"Humbug" - something designed to deceive and mislead.
- nonsense or drivel.
- an attitude or spirit of pretense and deception.
- a willfully false, deceptive, or insincere statement or person.
Now I'm hoping this title will catch the attention of some, those especially who know they can contribute to the quality of Christmas, by making it a wonderful memory or an emotional disaster. After extensive research, and with credit to Bobby Scott from Perimeter School and his sources, here is my list including my own personal issues.
1. FOCUS ENTIRELY ON YOURSELF. Let your mind ruminate on what you "need", want, or just lust for, joyously focusing only on those gifts addressed to YOU, rather than your gifts to others. After all, it's just all about "what I got" anyway isn't it? If you do bother (and remember it is a pain to fight the crowd at the mall) to give a somewhat nice gift to someone else be certain to brag to everyone and remind them of just how fantastic YOU are for doing that.
2. JUDGE ALL THE GIFTS YOU RECEIVE. Evaluate everything on how much it cost, if it was better than what you gave the other person, if the giver really listened to you and understood what it was you wanted, and the total number of gifts you received compared with how many others (family members or friends) received. Make it a contest!! Just always remember that nobody but YOU can win because it is YOUR contest and YOU set the rules, which you can change if needed.
3. ENGAGE IN HALF-HEARTED RITUALS. After all haven't we sung those same Christmas songs a million times before? Visited those same friends/family members before? Attended those same parties before? Let's just do the expected things quickly and then get out as soon as possible. We can always go home and watch TV or just have a quiet drink. Let the rest of the family go to Christmas Eve Church Service without you, they always tell that same story anyway.
4. DWELL ON ALL YOUR PAST HURTS. Remember last Christmas how unappreciated you were? Stew about how mean/stupid/etc your friends, relatives, or neighbors have been and how you can never forget what they did to you! How long ago was that anyway? Hold on to that grudge, enjoy it, and wait for them to come humble themselves before you before you ever consider thinking about forgiving them. Make them suffer, hurting you, intentionally or not, was just clearly wrong.
5. REHASH OLD ARGUMENTS AND PUSH KNOWN HOT BUTTONS. This is a biggie!! Purposely or intentionally bring up those issues that you know will rile up your friends or family members. Remind them that "THEIR" favorite football team really stinks this year, that "Their" candidate lost, or that they "NEVER" do the things you request and "ALWAYS" do things to irritate you. Plus, will they ever stop giving you that "some old type of present" every single Christmas? They should KNOW you wanted that new IPAD no matter what it costs.
6. REFUSE ALL OFFERS OF HELP AND PLAY THE MARTYR CARD. Since others just can't do things the way YOU know it should be done, just do everything yourself. I mean, after all, YOU shouldn't have to ASK them to help you anyway, they should know and see what needs to be done. Besides, if nobody helps you, then you have an excuse to resent them and feel sorry for yourself. (See # 1 & # 4 above). The "JOY" of being a servant and martyr should be all yours anyway, so why share it with others. Many women understand this much more than men so we guys need to make a special effort on this one.
7. MAKE A HOLIDAY CHECKLIST AND COMPLETE IT PERFECTLY. The only way to really enjoy the holidays is to get YOUR list done on time, in the proper way, and on the planned schedule. Never compromise period! Flexibility to just sit and enjoy your family or friends is a total waste of time anyway. Unless they want to praise you or talk about how great you are why bother! Who will get all credit for getting that work done if you let them help anyway?
8. NEVER TAKE TIME FOR CHARITY WORK. Why spread any possible cheer in any direction other than towards yourself? Those homeless folks could never ever repay anything you do for them so why bother? Besides, if they would be more like you they wouldn't need the help.
9. ONLY SEND CARDS OR GIFTS TO THOSE WHO ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP YOU. If someone can't do more for you than you can for them what is the purpose anyway? Again keep #1, #2, & # 3 above in the top of your mind. If it isn't about you, who cares?
10. REMEMBER BEING MISERABLE IS EASIER THAN HAVING A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS. Why not just give in and allow your inner self to have fun and remain self-centered. After all, it's much easier and more fun than the alternative. Having a Peace filled and Joyful Christmas isn't all that it's cracked up to be anyway. Finally, remember the battles and problems you will face the day after Christmas fighting everyone else back at the mall for those left-over bargains and returning that junk others gave you!!
So have a miserable Christmas and a very unhappy Holiday season. Smiles and laughter are highly overrated anyway!!
Steve
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Gone Flying
Yesterday I took a friend up for a flight and the infamous $100 hamburger. Only after we were up about 3,000 feet did he tell me that this was his FIRST flight in a small airplane. I usually try to find that out before I take someone up, believe me it does make a difference in how you do things when you have a "first timer" on board.
What I experienced yesterday was a wonderful time that I had almost forgotten myself, that thrill of breaking free of gravity and solid ground and flying like the birds do. Watching my friend taking in everything for the first time that I have started to take for granted. I was able to see thru his eyes the sights that have become so commonplace to me and experience again the thrill that started me flying years ago. Looking down on familiar places but from a totally new angle really amazes folks - seeing more and different colors from above the haze line, watching smoke rise with the wind and actually feeling that wind as it moves the airplane. All wonderful feelings that unfortunately only a small few folks get to experience in life. Many of my pilot friends have told me they long ago forgot those thrilling adventures and now just look upon flying as another method of getting somewhere fast. I hope that never happens to me - I love the flight - the trip is, to me, almost more fun than getting to the destination. In fact, sometimes when I get to my destination I will intentionally veer away just to spend a few more moments up in the sky experiencing that freedom that folks tied to the ground just don't realize.
A short 20 minute flight to the North Georgia Mountain region, then lunch with good friends, and another short flight back to Atlanta doesn't take too much time, but it certainly removes years from my life as I get to feel like a child again for a short amount of time. When I reflect and remember how great it is I am always reminded of taking a young boy up for a flight once. He was in the back seat, with headsets on his small head, just talking away but I couldn't quite hear or understand what he was saying. When I got his attention and repeated my question he told me he was just talking with his dad who had died the year before and this boy knew that he was much closer to heaven so he was having a discussion about what he missed about his dad. I had trouble finishing that flight - my eyesight seemed to develop a very wet blurry view - but believe me I did extend that flight as long as possible, for all 3 of us.
Remember to live life fully each and every day. Everyday is a gift, that is why it is called the "Present."
What I experienced yesterday was a wonderful time that I had almost forgotten myself, that thrill of breaking free of gravity and solid ground and flying like the birds do. Watching my friend taking in everything for the first time that I have started to take for granted. I was able to see thru his eyes the sights that have become so commonplace to me and experience again the thrill that started me flying years ago. Looking down on familiar places but from a totally new angle really amazes folks - seeing more and different colors from above the haze line, watching smoke rise with the wind and actually feeling that wind as it moves the airplane. All wonderful feelings that unfortunately only a small few folks get to experience in life. Many of my pilot friends have told me they long ago forgot those thrilling adventures and now just look upon flying as another method of getting somewhere fast. I hope that never happens to me - I love the flight - the trip is, to me, almost more fun than getting to the destination. In fact, sometimes when I get to my destination I will intentionally veer away just to spend a few more moments up in the sky experiencing that freedom that folks tied to the ground just don't realize.
A short 20 minute flight to the North Georgia Mountain region, then lunch with good friends, and another short flight back to Atlanta doesn't take too much time, but it certainly removes years from my life as I get to feel like a child again for a short amount of time. When I reflect and remember how great it is I am always reminded of taking a young boy up for a flight once. He was in the back seat, with headsets on his small head, just talking away but I couldn't quite hear or understand what he was saying. When I got his attention and repeated my question he told me he was just talking with his dad who had died the year before and this boy knew that he was much closer to heaven so he was having a discussion about what he missed about his dad. I had trouble finishing that flight - my eyesight seemed to develop a very wet blurry view - but believe me I did extend that flight as long as possible, for all 3 of us.
Remember to live life fully each and every day. Everyday is a gift, that is why it is called the "Present."
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Changes to 2011 TCNA Tile Handbook Summary
I'm trying something new today - I am adding a complete summary article I've written about the changes to the 2011 TCNA Tile Handbook. If you are involved in the tile business this will be of interest, if not you may not want to spend the time reading the following 4 pages of information.
Changes to the 2011 TCNA Handbook
The 2011 TCNA Handbook will be over triple the size of the current 2010 handbook with the addition of many new methods and huge improvements in usability over the current book. Below I will outline some of the changes and what they mean to USG and our customers.
• Addition of stone installation methods
o Clarify and make it obvious that stone tile is different from ceramic tile
o Highlight selection and installation considerations and precautions for marble and stone tiles.
o Substrate preparation, or flattening, is required if substrate doesn’t meet level tolerances. Self-leveling methods may be a good choice.
o Limitations on stone tile including post-tensioned concrete, L/720 deflection requirements, maximum substrate variation 1/8” in 10’, epoxy setting materials required for some stone installations.
o New backer board requirements for stone installations – two layer structural wood substrate floors required under backer board installation
o ONLY CBU backer boards are recommended under stone installations
o There will be some duplication of methods but with different requirements for stone versus ceramic tile installations.
• New concrete substrate installation methods with different recommendations for tiling on-ground versus above-ground concrete slabs.
• New optional Membranes sections added into almost all tile installation methods
o Discussion of better setting materials requirements for membrane use
o Discussion of reduced service ratings on installations with membranes
o Discussion of differences of variability of suitability with membranes
• Editorial Overhaul of entire handbook
o Bullets and language standardized
o Need for cross references eliminated by adding more info into methods
o Membrane options called out to add clarity to methods
• Floor Assembly Weights section added to allow design professionals to better calculate the dead load ratings. Mortar beds and all types of backer board unit’s weights given.
• New Improved Ceramic Tile Selection Guide
o Summary of ANSI A137.1 requirements for tile
o Defines the 5 different types of ceramic tile and the minimum performance each must meet
o Discusses breaking strength and bond strength requirements.
• New Glass Tile selection and installation guide
o Only CBU Backer boards recommended under glass tile installations
o Setting materials take better mortars and longer to cure
o Critical need for flat substrate – self-leveling beds may be needed
o Glass tile bonding issues to membranes discussions
o 70 new glass tile installation methods
o Discussion of critical movement joint requirements for the entire assembly with glass tile being used.
• New Environmental Classifications applied to all methods. Guidance provided on both residential and commercial differences in Dry, Limited water, Wet, Steam, High Temperature, and Exterior assemblies.
o Interior walls now rated dry or limited moisture exposure.
o If materials used in Wed areas then details show wall-to-floor transition
o Clarifies what type of a membrane is needed for each application.
• New Wet area Guidelines includes differences between intermittent-wet versus saturated wet areas and how to incorporate waterproofing to contain and evacuate water and protect the building materials behind and below installation.
o Spells out important requirements for:
o Drain and waterproofing sloped to that drain
o Have open/protected weep holes
o Use of a vapor retarder behind the backer board
o Wrapping curb assembly completely with membrane
o Keeping the backer board out of the mortar bed
• New substrate flatness requirements for ceramic tile due to larger sized tiles
o Tiles with all edges shorter than 15” maximum allowable variation is ¼” in ‘ from the required plane and no more than 1/16” variation in 12” from any high points in the surface.
o Tiles with at least one edge 15” or longer in length maximum allowable variation is 1/8” in 10’ with no more than 1/16” in 24” from the high points.
