Hope from Turning the Calendar.

All of us will be inundated in the days to come with year end lists of the best of 2015 as the clock ticks towards midnight January 1.  The top ten of this, that and the other thing will be dominant items in the media, online, and in coffee house conversations.  They will be immediately followed by prognosticators who will provide their best guess about what will happen in this particular area or that one in 2016.

This writer will not do that and especially not for that critical subject of whether the Cubs will win the World Series.

It seems to me a lot of people have interest in predictions because so many of us worry or fear the unknown.  It is natural.  But unless it is addressed it can also be crippling.  Worry robs us of our strength and focus.  Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. 

But they don't have to.   When I work with teens once a week who are having a tough go of it, I sometimes say I am about to pull out the "J" card...so they know what direction I am heading.  Now you know as well.

I have worried most of my life about how this might pan out or that will work out.  And I have learned all of that worry is for naught. Because in the end, 999 times out of 1,000, everything worked out just fine.  The potential confrontation at the office never materialized, a project turned out great, my financial situation met my needs and sometimes above and beyond them.  It has lead me to believe what Jesus said, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's troubles are enough for today." (Matt.  6:24 NLT). And earlier in the passage, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life...whether you have enough food or drink or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than just food and your body more than clothing. (v. 25)

Despite the circumstances in a particular situation, just remember the bases are already covered.  I have found knowing that makes life a lot more tolerable and enjoyable.   And I don't worry about the prognosticators.

Have a great Christmas and may abundant blessings come your way in the coming year.

One other thing.  Cubs win, Cubs win!

 (Unless of course my Pirates are in the playoffs and then it's "Raise the Jolly Roger!")

Lessons from Adversity

I was tempted this past weekend to re-read Dr. Spencer Johnson’s best seller, “Who Moved My Cheese” which I have on a bookshelf somewhere in the house. It’s all about adapting to change.  I read it initially when I moved from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines in 2001 and it came to mind almost immediately as the events of the past week began to unfold.

My wife had knee replacement surgery December 7 and the anticipation (or worry) about the event quickly gave way to a major case of being scatter brained because the office was 10 minutes from the hospital.  While my thoughts, wishes and concerns for her were of course number 1 on the priority list, there are those responsibilities in the office that require at least passing attention when it comes to situations such as those from last week.

I probably should read the book again.

 I was in what felt like no man’s land.  I couldn’t concentrate at the office and when I was at the hospital I couldn’t stop checking my office email. 

Judy came home Wednesday afternoon.  By Sunday we had the routine down and she has been improving on a daily basis.  I even got a bell for her to ring if she needed something. (She hasn’t used it)  But the period between Wednesday and Sunday got dicey at times because routines were disrupted, new requests surfaced and concerns over recovery remained.

I probably should read the book again.

While the changes of the past week were challenging there was also the opportunity for growth.  Because throughout the past week and hopefully going forward, the role of caretaker actually helped us grow a little closer to each other.  And unless I am mistaken, growing closer and relying on each other is what is supposed to happen in a marriage.  There will be ripples in the water in the future but if the focus is on learning from them and growing from them, bring on the ripples.

Maybe, to be safe, I should read the book again.

I Need to Help Someone

There was a study released last month that was timed to coincide with the beginning of the Holiday season. The John Templeton Foundation did the work to find out how much people knew about a day set aside to help others. It's called Giving Tuesday and the survey indicates how sometimes its seems we have our priorities all messed up. 18 percent of those questioned knew about Giving Tuesday. 93 percent were aware of Black Friday. Something seems really wrong about those percentages. 

I understand Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.  And I would raise my hand if asked if I didn't at least check out some websites over the past few days to see who was discounting what.  Especially since the media, and I am a part of it, hammers home for weeks before Thanksgiving weekend, what a big deal the three days are in the grand scheme of things.  But maybe, just maybe, we should devote just as much attention to the other day, Giving Tuesday.

It's a day set aside to help someone else. If we pause for just a moment I am certain each one of us can think of a way to lend a hand so that we will have a positive impact on a person's life. I'll wait.....................................................................................................................  Now, take that thought and turn it into action.  Contact the organization you thought of and find out how to get involved.  If there is no structure around the area you want to help in maybe you are being called to start one with like minded people.

We can all agree, I think, that the world is a pretty dark place these days.   Your action to help in some area that will be a benefit to someone else will bring a little more light into the darkness.  And just imagine how much brighter life would be if every one spent as much time on Giving Tuesday as they do with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.

Today is Giving Tuesday. It's time to make a difference and bring a little more light into your surroundings.

Giving Thanks

This is not about Thanksgiving although it is less than two weeks away.  This has nothing to do with table grace although if you are reading this at a meal I hope you have already said thank you. ( But please read last Tuesday's blog and put down the phone)

No, this is all about what we have been given.  I have been extremely fortunate over the last 10 days to vacation with my wife on Maui. This is said not to boast but to make a point.

There are millions of people, perhaps more accurately, billions of people on the planet who will never get too  experience what I have during the last ten days.  Millions don't even know where their next meal is coming from and millions are trying to survive on less than two dollars a day.

Yet I come to a vacation destination and read on line about people complaining about the pool, less than impeccable service and an assundry other complaints which in the grand scheme of things amount to nothing more than pettiness.  Especially when consideration is given to the challenges in the world (most recently France ) and the blessings some of us have been given, the least of which is 10 days on Maui.

I gave thanks on the beach as the sun rose the morning after my wife and I arrived.  And I gave thanks as it set Monday afternoon the day before we headed home.  And I have often found myself giving thanks for home because at least I have one.

Remember to be thankful for what you have and thanks for reading this.

Be well

We're Having a Lot of Fun and We're Not Even Drunk!

Fridays are fun days for many people. A day when the atmosphere is a little less tense as we head into the weekend.  It seems the appropriate day to share an of observation of this past week that speaks volumes

As many of you know I am a recovering alcoholic.  (Currently 14 years plus this side of my last drink) So the title takes on even added significance but not for the reason you think.

I was sitting on the beach earlier this week and off to my right were two women and a man having the time of their life.  The tide was coming in off the west shore of Maui and some of the waves were getting higher than they normally do.  The three were body surfing and it became obvious they were doing it for the first time.  Each time a wave would roll in sending them toward shore only to pull them back as the undertow pulled them away from shore, there was this loud unadulterated laughter coming from the group.

I decided to get in the water  myself and one of the women said, "You should try this. We're having a lot of fun and we're not even drunk.  I replied, "Thank you for the title of my next blog post."

There are so many things in life that will give us pleasure if we just let nature work.  Waves producing laughter, smiles as a child accomplishes something, a feeling of contentment by just being aware of our surroundings.  I submit this as proof from the Pools of  Oheo at the Haleakala National Park on the southeast coast of  Maui

We can do so much, enjoy so much and experience so much without  chemical enhancement.

This is not a poster blog for abstinence.  Once of the things I miss the most is a glass of wine at dinner with my wife.  If you have no problem with it, go for it.  But don't go to excess with the idea of having fun.  You'll regret it later that night and the following day. And the fun won't nearly be as long lasting and meaningful as it is when we have full command of our senses.

It's Friday fun day.  Enjoy it,  maybe with the blog title in mind.

