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Mind Control

2011-11-18T13:19:00Z

It's been a while since my last post. As always a lot is going on and I just haven't taken the time to put my thoughts down. I would like to share with you my current reading and what I'm learning.

One good thing about reading books is that sometimes the book you're reading can suggest another book that you might enjoy. This is the case for my current reading "The Power of Now" by Eckart Tolle.

HIs book is about how to not allow the thoughts in your mind dictate who you are. I've only gotten through one chapter of it but it is an amazing read. He is describing my thought pattern (in detail) which really has made me pay attention.

The purpose is me sharing this is because I suffer from having continuous negative thinking in based upon past actual experiences or predicting future situations. It is unhealthy. Again in just reading one chapter has helped me to stop allowing my thoughts to run wild. I've always believed that you can't control what comes into your mind but you can control how long it stays there. I really appreciate this reading and what is is helping me to do.

Catch Up

2011-07-30T00:35:33Z

It's been quite some time since my last post. The last two weeks in India was quite interesting and in fact I was able to leave 2 days earlier since my project was wrapped up a little earlier. I have been quite fortunate for the opportunity to experience the country and it will certainly shape me and my path going forward. Personally and professionally.

Since I've been back I've been as busy as ever. With a new baby I've had to adjust to, still traveling for recruiting trips for work, and more training I have had an interesting summer. Some of the things I've learned all summer:

1. Keep life in perspective. Seeing people living in wooden shacks really helps shape how fortunate I've been.
2. There's a lot of young people who want to do great things in life. Never let the stories discourage you about our youth.
3. Being focused is the key. Multi-tasking should be minimized at all costs.
4. Build confidence, keep trying.
5. Open up. If you've grown up like me where you're forced to be an introvert it's hard to break that mode, but you have to persist.

These may seem like no brainers, but the reinforcement I've received over the past couple of months has been invaluable.

India after 2 weeks

2011-05-29T18:15:27Z

Closing out my 2nd week (2 more to go!!) and I really do have a lot to be thankful for. Being somewhere different really does help me examine my life and appreciate all that I have. Yesterday I visited the Taj Mahal which I recall is considered one of the wonders of the world. The most interesting part was the fact that there is a mosque located right on the premises. It appears that Arabs & India were quite integrated over many years. I knew that the Taj Mahal was built by a king in honor of his wife, it wasn't until I got here that I learned that she was from Pakistan.

I'm slightly mixing topics but that's ok cause this is my blog. Today I got a day to rest all by myself without having to go anywhere, that is so refreshing. Hopefully I'll do the same next weekend and will cruise into my flight home.

Stretched Beyond Limits

2011-05-22T15:01:43Z

At the end of my first week here in Gurgaon (pronounced good-gow) India and it has been quite an experience. I'm sure there are books on how to conquer every challenged I've faced in seven days. Of course the bible helps you to face all challenges but I'm referring to books that address each topic specifically.

One of the things I knew would be hard to do is to know every single thing you're eating is safe and won't make you sick. Just my luck after a day a a half I got sick and was basically out of commission for almost 2 days. While some people get sicker longer, still was not a very good experience. My colleague and I have been trying to pin point what it could have been but all we can do is guess. Food can react in bodies so differently that although most of what we at was the same doesn't mean it can't make me sick and not her. I'm please to announce that I'm feeling better and my stomach is back to normal. You won't believe how careful I've been since.

If you know me you know I'm not a "exploring" type of person. For some reason I've been paired with someone who likes to explore beyond belief. Wants to try all types of different places to eat, visit places, all types of things and is a female. The significance of that is being in such a strange place, I can't just let her go on her own so I have been forced to be more adventurous. In short, I still don't like it! But my recent visit to Jaipur was quite interesting and now that I'm back home safe I'm glad I went. We had to go 4 hours south from where we're staying (we didn't drive as that would have been suicide) and back.

Lastly, my colleague and I are from different areas of the company. She really has specific career plans as I do but my plans involve a lot of what I'm doing now. Hers are much different. While working this project I'm a little more motivated to do a great job than she because it. She certainly wants to do a great job but is not as incentivized to do so. So I have to find a way to shine and still be a team player. I'll spend the evening tonight thinking of strategies to do this, if you have some let me know.

1 week down. 3 to go.

The Fundamentals of Reading

2011-05-01T21:30:00Z

I have 5 US GAAP accounting policies to read for work. I've had them printed for over 3 months and still haven't gotten to them. Since I'm sharing, the policies are on Inventory, Plant & Equipment Purchasing, Transfer Pricing, Payables/Receivable. So if you're not sleep now then maybe you understand my challenge. Being motivated to take action, make a call, prepare for a meeting can sometimes be easier than being motivated to sit down and just read.

It's equally important to be able to stay up to date on policies and procedures that affect how you are able to perform your job. It is in fact fundamental. I know that having a full understanding of these things helps when you are in meetings or giving guidance to operating leaders. But it's still difficult. I should look to see if there are any Harvard Business Review articles on the topic.

Probably not, since its so fundamental.

Just Can't Look Around the Corner

2011-04-19T01:49:00Z

Tomorrow morning I have to take a flight for work. I'll be traveling for the next 3 days and will be on a total of 6 flights. I recall when I never traveled for work how I thought about how cool it would be to have business travel as part of your role. Ask me how cool it is.

It's interesting how your life in one instance can appear to be boring and the comforts of the home you have don't appear to help and then in turn those same comforts are exactly what you need when things get more busy. Had I been able to look around the corner and see the changes that have come some personal decisions would have been much different.