• New ISO references for Grout and Mortar Specifications.
o Explanatory section for determining minimum performance.
o Explanatory section for key to ISO nomenclature and relationships to ANSI and ASTM requirements. Both ISO and ANSI specifications are provided.
o ISO testing/performance requirements listing. Different properties are measured and different tests are used to measure the properties.
• New options for membranes, mortars, grouts, and other materials with multiple options MUST BE CLEARLY SPECIFIED IN WRITING by the design professional or if not specifically indicated optional materials ARE NOT INCLUDED and choice defaults to minimum performance specification.
• Updated Tile is the Natural Choice section
o The Green side of tile
o LEED and other Green Building Rating Systems explanations
o Floor covering cost comparison
o Life Cycle cost data comparisons
o New Why Select Ceramic Tile section
• New “Dry” Wall method listing tub surrounds without a shower head
o Allows different backer board units including Glass Mat Water Resistant backer board units and standard drywall products.
• New Pool installation method
• New “soft materials” caution for ceramic tile and stone products subjected to lower breaking strengths
• New Expansion joint explanations and drawings including joints at vertical surfaces.
• New Grout guide discussing color consistency of cementitious grouts as well as epoxy emulsion grouts, and premixed Polymer Resin Grouts.
• New Steam Shower assembly revisions including CBU backings use.
As you can see this will be quite an extensive amount of change for the tile installers to absorb so please be prepared when the book is released to update your flash drive with the new information and have new printed copies to show your distributors and installers. This will require a huge educational effort on everyone in the supply side of the tile industry to insure that the message of these new changes get out into daily use to cut down on the failure rate of installed products that are not being done properly and leading to premature failures.
Changes to the 2011 TCNA Handbook
The 2011 TCNA Handbook will be over triple the size of the current 2010 handbook with the addition of many new methods and huge improvements in usability over the current book. Below I will outline some of the changes and what they mean to USG and our customers.
• Addition of stone installation methods
o Clarify and make it obvious that stone tile is different from ceramic tile
o Highlight selection and installation considerations and precautions for marble and stone tiles.
o Substrate preparation, or flattening, is required if substrate doesn’t meet level tolerances. Self-leveling methods may be a good choice.
o Limitations on stone tile including post-tensioned concrete, L/720 deflection requirements, maximum substrate variation 1/8” in 10’, epoxy setting materials required for some stone installations.
o New backer board requirements for stone installations – two layer structural wood substrate floors required under backer board installation
o ONLY CBU backer boards are recommended under stone installations
o There will be some duplication of methods but with different requirements for stone versus ceramic tile installations.
• New concrete substrate installation methods with different recommendations for tiling on-ground versus above-ground concrete slabs.
• New optional Membranes sections added into almost all tile installation methods
o Discussion of better setting materials requirements for membrane use
o Discussion of reduced service ratings on installations with membranes
o Discussion of differences of variability of suitability with membranes
• Editorial Overhaul of entire handbook
o Bullets and language standardized
o Need for cross references eliminated by adding more info into methods
o Membrane options called out to add clarity to methods
• Floor Assembly Weights section added to allow design professionals to better calculate the dead load ratings. Mortar beds and all types of backer board unit’s weights given.
• New Improved Ceramic Tile Selection Guide
o Summary of ANSI A137.1 requirements for tile
o Defines the 5 different types of ceramic tile and the minimum performance each must meet
o Discusses breaking strength and bond strength requirements.
• New Glass Tile selection and installation guide
o Only CBU Backer boards recommended under glass tile installations
o Setting materials take better mortars and longer to cure
o Critical need for flat substrate – self-leveling beds may be needed
o Glass tile bonding issues to membranes discussions
o 70 new glass tile installation methods
o Discussion of critical movement joint requirements for the entire assembly with glass tile being used.
• New Environmental Classifications applied to all methods. Guidance provided on both residential and commercial differences in Dry, Limited water, Wet, Steam, High Temperature, and Exterior assemblies.
o Interior walls now rated dry or limited moisture exposure.
o If materials used in Wed areas then details show wall-to-floor transition
o Clarifies what type of a membrane is needed for each application.
• New Wet area Guidelines includes differences between intermittent-wet versus saturated wet areas and how to incorporate waterproofing to contain and evacuate water and protect the building materials behind and below installation.
o Spells out important requirements for:
o Drain and waterproofing sloped to that drain
o Have open/protected weep holes
o Use of a vapor retarder behind the backer board
o Wrapping curb assembly completely with membrane
o Keeping the backer board out of the mortar bed
• New substrate flatness requirements for ceramic tile due to larger sized tiles
o Tiles with all edges shorter than 15” maximum allowable variation is ¼” in ‘ from the required plane and no more than 1/16” variation in 12” from any high points in the surface.
o Tiles with at least one edge 15” or longer in length maximum allowable variation is 1/8” in 10’ with no more than 1/16” in 24” from the high points.
• New ISO references for Grout and Mortar Specifications.
o Explanatory section for determining minimum performance.
o Explanatory section for key to ISO nomenclature and relationships to ANSI and ASTM requirements. Both ISO and ANSI specifications are provided.
o ISO testing/performance requirements listing. Different properties are measured and different tests are used to measure the properties.
• New options for membranes, mortars, grouts, and other materials with multiple options MUST BE CLEARLY SPECIFIED IN WRITING by the design professional or if not specifically indicated optional materials ARE NOT INCLUDED and choice defaults to minimum performance specification.
• Updated Tile is the Natural Choice section
o The Green side of tile
o LEED and other Green Building Rating Systems explanations
o Floor covering cost comparison
o Life Cycle cost data comparisons
o New Why Select Ceramic Tile section
• New “Dry” Wall method listing tub surrounds without a shower head
o Allows different backer board units including Glass Mat Water Resistant backer board units and standard drywall products.
• New Pool installation method
• New “soft materials” caution for ceramic tile and stone products subjected to lower breaking strengths
• New Expansion joint explanations and drawings including joints at vertical surfaces.
• New Grout guide discussing color consistency of cementitious grouts as well as epoxy emulsion grouts, and premixed Polymer Resin Grouts.
• New Steam Shower assembly revisions including CBU backings use.
As you can see this will be quite an extensive amount of change for the tile installers to absorb so please be prepared when the book is released to update your flash drive with the new information and have new printed copies to show your distributors and installers. This will require a huge educational effort on everyone in the supply side of the tile industry to insure that the message of these new changes get out into daily use to cut down on the failure rate of installed products that are not being done properly and leading to premature failures.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thinking "outside" the box? Why not try inside?
I love life. If you know me at all you know that for certain. I get passionate about things and sometimes very impatient because of my passion to accomplish something. This week a friend of mine saw me working on a problem and said something to me that absolutely stopped me in my tracks - stunned me, if you will. He asked me why I was struggling so much with this and I, in my own "knowing" way started to explain to him (the unlearned, or so I thought) how all my books and acquired knowledge leads me to progressive thinking - mostly "outside" of the box. My friend listened politely to me and smiled all the time.
Now allow me to explain here that I became a convert to thinking outside the box many years ago and that skill, which I found difficult to acquire and master, has served me well for a very long time and helped me solve many issues. When I was finished talking my friend, still smiling, reminded me that looking inside the box is the best starting position and usually leads to a better, faster answer. But, as they say, here is the rest of the story. I am so very familiar and comfortable with looking outside the box for my solutions I sometimes fail to examine what is right in front of me, INSIDE the box which solves the situation easily AND better than spending all that time trying to reinvent my wheel.
I've had that same issue with the Ipad computer. I see that as a tool to looking outside my box and make huge progress, but will it actually do that for me? When I look inside my box I notice that what the Ipad does very well, I do very little of - and what I really want a small computer tool like that to do the Ipad doesn't do that so well. In fact, due to some of our company computer security issues the Ipad won't work at all as I need it to do. When I backtracked my steps and looked around inside my box I discovered that the real issues I wanted and needed to have this tool for were best served by a Netbook Windows based smaller (size wise not power wise)computer. Once I got my "head trash" cleared out then the Acer Computer seemed the answer.
But wait, was I now rushing to a decision without considering other options? I did some research and asked several users opinions and discovered that for the same size, money, and efforts I could get a MSI (unheard of brand to me) and not only EXCEED my needs but do it faster, better, cheaper, and easier than any of the other choices. So now I have a Netbook, small size, computer that for exceeds what I really need to do but costs much less (to my budget) than the Apple Ipad. I'm still struggling that I'm not "cool" and don't have that "out of the box" tool that everyone else is raving about - the Ipad, but it's ok, see this blog is actually typed on the full sized keyboard of the MSI Netbook and I can see the full width of the page, neither of which would have happened if I solved my situation outside of the box.
Now I'm wondering how many other things I've messed up due to my thinking outside the box instead of taking the tried and true route to examine all situations unemotionally and clearly by starting INSIDE the situation and working towards the outside as the need arises.
What is your take on this?
Now allow me to explain here that I became a convert to thinking outside the box many years ago and that skill, which I found difficult to acquire and master, has served me well for a very long time and helped me solve many issues. When I was finished talking my friend, still smiling, reminded me that looking inside the box is the best starting position and usually leads to a better, faster answer. But, as they say, here is the rest of the story. I am so very familiar and comfortable with looking outside the box for my solutions I sometimes fail to examine what is right in front of me, INSIDE the box which solves the situation easily AND better than spending all that time trying to reinvent my wheel.
I've had that same issue with the Ipad computer. I see that as a tool to looking outside my box and make huge progress, but will it actually do that for me? When I look inside my box I notice that what the Ipad does very well, I do very little of - and what I really want a small computer tool like that to do the Ipad doesn't do that so well. In fact, due to some of our company computer security issues the Ipad won't work at all as I need it to do. When I backtracked my steps and looked around inside my box I discovered that the real issues I wanted and needed to have this tool for were best served by a Netbook Windows based smaller (size wise not power wise)computer. Once I got my "head trash" cleared out then the Acer Computer seemed the answer.
But wait, was I now rushing to a decision without considering other options? I did some research and asked several users opinions and discovered that for the same size, money, and efforts I could get a MSI (unheard of brand to me) and not only EXCEED my needs but do it faster, better, cheaper, and easier than any of the other choices. So now I have a Netbook, small size, computer that for exceeds what I really need to do but costs much less (to my budget) than the Apple Ipad. I'm still struggling that I'm not "cool" and don't have that "out of the box" tool that everyone else is raving about - the Ipad, but it's ok, see this blog is actually typed on the full sized keyboard of the MSI Netbook and I can see the full width of the page, neither of which would have happened if I solved my situation outside of the box.
Now I'm wondering how many other things I've messed up due to my thinking outside the box instead of taking the tried and true route to examine all situations unemotionally and clearly by starting INSIDE the situation and working towards the outside as the need arises.
What is your take on this?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Giving or Receiving?
I spent the last entire week at Total Solutions Plus meetings which is a first time concept for the ceramic tile and stone world - 3 different industry associations, Tile Council of North America, National Tile Contractors Association and Ceramic Tile Distributors Association, all meeting together at the same time in the same location.
