Hi Reader,

Refuse to Drift

A dear friend shared a sunset photo from Skaket Beach a few weeks ago. It’s one of the rare spots on Cape Cod where you can watch the sun sink directly into the ocean, something West Coasters often take for granted. The image stays with me, not just because of its beauty, but because it reminded me of a rhythm I’ve been missing.

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I miss Augusts spent with my dad in South Orleans. There was always that peculiar mix of relaxed calm and anticipation as lazy afternoons gave way to the excitement of a new school year. The changing air seemed to whisper, “Time is short, get ready.” For the first time in decades, there’s no “back-to-school” rush in my household. Still, time keeps moving, tick by tick.

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As Labor Day approaches and summer reluctantly gives way to fall, I find myself missing the transition I once enjoyed in Boston. San Diego may have longer summers and sunshine year-round, but Boston fuels movement. Brisk mornings, leaves brightly broadcasting change, shorter days all conspire to push you forward with haste. Boston creates a sense of urgency, and that's exactly what’s needed—for me, probably for you, and definitely for this nation. The halcyon daze of summer is a luxury we can’t afford anymore.

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We’re not just entering a new season; we’re witnessing a nationwide slide into crisis. Authoritarians and sycophants roam the White House. Armed troops patrol D.C. in a spectacle of political theater. Supposedly strong institutions are buckling. State-sanctioned kidnappings target the humble, hardworking, and vulnerable without due process. School shootings are routine, and policymakers wildly gesticulate to blame everything but the weapons. Women’s rights are being stripped away. Oligarch billionaires have neutered media platforms and treat private data as a commodity. Each of these signals a warning. Ignore them long enough, and we risk losing the entire system.

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The temptation, often encouraged, is to keep your head down, enjoy the sunsets, and wait for the storm to pass.

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That doesn’t work for me, and I hope it doesn’t sit right with you. I’m tired of leadership drift. We must all communicate clearly, speak louder, and call out weak leadership whenever we see it. Hold up a mirror to those who hide behind excuses. Effective leadership isn’t just for business; it’s civic. It’s personal. It’s survival. If you’re a leader, you'd better make sure you give a damn. And if you don’t think you’re a leader, you’re mistaken. At the very least, you’re leading yourself. You’re leading a family, a friend group, a community. Someone looks up to you as a role model.

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Here’s what I expect from you: take action. Not everyone needs a megaphone, but everyone has a role to play. Vote. Organize. Speak up at work. Protect your community. Push back when you see lies presented as truth. Refuse silence. Refuse to drift. Bring joy. Take action. Provide care. Share knowledge. You have an abundance of resources. Use them.

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So yes, enjoy the sunsets; they serve as beautiful reminders of a passing day. But when the sun rises again, as it always does, you face a choice. Will you wake up as a spectator, or will you wake up a leader?

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Summer’s relaxation is coming to an end. Autumn's urgency has arrived. And damn it, we have work to do.

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Keep advancing in the direction of your dreams and help others along the way.

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-Karl

Karl Bimshas

Leadership Systems Architect | Writer

KARL BIMSHAS CONSULTING

No Accountability. No Leadership.

1-858-583-2302

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P.S.

CLARITY. CONFIDENCE. CONNECTION. I hope you and a few of your colleagues or team members can attend the event I'm presenting in September. ​ It will be interactive, moderately fast-paced, and I promise to provide you with a few 'aha' moments and sparks of inspiration to help you act with greater clarity, confidence, and connection to your purpose. ​ CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

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