OK, admittedly, I stay in a lot of hotels - nice hotels. Hotels with business centres, convenience stores, mini-bars, a couple of restaurants and shuttle services.
After enduring airports, crowds, pushing, shoving, being shoved into seats that are small - even for me - I look for a little peace, quiet and space at the end of my travels. Most times I am completely rested after one quiet, peaceful and restful night's sleep of no interruptions. You see, there is supposed to be a secret weapon for guests that hang on the back of the door to each hotel room: the "Do Not Disturb" sign. This sign is supposed to ensure that a guest in a hotel is not disturbed when the sign hangs outside the door.
Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a "whine" session. I've actually stayed in hotels where the guests and the housekeeping staff are quiet and respect the noise levels in the halls. However, some hotels take a view of indifference on this matter.
(Actual conversation this week:)
Clerk: Checking out sir?
Me: Yes
Clerk: How was your stay?
Me: Noisy.
Clerk: How's that?
Me: Some of your guests don't care that people are sleeping early in the morning. They're noisy in the halls.
Clerk: Not much we can do.
Me: Oh? How about signs in the elevators and in the halls that ask guests to walk quietly through the halls. Maybe something that says "We do our best to offer our guests a quiet, relaxing stay. Do your part. Keep the convesations down in the halls. After all, you're a guest too!"
Clerk: I'll pass along your suggestion, sir.
Me: To who?
Clerk: Someone.
Me: What about housekeeping?
Clerk: I don't think that's their department.
Me: But they're the noisiest of all. They yell to each other in the hall, run the vacuums without closing room doors, and clang and bang their carts into the walls.
Clerk: (Nothing)
Me: (dripping with sarcasm) Perhaps you should call your printer and replace your "Do Not Disturb" signs with signs that read: "Make All The Noise You Want, Just Don't Knock On My Door." That would be closer to the actual experience.
Clerk: That'll be (amount) dollars sir. On your credit card?
Me: (shaking head) Sigh!
Whatever happened to customer service accountability? The customer experience is everyone's responsibility. The sooner we all get that, the better customer service is going be. Pass it on to your co-workers. Everyone, no matter what the job title, is responsible for a great customer experience. No exceptions.
Do it and watch business grow.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
The Turkey Staple
(October 25)
I met John this week. I met him in a pub in the Pittsburgh Airport. He was flying to Norfolk, Virginia. In conversation with this professional traveller, I asked him what he does for a living.
"You know those little staples that close the bags at the top of a frozen turkey?" he asked me. "That's what I sell."
I've often wondered who did that work. No really, I do think about things like that. (What, did you you think they just magically appear?)
John explained that they sell the machines that staple the bags as well as the staples - the consumables. He explained it to me like this: the machinery to attach the staple is sold for a discount but it only fits one kind of staple: theirs. The staples sell for a premium. (Think ink jet printers. Printer = cheap. Ink cartridge = premium)
He owns a ranch in Ohio, 5 acres of land, half wooded and half cleared, a 2-storey house and 4 vehicles. So when you buy your Christmas turkey this year, remind yourself that John has a family to feed. Cut the bag but save the staple. Tell your guests the story about the staple. Every thing in this world is some kind of commodity. Everyone gets a fair shot to make a decent living and provide well for their families. No product is insignificant. In the same way, no job is insignificant. That includes yours.
I met John this week. I met him in a pub in the Pittsburgh Airport. He was flying to Norfolk, Virginia. In conversation with this professional traveller, I asked him what he does for a living.
"You know those little staples that close the bags at the top of a frozen turkey?" he asked me. "That's what I sell."
I've often wondered who did that work. No really, I do think about things like that. (What, did you you think they just magically appear?)
John explained that they sell the machines that staple the bags as well as the staples - the consumables. He explained it to me like this: the machinery to attach the staple is sold for a discount but it only fits one kind of staple: theirs. The staples sell for a premium. (Think ink jet printers. Printer = cheap. Ink cartridge = premium)
He owns a ranch in Ohio, 5 acres of land, half wooded and half cleared, a 2-storey house and 4 vehicles. So when you buy your Christmas turkey this year, remind yourself that John has a family to feed. Cut the bag but save the staple. Tell your guests the story about the staple. Every thing in this world is some kind of commodity. Everyone gets a fair shot to make a decent living and provide well for their families. No product is insignificant. In the same way, no job is insignificant. That includes yours.
