Hello World!
Thought Manager
As with any project, a good first step is to start by making its goals concrete, and the aspiration of this newsletter is best condensed by this odd phrase.
I’ve been out of college for twenty years, but Architecture is an old person’s game. I’m still learning new things every day, and I’ve only been an OPM for three years.
Then again I’m embarking upon the back half of my career, so I hope I’ve got some valuable ideas worth sharing with my colleagues and the next generation of architects.
I believe that writing this monthly newsletter will force me to think sharper while providing a vehicle to connect with fellow OPM’s. In more detail, my definitions of success for this project are:
- Develop a library of work related musings for future personal reference.
- Create content that can be easily shared on my portfolio as well as email and Linkedin.
- Push myself to keep improving. I’m at a dangerous moment where I’ve developed just enough experience to become complacent. I’m hoping that sticking myself out in public every month will keep me from getting too comfortable.
Fortunately, these three goals are attainable by my own effort. Just sit down and write a few hours every week.
Ideas should be shared, not hidden. I wouldn’t be blogging if I didn’t have this bonus goal in mind – to develop an audience and spark conversations with folks I might not otherwise meet. If that happens, I think I’ll have become a Thought Manager.
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What are your goals within this modern information-connection economy?
Hit Reply and lets chat!
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My OPM notes from January
Apologies for the self indulgence, but it seemed fitting to start the year and this newsletter with a post with an introduction of a hundred words and ten photos.
It Doesn’t Have to be Crazy at Work is a an aspirational manifesto for a calm workplace. However, the foundation starts in one’s mindset. Calmness starts with being satisfied with enough.
Seth Godin repeatedly touts Linchpin as his masterpiece, even when he is on the book tour circuit selling his newest books. He’s right. It’s his most earnest attempt to push us to risk failure over guaranteed stagnation.
When I finished reading it, I thought Tiny Habits would be the most influential book of the year. I was partially correct. Some of its tips have helped me develop better personal habits, but its biggest influence was introducing me to the world of ebooks and revolutionizing my reading and audiobook habits.
One from the Archives
I’ve always taken a fairly personal approach to work and business. If I am doing something for the better part of my waking life, then I might as well bring my best self to this effort. However, one’s compatriots in a project are not always the most obvious folks. The conversation with the past is one of the great joys of renovating older buildings.
… and a public domain photo.