What became clear during this week were several items on this first time adventure: (A) We all liked the concept of getting everyone together in one group, (B) schedule overlaps need to be looked at and re-evaluated, (C) we needed more "social networking" time so everyone can visit and get maximum benefits of being together.
What I gained from that entire week of meetings cannot be explained in the small space of this blog, but I did make a very specific effort to gain information from every single group meeting or conversation that I had during that time. In evaluating the experience I started to reflect on how much information I "normally" miss by wanting to "give" my knowledge to folks I talk with as opposed to staying quiet and "receiving" information from them. I just finished a book about that subject and made a very difficult decision for me by attempting to listen at least twice as much as I spoke, and by "Fully listening" as opposed to my usual attitude of listening just to develop my answer or come back to the statement. Man that was hard for me.
I now wonder, as I evaluate this experiment just how much valuable information I've missed during my lifetime by not listening fully but rather just giving information and preparing to give more information while I had to endure what the other person had to say.
Life is funny isn't it? By the time you gain this valuable skill many of us are almost past our prime to utilize it fully. That being said, it is never too late to change old habits and learn new skills and this listening fully stuff has some merit to it.
The next time we have an opportunity for a telephone conversation, or a face-to-face talk, please call me on this shortcoming, if I start to backslide, so that I can continue to grow as I did last week. As a great friend of mine used to say: "The only difference between a rut and a grave is the length and depth." Listen your way to life today and let me know your thoughts on this subject.
Steve
What became clear during this week were several items on this first time adventure: (A) We all liked the concept of getting everyone together in one group, (B) schedule overlaps need to be looked at and re-evaluated, (C) we needed more "social networking" time so everyone can visit and get maximum benefits of being together.
What I gained from that entire week of meetings cannot be explained in the small space of this blog, but I did make a very specific effort to gain information from every single group meeting or conversation that I had during that time. In evaluating the experience I started to reflect on how much information I "normally" miss by wanting to "give" my knowledge to folks I talk with as opposed to staying quiet and "receiving" information from them. I just finished a book about that subject and made a very difficult decision for me by attempting to listen at least twice as much as I spoke, and by "Fully listening" as opposed to my usual attitude of listening just to develop my answer or come back to the statement. Man that was hard for me.
I now wonder, as I evaluate this experiment just how much valuable information I've missed during my lifetime by not listening fully but rather just giving information and preparing to give more information while I had to endure what the other person had to say.
Life is funny isn't it? By the time you gain this valuable skill many of us are almost past our prime to utilize it fully. That being said, it is never too late to change old habits and learn new skills and this listening fully stuff has some merit to it.
The next time we have an opportunity for a telephone conversation, or a face-to-face talk, please call me on this shortcoming, if I start to backslide, so that I can continue to grow as I did last week. As a great friend of mine used to say: "The only difference between a rut and a grave is the length and depth." Listen your way to life today and let me know your thoughts on this subject.
Steve
Monday, October 18, 2010
What you learn after you know it all that counts!
A great mentor and friend of mine used the statement above "It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts." His contention was that really important learning only takes place when you stop and evaluate what you already believe that you know. One of his biggest points to consider is What "Lens" are you using to look at life? There is a new book out by Alan Fine - "You Already Know How to Be Great" and he discusses applying new thinking to your life plus some suggestions on how to get out of your own way. It is an extremely interesting book that leads folks to self-evaluation and examination.
Fine suggests we have 3 elements that we must get right to best use the knowledge that we already have:
FAITH: Our beliefs about ourselves and our beliefs about others. An absence of FAITH could be described as insecurity.
FIRE: Our energy, passion, motivation, and commitment. An absence of FIRE could be described as indifference.
FOCUS: What we pay attention to and how we pay attention it it. The absence of FOCUS could be described as inconsistency.
Now I believe that FOCUS is the lens that provides the tool for removing distractions and thus becomes the most effective way to release FAITH and FIRE in your daily life.
Fine goes on to introduce the GROW process: This process asks:
"What is my GOAL?"
"What is REALITY?"
"What are my OPTIONS?"
"What is the best WAY Forward?"
Fine suggest using the GROW process helps reduce interference, clarify thinking, identify options, and break down the challenge into doable tasks. It also unblocks and unlocks FAITH, FIRE, and FOCUS to free people to evaluate and utilize the knowledge they already have.
Now here is the problem as I see it: What I absolutely know for certain is colored by the lens that I used to see or learn that knowledge. If I think as a sales person then everything looks like a potential sale. If I think like an accountant everything becomes a question of balancing the numbers, a Lawyer, limiting the liability, a marketing specialist, reaching the largest audience, etc, you get the picture.
So how do we clarify and balance our "LENS?" Especially after the fact that we have already learned so much without thinking much about which lens we learned it under? The "R" in GROW process - REALITY - is the key here. Ask yourself are you accurately seeing reality or or are you seeing what you want or desire it to be? A simple test helps me determine this for myself - do I listen openly to the complete opposite viewpoint and unemotionally consider what is said before I make up my mind that my opinion or view of this reality is correct? Consider when you see a picture of a mountain range at sunset. As a scientist you would see the formations and geology of the mountains, as a artist you may see the shadows and colors involved. as a pilot flying you would see and consider the altitude and flight path required as well as verify your heading to make sure you are safe. All three "lens" are correct for each person looking at the exact same picture - your job may be to blend all 3 to come with the best OPTION and WAY FORWARD in your situation.
I find myself questioning my "LENS" view of almost everything every single day now since I have learned this skill. It tends to help me stay self assured and more confident of my decisions after I have done this evaluation process. The only disadvantage I have found to this process is that it does require you to stop and think before making a decision. Is that a bad thing?
These are my thoughts on this subject, what are yours?
Fine suggests we have 3 elements that we must get right to best use the knowledge that we already have:
FAITH: Our beliefs about ourselves and our beliefs about others. An absence of FAITH could be described as insecurity.
FIRE: Our energy, passion, motivation, and commitment. An absence of FIRE could be described as indifference.
FOCUS: What we pay attention to and how we pay attention it it. The absence of FOCUS could be described as inconsistency.
Now I believe that FOCUS is the lens that provides the tool for removing distractions and thus becomes the most effective way to release FAITH and FIRE in your daily life.
Fine goes on to introduce the GROW process: This process asks:
"What is my GOAL?"
"What is REALITY?"
"What are my OPTIONS?"
"What is the best WAY Forward?"
Fine suggest using the GROW process helps reduce interference, clarify thinking, identify options, and break down the challenge into doable tasks. It also unblocks and unlocks FAITH, FIRE, and FOCUS to free people to evaluate and utilize the knowledge they already have.
Now here is the problem as I see it: What I absolutely know for certain is colored by the lens that I used to see or learn that knowledge. If I think as a sales person then everything looks like a potential sale. If I think like an accountant everything becomes a question of balancing the numbers, a Lawyer, limiting the liability, a marketing specialist, reaching the largest audience, etc, you get the picture.
So how do we clarify and balance our "LENS?" Especially after the fact that we have already learned so much without thinking much about which lens we learned it under? The "R" in GROW process - REALITY - is the key here. Ask yourself are you accurately seeing reality or or are you seeing what you want or desire it to be? A simple test helps me determine this for myself - do I listen openly to the complete opposite viewpoint and unemotionally consider what is said before I make up my mind that my opinion or view of this reality is correct? Consider when you see a picture of a mountain range at sunset. As a scientist you would see the formations and geology of the mountains, as a artist you may see the shadows and colors involved. as a pilot flying you would see and consider the altitude and flight path required as well as verify your heading to make sure you are safe. All three "lens" are correct for each person looking at the exact same picture - your job may be to blend all 3 to come with the best OPTION and WAY FORWARD in your situation.
I find myself questioning my "LENS" view of almost everything every single day now since I have learned this skill. It tends to help me stay self assured and more confident of my decisions after I have done this evaluation process. The only disadvantage I have found to this process is that it does require you to stop and think before making a decision. Is that a bad thing?
These are my thoughts on this subject, what are yours?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Lost friends
Early this morning we lost a great American man - Dr. William J. (Bill) Pharris who had been the band director at Norcross High School for many years. Bill retired the last year that any of my kids were in High School (MANY years ago now) but we have kept in touch just because Bill was such a special person. He was charged in his job description to train students in music but that was not enough for Mr P. He REQUIRED his students to be good students FIRST and then take care of band. Nobody knows for sure how many lives Bill touched, but when past students from as far back as 20+ years stay in touch with him, you know it was a huge number.
Teaching today is difficult at best, but when someone special like Bill makes a committment to teach and work with young people they must have a passion or it just doesn't last. Kids are smart, they can tell the difference in a teacher who just has a job and the "special" teacher who really cares about them and their futures.
None of my 3 children were what you would call "star" students, and because of Mr P (as they all called him) was one of the toughest teachers they all had - and all 3 love him today because of his methods of pulling the best out of them. I can remember at band camp on year Mr P yelling out in his subtle way "Rausch - you aren't in step" and all 3 yelled back, "Sorry sir but which Rausch?" - smiling Bill just said - "You know who was out of step - correct it NOW!", then he turned to me and said "I'm going to have to label them 1,2, & 3 so I don't get the wrong one anymore" - that was pure Mr P - even my wife called him Mr P - I was the only "Rausch" who was not afraid of him and felt comfortable calling him Bill.
There are many Mr P's out in the world today, thank God, and they go quietly about their passion helping improve the world one student at a time. Bill once told my son Tim and his best friend Jason, when they both said they wanted to become high school band directors, "Only do it if you want to make a difference, and then never compromise your standards". Bill NEVER compromised his standards and many young people today are much better because of his passion. Tim didn't go on to become that band director, yet he uses what Bill taught him every day of his life. Jason starts this very week as a high school band director and I absolutely KNOW he had the best training anyone could have ever had for the job ahead of him. Mr P will be watching Jason so don't compromise the standards.
Thank you Mr Pharris and I know God has you in a very special place today enjoying the rest of eternity basking in the glory and honor that you deserve. We back here on earth will miss you greatly and can't wait to catch up some day and hear your voice calling out again with encouragement to young folks. You left this world a better place than you found it and THAT is a very rich estate to leave behind.
Teaching today is difficult at best, but when someone special like Bill makes a committment to teach and work with young people they must have a passion or it just doesn't last. Kids are smart, they can tell the difference in a teacher who just has a job and the "special" teacher who really cares about them and their futures.
None of my 3 children were what you would call "star" students, and because of Mr P (as they all called him) was one of the toughest teachers they all had - and all 3 love him today because of his methods of pulling the best out of them. I can remember at band camp on year Mr P yelling out in his subtle way "Rausch - you aren't in step" and all 3 yelled back, "Sorry sir but which Rausch?" - smiling Bill just said - "You know who was out of step - correct it NOW!", then he turned to me and said "I'm going to have to label them 1,2, & 3 so I don't get the wrong one anymore" - that was pure Mr P - even my wife called him Mr P - I was the only "Rausch" who was not afraid of him and felt comfortable calling him Bill.
There are many Mr P's out in the world today, thank God, and they go quietly about their passion helping improve the world one student at a time. Bill once told my son Tim and his best friend Jason, when they both said they wanted to become high school band directors, "Only do it if you want to make a difference, and then never compromise your standards". Bill NEVER compromised his standards and many young people today are much better because of his passion. Tim didn't go on to become that band director, yet he uses what Bill taught him every day of his life. Jason starts this very week as a high school band director and I absolutely KNOW he had the best training anyone could have ever had for the job ahead of him. Mr P will be watching Jason so don't compromise the standards.