Gadgets, Gizmos and Technology
(October 24)
It's another "fly day." I get to return to at least as far as Calgary today. Airports, and especially Chicago O'Hare International, seem to be a showcase for the latest gadgets, gizmos and other technology. I see more new technology, Palm Pilots, other PDA's, PDA's with video, camera, MP3 players, wireless internet hi-speed connections, fully functioning keyboards, telephone and yes, even a calculator. Of course, when you have tens of thousands of people all squeezed into a tiny space (that would be Chicago O'Hare) they can't rely on pay phones, public access Internet terminals or airport business centers. Heck, there isn't even enough space to sit down, let alone finding any of the techy devices.
I've spoken with two fellows alone today, that recently purchased some of the above mentioned items. When I asked if it does this or that, they simply reply: "I don't know. I haven't really gotten to understand really how it works." Both gentlemen I spoke with were retirees by the way. (It's a man thing ladies.)
The little Canadian Regional Jets seem to be a big item with American air carriers. They're a smaller plane, cheaper to fly and easier to fill with passengers. Being smaller though means there are some services cut back: no video, no music channels and a single trip down the aisle by the flight attendants right after we leave the ground (won't see them again till we get off the plane). The upside? There's no middle seat. Only about 80 seats in total. You get either a window or an aisle seat. I'm on my third CRJ in three days. Luckily, for the last leg home, there is no one in the seat beside me. I think I will just stretch out across both seats (at my height, I can do that) and take a well deserved nap.
G'nite.
It's another "fly day." I get to return to at least as far as Calgary today. Airports, and especially Chicago O'Hare International, seem to be a showcase for the latest gadgets, gizmos and other technology. I see more new technology, Palm Pilots, other PDA's, PDA's with video, camera, MP3 players, wireless internet hi-speed connections, fully functioning keyboards, telephone and yes, even a calculator. Of course, when you have tens of thousands of people all squeezed into a tiny space (that would be Chicago O'Hare) they can't rely on pay phones, public access Internet terminals or airport business centers. Heck, there isn't even enough space to sit down, let alone finding any of the techy devices.
I've spoken with two fellows alone today, that recently purchased some of the above mentioned items. When I asked if it does this or that, they simply reply: "I don't know. I haven't really gotten to understand really how it works." Both gentlemen I spoke with were retirees by the way. (It's a man thing ladies.)
The little Canadian Regional Jets seem to be a big item with American air carriers. They're a smaller plane, cheaper to fly and easier to fill with passengers. Being smaller though means there are some services cut back: no video, no music channels and a single trip down the aisle by the flight attendants right after we leave the ground (won't see them again till we get off the plane). The upside? There's no middle seat. Only about 80 seats in total. You get either a window or an aisle seat. I'm on my third CRJ in three days. Luckily, for the last leg home, there is no one in the seat beside me. I think I will just stretch out across both seats (at my height, I can do that) and take a well deserved nap.
G'nite.
Happy Birthday To Me ...
(October 22)
Well today is my birthday. 46 to be exact. I find myself writing this in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's been an odd day. Michelle made me French Toast with pure maple syrup for breakfast. I guess I'm allowed to have sugar for breakfast on my birthday. I love my birthday (for that reason alone).
On my way to the airport, there was an accident on the highway. It looked terrible. I had to slow down for the traffic and the emergency vehicles. That's when I felt my transmission jump, sputter, clang and grind (it's kinda like the feeling of being 46 - joke). I managed to get the car back up to highway speed but every time I would slow down, the tranny did the same thing. I successfully parked at the Park 'n Jet at the airport. Not sure if it will move when I get back.
