How much of it do you get? I'm talking about emails that have been circulating the Internet for years promising that Bill Gates will send you thousands of dollars for forwarding an email message, don't open certain attachments because they will wipe out your hard drive and other stuff like that.
I get several of these every week and I'm tired of it. Tired enough to tell you to stop doing it - or at least check the facts before you send.
I got one today that is quite inspiring and credited to comedian George Carlin. His name is all over it and unfortunately he didn't write it. As a matter of fact he calls it "a sappy load of s**t." It turns out that the man who did write it is a disgraced church pastor accused of sexual assault on at least 14 people. How's that for something inspirational?
How do I know this? There is a great web site that is dedicated specifically to righting the misinformation out there on the web. The site is Snopes.com. What do they do? Snopes is the definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.
Just because it comes to your email Inbox doesn't make it true. You owe it to yourself to confirm and verify any information before you pass it on to others. Otherwise you are contributing to a society of misinformation, rumor, innuendo and opinion. Notice that the word "fact" wasn't in that last description. There is junk on the Internet. It's up to you to be responsible and ensure that you are not not contributing to the misinformation of the world.
All you need to do is check out your questionable email at Snopes, get the page link (with the correct information) and send it back to the originating sender AND also hit "reply all" just to make sure that everyone who received the original copy also gets a correction. Go to Snopes, enter the page title or some description in the Search bar and look through the mountains of misinformation. You'll find the truth.
Then you get to give people a little tap on the side of the head that says, "Think before you hit that Forward button."
So think.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
The Four-Hour Work Week
I stepped out of the restaurant in Toronto with my friends Mark and Jerry. It had been almost twenty-five years since the three of us had shared a meal together in the same room. It felt good. Of course, we were all a little older, a little less-haired and a little wiser and we all required glasses to read the menu, but on the whole it was good to get together with the guys.
As we stood in front of the restaurant in the middle of the Bay Street district of Toronto at about 9:30 at night, I noticed a lot of suits coming out of office buildings still at that hour. A little voice inside of me felt sorry for these people who feel compelled to arrive early and work late in the pursuit of something more. I just wished I could have had extra copies of the book I was reading at the time to hand to the suits walking by at that ungodly hour.
Why would I want to do that? Sometimes I just run across a book that is so good I have to share it. "The Four Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss is that book.
It's an incredible read. As a matter of fact, it has given me a whole new insight as to how we can all free ourselves from feeling trapped in the forty, fifty or sixty hour work week.
Here's a brief description:
Whether you are an overworked employee or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world. Join Tim Ferriss as he teaches you:
• How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want
• How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
• How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist
• How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent "mini-retirements"
• What the crucial difference is between absolute and relative income
• How to train your boss to value performance over presence, or kill your job (or company) if it’s beyond repair
• What automated cash-flow “muses” are and how to create one in 2 to 4 weeks
• How to cultivate selective ignorance—and create time—with a low-information diet
• What the management secrets of Remote Control CEOs are
• How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50–80% off
• How to fill the void and create a meaningful life after removing work and the office
You can have it all—really.
I encourage anyone in any job at any stage of their life to read this book. It will help free your attitude around feeling as though you are imprisoned by your work. There's a big difference between being busy and being productive. this book helps to to distinguish the two and set you on the road to finding more freedom in your day. Face it, when you feel freedom in your work, there's a whole lot more reward in it.
Read this book. Really!!
As we stood in front of the restaurant in the middle of the Bay Street district of Toronto at about 9:30 at night, I noticed a lot of suits coming out of office buildings still at that hour. A little voice inside of me felt sorry for these people who feel compelled to arrive early and work late in the pursuit of something more. I just wished I could have had extra copies of the book I was reading at the time to hand to the suits walking by at that ungodly hour.
Why would I want to do that? Sometimes I just run across a book that is so good I have to share it. "The Four Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss is that book.
It's an incredible read. As a matter of fact, it has given me a whole new insight as to how we can all free ourselves from feeling trapped in the forty, fifty or sixty hour work week.
Here's a brief description:
Whether you are an overworked employee or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world. Join Tim Ferriss as he teaches you:
• How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want
• How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
• How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist
• How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent "mini-retirements"
• What the crucial difference is between absolute and relative income
• How to train your boss to value performance over presence, or kill your job (or company) if it’s beyond repair
• What automated cash-flow “muses” are and how to create one in 2 to 4 weeks
• How to cultivate selective ignorance—and create time—with a low-information diet
• What the management secrets of Remote Control CEOs are
• How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50–80% off
• How to fill the void and create a meaningful life after removing work and the office
You can have it all—really.
I encourage anyone in any job at any stage of their life to read this book. It will help free your attitude around feeling as though you are imprisoned by your work. There's a big difference between being busy and being productive. this book helps to to distinguish the two and set you on the road to finding more freedom in your day. Face it, when you feel freedom in your work, there's a whole lot more reward in it.
Read this book. Really!!
A Walk In The Park
It was just over a year ago that I met Rob and his wife Barb. They were both such nice people. You could tell they had been in love for some time - 33 years as it turns out. Rob was sort of a genius. Now I don't say that to make fun of him but it was, in fact, true. He finished high school and entered university into the Chemical Engineering program at the age of seventeen. After his first year, and a 3.8 Grade Point Average, he left the program as it really didn't seem to be as challenging as he thought it might be.
Over the next few years, he met Barb, fell in love, married her and then had two boys with her. Rob agreed to be the one who stayed home and raised the boys and Barb would be the breadwinner. Every day he was in the boys' lives and the boys loved having their Dad around every day. Dad cooked "boy food" for suppers (steaks, pasta, chicken burgers, etc). When Mom was home on the weekend, the boys never seemed to be as willing to try Mom's Hungarian dishes.
Rob only ever worked outside the home part-time because his full-time gig was fatherhood. But he had a love of music and had mastered most every instrument ever placed in front of him: trumpet, flute, guitar, piano. He loved making music, recording music and especially just sitting around with other players and jamming.
A few months ago, since both of the boys had grown enough, both had moved out of the house and into places on their own. Rob's work as a daily influence in his boys' lives had come to an end. He had given them the tools to go out into the world and take it on with courage and determination. He had passed along all of his wisdom, values and love of life. The boys carried the tools like the beacon Rob was.
Rob and Barb stayed with us during the Thanksgiving weekend a few weeks ago. Yes the guitars came out and there was much to be thankful for - especially people like Rob in our lives.
Last Monday, Rob took a walk in the park. He loved nature and there seemed no better place that if he were to have his last day on Earth, that would be the place to have it. And so it was. A heart attack at the age of fifty-four ended his contribution on this Earth. I suppose it could be said that his work here was done and that is why he left so soon.
And so it was that Rob's friends and family would gather today at a funeral home chapel in Calgary, to remember his life, his contribution and to do it to the sounds of Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin and Supertramp - just the way Rob would have wanted it.
Rob made life seem like the walk in the park that it is. We will miss his contribution.
