It was recently reported that British Airways asked its entire staff to take one to four weeks of unpaid leave and that the employees that choose to take the unpaid leave also have the option of working during that time. Talk about a creative way to work yourself out of financial debt.
I can understand where the company is coming from with this. They want to be able to save some money to help offset the financial losses, they continue to encounter, while keeping the planes flying. However, to ask a person to work for free, I just don’t get it. Now don’t get me wrong I am all for doing what is right and mission first, but when a company can just be blatant enough to ask for volunteers to skip a paycheck and work is a little off, if you ask me. There may be some method to this madness and everything is just right. Then again, maybe I really don’t see anything else, other than this is wrong on so many levels.
Now, I am also fairly certain that more than a few employees will step up and do what British Airways is asking of them to do. Hopefully, the company will truly recognize how much they are taking one for the team and give them something back. Time will tell on that one.
This should be an interesting experiment to see how well it is actually received and see how many other organizations will attempt to copy.
Referencing article:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/06/16/british.airways.work.free/index.html
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17 June 2009
13 June 2009
Asking for Help
Another path in becoming a leader is recognizing the fact that at some point in your life you are going to need help in getting something done. There are no two ways about it, asking for and getting help will show to you and everyone else that you are human. It shows that you are not all knowing and all seeing. It also shows that you are willing to learn and grow as an individual and as part of the team. Asking for help shows everyone that you need them just as much as they need you. This leads to showing your authenticity and genuineness, which will go a long way towards building your reputation as someone who is not afraid of being a leader but also of someone who is not afraid of being a follower.
Asking for help is a perfectly acceptable thing to do as it does not matter whether the help comes from peers, subordinates, higher up, or outsiders so long as you get it when you ask for it. Do not be embarrassed asking for help as this is how we learn, this is how relationships are built, and this is how we form bonds that will be mutually supporting and strong.
Something else, do not worry about what other people will think about you. At one point, they asked questions and asked for help. If they never asked for help they would not be in the position they are in now, remember ‘we need each other to succeed’. No one goes into a new job or starts a new career by going in on the first day with an “I know everything” attitude, if they did they would not be there very long or they would be quickly put in their place by those that do.
A few things to keep in mind when it comes to asking for help.
In the end, asking for help also opens the door for those that will need help from you to feel at ease when it is their turn to ask for help. If it is in your power to provide the help, then don’t forget the magic words: “Yes”, “Please”, “Thank You” and “You’re Welcome”. If by some miracle you cannot provide them with the help, then go out of your way to find someone who can. Asking for help is part of being a leader. Remember, being a leader is also being a follower, so please go ask for help, Thank you for your time.
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• Dave Guerra • Lead • Leader • Leadership • Help• Asking+for+help • Thinking • Deducing • Deciding • Be Decisive • Act • Be • Know • Do • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Asking for help is a perfectly acceptable thing to do as it does not matter whether the help comes from peers, subordinates, higher up, or outsiders so long as you get it when you ask for it. Do not be embarrassed asking for help as this is how we learn, this is how relationships are built, and this is how we form bonds that will be mutually supporting and strong.
Something else, do not worry about what other people will think about you. At one point, they asked questions and asked for help. If they never asked for help they would not be in the position they are in now, remember ‘we need each other to succeed’. No one goes into a new job or starts a new career by going in on the first day with an “I know everything” attitude, if they did they would not be there very long or they would be quickly put in their place by those that do.
A few things to keep in mind when it comes to asking for help.
- Don’t do it all the time, when you do, you run the risk of being labeled as someone who really shouldn’t be where you are.
- Before asking for help, know exactly what you need help with. I know, I know, if you knew what you needed help with in the first place you would not be asking for help. So think things through and determine if need help rebuilding a carburetor or just help removing it from the engine block.
- At some point, you are going to have to make the decision to ask for help based on what will happen if you do not get help with whatever you are doing. Sticking with our carburetor example, you can try rebuilding it while it is still mounted on the engine block, but the last thing you want is for the flywheel spring to go flying off into the nether regions of your garage or land somewhere in your front yard, never to be seen from again.
- Now you have made the decision to ask for help, what next? Well just like you won’t go to the dentist to talk about your 401k and just like you won’t go to your priest, pastor, or minister for advice on how to secure your Wireless network at home, the same applies here. You need to figure out who you can ask for help. Ask someone who knows what they are doing or if they don’t, ask someone who has an idea who to ask for help.
- Step up and Ask for help. No need to be fancy or beat around the bush, just ask. Also, don’t talk down to anyone you ask for help from, that is the most surefire way to get a NO. Look them right in the eye (ALWAYS MAKE EYE CONTACT) and ask for the help you need. Give them all the information about what it is you want done, what you tried, and remember the magic words to say: “Please” & “Thank You”.
In the end, asking for help also opens the door for those that will need help from you to feel at ease when it is their turn to ask for help. If it is in your power to provide the help, then don’t forget the magic words: “Yes”, “Please”, “Thank You” and “You’re Welcome”. If by some miracle you cannot provide them with the help, then go out of your way to find someone who can. Asking for help is part of being a leader. Remember, being a leader is also being a follower, so please go ask for help, Thank you for your time.
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09 June 2009
Becoming
Do you know someone who can influence people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization?
Are you that someone or do you believe that you can become this kind of a person?
While it may sound like one, this is not an ad for some miracle pill or supplement that will make you the life of the party or cure whatever ails you.
That is the US Army’s definition of a leader.
Read it again and look around you. Do you recognize anyone that displays the abilities mentioned in the first paragraph? Ask yourself “Are they leaders?” then ask yourself how do you become a leader or do you have what it takes?
I come from the school of thought that believes that leaders are born and not made. I really believe that every one of us is born a leader. It is how we are raised and our environment that influences what level of leaders we eventually become. I also believe that all leaders are followers, so do not despair if all you see yourself as is a follower. Being a follower means you are on the right path to becoming a great leader.
So how does one become a leader? Becoming a leader does not mean that because you have degree you are automatically a leader. Becoming a leader does not mean that because you have a job title that calls on people to report to you, you are automatically a leader. To become a leader you have to be recognized as a leader by your peers, your co-workers, your community, and above all you. Simply, when you recognize that you have something genuine and authentic to give back to your co-workers, peers, and community and are doing that; giving back, then you can you be recognized as a leader and not one moment sooner.
