So, the first three months of the year are gone, 25% of 2014 has passed, spring is upon us, etc... how are you doing with your Resolutions?
According to Statistic Brain, 64% of Americans have kept their resolution after 1 month. That number drops to 46% at the 6 month marker. I feel this is a good place to address it (better odds of completing the resolutions that getting that perfect bracket for March Madness).
I made 2 resolutions (or goals, if you remember reading the original post): to read 25 books and to lose 20 lbs.
The book goal is progressing well: 7 books down in 3 months:
He Is Not Silent by Albert Mohler
Gazelles, Baby Steps and 37 Other Things Dave Ramsey Taught Me About Debt by Jon Acuff
Be A People Person by John Maxwell
What Is The Trinity by John Maxwell
The Communist Manifesto by Carl Marx
Saving For Retirement (Without Living Like A Pauper Or Winning The Lottery) by Gail MarksJarvis
The Greatness Principle by Nelson Searcy
These have been some good reads. They vary in length, none more than 250 pages, so pretty easy in reads. A good way to continue to accomplish your goals is to get easy wins to stay motivated... by having some shorter reads, or just pleasure reads, for me, I have been able to keep going and stay just ahead of pace to hit my goal. *Always look for easy wins to keep motivated*
As for the weight, I've lost 7 lbs, but I think by this point, I should have crushed it. But, to understand that though I should've crushed it (in my opinion), there are some positives: I'm eating healthier by consuming less caffeine, eating more salads (almost daily), and working out almost daily (more on that later). So, even though I was a little down that I've not already hit that goal, I am creating good habits. *Don't focus on the negative, find the positive in journey.*
How about you? How have you done so far? What keeps you going to reach your goals?
Monday, April 7, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Consumers Following a Business Leader
I reflected today after hearing, yet again, Tony Malito (Dealer for the People) has shocked me, and not in the way he aimed. His latest commercial is an epic blunder... but it is the goal to shock and be gimmicky and lure you in with humor (I guess it is humor).
After referencing sex noises and saying that his bankers were "sweaty and ready", I was ready to change the station... I have kids who don't need to hear this.
Tony knows what he is aiming for... the lowest common denominator... which isn't really the best market to try to target, but I digress.
In general, I would suggest that a person never deal with a salesman such as him, and here is why:
He leads his company based solely on gimmicks or bad business practices
After referencing sex noises and saying that his bankers were "sweaty and ready", I was ready to change the station... I have kids who don't need to hear this.
Tony knows what he is aiming for... the lowest common denominator... which isn't really the best market to try to target, but I digress.
In general, I would suggest that a person never deal with a salesman such as him, and here is why:
He leads his company based solely on gimmicks or bad business practices
- How is he gimmicky?
- Well, he does get your attention with his corny, catchy rhymes.
- The sex noises will definitely make you pause
- How is it bad business?
- In this commercial, he noted how his accountants told him to stock up on cars prior to the end of the fiscal year... and now he's loaded down with too much inventory (his loss is your gain...)
- terrible advice to fork over a ton of money/credit just to diminish your taxable liability by a few grand.
- Prior commercials note how his supplier misread his order (I ordered 17 new cars, I got 71... help me unload the extra 54 cars)... similar commercials preceded that one, too.
- If this is a regular occurrence, he needs a new supplier.
Yes, the bad business references are jokes, but if they were serious, how do you think you'd benefit? No self-respecting business person would stay in business in this situation without cheating you. But, check the gimmick side: if his gimmicks are based on lies ("supplier can't read"), or sex noises, etc., what makes you think he won't do anything to get you a car? "Lemon? Its not a lemon, its a diamond in the rough."
Check the leader before you check the product. If the leader has no integrity, don't expect the product to have integrity. Products are a dime a dozen, it is the person that sells the product that you need to scrutinize.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Don't Mess With My Freedom of Speech!
It is common to hear someone retort "What about my/his/her/our Freedom of Speech?" when somebody disagrees with a person's comment:
For example:
"I think Jimmy Carter was in the top 5 of best presidents." - person 1
"Man, you couldn't be any dumber, could you" - person 2
"Don't mess with my freedom of speech" - person 1
This is absurd. Here's why:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
So... Congress (read "Government") shall not abridge (take away/shorten) the freedom of speech...
Unless person number 2 is some enforcer of the government, person number 2 is just spouting off ridiculousness.
Sadly, person number 2 exists a lot in our lovely 'Merica.