Over the next few years, he met Barb, fell in love, married her and then had two boys with her. Rob agreed to be the one who stayed home and raised the boys and Barb would be the breadwinner. Every day he was in the boys' lives and the boys loved having their Dad around every day. Dad cooked "boy food" for suppers (steaks, pasta, chicken burgers, etc). When Mom was home on the weekend, the boys never seemed to be as willing to try Mom's Hungarian dishes.
Rob only ever worked outside the home part-time because his full-time gig was fatherhood. But he had a love of music and had mastered most every instrument ever placed in front of him: trumpet, flute, guitar, piano. He loved making music, recording music and especially just sitting around with other players and jamming.
A few months ago, since both of the boys had grown enough, both had moved out of the house and into places on their own. Rob's work as a daily influence in his boys' lives had come to an end. He had given them the tools to go out into the world and take it on with courage and determination. He had passed along all of his wisdom, values and love of life. The boys carried the tools like the beacon Rob was.
Rob and Barb stayed with us during the Thanksgiving weekend a few weeks ago. Yes the guitars came out and there was much to be thankful for - especially people like Rob in our lives.
Last Monday, Rob took a walk in the park. He loved nature and there seemed no better place that if he were to have his last day on Earth, that would be the place to have it. And so it was. A heart attack at the age of fifty-four ended his contribution on this Earth. I suppose it could be said that his work here was done and that is why he left so soon.
And so it was that Rob's friends and family would gather today at a funeral home chapel in Calgary, to remember his life, his contribution and to do it to the sounds of Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin and Supertramp - just the way Rob would have wanted it.
Rob made life seem like the walk in the park that it is. We will miss his contribution.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The New Referral Network: Are You In?
My friend Brian told me story a few months back. He had asked his early twenty-something receptionist to dig up a phone number for him. After ten or so minutes, the receptionist had not returned. Brian went to the front desk.
"Have you found me that number yet?" he asked patiently.
"The computer hasn't finished booting up yet," she replied.
"Computer?" Brian questioned. "Well, what about a phone book?"
"Oh. We have one of those?" she asked surprised. "I never use one. I just look it up on-line."
And there we have it. The new generation of office worker who doesn't use a phone book and has no idea where they are stored in the office. It's real. It's happening right now and I am slowly becoming one of the people who is doing it too.
There's a phone book in my office somewhere but I'm just not sure where. I am fast becoming one of the on-line directory searchers. There's more of us than you may think.
Years ago when I sold radio advertising, one of my biggest competitors was Yellow Pages advertising. I learned all about how to sell against Yellow Pages and had some successes. However, what I am witnessing now is a new kind of advertising that Yellow Pages wouldn't dare compete with. It's word-of-mouth referral advertising.
Recently, I needed to get some video editing done. I had been dragging my heels on this one and it wasn't "top of the heap" priority but I was getting some requests for video. I just hadn't found time to get an editor. Besides, once I did find someone suitable, then I would have to interview, do background checks on their work and just feel comfortable with whomever I hired to do the work for me.
Meghan in my office took the bull by the horns and asked, "How come it's taking so long to get video done?"
I tried to explain to her that it was a priority but not high enough up the list to get it done. She said, it sounds like it might be her responsibility anyway and took the project away from me.
This is where I learned the dynamics of the new breed of worker and their 6-degrees of separation referral network. Meghan showed me how it works.
Her MSN sits open on her desk, all of her friends and acquaintances are on-line at the same time. She enters a query on MSN: something like, "Anyone know anyone who edits video?"
It was twelve minutes later when she had secured a video editor, negotiated price, arranged a meeting, gave a basic overview of the project and marked this project as "handled." Twelve minutes from start to finish.
My way would have taken weeks, would have involved making several phone calls after searching out cool names in the Yellow Pages and then spent how many hours viewing DVD's or VHS copies of projects already done.
Oh, by the way. I'm very happy with the quality and how easy it was to work with Jason, the video editor.
If you think for a minute, you are going to be able to train your new workers in the old ways of doing things, then you're just not seeing it. Change your attitude, change your mind and change your results. The new breed of worker doesn't work like we do, doesn't act like we do, doesn't think like we do and doesn't do what we do. They have one thing we never had growing up: technology. And they use it well.
Change you attitude on how the new worker doesn't have the same values as you and maybe you'll learn something about getting things done at lightning speed.
"Have you found me that number yet?" he asked patiently.
"The computer hasn't finished booting up yet," she replied.
"Computer?" Brian questioned. "Well, what about a phone book?"
"Oh. We have one of those?" she asked surprised. "I never use one. I just look it up on-line."
And there we have it. The new generation of office worker who doesn't use a phone book and has no idea where they are stored in the office. It's real. It's happening right now and I am slowly becoming one of the people who is doing it too.
There's a phone book in my office somewhere but I'm just not sure where. I am fast becoming one of the on-line directory searchers. There's more of us than you may think.
Years ago when I sold radio advertising, one of my biggest competitors was Yellow Pages advertising. I learned all about how to sell against Yellow Pages and had some successes. However, what I am witnessing now is a new kind of advertising that Yellow Pages wouldn't dare compete with. It's word-of-mouth referral advertising.
Recently, I needed to get some video editing done. I had been dragging my heels on this one and it wasn't "top of the heap" priority but I was getting some requests for video. I just hadn't found time to get an editor. Besides, once I did find someone suitable, then I would have to interview, do background checks on their work and just feel comfortable with whomever I hired to do the work for me.
Meghan in my office took the bull by the horns and asked, "How come it's taking so long to get video done?"
I tried to explain to her that it was a priority but not high enough up the list to get it done. She said, it sounds like it might be her responsibility anyway and took the project away from me.
This is where I learned the dynamics of the new breed of worker and their 6-degrees of separation referral network. Meghan showed me how it works.
Her MSN sits open on her desk, all of her friends and acquaintances are on-line at the same time. She enters a query on MSN: something like, "Anyone know anyone who edits video?"
It was twelve minutes later when she had secured a video editor, negotiated price, arranged a meeting, gave a basic overview of the project and marked this project as "handled." Twelve minutes from start to finish.
My way would have taken weeks, would have involved making several phone calls after searching out cool names in the Yellow Pages and then spent how many hours viewing DVD's or VHS copies of projects already done.
Oh, by the way. I'm very happy with the quality and how easy it was to work with Jason, the video editor.
If you think for a minute, you are going to be able to train your new workers in the old ways of doing things, then you're just not seeing it. Change your attitude, change your mind and change your results. The new breed of worker doesn't work like we do, doesn't act like we do, doesn't think like we do and doesn't do what we do. They have one thing we never had growing up: technology. And they use it well.
Change you attitude on how the new worker doesn't have the same values as you and maybe you'll learn something about getting things done at lightning speed.
Employee Tip #8 - You Owe Your Employer Your Attention
So I always thought that it was just a joke. But then it happened to me.
I was out on the four-lane highway driving to a speaking presentation at about 7:30 in the morning. I was following a red, late-model pick-up truck which was a safe distance in front of me. I was listening to the news on the radio when the truck in front of me suddenly veered ever closer to the ditch and then a quick left and it was back on the highway in the right hand lane.