When does this happen? There is no magic pill or daily supplement to becoming a leader. You just have to try everyday and do you best no matter what it is. Eventually, it will happen, just like the guy asked, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall” and was told to “Practice, Practice, Practice.”
Take the day and make it yours. Seize the day. Carpe Diem.
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Are you that someone or do you believe that you can become this kind of a person?
While it may sound like one, this is not an ad for some miracle pill or supplement that will make you the life of the party or cure whatever ails you.
That is the US Army’s definition of a leader.
Read it again and look around you. Do you recognize anyone that displays the abilities mentioned in the first paragraph? Ask yourself “Are they leaders?” then ask yourself how do you become a leader or do you have what it takes?
I come from the school of thought that believes that leaders are born and not made. I really believe that every one of us is born a leader. It is how we are raised and our environment that influences what level of leaders we eventually become. I also believe that all leaders are followers, so do not despair if all you see yourself as is a follower. Being a follower means you are on the right path to becoming a great leader.
So how does one become a leader? Becoming a leader does not mean that because you have degree you are automatically a leader. Becoming a leader does not mean that because you have a job title that calls on people to report to you, you are automatically a leader. To become a leader you have to be recognized as a leader by your peers, your co-workers, your community, and above all you. Simply, when you recognize that you have something genuine and authentic to give back to your co-workers, peers, and community and are doing that; giving back, then you can you be recognized as a leader and not one moment sooner.
When does this happen? There is no magic pill or daily supplement to becoming a leader. You just have to try everyday and do you best no matter what it is. Eventually, it will happen, just like the guy asked, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall” and was told to “Practice, Practice, Practice.”
Take the day and make it yours. Seize the day. Carpe Diem.
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• Dave Guerra • Leader • Be • becoming a leader • community • peers • co-workers • Born Leader • practice • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Teachable Moments
You have probably heard the term “A Teachable Moment” but do you know what a Teachable Moment is? It is defined as an "unplanned opportunity that arises in the classroom where a teacher has an ideal chance to offer insight to his or her students." Something to remember, a teachable moment does not have to happen in a classroom and there is no rule that it has to be a teacher that does the teaching.
Having said that, you can be the teacher or you can be the student. If you have something to share with someone then do it, share that something. Take that moment and teach something. Remember, “a teachable moment is not something that you can plan for; rather, it is a fleeting opportunity that must be sensed and seized by the teacher.” This means that they can happen at any moment so take advantage of those moments when they arise. You may ask yourself how will you know when the moment arises, the answer is you will know there will be a moment when something needs to get done and you are the only person in the room that knows how to get it done. You then feel confident that those around you are ready to learning how to do what needs to get done or are ready to learn what you are about to teach them. Then that is the moment, remember if you don't yet feel comfortable, it is OK, do it when you are ready.
Something else that is important, seizing the opportunity to have a teachable moment will go a long way towards building your credibility, authenticity, and respect. All of which will make you a leader in the eyes of the people you are teaching. They will see that you are genuinely interested in them enough to teach them something. Whether it is a tip or a trick that will shave minutes or hours on how they do their job or something that will save them money, they will value what you have given them. When you impact someone's life in a manner that impacts them for a long time and if you can save them time or money (especially money) you have shown your value as a leader to everyone you have taken the time to teach.
A giant step in becoming a leader is sharing what you know.
References used today:
http://k6educators.about.com/od/educationglossary/g/gteachmoment.htm
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Having said that, you can be the teacher or you can be the student. If you have something to share with someone then do it, share that something. Take that moment and teach something. Remember, “a teachable moment is not something that you can plan for; rather, it is a fleeting opportunity that must be sensed and seized by the teacher.” This means that they can happen at any moment so take advantage of those moments when they arise. You may ask yourself how will you know when the moment arises, the answer is you will know there will be a moment when something needs to get done and you are the only person in the room that knows how to get it done. You then feel confident that those around you are ready to learning how to do what needs to get done or are ready to learn what you are about to teach them. Then that is the moment, remember if you don't yet feel comfortable, it is OK, do it when you are ready.
Something else that is important, seizing the opportunity to have a teachable moment will go a long way towards building your credibility, authenticity, and respect. All of which will make you a leader in the eyes of the people you are teaching. They will see that you are genuinely interested in them enough to teach them something. Whether it is a tip or a trick that will shave minutes or hours on how they do their job or something that will save them money, they will value what you have given them. When you impact someone's life in a manner that impacts them for a long time and if you can save them time or money (especially money) you have shown your value as a leader to everyone you have taken the time to teach.
A giant step in becoming a leader is sharing what you know.
References used today:
http://k6educators.about.com/od/educationglossary/g/gteachmoment.htm
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08 June 2009
A New Week Begins
Last week, I started talking about Excellence and its importance when it comes to getting ready for the future, your future. I also alluded to being a Leader and being a Manager and how the two are not the same thing. Again, I will defer discussion for a later time.
Now, I want to talk about the best friend to Excellence and that is Quality. Did you know that Quality comes from Training? Therefore, the more training you have, the greater the opportunity for quality and excellence to enter your life and become a big demanding part of it.
Again, I turn to my good friend Tom Peters. In a recent list of 136 Random Thoughts on Quality, Emphasizing the Variables That Are Often Missing in Conventional Quality Programs, there is one random thought that I want to expand on: Quality is religiously learning one new thing every day.
Everyday, we learn something new whether we want to admit it or not. It is there and it happens. Now, of course some of us learn something by listening to the news on the way to work or we learn something from our textbooks or it might just be some random fact we stumble across on the Internet. So, does this excuse you or me from learning something new everyday? No.
In the context that I am talking about, learning something new everyday is to make a conscious effort to learn something. Whether it is how to tie a half-hitch knot or how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius and back again, you make the effort and learn something.
Now, here is the kicker:
Once you learn something, teach it to someone else.
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Now, I want to talk about the best friend to Excellence and that is Quality. Did you know that Quality comes from Training? Therefore, the more training you have, the greater the opportunity for quality and excellence to enter your life and become a big demanding part of it.
Again, I turn to my good friend Tom Peters. In a recent list of 136 Random Thoughts on Quality, Emphasizing the Variables That Are Often Missing in Conventional Quality Programs, there is one random thought that I want to expand on: Quality is religiously learning one new thing every day.
Everyday, we learn something new whether we want to admit it or not. It is there and it happens. Now, of course some of us learn something by listening to the news on the way to work or we learn something from our textbooks or it might just be some random fact we stumble across on the Internet. So, does this excuse you or me from learning something new everyday? No.
