Great Reminders

Great Reminders:

Laugh more

Find a mentor

Don't show off

Stay healthy & fit

Read more books

Know when to leave

Help the less fortunate

Keep in touch with friends

Don't spend what you don't have 

No matter how tough life gets, never give up!

Fuel

Life can be cruel
People can be hurtful
Business can be ruthless
Use it all as fuel !
Have you been let go at work or watch abuse of power in the workplace? Join the crowd, you are not alone and it is not a unique situation and unfortunately it seems as if with small business being squeezed out big business has less of a soul and less loyalty-
- all that said what can YOU do for your own piece of mind to stay positive?
Use it all as fuel to set up your walls, your goals and do not allow the negative to pull you down, take it as a personal challenge to cut out your slice and whatever you - DO NOT allow THEM to win because when you give up or join the crowd to just try to survive you lose !
Stand tall and be your own person and here’s the real hard part- turn the other cheek.

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

— Jesus Christ 

Against the Wind

It seems like yesterday
But it was long ago
Janey was lovely she was the queen of my nights
There in the darkness with the radio playing low, and
And the secrets that we shared
The mountains that we moved
Caught like a wildfire out of control
'Til there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove
And I remember what she said to me
How she swore that it never would end
I remember how she held me oh-so-tight
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

Against the wind
We were runnin' against the wind
We were young and strong, we were runnin' against the wind

The years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home, and I
Guess I lost my way
There were oh-so-many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searching
Searching for shelter again and again

Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter against the wind

Well those drifter's days are past me now
I've got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out

Against the wind
I'm still runnin' against the wind
I'm older now but still runnin' against the wind
Well I'm older now and still runnin'
Against the wind

Lyrics by Bob Seger

They don’t like us

I was listening to a Congressman trying to make his point by yelling “ they don’t like us”  and
“They don’t like you”
It really struck a nerve with me for several reasons.
I feel this type of conversation by anybody in any arena is destructive and fans the flame of hate.
When I was a kid growing up both in the neighborhood and in school people always tried to get you on their side by talking trash about the other person and I was never comfortable with that, I want to make up my own mind. I always thought those people to be sheep , sometimes they may have their own bias but I do not want their bias to just become my bias.
When I started working full time I found the same type of tribalism and again if someone tried to get me to join their click by demeaning other people I ran in the other direction.
I do not like the word “ like” in these circumstances, I may not agree with a person because of the way they treat people or treat me or their work ethic or character , or lack of , and I may choose to not hang with that person because of that or put my total trust in them but to just say I do not “ like” them is wrong.
This particular Congressman was saying because I may not agree with him I must not like him and worse he said I do not like 63 million people that may have voted a certain way and even worse he said I do not like all people that live in a particular State or region of the United States, this is all so very wrong and tribal.
I am 62 years old and because of the full time job I held for over three decades I was blessed to know and work with people all throughout this great country and in every State and their were many that I may have vehemently disagreed with in many areas but I still always found common ground and in many cases made friendships for a lifetime.
Grouping any group of people , race, religion, political beliefs, where they may live or what they may believe is the definition of racism and prejudice- Do not be sheep! Think for yourselves and always try to find that common ground- we all want to live our lives and be loved and enjoy our families and friends and we all just visiting this wonderful world and here in the United States we all part of this great experiment of Democracy where people of all beliefs and race can coexist- it is what we make it!

7 Habits for Success

7 Habits for Success:

1. Read every day

2. Make your health a priority

3. Learn from people you admire

4. Plan your day the night before

5. Keep your goals in front of you

6. Take action, even when it's scary

7. Have an attitude of gratitude

Know what you are talking about

When you speak, know what you’re talking about: 

Develop a technical command over your subject matter. If you don’t possess subject matter expertise, few people will give you the time of day. Most successful people have little interest in listening to those individuals who cannot add value to a situation or topic, but force themselves into a conversation just to hear themselves speak. 