Be well

Take a Break and Pass the Potatoes

Take a Break and Please Pass the Potatoes

Many of you probably have a memory that goes something like this.  You would get up on a Sunday morning and go to church.  And after a sometimes invigorating sermon from the preacher (and sometimes not) it was time for Sunday dinner.  This was the only day of the week we would gather around the dining room table for a big meal that my grandmother had started cooking before she left for church.  But it was a time when the family came e together and set aside time to visit.  The family time was practically sacred and it’s why national companies like Hobby Lobby and Iowa based Fareway Food Stores still remain closed on Sunday so employees can spend time with their families. And there were several opportunities during the week at the normal dinner hour in which the family got together for a meal.

 Maybe the memories should be brought back in the 21^st Century.

The fact that fewer and fewer families spend time at the family table may be one of the reasons we find ourselves with many more dysfunctional family unit. There is relatively fresh research indicating the family unit is more cohesive if time is taken several times a week to “break bread together.”

This suggestion may make some shy away from trying and I hope not.

The dinner table should be an electronics free zone.  I concur wholeheartedly with lifestyle columnist Leanne Ely  who argues for conversation without screen time and getting some help with preparing the meal.  Social status email and texts can all wait for half an hour while we reconnect with each other after the day.  This will take work because like anything else you will have to schedule the time which competes with all the activities. The question then becomes what is more important; connecting with your mom, dad, or children  or running four different places after school or work, grabbing a granola bar, and living a post-it-note/text existence  with the family?

Are dining rooms becoming obsolete?  A recent news story we did at WHO referenced a recent survey that indicated forty five percent of the respondents said there were. We need to reduce that percentage, period.  Otherwise we will continue to head down the wrong path and we cannot afford to do that.

Would you please pass the green bean casserole.

Be well.

Confidence 101

There used to be a relatively little known saying that went something like, “When Jim picks up and a hammer and nail local building officials declare a disaster area before he takes the first swing.”

A knack for being a handyman around the house was not something I was good at.  Everything I tried seemed to end up looking terrible or not quite the way it was supposed to be, or in such a manner that even a good calking gun couldn’t save the day.  It was a sorry state of affairs.

Many years ago my church was conducting a cabin building mission effort at the Riverside Bible Camp north of Story City in central Iowa.  I volunteered, not so much because my construction expertise but  because maybe I could help in another way.  But what happened over those two summers was the novice at construction actually turned into someone who did not create a disaster on the first swing of the hammer.  It also instilled a level of confidence not available prior to the mission experience and a sense of being able to look at a situation and figure out a direction to take.  (Of course when I’m stymied I call on my youngest son Nick who is much more handyman savvy than his step dad) My confidence level is much higher these days when it come to the hammer and even a few other tools.

Confidence is “the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust:” (Oxford  Dictionary)

 I had confidence in my son to help when I would get stuck.  I contend we only have to practice doing something  in order to gain confidence.  If you are not too confident in the kitchen, start with simple recipes and master them.  Then go on to more complicated dishes.   If you lack confidence in public speaking, it will be bolstered the more you do it.  (Getting a few tips along the way from an accomplished public speaker won’t hurt.) 

I have confidence when I hire a professional in an area where I lack expertise.

I believe attaining a level of confidence will increase the more you work at the activity and it is  usually true for most activities.  

If for some other reason you find yourself still falling short, then there is nothing damaging to self-confidence if you call for reinforcements like a son, daughter, wife or a professional.

We All Need to Get Into the Game

We all need to get in the game

The excuse many people give about not having time to give back to their community is really is not relevant in most cases.  We all have time but it is how we choose to use our time which is the determining factor for whether our lives become nothing more than a poster child for the couch potato syndrome or whether we make a difference.  There seems to be an abundance of opportunities for us to sit around and occupy our time with idle tasks that at the end of the day makes many of us ask ourselves the question “What did I accomplish today.” Or, “How did I make a difference today?” Or maybe, “How did I make my community a better community today by doing my small part? “ Those questions are difficult to answer if we don’t make better use of our time.  An argument can be made that if we make a concerted effort seriously look how we spend our hours, it will quickly become evident we have an abundance of chances to answer those questions in a positive way because we got into the game.

I spent three hours sitting near Gate C-6 at Chicago O’Hare International Saturday night. There were several options to consider for occupying those three hours.  I could just hang out.  I could people watch which is a fascinating exercise in the study of the human condition.  Or I could really be productive and continue working on a major project that is coming due at the end of November.  I chose the latter and about a half hour into it the idea hit me (Creativity doesn’t necessarily announce in advance when it is going to strike)   I chose to work on the project and his post was an outgrowth of that effort.

 It is okay on some days to kick back and become part of the furniture, sit out on the porch and listen to the birds in the trees or just grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage and spend some time staring out the window.  When we recharge our batteries we become ready for the next adventure that comes our way and are usually ready to say yes to the next event we can participate in to make our community better.

Striving for balance is the key. If you seriously think you aren’t doing enough, analyze how you are using your time. There is some available to give back.  If you are doing too much, there is always time for the hot beverage and the window.  The view is usually pretty good.   Just like it was Saturday night at Gate C-6.

Be well

Those Sighs of Despair We All Experience

We all feel this way from time to time.  Sometimes all it takes is to look at our personal calendar as we struggle to actually find the date on the page before us beneath all the scribbles and notes to come to the conclusion that there is too much on our plates.   Other times we become short with a friend or a spouse because we are stressed over trying to do way too much within the limited amount of time we have in a given day.  There are also those moments when it seems to come crashing down.  We could be trying to do what many would consider to be a minor project or menial task when we become overwhelmed with despair.  

I fall into all three examples.  I stressed over when I would be able to write this for this small area of the web because I have tried to make it a point to provide some fresh insights on a twice a week basis. (Missed that last week)    My wife will tell you, and she is would not be shy about doing so,  that I can be short with her, when the day has not gone well and the proverbial plate before me is overflowing with stuff.  Much of it is really petty when you get right down to it.  There are also those times when I am alone and my heart sinks and my spirit wanes because it really doesn't seem to get any better from week to week and I lie awake at night for way too long of a time looking for answers to the questions about "How did life get to this point ?" and "How can I turn this around."

But this is not an "Oh woe is me" opportunity.  It is instead a call to find solutions to most of the predicaments I/we find myself/ourselves in as opposed to just waiting for the pity-party to begin. 

 I have learned to step away in order to keep burnout at bay. (Unintentional rhyme)

 Unless it is an urgent situation, I step away from whatever it is that has burned me out at least for 24 hours.  Stepping away allows for a fresh perspective to enter the picture.  There are a host of suggestions and much more analysis here.  

Everyone has probably heard of the need to prioritize events and tasks that will impact their lives.   I couldn't agree more.  A high school student once asked me at a convention in Baltimore," I want to find out what I am passionate about but I am involved in 20 different activities in school.  How can I decide?

 You can probably guess the answer to the question. 

 Priorities are the key.  What is important to you?  Focus on those things and leave the other stuff for someone else to worry about.

There is a myriad of sources for gaining more information about staving off burnout.  I found Carson Tate seems to have nailed it pretty much spot on in her blog of a few months ago.

