This might be a ‘Me,’ post - I doubt it.

Context switching. Justification. Ambition. Values.

Read those words atop, slowly.

Again.

Ok, let’s start.

Context switching, which could be considered multi-dimensional. The ability to switch between doing work-related tasks to writing, say, this post? Or how about working as a barista during the week and rock climbing on the weekends (extreme peaks btw). Learning to play tennis alongside being a mother. Wanting to be a content creator while balancing a home, work and friends? All require context switching.

Sadly, in many cases, it requires justification. To friends, family, co-workers. How do I know?

I still do it. Whether it’s going between Seattle and NYC or putting out content of a house tour or working a Friday night shift at a restaurant, writing a post, creating a piece of art all within the first 24 hours of a weekend. It’s easy to feel the label of ‘scattered or distracted,’ and it hurts. Especially when it comes from people who you think are your friends or, at minimum, you respect professionally.

Yesterday I chose to spend time with family. Uninterrupted time, mind you. We met up with a neighbor too in Seattle. He said, “I am always amazed at how much you are doing.” I responded, “It’s what I want to see in the world that I create / go for.” That response was too heady for him, so I defaulted to the justification, “We don’t have kids, what would you do?” He nodded, “Thanks for the context, Mark, I get it now.”

Damn, I thought.

Instead of encouragement, interest, it’s questioning, doubt.

Which brings me to ambition.

When you have the drive to realize what you and sometimes only you can see, your mind is racing toward that pinhole of light. You want to collab with like-minded people or at least people who can add that dimension. However, if most of your people are the questioning type, the type you have to justify yourself to, then you have too many of the wrong people.

Values.

If you’ve ever been toward the white-hot center of company, capitalism, culture, leadership, growth - it’s values. What are you not willing to sacrifice in the name of your values?

Unfortunately, I am more convinced than ever that the depth of a friendship is not measured in time spent with someone or the doing of things, but rather, more in the real conversations that lead to growth while, in some cases, having to pull someone through something difficult. I used to think the system was rigged. As of this writing, I think it’s the handcuffs and weights we tether our identity to, i.e. our friends / family. I visualize it as a circle with everyone looking at you versus a force looking toward what you are looking at, even if you are unsure.

I get it though, that is not every friend or family member’s role.

Then I think, well, who do I want to spend time with?