The 100 Day Challenge

As I was catching up on RSS feeds this morning, I came across an interesting project called The 100 Day Challenge. It is based on the idea that on September 22, there are 100 days left to the year. And, that with the right focus, you can end the year on a very strong note by accomplishing a few more goals.

What a great thing to think about this morning! I can say that I have been looking ahead to 2009 and mentally starting to coast through the rest of the year. I have the projects I need to meet my January 2008 goals so I am falling into the "downhill slide" mentality.

Funny how things come along just when you need them, and I needed a reminder about productivity and focus. I am going to take the challenge and see what I can accomplish in the last 100 days of 2008.

What about you? What are you going to accomplish?

The Move to Blogspot

I decided to move some of my posts from my myspace page to this blog. As you can see, there are alot of entries dated today.

Thanks for visiting!

Ready to Play

Week before last, I gave an oral presentation to a potential client. The presentation went well, but I just didn't have the best feeling when I was done. I found out Friday we didn't get the project. There could be many reasons why we didn't win (including cost), but I can't help feeling some responsibility in the "loss". I was the one who did the pitch.

As it turns out, I had to give a speech on Saturday to about 100 people with a few VIPs present (just to add a touch more pressure to the situation) and as a result of the previous week's experience, I decided that I needed to spend a bit more time preparing. I spent an hour or so getting my thoughts down on paper, thinking through the message, and finding a good flow to the important points. I put the effort in to ensure that I communicated with my audience. I knew I was prepared when I stood behind the podium (which I hate because I like to talk with my hands and I don't like microphones) - that little bit of preparation set me up for a smooth and successful speech. I knew when I was done that I had connected with my audience. It was an exhilarating moment - I knew I had totally kicked A**!

I may have been too lax the previous week in the unsuccessful presentation. I know I had not internalized my thoughts so I could speak easily. I never did connect with those to whom I was talking. It was everything wrong, that Saturday was right.The lesson in this is that every time you step up, you have to come to play. Be ready and deliver. I didn't go into my presentation ready to play, but I did go into my speech that way - it made all the difference.Whether its professional or personal, put the effort in. You will feel better about yourself in the end, and most likely, have the kind of experiences that make you happy.

Note: Myspace blog post transfer

Globalization

I am right in the middle of Thomas Friedman's book "The World is Flat". I realize that the book made a big splash several years ago and I am behind. This is probably the fifth book I've read on globalization in the past several months. It's an interesting and relevant topic.

Much of the picture painted for the average American has been a loss of US jobs due to cheap labor overseas. There is so much more to this global economic progression. Globalization has been around for a long time and its not going to end. India and China are opening up and millions of people are joining the workforce as well as becoming consumers. More minds, mean more innovation. Advances in technology mean easier ways to do business anywhere. Globalization is the standard now.

I am finding America's response to this both interesting and troublesome. Large corporations and academics are embracing and capitalizing on the opportunities globalization presents. Government and mainstream America seem to be resistant and distrusting. For me, globalization is exciting and full of opportunities. America has a chance to transform our workforce development efforts and capitalize on the "new world". We can make massive changes in the realities of our citizens if we embrace globalization as reality and figure out how, not to survive it, but thrive in it.

During the run up to the November vote, I would like to hear more talk about workforce development in response to globalization, strengthening education in response to globalization, and moving capable workers into the workforce. But, these are not hot button topics, the things that affect you and me every day like gas prices, health insurance, and whether or not our friends will survive their 4th deployment to Iraq. But, if we are talking about solutions to the problems, maybe we can avoid tomorrow, the issues that are affecting us today, by investing in the long term growth of our country and the economic strength of our people.

Note: Copied from my myspace blog Summer 08

All the Good Things

I was lying in bed last night trying to quiet my mind from all the things that are suddenly "on my plate". In the past several days, I got myself pretty spun up, nervous, and stressed out thinking about work stuff and horse show stuff. I had to consciously breathe and put things in perspective. It helped tremendously that I did not have to go to Orlando today (for several reasons including the terrible driving weather). I "got" an extra day to get some work done.