Of course they can't change but it's just interesting how the phrase "if I knew then what I know now" has such significant meaning.

The Black Agenda

2011-04-10T19:12:00Z

I'm sitting here watching a panel discussion on MSNBC called "A Stronger America-The Black Agenda" and from the start I hear basically the same argument I've heard for some time now. I don't argue that while the argument has a lot of validity but it continues to circle around what government needs to do and not so much of what Black America needs to do for itself. I'll at least credit that the "we have to change from within" did at least get mentioned.

I wish there was someone who could help get these discussions where more African Americans can see them. Needless to say for those who don't have cable or never watch MSNBC will miss how much attention this one community continues to get with no solutions found..

The Problem With Budgets

2011-04-09T19:02:00Z

I've been watching the tail end of US Budget discussion and began to be quite disappointed at the process in which this has come together. While I do appreciate the fact that this was not easy as no budget planning should be easy, especially when it comes to taxpayer money. What I don't appreciate is the manner at which this budget was developed. It got to a point where the discussion was more about striking a "deal" as opposed to whether or not the right budget is developed. The fact that it was turned into a deal should have the public still uneasy.

The challenge I see that even though a budget is passed, we have no insight into how productive our government departments are or how they work to save money. What appeared to be a key roadblock in finalizing the budget is the money allocated to Planned Parenthood. What about the money allocated to other social service programs? How are they spending their dollars and how much more productive have they been since the prior year? Are any of the departments awarded based upon how much they save? How they utilize technology to advance the services they provide?

Maybe I'll spend some time going through some of the US departments web sites and see if I see any details for how they're getting better at providing services to citizens. If we are really going to become more involved in our government, we have to hold them to the same standards as we work by.

Some Views on Leadership

2011-03-20T23:56:00Z

A friend of mine asked me to help her with a paper on leadership. She sent me a list of questions, below are those questions and my answers. Love to hear your feedback!!

1• Do you think leadership develops with experience?

Answer: Yes. Leadership has to develop as one experiences various circumstances of what works well and what doesn’t work well. A leaders’ style also enhances as they encounter various other styles through conflict, cross functional disciplines, and overall business circumstances. A key factor of developing as a leader is continuous learning and if a leader does that successfully then their leadership develops.

2• Are there one or two experiences you look back on as having been especially valuable in helping develop your own leadership? Please briefly describe them.

Answer: One experience is really having been fortunate to work under managers who had great emotional balance. I’ve learned through various circumstances that not over reacting to a challenge really helps in getting through it. When I’m faced with challenges that require my leadership, I’m able to maintain a balanced approach to the problem and work toward solutions. The term Emotional Intelligence best describes this.

Another experience relates to the respect for people. I’ve never seen an effective leader who has been publicly disrespectful to his subordinates or team members. There’s really no place for public embarrassment. I make it a point to be sure that through any and all circumstances my team (vertically & horizontally) understand that I respect them and their contribution.

3• What made these experiences so valuable?

Answer: They were effective. They’ve helped build confidence. They can be proven no matter the circumstance.

4• Have your own views of leadership changed over time?

Answer: Yes. Leadership is not about what my needs are from my team but more about what my team needs from me. Servant Leadership is just that, being able to help your team be their best and give them what they need (assignments, support) to do that.

5• Do you think leadership in your arena is much different from, or involves different pressures, than leadership in other arenas?

Answer: Not much different. Certainly looking at situations of war requires more authoritative and less collaboration. Outside of those extreme circumstances there is very little variation in my opinion.

6• Do you ever reflect after the fact about how effective your behavior was in a particular situation? Is this ever a source of new or different insights?

Answer: I reflect quite often. Much of the insight for me is usually around how I answered particular questions. Was I prepared enough or was I thorough enough in my position. The extended part of this is always getting feedback from others if you have the relationships.

7• Is there any advice you would give people early in their careers about leadership?

Answer: Be honest. Be Open. Work toward winning each moment at a time. Part of your leadership ability is based upon who you are, trying to be someone different won’t help. Look for mentors for guidance and read.

How to Get Better

2011-03-17T02:25:00Z

Over the last couple of months, I've had to adjust to getting acquainted with a new General Manager for my division. Any time there's a new operating leader there is always new questions, new perspective, and new possibilities to uncover.

Because I have a pretty strong team that supports me, I often haven't needed to get too involved into the details so with new questions and requests I often have found myself without answer or at least complete answers. While some may call that understandable, I personally have felt un-prepared and often embarrased that I haven't been into that type of detail. I'm not sure how you would feel but part of me is not accustom to not having all the answers.

All I've been thinking about is how to get stronger in my knowledge base. How to research and pull data that gives me the details I need to give quality support to the operations team. Being present in all meetings and giving input is one way but without getting more detailed it will only serve for some time.

What do you recommend to do to get better at your role? What tactics have you employed?

New Car Sales

2011-01-22T17:46:00Z

I recently purchased a new car a few days ago and if you've ever purchased one you know the feeling. As soon as I hit the front door a sales guy greeted me and was ready to talk. Extremely attentive, lots of questions, eager to help I have to say I respected his ambition. I tried to set the tone by clearly iterating that I had no intentions on buying today and I plan to go to a few places before I decide. Reality is I don't have the kind of patience to shop around feverishly.

Since it was extremely cold outside I was literally one of two customers there that evening, I realized how dire it must be for car salespeople to find customers. So I began to wonder how would I do my job differently if I were paid of commission. What if I had to hit a desired outcome every month in order to keep my job. I mean I do today but it's not as defined as a car salesman.

