The "swamps of sadness" expression should immediately take you back to The NeverEnding Story. One of the toughest and most emotional scenes of the movie and what a visual it presents in comparison to the landscape of today's reality.

Let's not get into some crazy dispute over whether or not it's a 'choice' to be sad or not. Every human on earth has to face this challenge as it is unique to your own circumstances. Your shoes are your own. Stay in them for this post.

There is a delicate balance between being fixated on that 'day' when the COVID overall threat will diminish and with what you have to face TODAY.

Today you may be facing health decisions.

Today you may be facing work life balance decisions.

Today you may be facing family based decisions.

Today you may be facing self-motivation decisions.

Today you may be facing employment decisions.

Today you may be facing financial decisions.

Our perspective on TODAY may be contingent on not creating our own illusion that there is no swamp of sadness. But that there is a swamp of sadness and you must move your way through it. Whether it's momentary or the time period has some teeth to it, the path out is the path forward.

There are times where it may overtake you and you feel stuck. (Yes I am talking about Artax) Do not feel that you do not need help.

Today - Communicate.

Today - Talk to someone.

Today - Write out your feelings.

Today - Take a break.

Today - Take a walk.

Today - Sing a song.

Today - Help someone else smile.

It is not possible to be human and not have moments where we are in the "Swamps of Sadness". The path forward is awareness either for yourself or helping someone else.

Today...is...the...day.

Well, that's fantastic. You can't beat that feeling of confidence when you approach any task in life. It's a solid way to assure victory!

But wait. Is the statement "My Assessment of Myself Is That I Am Skilled" always 100% accurate?

The answer is relative.

There is no way we can unequivocally make the statement that we have the absolute best and/or most proficient skill set for any given task.

Let's talk about basic software skills such as Microsoft Excel. You may be assigned something such as creating an annual sales report broken down by month and product. After handling a few of these types of assignments could easily state "I am skilled at Microsoft Excel".

Is that exactly true though?

What if your next administrative task is to merge cells, or create a pivot table, or hyperlink formulas to various sheets? Your personal assessment will drastically change if you have never handled any of these skill subsets. This leads to an important couple of statements.

Your skills assessment is based on what you know and not necessarily on the entire scope of available knowledge of the subject.

Or

Your skills assessment must be commensurate with the degree of education and best practices application you have experienced.

Why be this realistic and honest with yourself?

It's all a part of emotional intelligence.

Self-awareness is one of the building blocks.

So if someone asks you to describe your skill level on any particular subject or application, be sure to think of that skill in subsets and be confident enough to explain your proficiency in those subsets and humble enough to declare where you need more education to take that skill to the next level.

So true story. My wife asks me if we ran out of cottage cheese because she can't find it in the refrigerator. I am confident that we still have some so I reply. "There is still some in the fridge."

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Stand Out? Blend In?

The above heading has the typical same conclusion.  Be part of a crowd.  (more…)

This post is for my dear wife. Twenty-five years ago today I proposed to Renee Murphy.  She said yes.....(Yay!!!!!) Twenty-five years later we are as solid as ever.  I truly believe in the expression "soulmate". (more…)