The fake it until you make it days have long since passed, and for most people I know fast and slick equals not credible. You’ve all heard the saying “it’s not what you say, but how you say it that matters,” and while there is surely an element of truth in that statement, I’m here to tell you that it matters very much what you say. 

Good communicators address both the “what” and “how” aspects of messaging so they don’t fall prey to becoming the smooth talker who leaves people with the impression of form over substance.

EGO

Replace ego with empathy: 

I have long advised leaders not to let their ego write checks that their talent can’t cash. When candor is communicated with empathy & caring and not the prideful arrogance of an over inflated ego good things begin to happen. 

Empathetic communicators display a level of authenticity and transparency that is not present with those who choose to communicate behind the carefully crafted facade propped-up by a very fragile ego. 

Understanding the this communication principle is what helps turn anger into respect and doubt into trust.

Listen

Shut-up and listen: 

Great leaders know when to dial it up, dial it down, and dial it off (mostly down and off). Simply broadcasting your message ad nauseum will not have the same result as engaging in meaningful conversation, but this assumes that you understand that the greatest form of discourse takes place within a conversation, and not a lecture or a monologue. 

When you reach that point in your life where the light bulb goes off, and you begin to understand that knowledge is not gained by flapping your lips, but by removing your ear wax, you have taken the first step to becoming a skilled communicator.

Have an open mind

Have an open mind: 

I’ve often said that the rigidity of a closed mind is the single greatest limiting factor of new opportunities. A leader takes their game to a whole new level the minute they willingly seek out those who hold dissenting opinions and opposing positions with the goal not of convincing them to change their minds, but with the goal of understanding what’s on their mind. 

I’m always amazed at how many people are truly fearful of opposing views, when what they should be is genuinely curious and interested. Open dialogs with those who confront you, challenge you, stretch you, and develop you. 

Remember that it’s not the opinion that matters, but rather the willingness to discuss it with an open mind and learn.

Get Specific

Get specific:

 Specificity is better than Ambiguity 11 times out of 10: Learn to communicate with clarity. Simple and concise is always better than complicated and confusing. Time has never been a more precious commodity than it is today. 

It is critical leaders learn how to cut to the chase and hit the high points – it’s also important to expect the same from others. Without understanding the value of brevity and clarity it is unlikely you’ll ever be afforded the opportunity to get to the granular level as people will tune you out long before you ever get there. 

Your goal is to weed out the superfluous and to make your words count.

Get Personal

Get personal: 

Stop issuing corporate communications and begin having organizational conversations – think dialog not monologue. 

Here’s the thing – the more personal and engaging the conversation is the more effective it will be. There is great truth in the following axiom: “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Classic business theory tells leaders to stay at arms length. 

I say stay at arms length if you want to remain in the dark receiving only highly sanitized versions of the truth. If you don’t develop meaningful relationships with people you’ll never know what’s really on their mind until it’s too late to do anything about it.

George

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

No Excuses

This is Jim Thorpe. Look closely at the photo, you can see that he's wearing different socks and shoes. This wasn't a fashion statement. It was the 1912 Olympics, and Jim, an American Indian from Oklahoma represented the U.S. in track and field. On the morning of his competitions, his shoes were stolen. Luckily, Jim ended up finding two shoes in a garbage can. That's the pair that he's wearing in the photo. But one of the shoes was too big, so he had to wear an extra sock. Wearing these shoes, Jim won two gold medals that day. This is a perfect reminder that you don't have to resign to the excuses that have held you back. So what if life hasn't been fair? What are you going to do about it today? Whatever you woke up with this morning; stolen shoes, ill health, failed relationships, failed business, don't let it stop you from running your race. You can experience more in life if you'll get over the excuses and get on with living. You can have reasons or you can have results...but you can't have both.

