Start the dialogue today.

But set it up so you can continue it tomorrow.

Back and forth is for conversation.

Not email.

You should plan for tomorrow.

And make the plan today.

So when tomorrow comes, you can let the last thing you did yesterday handle the toughest task of your morning.

Have a look around their office.

Is it filled with pictures of themselves?

Is it covered with framed press clippings of their work?

Is it blank?

Before you take the job, do the deal, or hire the contractor, have a look around their office.

It says a lot.

Capture their hearts and minds, and they’ll buy what you’re selling.

The smart move? The wise move?

Nah.

Sell something they can be proud of buying.

Embarrassment, like feeling awkward, is an internal emotion.

It’s up to you to feel embarrassed. Or not.

It’s up to you to laugh it off and get back to doing what you do.

Don’t relive it.

Acknowledge it, yes. Laugh at it again.

But smile and get back to work.

And get back to loving your family.

You’re going to get called into status meetings. Eventually, you might even lead them.

Yes, they are an incredible waste of time, money, and resources.

But if you’re not paying for them, try to enjoy yourself. Or, at least do something productive in the background (like learn to code).

These meetings are not going away.

And when you go off on your own, you’ll never have to do ’em again.

[HT to Jason Fried for articulating the painful reality of status meetings.]

When you flip through Netflix, you can find a reason not to watch every choice. So you get to the end, and there’s nothing to watch.

So maybe if you go in with a plan, you’ll save yourself time. And, of course, actually end up with something to watch.

Let’s find a silly comedy. Let’s watch a classic we’ve seen before. Let’s pick a stand-up special. Let’s watch a documentary. Let’s dive into a new show.

A plan.

And, of course, realistic expectations.

Sleep is not overrated. Staying up late is.

“I don’t sleep”

People are going to wear that badge on their shoulder.

Heck, it’s a good one.

“I need my sleep.”

That’s a badge that nobody wears.

But maybe if that said something else?

“I still have a bed time.”

“It’s a school night.”

“I have my routine.”

“Sleep or you’ll die.”

Any of those wearable?

Your expectations.

Make them clear for your kids and employees and associates.

But for the things around you? The things that hover around your universe?

• Lines.
• Weather.
• All the other stuff you can’t control and that could potentially disappoint you.

Throw those expectations out the door.

Instead, seek the good.