Less than a minute later the wheels of the truck began to veer over the center line of the highway and then a quick jerk of the wheel and the truck soon had two wheels in the shoulder and two wheels in the right lane. Within a few seconds the truck was continuing its way in the right lane.
Less than a minute later, there it was again heading for the ditch again when another quick jerk of the wheel put the truck back on the highway.
"This guy must be drunk," I thought to myself. It's not unusual for police to issue DUI tickets early in the morning while people's blood-alcohol levels are still high from the night before. Actually, it's probably the best time to catch drivers who were too drunk the night before but now with a few hours sleep think the alcohol is all out of their system.
As I said that, the truck in front began to slow down. I immediately pulled out into the left lane and sped up a little to get by quickly and without incident. As I pulled up alongside the drunk guy in the red pickup, I noticed he wasn't drunk nor was he a he. He was a she putting on her makeup using one of those big makeup powder brushes across her forehead and upper cheeks. She was concentrating on her handiwork in the rear view mirror and didn't even notice me slipping by her in the left lane. Heck she couldn't even see the cars behind her because her head was in the way of seeing anything out the back, makeup brushes across her face in front and nary a care in the world of how she was driving that day.
Oh c'mon people. Really. Do we even have to talk about this one. I mean we are entertaining laws about banning the use of cell phones in the car but c'mon really, which one here is more likely to cause an accident?
Look. Here's the way I see it. When you turn on the lights in your house, your employer pays that bill. Your car in the driveway, the heat in the house, the groceries on the table, all of the things you have in front of you today were likely paid for by your employer.
Now I'm not saying that your employer owns you but I am saying that you owe it to your employer to give him or her your undivided attention - while you're at work and while you're on your way to work. Then there are the things you do at home like operating a lawnmower while wearing sandals, crawling up a shaky ladder, working on the roof without harnessing. You know, all of the dumb little accidents that happen at home that never would have happened had you used your head for a minute.
Your employer has chosen you to fulfill some duties at your workplace. They have specifically chosen you and have made a deal: you keep showing up and working and they'll keep paying you. It's a fair deal. But in many respects, your not showing up inconveniences your employer. Someone else has to fill in and productivity drops that day.
So, when you're on your way to work in the morning, try not to turn your vehicle into a bathroom. No makeup, no shaving, no loss of attention. The mirror in your car is for seeing other drivers, not how pretty your eyes are.
Your employer, through paychecks, has probably paid for the tank of gas and the vehicle that gas is in. They just want you to show up safe. Try not to do something dumb that would jeopardize the cozy little arrangement you two have. You know, the money-for-work thingy?
I was out on the four-lane highway driving to a speaking presentation at about 7:30 in the morning. I was following a red, late-model pick-up truck which was a safe distance in front of me. I was listening to the news on the radio when the truck in front of me suddenly veered ever closer to the ditch and then a quick left and it was back on the highway in the right hand lane.
Less than a minute later the wheels of the truck began to veer over the center line of the highway and then a quick jerk of the wheel and the truck soon had two wheels in the shoulder and two wheels in the right lane. Within a few seconds the truck was continuing its way in the right lane.
Less than a minute later, there it was again heading for the ditch again when another quick jerk of the wheel put the truck back on the highway.
"This guy must be drunk," I thought to myself. It's not unusual for police to issue DUI tickets early in the morning while people's blood-alcohol levels are still high from the night before. Actually, it's probably the best time to catch drivers who were too drunk the night before but now with a few hours sleep think the alcohol is all out of their system.
As I said that, the truck in front began to slow down. I immediately pulled out into the left lane and sped up a little to get by quickly and without incident. As I pulled up alongside the drunk guy in the red pickup, I noticed he wasn't drunk nor was he a he. He was a she putting on her makeup using one of those big makeup powder brushes across her forehead and upper cheeks. She was concentrating on her handiwork in the rear view mirror and didn't even notice me slipping by her in the left lane. Heck she couldn't even see the cars behind her because her head was in the way of seeing anything out the back, makeup brushes across her face in front and nary a care in the world of how she was driving that day.
Oh c'mon people. Really. Do we even have to talk about this one. I mean we are entertaining laws about banning the use of cell phones in the car but c'mon really, which one here is more likely to cause an accident?
Look. Here's the way I see it. When you turn on the lights in your house, your employer pays that bill. Your car in the driveway, the heat in the house, the groceries on the table, all of the things you have in front of you today were likely paid for by your employer.
Now I'm not saying that your employer owns you but I am saying that you owe it to your employer to give him or her your undivided attention - while you're at work and while you're on your way to work. Then there are the things you do at home like operating a lawnmower while wearing sandals, crawling up a shaky ladder, working on the roof without harnessing. You know, all of the dumb little accidents that happen at home that never would have happened had you used your head for a minute.
Your employer has chosen you to fulfill some duties at your workplace. They have specifically chosen you and have made a deal: you keep showing up and working and they'll keep paying you. It's a fair deal. But in many respects, your not showing up inconveniences your employer. Someone else has to fill in and productivity drops that day.
So, when you're on your way to work in the morning, try not to turn your vehicle into a bathroom. No makeup, no shaving, no loss of attention. The mirror in your car is for seeing other drivers, not how pretty your eyes are.
Your employer, through paychecks, has probably paid for the tank of gas and the vehicle that gas is in. They just want you to show up safe. Try not to do something dumb that would jeopardize the cozy little arrangement you two have. You know, the money-for-work thingy?
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
An Internet Attitude Adjustment
This one was floating around the Internet when it finally made its way to me. Thought you might enjoy a fresh perspective on Attitude!
---
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
---
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Clear Sailing
OK, so it may be that winter is inching ever closer. Here in Alberta, winter usually makes an early entrance. So it was particularly enjoyable to be invited to go sailing today. My friend, Phil, offered us a chance to join him about his sailboat for the day. The invitation came Friday night at Phil's house as he played host to folk-singer/songwriter Gregory Hoskins.
While listening to CBC Radio a few months ago, Phil responded to the CBC's request for people interested in hosting a series of living room concerts over an eight-month period. Well the first concert was held Friday night and Gregory Hoskins was outstanding. The intimate crowd of fifteen were treated to an evening of incredible music and entertainment. (I now look forward to the next concerts.)
Anyway, today the sun shone brightly. The breeze was light but enough to fill the sails and the relaxation and bright, warm sunshine were welcomed.
There were plenty of opportunities for honest discussion, profound thought and thankfulness that an opportunity for sailing was not squandered by a busy schedule.
This got me to thinking that simple things like good friends, good times and good fortune should never go unnoticed. We are, in Canada, one week away from our Thanksgiving Holiday. If we can take the time to reflect on what we have, what we've accomplished and the quality of people we surround ourselves with, we should have clear sailing for life.
However all is not easy in sailing. Depending on the wind to get you where you need to be can, at times, be frustrating. Also, the wind can easily blow you off-course. The secret to sailing is that there will always be a small series of corrections to get you where you're going. Trust the wind, the sails and the skipper and you will sail clearly.