As part of that process last night, I focused on the good things that happened to me yesterday. I was amazed when I started remembering those little things that sometimes get lost in a busy day. 1) a woman I had seen at the farm gave me an unsolicited pep talk about showing and told me I would be fine 2) I got another new project as Project Director 3) I spent two hours at a horse group "social" that I had coordinated and met some great people 4) One of the horse guys is a chiropractor and he talked to me about a visit and what I could do for my soreness 5) Another one of the horse people has a blog that has social media and social networking posts on it he suggested I read 6) I talked for an hour or so to a horse friend in Texas giving me tips on how to get through the show 7) I had a funny exchange with Devon on her myspace update 8) the manager of the restaurant that I had the meeting at was excited to have a group in on Thursday night and told me he would get my lunch the next time I came in 9) the waitress knew me, brought my drink before I ordered it, and (I am sure) was happy to have a large table on what is usually a slow night - she did a great job.

In the course of that "crazy" day, I had nine opportunities to connect with other people in a positive way. I am sure there were more if I had been paying better attention. So, even in a day that seemed like it wasn't that good, there are moments of smiles and connections. I can only imagine the list I could come up with if I looked at the last week! I had a tendency the last few days to get caught in the roller coaster of stress and nerves. I was missing out!

What are the good things that are happening to you that you might be missing because your focus and attention are somewhere else?

Note: Myspace blog post transfer

Politics - yes, I'm going therre

First, let me say that I think the hype of being the first to know of Obama's VP selection by text message was poorly executed. Sending the text out at 3am?! Come on!

Past that though, we are now getting into the heart of the election cycle. Obama's VP choice has been made and announced. The news this morning is all about Biden. Interesting story, solid experience, and at times, his mouth is a wild card. Sounds like a good choice. McCain already has ads out of Biden saying Obama doesn't have the experience. It's all about strategy.

The speculation on McCain's VP choice is increasing as a result. Apparently, he will make the announcment next Friday after the Democratic Convention. The talk today heavily favors Romney.It is easy to vote the party especially in the presidential election. But, there are SO many important issues the country now faces and sometimes, those party lines are blurred. We still have reproductive rights, equal rights and the economy which are typically party issues. But, we have the changing face of foreign policy, terrorism, and globalization not to mention energy issues. I can honestly say that I have not definitively decided on how I will vote. The VP is an important issue.

For my own piece of mind, I am going to look at the issues that I think are most important for the health and future of our country as well as those issues that I think are fundamental for our citizens and see how the candidates stack up. But, also, who do I think will actually make progress (or the reverse, not do more damage) in the next four years. Honestly, I'm not sure either candidate will be what I want.

How are you making this important decision? Have you decided definitively?

Note: Myspace blog post transfer

Being Judged

Four weeks ago, I made a casual comment to my riding instructor about showing in a local horse show. Since then, she has had laser focus on getting me ready for the show on Saturday. I have never shown and have only been riding (well, correctly) for less than a year. And, I only got focused four weeks ago. Yes, I am behind the power curve.While Lakey has been adament that I would show, I kept saying maybe. And, earlier this week, I had pretty much convinced myself that I was too busy. Really, though, I am just scared. I am afraid to look stupid in front of all these people, afraid that I won't be able to get my horse to canter, afraid that I will run into a 7 year old on their pony, afraid that my legs will be flying all over the place. The bottom line is that I am out of my element in the show ring and that makes me HUGELY uncomfortable.So, yesterday morning, I told two of my horse friends that I was going to show. They are both coming to watch (at 7:30am, aren't they great!). I bought the clothes and boots that I needed. I downloaded the class schedule. I have been on the phone constantly with a good friend who spent half of her life showing hunter jumpers. I can't turn back now, because my friends won't let me.It doesn't change the fact that I am nervous. I am putting myself out there in the show ring and asking people to JUDGE me. Yikes! The funny thing is I don't want to look out of place, but I will because I am a beginner and this is my first show. I will do incredibly stupid things - its just what happens! I know that. I have been around horse shows for years. I have watched all of my friends do stupid things including falling off in the ring! But, if I want to stretch myself beyond where I am right at this moment, I MUST do it. And, I will do it. But, it will be nerve-racking and stomach churning the entire way. What stomach churning thing are you doing? Because, you know, misery loves company!

