I think I understand opportunity costs better than I have in the past. At some point, (perhaps it's age/maturity), but, most notably as responsibilities increase, there is a finite amount of time to pursue new goals. I don't meant to sound unadventurous, but embarking on yet another micro-passion or new life goal will cost time from some other priority (or, some other micro-passion), it doesn't mean the goal shouldn't be pursued, it's just that I should be clear (with myself) what I am sacrificing in order to obtain it. The changes I have made is centering my time and attention on fewer goals/targets and getting real about the few I have, particularly those I've nursed all these years (generally, those falling in the "someday" category). Thanks for taking the time to comment, man, appreciate it!

Thanks, Jennifer! Good luck with the new hire, it's a tough process but you've got a keen eye and excellent intuition, that objectivity will serve you well. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and share it with your network.

Good insight, James: "Price drives purchases but stories and experiences drive word of mouth". So true. Well said.

I think you echo the thoughts of many.

Thanks, Jason, for replying (and hitting me up via LinkedIn). I wonder how many of us have contemplated that about our facebook accounts. Someone mentioned to me recently all the hacks and tips you could do to minimize your facebook irritations but it all seems like too much work (and I've done many of them). For me, the biggest question I was trying to ask was, "If you are trading lifestyles, like spending more time on facebook, you have to ask yourself, are you trading up?" For many, the answer would be yes, for some, no. My final conclusion was that I like staying connected to my network via facebook but I didn't like trading a lifestyle of rich consumption for a lifestyle of transient consumption. A difficult balance. Thanks, again man, appreciate your response.

Thank you for the feedback, Heidi. Love your advice on sticking with networks most important to you, it also keeps you on track, cultivating the right kinds (vs 'how many'). Glad we are connected as well!

Thanks, Ken!

Thanks, Karen!

Thank you, Karen - appreciate the comment, looking forward to hanging with you guys tonight!

Thanks, James - you're way too kind. Looking forward to it!

Yes, the risk is real. You risk attracting the scorn of frenemies, the risk of dealing with trolls and haters and, the bigger your presence, the ultimate risk that hurts: failure. I find the biggest risk, though, is overcoming your own objections and self-doubt (what Stephen Pressfield calls "the resistance" in his book the The War of Art). That's the biggest dragon that needs to be slayed (and I think he has about a thousand heads!). :-) Thanks for reading my ramblings, Lori!

Brad: thanks for taking the time to comment, man. Really appreciate you!

I agree. I've shared your story with others about Steve's seeming "lack of generosity", really made me think.

Yeah, me too. Biggest lesson I think I've learned is taking the time (and allowing the team to take the time) to adequately thrash. We are so consumed by the urgent in our business, I think its effect sometimes takes it toll on our ability to slow down and develop a well thought out campaign. Friday's discussion on the card project was an example where I had to force myself to stay put for an hour while we thrashed that project. Ironic that we killed it but that was a good decision. In the past, we would have probably proceeded with the idea (because we didn't spend enough time thrashing it). The result would have been a rather latent (or simply low impact) project. Glad you're helping me steer the ship on this process ....

I know what you mean. I think this process typically applying to projects with multiple steps/layers and longer deadlines. I do think the urgent nature of our particular line of work has relegated the importance of thrashing to a smaller role when, in reality, (particularly for larger projects) it should have a prominent place at the beginning of the idea cycle. (Some projects are too small or too fast for that though). Good to hear from you Haines!