"Whenever you face a crucial decision, think WIN!" -- Lou Holtz
I face some crucial decisions at work at the moment. What questions should be asked in order to make a more informed and unbiased decision?
1. Who would my direct reports be?
2. What committees or meetings would I be expected to attend regularly?
3. What travel would be involved?
4. What opportunities to train exist?
5. What budget authority would I have?
6. Who is doing these duties currently?
7. What areas of compliance would I be responsible for?
8. What aspects of health rate filing would be required?
9. What aspects of illustrations would be required?
10. What types of inquiries arise?
11. What gives you confidence that this is an appropriate workload for one person?
12. Why have employees left the department?
13. What's your opinion of the new company dress philosophy?
14. What are examples of Systems projects that this unit is involved with?
15. What does "peer review" mean regarding in force business?
16. What opportunities for improving performance exist?
17. Can this job be outsourced?
18. What would my top 2008 goals be?
It's easy to think WIN here. Any job that I get is well-paid by a stable employer.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
An Entourage of Encourage
"Surround yourself with encouragers. Sometimes you need another positive perspective to recognize the limits you place on yourself." -- Lou Holtz
Recently I had breakfast with a friend who thrived at State Farm, then dabbled briefly in pharmaceutical sales and won a major award as a new rep. In addition to running distance races, leading her daughter's Brownie troop and volunteering at a hospital, she plays a major role in Leadership McLean County and is a devoted mother, wife and child. She's had many hardships but to talk with her, wouldn't be able to tell from her personality that she'd been victimized by anything. These are the types of people that I've said are "the type of infection that deserve no cure."
Recently I had breakfast with a friend who thrived at State Farm, then dabbled briefly in pharmaceutical sales and won a major award as a new rep. In addition to running distance races, leading her daughter's Brownie troop and volunteering at a hospital, she plays a major role in Leadership McLean County and is a devoted mother, wife and child. She's had many hardships but to talk with her, wouldn't be able to tell from her personality that she'd been victimized by anything. These are the types of people that I've said are "the type of infection that deserve no cure."
What the Croc?
Earlier this week I commented to a friend that if a smart person takes the time to really study human nature, there's something waiting out there to make them a lot of money.
This morning I was reminded of that when I saw a commercial for Crocs. Are these or are these not the parachute pants of the new millenium? I am so happy for their marketing department.
Bob, Marketing VP: OK, good Monday morning everyone. I'm sure we're all ready to make it a short post-Super Bowl work day so let's see what you've got.
Ken (rubs eyes): How about cheap rubber shoes?
Bob: I'm sorry, rubber shoes?
Ken: Sure. They'd look like boxes with rounded corners.
Bob: And people would by these why?
Ken: Well instead of fitting snugly they'd snap on with a thin strap. And they'd be full of holes that...
Bob: Holes.
Ken: Yes, holes that let air in.
Bob: And water?
Ken: Of course. They'll be much easier to wash that way, plus being rubber and all.
Bob: Explain to me again how these are better than sandals?
Ken: Instead of having tan lines, you'll have tan spots. Plus the rainbow colors will be easier for drivers to see when crossing streets at night.
Bob: What do you plan to call these things?
Ken: I was thinking about "Crocs."
Bob: As in crocodiles, the ugliest... oh, I get it.
This morning I was reminded of that when I saw a commercial for Crocs. Are these or are these not the parachute pants of the new millenium? I am so happy for their marketing department.
Bob, Marketing VP: OK, good Monday morning everyone. I'm sure we're all ready to make it a short post-Super Bowl work day so let's see what you've got.
Ken (rubs eyes): How about cheap rubber shoes?
Bob: I'm sorry, rubber shoes?
Ken: Sure. They'd look like boxes with rounded corners.
Bob: And people would by these why?
Ken: Well instead of fitting snugly they'd snap on with a thin strap. And they'd be full of holes that...
Bob: Holes.
Ken: Yes, holes that let air in.
Bob: And water?
Ken: Of course. They'll be much easier to wash that way, plus being rubber and all.
Bob: Explain to me again how these are better than sandals?
Ken: Instead of having tan lines, you'll have tan spots. Plus the rainbow colors will be easier for drivers to see when crossing streets at night.
Bob: What do you plan to call these things?
Ken: I was thinking about "Crocs."
Bob: As in crocodiles, the ugliest... oh, I get it.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Dead Rest
"The proof that we don't understand death is we give dead people a pillow. I mean if you can't stretch out and get some solid rest at that point, I don't think there are any bedding accessories that can make a difference. But the suit and the pillow really shows we have no idea what to get these people ready for. I mean, what situation are you going into with a suit and a pillow? There's no business nap meetings." -- Jerry Seinfeld
Under the Leather
"I once had a leather jacket that got ruined in the rain. Now why does moisture ruin leather? Aren't cows outside a lot of the time? When it's raining, do cows go up to the farmhouse, 'Let us in! We're all wearing leather! Open the door! We're going to ruin the whole outfit here!'" -- Jerry Seinfeld
Blog4reel.com
I received an e-mail from someone who'd read the "True Love" entry from earlier this month. Turns out that Kimberly is starting a new web site called Blog4reel.com, which is monitored by people who have ability to put your life into a movie in some fashion. In the meantime, people who visit the site are able to vote for their favorite blog (voting is reset from time to time).
Since Google searchability is boosted by links from other sites, this constitutes Hidden Blog's second such link (the other is from my friend Jason Woolever). Somewhere in the distance, Country Joe's blood pressure is rising without fully understanding why... the lurking presence of an irrelevant cyberstalker determined to outrank him.
The timing is perfect for an election year. Click on the little button in Hidden Blog's upper left hand corner to cast a vote. It's a one-issue campaign which unites the nation and needs no debate, no mud-slinging, no partisan politics: If all men are created equal, then American underdogs like Joe McDonalds must overcome the monopoly of their crooning doppelganger!
Since Google searchability is boosted by links from other sites, this constitutes Hidden Blog's second such link (the other is from my friend Jason Woolever). Somewhere in the distance, Country Joe's blood pressure is rising without fully understanding why... the lurking presence of an irrelevant cyberstalker determined to outrank him.
The timing is perfect for an election year. Click on the little button in Hidden Blog's upper left hand corner to cast a vote. It's a one-issue campaign which unites the nation and needs no debate, no mud-slinging, no partisan politics: If all men are created equal, then American underdogs like Joe McDonalds must overcome the monopoly of their crooning doppelganger!
Monday, March 24, 2008
A Fountain of Youth
"If you want to prolong your life, spend less time popping vitamin capsules and reading health magazines and more time living. Dreamers positively seethe with youthful excitement no matter what their age. I've see eighty-year-olds with teenage eyes sparkling with hope and expectation. Dreams make the best chauffeurs." -- Lou Holtz
Who Am I?
"I am not what I want to be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I am going to be, but thank God I am not who I used to be." -- Lou Holtz
Here's Who Can Solve Your Problem
"If you have a problem, it's your problem. Solve it. Don't blame other people. Don't burden people with your complaints. Ninety percent of the people you meet don't care about your troubles. The other 10 percent are glad you have them." -- Lou Holtz
Wait and See
John was a fellow who owned a valuable mare. One night the horse ran off and all the neighbors said, "John, we're so sorry your horse has disappeared." John replied, "I don't know if it's good or bad. We will have to wait and see." The next day everyone was shocked when the horse returned accompanied by two beautiful wild stallions.. All the neighbors said, "Oh, John you are so lucky. You have three fine horses now!" John replied, "I don't know if it's good or bad. We will have to wait and see." The following day, John's two sons were riding the new horses. Both boys suffered broken legs after being thrown. Everybody immediately cried, "Oh, John, that's too bad that both your sons broke their legs!" John replied, "I don't know if it's good or bad. We will have to wait and see." That weekend war broke out. All the able young men in the village were summoned into military service. All except John's sons. Their broken legs earned them deferments. Everyone declared, "Oh, John, that's good, your sons don't have to go to war." Once again, John replied, "I don't know if it's good or bad, we'll just have to wait and see."
Surgeon General's Theory
Why do people smoke?