Now I have to get back what I need to focus on tomorrow.....right after I spend some quality time.....walking the dog.

Be well.

A Different Wrinkle to an Old Problem

Maybe the conversation starts something like this.

"Hey Cameron, what's happening?
"Oh, not much.  Just kind of hanging out this weekend."
"Say" Jocelyn replies.  "Do you want to help at the tree lighting ceremony next weekend?  The group I'm with could use some extra hands."
"Not really Jocelyn. It's not my cup of tea."
"OK."

The conversation ends right there for a lot of people. Some would argue it would be time to just move on.  But if a slightly different approach is used from the start, our success rate for getting more people to volunteer or perhaps getting them to join the cause we hold dear will increase.

There is a school of thought I subscribe to that says we first need to find out what the strengths are of the person we are approaching and only after we ascertain some of those should we go to the next step which us asking for the volunteer commitment.  This may likely require more than one conversation which goes back to "touches" talked about in last week's blog.  It could take a couple or three cups on coffee on just as many occasions before we learn what trips their trigger.  The next cup if coffee is our opportunity.

A person is more likely to say yes if we ask them to help by using one of their strengths or passions for the project at hand.  Once they have done so, they may then be more inclined to join our cause on more than a one time basis.

Note:  This is in no way the fool proof, 100% guaranteed way to get someone to volunteer.  It's simply a tool in our arsenal as a means to get more people off the bench and in the game. It is one of several I have used over the years.

If you decide to try it I would be most interested to hear from you.  We could develop a discussion that would attract and help others find more people to give back to their community regardless of the mission.

Be well.  And enjoy that next cup of coffee.

The Stuggle to Find Volunteers

This has been happening a lot lately.  The statement often goes, "Why is it so difficult to get people to become part of an organization?"  Or a variation on the theme might be, "Why is is so difficult to get people to commit to an effort over a long term?"  Those are perplexing questions for many volunteer groups and organizations.  What follows is not backed up by years of research but more anecdotal evidence that collectively we may be asking the wrong questions at the wrong time and maybe we are not asking enough times.

A friend of mine named Steve once told me in order to get someone to do something you have to have multiple touches.  A touch is considered an encounter in which a particular subject can be broached as opposed to a physical touch.  Sometimes it takes just a couple of touches before we can convince someone to get on board.  Sometimes is takes multiple touches before that happens.   The point seems to be that unless we are flat out told "No" we need to keep asking and with each additional encounter provide the prospect with a little more information about the cause, mission or organization.  Sometimes I think we give up too easily.

There is also the notion that volunteers are hard to come by because we live in an "instantaneous" society which demands immediate gratification without committment.  This begs the question, " What would happen if we invited the prospect to get involved in a one time project or event without hitting them upside the head with the membership push?"  I have seen evidence,  first hand, of people deciding to get involved with a group or organization after they have experienced the sought after gratification through a project or event as opposed to joining something just to join it.

So maybe its is not so much how we ask but what we ask.  Maybe giving someone an opportunity to experience the rewards of volunteerism is the route to go and let the membership aspect fall into place afterwards.    We may have to ask multiple times or have multiple "touches" as Steve indicated but experience seems to dictate our success rate for engaging more people in our cause or organization will be higher with such an approach as opposed to the phrase, "Do you want to be a member?"

Next week, thoughts on how to break the ice to diplomatically pursue the new volunteer.  

Be well

That's Impossible

Perhaps a second opinion is in order to refute the title.  It's true that some things are impossible thanks to the laws of physics. It's not possible to step off of a building and not fall to the ground.  The laws of gravity dictate it will happen.  Just ask Robin Williams' character in the Movie "Fern Gully."  This is not about the laws of physics but instead about the roadblocks we put up for ourselves regarding situations that confront us in every day life.

A dilemma rears its head and we suddenly feel the situation is impossible to overcome.  There seems no way out, no alternative to the situation we face, and only angst as we come to the realization we are in one heck of a situation.  But this is where philosophy takes over.  No, not Aristotle or Plato or any of the other ancient philosophers.  This is about a philosophy for life.

It became clear for me several years ago that any time a dilemma rears its head it is not something to become discouraged over but rather it should be viewed as an opportunity.  It could be a chance for change, charting a new direction, or opening up another aspect of life that heretofore was unavailable.  The latest example was this past Saturday coming home from a conference where another attendee asked for some help with a perplexing situation. ( Never be afraid to ask for help, suggestions or guidance) I told him I would "noodle" it sine I had a five and a half hour drive home.   So utilizing my creative thinking environment (classic rock on the stereo) I waited for inspiration to show up and it did somewhere south of Hannibal, MO. So what seemed like it was impossible just a day before now had a plausible solution which could be massaged so it could apply to several scenarios.

There is always going to be a Plan B or C or something else.  We just have to be open to the possibilities that we initially do not see because the dilemma seems so insurmountable.  So when you come across a situation such as that, pause, reflect, ask others and if the spirit moves, put on some "thinking music" you enjoy.  This can also apply to dreams that seem out of reach, mountains to high to climb and chasms to great to cross.  Maybe Building 429 can help.

Be well.

Time to Step Up

An event at Drake University Thursday afternoon  and evening (9/24/15) has the hopes up of about 75 organizations in the greater Des Moines area.  The Young Professionals Connection is sponsoring its annual volunteer fair at the Olmstead Center on campus.  This is an event aimed at helping all parties involved become better and what they do and who they are.

Organizations, such as the Urbandale Optimist Club which I am representing, will gain new members and manpower as they go about the business of providing volunteer services in the community.   There was actually  a waiting list for the event as of a couple of weeks ago.    People who attend have the opportunity to take part in a couple of break out session as well as seek out options for giving back.   There have been innumerable studies and articles that show by giving back to a community through service, the volunteer is enriched and becomes a better person for doing so.

There is something about human nature that makes us want to help.  I have heard from the pulpit and elsewhere this is how we were "wired" up as a species.   We are all here to serve a purpose and to serve others. But it's ok to ask , "what's in it for me?'   It should not, however,  be the overriding factor in making the decision to step up. Volunteering allows us to serve others in so many ways and it is just a matter of finding what "trips your trigger."

There are all kinds of possibility to find that trigger at the event at Drake or at volunteer fairs in any city across the land.  We just need to get out and look for that group that help us live out our passion and in the process make the community we live in just a little better.

And who knows in the Des Moines area, some people might just become an Optimists in Urbandale.  If you are not in the Des Moines area you can learn more from Optimist International.

The Unexpected Slowdown

Change is difficult for a number of reasons.  But on this particular day it is difficult because of a lack of mobility.  A lot of people have endured plantar faciitis, which causes a lot of pain in the heel of the foot.  It also makes it difficult to get around.  My condition was first diagnosed in early August and a pain relieving injection was given.  It lasted three weeks and the condition came back with a vengeance this past week to the point of it being extremely difficult to walk.  (mowing the yard was not fun) .  Orthopedic inserts have were purchased and they are being tested out.  

This is not about seeking out a pity party but it is about a lesson learned and about being compassionate.  There is a new appreciation for those who have difficulty getting around.  I can't do what I did a month ago.  There is a new perspective for those of us who have suffered a temporary  setback of having two legs and feet that work properly or a condition that is permanent that requires assistance to get around.  It seems many times we take for granted some of the apparent simple things in life.

