I've been thinking this month about the importance of trying to find solutions to nagging problems in life. Not all problems can be solved, but those that can, well I think we should do what we can to solve them. Why? Because it makes life better. Everyone will have problems in their life, but if you spend some time solving them, you become the kind of person who works to make life better, and that will improve your life in so many different ways. Now we can't spend all our time problem solving, we still have to live life and enjoy the good things, but a little time spent greasing the squeaky wheels of our life? Well that can have a big impact.
One Small problem solved
I work from home a few days a week. A product of our post-pandemic new reality. Because of that, I was fortunate enough to be able to set up a home office for myself. If you ever work with me, you'll quickly learn that I am a one-monitor kind of guy. Many people like 2, 3 or even 4 monitors on their desk. Not me. I like to have one big one, that I can focus on, and if I really need to, I'll put two windows side by side. So I have one big monitor on my desk. And because I'm a little bit extra, it's a32 inch, 6k monitor.
I have 2 computers. A work computer and a personal computer. I COULD have 2 monitors, one for each computer, but who wants that? Not me (back to that whole one monitor thing), also 2 6k monitors might be a bit ridiculous on one desk. So instead I've been manually switching the monitor cables between computers each time I have to switch between work and personal computing. Luckily the keyboard is connected to the monitor, so I only need 1 of those on my desk.
Now was this a BIG problem? No it wasn't. It was just a slight annoyance that happened a few times a day. But it did happen every single day. Back to my point about problem solving, I decided it was time to do something about it. So I researched KVM switches, which allow you to share one monitor between multiple computers. The big catch for me was that none of them supported 6K monitors... until recently. A KVM switch that came out a few months ago advertised support for my setup. So I bought it.
And let me tell you, the solution is wonderful. Instead of getting up, twisting around my monitor, and fiddling with cables a couple of times a day, when I want to switch, I press a button and wait a couple of seconds. I'm going to get this benefit every day for years to come. And I'm only going to get it because I invested some time in solving a problem.
Celebrating a solution
A year ago, I was just about start a new job. A new job that I sought out because I was ready for a change. I had reached a point in my career where I was faced with a choice. Hold out and hope for change, or go out and make some change. I had been at BMO for 12.5 years, and leaving certainly wasn't the easiest option, but it was the one that solved the most problems for me. Problems including: not knowing where my career growth would come from, not being sure about growing my career in the "wrong" field (cybersecurity), not wanting to be as remote (one or zero days in the office) as my department encouraged. Now these weren't the same as other people's problems, and I wouldn't expect anyone else to seek the same solutions. But they were mine, and my (not so) new job at Sun Life solved them. So how's it going?
Pretty great after a year. The job checked off so many items on my career growth checklist including: specializing in a field i love (data and analytics), being back in a business unit (versus technology), managing senior leaders as I grow my career in the executive direction. All this in a company that has a similar culture to BMO, which I deeply enjoyed. So all in all, I'd call this a win for problem solving, and validation of my hard work to get here. Here's to manny more years.
Words
I've just finished re-reading a book about using our weekends effectively. With so much going on during the week, it can be tempting to want to "veg out" on the weekend, and do nothing. But we only have so many weekends in our life, and using them effectively can be a great way to get more of a recharge than sitting around doing nothing could offer.
So What The Most Successful People Do on the Weekend offers some suggestions to make the most of our down time. Including:
Plan out 2-3 3 hour activities that you enjoy for the weekend, so that you have some engaging activities in the schedule, and still leave time for downtime, and spontaneity
Do things that recharge you, and give you energy, especially hobbies that inspire and excite you, with a bonus for things that aren’t exactly like your job
Incorporate social time as much as possible into your activities as enjoyable activities with people you enjoy makes for a double-benefit
Weekends can often seem as full, if not more full than working days, and yet if planned thoughtfully, can offer more rest, relaxation and rejuvenation than just chilling out does.
Falling into place
The summer is winding down, and as we approach autumn I leave you with this:
All problems become smaller when you confront them instead of dodging them. ~ William F. Halsey
So find some problems big and small, and spend some time solving them and improving your life. Until next time.
Great post Yaw!