"Maybe the appeal is the fire. There's something very scary and exciting about fire. People always run to see a fire. They're very proud that they have a fireplace. This is what smoking is really all about. The power of 'I've got some fire right here in my hand. Smoke and fire is literally coming right out of my mouth.'" -- Jerry Seinfeld
"Maybe the appeal is the fire. There's something very scary and exciting about fire. People always run to see a fire. They're very proud that they have a fireplace. This is what smoking is really all about. The power of 'I've got some fire right here in my hand. Smoke and fire is literally coming right out of my mouth.'" -- Jerry Seinfeld
Sunday, March 23, 2008
10 Years from Now?
Dena and I had a quiet dinner at the Ozark House restaurant on our anniversary before catching the late show of "College Road Trip" (campy, with some memorable belly laughs like the karaoke mike in the Japanese tour bus singing "Sister Christian.") What might the future hold?
Jobs: Will Rose Publishing still exist once the primary supplier from Caterpillar retires? Dena's looked around locally for graphic design work at large organizations like State Farm and Illinois State and found intense competition. She may find full-time work somewhere in town in the service sector, or back to school to increase her prospects for graphic design work. I'll be in the tax department overseeing some significant turnover (Jody/Kitty's retirements) or back in the actuarial department presiding over fewer than 25 employees. There's an outside chance that I'd shift careers within State Farm if it would preserve or increase work/life balance.
Church: Dena will attend Eastview Christian Church.
Community service: This is a tough one. I know that I will be involved in something, and also have yet to find a cause compelling enough to donate much more than three years to. Something in the leadership and/or sports arena seems a good bet, given my interests and talents. Something that involves writing or public speaking is a good candidate. I doubt that I'll be involved in any of my current activities, with the possible exception of basketball coaching. It's become critical to me that the leader be an organized and responsive person. Those type of people rarely stay in place for ten years!
Exercise: Where will my knees and back be in 2018? It may finally be time for me to take up golf, or at least walking/jogging on a regular basis.
Fun: Fantasy sports, especially baseball, will still be a staple. Video games have been a constant for twenty years and there's no reason to think that will evaporate completely. Movies and TV comedy will be on the docket. I'll still read non-fiction -- biographies, history, current magazines.
Around the house: "Love Shack" baby! At some point I might be relieved as condo board treasurer, but the odds are that I'll be in that role for at least six of the next ten years.
Family: Mom will be out of the Bloomingdale house and into something smaller. Our grandparents will pass away and our parents will not. Jack will move out of town, maybe out of state? We'll add one more in-law (Kurt's spouse) and three more nieces/nephews with the last name Freidinger.
And of course, Country Joe's popularity will fade with age, edging Hidden Blog to new heights!
Jobs: Will Rose Publishing still exist once the primary supplier from Caterpillar retires? Dena's looked around locally for graphic design work at large organizations like State Farm and Illinois State and found intense competition. She may find full-time work somewhere in town in the service sector, or back to school to increase her prospects for graphic design work. I'll be in the tax department overseeing some significant turnover (Jody/Kitty's retirements) or back in the actuarial department presiding over fewer than 25 employees. There's an outside chance that I'd shift careers within State Farm if it would preserve or increase work/life balance.
Church: Dena will attend Eastview Christian Church.
Community service: This is a tough one. I know that I will be involved in something, and also have yet to find a cause compelling enough to donate much more than three years to. Something in the leadership and/or sports arena seems a good bet, given my interests and talents. Something that involves writing or public speaking is a good candidate. I doubt that I'll be involved in any of my current activities, with the possible exception of basketball coaching. It's become critical to me that the leader be an organized and responsive person. Those type of people rarely stay in place for ten years!
Exercise: Where will my knees and back be in 2018? It may finally be time for me to take up golf, or at least walking/jogging on a regular basis.
Fun: Fantasy sports, especially baseball, will still be a staple. Video games have been a constant for twenty years and there's no reason to think that will evaporate completely. Movies and TV comedy will be on the docket. I'll still read non-fiction -- biographies, history, current magazines.
Around the house: "Love Shack" baby! At some point I might be relieved as condo board treasurer, but the odds are that I'll be in that role for at least six of the next ten years.
Family: Mom will be out of the Bloomingdale house and into something smaller. Our grandparents will pass away and our parents will not. Jack will move out of town, maybe out of state? We'll add one more in-law (Kurt's spouse) and three more nieces/nephews with the last name Freidinger.
And of course, Country Joe's popularity will fade with age, edging Hidden Blog to new heights!
10 Years!
Friday was the ten-year anniversary of Dena and my wedding. What's changed since then?
Jobs: Dena worked full-time as a bookkeeper at Goodfield State Bank in Goodfield. Now she's working part-time as a graphic designer for Rose Publishing. I worked as a life insurance reserve actuary for State Farm, and was taking actuarial exams. Now I'm a life insurance tax actuary there, managing the Life Tax Department, and have been done with exams since 2000.
Church: We were members of Calvary United Methodist Church. Today I still believe in God though I don't belong to a church or engage in formal worship; for the moment, Dena is still a member of Calvary and has been visiting other churches.
Community service: I was the president of the ISU Honors Alumni Network, and Dena was active in a Community Bankers' Association. Today Dena's position as chair of Calvary's Outreach Committee has led her to do disaster relief in Mississippi, as well as nearby Pontiac. I'm active in Leadership McLean County and coaching basketball at the YMCA.
Exercise: I was in State Farm's basketball and volleyball leagues. Today I play basketball 1-3 times a week at Four Seasons, and am in State Farm's sand volleyball, soccer and flag football leagues. I sub on a State Farm softball team and play full-time on Calvary's softball team.
Fun: We had no computer; now we have two. I play a handful of "fantasy" sports, read books on leadership and sports magazines. We watched movies (and still do), we also have DVR and watch all kinds of shows like Law and Order, Scrubs, and The Office. Tecmo Bowl has been replaced by Madden 2008.
Around the house: The "Love Shack" is totally revamped for the better! Only the coffee table remains in the living room. Appliances (except the washer/dryer) and furniture are all replaced. I'm in my sixth year as condo board treasurer and soon even the roof will be new. Condo fees were about $75 and are now $130.
Family: Dad's no longer with us, and Mom's got two new knees and has retired. Dena's Dad retired. Jack's moved from the State Farm call center to its catastrophe team. The number of nieces and nephews rose from five to nine; added three new in-laws (Jane, Thad, Becky).
And of course, Hidden Blog has emerged as the hottest Country Joe McDonald chasing phenomenon on the planet!
Jobs: Dena worked full-time as a bookkeeper at Goodfield State Bank in Goodfield. Now she's working part-time as a graphic designer for Rose Publishing. I worked as a life insurance reserve actuary for State Farm, and was taking actuarial exams. Now I'm a life insurance tax actuary there, managing the Life Tax Department, and have been done with exams since 2000.
Church: We were members of Calvary United Methodist Church. Today I still believe in God though I don't belong to a church or engage in formal worship; for the moment, Dena is still a member of Calvary and has been visiting other churches.
Community service: I was the president of the ISU Honors Alumni Network, and Dena was active in a Community Bankers' Association. Today Dena's position as chair of Calvary's Outreach Committee has led her to do disaster relief in Mississippi, as well as nearby Pontiac. I'm active in Leadership McLean County and coaching basketball at the YMCA.
Exercise: I was in State Farm's basketball and volleyball leagues. Today I play basketball 1-3 times a week at Four Seasons, and am in State Farm's sand volleyball, soccer and flag football leagues. I sub on a State Farm softball team and play full-time on Calvary's softball team.
Fun: We had no computer; now we have two. I play a handful of "fantasy" sports, read books on leadership and sports magazines. We watched movies (and still do), we also have DVR and watch all kinds of shows like Law and Order, Scrubs, and The Office. Tecmo Bowl has been replaced by Madden 2008.
Around the house: The "Love Shack" is totally revamped for the better! Only the coffee table remains in the living room. Appliances (except the washer/dryer) and furniture are all replaced. I'm in my sixth year as condo board treasurer and soon even the roof will be new. Condo fees were about $75 and are now $130.
Family: Dad's no longer with us, and Mom's got two new knees and has retired. Dena's Dad retired. Jack's moved from the State Farm call center to its catastrophe team. The number of nieces and nephews rose from five to nine; added three new in-laws (Jane, Thad, Becky).
And of course, Hidden Blog has emerged as the hottest Country Joe McDonald chasing phenomenon on the planet!