This is also a lesson in patience which is something I have been a little short of over the years.  The experts say this condition will go away with proper stretching exercises but it will not happen overnight. In fact, it usually takes a long time.  There is no doubt the day when the pain is gone and walking becomes a normal function again will be welcomed with open arms.  But not knowing when that day will come is excruciatingly difficult for someone who likes to have things done yesterday.

Maybe the lesson is just to slow down.  Most of us are guilty of going through life at break neck speeds in order to attempt to accomplish everything we have placed on our calendar.  Do you think we might enjoy some of them more if we took a more leisurely pace?  Maybe so.  Maybe I would have had a better understanding of the challenges faced by those who are less mobile than me if I wasn't trying to accomplish umpteen things at once and had no time to consider their situation.  The unexpected slowdown has brought that to the forefront.

Maybe the pain in the left heel was meant to be nothing more than a learning experience.

What Ever Happened to Civility

Presidential candidates calling each other names.  Political Action Committees using degrading comments about the opposition.   A teenager runs down a woman outside a school in Florida and speeds away only to be caught a few minutes later.  The woman was his mother.  Tens of thousands of people fleeing war torn countries and finding obstacles preventing them from getting to safety.  (Hungary finished its razor wire fence on the border with Serbia this week).  Just some of the examples of the downward spiral of society in this day and age. You can probably name several more instances.  This begs the question, "What can we do?

This week there is an observance called Character Day established by a group known as character.org,  The idea is to pause and reflect about positive character traits that if established at a young age can have a lasting and positive impact on a person for decades to come.  Character.org is similar to what is known as the Character Counts organization in the Des Moines area.  It now falls under the Robert D and Billie Ray Center at Drake University where former Iowa State Senator Scott Raecker is executive director.

Mr. Raecker told me during an interview Tuesday there is a golden opportunity to begin impacting some of the societal ills facing us if we just begin to talk about good character traits in the home.  By instilling the values or "pillars" of good character; trustworthiness, respect, fairness, responsibility, caring and citizenship at an early age, we can lay the foundation for a better tomorrow.  Of course there are also numerous youth based organizations and entities like schools that can and do further the effort.  But it has to start in the home or it will surely be an uphill battle

It is understood that character is just one part of the equation.  But if young people are taught those values early and carry them into adulthood we might be able to chip away at the accepted practice of mudslinging in the political arena or hiding behind the vale of anonymity in a social media post to degrade someone else.

We have to turn the corner soon.

Enjoy Character Day.   Be well.

Focus, Focus, Focus

It's been one of those weeks.  Maybe it's because it was a shortened work week and each day after Labor Day seems like it should be previous day.  (Wednesday seems like Tuesday, Tuesday seems like Monday and so forth)   But everything still seems out of sorts.   Concentration has almost been non-existent and dashing between one task or another seems to be the norm for this week.

So this post is about what I tell people when they are having trouble focusing on any one particular task, subject or event.  If you run into this kind of week or your are/have experienced one this week these simple suggestions could help.

1.  Stop the bus.  The pace of life in 2015 is such that we normally bounce between this issue, that crisis, or events that crowd our calendar.  Look yourself in the mirror and say "Wait a minute."  Then grab your favorite non alcoholic beverage and spend 10-15 minutes doing nothing.  There is something to be said for that and if you need proof, just take a look at this episode of the Coalition, published by New York Times author Tim Kreider.  It makes the point that we all need to listen to.

2.  Sort through some priorities.   I counseled a sophomore in high school several years ago about this particular need.  She approached me after a presentation in Baltimore during which I suggested they find something to be passionate about.  "But I have so many activities at school I am involved in, how do I know which one to be passionate about?"  "By whittling away at the list until you find what you truly want to be involved in and not just because your friends are involved in" was my reply.  It is a relaively quick process to reduce a list of 12 activities to three or four and you are no longer too busy.

3.  Entrepreneur Magazine has suggestions as well in a recent artcile titled "How to Stay Focused' Train Your Brain."  The simple idea of tackling the most complicated of tasks first allows you to concentrate on that one issue, leaving the rest of what is cluttering your brain for later.

I seriously need to think about the above and even more on the round trip to central Nebraska this weekend where I am doing a little training and motivational speaking.  And maybe before I go I ought to read my own blog.

Have a good weekend.   Be Well.

Confidence is King

Most of us have probably run into several people in our lives that just seem different.  This is not about those who try to stand out through the clothes they were or the accomplishments they have attained in life.  But rather it is in their day to day existence that makes them just seem different than most other people. It's because they are confident about themselves.  Or to put it as the Merriam Webster puts it. " A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something. "  How to get there is a question that goes unanswered for a lot of people so some thoughts on this day after a three day weekend.

1.  We are all good at something.  Some of us more than one thing.  Focus on those aspects of life initially and determine how you got to be good at them.  Was it practice?  Was it through study?Was it through trial and error in a real life experiences.  None of us could probably ride a bicycle properly for the first time without falling off.  Nor could most of us replace the garbage disposal without a lot of sweat, inappropriate language and most likely a leak on the first try.  (I put it in backwards the first time)  But each time we tried we probably got a little better and thus gained some self confidence about the activity or task.

2.  Move forward into an area you are not confident in by using the same approach.  You have to practice to get better at no matter what you try but its through practice that you eliminate the fear factor especially the fear of failure.  It is fear that stops us and makes us appear that we lack self confidence.   But most will agree people who are confident in themselves do not allow fear to control them.  I used to....but not any more.  

A few more tidbits.

3.  Dress Sharp.  It's not a guarantee but performance can be affected by what you wear.  Dress too casually and your demeanor will reflect it.

4.  Pick up the pace.  Have you ever noticed people who appear confident are moving quickly?  Walk a little faster and you should will notice a difference.

5. Know what you are going to say before you say it.  Blurting something our without forethought will only lead to trouble through inaccuracy, inappropriateness, or embarrassment and all three are confidence killers.

6.  Do something good for someone else daily.  Whether its in the office, at home, or volunteer work, giving of yourself will make the other person feel good about themselves and you will reap similar benefits.

Just some thoughts to start the shortened work week after Labor Day.  But you just might find yourself with a little more self confidence by week's end if you give them a try.

Investments for the Future

It is not what you think.  In fact it has nothing to do with money, retirement, the stock market or mutual funds.  Alas, a lot of people in the financial services community are probably now reaching for the mouse so they go on to another blog.

This is about something that has gained clarity over the last two years and it was just this week it fostered the idea for these words.

I oversee a number of college students in Optimist clubs on campuses in Iowa.  The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, St. Ambrose University and Waldorf College.  Efforts are underway on at  least two other campuses to create clubs.  Each is run by students through elected officers and a board of directors.  The leadership experiences are priceless because they prepare these young people for the "real world" once they graduate.

They all need guidance and a nudge here or there to get something done or to make certain they do it right. But there is also a need to let them do it.  They will learn so much more if they tackle and issue or project themselves, collaborate with fellow students to solve problems, and even an occasional misstep will become a learning experience.