Oh, and by the way, YOU are the skipper in your own life.
Kevin Burns
Attitude Adjuster, Performance Strategist,
Author, "Trust The Process" Guy
Toll-free 1-877-BURNS-11
While listening to CBC Radio a few months ago, Phil responded to the CBC's request for people interested in hosting a series of living room concerts over an eight-month period. Well the first concert was held Friday night and Gregory Hoskins was outstanding. The intimate crowd of fifteen were treated to an evening of incredible music and entertainment. (I now look forward to the next concerts.)
Anyway, today the sun shone brightly. The breeze was light but enough to fill the sails and the relaxation and bright, warm sunshine were welcomed.
There were plenty of opportunities for honest discussion, profound thought and thankfulness that an opportunity for sailing was not squandered by a busy schedule.
This got me to thinking that simple things like good friends, good times and good fortune should never go unnoticed. We are, in Canada, one week away from our Thanksgiving Holiday. If we can take the time to reflect on what we have, what we've accomplished and the quality of people we surround ourselves with, we should have clear sailing for life.
However all is not easy in sailing. Depending on the wind to get you where you need to be can, at times, be frustrating. Also, the wind can easily blow you off-course. The secret to sailing is that there will always be a small series of corrections to get you where you're going. Trust the wind, the sails and the skipper and you will sail clearly.
Oh, and by the way, YOU are the skipper in your own life.
Kevin Burns
Attitude Adjuster, Performance Strategist,
Author, "Trust The Process" Guy
Toll-free 1-877-BURNS-11
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Employee Tip #7 - How To Work For A Jerk-Boss
Michael and I have known each other for about fifteen years. Recently, he has been dabbling in the area of personal development. Not his. Yours. He is a personal coach and seminar leader who is getting ready to publish his first book.
While he has been incredibly busy conducting his coaching sessions and workshops, he has been maintaining his full-time gig as a department supervisor. That's not really a difficult task to juggle when you have a good sense of who you are and why you are here. But now, things are in a bit of flux. Seems his boss has a problem with him making the world a better place by helping people to have more confidence and live a better life. (I guess that's threatening to someone who manages by fear and intimidation.) Michael's boss has asked (no let me rephrase that - dictated to him) that he had to start sorting out what his priorities are going to be even though his activities have never impacted company time or responsibilities.
(Note: Michael conducts his coaching sessions in his own evenings off of company time and takes personal holiday days to conduct any seminars he might be engaged to do. But when he's at work, he's at work - committed.)
There was a time in my early days when I believed that every boss I had ever worked for was a graduate of the same Jerk-Boss School. Sadly, Michael's boss got the diploma.
As we ate lunch, it became abundantly clear that the secret to working for a Jerk-Boss is to ensure that you have a good sense of who you are, be well versed in your own ethics and values, set a standard for yourself and not allow yourself to be pushed around even once. If you let any of these items slide just once, you have set a precedent and a standard for the future. You must also be willing to put your foot down and say, "No. That is unacceptable."
So what's the secret in getting yourself to that place? Well, you are going to need to have confidence and conviction about who you are, what value you bring and what your strengths and weaknesses are. There are many ways to achieve that but every single answer requires some work.
Ultimately, you are responsible for working on you. Learn something that makes you a better person, employee, communicator, parent, spouse, whatever. Read the books, go to the seminars, enroll in personal development courses, find a personal coach who can help you develop a new blueprint for your life and then make the new learning a priority. It really is simple. But it takes work.
If you could read a chapter in a book each day that makes you better in some way, if you could listen to a CD of something educational for fifteen minutes each day, if you would ask people who are already modeling the confidence you would like to have how they do it, you would be well on your way to successfully tolerating the abusive behaviours of tyrants and jerk bosses.
I did say it was simple. And it is. But it requires you to work at it. Do the work and you will get the benefit.
Remember though, that there are people in your life (sometimes it's your boss) who will take every chance they have to try and tear you down, especially if they see that you are accomplishing things that they can't fathom or understand. You see, in their insecure minds, if they tear you down, it somehow magically elevates them. The problem is that these very small-minded people are threatened by you because when you self-improve, you show them what could have been done with a little effort. And that, to a tyrant, is not only threatening but embarrassing.
So, what are you going to learn today?
While he has been incredibly busy conducting his coaching sessions and workshops, he has been maintaining his full-time gig as a department supervisor. That's not really a difficult task to juggle when you have a good sense of who you are and why you are here. But now, things are in a bit of flux. Seems his boss has a problem with him making the world a better place by helping people to have more confidence and live a better life. (I guess that's threatening to someone who manages by fear and intimidation.) Michael's boss has asked (no let me rephrase that - dictated to him) that he had to start sorting out what his priorities are going to be even though his activities have never impacted company time or responsibilities.
(Note: Michael conducts his coaching sessions in his own evenings off of company time and takes personal holiday days to conduct any seminars he might be engaged to do. But when he's at work, he's at work - committed.)
There was a time in my early days when I believed that every boss I had ever worked for was a graduate of the same Jerk-Boss School. Sadly, Michael's boss got the diploma.
As we ate lunch, it became abundantly clear that the secret to working for a Jerk-Boss is to ensure that you have a good sense of who you are, be well versed in your own ethics and values, set a standard for yourself and not allow yourself to be pushed around even once. If you let any of these items slide just once, you have set a precedent and a standard for the future. You must also be willing to put your foot down and say, "No. That is unacceptable."
So what's the secret in getting yourself to that place? Well, you are going to need to have confidence and conviction about who you are, what value you bring and what your strengths and weaknesses are. There are many ways to achieve that but every single answer requires some work.
Ultimately, you are responsible for working on you. Learn something that makes you a better person, employee, communicator, parent, spouse, whatever. Read the books, go to the seminars, enroll in personal development courses, find a personal coach who can help you develop a new blueprint for your life and then make the new learning a priority. It really is simple. But it takes work.
If you could read a chapter in a book each day that makes you better in some way, if you could listen to a CD of something educational for fifteen minutes each day, if you would ask people who are already modeling the confidence you would like to have how they do it, you would be well on your way to successfully tolerating the abusive behaviours of tyrants and jerk bosses.
I did say it was simple. And it is. But it requires you to work at it. Do the work and you will get the benefit.
Remember though, that there are people in your life (sometimes it's your boss) who will take every chance they have to try and tear you down, especially if they see that you are accomplishing things that they can't fathom or understand. You see, in their insecure minds, if they tear you down, it somehow magically elevates them. The problem is that these very small-minded people are threatened by you because when you self-improve, you show them what could have been done with a little effort. And that, to a tyrant, is not only threatening but embarrassing.
So, what are you going to learn today?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Boss Tip #13 - Switch Drivers
It's not hard to imagine. You've probably done it yourself. You're on a cross-country car trip with the family. After ten hours or so, and just a couple of bathroom breaks in that time, you've decided that you can't drive anymore. You look over to the passenger seat where your spouse has been sleeping through the last three hours of driving. You are exhausted. Your spouse is refreshed. So, you switch off.
