My Learnings Immediately After Cataract Surgery
There are some experiences that improve your vision in more ways than one.
Now that I've had cataract surgery on both eyes, I'm beginning to experience what the world looks like through a new set of lenses. While my eyes still have several weeks of healing ahead, I've already noticed a few unexpected lessons, some practical, some humorous, and some surprisingly applicable to life and work.
Lesson 1: Sometimes Clearer Vision Reveals More Than You Expected
The first thing I noticed was just how bright and sharp everything looked. It's almost like upgrading from standard definition to 4K.
Then I looked in the mirror.
Let's just say my face has a few more imperfections than I remembered!
Apparently, clearer vision doesn't only reveal the beauty in the world, it also reveals a few wrinkles I'd been blissfully overlooking.
That gave me a chuckle.
But it also reminded me that seeing things more clearly isn't always comfortable. Whether we're looking at ourselves, our careers, or our future, greater clarity often means seeing both the opportunities and the imperfections.
And that's okay.
Lesson 2: Muscle Memory Is Hard to Break
For more than 60 years, I've been nearsighted.
If I wanted to read something, I instinctively brought it closer to my face. I never had to think about it. My body simply knew what to do.
Now, after surgery, I have excellent distance vision.
The funny part?
I still catch myself pulling things closer before I remember that it no longer works. Instead, I need to reach for my reading glasses.
That's decades of muscle memory at work.
It made me think about how much of our lives are driven by habits we've developed over many years.
As experienced professionals, we've built routines, assumptions, and ways of solving problems that have served us well. But when circumstances change, whether it's new technology, a new career, retirement, or even better eyesight, those old habits don't disappear overnight.
Sometimes the biggest adjustment isn't learning something new.
It's unlearning something that used to work.
Lesson 3: The Most Valuable Perspective May Be the One in the Middle
One unexpected surprise is that I now see very well at a distance.
With reading glasses, I also see well up close.
Ironically, the most awkward distance is somewhere in between.
That observation reminded me of my years as an engineer at John Deere.
The engineers often had the long view. They understood the systems, the designs, and the technical possibilities.
The people on the factory floor had the close-up view. They knew the daily realities of doing the work.
Much of my role was standing in the middle.
I became a translator.
I helped connect the long-term vision with the day-to-day reality.
Looking back, I think that's one of the most valuable roles experienced professionals can play today.
We have enough perspective to understand the big picture.
We also have enough practical experience to appreciate what actually works.
Our value isn't simply in seeing farther.
It's in helping others connect the big picture with what's immediately in front of them.
Lesson 4: Healing Requires Patience
Although my surgeries are complete, my eyes aren't finished healing.
My vision will continue to stabilize over the next several weeks.
That means continuing the eye drops, following the instructions, and resisting the temptation to assume the process is finished simply because I already feel better.
Life works much the same way.
Real change rarely happens overnight.
Whether we're recovering from surgery, building a business, learning new technology, or reinventing ourselves after a long career, progress comes through consistent, patient effort.
Sometimes the hardest part isn't making the change.
It's trusting the process long enough for the results to appear.
Looking Ahead
Over the past month, much of my attention has naturally been focused on preparing for surgery, recovering, and adapting to these changes.
Like many transitions, even positive ones consume mental bandwidth.
Now I'm looking forward to shifting that energy back toward what I enjoy most, writing, recording podcasts, creating new ideas, and serving the remarkable professionals who are designing their own next chapters.
My eyes may still be healing.
But my focus is becoming clearer every day.
I suspect there are more lessons ahead, and as they come into focus, I'll share them with you.
After all, sometimes the greatest gift of seeing more clearly isn't what we notice in the world around us.
It's what we discover about ourselves.
Have you ever experienced a change that forced you to let go of an old habit or see your work, and yourself, in a completely new way? I'd love to hear your story.