Note: Another transfer from the myspace blog Summer 08

Six Degrees to Six Seconds

I have an account on Facebook that I rarely look at. But, yesterday, I got a friend request from someone I knew growing up. We were good friends at one point so reconnecting with her was fine. When I looked at her friends, though and their friends, I realized that there were people out there particularly from high school that I just didn't want to reconnect with! They are not bad people nor do I dislike them, I just don't want to reconnect. Making one connection, though, opens the door to making these other connections. It's just too much. I liked the good old days when I was separated from everyone on the planet by six degrees or less. Today, I feel like it has gone from six degress to six seconds. I want my five degrees back!Yes, I am opening the connection door by having a myspace account and a facebook account. So, one could say its my own fault. Last week I marveled at how quickly I made a connection with someone from an obscure place in LA where I had once lived. Today, I feel I am on the verge of stepping back into the past through social networking. Technology giveth then technology knocks us down with a fire hose!Am I the only one on the verge of social networking breakdown?

Note: Transferred from my myspace blog Summer 08

Stepping Outside the Box - the red dress

This past weekend, I went English tall boot shopping with a friend and came home with a red dress and black two inch heels (not to be worn together). Definitely an outside of the box shopping day for me. I am quite comfortable in a dress as well as two inch heels. But, this particular dress, red, halter-top style is different than the typical dress I have worn. I tried it on at Diann's urging. And, at first I was skeptical. But soon the dress "wore" on me and I liked it - the way it felt and the different look it gave me.It is good to stretch our boundaries and do things we don't normally do. Sometimes, one step can open up an entirely different world and take us places we have never been. I don't expect the red dress will necessarily be one of those steps, but it is fun. And, life is about having fun!

Note: Entry transferred from my myspace blog Summer 08

A Plan, Any Plan

I had drinks with a colleague/friend last night. We covered the usual topics of how is work, how is the personal life, and what have you been doing. After we got through the relatively surface stuff, we talked more indepth about careers and relationships. We both mentioned a few of the things we wanted to do - travel to/work in Europe, manage the restless feeling we both have. Then, he asks me a very important question, "So, what is your plan?". I, of course, had no answer (and no plan).He has a plan for everything including how to pick up women. I'm not sure I want to have that many plans in my life. But, his point came through loudly. There may be a lot of things I want to do, but unless I put some type of "plan" in motion, I will not achieve even a fraction of them. Today, then, is a combination of "getting off my butt and getting some potential projects rolling" and planning.What is it that you want to achieve and what is your plan?

Note: Another entry transferred from my myspace posts Summer 08

What Works for Me

I caught up on Chris Brogan's blog this morning. One of his entries was "Do What Works for You". His focus was on the use of technology. There are so many applications out there, but not every one of them is right for every one of us. While I subscribe to that idea (just because you can, doesn't mean you should), his thoughts where a little more personal for me this morning.Do What Works for You and its companion phrase Let Others Do What Works for Them. I think as I have gotten older I understand the magnitude of this more than I did when I was younger. Even though when I was younger I had a tendency to want to show my independence by "non conforming", I don't think I understood how important it is to truly become comfortable making choices that support me. It took a long time (and many years of maturing) to begin to understand who I really am. With all the societal pressures of what someone "should" be doing, I still don't always make choices based on what works for me. It really does require conscious thought!But, what may have been even harder for me to grasp is to allow my friends to "Do What Works for Them" or to support my friends when they make choices that I don't think are correct. We have all done it - it's not just me!! Experience has helped me see past the world as it appears to me and I work harder now not to judge my friends or impose my thinking on them. I give my opinion when appropriate, but in the end I strive to let them "do what works for them." I don't always get this right and its easy to quickly revert to my old ways, but I do better than I did!So, today, do what works for you but also support your friends and allow them (or even encourage them) to do what works for them.I am off now to "do"!

Note: This is an entry I took from my mspace blog Summer 08

Small World - Where Exactly is Boothville?

I think we all have those "small world" moments. And, tonight, I was reminded just how small (and connected) the world really is. I was having a glass of wine, fighting off a Tuesday night funk when I heard Patti Rayne introduced at LA Women's Fest on TV. The announcer said she was from "south of New Orleans". I bet none of you thought you could get any further south than New Orleans. Surprise, you can.Having grown up in Louisiana and having taught school at the furthest point south of New Orleans you can get (Boothville-Venice HS), I was curious. I "googled" (no, I'm not on the Cuil train as of yet) her and checked out her website which did not give me any good information. So, I did the next best thing and found her myspace page. A quick email later and I get a response. Yes, you guessed it. She had lived in Boothville (population 2,200)! Seriously, you can't get any "smaller world" than that NOR can you get any more connected than that. I bet it wasn't 15 minutes from the time I sent the myspace message (and friend request) that I had a response. We hear the "six degrees of separation" theory, but maybe its really the "six seconds of separation" theory! You just never know what experience you will have on a Tuesday night! Check out her music on myspace.com/pattirayne!What "small world" experience have you had lately?

