I don’t generally write about myself, but I’m making an exception to that here. I’ve been away for awhile, dealing with a number of challenges on the personal front. Now, as we start a new year, I’m taking an opportunity to review and reflect on the year that has passed, and explore what is ahead in 2018.

Thanks for your patience.

Most of us like plans, and we like to plan. We like to know what’s coming, and where we are trying to go. And then life throws you a curveball, and you have to respond. A guide to navigating life when crisis strikes.

This past Saturday was my sixth time participating in the Ride for the Breath of Life in Edmonton, in support of cystic fibrosis. It’s a cause I care about deeply, and a rewarding event to participate in. Thanks to all who sponsored me.

It is more than a little difficult to believe that the year is almost over. It has been busier than I expected, and it has gone faster than I can imagine. It has been a year of successes and challenges, for me and others. What I’ve done, what I hope to do, and what I hope for everyone else.

Deliverables are powerful demons. When we don’t pay attention to them, they grow in size, ferocity and monstrosity. Particularly when deadlines start to loom. And while intense focus can be a productive mindset, it shouldn’t be a perpetual one. Slaying our subconscious workload beasts.

Getting organized is something we normally associate with new year’s resolutions. At the same time, it’s one of those important but not-urgent things that we often put off, well, forever. My efforts to tackle the things that are important to tackle, and to develop an on-going strategy to manage them.

On June 25 I once again participated in the Ride for the Breath of Life in support of cystic fibrosis. A very big thank you to everyone who sponsored me for helping to make a difference.

It’s easy to think, “Once I get through this next thing, I’ll have some time.” We often spend time living for the future. We also often resent the lack of time to focus on what we think is most important to us. But we have a choice.

We have an enormous tendency to confuse confidence with competence. We want someone who can do the work, but we tend to trust the person that looks the part. Doing so is inherently dangerous, and points to some significant biases we may not even recognize.

Schedules are a source of tyranny. They often force us to produce, even when we don’t want to. Leadership and success isn’t always about endurance and sheer bloody-mindedness, though. Listen to the cues along the way.