If you can say or write something without consequence from the government, then your freedom of speech has not been abridged, whatsoever. There are, clearly, some limits to that freedom: hate speech.
But, with freedoms come risks. So, we have the freedom to say what we want, but, the risk to it is that people, also, have the freedom to retort and ridicule us for our statements, however wise... or dumb.
Take Richard Sherman's (cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks) comments post game: “Well, I'm the best cornerback in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree that's the result you are going to get!
Because of Sherman's Freedom of Speech, he has the luxury to say what he wants... the downside/risk to Sherman's comments are the amount of social media comments that wholly oppose his actions. Uncle Sam hasn't come knocking on Sherman's door, Gestapo-style, to "correct" his comments.
Please, when someone calls you out... don't start crying about Freedom of Speech (again, of course, unless Uncle Same is the one calling you out.)
For example:
"I think Jimmy Carter was in the top 5 of best presidents." - person 1
"Man, you couldn't be any dumber, could you" - person 2
"Don't mess with my freedom of speech" - person 1
This is absurd. Here's why:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
So... Congress (read "Government") shall not abridge (take away/shorten) the freedom of speech...
Unless person number 2 is some enforcer of the government, person number 2 is just spouting off ridiculousness.
Sadly, person number 2 exists a lot in our lovely 'Merica.
If you can say or write something without consequence from the government, then your freedom of speech has not been abridged, whatsoever. There are, clearly, some limits to that freedom: hate speech.
But, with freedoms come risks. So, we have the freedom to say what we want, but, the risk to it is that people, also, have the freedom to retort and ridicule us for our statements, however wise... or dumb.
Take Richard Sherman's (cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks) comments post game: “Well, I'm the best cornerback in the game! When you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree that's the result you are going to get!
Because of Sherman's Freedom of Speech, he has the luxury to say what he wants... the downside/risk to Sherman's comments are the amount of social media comments that wholly oppose his actions. Uncle Sam hasn't come knocking on Sherman's door, Gestapo-style, to "correct" his comments.
Please, when someone calls you out... don't start crying about Freedom of Speech (again, of course, unless Uncle Same is the one calling you out.)
Who are your friends?
Do you have the perfect friends? The ones who never you let you down, agree with everything you say, like everything you like and their schedules always align with yours? No... yeah, me neither. But, how many times do you find yourself upset with them, even if to yourself, that they're not living up to your standards? I know I grumble when one of my friends just can't get it through their thick skull that I'm the genius...
Here's the thing though, when you look at your friends, are they solid friends, the ones you can fight through the differences, inconveniences and letdowns, or are they disposable? Are they worth their uniqueness?
Friends invest in one another, they work through their ups and their downs. Don't let someone's temporary shortcoming or letdown determine their ultimate standing in your eyes.
Remember, this is a two-way street. you've let them down from time to time (more times than you probably want to admit or even know)... and they're still your friend. If you're expecting your friends to only create positive experiences in your life and leave no room for error, I think you need a heart check. Something I struggle with is how close a friend can get to me. How much of my wall should I let down, how vulnerable should I be with them? A struggle within it is when a friend lets me down, I feel the need to raise the wall some, as if to punish them for their faults and that this is precious space. Don't get me wrong, you are special and who you are around is vitally important. Don't misconstrue keeping lousy friends for friends who have faults. We all have faults, but there are people who are just lousy at being friends. All they do is pull you down, suck the life out of you, cause drama, etc. Those people are not good for you.
Now, with that... here's the tension: Christ hung around 12 guys who repeatedly let Him down, some proved worthwhile, while one in particular was just not up to snuff (sorry, Judas, you didn't make the cut). Surround yourself with those who'll better yourself (not necessarily socially or in status) but as a person (though Christ wasn't in need of a boost). Always keep good company in the majority and a few that you see potential to grow along with you. These can create great moments of bonding. And these friends create great community.
Here's the thing though, when you look at your friends, are they solid friends, the ones you can fight through the differences, inconveniences and letdowns, or are they disposable? Are they worth their uniqueness?
Friends invest in one another, they work through their ups and their downs. Don't let someone's temporary shortcoming or letdown determine their ultimate standing in your eyes.