In the context that I am talking about, learning something new everyday is to make a conscious effort to learn something. Whether it is how to tie a half-hitch knot or how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius and back again, you make the effort and learn something.
Now, here is the kicker:
Once you learn something, teach it to someone else.
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05 June 2009
Speaking of Training and Add A Touch of Excellence
No sooner that I post about Training that someone goes out and proves me right.
Big Congratulations!!! to the “Big Unit” Randy Johnson, Pitcher for the San Francisco Giants on becoming one of only 25 professional baseball players to win 300 games as a pitcher.
Since 1988, at the age of 24, with the Montreal Expos Randy Johnson has been going the distance. Having played in over 600 baseball games and starting in 597 of them he is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Trust me, when it comes to winning half of all the games you play in you are a force.
As I wrote in my previous post, rest assured Randy Johnson did not walk out to the pitching mound one day in Montreal and say "I'm going to pitch 600 games and win 300 of them as a professional baseball player." Far from it, as a matter of fact it was a little more than three years from the day he was drafted by the Montreal Expos to the day he took to the pitching mound. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Johnson was drafted on June 3, 1985 and did not throw with the Expos until September 15, 1988, that’s 3 years and 3 and half months later. Think about this: most baseball draftees don’t ever get a chance to see the inside of a professional baseball stadium from field level.
Anyone care to guess what he was doing for those 3 years? He was training, practicing, training, and pitching in the minors until he got called up to play in the Big League. While waiting, he was paying his dues in the form of getting better and along the way proving to himself and those that drafted him that he was the star that the Expos saw in him when they drafted him.
So what is this mean to you? It means what you want it to mean. For everyone else, it means that you might just have to wait three or four years before you get your shot, but those are three or four years that you get to build your reputation, master your skills, increase your knowledge, and above all it means you mature and grow as an individual.
Of course, there are times it might not take three or four years, it may take longer or it may take less. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be ready for when that call comes, because if you don’t answer the call on the first try, it might just be a long time before the next call comes.
Remember, that when you get the call to the Big League, it means that someone has recognized your ability to produce what they want. Believe me, they will want nothing short of Excellence, I guarantee they will demand it and you better be delivering Excellence in everything you do.
The question I ask you is: Are you Training now to be ready for when the call comes?
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Big Congratulations!!! to the “Big Unit” Randy Johnson, Pitcher for the San Francisco Giants on becoming one of only 25 professional baseball players to win 300 games as a pitcher.
Since 1988, at the age of 24, with the Montreal Expos Randy Johnson has been going the distance. Having played in over 600 baseball games and starting in 597 of them he is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Trust me, when it comes to winning half of all the games you play in you are a force.
As I wrote in my previous post, rest assured Randy Johnson did not walk out to the pitching mound one day in Montreal and say "I'm going to pitch 600 games and win 300 of them as a professional baseball player." Far from it, as a matter of fact it was a little more than three years from the day he was drafted by the Montreal Expos to the day he took to the pitching mound. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Johnson was drafted on June 3, 1985 and did not throw with the Expos until September 15, 1988, that’s 3 years and 3 and half months later. Think about this: most baseball draftees don’t ever get a chance to see the inside of a professional baseball stadium from field level.
Anyone care to guess what he was doing for those 3 years? He was training, practicing, training, and pitching in the minors until he got called up to play in the Big League. While waiting, he was paying his dues in the form of getting better and along the way proving to himself and those that drafted him that he was the star that the Expos saw in him when they drafted him.
So what is this mean to you? It means what you want it to mean. For everyone else, it means that you might just have to wait three or four years before you get your shot, but those are three or four years that you get to build your reputation, master your skills, increase your knowledge, and above all it means you mature and grow as an individual.
Of course, there are times it might not take three or four years, it may take longer or it may take less. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be ready for when that call comes, because if you don’t answer the call on the first try, it might just be a long time before the next call comes.
Remember, that when you get the call to the Big League, it means that someone has recognized your ability to produce what they want. Believe me, they will want nothing short of Excellence, I guarantee they will demand it and you better be delivering Excellence in everything you do.
The question I ask you is: Are you Training now to be ready for when the call comes?
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04 June 2009
Train…Train…Train
In this morning version of the Tom Peters Daily Quote, Tom wrote “Train! Train! Train! (Growing people outperform stagnant people in terms of attitude and output--by a wide margin.)”
When I read it I instantly thought of every Gold Medal Winner in the Olympics, every Super Bowl winning NFL team, and every World Series winner as great examples. They all trained and trained and trained and look where it got them: the top of the world. At that moment there are no others better than them, but rest assured someone is training to take their place.
But it is not all about sports, think about every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine that is serving or ever served. The government does not just put uniforms on people and then sends them off to fight a war. The military invests the resources into changing a civilian into a professional fighting person by training them. Training is what will save lives and accomplish the mission.
Everyone that works has had to train to get the job they have. No one ever walked up and got a job without knowing how to do the job. If they did, they didn’t last very long as their inability to do the job effectively was quickly realized. Besides, knowing what to do is the reason we went to school.
Every successful company trains. They train using simulations, long range forecasting, and they run readiness drills to ensure that things will go as planned and if not then as closed to planned as possible.
So what is the common denominator? Training.
Someone once said “Sweat more today and bleed less tomorrow”
This applies in the work place, the classroom, just as much as it applies on the battlefield.
Train! Train! Train!
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When I read it I instantly thought of every Gold Medal Winner in the Olympics, every Super Bowl winning NFL team, and every World Series winner as great examples. They all trained and trained and trained and look where it got them: the top of the world. At that moment there are no others better than them, but rest assured someone is training to take their place.
But it is not all about sports, think about every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine that is serving or ever served. The government does not just put uniforms on people and then sends them off to fight a war. The military invests the resources into changing a civilian into a professional fighting person by training them. Training is what will save lives and accomplish the mission.
Everyone that works has had to train to get the job they have. No one ever walked up and got a job without knowing how to do the job. If they did, they didn’t last very long as their inability to do the job effectively was quickly realized. Besides, knowing what to do is the reason we went to school.
Every successful company trains. They train using simulations, long range forecasting, and they run readiness drills to ensure that things will go as planned and if not then as closed to planned as possible.
So what is the common denominator? Training.
Someone once said “Sweat more today and bleed less tomorrow”
This applies in the work place, the classroom, just as much as it applies on the battlefield.
