April 26 - Week 16

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 Picture of the week:


Overall

Started the week with a restful getaway to Sugarbush Ski Resort. Led a successful MEET THE INSTITUTE session and delivered a strong panel on UN-Retirement at ASA, sharing Leon’s story of planning and hope. Noticed leadership niggles but stayed calm and strategic. Solved my tax withholding issue and refined ten simple rules for wise living. Knee pain eased, hydration stayed steady, and spring walks revealed cherry, redbud, tulip, and magnolia blooms. Played a close Scrabble series with Mini. Watched Dune 2 silently on a flight. Finalized a 15-year travel dream list, and enjoyed a happy Friday working from Cambridge.

Takeaways from the Week:

Presence matters more than performance. Trusting rhythms—whether in nature, work, or body—builds resilience. Leadership often shows up not in grand moves, but in calm, quiet adjustments.

Behavioral Takeaways:


  • The “niggle” was static, not signal: noticing without reacting.
  • A HALT moment (Hungry, Angry, Late, Tired) reminded me to pause, breathe, and protect the mission.
  • Trusting the broader pattern of effort and relationships rather than getting pulled into momentary anxiety.

NOTES:


Work:

  • Led a successful MEET THE INSTITUTE program with nearly 250 colleagues participating.
  • Delivered a strong panel at the ASA Conference in Orlando on UN-Retirement, sharing Leon’s inspiring story.
  • Picked up a leadership “niggle” after Micky’s vacation but stayed composed and fulfilled commitments.
  • Collaborated with Phil to structure the upcoming Thought Leadership Committee meeting, quietly navigating politics.
  • Felt happy working from the Cambridge office on Friday—bus ride home was a simple, pleasant close to the week.


Home:

  • Finally resolved my tax withholding setup to avoid future April surprises.
  • Distilled ten rules for investing and living wisely, anchored in peace of mind and honest stewardship.
  • Swapped winter tires for all-season tires on the Audi at Costco—spring readiness!
  • Reviewed and discussed irrigation proposals with Mini—keeping alignment on home improvements.


Health & Fitness:


  • Knee pain decreased significantly—moving more easily and confidently.
  • Hydration habits maintained, steady and beneficial.
  • Spring walks captured the beauty of the season:
    • Weeping cherries, redbuds, tulips, saucer magnolias, flowering quince, azaleas, and pink magnolias in full bloom.

Music:

  • BMS 100 year on Sunday 


Writing etc:


  • Shared the story of Leon the Uber Driver at ASA—capturing themes of resilience, longevity, and quiet preparation.
  • Shared my short play The Research Project with friends—putting creative work into circulation.


Social:


  • Began a Scrabble series with Mini via app—fun, close competition (Mini leading 6–5).

Sports:


  • (No major updates logged yet.)

Travel Plans:


  • Created a 15-year travel plan, visiting one carefully chosen destination each year—blending beauty, meaning, and discovery.


Entertainment / Reading:


  • Watched Dune 2 on a flight via subtitles, no sound—still surprisingly engaging, like a futuristic silent film.
  • Began reading Broken Country—early impressions feel a bit superficial and racy; waiting to see if it deepens.



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