I contend we sometimes get too involved in oversight and instead we should step back and let these young people explore, learn and do on their own, providing minor course corrections when needed. They usually will surprise us.  Just Wednesday night, one club president let me know of a successful recruiting drive, another texted a question that came up during a board meeting and a third met to review the ins and outs of a project her club was going to be involved in.   It was an awesome night.

There's no question the time spent with this younger generation is an investment in the future.  The giving of human capital so others can grow and then being willing to step back and watch growth happen without being too involved is a fine line to tread.  But in the end the growth of a person into a leader and responsible adult seems to carry much more weight than growth in my retirement account.

Today might just be a good day to make an investment in someone you know without any concern about a return on your investment

Thank You and Have A Good Day

Sometimes I wonder whether we pay attention enough to people who actually try to make our day a little easier or maybe just a little more pleasant.  Here are two cases in point to make the point.

I have noticed the airlines are making a more concerted effort at public relations and it comes from what many might think an unlikely place.  The cockpit.  On three recent flights I have been greeted as I deplane by a member of the flight crew; either the captain or first officer in the cockpit door. In one instance I was being wished a good day and “thanks for flying with us” from the first officer who had scampered onto the jet bridge right after the forward doors were opened.  I was greeted in the same way on my return flight and when I asked whether this was a new policy he indicated it was something the airline was trying out to see if anyone would notice.  It was noticed.

Then just this past weekend I rented a car.  Upon arriving at the Enterprise lot in Denver, I was greeted not once by seven times by seven different employees with a “hi or “hello.”  Over the top?  Maybe, since I could barely respond to one before the next greeting flew my way.  But it’s always good to err on the side of slight overkill as opposed to making the customer feel like they are just another customer.

Good PR and good customer service are so critical in business.  It can make or break a deal or be the determining factor of whether a customer become a repeat customer.  At Enterprise, it seems someone decided a dose of customer relations training was in order and from my experience it seemed to be paying off. 

But the lesson here goes beyond renting a car or buying a ticket and getting on an airplane.  It involves giving people a sense of worth or value.  Both make us feel better and out step quickens because we have been made to feel better, albeit sometimes only for a short while.  Imagine though what the day would be like if we all said hello, or thank you or paid someone a small compliment.  What if our actions made someone else feel better, or feel more confident about themselves or allowed them to escape the dreariness of their existence?

Maybe we should go out and try it today.  My guess is that if we do the messed up world we live in will be a better place.

Follow me on Twitter @jimboydspeak

Roll with the Changes

Roll With the Changes

We have all had work weeks like the one concluding today.  It started with an early morning wake-up call Monday.  My wife Judy was scheduled to have knee replacement surgery that morning.  We got to the hospital at the appointed hour and were going through the pre op procedures and the surgeon came into the room and that’s when it started to be one of those weeks.  “We’re going to have to postpone the surgery because of the rash on your feet.”  It was a crushing statement made out of an abundance of caution and the need to prevent infection.  

So the day at the hospital turned out to be a day at the office but the news just kept coming.  A member of the staff called in sick and any time a small staff is down a person life becomes difficult.  The illness stretched to Wednesday and she still isn’t 100%.

The cable guy came on Wednesday as well making me three hours late to the office.  We now have internet service again but three hours late when you are short staffed almost makes life just slightly miserable.   Then came the email.

“Jim, we know this is short notice but could you go to Glenwood Springs Colorado this weekend.  An emergency has come up and the President Ken cannot go.”  So much for the weekend at home.  More hoops had to be jumped through both at the office and personally to make it work but by mid afternoon Wednesday the plane ticket in hand.  (Because of its location, Glenwood Springs requires a three hour plus drive from Denver.)  The weekend will bring the opportunity for a couple of public presentations and a banquet speech which is what I like to do. 

Life always has a lesson to be learned from the unexpected developments thrown our way.  The lesson this week is simple but sometimes difficult to put our arms around.  When you get a curve ball thrown your way do your best to take it in stride because an emotional reaction can be dangerous.  There is a reason for everything that happens to us it just sometimes doesn’t become immediately clear. 

It reminds me of my youth  and college days…when one of the mega bands of the time tried to tell us to  Roll with the Changes   Just having fun on a Friday

Have a Great Weekend.  Be well

What You Can Learn by Sitting and Watching

What You Can Learn by Sitting and Watching

The Iowa District of Optimist International sponsors a booth at the Iowa State Fair.  Each year Optimists from around the state staff the location in the Varied Industries Building that has been ours for 10 years as a marketing tool and a means to attract more people to the cause and our organization.  This past Saturday I was manning the booth by choice from 1:00-5:00 by choice and from 5:00-9:00 out of necessity.  Eight hours is a long time to watch thousands of people pass by and talk to dozens of them.  But it also was a classroom that would make a sociologist salivate with anticipation for an opportunity to study.

Some notes then from the Iowa State Fair classroom:

1.  There are generally three types of people at the fair.  Those with anticipation written all over the race, those who don’t give a rip and those who are bored and wished they were in some other place.

2.  There are the inquisitive types “what’s this all about” is a common saying while others are oblivious like the young woman who walked into one of the steel support beams in the building while texting on her phone.

3. There are the leisurely fairgoers who meander from one exhibit to another taking it all in while others never heard of the word meander and travel at break neck speed.  My sense is the first group has less stress in their lives than the second which could be a sign to us all that the occasional meander is healthy.

4.  There is the occasional friend or acquaintance who stops by to say hi which helps break up the day.  It also confirms the notion that “you never know who you will run into at the fair. And finally,,,

5.  Children are great teachers. The Optimists hand out Dum Dum suckers to young people and the not so young as a means to get people to stop by and hopefully listen to those of us staffing the booth give the sales pitch.  The children would come up to the booth having spied the suckers from across the way with eyes as big as apples.  “Can I have one?”

“Yes, just one and you get to pick which one,” if often the reply.  This usually results is some serious calculation over whether the “mystery” flavor or one of the traditional ones is selected. 

Then there are a lot of the big kids (adults) who swoop in don’t make eye contact, grab a sucker and continue on their way, believing somehow that that have gone unnoticed,

The children, though, are different because whether they can barely see over the table to get to the Dum, Dums or whether they are in middle school, they end their stop at the Optimist booth with two words, ‘Thank you.”

Maybe adults could learn something from them.  See you Thursday.

An Impressive First Impression

Each one of us has had this experience at one time or another.  We are introduced to someone and we are not sure what to make of that person.  For a lot of us it stops there and we can lose a great opportunity to get to know someone who could easily become more than just a passing acquaintance.  The individual could become a great friend, perhaps a mentor in an area of our lives that needs that kind of help, or someone who is worthy of a step back on our part and an expression of , "Wow."

So it was the weekend of August 14-16, 2015 as I traveled to Santa Maria, California for the Pacific Southwest Optimist District Convention.  I was introduced to a man by the name of Dana LaMon and I wasn't sure what to make of him.  But having counseled others not to prejudge people based on first impressions, I decide it best to take a dose of my own medicine.

