Improve My Life

I used to think I always had to be busy doing something to be productive. Now I realize that’s not true. Sometimes leaving something alone is more productive. 

My mother-in-law recently moved to the United States permanently and it’s been really interesting to watch her adjust. Never having been out of her home country of Venezuela, we knew it could be difficult for her to find a sense of home in the United States. Everything is new, the culture, language, climate, and even the microwave oven! But steadily, over the last several weeks, she has ventured out, further and further from her new condo, walking just a couple more blocks every day. She’s now comfortable up to about a 1/2 mile radius around the condo. 

I traveled to Iowa recently to visit family and the childhood memories came flooding back. My sister tells a story of how when I was in middle school I wanted a desk for my bedroom.  Not just any desk, an executive style desk. When we moved to Iowa and I got my own room my parents bought me a large desk and I was very excited.  I spent hours at that desk creating big ideas and big dreams. 

All of us are doing our best to lead our organizations and teams through the impacts of Covid-19 and the rapid changes to our business operations and expectations. The stress and pressure of being an entrepreneur can be a lonely one and I hope you’re being mindful of your own mental health and keep the restoration of your personal energy at the forefront of your priorities list.

With the launch of Brandon Green Chapter2Ventures, I’ve been thinking a lot about transitions and how hard they can sometimes be. I know I’m not alone. In April, nearly four million employees quit their jobs and if that continues, 25% of the American workforce could change this year which would be a record.

We’re in the middle of a massive sea change. It isn’t the first one, and it certainly won’t be the last. The thing about sea changes is, the other side always looks different than we expected—and that depends, in part, on whether we jumped at the opportunities that came in the middle of the storm. I’ve watched a few of these changes come and go, and this time around, I can see some key characteristics tying them all together and hinting at the opportunities in front of us now—opportunities I’m going to jump at.

With the launch of Brandon Green Chapter2Ventures, I’ve been thinking a lot about transitions. Mine, and what appears to be a lot of other people. In April, nearly four million employees quit their jobs and if that continues, 25% of the American workforce could change this year which would be a record.

Playing the long game is easier said than done. Most people already know compounding the right things creates future rewards in all kinds of areas including finances, relationships, and health. Yet doing it is actually very hard. We are powerfully drawn to short-term incentives and often overvalue speed above all else. Simply put, we’re impatient. I know I am.

The last two weeks have been intense. Several products at Chapter 2 Ventures are deep in development, Stoney Creek Farm is gearing up for another big push, real estate is as busy as ever, and additional opportunities are pouring in daily. Juggling it all is hard and can be stressful.