#noexcuses

Freedom

We live our life's searching Freedom
We want to just live and enjoy life and do what we want to do when we want to do it.
It starts in our teenage years, we can’t wait to get out on our own and seek the freedom but here’s the thing that is when we actually begin to lose our freedom.
We get our first job and earn money and with that our next goal is to get a car so we can have more freedom, then we want more, more clothes, more date nights, more more more and to get all this we need more money so we need to work more and here we go losing more of our freedom.
Keeping a job and “ moving up” means we can start thinking of apartments or houses in order to gain more of that must needed freedom and we continue to lose our freedom because we need more money and cannot afford to go backwards in pay or lose our job.
No matter how much you make you always tend to live above your means, you borrow , you buy things on credit and you have a day full of “ have too’s“ which means you are doing less of what you really want to do.
We do it all to ourselves!
In order to seek that freedom we wanted way back when we couldn’t wait to get out of our parents house and because we want more and bigger and newer we lose that very freedom and have a very tough time fighting our way back to the day that we do whatever we want to do, when we want to do it.
Less is more people!
Separate Need and Want - do you need that vacation? Do you need that new pair of pants or shoes? Do you need that big new car?
The more debt you have , the more time it will take to earn your freedom back.
Enjoy this wonderful world around you , just take a walk , go on hike and enjoy nature- that is free.
Enjoy your life’s- this is not a trial run and it we never know when the ride will end.
Freedom!

Something to look forward to

The Power of A Something to Look Forward To: Why We All Need Something to Look Forward To

We all need something to look forward to in life. Anticipation of something positive or, a healthy sense of “anticipation” can often help energize our lives, and even help us get through tough times.

While living in the present is a very beneficial thing – sometimes the present can feel a bit annoying, frustrating, tedious, or intolerable.

When we find ourselves in those less-than-ideal present moments, having something to look forward to in the future can give us the motivation and persistence to keep moving forward even during those difficult times.

The most simple and common example of this is having a bad week at work, but you have some fun plans for the weekend and that keeps you focused on fulfilling responsibilities until you can finally reward yourself.

Interestingly, in a recent study published this year in the journal eNeuro, it was found that when pathological gamblers were asked to think about a future experience – such as an upcoming vacation – they were better able to curb their impulses and choose long-term gratification over short-term gratification.

This study illustrates how anticipating a future situation (especially a pleasurable one) can sometimes help us to get through a difficult present situation. By giving us something positive to “look forward to” in the future, we can build up the discipline and motivation to tolerate temporary pain or frustration.

A healthy amount of “anticipation” can be a very powerful emotion that has the potential to improve our lives. In the rest of this article, I will provide some tips and advice to show you how to build “healthy anticipation” in your own life.

How to Build Healthy Anticipation In Your Life

In the most basic sense, “anticipation” implies a future reward – and in general, rewards can be a very powerful motivator in life (especially in behavioral psychology).

For example, if you’ve ever heard of habit loops, then you know that most habits follow a common structure of “Cue → Routine → Reward.” The “cue” is what triggers the “routine,” and that leads to some type of “reward” (or pleasurable experience).

We can often change certain behaviors by either focusing on “cues” (such as avoiding triggers in our environment that lead to certain behaviors) or focusing on “rewards” (such as pursuing a new behavior that leads to a new reward that is just as satisfying).

From the perspective of “anticipation,” we are focusing only on the “rewards” aspect of this habit equation.

The key idea is that by creating new rewards in your life – or by actively looking for things to look forward to – you can build more discipline and motivation in any area of your life where you are lacking.

Common examples of rewards that create anticipation:

• Looking forward to a lunch break during the day.
• Looking forward to your favorite TV show that airs once a week.
• Making fun plans for the weekend to help you get through a tough work week.
• Treating yourself to a piece of cake after a week of dieting.
• Planning a vacation for the summer.
• Treating yourself to a new car at the end of the year.
• Planning a wedding with your fiancé/fiancée.
• Looking forward to seeing your kids or grand kids.
• Looking forward to getting with friends.

As you can see, we can anticipate both “small” and “large” rewards.

Simple things like lunch breaks, having dinner with your family, or watching TV are all tiny rewards that we can anticipate to help us get through each individual day.

