Sunday, March 6, 2011

What I (re)learned about myself at TEDActive

I've gone to TEDActive four times now, and each time I emerge having learned the same lessons--again.

I want to spend more time creating.

The conference filled me with creative spirit. Books and stories I want to write, films I want to make--all of it bubbled up in me and yelled for more of my time and attention.

I want to do more to improve our business.

Business inspiration hits me often here, and this year was no exception. There is so much we could be doing, and so much we could be doing differently or better. I'd love to get to it!

I suck at socializing.

People seemed to approach one another with ease and often glee. I do well when someone talks to me, but striking up conversations with others is very difficult--though I do fine once I'm past that moment.

I have social tendencies.

I admire the social ease of others, and I hang out on the edges of the crowds for a little time each day, wondering if I might somehow fit in.

I don't belong here.

The energy level and social commitment and creativity of the TEDsters is daunting. So very often, I feel old and slow and as if I have done nothing.

I do belong here.

When I talk to people about PT or my books or the Children No More charity effort, the look in their eyes makes it clear that I do belong--and that some of them are left wondering if they do.

I must lose weight and become fit again.

As you can see, for every other lesson, I find myself torn, on both sides, wanting more than I can find a way to manage. On this lesson, however, there is no other side: If I want to live a long life--and I do--I must drop a ton of weight and become fit again.

The challenge, of course, is to figure out how to do that and everything else I want--and need-to do within days with only twenty-four hours and a life with far more stress than I am handling well right now.

Clearly, I have a lot to do.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I believe you can achieve anything that is important to you. You just have to want it enough to make trade offs in other areas of your life.

Mark said...

The flaw in that statement is that it stops working when you have many things of extremetly high importance. Then, you have to prioritize and give up on some that are very dear to you.

Griffin said...

For fitness:

No more ice cream or desserts.

That is all.

It is punishment enough for your fragile psyche.

Mark said...

Maybe so. Dunno.

Anonymous said...

A daily food diary will help you prioritize the food every day, and let you plan for the food you really love.-Toni

Mark said...

Perhaps so. I've certainly used that technique effectively in the past. I believe, though, the my underlying issue is managing the stresses in my life. I'm working on it.

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