Here's what I plan to do, the next time I have to create a report or presentation I'm going to envision it as if I'm selling a new car. What would you be like if you did the same?

Getting Up

2011-01-17T22:09:00Z

A little over a month ago, I was forced to realize the impact of a mistake I made. While certainly I've made many mistakes in the past this was one of the few where I it came out of nowhere. I was in disbelief. A rush of emotions really came over me as much as I was hoping it wasn't the truth, it was. It literally took me a month to accept it and I to decide how to deal with it. I felt like I'd yet again fallen down.

So I decided to get up. Instead of doing as I may have done in the past ( or in the business world find some rational reason to avoid it) I just decided to get up, face it and deal with any and all circumstances surrounding it. Getting up isn't as hard as we think it is, it just takes the determination to do it. It takes effort, especially if you can get to the mindset to never make the mistake again.

It's January 2011 and I'm getting up. The biggest mistake I think I've ever made because I was headed in a direction that I truly thought was the right way to go, and got derailed. But I'm still getting up!

Passion, Power, Purpose

2010-12-29T02:09:00Z

I've always found the year end performance appraisal process interesting. There is the ever changing "process" that always supposed to be better than the prior. You have to compare the goals you set in the beginning of the year (that you probably won't remember) with what you've actually accomplished.

When you go through the defined process, there is no place to represent your passion. Maybe you can try to fit it in but it won't quite fit. You can't detail how much you didn't complain, how focused you were to make sure a presentation was perfect, the pushing for excellence you did in meetings where your boss didn't attend.

In my company we had a dialogue in understanding the Purpose our organization existed. Personally I feel it was great dialogue and a refreshing way to get a depleted workforce grounded in what we really show up everyday to do. Of course after the discussions, there's no way to demonstrate in a year review how you've contributed to the organizations purpose or even your own.,

This enty is not intended to complain about what's wrong with the performance appraisals but to encourage everyone to think about how can we incorporate the intagibles to the discussion.

Reading for Leading

2010-11-26T19:34:00Z

Every January 1st I start the year committing to reading a certain number of books. I'm typically anchored in books that relate to leadership, management, or general business development. I try pretty often to read other types of books to balance my selection (can never do fiction).

What I realized this month is that I have reached my quota of books to read this year and they are all based in business. What I have also realized is that I have really improved in a lot of areas as it relates to my personal performance. I can't say that at the end of each book I instantly became better at any particular subject but as I have encountered some challenges in my day to day work responsibilities I began to handle them a lot better.

Also, not that reading alone creates a better professional as other factors can play a part such as training classes and peer discussions, but there are situations and examples that have come out in reading that I have encountered and really have a perspective that has allowed me to endure.

I share this information today because I'm very enthused about what I have read this year and want to encourage everyone to dedicate time to read something that is of interest to you.

If you have some recommended readings, please share.

Freedom of Speech (or lack thereof)

2010-10-25T01:40:00Z

When you think about Freedom of Speech, does it mean to you that you can say whatever you want whenever you want? After all, it is literally free? Does Freedom of Speech mean that you have to consider who it is or the situation before you speak? Do you have to differentiate between your personal speech versus professional speech?

In the case of Juan Williams, what did he not consider? Or did he consider everything correctly? I personally have always appreciated Mr. Williams' political reporting as a panelist on Fox news. I never heard him on NPR so I admittedly do not know if his commentary was different from that on Fox.

What I do know is his appearance on Bill O'Reilly's show was not based upon his employment of NPR but more on being a well respected journalist and author for years. I heard someone who as a person is able to balance his personal and professional state of mind and offer thoughts and feelings based upon both. Nevermind the fact that there was a lot more to the comments than what has been isolated but he offered a well balanced expression.

It appears Mr. Williams detriment is that he's too well respected and too well balanced. Had he just offered a strictly political response, there would have been no firing but viewers would have been short changed. We would not have been able to truly hear what's in the mind and soul of Mr. Williams and be relieved to know that he like the rest of us have fears about a significant change in our lives for the past nine years.

Maybe we need a new constitutional added that's called "Freedom of Feelings"!

Measuring Effectiveness

2010-10-02T20:20:00Z

Is Measuring Effectiv based upon Fact or Opinion?

The ability to measure how effective a person or organization is seems to have gotten lost. Because it's not as defined as ratios (P/E, Working Capital) so trying to use a number or average won't necessarily give you a true indication. It's not simple enough to say that an organization or person has achieved a certain goal or milestone, you have to also as if this was achieved in the time it should have taken or if it has taken longer than it should have.

Years ago I was sitting in a speech given by a Corporate Executive about how to succeed in the workplace and he gave the advice "Don't ever confuse effort with results". That has stuck with me ever since then and it goes to the point that being busy, looking busy, and trying does not mean you are effective. Often times we get impressed with people or organizations that have a lot to say, are busy doing and whole lot yet we have no evidence of their actual "net worth".

I think it is worthwhile to stop and pulse yourself and ask the question "Am I being effective, are we being effective". I guarantee you it will help you identify the gaps, if any.

Effectiveness

2010-09-25T14:39:00Z

Effectiveness like machines has a useful life and at some point it gets fully depreciated.

I am very much a proponent of Non Profit (technically called Not-For-Profit) organizations. There is no way that our society can operate without the support of a non profit sector. Now we know that goverment by definition is non profit, we know churches are as well but there are many others that are just as significant as these two.

