Sean Johnson - Intentionally - The Education of Sean Johnson

I learned that I spend about an hour a week being strategic and the rest of my time producing work, even though 95% of my value comes from that hour. That’s a ratio that could use some serious work.

I learned that I’m great at coming up with ideas but mediocre at implementing them, and that the reverse would be much more ideal.

I learned that my neighborhood was very recently a terrible place to live and still has its share of shootings, muggings, etc. I also learned that revealing this information to your family is not advisable.

I learned that I rarely fight fair. I may not be loud or angry, but I’m manipulative more often than not. While not always quick to get into an argument, once I’m in I usually want to win more than I want what’s right.

I learned that losing weight is unbelievably difficult. Maintaining the lost weight, however, is much easier.

I learned that trust is everything in business and in life. You can’t operate as a healthy team without trust.

I learned that if you’re stuck in the airport for a few hours, a day pass at the Red Carpet club is totally worth it. Nice chairs, desks, coffee, pastries and fruit, clean bathrooms.

I learned that condemnation and reprimands are rarely necessary and always scar. Even if you get the desired outcome - changed behavior, acknowledgment of wrongdoing, etc. - the cost is rarely (never?) worth it.

I learned that there actually are real people who, while not perfect, approach an ideal and maintain a consistency and sense of purpose that can spellbind you. I found two this year - one is running for President, the other is a hairdresser in Chicago. I’m still deciding which one will have a larger impact in the world.

I learned that being a “sprinter” at work is a double-edged sword. You can get an immense amount of work done in very little time, but it’s easy to become lazy and waste incredible amounts of time.

I learned that I’m a ridiculously bad manager right now. I don’t teach, don’t coach or encourage, and vacillate between not delegating anything and using delegation as a tool to stop thinking about projects altogether.

I learned that I can sell - that you don’t have to be a pit-bull to do it. All it takes is confidence in what you offer (which when you created big pieces of the product comes much more naturally) and have a willingness to answer questions (which is all objections really are anyway).

I learned that I can still shoot a basketball. As long as people stand far enough away from me and give me plenty of time. And ideally are covering their eyes.

I learned that I care a lot more about money than I thought I did. I always fancied myself a man who didn’t want a lot of things - our place is still extremely bare, I don’t have much in my closet, etc. But a number of big events happened in my company and my life that revealed me to be just as greedy and envious and angry as anyone else in the world. I learned that it can consume enormous amounts of energy, strain relationships and generally make you a miserable person to be around.

I learned that I (and basically everyone I know) have lived with our eyes shut more than we’d like to believe. I never fancied myself a conspiracy theorist and laughed at those who did, but watching this campaign so far has convinced me that there is so much more going on than we usually realize. The spin and misrepresentation is so blatant and consistent (and effective) that I’ve literally felt sick to my stomach watching it unfold.

I learned that my wife is a better Christian than I am. I may read more books and talk more lucidly about what I believe, but she lives it far better than I. While I think and talk and write about myself all day, she exhibits a level of selflessness and kindness and generosity and patience and humility that completely overwhelms me. I know more about God, she believes more about God. There’s an enormous difference, and I know very well which is more desirable.

I learned that Chicago is absolutely the coldest city on earth.

I learned that the best 10 minutes in the world exist when I close my computer at night, put on warm socks, lay down next to my already-sleeping wife and think about how lucky I am to be alive and to have this person to share it with next to me. You often hear stories about people in their waning years, and how they reflect and wish they appreciated what they had when they had it. For all my issues and problems and character flaws, I thank God that I get reminded of what I have for 10 minutes every night. It’s the closest thing to a peaceful heart that this arrogant, wound-up young soul has experienced.

My goal for 2008? To feel that way the rest of the day as well.