Train! Train! Train!
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31 May 2009
Dave Carries On and On #1
Just a quick little something for you:
I got this in an email newsletter today. Thought I would share it with all the parents out there:
“The psychologist Erik Erikson discovered that, while little girls playing with blocks generally liked to create pleasant interior spaces and attractive entrances, little boys are inclined to pile up the blocks as high as they can and then watch them fall down: “the contemplation of ruins,” Erikson observes, “is a masculine specialty.”
Obviously, this guy never spent five minutes in my house.
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• Dave Guerra • My Son • My Daughter
I got this in an email newsletter today. Thought I would share it with all the parents out there:
“The psychologist Erik Erikson discovered that, while little girls playing with blocks generally liked to create pleasant interior spaces and attractive entrances, little boys are inclined to pile up the blocks as high as they can and then watch them fall down: “the contemplation of ruins,” Erikson observes, “is a masculine specialty.”
Obviously, this guy never spent five minutes in my house.
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• Dave Guerra • My Son • My Daughter
29 May 2009
Time To Get Set, Time To Get Ready
This is the last weekend before the start of the 2009 Hurricane Season. In a couple of days it will be June 1, 2009, and the 2009 Hurricane Season will begin. The season seems to be getting a head start as Tropical Depression 1 has formed over the Atlantic Ocean. According to the NWS as of 11:00am ET, the storm was located approximately 310 miles south of Providence, Rhode Island and moving out to the North Atlantic. While there is almost no chance of TD 1 striking land, it is an opportune time to think about the coming season.
Make this coming weekend the "your get ready weekend". Get your plan in order, run a complete data backup of your system, and make sure you and your organization share the plan with all the staff, especially when it comes time to ask for volunteers. As the storm is making landfall is not the time to be asking for help, you should already know who can and cannot help. It is that simple.
For those of you that live in the Gulf Coast region, share your plan with your family and friends that way they know what your plans are.
I will be sharing more with you throughout the season. So, for now go get ready.
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Make this coming weekend the "your get ready weekend". Get your plan in order, run a complete data backup of your system, and make sure you and your organization share the plan with all the staff, especially when it comes time to ask for volunteers. As the storm is making landfall is not the time to be asking for help, you should already know who can and cannot help. It is that simple.
For those of you that live in the Gulf Coast region, share your plan with your family and friends that way they know what your plans are.
I will be sharing more with you throughout the season. So, for now go get ready.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
2009 Hurricane Season, Weather Event, Tropical Depression, Tropical+Storm, Hurricane, Hurricane Season, DRBC, DRBC Planning, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, storm, Flooding, Gulf Coast, Texas, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mississippi, Gulf Port, Alabama, Mobile, Florida, Panama City, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami, Dave Guerra, Deep South Texas, Give to the American Red Cross, Hire A Hero
28 May 2009
Something About Reading Business Books
Last night, I was turned on to an interview with Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores in last Sunday's New York Times by my good friends over at 800CEOREAD.com. This was rather timely considering that yesterday morning I posted a blog post about my Summer 2009 Recommended Reading list.
The interview while condensed seems to have covered a broad range of categories, chiefly centered on business (what else). There was one question that mentioned specifically reading business books, which by sheer luck and coincidence my reading list happens to consist of. The question was "So you find that people make business more complicated than it is" and the answer was:
To me, what Castro-Wright is saying is that if the business books say get a consultant, the new CEOs will get a consultant. If this is the case, then based on Mr. Castro-Wright's logic if the business books say CEOs to take their management team and have them jump off a bridge, they'll do it? Of course they won't do it, but I guarantee some CEOs will definitely think about it. Imagine the title of that book: "The CEO's Guide To Jumping Off A Bridge And Other Ways To Get Your Company Back On Track."
But I digress. Now, don't get me wrong I am not belittling Mr. Castro-Wright's 30 years of work in management. I have just about 24 years of work in management and leadership. I do understand where he is coming from I admire and respect that. Unfortunately, too many times I have been witness to some of the strangest and sometimes stupidest things that CEOs, field administrators, and branch managers have ever done and I know I will see that happen again in the future. I guarantee it.
What I am saying is, that no matter which are read and how you interpret it should not be a replacement for common sense. Common sense when used 100% of the time will take you places you've never been and gain you the respect you never had. When people respect you then you are a recognized leader. Therefore, when it comes to leading and managing people I am a firm believer in if it is not broken then we're not going to fix it. I also firmly believe that to break something just for the sake of breaking it, is also bad form especially if you are in a position of management and quite possibly a leadership you cannot afford to behave in such a manner.
We will talk more about this later but I do want to throw this out now to you: a manager is not a leader and a leader is not necessarily a manager. Please know and understand this, as the two are not synonymous but at times polar opposites. Like I said more on that later.
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The interview while condensed seems to have covered a broad range of categories, chiefly centered on business (what else). There was one question that mentioned specifically reading business books, which by sheer luck and coincidence my reading list happens to consist of. The question was "So you find that people make business more complicated than it is" and the answer was:
"No doubt about it. I think that all of us read far too many business books. I’ve worked 30 years now in management roles, and a number of times I’ve seen a new C.E.O. come in, and the first act is typically to get the leadership team to an offsite. And you get a consultant - because you can’t do it without a consultant - and the consultant then helps the team design a vision. And then you’ve got all these words, and several thousand dollars and a couple of days of golf later, you go back to the company to actually try to communicate that vision throughout the organization. So you hire another consultant to do that. It shouldn’t be like that.
To me, what Castro-Wright is saying is that if the business books say get a consultant, the new CEOs will get a consultant. If this is the case, then based on Mr. Castro-Wright's logic if the business books say CEOs to take their management team and have them jump off a bridge, they'll do it? Of course they won't do it, but I guarantee some CEOs will definitely think about it. Imagine the title of that book: "The CEO's Guide To Jumping Off A Bridge And Other Ways To Get Your Company Back On Track."
But I digress. Now, don't get me wrong I am not belittling Mr. Castro-Wright's 30 years of work in management. I have just about 24 years of work in management and leadership. I do understand where he is coming from I admire and respect that. Unfortunately, too many times I have been witness to some of the strangest and sometimes stupidest things that CEOs, field administrators, and branch managers have ever done and I know I will see that happen again in the future. I guarantee it.
