Season of Growth: Embracing Change and Discovery

Hello Friends and Family!

Welcome back to another edition of our monthly journey together! As we approach the door of spring this March, I'm thrilled to share with you the latest happenings in my life, some insightful professional updates, and a few nuggets of wisdom to help us all lead more productive lives.

Personal Updates

❄️ February Chilling: Connecting with Family in Snow

This month, my family and I spent some quality decompression time by heading out of town for the Holiday weekend to the mountains, where, yes, there was SNOW! The town is about 2.75 hours east of San Francisco where some quality time with good friends and their children was had.

This was the first time my children had experienced snow. It was a wonderful weekend, letting them play in it. Our son also got to go sledding, which brought joy on his face that was truly priceless 😂 

🐦 February Feathers: Giving Back

Unfortunately (or fortunately for us environmentalists!), there was a considerable amount of rain in the SF Bay Area in February, limiting my birding outings. However, I recently joined a committee through the Golden Gate Birding Alliance (formerly Audubon Society) to help with their annual Birdathon event, one of their largest fundraising events of the year. It includes an auction of birding trips, artwork, and many other prizes.

It would mean a whole lot if you could check it out and show your support in anyway. My family is offering an item for auction, too, and it would be amazing if someone in my network could bid on it 😉

🌳🌳🌳Navigating The Forest to Slay the Dragon

On the professional front, the job hunt continues with an open mind and a determined sense of optimism. Economists are touting a growing job market and I'm hopeful there's a place for me in this landscape while sometimes feeling like I am clawing my way through a deep dark forest.

One of the main challenges for me and many others is fighting off what I’ve dubbed the “Comparison Dragon”. This is an imaginary character I’ve created for myself that typically manifests itself as a dragon in the form of an MBA graduate with a Computer Science degree from Stanford.

But then I ground myself… Let’s remember we all have our own fears and insecurities - even the Stanford MBA Grad…

♻️Sustainability Spotlight: Conscious Consumption

This month, I want to highlight what I call “Conscious Consumption.” It’s not just about reducing waste; it’s about being mindful of our resources and the lifecycle of the items we use. Effective communication from leaders in sustainable product development can educate and inform consumers significantly. As consumers, we should look out for:

• Content Marketing: Companies that include content that educates consumers about the environmental impact of their purchases and how choosing green products makes a difference is incredibly powerful and being demanded more and more by consumers. We should all be keeping an eye out for this type of messaging through various blogs, social media, newsletters, and packaging.

• Transparency: Let’s face it: we get varying degrees of being duped about how eco-friendly companies are but being even more transparent about their sustainability efforts can go a long way. This could include better transparency around their sourcing and production processes, and lifecycle impacts. This helps build trust and credibility with consumers.

Productivity Corner: The 3 C’s

This month’s productivity hack is about the power of building up your learning skills using the 3 C’s framework. This is a very quick hack that you can ask yourself on a daily or weekly basis.

The framework is very simple. Try asking yourself:

“What will advance my…” 

1. Career

2. Cause

3. Curiosity

Using this mindset, we can hone in on the things we want to improve in our professional and personal lives. This exercise allows us to focus on what truly matters to us, ensuring we invest our efforts in activities that align with our goals and values.

Looking Ahead

Finally, as we navigate the complexities of life, let’s remember the strength found in community, the wisdom in nature, and the impact of our choices. I'm excited for what the future holds and grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with you all.

Thank you for your unwavering support and engagement. Here’s to another month of growth, discovery, and meaningful connections.

Stay inspired and grounded,

Patrick

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