Organizations range from childrens services, community rebuilding, adult career services, and business. Of course there are the very highly recognizable institutions such as the Red Cross, United Way, and there are much smaller versions that exist to help society. In addition there are the ethnic based organizations that exist to support a particular group of individuals.

Many of these organizations have existed so long that we know what they stand for, but do we know if these organizations are as effective as what they're original intent?

Look at the NAACP. We herald it as the oldest Civil Rights organizations for African Americans. We know the impact for many years but have we looked at the effectiveness of the organization now?

Effective by definition:
adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result

Looking throughout the organizations website, there is nothing that outlines what the intent is to be "effective". Lots of information on issues that we are currently facing, who they've talked to or tried to influence, but nothing about what will be accomplished. This leads me to the belief that the goal is not so much to be effective or relevant but merely to be available to tackle issues as they arise.

It is encouraging that we have so many organizations that are here to help us, if we can only be effective there may be real help to give.

Outside

2010-07-05T12:02:00Z

Good morning,
I went to the Cincinnati Fireworks last night. Had no idea it would last all of 15 minutes. Not being a big fan of fireworks I can't say that I'm all that disappointed, but it was clear to me that there were tons of people who really enjoyed it. So besides the fireworks themselves I can see the joy of walking around outside, sitting outside. Just enjoying the weather.

Somewhere I lost that desire to feel like being outside. I remember as a kid when I sat around the house in the summer it wouldn't be long before my father would tell me to go outside and play. Picnics, barbeques, outdoor sports have come few and far in between over the past 10 years or so for me and has become more of an exception than the norm.

After the fireworks (if you can really call them that) we decided to sit in fountain square at this restaurant called Rock Bottom and just enjoy the space, the openness, the atmosphere. It was a great way to spend the evening. Despite 90 degree weather. I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the outdoors this weekend.

After 4 Reds games, a few trips around the trail at the park and last nights events. I'm looking forward to spending more time outside!

His Presence is Everywhere

2010-06-21T06:30:00Z

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine and I decided to experience the Indianapolis 500. We purchased tickets 3 days before and since Indy is only 1.5 hours away from Cincinnati, we'd figured we go in the day of and come right back.

As you know, God has a way of showing you he's God. Once we got about 10-20 miles from the race track, traffic was extremely backed up. It took a little over an hour to park from like 2 miles out. Of course never having been to the Indy 500 or any car race event before, I had no idea that the track was as large as it was and it could hold well over 100,000 people. The amazing help that was sent to us came in the form of the car in front of us getting out and coming to my car asking if I want to buy an extra parking pass for $10. Of course when that happens you have to evaluate whether there is the potential for you to get scammed, but for the cost I took the chance.

The gentleman that sold it to me then instructed "just follow us in" but with traffic still going slow, we etched along for another 30 minutes. From there he got back out of the car and walked back to mine and gave me specific instructions on where we were going just in case we got disconnected. So after we got through all the traffic and followed their "convoy" because it was actually 3 cars that were with his, we parked got out and exchanged names and handshakes and as far as I'm concerned we were on our way to our seats.

Once we got to the main walkway to the track, Mike (never got a last name) asks us where we were sitting. We showed him our tickets and he said "these are bold, come sit with us". So we gave him our tickets, he sold ours and we sat with him and his family for the entire race. Being rookies we packed like 2 bottles of water and 2 cokes which is not nearly enough for a 4 hour sporting event. Note: Just so you know, you can take as much food and drink to the race as you can carry, there are no official vendors. They offered us food, drinks, sun tan lotion (it was 96 degrees that day) and all the hospitality you can imagine.

If you know me, I rarely like to smooch off of people so I took a cookie to not be anti, but I did feel like such an intruder but they really made us feel welcomed for our first time. So the race is over (Ashley Judd's husband won) and as we walked back to our car (with Mike and the gang) as they tried to start their car, the battery was dead. Mike's daughter in law left the car on by mistake the whole time. So they asked us if we had any cables (which I did) and I gave them a boost.

For all the giving that Mike and his family gave to us, in turns out they needed us in return. The key is that they did not know that as they were extending themselves, but God has a way of showing us why it's important to treat everyone with respect, be loving & kind, and look to give and not get.

I will never forget this as I know God was with us that day.

Decisions

2010-01-15T01:51:00Z

How well do you make decisions? What is your criteria that you use that judges whether you're making a good decision or not? Is it based upon whether the results are favorable to you or favorable to other people? What happens if you have to make a decision that is unfavorable to other people but you still have to do it, do you consider that a good decision or just call it a necessary one?

I often wonder how many decisions does one make in a day? I wish that I had the capability to make some decisions over and sometimes the courage to have made some sooner. I often tell people younger than me that there is no such thing as smart or dumb people, but the decisions they make is what makes them smart or dumb. This forces me now to think about how smart or dumb I am.

Here's to hoping all your decisions are smart, good, and favorable.

Productivity

2010-01-08T23:36:00Z

Productivity!! The measure of how good something is, or how good it works or how worthwhile it is. We use the word so much that it starts to mean things that it shouldn't. So in typical myoration fashion, here's what Productivity means:

pro⋅duc⋅tive

[pruh-duhk-tiv] Show IPA

Use Productivity in a Sentence

See web results for Productivity

See images of Productivity

–adjective

1.	having the power of producing; generative; creative: a productive effort.

2.	producing readily or abundantly; fertile: a productive vineyard.

3.	causing; bringing about (usually fol. by of): conditions productive of crime and sin.