What I am saying is, that no matter which are read and how you interpret it should not be a replacement for common sense. Common sense when used 100% of the time will take you places you've never been and gain you the respect you never had. When people respect you then you are a recognized leader. Therefore, when it comes to leading and managing people I am a firm believer in if it is not broken then we're not going to fix it. I also firmly believe that to break something just for the sake of breaking it, is also bad form especially if you are in a position of management and quite possibly a leadership you cannot afford to behave in such a manner.
We will talk more about this later but I do want to throw this out now to you: a manager is not a leader and a leader is not necessarily a manager. Please know and understand this, as the two are not synonymous but at times polar opposites. Like I said more on that later.
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27 May 2009
A Little Recommended Summer Reading
In a few days, Summer 2009 will be well underway and with it, hopefully, you will have some spare time to lounge around by the pool or the beach or travel. No matter where you are and what you are doing, why not take that time and read a book or two (or three or four)? Here is a very short list of my recommended reading for Summer 2009. Please consider reading these fine books, especially, if you are soon to be out in the real world, earning your own money, fighting for that promotion or pay raise, or at least trying to survive in that cruel world.
1. The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman: It will change how you perceive the world forever.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: It will change how you view money forever.
3. Re-Imagine! by Tom Peters: It will change how you view the business world forever.
4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: It will change how you view yourself forever.
These four books will apply no matter what your vocation is or will be, because what they teach will transcend more than you can imagine. I ask that you pick one or two or all of them up and start reading.
Remember, while reading is not only fundamental it is also a great way to pass the time as you work on your tan.
Seriously, I do invite you to take a break and read at least one of these books as each one of them will certainly get you thinking and more importantly get you to start asking yourself some serious questions.
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1. The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman: It will change how you perceive the world forever.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: It will change how you view money forever.
3. Re-Imagine! by Tom Peters: It will change how you view the business world forever.
4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: It will change how you view yourself forever.These four books will apply no matter what your vocation is or will be, because what they teach will transcend more than you can imagine. I ask that you pick one or two or all of them up and start reading.
Remember, while reading is not only fundamental it is also a great way to pass the time as you work on your tan.
Seriously, I do invite you to take a break and read at least one of these books as each one of them will certainly get you thinking and more importantly get you to start asking yourself some serious questions.
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• Dave Guerra • Tom Peters • Thomas L. Friedman • Robert T. Kiyosaki • Stephen R. Covey • The World Is Flat • Rich Dad, Poor Dad • Re-Imagine! • 7 Habits of Highly Effective People • Summer Reading • Change Your World • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
22 May 2009
Memorial Day 2009
Before you go off the beach, the lake, the amusement park, or fire up that grill for the holiday weekend barbecue I do ask you take a little time to reflect on what this weekend is all about. Some people think it's about beer and barbecue, some people will think that it's about nonstop partying from Friday night till Monday evening, then back to work on Tuesday.
Monday, May 25, 2009 is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a Federal holiday that means no banks, no government offices, and most state, county, and city offices will not be open for business in observance of this holiday.
In 1868, it was celebrated to honor the Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Then after World War I, it was expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action, this is to ensure that the nations remembers the sacrifice of America's fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present. For 140 or so years we as a nation honored those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, for you and me and our future.
There are several traditions that go with observing Memorial Day. Here are a couple: flying the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon local time, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 PM eastern time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day. Then the poppies are taken and placed on the graves of the fallen. The poppies have a special significance to Memorial Day as a result of the poem by John McCrae titled "In Flanders Field"
One of the longest standing traditions is the Indianapolis 500, which has been run on Memorial Day since 1911. While an important event the Indianapolis 500 has helped change the way people see Memorial Day. It was formally observed on May 30 but since it was moved to the last Monday of May critics have fought to return it back to its fixed traditional date. This VFW stated, "…changing the date really to create three day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
I cannot agree more. While I, like everyone else, welcome a three-day weekend, I do not welcome the price this country and its brave men and women had to pay so that we could take some time off from work.
I do ask that sometime over the weekend, for you to stop for a minute, just one minute and think about those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines that never came home. Think just how much better your cup of coffee tastes because they did what they were called to do. Pause and savor that barbecue because you can, knowing that it was those men and women that made it possible.
Just remember them.
"In Flanders Field"
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)
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Monday, May 25, 2009 is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a Federal holiday that means no banks, no government offices, and most state, county, and city offices will not be open for business in observance of this holiday.
In 1868, it was celebrated to honor the Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Then after World War I, it was expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action, this is to ensure that the nations remembers the sacrifice of America's fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present. For 140 or so years we as a nation honored those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, for you and me and our future.
There are several traditions that go with observing Memorial Day. Here are a couple: flying the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon local time, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 PM eastern time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day. Then the poppies are taken and placed on the graves of the fallen. The poppies have a special significance to Memorial Day as a result of the poem by John McCrae titled "In Flanders Field"
One of the longest standing traditions is the Indianapolis 500, which has been run on Memorial Day since 1911. While an important event the Indianapolis 500 has helped change the way people see Memorial Day. It was formally observed on May 30 but since it was moved to the last Monday of May critics have fought to return it back to its fixed traditional date. This VFW stated, "…changing the date really to create three day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
I cannot agree more. While I, like everyone else, welcome a three-day weekend, I do not welcome the price this country and its brave men and women had to pay so that we could take some time off from work.
I do ask that sometime over the weekend, for you to stop for a minute, just one minute and think about those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines that never came home. Think just how much better your cup of coffee tastes because they did what they were called to do. Pause and savor that barbecue because you can, knowing that it was those men and women that made it possible.
Just remember them.
"In Flanders Field"
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)
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21 May 2009
Picking Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps
Today is my brother’s birthday. He might or he might not read this but I am going to post it anyway. He is my first brother, as I have three younger brothers altogether. Yep, that’s right, my mom had four boys.
If you know me and you know my brother then you know his story. If you don’t, well all that I am going to say is that it certainly has been a bumpy road for him. A lot has been because of bad decision-making on his part. Yet, there is one thing that I truly admire about him: No matter what, he has always been able to pick himself up by his bootstraps, dust himself off, and gets on with his life.
I wish him nothing but the best, as he deserves it. Good thing things are getting better.
Happy Birthday Brother…I Love You, Man!!!
P.S. Two more brothers and two more birthdays to come.