As I write this, it's a little after midnight (having flown Calgary - Chicago - Pittsburgh). I'm enjoying a cup of regular black tea. Probably not the best before bed but I'm a traditionalist in the "tea" sense. I like a cup of good ol' fashioned tea. I occassionally drink the herbal varieties but black is best for me. I needed real milk for my tea. The restaurant and lounge were closed. I asked the shuttle driver, Tom, where I might get a splash of milk. He led me through the back hallways, storage rooms, through the hotel catering kitchen and into a small room with a small fridge. In it was a splash of milk, enough for a cup of tea.
Tom proved to me that customer service is everyone's department. Who'd have thought that the shuttle driver could fulfill my request with a smile on his face. Thanks Tom, you did your employer proud.
Well today is my birthday. 46 to be exact. I find myself writing this in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's been an odd day. Michelle made me French Toast with pure maple syrup for breakfast. I guess I'm allowed to have sugar for breakfast on my birthday. I love my birthday (for that reason alone).
On my way to the airport, there was an accident on the highway. It looked terrible. I had to slow down for the traffic and the emergency vehicles. That's when I felt my transmission jump, sputter, clang and grind (it's kinda like the feeling of being 46 - joke). I managed to get the car back up to highway speed but every time I would slow down, the tranny did the same thing. I successfully parked at the Park 'n Jet at the airport. Not sure if it will move when I get back.
As I write this, it's a little after midnight (having flown Calgary - Chicago - Pittsburgh). I'm enjoying a cup of regular black tea. Probably not the best before bed but I'm a traditionalist in the "tea" sense. I like a cup of good ol' fashioned tea. I occassionally drink the herbal varieties but black is best for me. I needed real milk for my tea. The restaurant and lounge were closed. I asked the shuttle driver, Tom, where I might get a splash of milk. He led me through the back hallways, storage rooms, through the hotel catering kitchen and into a small room with a small fridge. In it was a splash of milk, enough for a cup of tea.
Tom proved to me that customer service is everyone's department. Who'd have thought that the shuttle driver could fulfill my request with a smile on his face. Thanks Tom, you did your employer proud.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Indoor Campgrounds? That's My Idea...
I've just finished reading a news story from Grande Prairie, Alberta. Because of the housing shortage and the abundance of jobs, there is no place left to live. People have been forced to live in tents and campers until they can find housing. However, winter is coming.
I remember driving just outside of Winnipeg and seeing a great big fabric structure that I think housed a hockey arena. I couldn't remember the name intially but then finally found the company on-line. I sent them a letter by email this morning with my idea. Here's the letter:
I keep reading, with interest, the stories coming out of the oilfield in Northern Alberta where people are living in tents and campgrounds because of a lack of housing and places to live. Perhaps your company should be speaking to the cities of Grande Prairie, Alberta and Fort McMurray, Alberta about bringing in your buildings to house campers, tents and trailers over the winter months.
It gets pretty cold up north and these buildings, with heating systems provided by the municipalities would take a load off of the push to build housing faster.
Just an idea I thought I might share with you. Providing these buildings on a rental basis would surely create nationwide publicity for your company. Think about it.
Here is an example of the buildings I'm thinking of. They go up in a couple of days. That's a dump-truck and large front-end loader (yellow) in the background to give you an idea of scale. You could put a lot of people in one of these indoor campgrounds.
I remember driving just outside of Winnipeg and seeing a great big fabric structure that I think housed a hockey arena. I couldn't remember the name intially but then finally found the company on-line. I sent them a letter by email this morning with my idea. Here's the letter:
I keep reading, with interest, the stories coming out of the oilfield in Northern Alberta where people are living in tents and campgrounds because of a lack of housing and places to live. Perhaps your company should be speaking to the cities of Grande Prairie, Alberta and Fort McMurray, Alberta about bringing in your buildings to house campers, tents and trailers over the winter months.
It gets pretty cold up north and these buildings, with heating systems provided by the municipalities would take a load off of the push to build housing faster.
Just an idea I thought I might share with you. Providing these buildings on a rental basis would surely create nationwide publicity for your company. Think about it.
