#27 - Keep STUFF in mind
Photo(s) of the Week
This week had so many moments in it - I had to include three photos.
My week was bookended with the two new adorable baby boys who joined our family the week of August 2. I got to meet and hold Stetson Kendall on Monday (top photo). You met him in last week’s newsletter. On Friday, I got to meet and hold Gene Harrison (middle photo). What is it about holding a baby that can just make your heart so much bigger?
In between all the wonderful baby time, I visited Washington D.C. for some client work. I decided it was time for me to get back to the National Zoo to visit the Pandas. My timing was perfect as I walked up to their habitat just as they came out to play and be super active. There is more panda goodness in this week’s Diversion.
Keep STUFF in Mind
The beginning of August has been a whirlwind. Between Staycation time, the work trip to DC, lots of family things happening, and multiple client projects in various states - there have been many moments in the first half of the month where I’ve felt overwhelm start to take over. So, I felt like it was fortuitous timing this week when Sarah and Liz from the Happier in Hollywood podcast discussed the acronym STUFF.
STUFF stands for Stress, Time, Uncertainty, Fear, & Fatigue. From the description in the podcast show notes, “When we experience STUFF it can be harder to effectively process opinions different from our own.” It would have been easy at several points this month to cut off or ignore other points of view due to my own STUFF.
When you feel the weight of STUFF pressing down on you, it’s important to slow down and then use whatever time and resources you have to make space for other people’s points of view. It’s also important that when you are facing STUFF that you effectively communicate these limitations to those you are interacting with.
I think this concept of STUFF is also a reminder of the need for empathy when we are encountering other people who may be experiencing STUFF but may simply not know that’s the state they are in - or who may not know that it is impacting their interactions.
When you’re experiencing your own STUFF, how do you calm your mind and make sure you’re keeping your mind and point of view open to other people?
Tools, Tips, & Tricks
The Best “Password” Storage Tool
I’m doubling down on my love of 1Password as my password management tool - mostly because as I’ve gotten to know it better, 1Password is SO MUCH MORE than just a password management tool. This week, I launched a series called the Lifebook Challenge that you can follow along with in the “What I Published” section. 1Password will figure prominently throughout that entire series and I’ll be including some tutorials about how to use that tutorial throughout that series.
Share Individual Podcast Episodes to Show Someone You Care
I adore podcasts. When someone says, “Hey - I think you might like this episode of podcast x” I feel special. It’s a moment where I know that someone thought of me and went that extra step to share what made them think of me.
While every podcast app is different in the exact process for how you share an episode, I think it’s worth it to take the time to learn how to do this in your podcast app - and then find an episode that made you think fondly of someone else and share it with them.
What I Published This Week
Ship30 started another Cohort this week so I’m adjusting my entire publishing framework.
As a part of Ship 30, I’m launching a 30 day series on Designing and Implementing Learning Projects. The first two essays are live on Twitter, Medium, and Hive.
Designing and Implementing Personal Learning Projects - Twitter, Medium, and Hive
Identify Your Personal Learning Project With This Simple Exercise - Twitter, Medium, and Hive
As a part of my annual goals, I’m also looking for some accountability partners to make sure I meet my goal to get my “life book” updated. Here is more about that - Medium and Hive
I’ll also share a YouTube video from this week in the Diversion section.
What I’m Reading This Week
I’m continuing a lot of reading about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy this week. I’ve also been trying to catch up on some podcast listening this week as reflected in this week’s essay. Nothing truly new to report here.
Diversion
The pandas at the National Zoo - and the National Zoo more broadly - hold a special place in my heart. I hadn’t visited this zoo since I was in high school so on my recent trip to DC I decided it was time to see if I could catch up with the pandas again.
Getting to see any animals at a zoo is challenging. Getting to see them active and playing - even more so. Getting to see an “elusive” animal like a panda - even more so. I was SO lucky to get to see these beauties - my timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Enjoy!
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