I live in Minnesota, I know is cold, it is freezing cold. Minneapolis is not just cold but it also snows, and snows a lot. When outsiders and even Minnesotans asked me why I decided to live in here I used to give them the story of my life and how I conquer the theology of the “American Dream”. Today I just tell them: “ I live here because I love the weather” – That answer usually sparks reactions and few funny faces followed by a “You’re a crazy man”.

I get it, it is cold in here but trust me, after residing in this town for over 15 years, and counting, I love my city, my state. I truly mean it when I say: “I am Minnesotan.” Living in the Midwest has made me resilient to the weather and all that entails with dealing with freezing temperatures. I want to list the main items we have to deal with so you better understand where I am coming from:

• Your clothes: this is vital for survival, you must have good wool articles to cover your torso, legs, and fingers, this also includes water resistant shoes and gloves in case you have to deal with moving the snow from undesirable place to another.
• Your Car: this machine should be working in optimal conditions, it is vital you can move from point A to point B, at will, without having to depend too much on public transportation, Uber, or Lyft. We just lost Car2Go in the Twin Cities… sniff, sniff.
• Your House: this is the core of your life and if the core is not warm you are dead. Door, windows, floors, furnace, blankets, range, water, walls, they all must be tidy up to keeping your skin and soul warm.

Those 3 elements are vital for you to maintain a steady work/life balance and be able to properly communicate, move, breathe, and grow your family healthy and strong. Trust me, having those 3 survival items in place takes hard work and a lot of planning and preparation. Those project management skills for survival can only be learned under extreme conditions. Ask Mark Watney if you don’t believe me.

Showing up to work on a winter storm only proof to yourself how well prepared you are to handle conflict, chaotic environments, strong self-esteem, and desire to always do better. If others like you are showing  to work too, then that’s the perfect time to ask them to join you for a hot cup of coffee, share the greatness of living in the Midwest, and most likely build a long lasting friendship.

Stay Thirsty my friends.