Thank you Mr Pharris and I know God has you in a very special place today enjoying the rest of eternity basking in the glory and honor that you deserve. We back here on earth will miss you greatly and can't wait to catch up some day and hear your voice calling out again with encouragement to young folks. You left this world a better place than you found it and THAT is a very rich estate to leave behind.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Ever had a Nile Perch?
In our new Global economy everyone should know about the Nile Perch!
It's a huge freshwater fish, easy to catch and eat, and tempting to introduce into non-native waters. found interestingly enough in the Nile river basin and region.
And when it shows up? The Nile perch grows huge in size and it will eat everything it can and probably drive competitive smaller fish extinct. Good intentions are rewarded with plenty of Nile perch (for now) but a degraded ecosystem in the long run. Everyone in the South should be able to relate this with Kudzu, different product but same results.
Does that sound like anything else we hear about on a regular basis? Wal-Mart? Mega brand car dealerships? Big Box building supply stores? Grocery stores? The list is long and well known. Sometimes we all are dazzled by the short term lure of choosing from hundreds of items to buy, and very low prices to make it all seem right. But what about all of those smaller companies and the hundreds of folks, plus thousands of family members that the huge stores lead to extinction?
We seem to place plenty of value on instant gratification for the wants and desires of our lives and sometimes that is very nice, but what about the long term consequences of always having that available? Do we get fat and happy? Sloppy in our business or purchasing habits? I certainly remember just a few years ago when anyone could open a new business, not have much of a plan or capital, and become a big success in a short amount of time. The dot com empires came and went bust all relatively quickly from just that process. In the flooring and tile industry we saw many examples of companies, at all levels, who in spite of their poor decisions and seemly total lack of a marketing plan, made money and grew their businesses, but at the first sign of real competition and downturn of economy they withered and died quickly.
I suppose that the Nile Perch has it's advantages, but I certainly see many disadvantages also and it makes me wonder if the benefits outweigh the problems it creates.
Just my thoughts, what are yours?
Steve
It's a huge freshwater fish, easy to catch and eat, and tempting to introduce into non-native waters. found interestingly enough in the Nile river basin and region.
And when it shows up? The Nile perch grows huge in size and it will eat everything it can and probably drive competitive smaller fish extinct. Good intentions are rewarded with plenty of Nile perch (for now) but a degraded ecosystem in the long run. Everyone in the South should be able to relate this with Kudzu, different product but same results.
Does that sound like anything else we hear about on a regular basis? Wal-Mart? Mega brand car dealerships? Big Box building supply stores? Grocery stores? The list is long and well known. Sometimes we all are dazzled by the short term lure of choosing from hundreds of items to buy, and very low prices to make it all seem right. But what about all of those smaller companies and the hundreds of folks, plus thousands of family members that the huge stores lead to extinction?
We seem to place plenty of value on instant gratification for the wants and desires of our lives and sometimes that is very nice, but what about the long term consequences of always having that available? Do we get fat and happy? Sloppy in our business or purchasing habits? I certainly remember just a few years ago when anyone could open a new business, not have much of a plan or capital, and become a big success in a short amount of time. The dot com empires came and went bust all relatively quickly from just that process. In the flooring and tile industry we saw many examples of companies, at all levels, who in spite of their poor decisions and seemly total lack of a marketing plan, made money and grew their businesses, but at the first sign of real competition and downturn of economy they withered and died quickly.
I suppose that the Nile Perch has it's advantages, but I certainly see many disadvantages also and it makes me wonder if the benefits outweigh the problems it creates.
Just my thoughts, what are yours?
Steve
Monday, September 27, 2010
Another Season
It is time for yet another season in our world. As we move from summer to fall and then onto winter, I want to take just a moment to remind everyone that with the changing weather comes changing installation conditions. There are several important items for everyone to remember about the proper installation of ceramic tile anytime, but especially during the change of seasons.
First of all the single most ignored instruction is to bring the products and supplies to the job site early and allow them to acclimate to the building environment. Whenever there is a large difference of temperature between the warehouse and inside of a installation site this becomes critical. Without this important step materials will change and move AFTER the installation and cause serious issues for the tile assembly. Moving from warm summer type weather to cooler fall weather is when this issue is most seen in the claim reports.
Next, don't forget the proper steps in installation of a backer board panel. First and foremost step is to properly lay out the panels on the floors or walls. There is a big difference when doing a wall installation as the panels need to be butted together over the studs (still leaving an expansion gap for spacing in each corner) for nailing purposes. On floors it is MANDATORY that all backer board panels have space between each panel and ALWAYS space around the perimeter walls. ALWAYS! This space is in addition to any required expansion or movement joints that the specific job may require due to other issues. This is also the number one cause of failure in most tile installations.
On floor applications it is also necessary to provide a "leveling Bed" of setting materials under the backer board. This is due to the irregularities of the sub floor (building codes allow slight differences in height) and the entire installation depends on the board being flat and fully supported in a level plane to work properly. Almost without exception board manufacturers ask for a 1/4" x 1/4" square notched trowel to be used so that you end up fully covering subsurface irregularities.
Another important step is to use mechanical fasteners (usually screws are preferred over nails for the holding power) and proper lengths and spacing. Many people get confused here, they believe the leveling bed above is an adhesive bed and nothing further is required, but that is a false belief and leads to quick failure of the ceramic tile assembly. Most manufacturers instructions call for the screws to be no more than 4-6" apart on the edges of the panels and 6-8" apart on the center (or field) of the panel. Saving a few cents on screws or a few minutes by not using them will cost you much more in the long run with the job fails.
Final step before installing the tile is to tape all of the seams of the panels. I realize many folks ALWAYS skip this step, but those are the same folks who never understand why the grout cracked or the tile cracked on the job in the perfect pattern of the backer board panel below. Remember the purpose of a backer board is to proved a flat, FULLY supported surface to install the tile - and it cannot be fully supported if you leave a 1/4 space between each panel as required and then don't fill that using fiberglass mesh tape.
By actually reading the label and manufacturers instructions specific to the backer board panel you are installing you can follow their specific instructions and be assured of a successful and long lasting installation. Failure to do this generally leads to some type of dissatisfaction, either on the part of the installer or later on the consumer who ends up living with a poor quality installation.
Steve
First of all the single most ignored instruction is to bring the products and supplies to the job site early and allow them to acclimate to the building environment. Whenever there is a large difference of temperature between the warehouse and inside of a installation site this becomes critical. Without this important step materials will change and move AFTER the installation and cause serious issues for the tile assembly. Moving from warm summer type weather to cooler fall weather is when this issue is most seen in the claim reports.
Next, don't forget the proper steps in installation of a backer board panel. First and foremost step is to properly lay out the panels on the floors or walls. There is a big difference when doing a wall installation as the panels need to be butted together over the studs (still leaving an expansion gap for spacing in each corner) for nailing purposes. On floors it is MANDATORY that all backer board panels have space between each panel and ALWAYS space around the perimeter walls. ALWAYS! This space is in addition to any required expansion or movement joints that the specific job may require due to other issues. This is also the number one cause of failure in most tile installations.
On floor applications it is also necessary to provide a "leveling Bed" of setting materials under the backer board. This is due to the irregularities of the sub floor (building codes allow slight differences in height) and the entire installation depends on the board being flat and fully supported in a level plane to work properly. Almost without exception board manufacturers ask for a 1/4" x 1/4" square notched trowel to be used so that you end up fully covering subsurface irregularities.
Another important step is to use mechanical fasteners (usually screws are preferred over nails for the holding power) and proper lengths and spacing. Many people get confused here, they believe the leveling bed above is an adhesive bed and nothing further is required, but that is a false belief and leads to quick failure of the ceramic tile assembly. Most manufacturers instructions call for the screws to be no more than 4-6" apart on the edges of the panels and 6-8" apart on the center (or field) of the panel. Saving a few cents on screws or a few minutes by not using them will cost you much more in the long run with the job fails.
Final step before installing the tile is to tape all of the seams of the panels. I realize many folks ALWAYS skip this step, but those are the same folks who never understand why the grout cracked or the tile cracked on the job in the perfect pattern of the backer board panel below. Remember the purpose of a backer board is to proved a flat, FULLY supported surface to install the tile - and it cannot be fully supported if you leave a 1/4 space between each panel as required and then don't fill that using fiberglass mesh tape.
By actually reading the label and manufacturers instructions specific to the backer board panel you are installing you can follow their specific instructions and be assured of a successful and long lasting installation. Failure to do this generally leads to some type of dissatisfaction, either on the part of the installer or later on the consumer who ends up living with a poor quality installation.
Steve
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Don't worry, Be Happy!! or The face of a mule!!
A young boy was asked to draw what he thought a face looked like. When finished the teacher guessed it was a mule, nope replied the boy, it is my daddy's face. No, this was not my son, but it well could have been I suppose. Do we all walk around daily wearing a "mule's face?" Long, solemn, sad and unfriendly? I do understand that everyone does have sadness in their lives sometimes, but daily? Is life that bad for some folks?
I regularly call an office and when one particular person answers the phone I can always hear the smile on her face. She makes me happy that I've called that phone. I feel compelled to talk with her for just a moment so that I can enjoy her happiness and joy that she is so freely passing my way. What a great way to pass thru this life, with a huge smile on your face, so big that folks can actually HEAR your smile when you talk on the phone!!
I was recently reading an article about the biggest problems most folks face and I was totally surprised at the list. They included: Anger, Ego, Pride, Self-Centeredness, Competitive, and Addiction. Wow!! I can certainly see those in my life on a regular basis and upon quiet reflection I discovered that I was the cause of most of those problems. I quote I use on my email sometimes is this: "I am the biggest problem I encounter on most days!"
My attitude sometimes seems to forget the many Blessings that I have and feel in my life and seems to bore in on those minor "Gnat Bites" that I encounter daily. Driving in city traffic bothers me yet I forget that millions of other folks can't even afford gas, let alone owning a car, they walk everywhere. I'm willing to bet that person walking to get somewhere smiles and most likely isn't bothered with Pride, Ego or Self-Centeredness in their life. I hear people who run do it because it makes them feel so good, my question then is why aren't they smiling? When you look at the face of most runners you get to see a great "Mule Face." I suffered a blister on my heel last Saturday from walking around shopping all day, I walked around the rest of the weekend (even until last night) complaining about my pain, yet I forgot about the guy I passed riding his specially custom made bike in a 20 mile trek without any feet or legs, and yes HE was smiling! I KNOW he had to have blisters on both hands from pumping his bike that whole time.
So, what can I do about this problem today? Well, today is the first day of the rest of my life, so I just have to concentrate on changing my mind (we are the only creatures God created that can easily do that) and removing my "Mule face" to be replaced with a huge smile. If you catch me with anything but a smile on my face for the rest of this week, please call me on it and I will give you a dollar as thanks for reminding me.
Make this a great week, Smile at everyone! I suggest it will make folks wonder what you know that they don't.