Here is an example of the buildings I'm thinking of. They go up in a couple of days. That's a dump-truck and large front-end loader (yellow) in the background to give you an idea of scale. You could put a lot of people in one of these indoor campgrounds.Tuesday, October 17, 2006
It Snowed In The Mountains
As I get ready to leave Banff and head home, there was a light dusting of snow on everything last night. I walked down to the coffee shop this morning and on the walk spotted two deer crossing my path. It seems so peaceful in the mountains. I felt just like one of the seven dwarfs this morning, walking in the wilderness and nature going about its business like I belonged there.
I thought I would share something I found out about a few weeks ago. It's about today and tomorrow. I have gleaned this info from http://www.newciv.org/nl/newslog.php/_v397/__show_article/_a000397-000078.htm
I thought I would share something I found out about a few weeks ago. It's about today and tomorrow. I have gleaned this info from http://www.newciv.org/nl/newslog.php/_v397/__show_article/_a000397-000078.htm
Happy Thoughts today.A cosmic trigger event is occuring on the 17th of October 2006. This is the beginning, one of many trigger events to come between now and 2013. An ultraviolet (UV) pulse beam radiating from higher dimensions in universe-2 will cross paths with the Earth on this day. Earth will remain approximately within this UV beam for 17 hours of your time. This is a call for Mission 1017 members now....Mission 1017 is a beam that resonates with the heart chakra, it is radiant flourescent in nature, blue/magenta in colour. Although it resonates in this frequency band, it is above the colour frequency spectrum of your universe-1 which you, Earth articulate in.
However due to the nature of your soul and soul groups operating from Universe-2 frequency bands it will have an effect. The effect is every thought and emotion will be amplified intensley one million-fold. Yes, we will repeat, all will be amplified one millions time and more. Every thought, every emotion, every intent, every will, no matter if it is good, bad, ill, positive, negative, will be amplified one million times in strength.
What does this mean ? Since all matter manifest is due to your thoughts, i.e. what you focus on, this beam will accelerate these thoughts and solidify them at an accelerated rate making them manifest a million times faster than they normally would. For those that do not comprehend. Your thoughts, what you focus on create your reality. This UV beam thus can be a dangerous tool. For if you are focused on thoughts which are negative to your liking they will manifest into your reality almost instantly. Then again this UV beam can be a gift if you choose it to be.
Mission-1017 requires approximately one million people to focus on positive, benign, good willed thoughts for themselves and the Earth and Humanity on this day. Your thoughts can be of any nature of your choosing, but remember whatever you focus on will be made manifest in a relatively faster than anticipated time frame. To some the occurrences may almost be bordering on the miracle. All we ask is positive thoughts of love, prosperity, healing, wealth, kindness, gratitiude be focused on.
This UV beam comes into full affect for 17hrs on the 17th of October 2006. No matter what time zone you are in the hours are approximately 10:17am on the 17th of October to 1:17am on the 18th October. The peak time will be 17:10 (5:10pm) on the 17th October.
You do need to be in a meditative state through out this time, though would be beneficial. The main key time no matter what time zone you are in will be the peak time of 17:10 (5:10 pm). Perhaps at this time if you can find a peaceful spot or location to focus. The optimum is out in the vicinity of grounded nature, likened to that of a large tree or next to the ocean waves. Focus on whatever it is you desire. The What that is required for the benefit of all Earth and HUmanity is positive thoughts of loving nature.
Monday, October 16, 2006
What You Are Sir...
(I am writing this just past midnight in a hotel room in Banff, Alberta).
"What you are sir speaks so loudly that I can hardly hear what you say." (Emerson)
It has got to be my favourite quote of all time. I was reminded of this quote today while opening my email. The story follows.
I checked my email and after I deleted the obligatory SPAM, I was left with three of the original 18 messages. One of those messages was an application for employment from a university student just north of Toronto. This person was looking for a job in a public relations capacity with my company. The cover letter with my name, company name and email address was at the top of the email in Arial font. The cover letter followed in Times New Roman (an obvious cut and paste).
In the email, the student said, "The learned skill, that I find most useful to public relations, is presentation." What followed was a standard cover letter that did not include any references to my company, my industry, my profession or my name. I wrote a letter back.