Other rewards like vacations, music concerts, or luxury purchases are bigger things that are often spread out over longer periods of time.

Both “small” and “large” rewards can be a healthy way to build anticipation and motivation in our lives. And I’d recommend that we focus on creating a mixture of both.

The Positive Experience of Anticipation

On a fundamental level, anticipation can be a very valuable and positive emotion to experience. It might even be necessary to living a truly happy and satisfying life.

When we have something to look forward to, it makes it easier to get through rough, frustrating, and annoying times. But even more than that, “anticipation” can often be a stepping stone to “hope.”

As human beings, we need things in our future to be excited about and optimistic about.

Imagine if you had nothing at all to look forward to in life. You’d likely be very miserable, upset, and even depressed. It’s very hard to find a “will to live” if you can’t imagine that there’s anything positive waiting for you in the future. What would be the point?

We should always have at least one thing to look forward to.

So take a moment and think about it: “What are you currently looking forward to in your life?” It could be anything “large” or “small,” but it’s important that you find something.

Perhaps you look forward to spending free time with your children at the end of the day, or going to a bar with friends on the weekend, or checking out that new movie that’s coming out soon.

It doesn’t matter if it’s something that is meaningful or trivial, as long as you have something to help give your mind a positive view of the future.

If you find it hard to think of something to look forward to, then why not create something to look forward to? Make plans: get tickets to a local music show, schedule to meet up with an old friend, or start a new hobby on the weekends.

Overall, we all need something to look forward to. Find something to make your future look a little brighter and happier – and relish in the anticipation of good things to come.

Lola

Lola was our family dog for close to 14 years and yesterday we said good bye.
It was our second family dog and they certainly become part of your family and they give you unconditional love every day and when the day comes that you lose them you lose a bit of yourself.
For the past three years I have worked from home and I preferred to Lola has my co worker and she kept me company and only asked to go for three walks every day, one first thing in the AM which for me is around 5:30 and another walk between 10 and 12 and one more around 4:00. I always kidded that she had a doggy watch because somehow she knew that it was around that time and she would round me up to get outside. Those walks forced me to push away from work and to catch my breath a bit and the exercise helped too, the walks also provided me a way to meet my neighbors and say hi and they all loved her too.
Family dogs are very special and I miss her very much , she would come over every once and a while  to where I was sitting to just be pet and to kinda say hi and enjoyed the love.
My youngest grandson Luca was really close to her, Lola was the fourth word she ever spoke, when Luca was a baby me and him was outside alone with Lola and she walked around the side of my house and I was calling her and out of no where Luca called her name to- Lola... and they had a special bond. When Luca came over Lola and he would run to each other and in the middle of the room they would both extend their faces to kiss, Luca would always ask for her when he called us and want to see her on the phone.
Lola was my co worker and friend and my company especially during the day when it was just me and her, as a puppy she was very rambunctious and ate my cushions on my couch and the wooden legs on our chairs and she could jump over and under any fence. My wife walked her when she was young and Lola was very string and loved her walks with my wife and as soon as they left the house Lola would run up the hill where we lived with my wife in tow , I watched from our picture window and laughed every time.
Lola was a very smart and sweet dog and we are blessed to have had her in or lives and we will cherish her memories and try to remember how she loved people and loved life.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs dies a billionaire, with a fortune of $7 billion, at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer, and here are some of his last words... 👇👇👇

“At this moment, lying on the bed, sick and remembering all my life, I realize that all my recognition and wealth that I have is meaningless in the face of imminent death. You can hire someone to drive a car for you, make money for you – but you can not rent someone to carry the disease for you.

As we get older we are smarter, and we slowly realize that the watch is worth $30 or $300 – both of which show the same time. Whether we drive a car worth $150,000, or a car worth $2000 – the road and distance are the same, we reach the same destination. If we drink a bottle worth $300 or wine worth $10 were drunk

Five Undeniable Facts 💥

1️⃣ Do not educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. – So when they grow up they will know the 

value of things, not the price.