Steve
I regularly call an office and when one particular person answers the phone I can always hear the smile on her face. She makes me happy that I've called that phone. I feel compelled to talk with her for just a moment so that I can enjoy her happiness and joy that she is so freely passing my way. What a great way to pass thru this life, with a huge smile on your face, so big that folks can actually HEAR your smile when you talk on the phone!!
I was recently reading an article about the biggest problems most folks face and I was totally surprised at the list. They included: Anger, Ego, Pride, Self-Centeredness, Competitive, and Addiction. Wow!! I can certainly see those in my life on a regular basis and upon quiet reflection I discovered that I was the cause of most of those problems. I quote I use on my email sometimes is this: "I am the biggest problem I encounter on most days!"
My attitude sometimes seems to forget the many Blessings that I have and feel in my life and seems to bore in on those minor "Gnat Bites" that I encounter daily. Driving in city traffic bothers me yet I forget that millions of other folks can't even afford gas, let alone owning a car, they walk everywhere. I'm willing to bet that person walking to get somewhere smiles and most likely isn't bothered with Pride, Ego or Self-Centeredness in their life. I hear people who run do it because it makes them feel so good, my question then is why aren't they smiling? When you look at the face of most runners you get to see a great "Mule Face." I suffered a blister on my heel last Saturday from walking around shopping all day, I walked around the rest of the weekend (even until last night) complaining about my pain, yet I forgot about the guy I passed riding his specially custom made bike in a 20 mile trek without any feet or legs, and yes HE was smiling! I KNOW he had to have blisters on both hands from pumping his bike that whole time.
So, what can I do about this problem today? Well, today is the first day of the rest of my life, so I just have to concentrate on changing my mind (we are the only creatures God created that can easily do that) and removing my "Mule face" to be replaced with a huge smile. If you catch me with anything but a smile on my face for the rest of this week, please call me on it and I will give you a dollar as thanks for reminding me.
Make this a great week, Smile at everyone! I suggest it will make folks wonder what you know that they don't.
Steve
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Priorities.
Priorities.
Do you have written priorities? Not just ideas floating around in your head, but cold hard written priorities. If you need a clue as to what your REAL priorities have been, look in your checkbook to see where you've been spending your money - look at your calendar to see where you've been spending your time. Those are strong clues to determine what your ACTIONS say about your priorities. Now the good and easy part comes next:
Before reading the next paragraph, please answer this question: What is the single most significant thing you could begin doing regularly that would:
1. Make you more effective at your work?
2. Create a better atmosphere for your family?
On the assumption now that you have named specific things that would make your life better, let me pose one more question: Can you defend your choice to omit any of these things from your schedule this week?
All of us have urgent things that will have to be attended to before this day ends -- phone calls, appointments, sales calls, deadlines, interruptions, etc. But some of us will also do our versions of the things you named earlier -- like planning next week's big presentation or making three extra calls, telling someone "I love you" or helping children with homework, or taking time to read the Bible and pray for a few minutes.
The difference in people who tend to life's really important things and those of us who simply react to whatever happens in a day and live the scripts others write for us is called discernment. Maybe you prefer to call it setting priorities or putting first things first.
Is your movement in the direction of some worthy goal?
It is absurdly easy to fall into the activity trap. That's when you think that being busy is the same thing as being productive. We humans can equate having done huge amounts of unimportant things with having done something that is actually significant. They simply aren't the same.
Moving quickly and efficiently is important only if your movement is in the direction of some worthy goal. Since you took the time at the start of this piece to name three specific steps toward noble ends, why not take some time now to figure out how to include them in today's schedule for yourself?
You may need to cut out some waste and cancel some unimportant things, but you will be better for it. You will have started to practice discernment between the things in life that really matter and all the second-rate distractions we let get in the way of doing them.
Many of you likely know the writings of Stephen Covey. His "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" has sold widely and helped many people toward a clearer view of career, family, and personal life. "The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule," insists Covey, "but to schedule your priorities."
Do you have written priorities? Not just ideas floating around in your head, but cold hard written priorities. If you need a clue as to what your REAL priorities have been, look in your checkbook to see where you've been spending your money - look at your calendar to see where you've been spending your time. Those are strong clues to determine what your ACTIONS say about your priorities. Now the good and easy part comes next:
Before reading the next paragraph, please answer this question: What is the single most significant thing you could begin doing regularly that would:
1. Make you more effective at your work?
2. Create a better atmosphere for your family?
On the assumption now that you have named specific things that would make your life better, let me pose one more question: Can you defend your choice to omit any of these things from your schedule this week?
All of us have urgent things that will have to be attended to before this day ends -- phone calls, appointments, sales calls, deadlines, interruptions, etc. But some of us will also do our versions of the things you named earlier -- like planning next week's big presentation or making three extra calls, telling someone "I love you" or helping children with homework, or taking time to read the Bible and pray for a few minutes.
The difference in people who tend to life's really important things and those of us who simply react to whatever happens in a day and live the scripts others write for us is called discernment. Maybe you prefer to call it setting priorities or putting first things first.
Is your movement in the direction of some worthy goal?
It is absurdly easy to fall into the activity trap. That's when you think that being busy is the same thing as being productive. We humans can equate having done huge amounts of unimportant things with having done something that is actually significant. They simply aren't the same.
Moving quickly and efficiently is important only if your movement is in the direction of some worthy goal. Since you took the time at the start of this piece to name three specific steps toward noble ends, why not take some time now to figure out how to include them in today's schedule for yourself?
You may need to cut out some waste and cancel some unimportant things, but you will be better for it. You will have started to practice discernment between the things in life that really matter and all the second-rate distractions we let get in the way of doing them.
Many of you likely know the writings of Stephen Covey. His "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" has sold widely and helped many people toward a clearer view of career, family, and personal life. "The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule," insists Covey, "but to schedule your priorities."
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Media Stars
Thinking about how our media makes folks into "stars" I was reminded of two completely opposites, both from the airplane world. Cpt. Sully versus Attendant Slater. The media turned both into overnight stars, yet one will surely have lasting power as an example of how to stay cool and calm and due your role under pressure, while the other shows how blowing up does indeed have consequences that may not be favorable.
As a pilot I have been able to learn much from Sully as I examine myself and my flying skills and I suppose I can learn what not to do from Slater, but I personally prefer the positive examples instead of the negative ones. We see this media working daily in today's fast paced world, someone, somewhere, seems to decide what "everyone" should be interested in (or not concerned with) and pushes this agenda on the public. In politics we tend to use a polite term of "spin" but in reality it is all just the media using the system to get their views across.
All of this reminds me of what my grandfather used to say: Everyone brightens up a room, some do it when they arrive, and some when they leave.
As with most everything else, the choice to choose is yours! Make today a great day.
Steve
As a pilot I have been able to learn much from Sully as I examine myself and my flying skills and I suppose I can learn what not to do from Slater, but I personally prefer the positive examples instead of the negative ones. We see this media working daily in today's fast paced world, someone, somewhere, seems to decide what "everyone" should be interested in (or not concerned with) and pushes this agenda on the public. In politics we tend to use a polite term of "spin" but in reality it is all just the media using the system to get their views across.
All of this reminds me of what my grandfather used to say: Everyone brightens up a room, some do it when they arrive, and some when they leave.
As with most everything else, the choice to choose is yours! Make today a great day.
Steve
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
International Standards Organization
I'm spending this week in Mexico City attending the ISO meetings. As I listen to the various member nations representatives discussing items of business I am struck by the huge differences in doing business in other parts of the world from the United States. For trade purposes our world has grown very small and goods seem to move almost anywhere from any country of origin. Most of the representatives in attendance are trying to do what they can to improve our industry (ceramic tile) but some, just a few, who blatantly are only self-serving for their companies or nations interests without consideration for what is best for the industry or the rest of the world.
The purpose of the ISO organization is to develop standards that facilitate trade and ensure that our customers (consumers) get what they expect when they purchase a tile installation. This started out just as tile manufacturers but has now expanded to include the installation systems, hence, my purpose for being here. Think of this as a auto manufacturer, they are concerned about making their cars the best and safest but need the support of the others who make the systems that are necessary for the car, like the tire companies, headlight companies, etc.
I suppose for most of my life I have not paid much attention to countries meeting and discussing various items of mutual interest, such as the UN talks. Now that I am part of the "system" my eyes are being opened in all of the various factors that effect the outcome of the discussions and just how carefully each and every item is considered within the context of member nations differing viewpoints. What may be critical to the folks in Europe may have no value in Asia and only small concern in other parts of the world.
It does make for an interest week and a huge learning experience.
Steve
The purpose of the ISO organization is to develop standards that facilitate trade and ensure that our customers (consumers) get what they expect when they purchase a tile installation. This started out just as tile manufacturers but has now expanded to include the installation systems, hence, my purpose for being here. Think of this as a auto manufacturer, they are concerned about making their cars the best and safest but need the support of the others who make the systems that are necessary for the car, like the tire companies, headlight companies, etc.
I suppose for most of my life I have not paid much attention to countries meeting and discussing various items of mutual interest, such as the UN talks. Now that I am part of the "system" my eyes are being opened in all of the various factors that effect the outcome of the discussions and just how carefully each and every item is considered within the context of member nations differing viewpoints. What may be critical to the folks in Europe may have no value in Asia and only small concern in other parts of the world.
It does make for an interest week and a huge learning experience.
Steve
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Procrastination
I keep asking myself, What do I feel like doing? What have I been saying I'm going to do? Why am I not doing what I need to be doing? And finally, What am I doing? For some unknown reason (maybe not so unknown, read on friends) I find myself full of excuses why I'm not doing what I KNOW that I need to do.
Take this blog for example, I've been ruminating over what I wanted to write about since last Saturday, yet I didn't even start this until mid-afternoon on Tuesday. Oh, I have excuses (yep the phone did ring, people stopped by my open office door, etc) but really the bottom line here is I didn't start writing until just now. In fact, I am going to still not write about what I was thinking about so that I can discuss how to deal with my procrastination. I promise I will get to that other subject soon.
Here are several points that I am going to throw out (mainly for ME to re-read) that may be helpful to others. These are actions that I can take to stop my procrastinating.
1. Stop making excuses. I just need to make my choices as to which priorities are important.
2. Start NOW. TODAY. I tend to push off until tomorrow and I have no guarantee of a tomorrow, or the time tomorrow that I couldn't seem to find today.
3. Establish a planned schedule and stick to it. I need to put each task on my calendar and allocate proper time frames to accomplish it (or the bite sized pieces if it is a large task) and then stick to my schedule. PERIOD. Ignore the phone and close the office door.
4. Face my fears. I'm not sure what I am afraid of but obviously subconsciously I have a fear of doing something or I would just do it.
5. Focus on what I gain, not the pain of doing the task. Very few worthwhile things in life are easily accomplished. I need to push through the frustration and concentrate on how great I will feel when this task is finished.
6. Perseverance. I once gave a 20 minute talk about perseverance that lasted almost 2 hours. Seriously! What I found was that once I got started I knew a lot about the subject and wanted to share with others, much like writing this blog. I actually enjoyed that 2 hours and it only seemed like 20 minutes had passed to me.
7. Self awareness. Monitor my internal monologue to see and understand WHY I decide what I do and HOW I make that decision. Then the rest is easy - just re-write the script the way I KNOW it should be and go forward.