In that letter, I offered some suggestions:
- If you're going to tell me "presentation" is important, then take the time to make a presentation that is appropriate to me.
- Don't SPAM me and expect me to jump and offer an interview (I should mention here that I am not looking for anyone right now - please don't send your resumes).
- Be real. Be human. Be creative. Don't look like every other student looking for a job.
- Be the product. Conduct a PR campaign about yourself that talks to me and offers a solution to my problem (research is crucial to first find out if I have a problem that needs answering).
- Practice what you preach. Don't just be a resume that's been spammed out. Be everything your resume says you are.
That's how Emerson's quote came to me today. We need to be more accountable for our actions. We need to not only have an impressive resume, but we need to be everything in that resume. You can say you know it, but are you practicing what you preach?
Food for thought early on a Monday morning.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
What In The World Is "Hump Day?"
I keep hearing references to Hump Day on the radio. There are several channels on satellite TV that have Hump Day special programming. This Hump Day thing is not good.
Here's why: Hump Day refers to Wednesday, being the middle of a 5-day workweek. It's apparently supposed to be an uphill struggle to get to Wednesday and then once you're over the hump (Wednesday) it's a simple slide into the weekend.
In other words, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be tough because you don't want to be at work. Thursday looks a little brighter because you're only one day away from Quitting Time on Friday. Friday, you just coast through it trying to get to five o'clock without a lot of effort.
If that's your attitude about work - QUIT YOUR JOB!
Can you imagine someone else in the office actually trying to be productive while having to work with someone who watches the clock from Monday morning. Wow, if that's you, do us all a favour and quit. Man, you're wasting your time and ours.
And get those thoughts out of your head that any day of the week is more difficult than any other day. If you think that, you'll create it. And yes, you will create your own hell at work.
Every day above ground is a good day, just ask anyone laying in a cemetary. Think about how much you can actually get done today, how much closer you are to your goal (that is assuming that you have one but if you consider today Hump Day, I'll bet you don't have a goal, let alone a direction for your life).
If you think your job sucks, the world sucks, your relationship sucks, sales suck ... then maybe it's because you suck.
The world doesn't owe you anything ... it was here first.
Change your mind on how you approach work and you will change your results. Yes it is that simple.
Here's why: Hump Day refers to Wednesday, being the middle of a 5-day workweek. It's apparently supposed to be an uphill struggle to get to Wednesday and then once you're over the hump (Wednesday) it's a simple slide into the weekend.
In other words, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be tough because you don't want to be at work. Thursday looks a little brighter because you're only one day away from Quitting Time on Friday. Friday, you just coast through it trying to get to five o'clock without a lot of effort.
If that's your attitude about work - QUIT YOUR JOB!
Can you imagine someone else in the office actually trying to be productive while having to work with someone who watches the clock from Monday morning. Wow, if that's you, do us all a favour and quit. Man, you're wasting your time and ours.
And get those thoughts out of your head that any day of the week is more difficult than any other day. If you think that, you'll create it. And yes, you will create your own hell at work.
Every day above ground is a good day, just ask anyone laying in a cemetary. Think about how much you can actually get done today, how much closer you are to your goal (that is assuming that you have one but if you consider today Hump Day, I'll bet you don't have a goal, let alone a direction for your life).
If you think your job sucks, the world sucks, your relationship sucks, sales suck ... then maybe it's because you suck.
The world doesn't owe you anything ... it was here first.
Change your mind on how you approach work and you will change your results. Yes it is that simple.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Apparently Some Do....
After the worst night's sleep in recent history (see previous blog entry), Michelle and I went shopping - her idea not mine. We checked out the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market, some shops on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton and then this really neat store called Planet Organic.
Michelle and I are into natural foods and organics and thought that this "little" store would be fun. It wasn't little. Once inside the doors it was a full-blown grocery store with staff ... who were knowledgable ... and who cared about my business.
To prove my point, listen to this little story. Michelle and I were looking at products in one aisle when she made a comment to me about looking for Epsom Salts. A stocking clerk overheard her and simply said, "Epsom salts? Follow me." He then took her right to place in the store where she could find them, leaned down to shelf, took out a package, handed it to her and asked, "Is this what you're looking for?"