2️⃣ Eat your food as medicine, otherwise, you will need to eat your medicine as food.

3️⃣ Whoever loves you will never leave you, even if he has 100 reasons to give up. He will always find one reason to hold on.

4️⃣ There is a big difference between being human and human being.

5️⃣ If you want to go fast – go alone! But if you want to go far – go together.

12 Steps

Keep your head down

The “ Keep your head down “ mentality in the work place.

Do you work for a company that may be in turmoil or that has a “ throw em under the bus” philosophy when things go wrong ?

Does leadership come in and shut their doors to their office and by doing so shut out the voices of their employees?

In order to try to make profit is your place of business always looking to shave their work force?

If you answered yes to one or all of the above then you most likely have developed the just “ Keep your head down” mentality.

By laying low and staying quiet you get to keep your job, that is until the bean counter announces he needs another head and once again you hope it is not you.

Because companies develop and foster this new culture -employees do not grow and participate in creating a better work place , a more profitable workplace , a workplace where people enjoy going to work, their business suffers therefore it becomes a vicious circle, less profit and less efficiencies means they must have to cut more people and when that is the atmosphere people keep their head down and keep quiet.
Crazy huh ?

For people and businesses to thrive they need to continually change and learn and adapt and in order to do so you need to listen and reward those that speak up and want to change or advance the process or identify the inconsistencies in order to fix them.

 When you come in shut your door and shut all that is good about a workplace, you shut out teamwork and the feeling that every voice matters and is essential and you become the loser.
Again it develops another vicious circle, the leader who comes in and shuts out their people will always fail and they do not want to lose their job so they yell and demand without ever really knowing or appreciated what their employees do or listen to them on what may need improvement.
Everyone loses !

Here’s an idea- keep your door open or better yet take the dam door off it’s hinges!
Sit in the bullpen a few times a week- LISTEN !

Foster a real TEAM !

Stop being defensive and angry and open your eyes , you will not only feel better about yourself you may actually start to create real change then attitudes will change and people may even enjoy going to work and that is when the real magic will happen and you will do things that you never thought possible.

Develop a “ Keep your head Up” mentality!!

Loving Life

Lyrics from Zac Brown -

Yeah, I'm king shit, that's what I thought when I was young
I knew everything 'til my know it all found out I didn't know too much
So I had a big piece of humble pie, and bought a ticket to a show
I found a new perspective, some brand new friends, and I found my first real home

We all put our pants on one leg at a time
Oh, struggle's real, so here's the deal
Ain't no one gettin' out alive

So we dance all night (dance all night)
A little pickin' too (a little pickin' too)
We take the weight of the world and lift it right up off of you (that's what we do)
Oh, you got a broken heart, just need a getaway for a good time
I got good news
That's what me and the boys in the band were born to do

You could spend your whole life however you see fit
Writin' at a desk, diggin' in a ditch, who's ass you gotta kiss?
So come on now, jump right in 'cause life goes by so fast
How many summers do you have left before you pushin' up the grass

Social Media

Tips for Minding Your Manners on Social Media

Beware of Crossing the Line

I love sarcasm, but I have a really hard time with 'obnoxious'. This is especially true when people leave irrelevant, or just plain mean comments on social media posts for the accounts that I manage. I have very little patience for it, but I refuse to take the bait.

Smile and Dial

 You may have heard of the phrase “smile and dial,” which has existed in the sales and customer service profession since the advent of the telephone. 

With social media being one of the most popular methods of communication these days, we don’t spend anywhere near as much time on the phone - at least not for verbal conversations. But the “smile and dial” concept is something that we can still keep in mind to help us be polite, as well as to maintain our professional reputation and goodwill with our customers - and most important always remember that in the business world in particular, we are all each other’s customer- even your co-workers!

Dealing with social media hecklers and hasslers can be challenging, but the key is in maintaining a consistent approach, considering the source of the issue - no matter how it's being presented - and working to find solutions where possible. You won't always be able to turn a negative interaction around, but by keeping these principles in mind, you can manage how you respond.

