Clichés

It is week three of life’s transition or at least career transition. It’s cliché I know, the image I mean, you know something along the lines of the ‘sky is the limit’. Ugh. Fact is, this image is my view from my back deck. We all have our place, or should, where we go to think, daydream, brainstorm, worry, or whatever verb you chose to use. This is mine.

Today however started differently...as a friend shared a Ted Talk from Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer, entitled Celebrate What’s Right with the World. By the way, it’s worth every bit of the 18 minutes it will take you to watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_1Eh6rqf8&feature=youtu.be

Now, I could save you a little time and tell you right here that in the following paragraphs I’m not going to tell you anything differently than he does, nor will I do it nearly as well. But that won’t stop me from trying. Over the past three weeks as I network, meet my friends, talk with former co-workers and even potential future co-workers, I find myself referring to my situation as a blank canvas. Yes another cliché. But cliché or not, that’s exciting. But I’ve also come to quickly discover that is also very daunting. My choices are endless? The sky is the limit? I can chose any lens I want? How will that all unfold? How does one navigate through all of that?

But reframing those words in my head, as Mr. Jones so eloquently verbalizes and suggests, is the key. The canvas isn’t blank as much as there is ‘...more than one right answer’. The sky isn’t the limit as much as we need to be ‘...reframing the obstacles into opportunities’. The choices aren't endless as much as we should now be ‘...choosing possibilities’. Powerful. More exciting. More manageable even.

So as we each face our own reality everyday, on the job, at home, while pursuing our dreams, don’t be overwhelmed or paralyzed not knowing which direction to go. Understand there are many right answers and many opportunities. Figure out what is ‘right with the situation’ and use that as your guide. Maybe it will change your life. Thanks Mr. Jones for changing my lens and reframing my shot.

Dave Lucas spent 20+ years in marketing at Caterpillar Inc., many as the Global Digital Marketing Manager, and 10+ years in leadership positions at various marketing agencies. He is now the owner of Lucas Partnering, which focuses on companies looking to leverage his experience to advance their marketing efforts to the next level. He can be reached at davidlucas@lucaspartnering.com.