4.	Economics. producing or tending to produce goods and services having exchange value.

5.	Grammar. (of derivational affixes or patterns) readily used in forming new words, as the suffix -ness.

6.	(in language learning) of or pertaining to the language skills of speaking and writing (opposed to receptive ).

I've spent this first week of 2010 working to put all my cd's in ITunes ( I have a new IPOD that can hold 40K songs), increasing my 401K contribution, increasing what goes into my emergency fund, and working out. I will say this week has been productive.

THIS WEEK

51 more to go...

Challenge (Must be something to it)

2009-11-28T12:50:00Z

It's funny that when I always talk about challenge I'm always referring to something external. My job, other people, outside circumstances. When it just hit me that the biggest challenges I face are truly within myself. I'm not sure if this means that if I conquered the internal challenges that the external ones would not exist but maybe they may be much less than they have been.

Yesterday I did my first ever fitness assessment at this place called Sensible Fitness. The fitness assessment is when you are stats are taken on various items (BMI, Body Fat %, Waist to Hip ratio, cardiorespiratory, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility). Needless to say I ranked low on all of them. I really felt worthless for a moment. It really dawned on me that of all accomplishments that I can talk to, taking care of my body is not one of them.

The biggest challenge of my life is now staring me in the face. And it's all internal, I can't put it on anybody or anything else. How do you deal with that???

Daily Reminders

2009-11-04T11:19:00Z

Good morning!

Three months ago I completed what was considered a very large financial system transition for my company. The biggest challenge involved with that is the aspect of managing change. As a part of that change the system will send daily notices to various people who need to take action in the system on a particular item if their name is attached to it. As part of that change, some people were getting these notices and they shouldn't have and some people were getting them and just didn't know what to do.

The significance of the daily emails is to inform people that they have a responsibility and that they will continue to get them until they do. While it is annoying, it forces users to do the right thing. I'm sure you're thinking? What's the point?

Well a few months ago I purchased a book called "Daily Proverbs for Men" from a Christian book store and it has 365 pages for each day a daily comment about having a relationship with God. Each page ends with a verse from the book of Proverbs. As I sat at my computer this morning I just realized how helpful that has been (when I remember to read it) in helping me keep my life in perspective. Daily. I wish I could have gotten them electronically but it serves as a wonderful way to start my day. It is my daily reminder to do the right thing and make sure I don't try to do more than I can handle and let "him" handle the rest.

Do you have anything that gives you daily reminders? Anything that helps you remember how to do the right thing everyday? I would encourage you to do so sign up for an email reminder, anything that can help you take 2 minutes and think about it. A couple that I recommend:

SimonBailey.com
Srenee.com

Let me know what you think.

Rising to the Challenge

2009-09-20T16:43:00Z

In watching NFL football's pre-game shows, with only one game into the season analysts are already questioning a couple of quarterbacks playing ability. One game and they are already being questioned. I would like to talk to or interview one of these quarterbacks because they know today they have to rise to the challenge.

Of course sports is deemed to be that way, but if you are lucky you have the same type of situation where you are faced to rise to a challenge. Do you do anything differently to prepare? Most would say you do nothing different, but I'm curious how different people responds to challenge and if there are common actions.

The Day Always Starts out Great

2009-08-31T10:58:00Z

Today is the last day of August in 2009. It somewhat means the end of summer, but if you are like me the month of the year is not as important as every day is a blessing.

I'm sitting here thinking about my work day and what I know it is going to be like. "Challenge". But as I sit here drinking tea (my daily routine) I'm very peaceful and happy right now. My days always start out great. Right now at this point there is nothing wrong, no anger, no frustration. Just peace. I do understand how it is commonly said to enjoy the early mornings and spend a few minutes alone, I really get that.

In less than two hours my day will be a lot busier, but I'm going to try to keep the peace that I have right now. Let's see how it goes.......

When Challenge Becomes the Norm (Is it still a challenge?)

2009-08-10T23:49:00Z

Everyday I get about 150 emails. No kidding. Some are just courtesy copies (cc'd) from people who are keeping me in the loop. Others I have to respond to. The challenge in cc'd emails is that I really need to save them because someone is going to ask me about it. The challenge with the other ones that I have to respond to is that I don't always know the answer.

So what happens when challenge doesn't let up? Is it really a challenge? Does this mean I should be forcing myself to operate at a different level or mindset and I have just not gotten there? I'm so tired I can't even finish this entry......

Finding Moments to be Proud Of-Patience

2009-07-27T23:25:00Z

Good evening,

I think my next few posts I will discuss finding moments in my day that I can be proud of. Hopefully you will share your moments as you identify them as well.

I left work today and stopped at the Post Office to check my PO Box and found a slip telling me that I had a package to pick up that was too large for my box. So I walk inside the main area and get in line to pick up my package. There were about 4 people ahead of me but only one receptionist to attend to us. Mind you this is at 5pm and the Post Office is about to close. So I realize there is a wait.

Less than a minute of me standing there, a lady in line asks the receptionist "Are you the only one working" as to express her discontent for having to wait so long. So if I stopped right there and asked you to guess where she was in line, would you have guessed that she was actually next?????? Thankfully the receptionist responded in a polite tone and assured her she was working as diligently as she could.

Two minutes after that, the elderly gentlemen in front of me just walked out. I want to say two minutes after that someone else walked in, had to have waited all of three minutes and then walked out. To the point that I noticed. I thought to myself at that moment "I wonder if these people really have somewhere else they have to be in a timely manner, or are they just rushing for the sake of". I didn't think about it long as it is really none of my concern, but while all of this was going on, I read my latest edition of Crains Detroit and got a couple of articles deep into my latest issue of Business Week.