OK, so now you can start cheering and clapping for me as I've overcome procrastination for today and have a written plan to re-read every time I need to do something. A preacher friend of mine loves to say that it is much easier to be a Christian in the church building than to walk down a street with sinners full of temptations that pull at me.
Procrastination seems to be one of those sin's to me - it is much easier to identify it AFTER I've overcome it and reflect back and wonder why it took me so long.
How do YOU handle procrastination and overcome it in your world?
Steve
Take this blog for example, I've been ruminating over what I wanted to write about since last Saturday, yet I didn't even start this until mid-afternoon on Tuesday. Oh, I have excuses (yep the phone did ring, people stopped by my open office door, etc) but really the bottom line here is I didn't start writing until just now. In fact, I am going to still not write about what I was thinking about so that I can discuss how to deal with my procrastination. I promise I will get to that other subject soon.
Here are several points that I am going to throw out (mainly for ME to re-read) that may be helpful to others. These are actions that I can take to stop my procrastinating.
1. Stop making excuses. I just need to make my choices as to which priorities are important.
2. Start NOW. TODAY. I tend to push off until tomorrow and I have no guarantee of a tomorrow, or the time tomorrow that I couldn't seem to find today.
3. Establish a planned schedule and stick to it. I need to put each task on my calendar and allocate proper time frames to accomplish it (or the bite sized pieces if it is a large task) and then stick to my schedule. PERIOD. Ignore the phone and close the office door.
4. Face my fears. I'm not sure what I am afraid of but obviously subconsciously I have a fear of doing something or I would just do it.
5. Focus on what I gain, not the pain of doing the task. Very few worthwhile things in life are easily accomplished. I need to push through the frustration and concentrate on how great I will feel when this task is finished.
6. Perseverance. I once gave a 20 minute talk about perseverance that lasted almost 2 hours. Seriously! What I found was that once I got started I knew a lot about the subject and wanted to share with others, much like writing this blog. I actually enjoyed that 2 hours and it only seemed like 20 minutes had passed to me.
7. Self awareness. Monitor my internal monologue to see and understand WHY I decide what I do and HOW I make that decision. Then the rest is easy - just re-write the script the way I KNOW it should be and go forward.
OK, so now you can start cheering and clapping for me as I've overcome procrastination for today and have a written plan to re-read every time I need to do something. A preacher friend of mine loves to say that it is much easier to be a Christian in the church building than to walk down a street with sinners full of temptations that pull at me.
Procrastination seems to be one of those sin's to me - it is much easier to identify it AFTER I've overcome it and reflect back and wonder why it took me so long.
How do YOU handle procrastination and overcome it in your world?
Steve
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Embracing Change
I spent all of last week at our corporate office HQ in Chicago and had the opportunity to be involved in many new and exciting things that are happening at USG. To list them all would take several pages but the quick view is that I am proud to be associated with a company like USG that takes so much corporate responsibility for every issue they are involved with. We have a updated and revised Sustainability policy, we have updated and revised literature and product labeling/packaging to help our customers better understand how to use and where to use our products. We discussed training our employees as well as our customers employees who sell our products to the ultimate users so everyone has a better understanding of all the possibilities of our full line of products.
What impressed me the most with this trip was the use of new cutting edge technology to stay on the top of our game. How we can transfer this to our customers and their customers remains to be fully explored, but in the meantime it relates to how well and quickly USG can respond to the industry and it's changing needs/wants/requirements. USG has built the greatest team of talent and skills in our people, but to fully utilize their talents and skills they need the support of the latest technology available. If your company or the suppliers you currently use are not providing latest technology to you then may want to investigate how to move into this newer higher level of progress.
At this point you may be thinking that I feel we have everything the best it can be - WRONG - I feel we are ahead of our competition but I know we will never rest on the process of improvements and change for the better. Sometimes it feels as if we just have endless meetings about issues but in reality these are necessary to consider all of the potential possibilities and probabilities that are involved with changing what we do. We need to be as sure as possible that we are making GOOD changes and that they make sense for USG as well as our customers and the ultimate consumers. It may not be fun, but it is absolutely necessary to insure our leadership position in our industry. Plus it is a constant reminder that the customers are in charge and have choices, therefore we do everything possible to earn their business each and every day.
What impressed me the most with this trip was the use of new cutting edge technology to stay on the top of our game. How we can transfer this to our customers and their customers remains to be fully explored, but in the meantime it relates to how well and quickly USG can respond to the industry and it's changing needs/wants/requirements. USG has built the greatest team of talent and skills in our people, but to fully utilize their talents and skills they need the support of the latest technology available. If your company or the suppliers you currently use are not providing latest technology to you then may want to investigate how to move into this newer higher level of progress.
At this point you may be thinking that I feel we have everything the best it can be - WRONG - I feel we are ahead of our competition but I know we will never rest on the process of improvements and change for the better. Sometimes it feels as if we just have endless meetings about issues but in reality these are necessary to consider all of the potential possibilities and probabilities that are involved with changing what we do. We need to be as sure as possible that we are making GOOD changes and that they make sense for USG as well as our customers and the ultimate consumers. It may not be fun, but it is absolutely necessary to insure our leadership position in our industry. Plus it is a constant reminder that the customers are in charge and have choices, therefore we do everything possible to earn their business each and every day.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Welcome TalkFloor followers
Today is a big day on my calendar as I welcome the followers of TalkFloor (www.talkfloor.com) to our little tribe. Dave Foster and I have been discussing this move for quite a while now, and as many things seem to be, it took much longer than either of us anticipated. Maybe our entire flooring industry is subject to that some issue.
I read another blog today that talked about how we vote in this country and why it takes longer than we want to receive results. We currently need to wait most of the evening, sometimes dragging on into the night and early morning hours, to discover who won what political race. I agree with that author that it doesn't make sense in today's times with the technology we have available that we can't track the votes hourly and report the results almost as they happen. Downside argument seems to be that (A) cost to set up the system would be higher than what we currently do, (B) some folks wouldn't go vote because their candidate is leading (or losing) or (C) the always big reason - potential voter fraud. Now I am not the brightest candle in the box and never claim to be, but I know folks much smarter than me can design systems to overcome the fraud potential issue, and cost is secondary to any politician after they get in office so this is easily overcome and that just leaves the final concern of folks too lazy or uneducated about their vote power. How we change people and their actions is to offer them something they (1) want more, (2) feel better about, (3) make them angry about the current status. I believe that hourly reporting of the voting status would overcome the feelings of not caring by addressing all 3 of the above concerns.
I try to live my life based on EXCELLENCE, and daily look at things to see how we can make the item or system better. Sometimes it does cost more, but the value received is always higher when something is improved dramatically based upon excellence.
What are your thoughts?
I read another blog today that talked about how we vote in this country and why it takes longer than we want to receive results. We currently need to wait most of the evening, sometimes dragging on into the night and early morning hours, to discover who won what political race. I agree with that author that it doesn't make sense in today's times with the technology we have available that we can't track the votes hourly and report the results almost as they happen. Downside argument seems to be that (A) cost to set up the system would be higher than what we currently do, (B) some folks wouldn't go vote because their candidate is leading (or losing) or (C) the always big reason - potential voter fraud. Now I am not the brightest candle in the box and never claim to be, but I know folks much smarter than me can design systems to overcome the fraud potential issue, and cost is secondary to any politician after they get in office so this is easily overcome and that just leaves the final concern of folks too lazy or uneducated about their vote power. How we change people and their actions is to offer them something they (1) want more, (2) feel better about, (3) make them angry about the current status. I believe that hourly reporting of the voting status would overcome the feelings of not caring by addressing all 3 of the above concerns.
I try to live my life based on EXCELLENCE, and daily look at things to see how we can make the item or system better. Sometimes it does cost more, but the value received is always higher when something is improved dramatically based upon excellence.
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
What I do
Many folks have asked me what I do for a living. Interesting question. I have a totally unique position at USG Corporation that was really created around my specific skills and talents. I want to give you some idea of the items I'm involved in but in the interest of space and time all I am going to give you is some of our company micro websites that tell all about what I am involved with at USG.
http://www.usg.com/tileandflooring
http://twitter.com/usgtileflooring
http://www.durocknextgen.com
http://www.durocktilemembrane.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/USGCorporation
Finally, don't forget our company website: www.usg.com which also has links to other info.
http://www.usg.com/tileandflooring
http://twitter.com/usgtileflooring
http://www.durocknextgen.com
http://www.durocktilemembrane.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/USGCorporation
Finally, don't forget our company website: www.usg.com which also has links to other info.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Blessings
I am so very Blessed. Some days (like today) I just sit and wonder why God Loves me so much and provides so many wonderful Blessings in my life. These are difficult times we live in, and yet I can find beauty and happiness all around me during each and every day. I am presently at our lake house at Lake Hartwell, Georgia and as I write this I can look around and see so much beauty both on the lake side of the house as well as the wooded side of the house. I also never forget that even being able to own this house and property are also God's Blessings on our family.
I have a wonderful wife who loves me, who has stuck with me even during some very difficult times in our married life, who gave birth to and raised 3 wonderful children for our family, and still finds time for her own career. Christy is truly the wind beneath my wings. Recently our home in Norcross was broken-in and the thieves stole all of our jewelry - as you can imagine, most of it was Christy's. She was disappointed more in the loss of the memories that each piece stood for rather than the monetary value of the loss. Some of the bracelets went back to her childhood. She still was thankful that we were not home and not hurt, our dog was out in the back yard, and not hurt, and it was just "stuff" that was stolen.
Our family is not perfect, but we are all healthy, happy, and the love we all feel for each other shows always - even when we sometimes don't exactly "like" each other sometimes. Our two daughters are happily married, one with a wonderful daughter of her own who also is a huge blessing in our lives. Our son is experiencing some difficult times right now with employment, but still is happy and healthy and working hard without gripes or complaints. He too sees all the blessings around even his current situation.
My work is absolutely perfect for me. It is almost as if God has placed me exactly where he wants me (do you think?) and then surrounded me with fantastic people who are also a large part of the Blessings that I feel daily. Many folks struggle to get out of bed and go to work for eight hours, I love what I get to do, love the people I work with, love the people I come in contract with thru my job and generally just can't want to get started each and every morning. On top of all of that (as if it were not enough) I get paid to do this!
We are surrounded with fantastic friends who love us and support us. Never does a day go by without at least one of our friends calling just to check up on us and see what is happening in our lives. No amount of money can replace that wonderful friendship feeling.
I realize everyone has peaks and valley's in their lives and that the path is not always easy, but I for one just want to keep reminding myself of how Blessed we are no matter if I'm experiencing a mountaintop experience or walking thru the dark valleys of difficult times.
How about you? Where are you today? Are you willing to be thankful for all the Blessings in your life also? I pray so!
I have a wonderful wife who loves me, who has stuck with me even during some very difficult times in our married life, who gave birth to and raised 3 wonderful children for our family, and still finds time for her own career. Christy is truly the wind beneath my wings. Recently our home in Norcross was broken-in and the thieves stole all of our jewelry - as you can imagine, most of it was Christy's. She was disappointed more in the loss of the memories that each piece stood for rather than the monetary value of the loss. Some of the bracelets went back to her childhood. She still was thankful that we were not home and not hurt, our dog was out in the back yard, and not hurt, and it was just "stuff" that was stolen.
