“Everybody lean in.”
I squeeze into a photo with rest of the speakers and leaders at a conference.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket. “Whoa! That’s my personal thigh.” Says the guy behind me.
I reach back and silence my phone.
Everyone resettles and my phone buzzes in my hand. It’s my wife. I’ll call her right back.
“Alright, we got it.” says the photographer.
I hop off the stage and answer my phone as it starts buzzing again.
“What’s up?”
“How do you get a remote control car out of hair?”
“What?!?!?!”
“Can you think of an option that doesn’t involve me cutting her hair?”
***
Turns out, my daughter was hiding under a blanket with my son’s new remote control car.
My son was walking around the house trying to find the car…by triggering the remote and listening for the motor.
As the car tried to drive away, my daughter tightened her grip.
Her hair got caught.
The wheels reached her head.
She let go…but it was too late.
She screamed for help.
***
We’re all getting into a rhythm for 2024.
But Reader, what are you still holding onto from 2023?
Is it something you can't control?
Can you lay it down?
Will you let go before your hair gets caught?
Are you ready to ask for help?
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Jake “lay it down” Brown
P.S. My son was able to remove a wheel and pull the axel through…thus, freeing my daughter and avoiding a VERY awkward haircut.
Making work a lot more like play. Whether you are running a business, leading a team, burned out, or bored...there's a better way to do it. Survival is insufficient.
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"Alright class, I'm going to put you into groups. If I say your name, I want to you go sit by the eagle picture." my teacher says. "My dad loves eagles! I can't wait until my name is called so I can tell him about the photo." I think. "Laura, Brad, Jessica, Marcus... If that's you, head over the the eagle." "Next, these are the cardinals." "Cardinals are the state bird of Indiana and they have cool hair." My hopes rise. "BJ, Heather, Gregg, Katherine, Leslie, Reader...Go sit by the cardinal!"...