She didn't ask him for help. He just did it.
Every single person in the store was incredibly well-trained, knowledgeable and actually cared that I came into spend some money. It was "their" priviledge to serve me. I will be back, again and again and again.
Planet Organic is just 2 blocks south of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton on 104th Street (Southbound Calgary Trail).
Michelle and I are into natural foods and organics and thought that this "little" store would be fun. It wasn't little. Once inside the doors it was a full-blown grocery store with staff ... who were knowledgable ... and who cared about my business.
To prove my point, listen to this little story. Michelle and I were looking at products in one aisle when she made a comment to me about looking for Epsom Salts. A stocking clerk overheard her and simply said, "Epsom salts? Follow me." He then took her right to place in the store where she could find them, leaned down to shelf, took out a package, handed it to her and asked, "Is this what you're looking for?"
She didn't ask him for help. He just did it.
Every single person in the store was incredibly well-trained, knowledgeable and actually cared that I came into spend some money. It was "their" priviledge to serve me. I will be back, again and again and again.
Planet Organic is just 2 blocks south of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton on 104th Street (Southbound Calgary Trail).
Do They Even Care?
OK, so Michelle and I had the weekend to ourselves. We spent a night in Edmonton at a hotel. I booked the room on-line, as I have done so often before. It was simple really: one room, two people in a pet-friendly hotel. Yes we brought Maggie, our 12-pound West Highland Terrier.
Got to the hotel to check in. I told them we had brought our dog. Apparently, that's a problem if you don't let them know in advance. Now I've checked into many a hotel with the dog. The really expensive hotels like the Fairmont Banff Springs are the best. They don't assign a "dog-friendly" room. Your pet stays with you just like at home, and at no extra charge. This hotel, though, has a certain number of pet-friendly rooms. It didn't say that on the web site, nor did it show any place where I could reserve with my pet, but it did tell me I would pay $15 more if I brought the dog. I assumed that if you're going to pay a higher price to have your pet lay at the foot of the bed, you would at least get a decent room to do it in.
Nope. Got the very last pet-friendly room with the oldest beds, thinest walls and snottiest attitude you can buy for a $15 upsell. For the extra $15, your dog gets to choose your room. It was like me giving them over a $100 bucks a night was supposed to be my priviledge. No surpise that they didn't even ask how my stay was when I checked out. Apparently, it wasn't important. They got my money, but not my business. Sorry Best Western Cedar Park Inn, but you'll have to work pretty hard to get me back.
Got to the hotel to check in. I told them we had brought our dog. Apparently, that's a problem if you don't let them know in advance. Now I've checked into many a hotel with the dog. The really expensive hotels like the Fairmont Banff Springs are the best. They don't assign a "dog-friendly" room. Your pet stays with you just like at home, and at no extra charge. This hotel, though, has a certain number of pet-friendly rooms. It didn't say that on the web site, nor did it show any place where I could reserve with my pet, but it did tell me I would pay $15 more if I brought the dog. I assumed that if you're going to pay a higher price to have your pet lay at the foot of the bed, you would at least get a decent room to do it in.
Nope. Got the very last pet-friendly room with the oldest beds, thinest walls and snottiest attitude you can buy for a $15 upsell. For the extra $15, your dog gets to choose your room. It was like me giving them over a $100 bucks a night was supposed to be my priviledge. No surpise that they didn't even ask how my stay was when I checked out. Apparently, it wasn't important. They got my money, but not my business. Sorry Best Western Cedar Park Inn, but you'll have to work pretty hard to get me back.
Friday, October 06, 2006
New Book On The Way
I spoke yesterday with my writing/publishing/printing/editing/book design/"what's your problem - why haven't you been writing?" coach Gwen. She kicked my butt again for being too busy to finish one of the two books I've been working on. Sometimes I think it's brilliant to have a conscience with a real pulse and a real voice. Sometimes, not.
So, I've set aside a huge chunk of time in November to finish this project as well as making a small notation on my Outlook Calendar (What have you written today?) that pops up on my computer screen in the middle of the afternoon regardless of what I may have been in the middle of.