Optimist and Pessimist

Below was from a Household Goods Driver and Professional Mover with over 40 years in the industry——  


Pessimist

pes·si·mist

noun: pessimist; plural noun: pessimists

1.A person who tends to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.
"the pessimists point to ways in which life has deteriorated"
2.Philosophy
A person who believes that this world is as bad as it could be or that evil will ultimately prevail over good.
"he finds solace in the writings of pessimist philosophers"

Optimist

op·ti·mist

noun: optimist; plural noun: optimists

1. A person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something.

"only an eternal optimist could expect success"
2. Philosophy
a person who believes that this world is the best of all possible worlds or that good must ultimately prevail over evil.

Optimists are people who believe in a positive manner, viewing problems as drawbacks to overcome. They are positive in their way of doing things. Optimists view individuals as the cause of life happenings. They have a healthier life as compared to pessimists since optimists have good health " and have a feeling of self-pity. In comparison, optimists have a positive attitude about things. Furthermore, optimists are considered as winners, while pessimists are referred as losers.
Similarly, in case of a failure, optimists are able to gain strength and stand again, whereas pessimists stay down after a fall. Optimists use their mistakes as learning avenues, while pessimists keep repeating similar mistakes all time round. During projects, optimists are positive and do appreciative the entire project process, while on the other hand, pessimists run for immediate results due to their impatience.

In case of new ideas, optimists are open and eager to learn new experiences. They accept risks in all endeavors. On the contrary, pessimists are very fearful and close-ended, as they observe everything negatively. It makes most optimists succeed in business, while pessimists have a continuous trend of failure. Similarly, the success of pessimists is luck-based, while that of optimists is mostly based on ability. It is because pessimists are rigid and give up very fast, while optimists are flexible and persevered.
Commonly, pessimists are the people who usually blame others for their failures or misfortune. In contrast, optimists are unique in nature, as they take responsibility of anything that comes their way. They always see opportunities, while the pessimists see loopholes of failure. In most occasions, pessimists are the people who will make promises of which they never achieve. On the other hand, optimists are very committed to any agreement set between parties. They work hard towards achieved or any agreement made.
In the first place, optimists believe in themselves, while pessimists have doubt in their capability. Pessimists believe they cannot do anything, while optimists believe they are capable of all things. In addition, optimists believe they are in full control of everything; they are aimed at making tomorrow brighter than today. Past failures do not matter in an optimist life, as they value improvement. On the other hand, pessimists have little control over their lives; they never believe they can lead they love to be directed, as they fear failure and disapproval from colleagues.
Finally, optimists are believed to be forward-looking, as they believe in the present. They work hard for a prosperous and bright future. Optimists have neutrality of situations, which gives them a golden chance to good results. Their daily positive thinking and actions translate to a great future. In contrast, pessimists are not forward lookers, who have a bleak future. They base their future success on experience. What is more, pessimists are negative on initiatives, as they view them as the waste of time and money. It makes them dependent on the optimists; thus, an optimist leads a pessimist.
In conclusion, it should be mentioned that pessimists live much longer than the optimist. It is because optimists take greater risks and often involved in the activities that may cost their lives. Optimists’ activities may result to death or disability. On the contrary, pessimists sit and watch as optimists risk their lives for a successful future. It gives pessimists more lifespan than to optimists.

Think about this,just which personality would you like to work with?In business,the pessimist will always keep things from flowing,managers will be defending every action,taking up time they could be fixing something else.I't's just like a high maintenance employee,that can't take the job and do it.They require constant support.This even applies to people we deal with every day.Do you ever wonder just why,when you call,they look at the number and let it go to voice mail?The high maintenance or negative person will simply be ignored..

All this applies to even our claims department,or even accounting,the last thing they need it to spend hours dealing with “the shipper was an asshole”or “I ain't making no money”.