There comes a time in every manager's career where he or she hits that same wall: goes as far as he or she can on the tools they possess and then that's it. In order to take the company or department to the next level, the boss is required to switch off with someone who knows the road, has the desire to get there and possesses the capabilities to lead the team to the next level.
Dr. Laurence Peter, in his 1968 book The Peter Principle, wrote the following: In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.
Well, surprise, surprise, that includes bosses too. It is the responsibility of the boss to recognize that he or she has taken the team as far as he or she can and then get ready to get out of the way. Sadly, this is not how it ends up working out. Sadly, in an effort to continue to collect a regular paycheck, many bosses end up sabotaging the growth of the business by staying in the bosses seat well past the level of their own competence. And in doing so, the business starts to decline. The boss is then forced to downsize some of the people who helped make the company what it is and the boss will do everything else except solve the problem. The solution: trade in the boss for someone new.
The smart boss, the benevolent boss, is the one who steps out of the way of the business progressing beyond his or her capabilities, finding a suitable successor and then either staying on to oversee specific projects or finding a new company that he or she could help move forward.
It's at a crucial time like this that the difference between managers and leaders becomes glaringly obvious. A leader will lead until he or she doesn't know the way anymore and then will look for someone who can lead beyond where they are. A manager will attempt to convince everyone else that he or she can lead beyond where they are. In likelihood, there are people who are on the team who could take the reigns of power and move the company forward but the manager is in the way.
My friend Phil had a conversation with me about this a few weeks ago. He is planning to find a way to step aside of his own business and prepare for semi-retirement. As he said, "I figure I've got three years to get out of the way or the people who are most capable of running this company will become discouraged and leave. If that happens, then the business isn't worth much to someone else to buy because there'll be no one left to run it."
So, are you in the way of your own company's future success? Think about it. Be honest. Then do the right thing.
There comes a time in every manager's career where he or she hits that same wall: goes as far as he or she can on the tools they possess and then that's it. In order to take the company or department to the next level, the boss is required to switch off with someone who knows the road, has the desire to get there and possesses the capabilities to lead the team to the next level.
Dr. Laurence Peter, in his 1968 book The Peter Principle, wrote the following: In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.
Well, surprise, surprise, that includes bosses too. It is the responsibility of the boss to recognize that he or she has taken the team as far as he or she can and then get ready to get out of the way. Sadly, this is not how it ends up working out. Sadly, in an effort to continue to collect a regular paycheck, many bosses end up sabotaging the growth of the business by staying in the bosses seat well past the level of their own competence. And in doing so, the business starts to decline. The boss is then forced to downsize some of the people who helped make the company what it is and the boss will do everything else except solve the problem. The solution: trade in the boss for someone new.
The smart boss, the benevolent boss, is the one who steps out of the way of the business progressing beyond his or her capabilities, finding a suitable successor and then either staying on to oversee specific projects or finding a new company that he or she could help move forward.
It's at a crucial time like this that the difference between managers and leaders becomes glaringly obvious. A leader will lead until he or she doesn't know the way anymore and then will look for someone who can lead beyond where they are. A manager will attempt to convince everyone else that he or she can lead beyond where they are. In likelihood, there are people who are on the team who could take the reigns of power and move the company forward but the manager is in the way.
My friend Phil had a conversation with me about this a few weeks ago. He is planning to find a way to step aside of his own business and prepare for semi-retirement. As he said, "I figure I've got three years to get out of the way or the people who are most capable of running this company will become discouraged and leave. If that happens, then the business isn't worth much to someone else to buy because there'll be no one left to run it."
So, are you in the way of your own company's future success? Think about it. Be honest. Then do the right thing.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
What Would Happen If ...
I stopped by Tim Horton's today on my way home from speaking in Camrose, Alberta. There's nothing like a great cup of tea for the drive home. It's kind of heartwarming and almost comfort food - well, to me anyway.
Here's the point: as I entered the restaurant, a young girl of seventeen or so was being interviewed for a job. She sat up straight, made good eye contact, had a smile on her face and wasn't rattled by the interview process at all. As a matter of fact, she seemed like she had it all: a good work ethic, confidence and ability to handle the tasks.
I thought to myself that I would be pleased to be served by such a person.
Perhaps that's the answer: perhaps the customer should play a part in the interview process before someone is hired for a job. If, as a customer, I am pleased to be served by an employee, I think I would be prepared to return to that business to be served again.
After all, in the service industry, it matters more that the customer is happy and not so much the employer right? Perhaps the owners of some service industry establishments could use a little attitude adjustment when it comes to hiring staff anyway.
Think about it this way: the customer is revenue and the employee is expense. Shouldn't revenue play a part in who gets hired? Just a thought. I'd be pleased to be served by her. Perhaps my next time in Camrose I will.
Here's the point: as I entered the restaurant, a young girl of seventeen or so was being interviewed for a job. She sat up straight, made good eye contact, had a smile on her face and wasn't rattled by the interview process at all. As a matter of fact, she seemed like she had it all: a good work ethic, confidence and ability to handle the tasks.
I thought to myself that I would be pleased to be served by such a person.
Perhaps that's the answer: perhaps the customer should play a part in the interview process before someone is hired for a job. If, as a customer, I am pleased to be served by an employee, I think I would be prepared to return to that business to be served again.
After all, in the service industry, it matters more that the customer is happy and not so much the employer right? Perhaps the owners of some service industry establishments could use a little attitude adjustment when it comes to hiring staff anyway.
Think about it this way: the customer is revenue and the employee is expense. Shouldn't revenue play a part in who gets hired? Just a thought. I'd be pleased to be served by her. Perhaps my next time in Camrose I will.
Monday, September 17, 2007
What we did with $20
OK, for those of you curious as to what happened with the found $20 bill, we managed to raise just shy of $200 for Regan and his family. I cut the cheque and Meghan is shopping right now. By the way, thank you to all who made a donation to this young African boy and his family. This was fun and kind of warms the cockles of your heart doesn't it. It does especially if you know exactly where the cockles are.
Here Comes A New Attitude
How many times have you ever said about someone you either work with or were served by, "That guy could sure use an attitude adjustment?"
I've said it. You've said it and I am choosing to make it my mission to instill that attitude adjustment in as many people as I can over the next few years. Now before you go and get all bent out of shape about it, think about what an attitude adjustment really is. It is nothing more than a revelation that what you are doing isn't working and to stop doing what doesn't work and start doing what does work.
When you change your attitude, you change your mind. When you change your mind you change your behaviour and consequently change your results. Simple no?
I have been delivering attitude adjustments for the past ten years and I have written my newest book on attitude. I completed writing it over the summer and my editor/publisher Gwen has it right now. The forthcoming book (my seventh book) is titled, "Go Ahead. Give Me Attitude!"
It will be coming out (hopefully) before Christmas in both paperback and hard cover. There will be an audio compendium as well (sort of a book on CD). Watch for it. I will make a lot of noise just before it comes out ... trust me on that one.
