Having recently had the opportunity to celebrate the American Daylight Saving time and knowing the majority of the rest of the world had now had the opportunity to also catch up and join us in our time change of productivity. ( A great explanation if you did not know different parts of the world celebrate DST at different times.)

This only rekindles my eternal loathing for the semiannual holiday. My seething subsides a little more with each passing year as I have fewer and fewer clocks to change. I think at this point, there are only four clocks I have to update manually. However, how many lost hours of productivity have been lost to the time change negatively affecting people because they forgot and showed up to work late? Or how about how many hours have been spent wasting time communicating this archaic tradition to help people not forget? Or what about the opportunity we all have to change our clocks? I doubt there has been any time lost to changing clocks every year.

Truly, what upsets me most is best summed up by Admiral Grace Hopper, “The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” (An amazing woman to say the least. We a great deal to her in regards to modern computing languages and software development if you do not already know of her, you should get to know her.)

There are very few methods, systems, or processes that last forever. I have a pretty good system for brewing my french press at work. However, it is not perfect and will not last forever. Maybe my taste will change or my preferences will change on the flavor, style, or strength of my coffee. Similarly, Daylight Saving Time was once very necessary for generations built on sunlight, productivity, and manufacturing. As we now deviate from these ancient systems, it is time for us to update our clocks for the last time.

Similarly, as I grow and mature, it is time for me to take a look at the systems and processes in my own life and develop them. Mature them. Bring them up to speed with where I am at in life.

What processes are you using without question? What systems are outdated that you use regularly? What long overdue process do you need to institute?

Intentionally,

–JT

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I have historically tried to rely on systems and organizations as a safety net and avenue for success in my life.

There is nothing wrong with trusting organizations. But they are not here for my success. They have a limited scope of use and value and I am not at the core of their purpose. My ability to succeed is largely built on my actions and my own ability to make choices in line with my values and priorities.

My ability to make these good choices and succeed is going to be heavily influenced by the people in my life. The social systems and organization I build around myself.

Bringing these people into my life is as much about their success as it is my own. I am not bringing people into my life to only make me better. I am also joining with their social systems and organization to make them a more successful person. More importantly, when I join into their system with their success at the core of my decision making process. They will succeed and I will succeed.

Who’s social structure are you joining? Who are you trying to help succeed? Who are you bringing into your social structure?

Structuring,

–JT

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