So the moment I am proud of is not that I had enough reading material to get through the waiting, it was I had enough patience. As per my usual:

Patience (pā-shəns) is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

It felt good to be able to stand there, look at all of the restlessness and be calm within myself and wait until I could get attended to. I had somewhere else to be, but didn't want to be in a rush for no reason. That's my one moment I can be proud of.

What's yours???

Challenge (Still)

2009-07-19T00:03:00Z

In thinking about challenge, challenging times, and challenging situations it is easy to approach and look at them as momentary. At some point a challenge will be over come, a challenging time will pass, or a challenging situation will be resolved. What about when the challenge you are face with is timeless, not situation based and requires a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly (in other words constant) solution? How do you deal with those challenges then.

Looking back at the definition on the last post of what challenge is, the formal definition does not address when the challenge we face is a situation we like. How do you overcome a challenge that you enjoy so much? It's easy to say make a decision, be disciplined and keep working at it but we know it is not that easy.

I have no answer to how you solve this or deal with it effectively, not sure if there is supposed to be an answer as answers are finite, some solutions are not always that well defined.

Challenge

2009-07-07T23:59:00Z

What do you think of when you hear the word challenge? Do you think of what it means? Do you think of your last or current challenge that you are faced with? Let me go to my typical start:

verb

To call on another to do something requiring boldness: dare, defy. Idioms: throw down the gauntlet. See request.
To confront boldly and courageously: beard, brave, dare, defy, face, front. Idioms: fly in the face of, snap one's fingers at, stand up to, thumb one's nose at. See resist/yield.
To come near, as in quality or amount: approach, approximate, border on (or upon), rival, verge on. See same/different/compare.
To express opposition, often by argument: demur, except, expostulate, inveigh, object, protest, remonstrate. Informal kick, squawk. Idioms: set up a squawk, take exception. See support/oppose.
To take a stand against: buck, contest, dispute, oppose, resist, traverse. See support/oppose.

Challenge is not to be taken lightly, in reality we all need to face challenges because that is part of how we grow. It's hard to see how you benefit in the future. In fact, it would be an interesting fact to see how long people realize their growth due to the challenges that they face.

In the past 3 months, I feel very challenged and in a lot of ways. The limitations of definitions is that they can't tell you how to apply the definition, just what it is. So it's up to each of us to interpret it based upon our own life.

My favorite mantra is "be careful of what you ask for, cause you just might get it" and I have found myself reciting this to myself a lot in the past year.

Notice I still won't say how I am facing my challenges, but I'm curious to know how you face yours......

Taking Inventory

2009-06-21T12:01:00Z

What is Inventory?
-Inventory is

1. A detailed, itemized list, report, or record of things in one's possession, especially a periodic survey of all goods and materials in stock.
2. The process of making such a list, report, or record.
3. The items listed in such a report or record.
4. The quantity of goods and materials on hand; stock.
An evaluation or a survey, as of abilities, assets, or resources.

Simply put, have you done your inventory for 2009? Half the year is gone and in any organization there is a monthly assessment of what goods are on hand and what has gone out of the door. What about your contribution? Your skills, what you have put into your business or company that can be valued and assessed?

Take 20 minutes and do an inventory of your contribution and share it with me!!!!

Managing Deadlines

2009-04-16T03:09:00Z

Its unique how the title manager is looked at as such a status to attain in the workplace when in fact everybody is a manager. Looking at what everybody deals with on a regular day, all everyone does is manage. Specifically time. At one point or another, you've gone into work a little early because you know you had to leave early or take a longer lunch for a specific reason. That's managing time.

While managing time is easy for most people, managing deadlines is quite different. How to prioritize your time when you have competing assignments or just one assignment due and you need to ensure it's done on time. I've seen so many people over the years who have done excellent jobs at managing deadlines and always doing what needs to be done.

Two quick thoughts on managing deadlines:
1) Complete it before the deadline to make the deadline: This may seem like a weird one but whatever date you're given, give yourself a personal date before that to ensure you are on track

2) Manage the deadline: Assess how long it will take to actually complete the deadline and try to get it moved to a date that is more realistic. This is of course very difficult but I have seen it work.

While there are other ways I know, I'm curious to know what you know as a way to manage deadlines...let me know.

Your Brand That Just Happens

2009-04-14T10:22:00Z

How early to do you get up? As I'm sitting here at 5am preparing for my day I'm thinking about all the times I've been one of the first ones in the office. Not because I feel there is some value or something extra that comes with that, but because that's just me.

That got me to thinking about all the positions I've had throughout my life, whether they have been professional or not I have always been early. I reflect on comments from co-workers that they automatically know that they can catch me at a certain time in the morning. I begun to appreciate that this is in fact a part of my brand. Being able to be available without reservation is indeed a part of my brand. While I haven't strategically worked for this part of my brand, it just happened.

What is your brand that just happens? What do you do that everyone knows can be counted on (good or bad)?

Believing the Hype

2009-04-04T04:12:00Z

What are you hearing these days?
            When you are at work: Things are bad
            When you are watching TV: Things are bad
            When you are making small talk: Things are bad
            When you are in church: Things are bad

I question what would happen if we stopped watching all these reports on TV, stopped talking about how bad things are and stopped listening to how bad things are. Would they really be that bad?

I really do appreciate the shifting and changing of our economy and I in now way mean to disrespect those who have lost their jobs and/or their homes due to the current state of the American economy. However, I feel we are at a point where we are making it worse by continuing to talk about it and hyping it up.