No Rhino Reason
"One of the most popular cosmetic procedures today is the nose job. The technical term for the nose job is rhinoplasty. Rhino? I mean, do we really need to insult the person at this particular moment of their life? They know they have a big nose, that's why they're coming in. Do they really need the abuse of being compared to a rhinoceros on top of everything else?
When someone goes in for a hair transplant, they don't say 'We're going to perform a cueball-ectomy on you, Mr. Johnson. We're going to attempt to remove the skin-hedia of your chrome-domus... these are the technical terms, of course." -- Jerry Seinfeld
When someone goes in for a hair transplant, they don't say 'We're going to perform a cueball-ectomy on you, Mr. Johnson. We're going to attempt to remove the skin-hedia of your chrome-domus... these are the technical terms, of course." -- Jerry Seinfeld
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Celebrate Without Whine
"When a difficult task comes your way, accept the challenge joyfully. Every sacrifice you make builds character." -- Lou Holtz
Look Here for Success
"Concentrate on the customer. You can't make many catches if you take your eyes off the ball." -- Lou Holtz
Think You Have Problems?
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single minute before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank
Keep in mind that this was from a young girl pinned in an attic for months while hiding from Nazi troopers, keeping a diary before ultimately being caught and killed. Just another example of how precious things become once we lose them... and a reminder of how we needn't wait to lose them!
Keep in mind that this was from a young girl pinned in an attic for months while hiding from Nazi troopers, keeping a diary before ultimately being caught and killed. Just another example of how precious things become once we lose them... and a reminder of how we needn't wait to lose them!
Leadership Definition
"Leadership is the ability to get extraordinary results from ordinary people." -- Brian Tracy
Feedback from the YMCA
From: John Anderson [mailto:johna@bnymca.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:38 AM
To: Joe McDonald
Subject: YMCA B-ball
Joe,
Just wanted to thank you again for giving your time and coaching in our league this year… I have had several evaluations come back from parents of kids on your team who offered some very high praise and had a great experience. I appreciate your efforts in what can be a difficult age group. I just wanted to pass along the enthusiastically positive feedback I received and say thanks again for being part of our program.
John Anderson
Sports Coordinator
Bloomington-Normal YMCA
(309) 827-6233 ext27
johna@bnymca.org
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:38 AM
To: Joe McDonald
Subject: YMCA B-ball
Joe,
Just wanted to thank you again for giving your time and coaching in our league this year… I have had several evaluations come back from parents of kids on your team who offered some very high praise and had a great experience. I appreciate your efforts in what can be a difficult age group. I just wanted to pass along the enthusiastically positive feedback I received and say thanks again for being part of our program.
John Anderson
Sports Coordinator
Bloomington-Normal YMCA
(309) 827-6233 ext27
johna@bnymca.org
Monday, March 17, 2008
God: How to Change the World
"You wanna know how to change the world, son? One random act of kindness at a time." -- Morgan Freeman, as God in the movie Evan Almighty
How to Sell
"You don't sell anything. All you are trying to do is help people get what they want. If you help enough people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want." -- Lou Holtz, describing a salesman's philosophy
It's Why Dumbo Was Such a Great Leader
"All you have to do is remember that the Lord gave you two ears and one mouth because he wants you to listen twice as much as you speak." -- Lou Holtz
People Are Good
From Lou Tice:
If you could peel away all the outside stuff like behavior and pretending, do you think human beings are basically good?
I know there are some individuals in the world who think that people are essentially bad, and that goodness has to be pounded into us, more or less against our will. I don't buy it. I believe that people are basically good. Why, just look at a baby - any baby in the world - if you want to test the idea.
Babies aren't evil or resistant or fearful. Babies, given basic care and affection, are by nature happy little beings. This means that nearly all of us started out living in love and joy.
If you are not still living that way, it doesn't mean you are bad. It means that somewhere along the way you were taught to expect less. You behaved accordingly, and less is what you got stuck with. But you don't have to stay stuck. I have spent nearly 40 years helping people change, so I know it is possible. And those people are no smarter or better or capable than you.
Today and every day you have a choice to make: Do you want to be happy?
Do you want to live a satisfying, productive, adventurous life?
If so, you can do it! Visualize it, affirm it in everything you do and say, and behave as if you already were! Start today, and get ready for a great tomorrow!
If you could peel away all the outside stuff like behavior and pretending, do you think human beings are basically good?
I know there are some individuals in the world who think that people are essentially bad, and that goodness has to be pounded into us, more or less against our will. I don't buy it. I believe that people are basically good. Why, just look at a baby - any baby in the world - if you want to test the idea.
Babies aren't evil or resistant or fearful. Babies, given basic care and affection, are by nature happy little beings. This means that nearly all of us started out living in love and joy.
If you are not still living that way, it doesn't mean you are bad. It means that somewhere along the way you were taught to expect less. You behaved accordingly, and less is what you got stuck with. But you don't have to stay stuck. I have spent nearly 40 years helping people change, so I know it is possible. And those people are no smarter or better or capable than you.
Today and every day you have a choice to make: Do you want to be happy?
Do you want to live a satisfying, productive, adventurous life?
If so, you can do it! Visualize it, affirm it in everything you do and say, and behave as if you already were! Start today, and get ready for a great tomorrow!
Talk at Work
From Lou Tice:
I'd like to give you something to think about over the weekend, but I need you to get this information so you can be aware of your surroundings tomorrow. What's the talk like where you work? Do people put each other up or do they run each other down? You know, the way we talk to ourselves and to each other has a powerful affect on what we are able to accomplish.
In organizations where the talk is negative, where people gossip about each other and take every opportunity to complain and gripe about problems, and where people take a perverse kind of pride in shooting down each other's ideas, productivity suffers enormously. But productivity isn't the only thing that suffers. It feels just plain awful to work in an environment like this, doesn't it? And it takes a
tremendous toll on your energy and even on your health in the long run.
But in highly successful organizations, it's a different story. If you walk around these companies, you will see innovation, risk-taking, and creativity everywhere you look. You will see people who feel personally accountable for the success of their co-workers as well as their own success.
You will see people who feel like they are on the same team working toward a common goal, and you'll hear it in the way they talk to each other. Players on a winning team help each other, respect each other, and build each other up. And, their talk focuses not on problems, but on solutions.
What's the talk like where you work? If it's often negative, what could you do to change it?
I'd like to give you something to think about over the weekend, but I need you to get this information so you can be aware of your surroundings tomorrow. What's the talk like where you work? Do people put each other up or do they run each other down? You know, the way we talk to ourselves and to each other has a powerful affect on what we are able to accomplish.
In organizations where the talk is negative, where people gossip about each other and take every opportunity to complain and gripe about problems, and where people take a perverse kind of pride in shooting down each other's ideas, productivity suffers enormously. But productivity isn't the only thing that suffers. It feels just plain awful to work in an environment like this, doesn't it? And it takes a
tremendous toll on your energy and even on your health in the long run.
But in highly successful organizations, it's a different story. If you walk around these companies, you will see innovation, risk-taking, and creativity everywhere you look. You will see people who feel personally accountable for the success of their co-workers as well as their own success.
You will see people who feel like they are on the same team working toward a common goal, and you'll hear it in the way they talk to each other. Players on a winning team help each other, respect each other, and build each other up. And, their talk focuses not on problems, but on solutions.
What's the talk like where you work? If it's often negative, what could you do to change it?
Is Your Life a Struggle?
From Lou Tice:
Do you believe that you have to fight for what you get in life? Were you taught that life is, first and foremost, an unending struggle?
Whenever I feel a sense of struggle, of pressure tempting me to react with anxiety or even panic, I hear my inner voice ask, "How would you be seeing or doing this differently, if you were willing to let it be easy?"
As I consider an easier way to approach the situation, a sense of peace and freedom comes over me. From this perspective, I can usually see the way out.
Many of us have been imprinted with the belief that life is a struggle. We have to work hard to earn a living and support ourselves and our families, and that suffering and sacrifice buy happiness. But, none of this is true.
The glory of life is to live in graceful celebration, and to enjoy peace requires no loss whatsoever. Life is here to be enjoyed and appreciated. Struggle is a sure sign that you are moving against your blessings. Peace is not a victory we can ever win by battle. If you are fighting for anything, you are at war. Peace is a natural gift from God that we accept by opening our hearts and letting go of the struggle.