Turns out Dana LaMon is the type of person all of us should be introduced to at one point in time in our lives.  Confident, yet, humble.  Intelligent but unwilling to flaunt it. A person who carefully chooses his words so that the exact intended meaning in a sentence is delivered.  Mr. LaMon is all of those and more.  He is an accomplished motivational speaker, runs a successful business, and has community service running through his veins.  He is an author.  He told me he likes to listen to people so he can study them and draw conclusions about the human condition so it can be incorporated into his presentations as a speaker and a trainer.  It provides him with knowledge few others    He listens to people but doesn't watch them.

Dana LaMon is blind.  I had to reserve judgement right after meeting him as I said in order to practice what I preach.  I am really glad I did.  Dana was elected as the governor of the Pacific Southwest District last weekend with the full support of convention delegates and after just two days with him I concluded there are great things ahead of him. (He;s already flown a plane and confesses to not just think outside the box but to Be outside the box)

We can all learn something from any new person we meet at any given time if we avoid the knee jerk reaction and the temptation to prejudge.  If we don't hold back we could be robbing ourselves of a tremendous opportunity to learn from others and to experience the beginning of a long lasting, positive relationship.  I look forward to lmy next encounter with Dana LaMon.  www.danalamon.com

Be good this weekend and meet someone new.  Be well.

Improving the Work/Life Balance in Your Life.

So how did you score on the test from last Thursday?  Do you have a perfect work/life balance?  Are there times your personal life seems to be crowded out by the demands of your profession?  Do you answer, "What personal life?”  The suggestions include here may not work for everyone but they have consistently worked for me. Sharing experiences, it is said, is how we learn and maybe change the way we approach a hurdle in life.  So here are a few techniques.

1.  Set aside some quiet time.  We compartmentalize our lives in large part based on the appointments on our calendars.  But do to have some time written down so the only word there is "me?"  This simple step in and of itself will force you to put down the phone, ignore texts and emails, and other interruptions from the office and elsewhere. It allows you to recharge your personal batteries, relax, and take stock of the day.  I find it easiest to do this simply by staring out the window.  Some may scoff at this step but I have found it to be some of the most inspirational time I spend each day.

2. At the end of your work day, force yourself to do something non work related.  I go home and cook and have found in very therapeutic. My mind is off the office ( it has to be otherwise I might burn dinner) for the better part of an hour. It's also normally followed by a walk with the dogs sans smartphone.

3.  An off the wall idea helps greatly.  I was at a four day conference this past weekend along the central coast of California and it was a grueling four days of presentations, speeches and having to be "on" all the time.  I insisted to those who were taking me to the airport that we leave early enough for a quick dip in the Pacific.  It allowed me some space to think when the only sounds around me were children having a great time at the beach and the waves crashing ashore. The Pacific ocean may not be an option for you but my guess is something is nearby that would fit the bill.

4.  Volunteer for something on a regular basis.  Mine is divided between activities involving g my faith, working with portion of the next generation that is struggling, and Optimist International.  If I am focused on those things, the office becomes secondary. And we all should know that volunteer work is healthy for mind body and soul.

5.  Use all of your vacation time every year.  Nothing is so important at the office to warrant not taking time off. 

I do check the work email several hours after leaving g the office just to make certain there are no surprises the following morning. But the above suggestions are designed as a way to help disconnect in a healthy way from the profession we have been called to.

Until Thursday, be well.

Are You Working Too Hard and Too Much?

The school year begins in less than two weeks in Iowa.  In other states its already underway.  Which seems to make the following rather timely.  I didn't go looking for this but rather it was something contained in the dozens of emails that come my way each day at the office in the newsroom.  But it struck a cord with me because too often these days there are too many people who have found themselves way outside the norm for work life balance.   So the following test from Women's Health Magazine may be of interest.  Just follow the instructions

  Rate how well each of the following sentences describes you, using a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the response if the statement doesn't apply to you and a 4 if it really applies.  Total up your points and compare the score with parameters set up in the Results segment below.

1. I live for survival mode, racing against deadlines.
2. I've got more big projects going than the President.
3. At any one moment, I'm on the phone, checking my inbox, updating my to-do list, etc.
4. I over promise more than deliver.
5. I feel guilty if I don't reply to a work e-mail ASAP.
6. The night-shift cleaning staff at the office knows me by name.
7. It's hard to relax and unplug-even on vacation.
8. I spend way more time working than hanging with friends or family.

RESULTS:

8-16: Congrats! You're a master of work-life equilibrium. 

17-24: Warning! The job is starting to take over your world. 

25-32: Red alert! You're steamrolling toward extreme burnout with a stress level that is off the charts.

If you fall into the latter two categories there will be some tips in Tuesday's blog for how to regain the Work-life balance.   If you have already mastered it, I'd like to hear your suggestions via the comment

option below.   Enjoy the weekend....and leave the office behind.

Making Your Presentation Unique

I have learned throughout the years there are means for making your presentation stand out among all other presentations and it doesn't require a lot of work in advance of when you speak.  There are also means for making it appear you are in command when you are in front of a group of people whether it be 15, 30 or 300.  Some thoughts, then along those lines.

Video clips are becoming easier and easier to incorporated into a presentation and I have used them from day one.  They provide a break from the slide to slide routine of a Power Point presentation. They provide a degree of entertainment.  They can provide a tremendous learning tool and a connection to what you are trying to explain especially for those of us who are "visual learners. "    A two minute video clip also gives the speaker a two minute break to collect his or her thoughts and set the stage for the next segment of the presentation.

Tell a story.  People have an easier time grasping a comment if they can relate to something you are talking about.  I spoke to a conservation group one time and told the story about looking for salamanders in a creek near my home to make the point about how area landowners protected the land and water so the water was habitable.  A woman after the presentation thanked me for the story and told me about looking for frogs in the creek near her home.  A story helps a speaker make a connection with the audience.

"And now for something completely different" is a phrase made popular by the British Comedy Troupe Monty Python a few decades ago but it can really make your presentation memorable.  I gone to the back of the room to speak and have found more people paying attention when I am there as opposed to being in front of the room.  I have asked small audiences to come out into the hallway to make a point during a class.  I have used props that provide a visual demonstration of a point or help an audience connect some dots.  And of course getting audience participation beyond raising a hand and asking a question is a tool everyone should use to raise up the level of engagement....even if its a banquet speech.

People will find public speakers engaging, information and worth their time if they find there are nuggets of value that they can take away from an event.  By employing these about ideas I believe you will find more people wanting to hear your remarks and more people talking positively about them once you are finished and they are on their way home.  They'll be exited and you will have one of those feel good moments that can sometimes be elusive in this day and age.

The blog is back Thursday.  Be well.

Last Minute Prep Tips for Public Speaking

You have worked tirelessly over the past several weeks getting ready for you presentation.and finally the day has arrived,  Here are some tips for making the day go as smoothly as possible that I have found helpful.

1.  Get you where you are giving the remarks early.  I advocate no less than half an hour so you can get a "lay of the land", and to make certain all of your audio and video requirements you made to your host have been met.  If they have not, there is still time to make some last minute adjustments.  You can't do that if you walk in the door as the event begins

2.  Work the room.  I learned this from my mentor Michael Angelo Caruso (www.michaelangelocaruso.com) who advises to get out into the audience before the event begins and talk to people.  Just introduce yourself and thank them for coming because in perhaps just a small way they came to see you.  This also helps develop rapport with the audience before you begin.

