QUESTION: Hey Jeff, missed your messages, where you been?
ANSWER: The past 10+ months have been a wild, unpredictable ride. It's the most challenging personal, professional and medical odyssey I've ever been on. Doctors really get your attention, when stating, "Jeff, we'll do everything we can, to save your right eye."
And it's really eerie, when that message is also ironic.
In December 2022—my sixth bestseller was published, BULLSEYE! The book's title and its foundation story—share an experience I had as a teenager on a memorable trip with my dad. It's about a blind man who miraculously throws a softball to hit a target's bullseye on a dunk tank.
Less than six weeks after BULLSEYE's release, my vision was now in jeopardy.
The lessons learned from that blind man, as well as others featured in the book, like my personal experiences with Mark Cuban, Caitlyn Jenner and other top-achievers—became even more relevant and applicable to my life. Especially this year.
I've struggled with, whether I should share my story. Because it's likely—you, a friend or loved one has suffered or is suffering a far tougher plight. So it's my hope, my ongoing journey will help you and others best manage or cope with—life's unexpected, serious obstacles.
It's written with support, encouragement and love. With the intent to simply help or offer guidance. Yet also share valuable lessons learned.
• • • • •
In January, contracted a rare, nasty Fusarium fungal mold infection in my right eye. It led this year to...
• Daily pain and discomfort from January 13th thru mid-June.
• Three corneal transplants.
• Since February, thirteen additional surgeries or procedures.
• Ten different eye drops, plus numerous oral medications—designed to manage pain, swelling, scarring and headaches. (The combination of meds created serious side effects; fatigue, loss of my voice and precipitous weight loss.)
• Since January, have had more than 100 doctors' visits—stopped counting at 100.
• Since January, cancelled more than 30 speaking engagements—stopped counting at 30.
• In mid-June the pain stopped. Began to travel again for speaking engagements. Yea!
• Travel lasted 'til early August, when pain returned. Two more surgeries in August. (As of this writing, no pain. No infection. Can travel again. Yet vision remains at only 5 to 10%.)
Lessons learned:
√ In the past, have had other eye issues: retinal detachment surgery, both eyes. Cataract surgery, both eyes. These were easy-peasy: Problem. Timeline. Solution.
Not this time. It was constant unknowns.
Family, friends and clients encouraged me to: Hang in. Push on. Keep the faith. Believe. Be strong.
It's easy to dismiss these urgings as shallow. Hollow. Meaningless. They're not. They provided a positive outlook toward the future.
√ Tears, whether induced by pain or emotion, are valid, justifiable and acceptable human responses. Don't bury how you feel.
√ In my personal or professional life, always felt as if I was in "control". My choices and behaviors would influence the outcome. Now, I had no influence.
Although I'm an optimist, learned science doesn't care about optimism. It cares only about facts and experimentation. What might work. While I was an eager participant, often felt like a mere observer vs. an active contributor. Yet, as my dear friend Frank Bucaro says, "Trust the mystery."
√ Healing takes time. Especially when the facts keep changing. Be grateful vs. resentful to solution evolution.
√ Develop a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the simple things in life—that bring you joy, or make you smile or laugh.
√ Be patient with others. They're checking-in because they care.
√ If possible, have a support- or care-partner. Thankfully, that was my wife Sheryl. She had a long, successful healthcare career as an occupational therapist. Never did we expect—that now, I'd be the recipient of her care.
Don't go it alone. No need to plant your stubborn flag on isolation island.
√ When my wife was the "Drops Diva"—after she'd instill the final set of eye drops at the end of a day, she'd lean in, kiss me above my eye and softly say, "One day closer."
Whatever you’re battling...
May your problem-management or eventual solution, also be...one day closer!
BONUS QUESTION
QUESTION: Jeff, we often hear, "The customer is always right!" Well, what if they're NOT?
ANSWER: On a regular basis, I strongly suggest, unequivocally urge and repeatedly recommend to clients—that their role with customers, (internal and external), isn't merely to please and appease.
Yet instead, to "challenge" with thought-provoking pushback. Not to create conflict. But to posit possibilities. Enabling one to reconsider, reexamine and rethink—how they do—what they do—and why they do it. 
Perhaps, in a "transactional" environment, the "customer" might always, "be right". However, in a long-term and far more profitable "annuitized" relationship—a different set of skills and behaviors are required. I always remind clients, "Vendors are expendable. Partners are invaluable."
When I was chatting with a client, Scott Erickson, the CTO of Harbor Foods, he said something fascinating:
"Innovation doesn't happen in a democracy!"
Whoa! How good is that?
His point: breakthroughs probably don't happen with head-nodding, consensus and people-pleasing. They require bold, innovative, courageous thinking.
Lots of challenging questions, what-if scenarios and wouldn't it be cool possibilities.
One of the greatest professional compliments I ever received, came from a CEO with whom I had a long-term relationship—with him and his company. He once exclaimed, "Blackman, what I love most about our relationship, is you never protect your butt, and you never kiss mine!"
He knew I'd always give it to him straight—with a question, a statement or a consideration. He told me, "It may not be what I want to hear, but it's what I need to hear."
When you're working with folks, (internal or external), who value your perspective or experience (even if it's different than theirs)—and there's mutual respect, appreciation and trust—the possibilities and outcomes could be...
Limitless. Exciting. And powerful success-forces for growth.
Embrace: Candor vs. caution. Truth vs. timidity. Honesty vs. hesitancy.
Plus, also remember: When trust is high. Fear is low.
What do you think?
• • • • •
BONUS VIDEO CONTENT
STAYING ON TARGET!
If you'd like to see Jeff tell the bullseye story, that's the inspiration for his latest best selling book: BULLSEYE! Hitting Your Targets at Home and at Work, please go to ResultsTV and his Vintage Video Vault at:
JeffBlackmanResults
then click on this "Classic Cut" — Staying on Target
You might especially enjoy—seeing Jeff with fuller and darker hair, on top of his head and above his lip!
Your cup of inspiration, reflection and laughter!