When Albert Einstein was asked, "What is the most important question facing humankind?" he answered with another question: "Is the universe a friendly place?"
Well, it is. Now all we have to do is act like it.
Do you believe that you have to fight for what you get in life? Were you taught that life is, first and foremost, an unending struggle?
Whenever I feel a sense of struggle, of pressure tempting me to react with anxiety or even panic, I hear my inner voice ask, "How would you be seeing or doing this differently, if you were willing to let it be easy?"
As I consider an easier way to approach the situation, a sense of peace and freedom comes over me. From this perspective, I can usually see the way out.
Many of us have been imprinted with the belief that life is a struggle. We have to work hard to earn a living and support ourselves and our families, and that suffering and sacrifice buy happiness. But, none of this is true.
The glory of life is to live in graceful celebration, and to enjoy peace requires no loss whatsoever. Life is here to be enjoyed and appreciated. Struggle is a sure sign that you are moving against your blessings. Peace is not a victory we can ever win by battle. If you are fighting for anything, you are at war. Peace is a natural gift from God that we accept by opening our hearts and letting go of the struggle.
When Albert Einstein was asked, "What is the most important question facing humankind?" he answered with another question: "Is the universe a friendly place?"
Well, it is. Now all we have to do is act like it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Anatomy Lesson
"Leaders must know what motivates their people. Some will not do their best until you kick them in the butt; others need continual pats on the back." -- Lou Holtz
So aim carefully!
So aim carefully!
How to Gain 54,000 Fans
"I made up my mind early on that we were going to create a winning atmosphere. Fan morale was low when I took over the tea. Attendance had declined for years; Minnesota often played its games before a half-filled house. However, only on e year after I joined the Gophers, we sold 54,000 more season tickets -- 11,000 more than had been sold at any time during the school's 103-year history... What made the difference between my experiences with... the Gophers? Attitude... I came to Minnesota determined to win." -- Lou Holtz, "Winning Every Day"
Here's a guy worth studying! We can all be "determined to win." What's unknown is whether we'll win the hearts of more or less than 54,000 new people. It's a matter of finding the right game -- whether choosing a job, a friend, or a pastime.
Here's a guy worth studying! We can all be "determined to win." What's unknown is whether we'll win the hearts of more or less than 54,000 new people. It's a matter of finding the right game -- whether choosing a job, a friend, or a pastime.
Resumes R Me
Looking for a job? Evidently God has some use for me as a reviewer of resumes.
"On a different note, I did get a job offer. I'm starting on
the 31st. I can't tell you how humbly grateful I am for this opportunity.
It's been a tough couple of months not knowing what was going to take place,
however, after a lot of prayer and positive thinking, it all worked out.
Thank you so much for your help with my resume and cover letter. That
helped tremendously. I can't thank you enough for all that you've done for
me!!"
"On a different note, I did get a job offer. I'm starting on
the 31st. I can't tell you how humbly grateful I am for this opportunity.
It's been a tough couple of months not knowing what was going to take place,
however, after a lot of prayer and positive thinking, it all worked out.
Thank you so much for your help with my resume and cover letter. That
helped tremendously. I can't thank you enough for all that you've done for
me!!"
A Hair of Sarcasm
From the Peoria Journal Star:
About a month ago, Melissa Brooks visited Auntie Anne's Pretzels in Northwoods Mall.
She found a long black hair baked into her pretzel, so she dropped a comment card to the corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania. The corporate office sent her complaint back to "Larry" at the local store.
"Ms. Brooks," he responded via e-mail last month. "I got your comment card. I was aghast at the extent of your horrification and likewise impressed by your use of the all caps function to communicate your message. I am in need of your help to ferret out this evil-minded culprit and put an end to this ghastly problem."
He said the hair Melissa found was "undoubtedly planted by some devious saboteur" because the two people working at the store that day didn't have long black hair.
"Did you see anybody with a secreted supply of long black hair hanging around the store?" he asked. "I certainly hope I can get your help because I can sense the devastation that you experienced and want to do everything possible to keep this from happening to another innocent and unsuspecting customer."
Then he cut to the chase. He said if she wanted to be taken seriously she shouldn't write an "over-the-top" comment card. He figures she's just fishing for free products.
"You will be receiving some free pretzel coupons by mail. Enjoy them with my compliments," he concluded. "By the way, hair is not a transmitter of disease according to the Peoria County Health Department. So while it is not appetizing, it is not hazardous to your health."
About a month ago, Melissa Brooks visited Auntie Anne's Pretzels in Northwoods Mall.
She found a long black hair baked into her pretzel, so she dropped a comment card to the corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania. The corporate office sent her complaint back to "Larry" at the local store.
"Ms. Brooks," he responded via e-mail last month. "I got your comment card. I was aghast at the extent of your horrification and likewise impressed by your use of the all caps function to communicate your message. I am in need of your help to ferret out this evil-minded culprit and put an end to this ghastly problem."
He said the hair Melissa found was "undoubtedly planted by some devious saboteur" because the two people working at the store that day didn't have long black hair.
"Did you see anybody with a secreted supply of long black hair hanging around the store?" he asked. "I certainly hope I can get your help because I can sense the devastation that you experienced and want to do everything possible to keep this from happening to another innocent and unsuspecting customer."
Then he cut to the chase. He said if she wanted to be taken seriously she shouldn't write an "over-the-top" comment card. He figures she's just fishing for free products.
"You will be receiving some free pretzel coupons by mail. Enjoy them with my compliments," he concluded. "By the way, hair is not a transmitter of disease according to the Peoria County Health Department. So while it is not appetizing, it is not hazardous to your health."
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Baby You Can Be My Car
"See, each man and each woman actually does have an owner's manual. Nothing's written down anywhere, but the directions for operation of an individual in a relationship are detailed and specific nonetheless. So when you start out with someone, you're essentially driving a strange car for the first time and none of the controls are labeled. So the wipers can come on at strange times, sometimes you stall. On top of that we've all met people with bad steering, no brakes, needs a muffler, headlights a little dim, too much in the trunk, not enough under the hood, prone to backfiring, won't turn over, and just plain out of gas. Which is why when people get ready to get married they so often seem to choose basic transportation. It's simple, it's reliable, and it gets you there. That's important on a long trip." -- Jerry Seinfeld
Grate Expectations
This morning I played b-ball with the Saturday morning crowd. These last two weeks have been fun since I'm in "happy-to-be-here" mode. I've paid hardly a whit of attention to my stats or to who's winning the games. Just making it up and down the court has been treasure enough. It's easy to recall the days when losses, missed shots and shoddy defense grated on my nerves, leading me to do a Rasheed Wallace impression. It just goes to show what happens when expectations go unchecked, whether at home, work or on the court, sucking the joy out of a perfectly "happy-to-be-here" life. Today's bit o' wisdom, then: Do not suck!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Call Me Jellycalves
Feeling good about my couple of trials, shooting hoops to slowly get back in shape, I had the urge to head over to the club and shoot around a bit on Thursday night around 7:00.
I got back at 10:30. Here's why.
I did a quick walk-around when I arrived to see what baskets were open. You see, last Friday when I arrived there were no basketballs available for check-out. There are something like 16 basketballs in stock, so I wasn't too surprised to see a zoo of children swarming over every court (most of whom, I concluded, were using the club as a babysitting service while mom & dad worked out in the weight room or had a candlelight dinner). So I was pleased on this night to see several open baskets. But since the lower court had a full court game running, I figured I'd go to one of those side baskets and see if they'd need an extra player before long.
By 8:00, I'd concluded that they didn't need me.
In fact things had degenerated such that, while there was no more game going on, there were enough people scattered at various baskets and sitting on the floor such that any shots that I missed went scurrying into a crowd of people. I was about in the middle of a drill where I make 50 shots and then go home, but I figured I'd head to the upper courts with the emptier baskets in order to finish things off.
Only, the court wasn't empty. What I found was a group of guys about my age playing a full court game (I'm at the age where "about my age" is an extra-exciting feature).
Around 9:30, having played more basketball on this one night than I'd played in the last eight months combined, I decided to rev the motor up a notch and see what my body could handle.
Answer: Not much.
About three steps after shifting to Iverson mode, both of my calves cramped up to the point that I was finished jumping for the night. Of course, I didn't tell my teammates that I'd become incapable of shooting jump shots. Instead, they saw me passing up open shots to dish the ball to my teammates. They saw a player using proper box-out technique to grab rebounds. They saw me hold my ground no matter how many dribble-drives and ball fakes the man I guarded used.
