Three Strikes and Out:
There’s things in life that I’ve come to learn need to be held to either the three strikes, or fail fast rule. Be it cars, technology, people, places, or jobs. It’s not perfect, but it is something I know at the back of my mind I often take a moment to pause, breathe, take stock, and work out just how many times something has impacted me in a way that causes concern.
This isn’t a perfect formula, and its implementation is very subjective, but there’s times I’m sure we can all relate when you take a punch for one reason or another and getting up is a little harder than normal… those are the moments when you go “yea, consider this a strike or time to take stock/fail fast moment”
AND it can be anything, cars that are considered Friday afternoon specials, technology that has more gremlins than microprocessors, people (or employees) that keep taking advantage to the point of impact, and jobs where decisions are made, changes occur, or business processes enacted that you either didn’t see coming, or hit you just wrong to a point of either family, financial, or mental health is impact.
Why bring this up? Why talk about this?
For a number of reasons, change IS inevitable, it’s part of life, rarely can be stopped (especially if you are on the receiving end) and you are told TO embrace the change. 2026 has already seen a LOT of change, the world’s a hot mess, there’s sufficient change coming in a few short weeks to last a whole year, and the last few years haven’t exactly stable for most of us in this industry for ALL sorts of headline grabbing moments.
I’m fairly sure that many of us have spent the last “x” amount of time reacting to change and simply want the world to stop and play by the current set of rules for 10 minutes.
Which brings me back to the current world, and my current mindset.
Over the last month or so I de-cluttered, threw stuff out, donated stuff, got rid of a lot of things I realized I’d been holding on to. Now, this is on top of the rationalization I’d done back when I moved from Colorado to the Missourian Swamps.
I’ve also re-arranged a bunch of things, office space, garages, clothing space, and other things that I thought were ok, but now feel as if they’re in the wrong location etc.
Taking a moment this evening to think, and to reflect on the past 6 weeks (let alone the past 12 months) I’ve seen more change than I’d expected, anticipated, or planned on. Several things have sent me reeling, and I’m taking stock, trying to restore some order and control in my own sphere of influence, and realizing that the three strike rule is yelling at me from the bleachers.
Do I have answers, no, but I’m taking a moment to pause, breathe, think, and plan action IS next, wish me luck, AND to everyone whom can relate I send a HUG!
‘all for now
Chris