This post is headed towards instructions as to how to deal with the different things we deal with,every day,how to keep it positive,and,how to get things done.

The “ Why” Matters

There's a story of a man who interviews for a job on a construction crew. The foreman hires the man telling him to show up Monday at 7 a.m. The man shows up and the foreman hands him a shovel and says 'Dig a hole'. The man looks at the foreman strangely - and the foreman repeats the command: 'Your job is to dig a hole.' So, the new hire gets to work, digging and digging. His Monday productivity is pretty good. Tuesday is not bad, Wednesday starts to taper off and by Thursday the man goes home disenchanted. When he arrives to work Friday he throws the shovel at the foot of the foreman saying: 'I quit.' The foreman says: 'Can I ask why?' 'Of course', said the man. 'Every day I come to work and dig this stupid hole. It's meaningless work. I don't have the desire to continue. That's why I quit.' The foreman, mad at himself says to the man: 'Oh wow; I didn't tell you why you are digging the hole did I?' To which the man replies: 'No, you didn't.' The foreman says: 'You are digging the hole where we are going to pour the foundation for the world's tallest building and your name is going on the cornerstone.' The man bent down, picked up the shovel, and with a smile on his face dug like crazy.

So, what do we have here? The job description didn't change. Three words: Dig a hole. What did change is the reason why. Knowing the higher purpose of the work gave the new hire interest, desire, motivation. He felt part of something bigger. He felt he was contributing to a greater goal. He felt part of a team with big plans. He had a purpose.

Are there times at work when as leaders and managers we give a command but forget to explain why? The ultimate 'why' is the mission of the organization itself. Letting the team know they are doing what they are doing so as to support the organization's mission is a pretty good 'why'. Try it some time. What you'll get in return is a more motivated workforce, remembering why they are there. Given a purpose, all of us dig down that little extra as we do our jobs.....

5 Tips

Everything in life is a lesson - good and bad.

People come into your life for a reason, everyone, even that casual relationship in the gym or the friendly person at the grocery store and of course people at your work place and your personal life. Watch and listen and learn.

I always feel like I am learning on this wonderful ride, that does not mean that I think I have the answers because as Don Henley says in one of his songs “ the more I know, the less I understand “. But that is the wonder and the splendor of life , embrace change and learn from everyone and for goodness sake come down from your high horse and push back those negative thoughts. 

Remember these 5 tips. 

1. Never lose your sense of curiosity 

2. Life rushes fast. Live life.

3. Always have trust in yourself that you can do more.

4. Go after your dreams, not people.

5. Don’t have regrets. Treat them as lessons.

My Dog

One of favorite writers and also a renowned trial lawyer Gerry Spence said that he has learned more from his dog then any book, if his dog wants love he simply ask for it and he returns with unconditional love.
My dog, Lola, shows me the same every day.
Lola is close to 14 which is close to 98 in human years, her back legs are starting to fail her and her hearing is not what it was but she still gets up every day and gives it her best and enjoys every day.
She will lay in the backyard on a nice day and raise her head and simply smell the air and love the moment.
I wish people could be more like Lola and their pets, Lola still gets so excited to meet new people, she gets all excited and just wants to say hi and hopefully get a pat on the head and a returned excitement.
You can tell a lot about a person on how a person greets a dog , it shows you how grounded that person is and what they prioritize. It only takes 15 seconds to return that excitement and reward it with a pat and by doing so it actually makes you feel better and keeps you grounded and in the moment.
All though Lola’s legs are betraying her she does not complain,  she will try to do what she thinks she can still do and if she fails she simply finds a work around or moves on, sometimes you just have to listen to your body.
Stop - Slow Down and just take a walk outside if you can and simply raise your head and smell the air and enjoy the moment.