I use my Outlook calendar to accomplish two things: 1) schedule actual appointments as well as one "big" priority every day, and 2) my To-Do list. The first item is entered into an actual time on the calendar, and the To-Do list runs on a separate list off to the side. My friend Brian Stecyk showed me the difference between priorizing your schedule and scheduling your priorities. Some matters are important, others are merely urgent.
This is not to be confused with the Honeydew calendar (Honey do this ... Honey do that ...). That's Michelle's calendar which, funny enough, nothing ever seems to get written down. Michelle is a creative type who operates purely in the moment. It's a good balance for me being kind of a long-term vision guy. Problem is, I need to write it down somewhere where I am going to see it or it gets overlooked.
Gwen's call yesterday reminded me that another book or two is important. I have some things to say and if I don't write them down they won't get done ... or said.
So, is there anything you need to write down that needs doing? Do it now. Good advice. Thanks Gwen.
So, I've set aside a huge chunk of time in November to finish this project as well as making a small notation on my Outlook Calendar (What have you written today?) that pops up on my computer screen in the middle of the afternoon regardless of what I may have been in the middle of.
I use my Outlook calendar to accomplish two things: 1) schedule actual appointments as well as one "big" priority every day, and 2) my To-Do list. The first item is entered into an actual time on the calendar, and the To-Do list runs on a separate list off to the side. My friend Brian Stecyk showed me the difference between priorizing your schedule and scheduling your priorities. Some matters are important, others are merely urgent.
This is not to be confused with the Honeydew calendar (Honey do this ... Honey do that ...). That's Michelle's calendar which, funny enough, nothing ever seems to get written down. Michelle is a creative type who operates purely in the moment. It's a good balance for me being kind of a long-term vision guy. Problem is, I need to write it down somewhere where I am going to see it or it gets overlooked.
Gwen's call yesterday reminded me that another book or two is important. I have some things to say and if I don't write them down they won't get done ... or said.
So, is there anything you need to write down that needs doing? Do it now. Good advice. Thanks Gwen.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Musings October 04, 2006
Life Lessons From A Mall Kiosk
My brother Brian and I wandered through the mall recently. Traffic in the mall was very light. As we headed toward the coffee shop, we passed by a few retail kiosks – the companies that sell retail products from a hallway stand and not an actual store location.
As we passed by the first of two kiosks, we noticed the young man furiously punching numbers into a handheld calculator. Nothing else was on the tabletop: no papers, no spreadsheets, and no money, just a calculator. It looked as though he was doing what he could to break the monotony. Number after number was punched into the calculator as though he were trying to solve the conundrum of the Earth’s core temperature in relation to the frigid temperatures of space. I’m not sure that’s even a conundrum but whatever it was, he was on a mission to complete it.
As we approached the second of two kiosks, a young woman sat upon her chair, obviously bored (by the look on her face and the almost “falling asleep” position of her body), cradling her chin in her left hand while her right hand slowly worked a computer mouse. As we got close enough to read the computer screen, we saw the web page “University of Guelph.”
I thought it at the same time Brian articulated it: “I should have gone to college. If I did, maybe I wouldn’t be stuck with this crappy job.”
This got me to thinking.
Do you, personally, feel that you have found your purpose in life? Do you approach your work as a mission and not just a job? Do you approach each part of your work with enthusiasm? Have you ever taken the time to explore whether or not you are doing what you are meant to be doing?
My brother Brian recently relocated from Eastern Canada to Alberta. Originally came looking for work; anything he could find that would be better that what he was doing: cooking fast food in a restaurant chain.
After taking an aptitude test on-line, he discovered that his old career (some ten years before) of retail management was what he was naturally good at. We dusted off his resume, updated it to reflect his retail management experience, and within five days, he was offered a retail management job with a large company who saw the benefit of him being able to use his natural gifts.
