Marcus* saw me coming. He asked, "Do you help people with resumes?" I said, "Not really. I can - but that's not what I do." The next moment, I was introduced to someone who needed work. I really didn't want to have the conversation. I spoke with my new friend, Stan*, about the work he was looking for. He'd prefer machine shop/metal working. That's where he has 20+ years of experience. When I asked if he was open to other work, he said he was looking for anything. We talked a bit. … [Read more...]
Is your job beneath you?
May 20, 2011 by
I had a job as a mail clerk after college. I worked 60 hours and made $17,000 - that included 5 hours of mandatory overtime (we weren't allowed a lunch hour). There were times I would get down on myself. I'd get caught up in what other people thought of me because of my job. I tied my job to my value. I felt the job was beneath me. I'd get stuck and depressed when I lived in that place. I have friends who want and need work. They won't take certain jobs though. They don't want others … [Read more...]
The Problem with me is…
May 19, 2011 by
The problem with me is that I think that there's a problem with me. I tell myself and others about that problem. And why I can't accomplish what I want to accomplish because of the problem. Where does that leave me? Trapped ... with a problem and without the accomplishment the problem kept me from achieving. The problem is not with me. The problem is what I'm saying. I am telling myself what I am not capable of. I am telling myself that I screwed it up last time ... I'll probably … [Read more...]
The Cocoon of Can’t
May 18, 2011 by
I dwell in the cocoon of can't much more than I'd like. It's an easy place to hide from fear of rejection, failure, or success. I can't get this deal closed. I can't get in touch with customer. I can't find someone to help fix this problem. I can't finish this idea to publish. It's easier to keep writing ... shoot for perfect instead calling it good enough and shipping. It's easier to shoot off an email pretending like I truly engaged someone than it is to pick up the phone or show up at … [Read more...]
S/he’s just not that into you
May 17, 2011 by
It's funny how quickly I can turn to torturing someone. I think that I'm much better about this than I used to be. I remember when my friend, Bobby*, asked me about the Boot Camp where I work. He asked, "What is it?" Six minutes later, he had more glaze on his eyes than a double-dipped bearclaw. Bobby thought he was pressing a button on the water fountain for a sip. He didn't realize he was cranking open a fire hydrant. I didn't realize Bobby was being polite. Like many people, I love … [Read more...]
Your minutes matter
May 16, 2011 by
I was drinking a beer at a party at work. My friend, Dave*, started talking to me about an event - Life Enrichment Boot Camp - he attended that changed his life. He told me that it saved his marriage. He had the divorce papers completed. All they needed was a signature. He went to this event with his wife. His marriage was turned around. He told me about how the event helped him to dump baggage, come to terms with his past and move on with his life. He told me to let him know if I was … [Read more...]
WTF! If you don’t show it, they don’t know it.
May 13, 2011 by
Jen was standing in my arms crying. She sobbed, "It was so beautiful. I couldn't imagine it just going to just anybody on Craigslist." My wife, Jen and I are expecting twins. We've been amazed at the outpouring of support from others. Friends have showered us with what was once part of their journey of having babies. We're so grateful that our friends and acquaintances are so generous in spirit (I apologize for Thank You notes that you haven't seen yet). We were offered a crib. The … [Read more...]
WTF! Communicate Effectively…
May 11, 2011 by
A few weeks ago, I forwarded a Harvard Business Review "Management Tip of the Day" to a friend. The tip was about ensuring effective communication. Effective communication often means successful execution. Poor communication often translates into poor execution. Effective communication costs a little extra time. Poor communication costs a lot of money. My friend is gifted at boiling things down to their most essential parts. He's mastered Einstein's ideal: make everything as simple … [Read more...]
Are you serving or selling?
May 9, 2011 by
We're all selling. The front line worker, the CEO, the therapist, the pastor, the bank teller, the daughter, the husband and wife and the sales woman. We sell different things: a new process, a new vision, a behavior modification, a Word from God, a new savings account, staying up late to watch the playoffs on a school night, an addition to the house, or a huge technology solution. We're all selling something. But we're not all serving. We serve when we know that we are selling … [Read more...]
Leadership Larry David-style
May 7, 2011 by
I enjoy Curb Your Enthusiasm. Some people don't. I love how Larry David says what so many wouldn't. Yes, it causes trouble sometimes. But life has trouble sometimes. Especially in business and relationships. I can spend hours, days or weeks coming up with right way to speak to a situation that's frustrating me. It creates stress and anxiety for me. While I'm trying to get things just right, the situation I want to address lingers on. The longer I spend figuring out how to say what I … [Read more...]