Remember, this is a two-way street. you've let them down from time to time (more times than you probably want to admit or even know)... and they're still your friend. If you're expecting your friends to only create positive experiences in your life and leave no room for error, I think you need a heart check. Something I struggle with is how close a friend can get to me. How much of my wall should I let down, how vulnerable should I be with them? A struggle within it is when a friend lets me down, I feel the need to raise the wall some, as if to punish them for their faults and that this is precious space. Don't get me wrong, you are special and who you are around is vitally important. Don't misconstrue keeping lousy friends for friends who have faults. We all have faults, but there are people who are just lousy at being friends. All they do is pull you down, suck the life out of you, cause drama, etc. Those people are not good for you.
Now, with that... here's the tension: Christ hung around 12 guys who repeatedly let Him down, some proved worthwhile, while one in particular was just not up to snuff (sorry, Judas, you didn't make the cut). Surround yourself with those who'll better yourself (not necessarily socially or in status) but as a person (though Christ wasn't in need of a boost). Always keep good company in the majority and a few that you see potential to grow along with you. These can create great moments of bonding. And these friends create great community.
What does the business world REALLY need?
Strong voice, sure footed, polished, everything-answer-man, etc. Isn't this what the picturesque business leader possesses? None of these are bad things... unless they're not you. Booooo. If you have ever sat in on a sales call, training seminar, etc., the leader, inevitably, tells the audience that what you're selling isn't the product, its you. The consumer can get the product, more or less, anywhere... what they cannot get anywhere is you. BUT, what they do not tell you, or what they don't mean, is that you shouldn't REALLY be you. You need to be form of yourself. You need to be a dash of you and a whole lot of what the industry wants.
But, my question is this: is this REALLY what the business world needs? Does the business world, or the world, in general, just need a dash of you and a hefty helping of whatever someone else wants included? What if... follow me for a second... you were actually, oh, I don't know: YOU. I am, by no means, the poster boy for being just me. I do like to put on different hats in different situations (as Paul, the apostle would say, "the to Jew, I became a Jew, to the Gentile I became a Gentile... all that I may win some" (I Corinthians 9). BUT, I think it can be noted that Paul had a very diverse background and was, ultimately being true to himself (while dying to Christ).
A person I enjoy watching, reading about in current times is John Legere.
This CEO of T-Mobile is always entertaining. He is not the "normal" CEO. On the left is his current look, on the right is his look while being the CEO of Global Crossing. What is great is that the look on the right is the traditional look of a business leader: polished, firm, trim, suit and tie, strong. But, the one on the left looks, well, off. Interestingly enough, if you ask Mr Legere what transpired the shaggy haired, t-shirt and blazer look (and VERY colorful language that only matches the brightness of his shirts), he'll tell you that this personality is who is really is. Throughout college and his early career, he had long hair, preferred colorful, bold language, and t-shirts. But, the cultures that he navigated strongly encouraged another look... a more traditional look... a look that was not so much him, but a shell of him. They wanted him for his prowess and vision, but not for his person. Finally, when coming to T-Mobile, T-Mobile needed a strong vision and plan, and couldn't really do anything other than acquiesce to him seeing as they were bleeding customers and cash. Since taking the helm, T-Mobile has been on a tear, getting subscribers left and right, bringing in new-found revenue and is surging its way towards the #3 Carrier spot with its eyes, VERY distantly on the horizon, the #2 spot. ------ ALL this say, John Legere was allowed to be his full person and because of this, the industry of T-Mobile is looking great!
But what about your industry? What if you're in a position of influence? Are you being you, or are you being a dash of you with a lot of desired culture behaviors. I do not recommend, at all, using colorful language to get your point across in NEARLY every public event (as Legere prefers to do), but I would love to see more people being themselves and not necessarily what a traditional business person looks like. If you are a suit wearing, tightly groomed man, cool, do it, rock it out. If you are a jeans-wearing, blazer guy with shaggy hair, awesome. But if you're one and trying to be the other... stop. BE YOU. God designed us all with unique characteristics not so we could bludgeon them into something else, but to show the world just how big God truly is.
Love God and be you.
But, my question is this: is this REALLY what the business world needs? Does the business world, or the world, in general, just need a dash of you and a hefty helping of whatever someone else wants included? What if... follow me for a second... you were actually, oh, I don't know: YOU. I am, by no means, the poster boy for being just me. I do like to put on different hats in different situations (as Paul, the apostle would say, "the to Jew, I became a Jew, to the Gentile I became a Gentile... all that I may win some" (I Corinthians 9). BUT, I think it can be noted that Paul had a very diverse background and was, ultimately being true to himself (while dying to Christ).
A person I enjoy watching, reading about in current times is John Legere.
