Since you’ve probably chewed your fingernails overnight, I’m writing to offer a little comfort in the form of a timely anecdote. And I’d also love some of your advice, if that’s alright?
When Covid hit, my good friend Ron recommended a blog called The Shoe Snob, which features videos of how to polish your shoes. I won’t link it because you’ll judge me for falling down the rabbit hole. Suffice to say, there’s a dedicated video about making the right cloth to rub the polish in. He uses cut up strips of white t-shirts. There’s some…investment.
It turns out I’ve been polishing my shoes wrong, all these years. Adding a layer of polish to the polish already on the shoes is like caking on makeup. In fact, you’re supposed to rejuvenate and nourish the underlying leather to bring out its inherent shine. That means it takes more effort:
- First, you use nail polish remover to get rid of the existing polish. You leave the shoes for a day or two.
- You use shoe conditioner, and rub it into the leather. You leave the shoes.
- Then you add colored polish, and again, rub it into the leather. You leave the shoes.
- Only then do you add a layer of wax polish, to shine those puppies up. You dip the wax into water first, and rub the polish with a rag for about an hour until they’re like mirrors.
It’s a lot of work and it takes patience. All that “rubbing in” requires a few hours. But in the end, your shoes have a deep and sustainable glow. Like the ones in this photo from Unsplash by Clem Onojeghuo. I’m very impressed with his leather nourishment!
I love this idea of taking time to rejuvenate and nourish the underlying leather. And I see it as a metaphor with broader uses. Whether it’s for the state of our democracy, our organizations, or ourselves.
Since I took the plunge and went freelance, I’ve spent more time learning. Learning Spanish. Qualifying to become a yoga teacher and learning to teach. Even going to an academy to become a better squash player. Learning fires up a part of my brain that I think may have got a little fried during all those years in-house working for organizations. It nourishes the underlying…leather. If you will. And it makes me a better strategic communicator. I feel more vital.
And this is where I’d love your advice. I’m interested to learn some more and I’d love to hear your recommendations for courses I might take. I sometimes think I’d love to do a Master’s Degree in Spanish film, or perhaps an advanced degree in business and leadership. I find myself wondering if there are any communications courses worth the investment. I like the idea of being able to learn remotely. It’s one of the upsides of living in a Mad Max film. Good Internet.
And that’s where I’d love to hear your recommendations. You can just shoot me an email. I’m all ears.
And: Yeah. Let’s rejuvenate ourselves, and the underlying fabric of America? Let’s have patience.
Or at the very least, I’m off to polish my damned shoes…
You do you. I’m not here judging.
See you next week, when I expect Joe Biden will have won the election!
M