Note: Taken from my myspace post Summer 08

The Last Lecture

For those of you that did not see the short-lived headlines on CNN, Randy Pausch died yesterday. He was a Carnegie Mellon University professor who became well known for his inspirational attitude as he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The university sponsors a series titled "The Last Lecture" in which professors are invited to give what they would consider their last talk at the university. It is a hypothetical experience designed to have them think about what words they would like to leave with their students. Randy gave his in September 2007 shorty after he was told his cancer was terminal. This is a link to a Time magazine story. http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1826574,00.htmlI know we all see inspirational stories often. His is similarly inspiring. Maybe the reason it caught my attention this week is because I have a friend who is helping a family deal with the death of their 2 year old daughter or maybe because I have a friend who is in the midst of chemotherapy for breast cancer or maybe because I have a friend wanting patiently (or not so patiently) for medical test results. I know all of you have similar stories. This week, I have been reminded of how fortunate I am.Back to Randy.....The truth is that he is right. We will all die. And, the quality of our life is not so much measured in time but in the experience we make of it. So, make your life what you want it to be and enjoy the experience of living. I have decided to face a few of my anxieties including showing in a horse show (jumping) and maybe (still a maybe here) jumping out of a perfectly good airplane (once). And, I am going to spend more time making sure that the people I care about it, know it. What are you going to do?

Note: This is a post taken from my myspace post Summer 08

What I Do

So, I had my suspicions confirmed that most of my friends don't know what I do for a living. They know I don't work 8-5, I work for myself, and I am gone a lot. What I actually do when I'm gone is the unanswered question. It would be great if I could say "if I tell you, I will have to kill you", but my life just isn't that exciting. I am a management consultant. Generally speaking, that means that people (mostly government agencies) hire me to do those things that are outside of their normal activities such as strategic planning, training, becoming more efficient, etc. Two projects ago, I was working on a piece of a strategic plan that had to do with training and development of employees. The last project I did (finished it last week) was facilitating tabletop exercises for homeland security and then providing a report that gives recommendations on how the agency can improve its capabilities.My strengths are facilitating group discussion and interviewing people. And, also making suggestions for process improvement to gain efficiency. I enjoy the interaction pieces and communicating with people. I tend to get bored easily so new projects doing different things and meeting new people keeps me engaged. Right now, I am taking it slow this week to get caught up from the last six weeks of whirl wind travel. But, I will be back on the trail of new projects soon!

Note: This is a post I made in Summer 08 on myspace.

Building friendships/relationships

A lunch conversation yesterday sparked my thinking on building friendships. There are hundreds of books written about how to build your relationship with your signficiant other or how to build your professional relationships, but there isn't much talk about how to build your friendships.The truth is that we have to put time and energy into building our friendships. Most of my friends are busy people and it is hard to make time to see and talk with friends. But, if we want to cultivate that friendship, if that person is important to us, we have to find the time to make that contact. We can't just assume that because someone is my friend that they will understand how busy I am and that when I have some time I will call. In a relationship, that type of behavior would surely push two people apart. Why do we expect our friendships to be different?To build good friendships we have to put the same level of energy into those relationships as we do our intimate relationship and our professional relationships. Don't let the friends you care about drift away. Take some time each week to check in and reconnect. Who do you need to check in with?

Note: Another transfer post from an entry I made on myspace

Drive and Determination

I opened Outlook this morning to find a pdf presentation from an old friend. Tara isn't just any old friend, though. We've known each other 12 years and we have seen each other go through turbulent times - nothing for me like she has experienced. Tara has MS and it hit her hard and young (at 25). She has had good years and very, very bad years.A few months ago, Tara emailed me that she was going to ride in the 545 mile Aids Life Cycle in CA. She had been a cyclist in college and riding was near to her heart. She wanted the challenge and is passionate about the cause. This morning, I recieved the 22 page photo and text recap of her experience. Briefly reliving the ride with her through the pages left me feeling proud of her, but ashamed of myself. I have thought about all she has gone through since I've known her and to see her cycle 545 miles in hilly CA, I am amazed and humbled. She has never let MS stop her, slow her down, or alter her attitude or life. She has an inner spirit that glows, a drive and determination that surpasses most, and a true love of life and people.What the hell have I done lately?