In short, the result of my disobeying the Red Cross's orders to avoid physical exertion following a blood drive was that I was deemed the ultimate team player. They mobbed me with well-wishes! They told me that they run games every Tuesday and Thursday night for two hours. And they'd love for me to start joining them. Now I can play three days a week and accelerate my health ahead of the summer sports seasons.
I got back at 10:30. Here's why.
I did a quick walk-around when I arrived to see what baskets were open. You see, last Friday when I arrived there were no basketballs available for check-out. There are something like 16 basketballs in stock, so I wasn't too surprised to see a zoo of children swarming over every court (most of whom, I concluded, were using the club as a babysitting service while mom & dad worked out in the weight room or had a candlelight dinner). So I was pleased on this night to see several open baskets. But since the lower court had a full court game running, I figured I'd go to one of those side baskets and see if they'd need an extra player before long.
By 8:00, I'd concluded that they didn't need me.
In fact things had degenerated such that, while there was no more game going on, there were enough people scattered at various baskets and sitting on the floor such that any shots that I missed went scurrying into a crowd of people. I was about in the middle of a drill where I make 50 shots and then go home, but I figured I'd head to the upper courts with the emptier baskets in order to finish things off.
Only, the court wasn't empty. What I found was a group of guys about my age playing a full court game (I'm at the age where "about my age" is an extra-exciting feature).
Around 9:30, having played more basketball on this one night than I'd played in the last eight months combined, I decided to rev the motor up a notch and see what my body could handle.
Answer: Not much.
About three steps after shifting to Iverson mode, both of my calves cramped up to the point that I was finished jumping for the night. Of course, I didn't tell my teammates that I'd become incapable of shooting jump shots. Instead, they saw me passing up open shots to dish the ball to my teammates. They saw a player using proper box-out technique to grab rebounds. They saw me hold my ground no matter how many dribble-drives and ball fakes the man I guarded used.
In short, the result of my disobeying the Red Cross's orders to avoid physical exertion following a blood drive was that I was deemed the ultimate team player. They mobbed me with well-wishes! They told me that they run games every Tuesday and Thursday night for two hours. And they'd love for me to start joining them. Now I can play three days a week and accelerate my health ahead of the summer sports seasons.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Glad to Meet Ya!
With each person I meet, my confidence comes from knowing that in some way I am superior to him; my humility comes from knowing that in many ways he is superior to me; my wisdom comes from choosing to learn from his superiority.
Paging Dr. Web
Okay, time to cash in on that $40 investment in the chiropractor (see "Being a Back Patient") and learn a bit more about his diagnosis of sciatica.
Web MD says:
"Pain Management: Sciatica
Sciatica is a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg."
I say: "common"... as in, "plenty of time to devise a remedy by now." Good start!
Web MD says:
"What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
1. Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
2. Burning or tingling down the leg
3. Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot
4. A constant pain on one side of the rear
5. A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes."
I say: That ain't me! My pain is infrequent and irritating, but not severe and debilitating.
Web MD says:
"For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating. For others, the pain from sciatica might be infrequent and irritating, but has the potential to get worse."
I say: Better keep reading, then...
Web MD says:
"Seek immediate medical attention with any symptoms of progressive lower extremity weakness and/or loss of bladder or bowel control."
I say: Good deal, no lower extremity pain for me and... LOSS OF BLADDER OR BOWEL CONTROL? Suddenly I've the urge to look up 'progressive' in the dictionary, to get a sense of how long I have to stock up on adult diapers.
Web MD says:
"What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by irritation of the root(s) of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine.
Additional common causes of sciatica include:
1. Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back)
Degenerative disc disease (breakdown of discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae)
2. Spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one)"
I say: Quit dumbing it down for me. Do you think I'm in 1st grade?
Web MD says:
"3. Pregnancy"
I say: Please God, let it be spondylolisthesis!
Web MD says:
"Other things that may make your back pain worse include being overweight, not exercising regularly, wearing high heels, or sleeping on a mattress that is too soft."
I say: Fine, it's back to the shoe store for me. Be on the lookout, I'll be the guy in the jogging suit and spotless sneakers on the road back from the mall with a month's supply of Depends dragging in tow.
Web MD says:
"Pain Management: Sciatica
Sciatica is a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg."
I say: "common"... as in, "plenty of time to devise a remedy by now." Good start!
Web MD says:
"What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
1. Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
2. Burning or tingling down the leg
3. Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot
4. A constant pain on one side of the rear
5. A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes."
I say: That ain't me! My pain is infrequent and irritating, but not severe and debilitating.
Web MD says:
"For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating. For others, the pain from sciatica might be infrequent and irritating, but has the potential to get worse."
I say: Better keep reading, then...
Web MD says:
"Seek immediate medical attention with any symptoms of progressive lower extremity weakness and/or loss of bladder or bowel control."
I say: Good deal, no lower extremity pain for me and... LOSS OF BLADDER OR BOWEL CONTROL? Suddenly I've the urge to look up 'progressive' in the dictionary, to get a sense of how long I have to stock up on adult diapers.
Web MD says:
"What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by irritation of the root(s) of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine.
Additional common causes of sciatica include:
1. Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back)
Degenerative disc disease (breakdown of discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae)
2. Spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one)"
I say: Quit dumbing it down for me. Do you think I'm in 1st grade?
Web MD says:
"3. Pregnancy"
I say: Please God, let it be spondylolisthesis!
Web MD says:
"Other things that may make your back pain worse include being overweight, not exercising regularly, wearing high heels, or sleeping on a mattress that is too soft."
I say: Fine, it's back to the shoe store for me. Be on the lookout, I'll be the guy in the jogging suit and spotless sneakers on the road back from the mall with a month's supply of Depends dragging in tow.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
True Love
"I've said this before, and I'll say it again (and this is from a guy who made a nice living for more than a decade in Hollywood writing sitcoms and movies and left it to start a small fantasy sports Web site): Just do what you love. Success, happiness and money will follow." -- Matthew Berry, ESPN.com's 'Talented Mr. Roto'
Color Camoflauge
This is when they color your hair in such a way that the gray is reduced, but the change is subtle enough that neither your condo board, nor your co-workers, nor your friends realize that you've gone artificial. It's about a fifteen minute procedure if your hairstylist does it, which also spares the effort of cleaning off your skin if a little is dribbled.
At least, um, that's what I've heard. On an unrelated note, it's about time I got that photo updated.
At least, um, that's what I've heard. On an unrelated note, it's about time I got that photo updated.
Be Nice to Me...
...I gave blood today. Actually, I just dropped by to see how the community service project was going for one of the Leadership McLean County classes. And they were a pint short of their goal. Plus, I've always had a soft spot... when it comes to those post-bloodletting snacks they hand out. I mean, I know I gave up sweets for New Year's, but c'mon, it's for charity...
What Men Want
"Women need to like the job of the guy they're dating. If they don't like the job, they don't like the guy... Men, on the other hand, if they are physically attracted to a woman, are not that concerned with her job. We'll just go, 'Really? Slaughterhouse? Is that where you work? That sounds interesting. So, what do you have, a big cleaver and you just lop their heads right off? That sounds great. Listen, why don't you shower up and we'll get some burgers and catch a movie.'" -- Jerry Seinfeld
Job Interview Tip
"Dating is pressure and tension. What is a date really, than a job interview that lasts all night? The only difference between a date and a job interview is that in not many job interviews is there a chance you'll wind up naked at the end of it." -- Jerry Seinfeld
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Power of Beliefs
From Lou Tice:
Your beliefs are the compass and the maps that guide you toward your
goals. Today, I am going to discuss how we can use them a bit more
effectively.
Do you realize how important your beliefs are? There is no more powerful directing force in human behavior than belief. The people who have changed history - Columbus, Einstein, Edison, Christ, Mohammed, and others like them - have been the people who have changed our beliefs. In many ways, the power that beliefs have over our lives defies the logical models most of us have. However, it is clear that powerful beliefs can affect us in equally powerful ways.
Studies conducted by Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard educated physician, have shown that the experiences of drug users correspond almost exactly to their expectations. People who were given sedatives, but were told that they were stimulants, behaved as if stimulated. People who were given stimulants, but were told that they were sedatives, behaved as if sedated.