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If you know me and you know my brother then you know his story. If you don’t, well all that I am going to say is that it certainly has been a bumpy road for him. A lot has been because of bad decision-making on his part. Yet, there is one thing that I truly admire about him: No matter what, he has always been able to pick himself up by his bootstraps, dust himself off, and gets on with his life.
I wish him nothing but the best, as he deserves it. Good thing things are getting better.
Happy Birthday Brother…I Love You, Man!!!
P.S. Two more brothers and two more birthdays to come.
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20 May 2009
Own Your Attitude
In a May 15, 2009 blog post by someone whose opinion and knowledge I greatly respect and value, Tom Peters wrote: “Only You ‘Own’ Your Attitude! Does life suck sometimes? Absolutely.”
You better believe you OWN your attitude. You are the one that wakes up every morning and can either say to yourself "today will be a good day" or "today will suck" and you alone will make that decision.
Of course, we all know that there are people that are hell bent on making your day just as bad as they choose their day to be. They will certainly try to make that decision for you but why give them power over you?
That’s why you have to rise above them and rise above yourself. Most of all rise above your comfort zone. You know that comfort zone, that’s the zone you go to when you throw your arms up and say “I give up” or “it’s not what I expected” or “it hurts too much” or “that’s too difficult.”
It is really easy to fall into that zone, heck I have done it a few times in my life. Trust me there are some mornings that I would love nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and stay in bed. While that may sound like the best thing to do, it is not going to pay the bills or put food on the table or help change an attitude.
I leave you with these last few words: It's your decision to make and while it may be the only decision you make today, make your decision truly yours.
Here is the link to the Tom Peters blog post click here
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You better believe you OWN your attitude. You are the one that wakes up every morning and can either say to yourself "today will be a good day" or "today will suck" and you alone will make that decision.
Of course, we all know that there are people that are hell bent on making your day just as bad as they choose their day to be. They will certainly try to make that decision for you but why give them power over you?
That’s why you have to rise above them and rise above yourself. Most of all rise above your comfort zone. You know that comfort zone, that’s the zone you go to when you throw your arms up and say “I give up” or “it’s not what I expected” or “it hurts too much” or “that’s too difficult.”
It is really easy to fall into that zone, heck I have done it a few times in my life. Trust me there are some mornings that I would love nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and stay in bed. While that may sound like the best thing to do, it is not going to pay the bills or put food on the table or help change an attitude.
I leave you with these last few words: It's your decision to make and while it may be the only decision you make today, make your decision truly yours.
Here is the link to the Tom Peters blog post click here
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19 May 2009
Thing or two about relationships
Lately, I have noticed a rash of relationship problems. Not my problems directly but those closest to me seem to have their own problems with building and sustaining relationships. While not looking like I am interfering but then again, this is my blog, therefore I give you the following:
There is no simple trick to making relationships work, either they do or they don’t. Of course, both parties have to work at it…together. Otherwise what’s the point?
I offer these two things to remember:
1. Relationships are not solely about what the other person can give you. If all you want in a relationship is for someone to give you something, then you are in a relationship for all the wrong reason. Remember, in order to get something you must certainly be the one to give something first.
2. Relationships are about being genuine. If the other person(s) are genuine in how they feel about you and you are genuine about how you feel for the other person(s), rest assured the relationship will take you to the places yet undiscovered.
As I wrote this, it dawned on me that I left out what this really all about Being Persistent and Being Patient.
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There is no simple trick to making relationships work, either they do or they don’t. Of course, both parties have to work at it…together. Otherwise what’s the point?
I offer these two things to remember:
1. Relationships are not solely about what the other person can give you. If all you want in a relationship is for someone to give you something, then you are in a relationship for all the wrong reason. Remember, in order to get something you must certainly be the one to give something first.
2. Relationships are about being genuine. If the other person(s) are genuine in how they feel about you and you are genuine about how you feel for the other person(s), rest assured the relationship will take you to the places yet undiscovered.
As I wrote this, it dawned on me that I left out what this really all about Being Persistent and Being Patient.
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15 May 2009
Complacency will kill you
A couple of nights ago I was watching the latest episode of The Deadliest Catch. Talk about reality TV, this show has got it all; Real people doing a real job that is so dangerous that people have actually died during the filming of the show. If you've never seen it, I do invite you to watch every Tuesday night on the Discovery Channel.
Anyway, I was watching last Tuesday's episode and there was a scene where the crab pot slipped off the launcher and almost pinned one of the deckhands against another several hundred pound crab pot. Luckily, the deckhand's quick reactions saved his life as he managed to get out of the way the loose pot and the rope that connects it to a marker bouy. They say that if your feet get caught in that rope there's no place to go but over the rail and down to the bottom of the Bering sea before you realize what happened.
One of the other deckhand's was interviewed immediately after and he stated that everyone on the boat got complacent. It was complacency that allowed the crab pot to slip off the launcher as someone forgot to set the hook that keeps the crab pot in place until it is time to launch. It was complacency that prevented the deckhand from checking to see if the hook was in place. That deckhand's last comment of the interview was, "Complacency will kill you."
Nothing can be further from the truth. Think about your place of business, how many times a day do you find yourself in a situation that could harm you or quick possibly kill if you aren't on your toes? Of course, some people will find themselves in those situations more often than others. That does not excuse those that do not find themselves often in such situations.
Keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, and sometimes keeping your mouth shut month just save your life. Most of all, not being complacent will save your life. Let them call you paranoid but you will be ready for anything, at any time, no matter what the situation is.
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Anyway, I was watching last Tuesday's episode and there was a scene where the crab pot slipped off the launcher and almost pinned one of the deckhands against another several hundred pound crab pot. Luckily, the deckhand's quick reactions saved his life as he managed to get out of the way the loose pot and the rope that connects it to a marker bouy. They say that if your feet get caught in that rope there's no place to go but over the rail and down to the bottom of the Bering sea before you realize what happened.
One of the other deckhand's was interviewed immediately after and he stated that everyone on the boat got complacent. It was complacency that allowed the crab pot to slip off the launcher as someone forgot to set the hook that keeps the crab pot in place until it is time to launch. It was complacency that prevented the deckhand from checking to see if the hook was in place. That deckhand's last comment of the interview was, "Complacency will kill you."
Nothing can be further from the truth. Think about your place of business, how many times a day do you find yourself in a situation that could harm you or quick possibly kill if you aren't on your toes? Of course, some people will find themselves in those situations more often than others. That does not excuse those that do not find themselves often in such situations.
Keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, and sometimes keeping your mouth shut month just save your life. Most of all, not being complacent will save your life. Let them call you paranoid but you will be ready for anything, at any time, no matter what the situation is.
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14 May 2009
Meet the New Silo, Same as the Old Silo
Some time ago an organization that I know underwent a drastic and dramatic change. Seems that their local branches became little silos independent of the organization as a whole. Seems that the local managers were running their own mini empires with almost little to no regard for the headquarters and the organization's mission and vision. Thus an immediate need for change was what had to happen.
Seems that with the local managers, taking a few words from Apocalypse Now:
"things get confused out there, power, ideals, the old morality, and practical military necessity. Out there with these natives it must be a temptation to be god. Because there's a conflict in every human heart between the rational and the irrational, between good and evil. The good does not always triumph. Sometimes the dark side overcomes what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. Every man has got a breaking point. You and I have. Walter Kurtz has reached his. And very obviously, he has gone insane."
You could say that's exactly what happened to the local managers. They loved the power they had at their disposal. Once the command got ahold of this information, they deemed the local managers were "out there operating without any decent restraint. Totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct. And [they are] still in the field commanding his [their] troops." Therefore they decided to terminate their command and "Terminate with extreme prejudice" they did.
After this purge, the organization felt confident that their troubles were over. It was just a matter of time before new silos were built. All that trouble to get rid of people and silos were built all over again. The management brought in new people to fill in the management positions that were vacated. They brought with them a value system that worked someplace else. At times, that value system seemed to be worse than what was being replaced.
Somehow, somewhere, somebody told these replacements that they were going out there to save the world. They were going to save everybody from themselves. Little did anybody know that their task went straight to their heads. No sooner had the past regime had been laid to rest that the new regime began erecting new silos.
Eventually, that regime went the way of the dinosaurs as well. It seems that in an effort to clean house all they were doing was replacing the old insanity with a new insanity.
The point of the story is that sometimes change for the sake of change, while necessary, is no change at all. This is especially so when what is being changed is people and not the value system. Changing the value system is certainly something that can be done with "extreme prejudice" but it has to be done with people that are already living the NEW set of values the organization is demanding.
Seems that with the local managers, taking a few words from Apocalypse Now:
"things get confused out there, power, ideals, the old morality, and practical military necessity. Out there with these natives it must be a temptation to be god. Because there's a conflict in every human heart between the rational and the irrational, between good and evil. The good does not always triumph. Sometimes the dark side overcomes what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. Every man has got a breaking point. You and I have. Walter Kurtz has reached his. And very obviously, he has gone insane."
You could say that's exactly what happened to the local managers. They loved the power they had at their disposal. Once the command got ahold of this information, they deemed the local managers were "out there operating without any decent restraint. Totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct. And [they are] still in the field commanding his [their] troops." Therefore they decided to terminate their command and "Terminate with extreme prejudice" they did.
After this purge, the organization felt confident that their troubles were over. It was just a matter of time before new silos were built. All that trouble to get rid of people and silos were built all over again. The management brought in new people to fill in the management positions that were vacated. They brought with them a value system that worked someplace else. At times, that value system seemed to be worse than what was being replaced.
Somehow, somewhere, somebody told these replacements that they were going out there to save the world. They were going to save everybody from themselves. Little did anybody know that their task went straight to their heads. No sooner had the past regime had been laid to rest that the new regime began erecting new silos.
Eventually, that regime went the way of the dinosaurs as well. It seems that in an effort to clean house all they were doing was replacing the old insanity with a new insanity.
The point of the story is that sometimes change for the sake of change, while necessary, is no change at all. This is especially so when what is being changed is people and not the value system. Changing the value system is certainly something that can be done with "extreme prejudice" but it has to be done with people that are already living the NEW set of values the organization is demanding.
13 May 2009
Das Ende der Luftbrücke / The Berlin Airlift Ends
Yesterday, a quiet holiday was celebrated in Berlin, Germany and to some degree here in the United States. Yesterday, May 12, 2009 commemorated the 60th anniversary of when the Soviet Union lifted the blockade of Berlin, thus ending the Berlin Airlift.
The Berlin Airlift has been described as the greatest humanitarian relief effort in the history of the world. Everyday for almost a year aircraft flew in to Berlin's three airports (Tegel, Gatow, & Tempelhof) carrying Food, Coal, and other life sustaining supplies to the citizens of West Berlin. In the end, the airlift carried over two million tons of supplies in approximately 270,000 flights (or sorties).
Talk about commitment. While the Soviets were trying to expand their sphere of influence and attempting to take Berlin (without firing a shot) the three other World War II allies (US, British, French) held their ground in their resolve to be in Berlin and honor the commitment to never let what happened in World War II ever happen again. When the Soviets finally let ground traffic move in and out of Berlin the Soviets knew that the Allies were a force to be reckoned with, even with being outnumbered, at times, 64 to 1. Yes, 64 Warsaw Pact Forces to every 1 US, British, or French soldier based in Berlin.
As a side note, there was one man who not only did his duty but also took that extra step. His name is Gail Halvorsen. Halvorsen was a pilot during the airlift. As he would approach Tempelhof airport he would notice children would gather to see the airplanes arrive every 90 seconds. It was on one of these flights Halvorsen tied handkerchief parachutes to candy and drop them out the window of his C-47 down to the children below. He and other pilots and airmen would later be come to be known as the Candy Bombers.
So my hat is off to each and every individual that participated in the Berlin Airlift as they set the standard for everyone that ever followed them into Berlin until the mission was accomplished and no longer were occupation forces needed in Berlin. I am proud to have served in the shadows of those that went to Berlin before me, and those that walked with me while in Berlin, and to have left my footprints for those that came after me in Berlin.
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The Berlin Airlift has been described as the greatest humanitarian relief effort in the history of the world. Everyday for almost a year aircraft flew in to Berlin's three airports (Tegel, Gatow, & Tempelhof) carrying Food, Coal, and other life sustaining supplies to the citizens of West Berlin. In the end, the airlift carried over two million tons of supplies in approximately 270,000 flights (or sorties).
Talk about commitment. While the Soviets were trying to expand their sphere of influence and attempting to take Berlin (without firing a shot) the three other World War II allies (US, British, French) held their ground in their resolve to be in Berlin and honor the commitment to never let what happened in World War II ever happen again. When the Soviets finally let ground traffic move in and out of Berlin the Soviets knew that the Allies were a force to be reckoned with, even with being outnumbered, at times, 64 to 1. Yes, 64 Warsaw Pact Forces to every 1 US, British, or French soldier based in Berlin.