(Yes, another Summer 08 post I made on myspace)

Immigration

I heard this morning that some local businesses had been visited by immigration and that a few employees had been detained. This is a very controversial topic that has directly affected someone I know. And, a topic about which I am conflicted.Yes, illegal immigration is just that - illegal. These individuals come into the country, do not pay taxes or social security, utilize our public services i.e. schools, health departments, and often are uninsured. Its not fair for Americans to shoulder this financial burden. There are others from those same countries waiting patiently to work through the immigration process to come to the US. It's not fair to those who put the time and energy into following the rules. No, illegal immigration is not a cut and dry subject. Our immigration processes are flawed, underbudgeted, and take a lifetime to work through. As people, those who come into our country illegally often have a better work ethic than those of us who are here - they truly WANT freedom. Sometimes, those of us born into freedom, take it for granted. Many who come into this country are simply trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Having spent time in industries where there is a larger number of illegal immigrants than most other industries, I would say that there are Americans would not do these jobs for minimum wage and I have watched applicants come in and say those words. Until our work ethic as a society surpasses the desire of illegal immigrants, we will always have a problem. In the end, the law is the law and illegal immigration has to be stopped. But, we have to fix our internal issues - the immigration process, assistance programs that reward individuals for not working who can, and a growing American attitude of entitlement coupled with a decrease in our society's work ethic. These are not only issues that affect immigration, but will affect America's ability to succeed in a globalized future. But, as a human, I have sympathy for those who do come here, albeit illegally, with hope, excitement, and a strong desire to succeed.

(Note: This post was taken from a Summer 08 entry I made on myspace)

Igniting a Passion in Mid-Life

Hmmm..I talked to my BFF this morning who promptly explained to me WHY the twenty-something I listened to yesterday was so passionate about his work - he is twenty-something. And, that we were like that when we were twenty-something, but now that we are mid-life (and yes, she used that term, more than once. Really, how many times can she say that word in one conversation????) our perspective is different. Basically, she was telling me that I was not going to be that passionate about my work and that I should just enjoy life and not worry about it. This from a woman who decided yesterday to take a vacation in August to the South Pacific because "life is too short". My head is spinning. I also realized that if I don't talk to her everyday, I will be behind.So, is there truth to the idea that the older we get the less likely we are to be passionate? And, the old adage, "youth is wasted on the young" is true?I don't think so. I think she is just channeling her passion (it IS good that she has been "ignited") into a different direction. We can be passionate about our profession, our partner, our hobbies, our friends, our life in general, if we allow ourselves that luxury. And, face it, many of us think of having that level of passion as a luxury. It all comes back to listening to our hearts and taking a step (even if its small) in that direction. Nothing in life is easy and nothing is fair so being passionate will require courage and hard work. But, the payoff is great in the end!

(Note: This post was taken from a Summer 08 entry I made on myspace)

Lighting It Up

I read an interesting article about the book, Fire Them Up written by Carmine Gallo, on personal branding that started with the concept of igniting your enthusiasm. And, if we are not excited about what we do than no one else will be excited about what we do either. Then an hour or so later I saw this concept in action. I met a gentleman (who looked like he was barely old enough to drink) who was so passionate about his profession that he beamed. And, after talking with his colleagues, I found out how unbelievably successful he was. His enthusiasm was not the product of a polished sales pitch, but a true enjoyment of his profession. I left there realizing that I did not have even a small percentage of his enthusiasm for a large part of what I do. There are pockets that I enjoy to that level and a few new emerging areas that have that kind of "rush". But, I have always chosen the safe route because there is more (and easier to find) work in my less interesting areas. Big rewards require big risks - maybe its time I pushed myself outside of those familiar boundaries and ignited my passion for my profession. How many of you can say you have a "passion for your profession"?

(Note: This was a Summer 08 post I made on myspace)