All posts filed under: Leadership

The Lifelong Learning Marathon: Embracing the Journey of Personal Growth

Published by Colin Nanka

Just like a marathon, lifelong learning is a continuous journey filled with ups and downs, requiring persistence, commitment, and a growth-oriented mindset. In today’s fast-paced world, embracing lifelong learning is not only beneficial, but necessary to thrive and adapt to new challenges.   The Lifelong Learning Marathon   A marathon is a test of endurance, discipline, and mental strength, spanning 26.2 miles that push runners to their limits. Similarly, lifelong learning is the commitment to acquiring new skills and knowledge throughout our lives, constantly pushing our boundaries to grow. In the marathon of life, we’re all runners charting our unique paths, setting our pace, and overcoming obstacles along the way.   The Science Behind Lifelong Learning   Research has consistently shown the benefits of lifelong learning. A study by the World Economic Forum found that individuals who embrace lifelong learning are 44% more likely to maintain a sense of purpose and adapt to new challenges. Learning keeps our minds sharp, fosters creativity, and enhances our adaptability in a rapidly changing world.   Embracing the Marathon …

Habits Sustain Your Goals

Published by Colin Nanka

Creating habits can be incredibly powerful, as they allow us to automate actions and progress towards our goals without having to constantly exert willpower. According to a study by the University College London, it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. Once a behavior becomes a habit, it requires less mental effort to maintain, leaving more energy for other tasks.   Another study by Duke University found that habits account for about 40% of our daily behaviors. This means that a significant portion of our lives is on autopilot, and the habits we form can have a huge impact on our overall well-being and success. Habits can also be used to create a positive feedback loop, where small successes lead to more success and motivation to continue the habit.   It’s important to have a clear reason or motivation for why you want to form the habit in the first place.   Creating habits can be incredibly powerful when they support a big vision and are supported by your …

Are you losing your mind?

Published by Colin Nanka

Are you losing your mind?    In this great episode Dr. Michael Gervais interviews Nelson Dellis, a Grand Master of memory.   If you are finding it difficult to keep things straight in your mind these days, this episode is for you.   Since covid, and working a ton on zoom meetings (maybe from getting a little bit older), I find the memory recall is not as good as it used to be!   How to Master Memory   Nelson is a 5X USA memory champion. He’s an athlete of the mind! He has remembered up to 907 digits and 9 decks of cards!   A very unique dialogue and I think you will enjoy it. Defeating Average. Colin

Opportunities are multiplied when seized 

Published by Colin Nanka

You often hear “crisis creates opportunity” or don’t waste a good crisis. Like an iceberg, what you see above the water line is the initial opportunity, and as the first one to put up your hand, as you invest in solving the problem, the chunk under the ice reveals itself as the long term opportunity. Being the first one on the ship to survey the ice, gives you the opportunity to multiply the size of the impact and reward. Defeating Average. Colin

Re Showing Up in Person

Published by Colin Nanka

We need to relearn how to present ourselves.   I was part of a company program recently where our sales people had to stand and deliver a pitch. I’ve been at Salesforce 17 years and we used to do this all the time. I saw so many people using crutch notes on computers, iphones, etc, who did not trust their skills to present without notes.   We hired many people during the pandemic, young in tenure who have not had to do it. I am rusty, others are rusty and need to relearn.    I’ve got used to preparing for meetings with notes and having them available on my computer as a crutch. Even the difference between driving a meeting on zoom or in the office hybrid with a couple people live is a challenge to prepare for. I am rusty, others are rusty.   I have heard many people say, we are going back to 2019 both in how the world works and how work is most effective. It’s a reset.    Think about …

Ukraine Strong

Published by Colin Nanka

My grandfather on my Dad’s side died when I was 12. My middle name was named for him. My Grandmother and his wife died a number of years later. They grew up in the farming community in the province of Manitoba, Canada. The breadbasket of Canada. I remember getting my first tool set just a couple years before he passed. He had an old shed he worked out of just like my dad would for most of his life. He fixed things that were broken. He repaired trucks, cars and items in and out of the house. He lived a simple life. He was grateful for what he had and to live in a country where you could carve your own path based on hard work. My grandfather is Ukrainian. My Dad is Ukrainian Two of the biggest communities of Ukrainians are in Manitoba and Edmonton, Alberta where I grew up. In 1997 and one of the biggest floods since 1950 in Winnipeg, my dad traveled to help his brother to build a fortress of sandbags …

This is a story that is just beginning 

Published by Colin Nanka

50 percent of people are re-examining there lives    40 percent of people are experiencing some sort of mental health impact from the Pandemic    Employees satisfied with their work life balance attend 25% few meetings    We are on a long journey that is just beginning.    How can we all help one another?   Listen Be curious a little bit longer when people are sharing with you    Learn Be willing to relearn how to live in this environment  Ask more questions  Be more selfish with your well-being    Live  Focus on what is best for you and your family  Find the best way to recover  Answer: what is something that would bring me joy today?   Be well

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

Published by Colin Nanka

There is an old parable that uncovers how I have felt over the last couple years, and maybe you too.  The conversation is between a grandfather and his grandson and does like this: “I have a fight going on in me,” the old man said. “It’s taking place between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” The grandfather looked at the grandson and went on. “The other embodies positive emotions. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. Both wolves are fighting to the death. The same fight is going on inside you and every other person, too.” The grandson took a moment to reflect on this. At last, he looked up at his grandfather and asked, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee gave a simple reply. “The one you feed.” This parable serves as a powerful reminder of the fight that every human being must face. Regardless of …

Honey Makes Me Wiggle

Published by Colin Nanka

I was making a lunch snack for my daughter this morning and I asked her the typical question. Would you like almond butter and honey or almond butter and jam? She shook her head and came over and pointed at the honey. Almond butter and honey I said.  She shook her head no, “just honey.” Why, I said? “I don’t like Almond Butter.” But you have always liked Almond Butter I said. “I just want honey. Honey makes me wiggle.” Fair enough! As I am learning, things change often with kids. What was true one week is not true the next. What worked yesterday, may not work tomorrow. Accepting that as true with my daughter makes life easier.  I am focused on staying a little curious a little longer and treating each day with a beginner’s mind.   Defeating Average.   Colin

The Right Trail

Published by Colin Nanka

I spent the last week hiking 100 miles through Death Valley with my running Mentor Ray Zahab and 4 other hikers and a support guide.    “Keeping on the same trail with easy terrain can seem like the right way, but you need to have the courage to follow your way points, what you know is true and take on tougher terrain to prioritize safety, hydration and success. Committing to the wrong path can be deadly.”   Ray crossed the Canadian Arctic three times, the landmass of Antarctica and ran 4,500 miles across the Sahara Desert in 100 days in 2009, which was turned into a film “Running the Sahara” narrated by Matt Damon. In 2011, 2014 and 2018 he crossed Death Valley North to South and East to West at the hottest time of the year, in July. Death Valley is the lowest altitude on earth, down to 250 feet below sea level and has been measured as the hottest place on earth. Earlier this year 134 F!   Ray is the only person …