3. Look Sharp.  This is old school because I am old school.  I am the speaker so I an going to dress appropriately.  If its a blue jean crowd in the audience, I am at least going to have on  dress slacks or khaki and a button down shirt.  If the audience is dressed that way, I'm pulling out the sport coat.  And if the men and ladies are in business casual mode, I have on the suit and tie. You are the speaker and a whole lot of eyes are going to be fixed on you.  Look your best.

4.  Be Yourself.  You are not Jack Canfield or Tony Robbins or any of the hundreds of others accomplished public speakers out there.  This sounds simplistic buy you are you.  To be perfectly honest, you may actually have some attributes they don't have which makes you unique.  The audience can tell when you are faking it.

5.  Have Fun.  Do not take yourself too seriously.  I enjoy being in front of people and talking to them, maybe teaching them something they did not know and occasionally making them chuckle or laugh.  Public speaking should be fun and enjoyable and not an exercise that is like  having a tooth pulled without Novocaine.

6.  By all means remember this one.  GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE YOU SPEAK!  You have enough things to remember without being uncomfortable.

This series on public speaking wraps up next week with some tips for making your presentation stand out from all the others but here are two thoughts to consider.  If you want a chuckle...check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PHnRIn74Ag  ( don't worry its harmless) And  plug before I go.  I would be happy to come you your organization or company to provide a seminar on public speaking & effective means of communicating your message.  Shoot me a note or give me a call and we can discuss.  www.jimboyd.homestead.com  Be well.

Public Speaking Preparation with the 4,2,1 Approach

There are two types of people in general when it comes to public speaking.  This deduction has not been determined by any scientific study but rather observations over the years.  You have on the one hand the person who as soon as they get confirmation they will be speaking, they begin plotting out what they are going to say.  Then there is the other group in which a person doesn't sweat it and at the "last minute" slams together some thoughts and notes and makes the presentation.   I advocate the 4-2-1 approach to preparation which over the years has made it very easy for me to get ready for remarks whether they are at a banquet, in a motivational setting or in seminar.

Four represents four weeks out from the day I am going to speak.  This is when I begin to gather thoughts, do research on the topic I am going to cover and begin blocking out major segments of the address.  As the spirit moves I begin to write.   But this is not the time to panic if the infamous writer's block creeps in.  Put the computer down and go walk the dog.  (If you don't have a dog you should get one because the benefit far outweigh any negatives).You'll be surprised how the simple exercise actually helps the creative juices flow and you'll be surprised how the simple act will make you want to go back to the computer.   Plan to have your writing done in 14 days from when you begin.

This brings us to the number two representing two weeks before your deliver your remarks.  Start reading your speech aloud so you can hear how the words flow.  If there is an area that just doesn't sound or feel right consider revising it.  If it doesn't feel or sound good to you, your audience will likely feel the same way.  The practice of reading the speech out loud also helps with memorization/familiarization of the text.  There is nothing worse than someone who reads a speech and you don't want to be that someone.  You will be surprised how much of what you have written you will remember after first writing it and then reading it repeatedly.

One, as you have probably figured out is one week before your presentation.  This is when practicing without reading your script should begin.  This immediately lets you know where there are weak spots that need to be addressed and where you are already nailing it.  This should be a daily exercise as well because, again, every time through your document or slide presentation  increases familiarity.  It will also reduce anxiety.

So now that you are ready to give that presentation they will be talking about for days what should you do on the day of the event.   See you Thursday.   Be well

Shaking in Your Boots and Why That is a Good Thing

Public speaking, which I thoroughly enjoy, is the source of great fear for many people.  There are all kinds of concerns that make the butterflies started fluttering in the stomach, from the appropriate dress for the presentation, to being able to connect the dots as the presentation is being made and how best to open and close remarks.  There is also a fear of what people will think of you as you present and whether you and your thoughts will be accepted.

The blog for the next several installments is going to focus on this area of life that causes so much consternation for people because it need not.  In fact, being scared, uncertain, antsy, or worried about speaking in public I believe can actually help you become a better public speaker.

Nervousness has two courses it can take in a speaker.  It can freeze them in their tracks because the speaker dwells so much on being scared they cannot concentrate on their remarks to the audience.  The result is a lousy presentation which also reinforces the negative experience associated with public speaking making the next one just as difficult.

The other course is actually one of motivation.  I have been speaking for well over a decade and to this day I still get a little nervous before I am introduced and suddenly I am"on."  But over these years it became apparent to me that in order for me to make a killer of a presentation I had to rise above those fears. So now, when a butterfly starts flittering in my stomach, a leg starts to quiver or I find myself wringing my hands as the inroduction begins, I mentally focus on being on top of those fears.  If I am on top of them, there is no way they can affect me.  So I am actually using fear as an assets to making a great presentation.

The butterflies become less and less as time goes on and you do become more comfortable being in front of people and talking to them because each time allow for a little more practice.  I know I am a heck of a lot better as a speaker now than I was ten years ago.  You will be too as time goes on.

Next Tuesday, the 4-2-1 approach to preparing for a presentation and what to do on the day of your remarks.

Be Well!

Great Idea; Now What

It is a very perplexing situation.  There is this idea that pops into your head and its one that could reduce or eliminate the dilemma you are facing.  But how do you know if its the right thing to do?

I have found myself from time to time frozen in indecision because of an inability to move forward with an idea.  It is extremely frustrating for someone who prefers decisivness in day to day expereicnes.  But through trial and error and a moderate dose of paitence I have found the "Cup of Coffee or Tea" approach is often the answer to the dilemma.

When that voice inside us provides an idea for a situation we are facing and we are not sure if it is the right way to go, we need only go as far as a friend.   While spouses or significant others would be the logical place to turn, their judgement could be clouded because of the relationship.  A third party is preferable to examine the idea that has been presented.

It is also critically important to ask the third party to be objective based on their knowledge of you.  There are many a times when someone who sees me from a distance will recognize a factor I have missed and it usually is something that can be a determining factor for whether I pursue the idea further or drop it.  The friend may actually be helping to prevent hurt, sorrow and even pain by analyzing the situation from a distance and turning me in another direction.

While many ideas that come from within for dealing with a perplexing situation in life appear to be good , I have found it best to first ask before acting.  The next time you have quieted yourself so the inner voice can be heard, remember it may be time for a "Cup of Coffee or Tea" with that friend. 

And maybe throw in a danish or scone too.

See you Thursday.

Creative Juices

Have you ever had a notion just seemingly pop into your head when you least expected it?  There are times such an idea may be questioned and other times it may be dismissed almost as fast as it presented itself. It might also be something that is recurring as you contemplate what it might mean.

I advocate action..  I cannot begin to count the number of times I vacillated to the point of talking myself out of acting on an idea.  It may have been fear of the consequences, believing there is "no way that could be right" or making excuses for not pushing ahead.  

I spoke recently at the Optimist International www.optimist.org Convention in New Orleans to a group of incoming leaders and was charged with getting them fired up but also how they could deal with the ups and downs of the office they were about to hold and even those situations that come out of the blue for which there are no blueprints for handling them.  I told them that's when they have to quiet themselves and wait for that notion to surface.

