Suggestions
Jeffrey Page
Expert in experiencing life's pleasures
Jeffrey Page is a seasoned executive with a talent for developing partnerships, implementing operational strategies, and managing finances, information technology, and human resources. With extensive experience in strategic federal divisions, he has demonstrated his ability to lead engaged, high-performing teams through various organizational challenges. Jeffrey also boasts excellent writing and communication skills, capable of building and strengthening relationships and driving partnerships across multiple levels of the organization. His background includes holding various leadership positions such as Vice President of Operations at Precise Software Solutions, Inc., Chief Operating Officer at Corporation for National and Community Service, Chief Financial Officer at Library of Congress, Budget Implementation Team Manager at Peace Corps, and many more. Upon earning a BA in English literature from the University of California, Davis, he has excelled as a transformative leader, managing multiple tasks and efficiently prioritizing to meet deadlines.
Highlights
Letter to my younger self:
Dear Jeff,
I am writing this letter from the future. I encourage you to follow these few words of wisdom as they might make your way a little easier and steer you away from unnecessary difficulties that lie ahead.
First of all, don’t take yourself so seriously. Instead, redirect all that seriousness toward simply doing your job as best you can and showing compassion for the people around you. When given the opportunity, be the first to acknowledge your faults and shortcomings. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Be self-deprecating. Transform your faults, weaknesses, and mistakes into lessons that you and others might benefit from.
Second, assume positive intent. Understand that all humans are a little crazy, but few are actually out to get you. Taking things personally and taking offense is a waste of time. It distracts you from finding solutions. Even if someone does have negative intent, trying to get even just puts you in a race to the bottom. The moment you think you are above someone else, you are most certainly below them.
Third, practice gratitude every day, throughout the day. Make gratitude lists. Give yourself gratitude reminders. The more you practice gratitude, the more you will see things in the world to be grateful for.
Fourth, think in terms of possibility rather than scarcity. When you encounter an obstacle, don’t push up against it. Imagine the possibility beyond it. Navigate your way toward the abundance that possibility offers. Be mindful of the distinction between a problem and a circumstance. The latter is an unalterable fact. Don’t try to change what is outside your control. Identify the problems over which you have influence and use your skills and insights to make things better.
Fifth, for every problem you encounter, ask yourself how your ego is involved. If ego informs your understanding of the problem, your reaction to it, or your plans for addressing it, you’ll probably make the problem worse for yourself and others. Check your ego early and often and make sure your perceptions and follow-on actions drive only toward the greater good rather than toward your own personal advantage.
Finally, look for opportunities to be kind and to show love and appreciation for the people you work and live with. Every time you make an effort to lift someone up, you will rise up with them.
I’ll stop here even though there are additional lessons that I could share with you to help you along your path. But I know you’re a slow reader and have a short attention span, so I’ll leave you with this one last thought. Many years from now, when you are 60 years old and preparing for your retirement, remember that these lessons are easily forgotten. Never assume you’ve mastered them. Review them over and over again and commit yourself to them as a continuous practice for the rest of your life.
Best of luck with your career, young man. I’m pretty sure things will work out okay for you.
Warm regards,
Jeff
I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Retired at Home!