When you were a child, you didn't have much choice about your beliefs.
Now that you are grown, it is a different story. So ask yourself, "What
do I choose to believe? Do I choose beliefs that limit or support me? Do my beliefs turn on or shut off possibilities? Do they move me toward failure or success?"
Your beliefs are the compass and the maps that guide you toward your
goals. Today, I am going to discuss how we can use them a bit more
effectively.
Do you realize how important your beliefs are? There is no more powerful directing force in human behavior than belief. The people who have changed history - Columbus, Einstein, Edison, Christ, Mohammed, and others like them - have been the people who have changed our beliefs. In many ways, the power that beliefs have over our lives defies the logical models most of us have. However, it is clear that powerful beliefs can affect us in equally powerful ways.
Studies conducted by Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard educated physician, have shown that the experiences of drug users correspond almost exactly to their expectations. People who were given sedatives, but were told that they were stimulants, behaved as if stimulated. People who were given stimulants, but were told that they were sedatives, behaved as if sedated.
When you were a child, you didn't have much choice about your beliefs.
Now that you are grown, it is a different story. So ask yourself, "What
do I choose to believe? Do I choose beliefs that limit or support me? Do my beliefs turn on or shut off possibilities? Do they move me toward failure or success?"
Beliefs About Oneself
From Lou Tice:
If you have negative beliefs about yourself, did you ever stop to take a look at how they got there in the first place?
We all have beliefs about who we are and what we are like. However, we were not born with these beliefs, so how did we get them? Well, one of the most common ways is by what we are told about ourselves by others when we are young - especially by important grownups like parents and teachers. Now this telling can be verbal or nonverbal, and for our own sanity, it is important that they match.
In other words, if my parents tell me I am smart and funny but they seldom laugh at my jokes or really listen to me, and they don't pay much positive attention to my accomplishments, I am likely to give their actions more weight than their words.
Now, that weight, or sanction, is important. Because it is not until you give sanction to someone else's message that you really take it in and make it a part of yourself. If you are a little kid and your parents tell you that you are clumsy or stupid enough times, and they treat you like you are clumsy and stupid, you will take that in and give it sanction. You will believe yourself to be clumsy and stupid.
You will make clumsy and stupid part of your self-image, and sure enough, you will start to act clumsy and stupid.
Fortunately, once you are grown there are things you can do to deliberately change those parts of your self-image that are negative.
I have been teaching people how to do this for nearly 40 years, and, believe me, you can do it too.
If you have negative beliefs about yourself, did you ever stop to take a look at how they got there in the first place?
We all have beliefs about who we are and what we are like. However, we were not born with these beliefs, so how did we get them? Well, one of the most common ways is by what we are told about ourselves by others when we are young - especially by important grownups like parents and teachers. Now this telling can be verbal or nonverbal, and for our own sanity, it is important that they match.
In other words, if my parents tell me I am smart and funny but they seldom laugh at my jokes or really listen to me, and they don't pay much positive attention to my accomplishments, I am likely to give their actions more weight than their words.
Now, that weight, or sanction, is important. Because it is not until you give sanction to someone else's message that you really take it in and make it a part of yourself. If you are a little kid and your parents tell you that you are clumsy or stupid enough times, and they treat you like you are clumsy and stupid, you will take that in and give it sanction. You will believe yourself to be clumsy and stupid.
You will make clumsy and stupid part of your self-image, and sure enough, you will start to act clumsy and stupid.
Fortunately, once you are grown there are things you can do to deliberately change those parts of your self-image that are negative.
I have been teaching people how to do this for nearly 40 years, and, believe me, you can do it too.
Ethics Panel
I was asked to participate on a panel of speakers regarding ethics in corporations. Putting me on an ethics panel is like asking Cookie Monster to teach table manners, but when fate comes a-knockin' you gotta answer the door. I was expecting to be posed some impossibly hypothetical dilemma like: "Your kidney matches that of the single father of quintuplets at the top of the donor recipient list. It also matches that of the #2 person, your mother. The kidney will go to the father, who's been waiting at the top of the list for two years and has a week to live, unless you invoke a clause for relatives. To whom do you donate?" Then there'd be a chance that my answer of "I don't donate organs" would create this uneasy tension in the room, exhaust the good karma...
In reality it went fairly tamely. The toughest one was "You stepped out of bounds before making the state championship winning basket. The ref didn't see it clearly and asks you if you did. What do you say?" I've actually been in similar situations before. If the ref asks me, I've been honest. If no one asks, I don't tell.
My services are available for hire!
In reality it went fairly tamely. The toughest one was "You stepped out of bounds before making the state championship winning basket. The ref didn't see it clearly and asks you if you did. What do you say?" I've actually been in similar situations before. If the ref asks me, I've been honest. If no one asks, I don't tell.
My services are available for hire!
Sleep Account
For better or for worse, my sleep schedule varies. And variety's the spice of life, right? So I sit here as daylight savings time officially arrives, meaning that technically this entry took me over an hour to write. As near as I can figure, what I can guarantee is that I'll get about 7-8 hours of sleep between 5pm and 11am. Tonight after a lunch/dinner at the Ozark House (an excellent out-of-the-way place in Bloomington!), I crashed on the couch around 5:00 and dozed until 8:00. After a little blogging, I'll likely sleep until about 10:00 this morning.
Freedom rules!
Freedom rules!
Hoops Debut 2008
Today I played basketball for the first time in eight months. I only planned to get some shooting practice in, and say hey to the old gang. Within minutes, though, there was an opening on the court and they invited me to play. I charged onto the court armed with the tools I had available -- a slew of excuses and self-deprecating humor. It worked to random perfection, as my teams went 3-0. My stat line ran something like 8 points on 4-6 shooting (including 4 layups), with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 turnover. It felt good to get the lungs burning again, even at a medium pace. Hopefully this is the first step in a dramatic return to mediocrity!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Being a Back Patient
I visited a chiropractor today.
I suppose I've viewed the chiropractic industry comparably to the witch doctor industry -- long on gyrations and short on proven results. Of course this is entirely without research, and based on hearsay, stereotypes and the fact that my "C" student friend at ISU was accepted into a chiropractic college. But when another friend of mine gave me the number of her chiropractor and said that her bi-monthly sessions helped to stave off a family history of back arthritis, I figured that it was time to go on a blogventure.
When I pulled up to the office (and by office, I mean 100-year old house), for some reason I recalled a memory of the hand painted sign in another home that advertised tarot card reading. Walking inside, I was greeted hyperenthusiastically by the receptionist who shoveled me the obligatory doorstop-worthy pile of papers to review and sign. I was mildly confused by the need to sign the form indicating that I would pay $25 if I were late to the appointment I was at, but working in tax law long ago numbed such feelings from lingering.
The newsletter in the waiting room was written by an independent practitioner of medicine who'd been in this gig for 25 years. He gleefully yet relentlessly railed against conventional medicine, what with all its new-fangled procedures and do-nothing technology at outrageous expense. Breast cancer rates only dropped once women started taking hormone supplements! I eyed a tiny side room packed with shelves of various sized bottles. I wondered if 60 years ago Germany was dotted with little houses and waiting rooms like this, with shelves of shiny swastika-painted souvenirs ready to make their mark on the world.
Difference is, Nazi recruiting probably didn't add the element of skinny guys violently cracking their bones. Of course, people willing to pay $40 to have their legs yanked away from their sockets, their ankles scrunched in random directions, and their spine compressed by near-strangers were probably transferred to the "moron" list and non-recruited, mostly out of fear that they'd turn themselves over to the enemy at the first sign of torture tools.
So I got more than I bargained for. Besides a blog story, I came away with a new exercise, a new diagnosis -- "mild sciatica" -- oh, and instructions to come back in a week. Sieg Heil, Mein Gott!
I suppose I've viewed the chiropractic industry comparably to the witch doctor industry -- long on gyrations and short on proven results. Of course this is entirely without research, and based on hearsay, stereotypes and the fact that my "C" student friend at ISU was accepted into a chiropractic college. But when another friend of mine gave me the number of her chiropractor and said that her bi-monthly sessions helped to stave off a family history of back arthritis, I figured that it was time to go on a blogventure.