There's a saying "As a man thinketh, so is he". If this is true (and I believe it is) what would happen if we started focusing on the positive things that are going on? If we talked as passionately about things that are good?

Quarter Point

2009-03-26T01:40:00Z

Last month I talked about assessing careers within the first six weeks, as opposed to waiting until the end of the year. For publicly traded companies, around this time of year there is always a lot of buzz around where a company's financial performance will end up at the end of the quarter.

I feel this is an excellent time to do our career performance as well. As I've stated before, waiting until the end of the year and scurrying to account for all the good work we have done should not be our practice.

If we go back to our first day back from work and list the significant meetings we had, any major projects that we have taken on, any new role we have moved into and list out what the objectives where, if they were met, and how we played a role in the outcome is a start.

The goal is not to wait until the end of the year, let's do assessments of ourselves now.

The Real Challenge with the Stimulus Package

2009-02-15T20:29:00Z

I'm a little exhausted with reading, watching, talking about this stimulus package that will be finalized soon. I'm definitely tired of hearing about the challenges around creating this financial recovery plan that lawmakers have created, and I emphasize the word created.

Yet as I think about it, I realize how much access to information I have. This then makes me think about those who may not have access, or those who may have access but have no idea how it impacts them. I'm willing to bet we all know someone personally who may not fully understand the impact to them this package will have, in the short and long term. The real challenge, as I see it is that everyone in America will know what this means and in most cases will be too embarrassed to seek out the answers.

What we do know is for those who fully understand it is off right now preparing their next opportunity to take advantage of this stimulus package. Whether it's changing their business model, starting a new business, or even starting a new scam to get their unjust portion of this money. So knowing this, there needs to be an even larger initiative to educate everyone.

I am taking on the responsibility to make sure that those I know personally who may not know the impact does know what it is, and even people I may meet along the way I am committed to helping them understand.

What are you thoughts on deciphering this information or having it explained to you?

One Month Check Up

2009-02-15T20:23:00Z

It's February 15th, 2009. One and a half months into the New Year. I have a proposal for everyone, let's not wait until June or even December to reflect on what we have done this year to achieving our goals. I mentioned before that I personally do not make New Years resolutions but I do re-focus on the area that need improvement in my life. Knowing I am not alone in this regard, everyone else has their focus areas that need attention and we have thought about them since the New Year started.

So I say again. Let's do a 45 day check-up on ourselves. If you want to call me and make me accountable, I'm all for it. But I too want to make you accountable.

After you finish your 45 day checkup, let me know how it turns out.

Making the Stretch

2009-01-25T20:03:00Z

So like many of us as we start getting a couple of years past 30, I no longer make New Years Resolutions. There is nothing that I have started working on this year because it's a New Year that I haven't been working on in 2008.

What I have done however is decided to make time to try something new. YOGA. Many who know me will probably find this extremely funny and I admit I find it funny as well. Especially the first day, as I sat there on this mat, I did begin to think how there is no way I'm gonna tell anybody I'm doing this.

One of the things I heard about yoga is there is about 10-15 different "types" of yoga to perform so I did my search on the internet to find out more detail and it was extremely confusing. How am I supposed to know what type to try? Does anyone truly know? Is there a guide out there somewhere that says (if you have this or like that then this is the type of yoga for you)? If there is a way to know, I didn't find it.

It's been three weeks, I signed up for the beginners course (being a accounting/finance person I always have to do things in order) because just jumping in I know I would have been out of my league. Starting with the first move which was really sitting still, I realized how challenging this was gonna be. Going from sitting to specific actions it got more difficult, but going through it I never thought of giving up.

As weird as some of those stretches were, my mind always stretched further. I kept trying, I didn't do any of them right, but I kept at it. Normally for me, I would have been ready to give up, not because I'm a quitter but it's Yoga. Sometimes for me if it doesn't come right away then forget it, it's not that important. Not this time, I stayed committed. I realized that it wasn't because I just so wanted to do Yoga, but I realized in my life that in order for me to fully realize my potential in any situation my mind has to make the stretch. I have to accept my limitations and not getting it right the first time and just push forward.

Once the beginners class is over, I will probably continue to go to Yoga. Maybe twice per month as opposed to every week, but one thing I do know that I will continue to keep "stretching"!!

Don't Just Love the Player, Love the Game!

2009-01-13T23:43:00Z

We've all been told or have told someone "Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Game". That direction has always stood to meant, if someone or someone is experiencing some type of success or advantage and you are not, do not be against that person but be against the institution or circumstances that has allowed them to have the success or advantage.

What happens when we are happy about the success?

Reflecting on the history that Barack Obama has made, there have been heartfelt celebration throughout this country and throughout the world. My first thought is, this is the same political structure that America has followed for over the last fifty years, shouldn't we always be engaged with this process?

It is with no question that Barack Obama is annointed with a gift, but without this game of politics would we ever have had the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful journey in this lifetime? My opinion is we (especially African Americans) should always be involved with the political process. The impact of policies of this nation we are always and have always been affected by. We should always understand who is being put in office. When I say understand, I mean more than just what the media tells us. We really should spend time looking into the process of politics.

We need to love the game, not just the player...........

There's a Madoff and Achan In All of Us

2009-01-12T01:05:00Z

I have a habit of watching CNN, CNBC, MSNBC quite a bit. During the past few weeks there's been a lot of coverage of the $50B theft of Bernard Madoff. If you haven't paid as much attention as I have or have managed to avoid all this coverage, Madoff basically stole $50B from a bunch of people (plain language). So of course we all can talk about how terrible that is, how corrupt that is, how unbelievable to think that someone can do such a thing. But in reality is it?????