There is no way for your conscience to overtake the overwhelming buzz that exists in our lives today.  Computers, cellphones, social media, blogs, (including this one) family, friends, our employer and everything else make our 24/7 lives cry out, at times,  for a few more hours in one of those days. Or there is the alternative.  Simply set aside some time to disconnect. 

 It's like the backyard exercise related in Tuesday's blog. When we get rid of all the clutter, that's when ideas will surface and maybe those ideas that come along will enable you to overcome whatever hurdle is standing in your way.  It's what I told the incoming leaders of Optimist International to do and I am certain it will help them.  There will be a few steps to take so it can help you, in next Tuesday's blog.  

Make it a good weekend

Unexpected Inspiration

It is sometimes almost funny when an idea surfaces that in turn can get the creative juices flowing.  Last, Sunday was a prime example of this out of the blue phenomenon.

I enjoy vitamin D.  I like how I feel after getting a dose.  Sunday afternoon was a perfect opportunity for one.,  The temperature was in the low 80's  The humidity that had plagued Iowa for the past week was gone.  There was an ever so gentle breeze from the north.  It seemed only appropriate to put a lawn chair out n my postage stamp of a back yard, point it slightly to the southwest and recline with eyes shut, ball cap on, water bottle within arms length and the proper amount of sunblock.

It hit me within five minutes which is when I saw two squirrels chasing each other through a neighbors oak tree. Being still, in the quite of a Sunday afternoon interrupted only by the occasional hum of the neighbor's 30 year old air conditioner, is a tremendous opportunity to position ones self for ideas to pop into your head.  One of my grandchildren recently commented as she sat on our deck one overcast and rainy day how peaceful it was near the postage stamp.  It was peaceful last Sunday to the point of coming up with the the framework for a series of blog posts on the topic of "Unexpected Inspiration,"  the first installment of which is being shared here.

This won't be rocket science.  But it will, I hope, provide readers with suggestions for getting past roadblocks in their lives by creating an environment for problem solving, creativity and peace.  I am hard pressed at the moment to thing of something more peaceful that watching squirrels in an oak tree chase each other while basking in the sun on a picture perfect day in the back yard.

Next post on Thursday.

An Interesting Change of Pace

I've come to believe that there is a lesson to be learned in every experience whether expected or unexpected. So it has been over the last two weeks ending July 3rd.

I spent the first 20 years of my broadcast journalism career in Cedar Rapids at WMT before moving to Des Moines to be news director at WHO .  Late May brought word of a resignation at the station in Cedar Rapids who was one of the last people I hired before moving on.  The departure came at a time when another news person was on a promotional trip for the station meaning there were not enough news people to cover the bases.

I had seen a couple of the emails asking for help.  I later learned they were sent in my direction because of my problem solving capabilities. I do not say that to be boastful but am relaying the comments of a superior. There was a very straightforward answer to the dilemma.  I would say I would do it, ask for some additional compensation and a place to stay and to iron out all the details and responsibilities that had to be covered at WHO in Des Moines during my absence.  Everything was squared away in a couple of days.

The two weeks in Cedar Rapids were a trip back through an earlier part in life. Yes, most of the faces had changed, there was a new coat of paint on the walls, but it still vividly reminded me of the time from 1980-2001 that I spent at WMT, even to a flashback of walking in the door at 4:00 AM and throwing on the light switch as the first person in the building.  I renewed some old acquaintances, but more importantly the experiences of the past made the transition, albeit a short one, from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids very easy.
You will be surprised, if you just look for it,  how much experiences and memories can play in your life today.  Something that may have happened several years ago can be applied to a current experience.  It can guide you and make whatever it is you are doing now easier and better than it would have been otherwise. There will still be frustrations but I submit fewer of them if you rely on the road already traveled for some guidance.

Even if it is at 4:00 AM.

Hope from a Younger Generation

I had a the good fortune of attending an oratorical contest this past weekend conducted by the Dakotas, Manitoba and Minnesota District of Optimist International.  The oratorical contest has been one of the bedrock programs of the organization for decades (it began in 1928) and currently awards winners at the district level a $2,500 scholarship in the young man and young woman division.  There is even word on the street saying the organization plans to expand the competition in the coming year with cooperation from St. Louis University..

But back to this past weekend.  Four young men and nine young women were in competition and their speeches and performances were nothing short of astounding.  They had to prepare a four to  five minute speech on the topic of "How My Optimism Will Help Me Press On To Greater Achievements of the Future."

The 13 contestants were poised, well prepared, and demonstrated they had practice their remarks time and time again. (I wasn't even close at that age.)  The subjects selected by these high school students demonstrated the depth and breadth of their understanding.  Human trafficking, the power of positive thinking when life isn't so positive, interviewing yourself as a teenager when you are in your mid 40's about what to expect in life and why remaining positive is important were just some of them.  There was one who actually got the audience to participate in the end of her speech so that she could make her final point.  (audience participation in public speaking is critically important) There was the young man who used Robin Williams as a reason and inspiration for him to go into acting. And there was another young man  who used a comment from a sophomore that he would never make it to an Ivy League school, to make him double down on his studies to achieve his dreams.  

He's going to Yale next fall.

This post is titled Hope from a Younger Generation because it is clearly evident from the speeches given May 1, 2015 in Watertown, South Dakota that many of our young people are aware of the challenges we face today in society.  It was also evident they want to be able to do something about it and hope to be able to use optimism as a guiding principal.

Their dreams, desires and determination are being multiplied in speeches across the country this spring as part of this scholarship competition.  They took time out from their busy lives as high school students to examine themselves and their surroundings and found issues and challenges that could be impacted by some optimism and a willingness to apply it to do some great work.

  Maybe all of us should consider doing the same.  My guess is if we did, our neighborhoods and communities would be much better places than they are today.  It is why there is "Hope from a Younger Generation."

Bird's Eye View

There are times for seriousness when it comes to blog post.   Some of them will make us think, some could provide valuable information to protect us from those who would do harm and some will create an emotional response that prompts us into action.

There there are posts like this one.  I saw this several weeks ago while at the office.  It was like many things these days that came across the Twitter feed. Now there is no doubt a lot of nonsense that makes it way onto Twitter but there are times when something comes up that is just plain fun

So I thought I would share.

I've been in Des Moines for almost 14 years.  When I came to the city the western part of the downtown area looked a lot like the pictures you would see of decaying cities in the 70's.  Run down buildings, crumbling parking lots, street lights that worked for the most part, and the occasional adult book store.  The east side wasn't much better.

But there has been a renaissance during the past decade.   Anyone who pays attention will know that the city and the surrounding area has been named numerous times as one of the top places in the country, to live, work and raise a family.   The downtown looks nothing like it did shortly after the 21st century began and the improvements are continuing.  Just this week elected officials took steps to begin the process of building a $100 million dollar convention hotel adjacent to the Iowa Events Center.  There are several projects under construction or planned for the near south side, and outside Des Moines, the building has been non stop in places like Ankeny, and West Des Moines.

By the way, this is going somewhere. It's actually going a couple to a few hundred feet above the city.  Cullen Powers gets credit for it.  He's the one who flew the drone over the city numerous times to give us quite a view of how far Des Moines has come in a little over a decade.

Enjoy.  Des Moines from Above