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.

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