I've said it. You've said it and I am choosing to make it my mission to instill that attitude adjustment in as many people as I can over the next few years. Now before you go and get all bent out of shape about it, think about what an attitude adjustment really is. It is nothing more than a revelation that what you are doing isn't working and to stop doing what doesn't work and start doing what does work.
When you change your attitude, you change your mind. When you change your mind you change your behaviour and consequently change your results. Simple no?
I have been delivering attitude adjustments for the past ten years and I have written my newest book on attitude. I completed writing it over the summer and my editor/publisher Gwen has it right now. The forthcoming book (my seventh book) is titled, "Go Ahead. Give Me Attitude!"
It will be coming out (hopefully) before Christmas in both paperback and hard cover. There will be an audio compendium as well (sort of a book on CD). Watch for it. I will make a lot of noise just before it comes out ... trust me on that one.
Sweet Summer Sweat
Yes I know it's been some time since I wrote. That doesn't mean I haven't been thinking ... or doing ... or planning ... or making changes. The summer was actually quite busy.
In April, I had the opportunity to address Health Expo West in Vancouver. There was a professional photographer at the event who fired off several photos. I was rewarded with these shots by email one day. Nice dark background, great lighting, excellent photo contrast and there I was, being shot from below and my face looked like it was the size of a pumpkin... just a little less orange. My first thought was, “Where the hell did my neck go?”
Jeez, I don't remember getting that fat. Wow, sometimes it takes a moment of honesty to really see the true picture. The picture, or pictures, I did not like. Something had to be done and had to be done quickly. I needed to give myself an Attitude Adjustment.
My friend and fellow speaker, Ken Larson, thinks I'm an “all or nothing” kind of guy so it was no surprise to the fitness freaking, health-drink swilling, king of the gym (that would be Ken), that I would embark on a fitness program that promised the following: “You will not sit on a couple of little machines and magically lose weight. You will work. You will hurt. You will sweat!”
I started the ninety-day program July 15. This past weekend, sixty days into the program, I am happy to report I have lost twenty pounds so far. I have not sat upon any machines. I have done more push ups, pull ups, chin-ups, jump-ups and wind-ups than I can even count. No pharmaceuticals. No starve-oneself diet and no sugar. Just real wholesome food and a little simple math (calories in versus calories out – need to have more calories expended than what I take in – see, simple math).
It will probably be another thirty to sixty days before I'm down to my fighting weight. Once that happens, I'm coming after you to give you an attitude adjustment. Don't make me do that.
In April, I had the opportunity to address Health Expo West in Vancouver. There was a professional photographer at the event who fired off several photos. I was rewarded with these shots by email one day. Nice dark background, great lighting, excellent photo contrast and there I was, being shot from below and my face looked like it was the size of a pumpkin... just a little less orange. My first thought was, “Where the hell did my neck go?”
Jeez, I don't remember getting that fat. Wow, sometimes it takes a moment of honesty to really see the true picture. The picture, or pictures, I did not like. Something had to be done and had to be done quickly. I needed to give myself an Attitude Adjustment.
My friend and fellow speaker, Ken Larson, thinks I'm an “all or nothing” kind of guy so it was no surprise to the fitness freaking, health-drink swilling, king of the gym (that would be Ken), that I would embark on a fitness program that promised the following: “You will not sit on a couple of little machines and magically lose weight. You will work. You will hurt. You will sweat!”
I started the ninety-day program July 15. This past weekend, sixty days into the program, I am happy to report I have lost twenty pounds so far. I have not sat upon any machines. I have done more push ups, pull ups, chin-ups, jump-ups and wind-ups than I can even count. No pharmaceuticals. No starve-oneself diet and no sugar. Just real wholesome food and a little simple math (calories in versus calories out – need to have more calories expended than what I take in – see, simple math).
It will probably be another thirty to sixty days before I'm down to my fighting weight. Once that happens, I'm coming after you to give you an attitude adjustment. Don't make me do that.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Employee Tip # 6 - Productivity Is More Important Than Attitude
Many employees don't understand one simple rule: each employee has a responsibility to ensure that their personal crap doesn't get in the way of someone who is doing a good job. It impedes those who want to move forward and is completely disrespectful. It's like saying "My bad attitude is more important than your good work."
How incredibly selfish it is when someone who has nothing good to say about their job, spews their verbal vomit all over everyone else in the hopes of getting someone to agree with them. Once someone agrees with their assessment of the job, they are simply encouraged to continue their bad behaviour.
As an employee, you have a simple responsibility: to keep your end of the bargain. You are being paid for your work - so work. When you stop working, the company has the right to stop paying you. See that was the understanding between you - work for pay.
However, you do not have the right to infect or affect the other people who happen to like their work with your bad attitude about the job. That is selfish. That is disrespectful. That is simply mean. You are welcome to have your opinions about the job and if you have positive suggestions, take them up with the boss - not the rest of the staff (who couldn't change things anyway).
As for the rest of the staff - when there is someone like this working with you, you have one expectation: do not let anything interfere with you keeping your agreement with the company. It's up to you to stop your fellow co-workers who impede your personal progress and attitude. You must speak up. If not to the offender directly, then to his or her supervisor. But one way or another you are responsible for putting a stop to this.
Left unchecked, someone's else's bad attitude can affect your paycheck. Speaking up also sends a message to the rest of the staff: "I will not let you rob me of my time, my productivity and my space. I am here to do a job and your opinions and bad attitude will not get in the way of my productivity."
Trust me, you will be respected for putting a stop to it. But sadly, you will likely forget or choose to ignore this. And you will pay.
How incredibly selfish it is when someone who has nothing good to say about their job, spews their verbal vomit all over everyone else in the hopes of getting someone to agree with them. Once someone agrees with their assessment of the job, they are simply encouraged to continue their bad behaviour.
As an employee, you have a simple responsibility: to keep your end of the bargain. You are being paid for your work - so work. When you stop working, the company has the right to stop paying you. See that was the understanding between you - work for pay.
However, you do not have the right to infect or affect the other people who happen to like their work with your bad attitude about the job. That is selfish. That is disrespectful. That is simply mean. You are welcome to have your opinions about the job and if you have positive suggestions, take them up with the boss - not the rest of the staff (who couldn't change things anyway).
As for the rest of the staff - when there is someone like this working with you, you have one expectation: do not let anything interfere with you keeping your agreement with the company. It's up to you to stop your fellow co-workers who impede your personal progress and attitude. You must speak up. If not to the offender directly, then to his or her supervisor. But one way or another you are responsible for putting a stop to this.
Left unchecked, someone's else's bad attitude can affect your paycheck. Speaking up also sends a message to the rest of the staff: "I will not let you rob me of my time, my productivity and my space. I am here to do a job and your opinions and bad attitude will not get in the way of my productivity."
Trust me, you will be respected for putting a stop to it. But sadly, you will likely forget or choose to ignore this. And you will pay.
Boss Tip #12 - Pruning The Garden Without Spraying Chemicals
For those of you who have never had a garden, this may seem completely incomprehensible but play along with me would you please?
