As my days at IBM grow shorter, I’m beginning to realize how many “lasts” have already happened or are imminent.

Some passed unnoticed, because I didn’t realize they were the last of their kind:

• I’ve already changed my intranet and Notes passwords for the last time
• I’ve already created my last PBC (Personal Business Commitments)
• I’ve already submitted my last TEA (Travel Expense Account)
• I’ve already ordered my last set of IBM business cards (and didn’t get a chance to use any of them!)

Some happened after I got the word:

• My office has been vacuumed for the last time (at least while it’s my office)
• I’ve qualified for the Fitness Rebate for the last time
• I joined my last “Community Builders” conference call

And some are yet to come:

• I have the opportunity to attend a final Architecture Review Board call on Wednesday
• I’ll be giving a last GTD-at-IBM presentation on Friday
• I could even attend a final CIO DE community meeting on March 31st

No, they’re not all significant, but they’re all steps towards what comes next. And so they matter.