Strip it Down

Feeling overwhelmed?
Voices in your head getting you worried or depressed ?
Strip it Down ... What is most important to you ? And especially- WHO is more important to you ?
Answer that and strip away the rest of it - the noise- the negative- the pressure.
Most times our pressure is self inflicted and most times it is work related or because we allow what “others” say or do to get in our heads.
Strip it Down
It is NOT about the money or the titles I promise you it is not.
The best way to get even or revenge to those that hate or push or want to create their own clicks is to not allow THEM to effect you- do not let them win. You have the power all along so use it, remember who and what is most important to you and focus on that.
Being Rich is having less and wanting less and living in the present!

62

I have been on this earth 62 years today !

I really do not remember much of the first 10 years and spattered memories of the next 5 or so.

Growing up mostly in the 60’s and 70’s I remember walking to the candy store about 4 miles from my home when I was very young, like 11 or so. I walked to a catholic school for the first to third grade also about 4 miles from my home. We played a lot of outdoor sports in the neighborhood, we had woods behind us so we also built a lot of tree forts, we would go to our friends on the street and knock on doors to come out and play and spent many hours just sitting on the front steps or someone’s picnic table. A friends dad had a garden so some summer days we would sit on his picnic table in his back yard and pick a tomato, wash it off  under the faucet and eat it like an apple...delicious! 

We would have fights, makeup and someone would fight again, we slept out in back yards in tents and under the stars. My friends had dogs and they went everywhere with us, bandit and Teddy.

We had our first beers out in the woods and some experienced sex , at probably too young an age in some of outdoor forts in the woods.

We played card games, mostly pitch, high low jack but poker and rummy too sitting outside on picnic tables.

We listened to Sox on the radio sometimes in our yards and played home run derby in a cemetery of all places, they had a huge field in between tomb stones.

Scouts came into my life at 11 and I stated in till I was 16, making the rank of Eagle and loving going camping, my Eagle project was planning a 50 mile hike and picking up trash along the way.

My first job was dishwasher for Newport Creamery at 16 and I met my first girlfriend there and bought my first car, a 1967 convertible Camaro I bought from my Aunt, wish I had it today.

My next job was stocking shelves at a shoe store below the Newport Creamery, I worked both jobs for a while. The manager of the shoe store and I got along very good and he gave me a shot at selling shoes at around 17 years old , at 19 I was his assistant manager and at 21 I became the youngest manager of the retail store Baker Shoes for the Edison Bros chain.

It was at Bakers that I met my wife, Lisa, she worked at the clothing store across from my store, she came in to make believe borrow a screwdriver to check out my assistant but kinda liked me instead, we were married 5 months after that and we are going on 39 years.

Retail was going to start opening on Sundays and I refused to work Sundays, thought that was a day for family and we wanted to start a family so after 3 successful years at Bakers I left for Honeywell to dispatch servicemen for heating and air conditioning buildings in the New England area, had a great supervisor and learned a lot but the branch was in East Providence RI and the home office was in Minneapolis and I preferred to work for a place that the owner actually knew me, I did not want to be just a number. 

Enter Paul Arpin Van Lines, in 1985 I joined Arpin as a dispatcher , moving household goods across the country. I worked my way up eventually to Senior Vice President of Operations, when I started they did around 7 million dollars a year and when I left in 2016 they did over 100 million domestically... it was a fun ride and I made many friends all over the country.

Lisa and I married in 1981, 2 kids that had no money and no idea of the future , all we knew is that we loved each other and enjoyed being with each other, we bought our first house ( with no money) in 1982 and had our first child, Jillian in 1983 followed by our son in 1988.

We loved each other and danced and read books and have nothing but great memories of the growing up years, fast forward and today Jillian is married to a wonderful man, Joe, and have beautiful son Gus. My son is married to a beautiful lady, Angela and have the cutest son, Luca and a baby girl on its way.

I still enjoy spending time with my wife and my family and my Sundays!

Not bad for having no plan - I am living proof that if you believe in love and trust and always try to do your best and help others - anything is possible.

I love my Life

I love my Wife

Enjoying the Ride 

Kind

Always choose Kind
Questioning what to do ?
Worrying about how to answer a contentious email ?
How do you react to the hate?
Always choose Kind !