Our family is not perfect, but we are all healthy, happy, and the love we all feel for each other shows always - even when we sometimes don't exactly "like" each other sometimes. Our two daughters are happily married, one with a wonderful daughter of her own who also is a huge blessing in our lives. Our son is experiencing some difficult times right now with employment, but still is happy and healthy and working hard without gripes or complaints. He too sees all the blessings around even his current situation.
My work is absolutely perfect for me. It is almost as if God has placed me exactly where he wants me (do you think?) and then surrounded me with fantastic people who are also a large part of the Blessings that I feel daily. Many folks struggle to get out of bed and go to work for eight hours, I love what I get to do, love the people I work with, love the people I come in contract with thru my job and generally just can't want to get started each and every morning. On top of all of that (as if it were not enough) I get paid to do this!
We are surrounded with fantastic friends who love us and support us. Never does a day go by without at least one of our friends calling just to check up on us and see what is happening in our lives. No amount of money can replace that wonderful friendship feeling.
I realize everyone has peaks and valley's in their lives and that the path is not always easy, but I for one just want to keep reminding myself of how Blessed we are no matter if I'm experiencing a mountaintop experience or walking thru the dark valleys of difficult times.
How about you? Where are you today? Are you willing to be thankful for all the Blessings in your life also? I pray so!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Can doing nothing make you more productive?
Sometimes the key to getting a lot done is to actually do nothing at all. As I write this I am setting at my lake house doing nothing all day. I find that when I am able to stop and do nothing I begin to think much more clearly then when I don’t have my “usual, normal” busy surroundings and activities around me.
My “normal” work week day is filled with emails, multitasking, calls and meetings. Sometimes you just gotta let things slip. You have to be willing to fail on the less important things. You just need to let them go occasionally. We all get so consumed with tacking everything that lands on our plate that time for ourselves eventually disappears. My theory is that letting things that seem important but really aren't so critical slip and possibly never get done is a key to getting more "real" work done. By not getting caught up by working on every little thing that comes my way, I seem to have more time and energy to dedicate to more important matters that really make a difference. The key to accomplishing this feat is during quiet time I have to think and understand what the important matters are in my life. In my case, I need to write them down and keep referring to them so I don’t lose sight of my goals.
I know taking better care of my body and prioritizing my tasks are critical components of high performance. I know the better I prioritize and manage stress, the better my overall life will be. Yet somehow I seem to get so caught up in the rush of the business week and the tizzy that surrounds me I forget what I know and do that urgent thing that in the bigger picture really will not matter much day after tomorrow. The important tasks that will impact me and my life get shoved backwards because they have no “urgent” component attached to them until the final deadline day arrives, which then causes another whole new set of stressful situations.
Today as I sit quietly looking out over the lake I am able to relax, think more deeply, and really concentrate on what I need to accomplish and the priority assignments that will have the most meaning in my world. No phones, no urgent emails, no meetings, just quiet time to think and meditate about everything. Even writing a blog gets easier and clearer by using this technique.
I’m going to end this blog now, head down to the water’s edge, play with my dog, take a swim, drink a cool adult beverage, have a conversation with my lovely wife while holding her hand and continue to think deeply about my world, what is right with it, what I need to change to make it better. Yes, it is a great day today!
Steve
Friday, July 16, 2010
Lost dog
This past week a friend of ours had her dog breakout of the electric fence yard and run away - a black short legged dachsand and he was gone for 3 long days. We along with many others, searched a huge area looking for Sam (dog's name) and never had a sighting. Last night just before 11 pm Sam re-appears on his owners doorstep and was happy to be back home. No damage or injuries showing but I'm sure if Sam could talk he could tell quite a tail. I feel sure that Sam spent a lot of time this week stopping to smell the flowers and just look around in amazement at all of Gods creation on this earth. Amazing isn't it how God takes care of such small things such as a run away dog in a big city like Atlanta and yet we humans don't seem to be able to trust Him with leading our lives. He has given us everything, yet somehow we feel that we are more capable of running our lives without as much as talking with Him before we decide to do something.
Several of my other friends have discovered how much happier and more full their lives are when they just step back, get on their knees and pray to God before they make any decisions or take any steps into something. I see that, I understand that, I KNOW that it works, yet I find myself resisting that small step of turning over control of my life to Him. I know I need to work on that this week, and every week from here on out so my life too will be even more Blessed and happier than I already am.
How about you?
Several of my other friends have discovered how much happier and more full their lives are when they just step back, get on their knees and pray to God before they make any decisions or take any steps into something. I see that, I understand that, I KNOW that it works, yet I find myself resisting that small step of turning over control of my life to Him. I know I need to work on that this week, and every week from here on out so my life too will be even more Blessed and happier than I already am.
How about you?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Focus on lattace
I find it humorus how life seems to make things tie together during a period of time. After writing about focus, I ended up working with lattace around the deck of our lake house and was struck about how that lattace is like our lives - we start at one point, with many others at that same point on the bottom, and then everyone moves upwards all crossing paths along the way. Folks you knew during grade school may come back into your life later on, or not, depending on which cross roads they choose during their lives. Some folks that started many states away from where you were born come into your life and change it forever, while becoming friends for the rest of your life.
This also ties into worry - what many people choose to do on a daily basis, thinking that the activity of worry will change the outcome of whatever it is that they are worrying about - IT DOESN'T!!! You will still follow that path of lattace and all the worry won't change it. Planning, setting goals, preparation will all make it easier for you to decide which crossroad to take, but just worry is a waste of time and effort.
I suppose I believe now that focus, even on focusing upon multiple points of contact is still a form of focus. I guess the important part for me is being aware of your choices and WHY you choose them.
This also ties into worry - what many people choose to do on a daily basis, thinking that the activity of worry will change the outcome of whatever it is that they are worrying about - IT DOESN'T!!! You will still follow that path of lattace and all the worry won't change it. Planning, setting goals, preparation will all make it easier for you to decide which crossroad to take, but just worry is a waste of time and effort.
I suppose I believe now that focus, even on focusing upon multiple points of contact is still a form of focus. I guess the important part for me is being aware of your choices and WHY you choose them.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Focus
Many folks want absolute FOCUS in their lives. I saw an interview with a tennis player who said she has been doing only tennis in her life for the past 18 years. She now regrets that she has not spent a "normal" life enjoying many different things but rather a single focus only on tennis.
That is almost the opposite of how I have spent my life - I have, what I like to call, "many points of contact" in my life. I have purposely tried to have various activities, with various people, so that the variety has given me, in my humble opinion, a great spice to my life rather than just a single focus.
So who is right? Should we spend our lives experiencing many points of contact or should we just focus on one single area and do that activity in depth? Both probably have their place in the world, yet both could probably be abused and over done. I believe that because I make a conscious decision about how I live and am aware of why I choose to live this way, it is the correct decision for me. I'm sure that girl from the tennis interview felt that way - up until now - when she sayes she now regrets having "just tennis" or just a single focus, in her life.
Maybe it is because I am in my late 50's and she is just in her late 20's that we seem so far apart on how we view our choices, or did SHE make that choice or was that choice given to her by her parents and she just complied? Either way, my point in this raveing is to have you become aware of your focus (or lack thereof) and WHY you choose to live that way.
It has been said the only life worth living is an examined life. Well I have examined my life, the tennis player is in the process of examining her life, what about you?
That is almost the opposite of how I have spent my life - I have, what I like to call, "many points of contact" in my life. I have purposely tried to have various activities, with various people, so that the variety has given me, in my humble opinion, a great spice to my life rather than just a single focus.
So who is right? Should we spend our lives experiencing many points of contact or should we just focus on one single area and do that activity in depth? Both probably have their place in the world, yet both could probably be abused and over done. I believe that because I make a conscious decision about how I live and am aware of why I choose to live this way, it is the correct decision for me. I'm sure that girl from the tennis interview felt that way - up until now - when she sayes she now regrets having "just tennis" or just a single focus, in her life.
Maybe it is because I am in my late 50's and she is just in her late 20's that we seem so far apart on how we view our choices, or did SHE make that choice or was that choice given to her by her parents and she just complied? Either way, my point in this raveing is to have you become aware of your focus (or lack thereof) and WHY you choose to live that way.
It has been said the only life worth living is an examined life. Well I have examined my life, the tennis player is in the process of examining her life, what about you?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Memorial Day Weekend
It constantly amazes me all the ideas folks have for ways to pass the time. My family has choosen the lake - we've spent every Memorial Day at the lake since I was a child and for 35 years now Christy and I have continued this (except the one year our daughter Jen was born - Christy and I spent that weekend at the hospital) but this year I've learned of a new way to spend time.
There is a place near our lake house in Tiger, Ga (yes this is a real name and a real place) called Goats on the Roof. It is obviously a family enjoyment place (look it up at: WWW.Goats-on-the-roof.com ) and great fun for everyone. This place isn't too far from Helen, Georgia, our replica of an old German Village and also not far from Cherokee, NC. Several of our friends are spending this holiday weekend as tourists viewing these many funny places.
One "connection" that I seem to find is that this free time is a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. In this fast paced world today we should cherish each and every opportunity to slow down and enjoy our relationships while building new ones.
Make it a safe holiday weekend.
How are you spending your holiday weekend? Share with us your comments.
There is a place near our lake house in Tiger, Ga (yes this is a real name and a real place) called Goats on the Roof. It is obviously a family enjoyment place (look it up at: WWW.Goats-on-the-roof.com ) and great fun for everyone. This place isn't too far from Helen, Georgia, our replica of an old German Village and also not far from Cherokee, NC. Several of our friends are spending this holiday weekend as tourists viewing these many funny places.
One "connection" that I seem to find is that this free time is a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. In this fast paced world today we should cherish each and every opportunity to slow down and enjoy our relationships while building new ones.
Make it a safe holiday weekend.
How are you spending your holiday weekend? Share with us your comments.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Is this going to last forever?
Yesterday while flying to Atlanta from Baltimore a woman with a small child was ahead of me boarding the airplane. At the end of the ramp she took the boy's stroller and folded it up so it could be stowed with the luggage below, and the boy started to cry and yell "Mommy it's MY stroller don't leave it."
Children don't realize that most things are only temporary. No matter how much Mom tried to explain it wasn't until they got off the plane in Atlanta and the boy saw HIS stroller again that he understood. Children just don't have enough experience in life yet to have the proper perspective on many things.
Unfortunately, it's not only children that sometimes lack perspective. To one degree or another many of us suffer from that same problem. When we are facing a difficulty or crisis in our lives it is hard to know just how important that situation may turn out to be (or not be) in ghe grand scheme of our lives, or in 5 years. Many times what seems so critical today will be forgetten completely next week. Problems come and go in most of our lives, yet many of us tend to over react and lose perspective of the situation. I tend to believe our lives are the sum total of the choices we make and the things we do each day. Yes, sometimes situations arise that throw us a curve ball, and we cannot avoid that, but we do have a choice of how we can react to that and what we do with that curve ball. The choice is ours.
Make this a great day and remember to keep your perspective.
Steve
Children don't realize that most things are only temporary. No matter how much Mom tried to explain it wasn't until they got off the plane in Atlanta and the boy saw HIS stroller again that he understood. Children just don't have enough experience in life yet to have the proper perspective on many things.