When I pulled up to the office (and by office, I mean 100-year old house), for some reason I recalled a memory of the hand painted sign in another home that advertised tarot card reading. Walking inside, I was greeted hyperenthusiastically by the receptionist who shoveled me the obligatory doorstop-worthy pile of papers to review and sign. I was mildly confused by the need to sign the form indicating that I would pay $25 if I were late to the appointment I was at, but working in tax law long ago numbed such feelings from lingering.
The newsletter in the waiting room was written by an independent practitioner of medicine who'd been in this gig for 25 years. He gleefully yet relentlessly railed against conventional medicine, what with all its new-fangled procedures and do-nothing technology at outrageous expense. Breast cancer rates only dropped once women started taking hormone supplements! I eyed a tiny side room packed with shelves of various sized bottles. I wondered if 60 years ago Germany was dotted with little houses and waiting rooms like this, with shelves of shiny swastika-painted souvenirs ready to make their mark on the world.
Difference is, Nazi recruiting probably didn't add the element of skinny guys violently cracking their bones. Of course, people willing to pay $40 to have their legs yanked away from their sockets, their ankles scrunched in random directions, and their spine compressed by near-strangers were probably transferred to the "moron" list and non-recruited, mostly out of fear that they'd turn themselves over to the enemy at the first sign of torture tools.
So I got more than I bargained for. Besides a blog story, I came away with a new exercise, a new diagnosis -- "mild sciatica" -- oh, and instructions to come back in a week. Sieg Heil, Mein Gott!
Back to Being Patient
In my role as LMC facilitator, sometimes things don't roll quite the way I'd hoped. Following our snow day on February 1, it took my fellow volunteers a month to come up with a reschedule date. As it turned out, the announcement that the session had been rescheduled for March 7, came out on March 4. In the meantime there was little for me to do except submit dates of my own availability, juggle my workload to preserve that availability, and respond to increasing requests from the class. An earlier version of me might have stepped in with more urgency. But this is simply one of those situations where acceptance and prayer felt like the most productive route. I could probably have influenced things in the short run. Whatever critical thoughts might pass through my mind of others in these situations, it's likely that in their shoes I might do just the same. It's probable that as some point I'll make mistakes. And it's almost certain that people are their own best critic -- until and unless they decide to invite someone else for feedback. These problems are often more minor in the long view than they feel in the short run. The more enduring failure is not in what transpires, but in how we might treat others with disrespect and magnify our own weakness.
Pure Hustle 10: Part 2
Actually, there have been several "parts" since I posted part 1. Last time I provided the benchmarks for a 100 point season:
Runs: 91
Home runs: 24
Runs batted in: 93
Stolen bases: 13
Batting average: .293
Wins: 14
Saves: 26
Strikeouts: 172
Earned run average: 3.64
Walks/hits per inning pitched: 1.25
Using a spreadsheet tool that I developed, I did about fifty "mock drafts." Since draft position is a major influence in the results, I did about 4 drafts assuming that I got the number 1 pick, 4 at number 2, etc. with a goal of reaching 100 points. For a numbers guy it's an exciting experience! I didn't set out to do fifty drafts... it's just that with each iteration I'd see a slight adjustment that could bump up the overall points, which would in turn affect the results of every other possible draft position so I had to re-test them. Some discoveries surprised me.
Starting pitching is not as important as I'd originally believed. In truth, there are some real good buys at midrange rankings. For example, pitcher Roy Halladay sat with a ranking of 100. Except for strikeouts, this guy is solid money in all categories. The same goes for Aaron Harang (weakness of ERA, in hitter-friendly Cincinnati), who at number 76 was easy to move up in my own ranking to snag. Other guys like Chad Billingsley just haven't made their way into the spotlight, but work for great teams or in pitcher's playgrounds like Dodger Stadium. Even without the Johan Santanas and Jake Peavys of the world, it's very possible to line your bullpen solidly.
Stars at offensively thin positions are golden! I'd no plans to go after catchers Victor Martinez or Russell Martin, or 2B Brandon Phillips -- until I experimented moving them up "just to see," and saw my points leap by 5 or 6. I'm a believer! By the end, my lowest point total was 97.5.
Having settled on a ranking, I'm testing it live, by setting up a series of teams that I consider "minor leagues." I don't intend to manage these once drafted, I just want to see if lousy lineups result that'd alert me to some shifts I need to make before the "real" draft.
The results have been excellent so far! In fact, the urge is growing to do my real draft much sooner than expected (I usually wait until just before Opening Day, to reduce the likelihood of a preseason injury).
Test 2: 108.5
Test 3: 103.5
Runs: 91
Home runs: 24
Runs batted in: 93
Stolen bases: 13
Batting average: .293
Wins: 14
Saves: 26
Strikeouts: 172
Earned run average: 3.64
Walks/hits per inning pitched: 1.25
Using a spreadsheet tool that I developed, I did about fifty "mock drafts." Since draft position is a major influence in the results, I did about 4 drafts assuming that I got the number 1 pick, 4 at number 2, etc. with a goal of reaching 100 points. For a numbers guy it's an exciting experience! I didn't set out to do fifty drafts... it's just that with each iteration I'd see a slight adjustment that could bump up the overall points, which would in turn affect the results of every other possible draft position so I had to re-test them. Some discoveries surprised me.
Starting pitching is not as important as I'd originally believed. In truth, there are some real good buys at midrange rankings. For example, pitcher Roy Halladay sat with a ranking of 100. Except for strikeouts, this guy is solid money in all categories. The same goes for Aaron Harang (weakness of ERA, in hitter-friendly Cincinnati), who at number 76 was easy to move up in my own ranking to snag. Other guys like Chad Billingsley just haven't made their way into the spotlight, but work for great teams or in pitcher's playgrounds like Dodger Stadium. Even without the Johan Santanas and Jake Peavys of the world, it's very possible to line your bullpen solidly.
Stars at offensively thin positions are golden! I'd no plans to go after catchers Victor Martinez or Russell Martin, or 2B Brandon Phillips -- until I experimented moving them up "just to see," and saw my points leap by 5 or 6. I'm a believer! By the end, my lowest point total was 97.5.
Having settled on a ranking, I'm testing it live, by setting up a series of teams that I consider "minor leagues." I don't intend to manage these once drafted, I just want to see if lousy lineups result that'd alert me to some shifts I need to make before the "real" draft.
The results have been excellent so far! In fact, the urge is growing to do my real draft much sooner than expected (I usually wait until just before Opening Day, to reduce the likelihood of a preseason injury).
Test 2: 108.5
Test 3: 103.5
Monday, March 3, 2008
The "Ceiling of 42"
Hidden Blog remains rooted at #42 in Google searches for "Joe McDonald." As one of my 2008 new year's resolutions I hunted around Google's advice pages on how to increase ranking. It said:
"In general, webmasters can improve the rank of their sites by increasing the number of high-quality sites that link to their pages.
The heart of our software is PageRank™, a system for ranking web pages developed by our founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Stanford University. And while we have dozens of engineers working to improve every aspect of Google on a daily basis, PageRank continues to play a central role in many of our web search tools.
PageRank Explained
PageRank relies on the uniquely democratic nature of the web by using its vast link structure as an indicator of an individual page's value. In essence, Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote, by page A, for page B. But, Google looks at considerably more than the sheer volume of votes, or links a page receives; for example, it also analyzes the page that casts the vote. Votes cast by pages that are themselves "important" weigh more heavily and help to make other pages "important." Using these and other factors, Google provides its views on pages' relative importance."
In short, I need friends in high e-places to add Hidden Blog to its list of links. Hmmm... I wonder if there are other Joe McDonalds (or some anti-Country Joes) out there who would rally to the cause...
"In general, webmasters can improve the rank of their sites by increasing the number of high-quality sites that link to their pages.
The heart of our software is PageRank™, a system for ranking web pages developed by our founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Stanford University. And while we have dozens of engineers working to improve every aspect of Google on a daily basis, PageRank continues to play a central role in many of our web search tools.
PageRank Explained
PageRank relies on the uniquely democratic nature of the web by using its vast link structure as an indicator of an individual page's value. In essence, Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote, by page A, for page B. But, Google looks at considerably more than the sheer volume of votes, or links a page receives; for example, it also analyzes the page that casts the vote. Votes cast by pages that are themselves "important" weigh more heavily and help to make other pages "important." Using these and other factors, Google provides its views on pages' relative importance."
