You SHOULD SWEAT the small stuff...

I've always considered myself a "BIG IDEAS GUY", "HIGH LEVEL STRATEGIC" type, but the more I think about it, it could be because I LOVE TO THINK BIG, however it could also be an excuse for not being 'detail-oriented'.

It seems the more successful people I read about or meet, they are the ones who know without uncertainty that the devil IS in the DETAILS, and that sometimes you HAVE TO GET IN THE WEEDS.. (not talking about MICRO MANAGING, way different).

They consider themselves accountable for the very SMALL THINGS that people overlook that really do mean the most. Whether it's personally, or professionally.  It's these small attention to details that make or brake a person, brand, or company.

(Now please excuse my lack of grammar and spelling)

Hat Tip: Steve DiGoia

REPOST: Retirement and Relationships

Retirement and Relationships

Well, I'm not sure if anyone really reads my rants, whether intellectual or not, I do tend to go on about anything. Anyway, ... I read a "Trend" Survey about Retirement. As you may or may not know, I am a Communications specialist at a very large Retirement Services firm. The most important worry in retirement is obviously, not enough money. The second, is maintaining health. I found this rather interesting. The third is losing social contacts within the workplace.



Just another reminder, it's the people who we meet that really matter in this world.



This will proabably be my last post for another 8 years. HAH!


Thank you Keith Ferrazzi for get me thinking about "Relationships" as usual.

REPOST: What if it IS?

I decided to make this relevant again, I haven't really been contributing much, but who knows.. this is a small step in the right direction. . . .

Nonsense, No More!

by Glenn Lawless

I decided to call this blog WHAT IF IT IS? because that question provides some sort of realization that there's hope. That It can be done, that IT can happen, that IT could exist. Out of context IT's open to alot of interpretation... and you know what? That's great. I hope there is, I WANT your mind to wonder past the horizon. Anyway . . I was inspired by my favorite show ever. IT's sad, but I'm obsessed - Six Feet Under.

In the 'Season Finale' of Season 4, one of the characters (David) is troubled and is really hurting, his deceased father (Nate Sr.) returns to him in sort of a reflective moment (This is a re-occuring theme w/in the series) and the following dialogue takes place . . .

Nate Sr.: You hang on to your pain like it means something. Like it's worth something.Well, let me tell you - it's not worth shit. Let it go!{Looks Up to the Sky} Infinite possibilities, and all he can do is whine.

David: Well, what am I supposed to do?

Nate Sr.: What do you think? You can do *anything* you lucky bastard - you're alive! What's a little pain compared to that?

David: It can't be that simple.

Nate Sr.: What if IT is?

And there IT is . . . . Feel free to comment on anything I write about... intellectual or What Not! What Not is probably "Funner" though . .

Help Create a Masterpeice and Learn

It's True ...

Last night, I had the enlightening opportunity to attend an Alumni Mentoring Event at Wilkes University. It was my first time, and I have to say, I was inspired to say the least. So many students aiming to be better, reaching out PAST their comfort zone to meet new people.

The best is when one eager student told me she is majoring in writing and wants to learn how to be more creative as she knows she can use it to teach or write. I asked her, "When was the last time you wrote something?" She said, "It's been a while". It made me think. How many of us have stopped 'creating' something in our respective fields...

Seth Godin, in his new book LinchPin, discusses how we need to do more ART not WORK.

By my definition, most art has nothing to do with oil paint or marble. Art is what we're doing when we do our best work.

I leave you with this... Be generous... give the artful gift of generosity and volunteer to mentor someone. It's truly reciprocal in nature - the Mentee/Mentor relationship.

In every art beginners must start with models of those who have practiced the same art before them. And it is not only a matter of looking at the drawings, paintings, musical compositions, and poems that have been and are being created; it is a matter of being drawn into the individual work of art, of realizing that it has been made by a real human being, and trying to discover the secret of its creation. ~ Ruth Whitman

Gen Y vs. Gen X vs. Baby Boomers

It's like an abstract game of Rock-Scissors-Paper, but I wouldn't want to say who beats who and in reality, it really is NOT a competition but rather a collaboration.

I'll admit I'm super interested in this subject, especially considering, I'm involved in this new evolution or rather "Revolution" of workers. But my imagination was frenzied today when a worker asked me to be in a Diversity Panel and I would represent the Male for the Gen Y Faction. I'm floored.

For those who don't know, for the first time in history we have all three of these generations engaging in the workplace, and it's causing for some serious culture shock. And I'm not just talking about iPods and text messaging, I mean the schemas of former generations of workers as they pertain to performance appraisals, expected attendance, dress code, and busywork all have been violated. Check this article out for a starter...

MBA + Reading = Insight??

I say this because, I don't know. I'm kind of a sceptic due to the fact that I've read several blogs on the "Personal MBA" I have to say... my first couple readings for my Business and Leadership class really has me thinking about the BIZ. I initially thought that this "Busy Work" I've been assigned would just be that ..."Busy", just things to keep my wheel spinning with nowhere to go.

But my first reading was on Scientfic Management and Frederick Taylor's obsession with efficiency. This story mirrors some the same tactics used by my same employer. Interersting.

Now, I'm reading about the Hawthorne's Experiments, this kind of tapped briefly into "informal relationships" and how it effects employees on a social context within the workplace.

It's kind of strange because awhile ago, I picked this article up from BusinessWeek for the Never Eat Alone Blog Site.

Bad Haircuts .. and more

Question: Are you one of your friend's clients or customers?

I recently just had an appointment with one of my friends at a local salon. She cuts hair, and for a good price. She's worked there for a while now, and her skills are, (well I usually walk away satisfied). that's it... satisfied. Not YES! This is a great haircut, I feel great. Everyone knows that if you look good you feel good. Well, I want to look GREAT, and therefore.....

Her last appointment with me, well, wasn't even satisfactory. She's just not consistant. How far do you value a relationship with a friend as to where it might hurt either your image, brand, or own personal value. What about your company? When do you end it?

I have some figuring out to do.

From the Void of Nothing-ness?

I felt compelled to write an original idea...

(If there is such a thing, Void from all influence) I think not, something has to come from something, right? Something cannot come of nothing. (Is that philosphical or what?) So I ask you, what are your biggest influences, and how can you channel them into creating something worth while. How can you use that energy to leave your mark on the world? Who in your life is your biggest influences, and have you reached out to them lately? What in your life is helping you excel, and what isnt? If it isn't why are you still letting this source of energy bring you down?

And remember not only who has influence you but more importantly.... Who have have YOU INFLUENCED? Who around you shares your ideas and views on life, so much that they take a part of what you say or do and make it thier own. WHO? Make sure to ignite that connection again and again.

Let no man imagine that he has no influence. Whoever he may be, and wherever he
may be placed, the man who thinks becomes a light and a power.
Henry George
(1839 - 1897)