Unfortunately, it's not only children that sometimes lack perspective. To one degree or another many of us suffer from that same problem. When we are facing a difficulty or crisis in our lives it is hard to know just how important that situation may turn out to be (or not be) in ghe grand scheme of our lives, or in 5 years. Many times what seems so critical today will be forgetten completely next week. Problems come and go in most of our lives, yet many of us tend to over react and lose perspective of the situation. I tend to believe our lives are the sum total of the choices we make and the things we do each day. Yes, sometimes situations arise that throw us a curve ball, and we cannot avoid that, but we do have a choice of how we can react to that and what we do with that curve ball. The choice is ours.
Make this a great day and remember to keep your perspective.
Steve
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Connections and Communicating
I've just spent several days in Florida working with a tile distributor rep to help educate him on one of our products. During the time we rode together in his car from place to place we were able to talk and discuss our careers and the paths we both took. As we talked I discovered that I have several connections that could be very helpful to him and so I shared that information with him and then made several phone calls to complete the connections. As it turned out he now has a potential new customer for his company, and I have two folks who are happy with me for getting them together and helping them both.
As I reflect on this I realize that this is what life is all about - learning of others wants/needs/desires and helping them obtain them. This is made easier by you yourself having made many connections and by sharing those freely. When you help others get what they want you benefit at least as much as they do.
As I look at my address book on my BlackBerry I see names of folks from my past who have helped me at times when I needed it, and I in return have helped them. One of those friends happened to be the person my distributor rep friend (now) wanted to connect with. As I see names in the directory I also visualize the past friendships and relationships I have with those folks and sometimes think about a connection that just pops into my mind to help them.
It makes me feel wonderful, useful, and most of all grateful to be alive and to have such wonderful connections in my life.
I have heard it repeated many times :The happiest people are those who serve others and help them get what they desire in life. Somehow life just seems to pay you back many times over for your efforts. Try it today for yourself.
Steve
As I reflect on this I realize that this is what life is all about - learning of others wants/needs/desires and helping them obtain them. This is made easier by you yourself having made many connections and by sharing those freely. When you help others get what they want you benefit at least as much as they do.
As I look at my address book on my BlackBerry I see names of folks from my past who have helped me at times when I needed it, and I in return have helped them. One of those friends happened to be the person my distributor rep friend (now) wanted to connect with. As I see names in the directory I also visualize the past friendships and relationships I have with those folks and sometimes think about a connection that just pops into my mind to help them.
It makes me feel wonderful, useful, and most of all grateful to be alive and to have such wonderful connections in my life.
I have heard it repeated many times :The happiest people are those who serve others and help them get what they desire in life. Somehow life just seems to pay you back many times over for your efforts. Try it today for yourself.
Steve
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thought from history.
At about the time our original 13 states adopted their new
constitution, in the year 1787, Alexander Tyler (a Scottish history
professor at The University of Edinborough) had this to say about "The
Fall of The Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior.
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a
permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up
until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves
generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the
majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits
from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will
finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, (which is) always
followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years,
these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From Bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
Does this sound familiar my friends? We need to look no further than Argentina to see this still holds true. Argentina 50 years ago was as productive and fruitful as the USA. Today, after a series of Socialist agendas by various elected officials the country and its citizens continued to vote for free government give a way programs and forgot that SOMEONE had to actually pay for them. Greece is the latest country to discover this truth also.
I pray to USA and our citizens wake up soon enough to learn from these mistakes before our country too becomes merely a memory of what we used to represent.
constitution, in the year 1787, Alexander Tyler (a Scottish history
professor at The University of Edinborough) had this to say about "The
Fall of The Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior.
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a
permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up
until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves
generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the
majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits
from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will
finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, (which is) always
followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years,
these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From Bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
Does this sound familiar my friends? We need to look no further than Argentina to see this still holds true. Argentina 50 years ago was as productive and fruitful as the USA. Today, after a series of Socialist agendas by various elected officials the country and its citizens continued to vote for free government give a way programs and forgot that SOMEONE had to actually pay for them. Greece is the latest country to discover this truth also.
I pray to USA and our citizens wake up soon enough to learn from these mistakes before our country too becomes merely a memory of what we used to represent.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Rejection and Fear.
Rejection and Fear, these twins of evil seem to come hand in hand as a set when they make an appearance in our lives. Today I personally feel neither of these, my life is good and I am feeling confident without having to deal with excess ego and pride ruling my emotions. However, I am seeing the results of these emotions today and as I think about them, without the emotional baggage of me being personally invested in them, it becomes very apparent to me how evil these two really are.
Sometimes however, we will find ourselves in circumstances where we are just uncertain of what to do. In those times, fear can take hold of us and prevent us from taking the next logical step into the place that we are being drawn toward.
Even when we take that next step, we can then be overcome by second guessing and doubts about whether what we did was the right thing to do...and fear works at us to keep us stuck in those places of doubt and uncertainty.
I'm sure you, just as I, have been in these difficult places countless times in life. I'm also confident that you, just as I, have made both good and poor choices when in those difficult places.
The rejection part of fear is mainly being concerned with how "Others" in the various corners of our lives will view our decisions or actions. We empower this fear by allowing others to have that power of approval over us when quite frankly, it just does not exist. It is acceptable to be aware of our actions/decisions as they affect others close to us (like a spouse or parent/children) but when we feel the fear from those who have no real stakeholder position to be judging our actions then it becomes quite a huge negative effect in our lives.
My hope then for each of you today is that you will quickly recognize and become aware of the fear when you begin to feel it and deal with it quickly. The power of your lips (your words) and your mind (your thoughts) are far stronger than the power of fear or rejection in determining your path today. Think and verbally (yes, out loud) say only positive and helpful things about your decisions today.
Besides, if you really screw up and make a horrible decision just remember that tomorrow is another new day and you can choose to make a "U" Turn and correct that situation.
Peace my friends.
Sometimes however, we will find ourselves in circumstances where we are just uncertain of what to do. In those times, fear can take hold of us and prevent us from taking the next logical step into the place that we are being drawn toward.
Even when we take that next step, we can then be overcome by second guessing and doubts about whether what we did was the right thing to do...and fear works at us to keep us stuck in those places of doubt and uncertainty.
I'm sure you, just as I, have been in these difficult places countless times in life. I'm also confident that you, just as I, have made both good and poor choices when in those difficult places.
The rejection part of fear is mainly being concerned with how "Others" in the various corners of our lives will view our decisions or actions. We empower this fear by allowing others to have that power of approval over us when quite frankly, it just does not exist. It is acceptable to be aware of our actions/decisions as they affect others close to us (like a spouse or parent/children) but when we feel the fear from those who have no real stakeholder position to be judging our actions then it becomes quite a huge negative effect in our lives.
My hope then for each of you today is that you will quickly recognize and become aware of the fear when you begin to feel it and deal with it quickly. The power of your lips (your words) and your mind (your thoughts) are far stronger than the power of fear or rejection in determining your path today. Think and verbally (yes, out loud) say only positive and helpful things about your decisions today.
Besides, if you really screw up and make a horrible decision just remember that tomorrow is another new day and you can choose to make a "U" Turn and correct that situation.
Peace my friends.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Return to the world
I've spent the past week at the Coverings Show in Orlando. It was fantastic to see and catch up with so many of my friends from the tile and flooring industry, but as always at these events, very rushed and only surface discussions. Friendship, I have come to believe, is absolutely one of THE most important aspects of life. Everyone is connected to everyone else by, I believe, only 6 links. To me that means that the more friends (relationships) you have the closer you are to everyone you meet daily.
Now some folks may feel this isn't a good thing, but I believe it is and I value meeting someone new and finding out we have a mutual friend somehow somewhere. The longer I live the more important and valuable my friends become to me. I can easily buy new "stuff" but replacing a friend is never the same because we all have different values/views/opinions that we alone bring to the relationship.
One friend at the show commented that he did not ever read "Blogs" because he doesn't care about other peoples opinions unless they are noted "Experts" in their field. I felt sad for him, I believe he is missing a great value in his life because of that opinion. I have found I can improve and gain from everyone, no matter their status in life or business. It reminds me of that old saying: You can learn something from everybody - some teach us what to aspire to, others teach us what to avoid becoming!
Make this a fantastic day, go make a new friend.
Steve
Now some folks may feel this isn't a good thing, but I believe it is and I value meeting someone new and finding out we have a mutual friend somehow somewhere. The longer I live the more important and valuable my friends become to me. I can easily buy new "stuff" but replacing a friend is never the same because we all have different values/views/opinions that we alone bring to the relationship.
One friend at the show commented that he did not ever read "Blogs" because he doesn't care about other peoples opinions unless they are noted "Experts" in their field. I felt sad for him, I believe he is missing a great value in his life because of that opinion. I have found I can improve and gain from everyone, no matter their status in life or business. It reminds me of that old saying: You can learn something from everybody - some teach us what to aspire to, others teach us what to avoid becoming!
Make this a fantastic day, go make a new friend.
Steve
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Remembering a Great American
Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) died of a heart attack one-hundred years ago today, at his home in Redding, Connecticut. As he traveled around the growing country of America he left behind a wide range of comments on his observations of life in America. I usually choose to study people who succeed in business and have great insight to share that I can find useful, however, that is not the case with Mark Twain. Twain was not a successful businessman. In fact, after emerging from bankruptcy in 1901, Twain advised, "To succeed in business, avoid my example." Maybe this is where that famous observation started: “Everyone serves as an example, some as an example of what to do, some as an example of what not to do.” Mark Twain was however, a witty and shrewd moralist and critic of human nature and life in that rapidly growing country he lived in, America. All during his life Twain spent much time quietly observing people and things around him so that when he did speak (or write) it was relevant and listened to by the people of his time. Twain provided much insight on Self-Improvement, Management, Encouragement, Courage, Vision, Success, Execution, Ethics, and Communication, all qualities we need every day in business and for a successful life for that matter.
A century after he wrote his last words, Twain still remains relevant. I wonder what I could learn from a man like this?
A century after he wrote his last words, Twain still remains relevant. I wonder what I could learn from a man like this?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
I'm a passionate guy???
I have been rightly accused of being somewhat passionate about certain issues. In my opinion, Passion is a wonderful thing but we also need to be open to hearing other people's passionate views. In much of American life today, there is a growing tendency toward views being pushed farther and farther to the right and left in media outlets and other venues (like a blog) in an attempt to convince others of the "correct" answer. I sometimes find myself in a quandry as both sides of an argument often have merit. This is usually when I personally am not directly involved in the discussion. I appreciate a willingness to share points of view, but always with respect for the opposing views of others. As much as I attempt to follow this, during discussions where I am personally involved I sometimes still find myself being compelled to continue to push my viewpoint and not stopping to consider what someone else is saying - from their viewpoint - and yet I somehow EXPECT them to see MY viewpoint clearly. Oh well, I suppose I am still a work in progress. I wonder how long it will take for my half-baked side to be finished?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
In the beginning........
For the past few years I have been been sending the Rausch Ravings via email to folks who have (or maybe had at one time) expressed an interest in reading them. For many reasons, not the least of which is changing with the times and keeping up with social media, I have decided to post the Ravings on a blog and allow folks to decide if they want to follow or not. I will be starting the postings soon and welcome you to comment or just follow as your heart leads you.
Steve
Steve
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