This CEO of T-Mobile is always entertaining. He is not the "normal" CEO. On the left is his current look, on the right is his look while being the CEO of Global Crossing. What is great is that the look on the right is the traditional look of a business leader: polished, firm, trim, suit and tie, strong. But, the one on the left looks, well, off. Interestingly enough, if you ask Mr Legere what transpired the shaggy haired, t-shirt and blazer look (and VERY colorful language that only matches the brightness of his shirts), he'll tell you that this personality is who is really is. Throughout college and his early career, he had long hair, preferred colorful, bold language, and t-shirts. But, the cultures that he navigated strongly encouraged another look... a more traditional look... a look that was not so much him, but a shell of him. They wanted him for his prowess and vision, but not for his person. Finally, when coming to T-Mobile, T-Mobile needed a strong vision and plan, and couldn't really do anything other than acquiesce to him seeing as they were bleeding customers and cash. Since taking the helm, T-Mobile has been on a tear, getting subscribers left and right, bringing in new-found revenue and is surging its way towards the #3 Carrier spot with its eyes, VERY distantly on the horizon, the #2 spot. ------ ALL this say, John Legere was allowed to be his full person and because of this, the industry of T-Mobile is looking great!
But what about your industry? What if you're in a position of influence? Are you being you, or are you being a dash of you with a lot of desired culture behaviors. I do not recommend, at all, using colorful language to get your point across in NEARLY every public event (as Legere prefers to do), but I would love to see more people being themselves and not necessarily what a traditional business person looks like. If you are a suit wearing, tightly groomed man, cool, do it, rock it out. If you are a jeans-wearing, blazer guy with shaggy hair, awesome. But if you're one and trying to be the other... stop. BE YOU. God designed us all with unique characteristics not so we could bludgeon them into something else, but to show the world just how big God truly is.
Love God and be you.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Goals
No shame here, but I'm following the idea of the Mrs' New Year's Blog. I love the idea of New Year's Resolutions, but I don't see the NEED to have them only to begin 1-1 and to fall apart within a matter of weeks. We can always resolve to do just about anything at just about any time we desire. There is nothing magical about January 1st... as a matter of fact, its quite terrible to me here in Louisville, Ky (always COLD in January). I would have a hard time resolving to run more often if I decided to do so on Jan 1st.
The real issue that needs to be addressed are the resolutions themselves. How often do we make resolutions and never achieve the desired results? It is said that between 8-15% of people ever achieve their resolutions... "why," you ask. These are not just resolutions, but goals (goals are dreams with a timetable attached to them (stolen happily from an Acts 29 podcast). Sure, you resolve to lose weight, but do you ever take the time to say how much weight you want to lose and how you are going to go about doing this?
For example:
Resolution: I want to lose weight in 2014
Goal: I want to lose 20 lbs by the end of 2014
- How I will lose 20 lbs by the end of 2014
- Run/jog twice a week and visit the gym once a week
- the jog will be a 20 minute jog for 3 weeks, then transition to distance running of no less than 3-5 miles a run
- the gym workouts will consist of getting to 50 sit ups and 30 push ups in a sitting, then progress to light weightlifting (can still expound on this)
- I will eat vegetables at every dinner I have at home
- I will stop drinking soda during breakfast and switch to coffee
- etc.
I want to love my wife better in 2014 - sure, I want to do this, but how can I actually say at the end of the year that I have loved my wife better? Easy way to do this: think about how many times I have prayed with my wife last year... increase that number this year. How many times did I spontaneously buy her a gift/take her to her favorite places/just be with her without being prompted in 2013 (hard to count, sure, but you do have an idea)? Do it more in 2014. If I do these things more, I will most assuredly love my wife better.
Another thing to watch for is some unrealistic resolution: I want to create an assembly line that will produce robots that will reverse climate change. - HOW IN THE WORLD WILL YOU DO THIS? WHERE DO YOU EVEN START? --- Keep your resolution simple. The simpler the goal, the more likely we are to achieve it.
Lastly... write it down and keep that list in a place that we will see it regularly, even daily. By seeing it on a regular basis, we are more likely to hold ourselves accountable.
So, let's make our resolutions measurable, simple and where we can see them... then, on New Year's Eve, we can all talk about how we actually knocked out at least one of dreaded resolutions, like the other 8-15% of the world. I mean, who wouldn't want to be in that elite number? I'll see you guys at the end of the year 20 lbs lighter and 25 books smarter :)
What about you? What are your goals? What advice would you add to this?
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