I am not advocating that you should quit your job today. What I am saying is that if you are not completely satisfied with your work right now, perhaps it may be that you’re not using your natural talents. Take the time to discover what your natural abilities are. Take an aptitude test. Read books which open your mind to your natural gifts. Attend the courses that help you through some self-discovery. Find out what you’re naturally good at and then slowly start graduating towards it. You may surprise yourself in learning that the job you have right now, might be the job you’re just naturally good at.
If that’s the case then here’s the bad news: maybe it’s not the job that’s crappy; maybe it’s you.
My brother Brian and I wandered through the mall recently. Traffic in the mall was very light. As we headed toward the coffee shop, we passed by a few retail kiosks – the companies that sell retail products from a hallway stand and not an actual store location.
As we passed by the first of two kiosks, we noticed the young man furiously punching numbers into a handheld calculator. Nothing else was on the tabletop: no papers, no spreadsheets, and no money, just a calculator. It looked as though he was doing what he could to break the monotony. Number after number was punched into the calculator as though he were trying to solve the conundrum of the Earth’s core temperature in relation to the frigid temperatures of space. I’m not sure that’s even a conundrum but whatever it was, he was on a mission to complete it.
As we approached the second of two kiosks, a young woman sat upon her chair, obviously bored (by the look on her face and the almost “falling asleep” position of her body), cradling her chin in her left hand while her right hand slowly worked a computer mouse. As we got close enough to read the computer screen, we saw the web page “University of Guelph.”
I thought it at the same time Brian articulated it: “I should have gone to college. If I did, maybe I wouldn’t be stuck with this crappy job.”
This got me to thinking.
Do you, personally, feel that you have found your purpose in life? Do you approach your work as a mission and not just a job? Do you approach each part of your work with enthusiasm? Have you ever taken the time to explore whether or not you are doing what you are meant to be doing?
My brother Brian recently relocated from Eastern Canada to Alberta. Originally came looking for work; anything he could find that would be better that what he was doing: cooking fast food in a restaurant chain.
After taking an aptitude test on-line, he discovered that his old career (some ten years before) of retail management was what he was naturally good at. We dusted off his resume, updated it to reflect his retail management experience, and within five days, he was offered a retail management job with a large company who saw the benefit of him being able to use his natural gifts.
I am not advocating that you should quit your job today. What I am saying is that if you are not completely satisfied with your work right now, perhaps it may be that you’re not using your natural talents. Take the time to discover what your natural abilities are. Take an aptitude test. Read books which open your mind to your natural gifts. Attend the courses that help you through some self-discovery. Find out what you’re naturally good at and then slowly start graduating towards it. You may surprise yourself in learning that the job you have right now, might be the job you’re just naturally good at.
If that’s the case then here’s the bad news: maybe it’s not the job that’s crappy; maybe it’s you.
Welcome Bloggers, Diarists, Readers and Thinkers
Well it only took a few years to come into the techy age. I suppose I am about to get an education on the intricacies of weblogs. But then, I've spent more than fifteen minutes today sorting this thing out. I've aready learned a lot and could probably answer a few questions, if you had them.
I suppose that's the point really: do something everyday that you've never done before and you will be rewarded with education. Not sure if I'm really any smarter than when I started out today but I have an education on how blogs work.
Over the next little while I will be adding my thoughts, epiphanies and other asorted "a-ha" moments, spiced with a few opinions, observations and (I am sure from time to time) mood swings. I will also be adding my monthly Musings column as I write them and if you wish to come back and read them, if I figure out how, I'll set them up with Musings and the date.
Please bear with me as I enter this new arena. It's kind of exciting and I'm not sure what to expect. But I came here to have a little fun. So let's have it.
Kevin
I suppose that's the point really: do something everyday that you've never done before and you will be rewarded with education. Not sure if I'm really any smarter than when I started out today but I have an education on how blogs work.
Over the next little while I will be adding my thoughts, epiphanies and other asorted "a-ha" moments, spiced with a few opinions, observations and (I am sure from time to time) mood swings. I will also be adding my monthly Musings column as I write them and if you wish to come back and read them, if I figure out how, I'll set them up with Musings and the date.
Please bear with me as I enter this new arena. It's kind of exciting and I'm not sure what to expect. But I came here to have a little fun. So let's have it.
Kevin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)