a blog.”

“A commitment to truth, excellence, and lifelong learning.”  Hmm… Seems hard to argue the obvious virtue in that.  Even acknowledging that there are both little t truths and big T Truths and that yes, even a certain amount of truth is relative. Sure, excellence is often in the eyes of the beholder, but most of us know it when we see it and appreciate it when we experience it.  Lifelong learning, that probably doesn’t need much further explication.  Though I can’t help but say, with an MBA and Coaching Certification earned after age 50 and a major pivot in career focus, I am a HUGE fan of education throughout the lifespan.  

I recently met a guy wearing a t-shirt that read “the truly educated never graduate.”  How true, how true indeed.  I snapped his photo and thought I would work it into a blog someday. But since I didn’t specifically get permission to make him famous, I eventually thought better of it.  Actually, Jordana, my wise wife and attorney, thought better of it.  She told me I’d be an absolute fool if I used the picture without consent and I am not completely sure “fool” was the exact word she used.  In any event, I always listen to my wife.  Sorry, I don’t have the picture to share.  But you get the idea.  There’s at least one other person out there who believes in the value of maintaining a student mindset.

So in addition to those worthy commitments, what else are you committed to?  Family, spouse, partner, children, friends, colleagues, career?  Hobbies, passions, causes, pursuits?  Health, happiness, success, sobriety?  Religion, politics, philanthropy?  And are you as committed as you need or want to be to achieve your goals?  To make the most of your opportunities?  To realize your potential?  And ultimately, to follow through on the commitments that you’ve made?  If the answer is “yes,” then you are done reading.  But if it’s not, then why not?  What’s holding you back?  What gets in your way? What trips you up?  Distracts you?  Diverts you?  And what can we do about it? 

I suspect, as you may too, that answering these questions will lead to new truths, showcase excellence, and manifest lifelong learning.  Despite telling you how busy I anticipate being, I am NEVER too busy for you!  Always happy to chat, email, FaceTime, or Zoom.  For many of us, our relationship began through a shared commitment to losing weight and doing whatever was necessary to achieve that.  Now, nearly 20 years later, while weight loss and health continue to be a foundation for some, for many others we have moved on to tackle other challenges and embrace new opportunities.

Would love to hear what your commitments are these days and how I can help you maintain them.  Don’t be a stranger.  I am always happy to connect.

Hoping you soon learn something new and exciting today,

Adam