Today as I sat in church service, the pastor preached on the book of Joshua Chapter 7 verses 7-15. While his whole sermon reached beyond these verses and well into Chapter 8, the story was clear. Israel defeated the army of Jericho (a rather large one) but lost the following battle to the smaller army of Ai. From the battle of Jericho, God instructed Israel to not keep anything they found from the battle of Jericho but to submit to him as tithing. Well Achan from Israel decided not to listen and took Gold, Silver, Garments (furs, etc in today's language) and hid them in his tent. So God punished Israel for stealing goods that did not belong to them. I'm sure you may be thinking if it were you there's no way you'd disobey and did what Achan did, much like Madoff.

1st Point: Madoff and Achan are exactly the same.

The reality is, are any of us any different from Madoff or Achan? Think about it, have you ever been given authority over $50B or a city's collection of precious gold, silver, material? I'm talking unlimited authority. Chances are you have not. But you have been given authority of opportunities that require the same level of integrity. I would go ahead and list all of the potential opportunities that we have daily (a teller who miscounted, taking more time for lunch/breaks, leaving early/coming late for work, etc.) but that would take quite a bit of time.

Results: Associates of Madoff killed themselves, Madoff's fate is yet to be decided. Achan was executed for his misdeeds. So clearly acting at a certain level of deceit causes death-Physically, but what do we do to ourselves spiritually when we do it regularly.

2nd Point: Can any of us really condemn Madoff or Achan?

You tell me. I'd like to get your thoughts.

Test Post

2009-01-10T14:08:00Z

Appreciate what you have.

The Lobster Opportunity

2009-01-04T23:44:00Z

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to cook my first whole live Lobster. I boiled it. So for those of you who may be thinking "what's the big deal?" My experience really has more to do with everything leading up to actually cooking it then cooking it itself. You see, I actually decided four days prior that I was going to do it. So I spent that time getting prepared. So not being a huge world renowned cook (as I assumed you have figured out), I had to mentally prepare myself for this.

Going to this huge Supermarket in Cincinnati called Jungle Jim's, I actually found myself lost trying to find the exit and walked into the seafood section. In this place they have 6 or 7 tanks with different live seafood items. In one of them there were about 100 live lobsters and they were on sale ($8.99 per pound if you care that much for details). So when I saw them it hit me! I should cook one of those. So I left without the lobster and vowed to come back after the new year. As you see, I chose to wait because a decision that big I had to let marinate in my mind. So I spent about 4 days telling everyone what I was going to do, about an hour or so on the internet looking up how to cook it. I went back to Jungle Jim's to purchase it, they put it in the bag without water (you can laugh). I got it home boiled the water (with carrots, celery, parsley, sea salt) and tossed him in. The results:

TWELVE MINUTES TO COOK!!

That was it. Twelve minutes he (or she) was red, tender and ready to be eaten. I spent more time thinking about it than doing it. Just as a quick note, Lobsters don't have central nervous systems so that's not screaming when they are cooking. They can't feel a thing.

Which takes me to my bigger point. How many times have we allowed ourselves to spend more time thinking, planning, talking about something than just doing it? What opportunity to learn something that is just sitting there waiting for you that if you just did it you will accomplish it? To add to this experience for me, I'd like to share a couple of more points:

              1. I don't like lobster.
              2. I just wanted to cook it for the experience.
To me, having the experience meant something. The fact that I really did not eat it or had the desire to meant nothing. I have just added to my chef repertoire another seafood dish. That's what was most important, but if ever called upon I'll be ready.

Second bigger point, what skill/knowledge is it beneficial for you to have that even if you don't enjoy the benefits of it now, you will be prepared in case it's required? Is it at work, church, or home? How can you be better prepared?

In Closing, if you have a Lobster Opportunity it's time you start cooking!!! Talk to me about it.

Introduction to Mr. H. L. Daniels

2009-01-03T01:15:00Z

My name is Mr. H. L. Daniels and this is my site.

     During the course of 2009 and beyond, I will be discussing life. Every angle, every vantage point and I hope that there is significant input into what I am saying. You see, my goal is to bring not just my point of view but several points of view. Oftentimes we discuss things based upon how we know they should be or how we want them to be but not how they are. I'm going to solicit feedback from a wide variety of people with varying perspectives so we can have some real dialogue. From those of us who grew up with silver spoons in our mouths to those who barely had a spoon at all.

I truly believe we can learn from all types of people, in all types of ways. This blog will also include interviews, group discussions, reference material, and the ability to connect with everyone. Not just with the people who are at levels that are perceived to be "higher" than us, but also those who are right there with us, managing lives in our own extraordinary way.

My goals for this blog are:
                                                   1. To grow
                                                   2. To help others grow

If you are like me, any achievement you have had has not been easy, a walk in the park, or just a phone call away. You have struggled. With struggle comes experiences that should be shared with everyone. I like the path that I have come to allow me to grow, although I can't be proud of every decision or outcome. The point is as we build relationships with each other, our family, friends (old and new) rarely do we share what made us who we are. I hope to focus on this and create a wonderful opportunity.

If you would like to learn more about me, I am on Linked in, Facebook, Twitter, and Plaxo. My name is Henry L. Daniels. I looked forward to getting to know you better......

Welcome

2008-12-23T01:24:21Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.