In short, I need friends in high e-places to add Hidden Blog to its list of links. Hmmm... I wonder if there are other Joe McDonalds (or some anti-Country Joes) out there who would rally to the cause...
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Jazz Closing Thoughts
Good note-taking at the end of this year, while memories are fresh, will help for next year.
1. Attend the coaches' meeting! It results in more prime pick of practice times and locations.
2. Sign up for two, two-hour practice slots immediately. We can always cut back if the parents disagree. Aim for either a Monday-Wednesday combination or Tuesday-Thursday, to allow adequate rest between practices and games (I enjoyed Monday-Wednesday better).
3. Avoid using the Y for practice, unless the entire team is deaf. There are two courts separated by a curtain, and a rattling running track circling above.
4. Using the first practice to test skills (speed, jumping, etc.) was good. Also use the first week of practice to have them work on individual fundamentals, in particular triple threat, shooting, and dribbling. Progress to "pair" fundamentals such as the pick-and-roll, ball denial, defensive-slide/pick-switching and rebounding. Team fundamentals such as defensive chatter in the lane, passing in-and-out of the lane.
5. Lay out the "no complaining rule" early. "Play like men" might be a good phrase. Assess penalties in scoring for violations of that rule. Tell the story of the two 25-point losses and how much more fun the second one was. I should respect you; you should respect each other.
6. The 1-3-1 defense worked well. It will probably work even better with a smaller team.
7. Offensively, we'll face a lot of man-to-man. We ran a 1-4 with pick-and-roll. For next year I think it would be good to add another option, having the opposite forward set a back screen for the guard. The "all shots within 15 feet" rule should go into place early, as should a "pass inside before a shot" rule.
8. Be aggressive without the ball. Since outside shooting is weak in this league, aggressive rebounding is a must at both ends of the court. And wings tend to stand around and wait on offense; preach finding an open spot (and of course, preach to pass the ball).
9. Find a scorekeeper early. Having a videographer helps too!
1. Attend the coaches' meeting! It results in more prime pick of practice times and locations.
2. Sign up for two, two-hour practice slots immediately. We can always cut back if the parents disagree. Aim for either a Monday-Wednesday combination or Tuesday-Thursday, to allow adequate rest between practices and games (I enjoyed Monday-Wednesday better).
3. Avoid using the Y for practice, unless the entire team is deaf. There are two courts separated by a curtain, and a rattling running track circling above.
4. Using the first practice to test skills (speed, jumping, etc.) was good. Also use the first week of practice to have them work on individual fundamentals, in particular triple threat, shooting, and dribbling. Progress to "pair" fundamentals such as the pick-and-roll, ball denial, defensive-slide/pick-switching and rebounding. Team fundamentals such as defensive chatter in the lane, passing in-and-out of the lane.
5. Lay out the "no complaining rule" early. "Play like men" might be a good phrase. Assess penalties in scoring for violations of that rule. Tell the story of the two 25-point losses and how much more fun the second one was. I should respect you; you should respect each other.
6. The 1-3-1 defense worked well. It will probably work even better with a smaller team.
7. Offensively, we'll face a lot of man-to-man. We ran a 1-4 with pick-and-roll. For next year I think it would be good to add another option, having the opposite forward set a back screen for the guard. The "all shots within 15 feet" rule should go into place early, as should a "pass inside before a shot" rule.
8. Be aggressive without the ball. Since outside shooting is weak in this league, aggressive rebounding is a must at both ends of the court. And wings tend to stand around and wait on offense; preach finding an open spot (and of course, preach to pass the ball).
9. Find a scorekeeper early. Having a videographer helps too!
Jazz 3/1/2008
The season finale! This was a good game and a fine way to end the year.
We had a fun week of practice, for starters. Monday's practice provided a special treat when the usual crowd of hangers-on were not present to distract us by using half of our court (sparing me from having to clear them out, which I was prepared to do). The week was a series of contests involving our revised game plan for the rematch against the undefeated Sixers: pack the lane with a 1-3-1 defense; rebound aggressively; help the point guard against the half court trap. Before the Wednesday practice, the boys had started up a shooting contest on their own, and it was a partial fulfillment of my vision when I decided to coach: a bunch of young men enjoying each other's company while getting exercise and learning to play as a team.
I could also tell that our mentality was short of where it would need to be in order to make up the 25-point defeat we'd faced the prior week. I set some reachable goals and laid them out before the game:
1. Ignore the official scoreboard. The scoreboard I'm using starts out 25-0 Jazz. Our goal was to protect that 25 point lead (and on that basis, the game ended up a perfect tie!)
2. Complaining = bench time. Complaining included to teammates or to the refs. I did have to pull one player at the end of the game, but our composure was night-and-day better from last week.
3. Make them beat us from the outside. This worked very well, as we got a ton of rebounds and even drew two of their players into fouling out (versus us fouling out two people the prior week). They shot poorly, except for their superstar who scored at least 25 points.
Every player on our team scored! My proudest moment of the game was when Josh (who wouldn't pass to save his life earlier in the season) passed to Phillip in the post (and Phillip had not played post all season), who passed to Devon cutting to the basket (proving that he listened to me in practice this week), and he made the shot (which is a 20% proposition at best, especially in a strange land like the free throw lane). I pumped my fist like we'd won a million dollars.
After the game, the players shook hands with each other in congratulations on a good season. Some parents, coaches and YMCA staff all thanked me for my conduct as a coach, which was another main reason for serving this year... to be a positive male role model for the boys. A couple asked me if I'd be back next year. I remember hearing that when his NBA seasons ended, Larry Bird wouldn't touch a basketball for two weeks. I'm ready for the seasonal break myself, but I'd say there's a decent chance I'll be back on the sidelines next year. I've learned to deeply appreciate well-run programs. The YMCA program was well-organized, the staff responsive and respectful. YMCA's stated values are Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility... and those were lived out through its actions toward me and others. Action means more to me than words, so the Y's mission resonates with me: "To put Christian principles into practice..." I'm glad to have been a part of it.
We had a fun week of practice, for starters. Monday's practice provided a special treat when the usual crowd of hangers-on were not present to distract us by using half of our court (sparing me from having to clear them out, which I was prepared to do). The week was a series of contests involving our revised game plan for the rematch against the undefeated Sixers: pack the lane with a 1-3-1 defense; rebound aggressively; help the point guard against the half court trap. Before the Wednesday practice, the boys had started up a shooting contest on their own, and it was a partial fulfillment of my vision when I decided to coach: a bunch of young men enjoying each other's company while getting exercise and learning to play as a team.
I could also tell that our mentality was short of where it would need to be in order to make up the 25-point defeat we'd faced the prior week. I set some reachable goals and laid them out before the game:
1. Ignore the official scoreboard. The scoreboard I'm using starts out 25-0 Jazz. Our goal was to protect that 25 point lead (and on that basis, the game ended up a perfect tie!)
2. Complaining = bench time. Complaining included to teammates or to the refs. I did have to pull one player at the end of the game, but our composure was night-and-day better from last week.
3. Make them beat us from the outside. This worked very well, as we got a ton of rebounds and even drew two of their players into fouling out (versus us fouling out two people the prior week). They shot poorly, except for their superstar who scored at least 25 points.
Every player on our team scored! My proudest moment of the game was when Josh (who wouldn't pass to save his life earlier in the season) passed to Phillip in the post (and Phillip had not played post all season), who passed to Devon cutting to the basket (proving that he listened to me in practice this week), and he made the shot (which is a 20% proposition at best, especially in a strange land like the free throw lane). I pumped my fist like we'd won a million dollars.
After the game, the players shook hands with each other in congratulations on a good season. Some parents, coaches and YMCA staff all thanked me for my conduct as a coach, which was another main reason for serving this year... to be a positive male role model for the boys. A couple asked me if I'd be back next year. I remember hearing that when his NBA seasons ended, Larry Bird wouldn't touch a basketball for two weeks. I'm ready for the seasonal break myself, but I'd say there's a decent chance I'll be back on the sidelines next year. I've learned to deeply appreciate well-run programs. The YMCA program was well-organized, the staff responsive and respectful. YMCA's stated values are Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility... and those were lived out through its actions toward me and others. Action means more to me than words, so the Y's mission resonates with me: "To put Christian principles into practice..." I'm glad to have been a part of it.
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