As a side note, there was one man who not only did his duty but also took that extra step. His name is Gail Halvorsen. Halvorsen was a pilot during the airlift. As he would approach Tempelhof airport he would notice children would gather to see the airplanes arrive every 90 seconds. It was on one of these flights Halvorsen tied handkerchief parachutes to candy and drop them out the window of his C-47 down to the children below. He and other pilots and airmen would later be come to be known as the Candy Bombers.
So my hat is off to each and every individual that participated in the Berlin Airlift as they set the standard for everyone that ever followed them into Berlin until the mission was accomplished and no longer were occupation forces needed in Berlin. I am proud to have served in the shadows of those that went to Berlin before me, and those that walked with me while in Berlin, and to have left my footprints for those that came after me in Berlin.
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12 May 2009
When William Congreve wrote the immortal lines "Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak" he knew what he was talking about in 1697's The Mourning Bride.
Yesterday afternoon, I read an interesting article on CNN.com titled "The power of music: It's a real heart opener" The article talked about the power of music as a tool to reduce stress. It seems that Dr. Mike Miller, a Baltimore based research cardiologist, formally discovered what I had know for a long time.
Seems that when "he tested the effects of music on the cardiovascular system. 'Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors -- either by playing or even listening to music.'" According to the research the "inner lining of the blood vessels relax, open up and produced chemicals that are protective to the heart." WOW! a Triple BONUS on that one.
Unfortunately, as I love to sing...my own way but I can't sing or hold a note to save my life, but I will sing my heart out in the shower, driving to and from work, in front of the PC, or as I write this blog.
When in public (family included), instead of doing my best William Hung impersonation, I would rather strum my six-string or play that FOOKIN' BASS. At least, I can somewhat pass for knowing what I am doing with guitar or bass.
So give it a shot...what have you got to lose but some stress?
I am more than sure Dr. Miller, would not be offended if I prescribed everyone a healthy daily dose of JAMMING and ROCKING OUT and SINGING TILL THE DOGS HOWL.
BTW, Here is the poem The Mourning Bride, -William Congreve
and Here is the link to the article on CNN.com: The power of music: It's a real heart opener
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Dr. Mike Miller • University of Maryland Medical Center • Baltimore • Music • Good for the heart • stress is bad • William Congreve • Guitar • Play the Fookin Bass • Singing • Sing out loud • Rock n Roll • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Yesterday afternoon, I read an interesting article on CNN.com titled "The power of music: It's a real heart opener" The article talked about the power of music as a tool to reduce stress. It seems that Dr. Mike Miller, a Baltimore based research cardiologist, formally discovered what I had know for a long time.
Seems that when "he tested the effects of music on the cardiovascular system. 'Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors -- either by playing or even listening to music.'" According to the research the "inner lining of the blood vessels relax, open up and produced chemicals that are protective to the heart." WOW! a Triple BONUS on that one.
Unfortunately, as I love to sing...my own way but I can't sing or hold a note to save my life, but I will sing my heart out in the shower, driving to and from work, in front of the PC, or as I write this blog.
When in public (family included), instead of doing my best William Hung impersonation, I would rather strum my six-string or play that FOOKIN' BASS. At least, I can somewhat pass for knowing what I am doing with guitar or bass.
So give it a shot...what have you got to lose but some stress?
I am more than sure Dr. Miller, would not be offended if I prescribed everyone a healthy daily dose of JAMMING and ROCKING OUT and SINGING TILL THE DOGS HOWL.
BTW, Here is the poem The Mourning Bride, -William Congreve
Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv'd the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?
and Here is the link to the article on CNN.com: The power of music: It's a real heart opener
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Dr. Mike Miller • University of Maryland Medical Center • Baltimore • Music • Good for the heart • stress is bad • William Congreve • Guitar • Play the Fookin Bass • Singing • Sing out loud • Rock n Roll • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
11 May 2009
Mother's Day 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009 was Mother's Day and I trust your Mom had a wonderful day. I do so hope my mother had a wonderful day. Seeing as my mom is over 300 miles away I won't know for sure but what I do know is that she didn't get my Mother's Day gift to her on time. As a matter of fact, it's still out there in the ether known as the US Postal Service. While I know they are taking great care of what I sent her and I am not blaming them, I am blaming myself.
The blame is in the fact that her gift was sent late. It was sent on Wednesday, which means it didn't make it out of the Post Office until sometime after the Sun set, thus giving it two and a half days of travel and sorting time. Hopefully, it will be in her hands on Monday. I know she did not sound too thrilled that what I sent she had not yet received.
I have really got to start getting a better grasp of time management as well as getting things back on track and focused. Lately, I have been letting a lot of the small stuff pass me and I have been focusing on things that are NOT important.
Let's talk about the four quadrants (remember the 7 habits of highly effective people). Recently, I have been living in the world known as NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT, while what is Important and Urgent has been kicked to the curb.
Of course, family, school, and work have been and will always be at the top and in that order, but the small stuff continues to get overlooked and unfortunately gets cast aside or altogether forgotten.
You know they say that admitting there is a problem is the first step to recovery. So now that you know that I know that I have a problem, what's step two?
Talk to you later,
Dave
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Happy Mother's Day • Mom • Time management • early to bed • USPS • 7 Habits • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
The blame is in the fact that her gift was sent late. It was sent on Wednesday, which means it didn't make it out of the Post Office until sometime after the Sun set, thus giving it two and a half days of travel and sorting time. Hopefully, it will be in her hands on Monday. I know she did not sound too thrilled that what I sent she had not yet received.
I have really got to start getting a better grasp of time management as well as getting things back on track and focused. Lately, I have been letting a lot of the small stuff pass me and I have been focusing on things that are NOT important.
Let's talk about the four quadrants (remember the 7 habits of highly effective people). Recently, I have been living in the world known as NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT, while what is Important and Urgent has been kicked to the curb.
Of course, family, school, and work have been and will always be at the top and in that order, but the small stuff continues to get overlooked and unfortunately gets cast aside or altogether forgotten.
You know they say that admitting there is a problem is the first step to recovery. So now that you know that I know that I have a problem, what's step two?
Talk to you later,
Dave
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Happy Mother's Day • Mom • Time management • early to bed • USPS • 7 Habits • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
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