In the park across the street from my house is perhaps one of the world's largest dandelion plantations. Now to choose between herbicides in a public park and weeding out a few dandelions a week in my yard is a simple decision for me: weeding is easy enough and better for the rest of us. With that being said, let me tell you that we have a good sized garden in our backyard. Strawberries, raspberries, peas, beans, carrots, zucchini and herbs are all up. So is the crop of chickweeed, quackgrass, dandelions and other assorted weeds.
The biggest job in the garden, after planting, is pruning - getting rid of the plants that suck moisture and nurients from the earth that the garden plants need.
This whole pruning concept is not much different for bosses: weeding out the people who suck the motivation and ethic from your good workers and kicking their butts to the curb. In the same way you wouldn't put weeds into a compost bin (you're just replanting the weed seeds in the compost), don't try to find another place in the company for the cynics, the ne'er-do-wellers, the negative Nellies, the slackers and the armchair CEO's (those who think they have all the answers and could do a better job than you). That's like pulling a weed and replanting it in a different part of the garden. By placing them in another department, you are simply encouraging their bad behaviour.
Don't think that a blanket policy is going to fix everything either. That's like spraying chemicals across the whole garden. Everything in the path of the spray will be affected. Do the hard work, the dirty work and get your hands dirty. Pull each weed by hand leaving the rest of the garden untouched and unaffected.
Weeds are not welcome in your department. As a boss, it is your responsibility to ensure that your good plants produce the fruits of their labours without being impeded by weeds.
Get my meaning here? Get it done ... today.
In the park across the street from my house is perhaps one of the world's largest dandelion plantations. Now to choose between herbicides in a public park and weeding out a few dandelions a week in my yard is a simple decision for me: weeding is easy enough and better for the rest of us. With that being said, let me tell you that we have a good sized garden in our backyard. Strawberries, raspberries, peas, beans, carrots, zucchini and herbs are all up. So is the crop of chickweeed, quackgrass, dandelions and other assorted weeds.
The biggest job in the garden, after planting, is pruning - getting rid of the plants that suck moisture and nurients from the earth that the garden plants need.
This whole pruning concept is not much different for bosses: weeding out the people who suck the motivation and ethic from your good workers and kicking their butts to the curb. In the same way you wouldn't put weeds into a compost bin (you're just replanting the weed seeds in the compost), don't try to find another place in the company for the cynics, the ne'er-do-wellers, the negative Nellies, the slackers and the armchair CEO's (those who think they have all the answers and could do a better job than you). That's like pulling a weed and replanting it in a different part of the garden. By placing them in another department, you are simply encouraging their bad behaviour.
Don't think that a blanket policy is going to fix everything either. That's like spraying chemicals across the whole garden. Everything in the path of the spray will be affected. Do the hard work, the dirty work and get your hands dirty. Pull each weed by hand leaving the rest of the garden untouched and unaffected.
Weeds are not welcome in your department. As a boss, it is your responsibility to ensure that your good plants produce the fruits of their labours without being impeded by weeds.
Get my meaning here? Get it done ... today.
What To Do With Found $20 Follow-up
Hi all, Meghan here (with Kevin's blessing). I want to give you an update on Kevin's article from June 20th What To Do With a Found $20 Bill?
We had an overwhelming response of comments on Kevin's Blog (http://www.kevburns.com/2007/06/what-to-do-with-found-20-bill.html). There were a ton of ideas from giving to charity to letting Meghan keep the money, from trying to return the money to taking the family to Dairy Queen, from giving it away again to having our readers (you) match dollar for dollar to charity. There were a lot of things to consider and now we have an idea that involves you.
The first thing Kevin did was call the restaurant and then Direct Cash to see if there was any way of tracking down the person before him that used that particular ATM. Finding the rightful owner seemed appropriate. We can all rest easy today knowing that Direct Cash ATMs do not keep any financial records (name, bank name or number) in their machines. In today's world and with privacy concerns, these are for obvious security reasons. So, Kevin and I both sat here for quite a while wondering what to do next. We wanted to include as many of your ideas as possible, but how do we do that with only a $20 bill? One suggestion came in to give the money to me (thank you!) and let me choose where it goes. So we have decided to do just that - and then I decided to incorporate as many of the other ideas as possible all in one (with the exception of the trip to Dairy Queen for ice cream - sorry).
Now I've always been taught to do due diligence when it comes to making donations. Now I'm not skeptical about the foster parent industry, but if I'm sending my hard earned money, it had better be going to someone who needs it. After a lot of research, I believe very strongly that the Plan International does send the money and catalogue items to the child and his or her family. Hey, I'm Kevin's daughter, I'm no sucker.
So, with that being said, there goes Kevin's $20. He has stepped up and has donated his found $20 to Regan and his family. But now, Kevin and I would like to ask you to help us. On this page, you will see a "Make A Donation" link below. All you have to do to help purchase many useful things for Regan and his family (and the rest of his village if we do this right) is to click the link and donate a buck - $1. One measly dollar - less than a cup of coffee and together we can make a difference. Of course you may donate as much as you like and all you would have to do is change the amount when you click the link, and from the bottom of my heart I would thank you for that. But let's think big!
(OK, let me digress here for a moment. Here's what I've learned from my Dad: you get what you give. If you want to improve the chances of good fortune coming to you, you give good fortune to someone else. The Karmic wheel spins perfectly every time. Think about it, and then click the link.)
Kevin and I will keep all of you updated on what's being purchased and how much money has been raised. And so I can guilt you into pressing the button, attached is a picture of little Regan. So for all of you that have ever found a dollar (or twenty) on the road, pay it forward. The universe will then re-pay you. So my question now is, what are you going to do to change the world a little today?
Meghan
Jimmy Mac
Last Thursday's news was tough for me: in the paper was a news story of the death of my friend Jimmy Mac. He had died in a car accident Canada Day at the age of 46 - a month and a day older than I. Had I not read the paper I would have completely missed the traditional Irish wake of which 300 others attended that very night. It was a grand affair - and it had "Jimmy" written all over it. Music, drinks, partying and the remembrances of the wee man from Northern Ireland who touched so many of us in such a short time. His wife Barb, his son Simon and daughter Sarah all attended the wake for him as well.
The next day was Jimmy's funeral - in the largest church in Central Alberta. Good thing too as they needed the room. The parade of uniforms of fellow firefighters, the parade of the Royal Canadian Legion Honour Guard and the musical tributes at the funeral were heartwarming and gut-wrenching. We laughed. We cried. We thought and we remembered. The funeral lasted an hour and forty-five minutes and we were all sad to see it end.
Unannounced, Jimmy's father George, who had made the trip from Portadown in Northern Ireland to bury his son, took the stage. George said that he never really knew his son's friends nor did they ever really talk much about them on the phone. But then he said, "As I look over this church here today, I had no idea that this many people loved my son." There was not a dry eye left in the house.
It was a fitting affair for the man who left so many of us with a smile and a place in our hearts. But to try and describe Jimmy in a few words is difficult. Suffice it to say - he will be remembered.
I am proud to have known him. Rest well Jimmy. We'll do our best to live life the way you did - as though it all ends tomorrow.
Sadly, it did for Jimmy.
The next day was Jimmy's funeral - in the largest church in Central Alberta. Good thing too as they needed the room. The parade of uniforms of fellow firefighters, the parade of the Royal Canadian Legion Honour Guard and the musical tributes at the funeral were heartwarming and gut-wrenching. We laughed. We cried. We thought and we remembered. The funeral lasted an hour and forty-five minutes and we were all sad to see it end.
Unannounced, Jimmy's father George, who had made the trip from Portadown in Northern Ireland to bury his son, took the stage. George said that he never really knew his son's friends nor did they ever really talk much about them on the phone. But then he said, "As I look over this church here today, I had no idea that this many people loved my son." There was not a dry eye left in the house.
It was a fitting affair for the man who left so many of us with a smile and a place in our hearts. But to try and describe Jimmy in a few words is difficult. Suffice it to say - he will be remembered.
I am proud to have known him. Rest well Jimmy. We'll do our best to live life the way you did - as though it all ends tomorrow.
Sadly, it did for Jimmy.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
What To Do With a Found $20 Bill?
My friend Ken and I went for supper last night. As we walked into the restaurant, there was an ATM right by the front door. Now since Ken is 6'9" tall and I am ... well ... not, I am able to see things closer to the ground. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something that caught my attention: a $20 bill in the tray of the ATM.
I picked up the bill, held it up to Ken and the two of us immediately looked around. No one was even near the ATM nor did anyone look like they had visited it recently. What was I to do with the $20 bill. Ken wouldn't even let me buy part of supper with it.
This morning as I awoke, I saw the $20 bill and brought it with me into the office. I asked some of the staff in the office if they knew what to do with a found $20 bill, superstitions or otherwise. No one seemed to have an answer. No let me re-phrase that: many had an answer that simply said, "give it to me" or a variation thereof.
I went on-line looking for the "protocol" of found money. There is nothing on-line. So what I have come up with is to give a portion of it to a charity and spend a portion on a lottery ticket or something like that.
What is your suggestion? I will hang onto the $20 for the time being and wait to hear your suggestions. Spend it as you wish. What should I do?
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I picked up the bill, held it up to Ken and the two of us immediately looked around. No one was even near the ATM nor did anyone look like they had visited it recently. What was I to do with the $20 bill. Ken wouldn't even let me buy part of supper with it.
This morning as I awoke, I saw the $20 bill and brought it with me into the office. I asked some of the staff in the office if they knew what to do with a found $20 bill, superstitions or otherwise. No one seemed to have an answer. No let me re-phrase that: many had an answer that simply said, "give it to me" or a variation thereof.
I went on-line looking for the "protocol" of found money. There is nothing on-line. So what I have come up with is to give a portion of it to a charity and spend a portion on a lottery ticket or something like that.
What is your suggestion? I will hang onto the $20 for the time being and wait to hear your suggestions. Spend it as you wish. What should I do?
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Monday, June 11, 2007
It Just Takes A Little Effort
I have just finished my breakfast at the Halifax Airport. As I stood in front of the trash containers with my leftover garbage, I was met with bins displaying four choices:
Refundables - for those items which can get one a refund (bottles, cans, etc)
Recyclables - for those items which can be recycled but perhaps may not be able to get a refund on a deposit (plastics, cardboard, etc)
Organics - for those items which will break down in the environment (unprocessed foods, paper, etc)
Garbage - for all of the other items which would not fall into any of the other categories.
I really had to think for a moment about which bins I would use. Then I realized the magic of this system: I was forced to think consciously about my trash. There was no choice to act unconsciously.
Congratulations Halifax. You forced me to make a conscious decision on the environment today. Well done.
Now about your harbour...
Kevin Burns - The Chief Instigation Officer of Laugh-Long Learning!
Refundables - for those items which can get one a refund (bottles, cans, etc)
Recyclables - for those items which can be recycled but perhaps may not be able to get a refund on a deposit (plastics, cardboard, etc)
Organics - for those items which will break down in the environment (unprocessed foods, paper, etc)
Garbage - for all of the other items which would not fall into any of the other categories.
I really had to think for a moment about which bins I would use. Then I realized the magic of this system: I was forced to think consciously about my trash. There was no choice to act unconsciously.
Congratulations Halifax. You forced me to make a conscious decision on the environment today. Well done.
Now about your harbour...
Kevin Burns - The Chief Instigation Officer of Laugh-Long Learning!
1-877-BURNS-11
Read/Comment on Kevin's Blog http://www.kevburns.com/blog.html
Winnipeg Ridiculous
The following is a recollection of events which actually occured last week in my desperate attempt to watch the final game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as it was being broadcast.
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As I and a band of hearty Canadians prepared to board a Regina-bound flight out of Winnipeg, we were stunned in silence that the Winnipeg Airport Authority (WAA) refused to broadcast, what turned out to be the last game of the season, the Ottawa Senators-Anaheim Ducks hockey game on the television sets in the boarding area, even after being asked repeatedly by the passengers awaiting their flight.
We asked the security guard to help us out at which point he offered up a phone number to the Data Centre - the obvious only ones working during the game. The Data Centre fed us some cock-and-bull story about the WAA not being in possession of licensing rights to broadcast a transmission from our public broadcaster. However, they are able to provide a scintilating program of political pundits on the future of the Liberal Party in Canada. I'm sure you yourself missed that one as you were likely watching the game.
To make matters worse, the Tim Horton's in the boarding area was closed. I'm sure the staff were home watching the game since they couldn't get the game in the terminal. .
When I attempted to stream the game to my Blackberry from cbc.ca, the message filling my Blackberry screen was, "We are sorry but this game can only be broadcast in Canada."
When did Winnipeg leave Canada? No hockey game? No Tim's? No kidding! How can Winnipeg say it will support another shot in the "Bigs" when you can't watch the game in the airport while having a hot cup of Horton's - the brew of a former NHL'er himself.
Is this stuff for real or did the entire plane full of passengers have a simultaneous bad dream.
How can a bar in the airport broadcast the game to their patrons (the sight of thirty people gathered around a 21 inch screen is something to marvel at - hockey die-hards for sure), yet the airport itself says it can't broadcast the game because it hasn't purchased the rights. The game was being brodcast on our public broadcaster - which just happens to be funded by the same people who wanted to watch the game.
This , by the way is the same airport in which many of those same players will be travelling should Winnipeg ever be granted another NHL franchise. Things will have to change then.
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Hmmm, in reading this, I perhaps got caught up in the heat of the moment. Maybe it's a good thing hockey is done for the season. Now I can focus my attention on other issues of importance. Sorry for my ramblings. It's hockey. I'm a man. I am Canadian. 'Nuff said.
Kevin Burns - The Chief Instigation Officer of Laugh-Long Learning!
1-877-BURNS-11
Read/Comment on Kevin's Blog http://www.kevburns.com/blog.html
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