I'm tied for the lead in the NCAA basketball pool at work. If North Carolina wins the national championship, I'm up $20. If not, then I'm out $1. Catch the games:
Irrelevant game: Memphis vs. UCLA, 5:07 CST (which is perfect, since my laundry is scheduled to finish at 5:06)
Big game: Kansas vs. North Carolina, 7:47 CST
Go Tar Heels!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
LMC 2008 Presentation Day
April 4 was the deadline for the class to complete their graduation requirements:
- turning in extra-curricular assignments
- doing a 20 minute presentation regarding their community service project
Internet Safety
This group told some concerning stories about predators on the internet. The most gruesome two involved a 24 year old who was lured by a baby sitting ad to her death, and a registered sex offender who was lured to a site where he was attacked and his head sawed off. Ugh! This group teamed up with Project Oz to put on a forum about internet safety.
County Transportation
This group found an ecology organization to sponsor a web site that indicates various means of travel in the county such as bus, bike, train or cab. A one-stop shop (or brochure) fits everyone's needs. The little skit at the beginning was a nice tone setter, depicting a happy married couple, a teacher, and a crippled person trying to solve their transportation troubles.
Capital Campaign Template for Non-Profits
This is pretty self-explanatory. How many organizations have launched into fund raising efforts with a minimally-conceived plan? This document lays out several chapters of items to consider and check off in determining not only how a campaign should be run, but more importantly whether one is truly feasible or not.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Another self-explanatory one, this group included two videos: one telling the heart-wrenching and heart-warming story of an 3-year old with a rare form of cancer who is now cancer-free thanks to blood transfusion, and another which told the story of the blood drive the group conducted. They collected 44 pints. Each pint of blood saves about three lives.
Collaborative Solutions Institute
CSI helps people who need counseling, though you might not have been able to tell that from their original slogan. This group did a marketing analysis to revise the logo, the web site and other elements of CSI's image. The makeover should help boost the community's awareness. Their presentation was by far the most comedic, as they dressed up in lab coats and staged a dramatic rendition of their "case file."
This was the best collection of presentations I've seen in my three years with LMC. It makes a person proud to be part of this county with such talented people!
- turning in extra-curricular assignments
- doing a 20 minute presentation regarding their community service project
Internet Safety
This group told some concerning stories about predators on the internet. The most gruesome two involved a 24 year old who was lured by a baby sitting ad to her death, and a registered sex offender who was lured to a site where he was attacked and his head sawed off. Ugh! This group teamed up with Project Oz to put on a forum about internet safety.
County Transportation
This group found an ecology organization to sponsor a web site that indicates various means of travel in the county such as bus, bike, train or cab. A one-stop shop (or brochure) fits everyone's needs. The little skit at the beginning was a nice tone setter, depicting a happy married couple, a teacher, and a crippled person trying to solve their transportation troubles.
Capital Campaign Template for Non-Profits
This is pretty self-explanatory. How many organizations have launched into fund raising efforts with a minimally-conceived plan? This document lays out several chapters of items to consider and check off in determining not only how a campaign should be run, but more importantly whether one is truly feasible or not.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Another self-explanatory one, this group included two videos: one telling the heart-wrenching and heart-warming story of an 3-year old with a rare form of cancer who is now cancer-free thanks to blood transfusion, and another which told the story of the blood drive the group conducted. They collected 44 pints. Each pint of blood saves about three lives.
Collaborative Solutions Institute
CSI helps people who need counseling, though you might not have been able to tell that from their original slogan. This group did a marketing analysis to revise the logo, the web site and other elements of CSI's image. The makeover should help boost the community's awareness. Their presentation was by far the most comedic, as they dressed up in lab coats and staged a dramatic rendition of their "case file."
This was the best collection of presentations I've seen in my three years with LMC. It makes a person proud to be part of this county with such talented people!
Fukudome!
What did the Cubbies expect when they signed quiet right fielder Kosuke Fukudome (KOSE-kay foo-koo-DOH-may) to a $48 million contract this off season?
How about a .462 batting average, good for third in the National League?
Or a three-run, ninth inning, game-tying home run?
A go-ahead, two-run single?
A drag bunt hit to start a three-run rally?
A running, spearing catch in right field to prevent a run?
The fans chanting "Fu-ku-do-me" as he comes to the plate with the game on the line?
Not a bad first week!
How about a .462 batting average, good for third in the National League?
Or a three-run, ninth inning, game-tying home run?
A go-ahead, two-run single?
A drag bunt hit to start a three-run rally?
A running, spearing catch in right field to prevent a run?
The fans chanting "Fu-ku-do-me" as he comes to the plate with the game on the line?
Not a bad first week!
The Lounge
Our file room at work is looking good!
One of our goals this year was to become more paperless, and reduce the number of cabinets in the file room as a result. We've almost eliminated the entire projected total already. And in the process some joking has always gone on regarding what to do with the extra space, referring to it as a lounge. And actually, that's sort of started to happen. A small credenza, and a couple of entertaining posters have been placed back in the empty corner. Someone found an old department photo album. Now there's talk about bringing in a pot of coffee once in a while.
Life's good when we look for fun in our work.
One of our goals this year was to become more paperless, and reduce the number of cabinets in the file room as a result. We've almost eliminated the entire projected total already. And in the process some joking has always gone on regarding what to do with the extra space, referring to it as a lounge. And actually, that's sort of started to happen. A small credenza, and a couple of entertaining posters have been placed back in the empty corner. Someone found an old department photo album. Now there's talk about bringing in a pot of coffee once in a while.
Life's good when we look for fun in our work.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Being Out of Order
From Lou Tice:
Did you know that, in at least one way, you're at your best when your system is out of order?
Now by "Out of Order," I mean when your mental picture of how things should be is very different from how things actually are. Human beings are always striving for order, and when our mental picture of how things should be matches reality, we feel comfortable and in control.
But what happens when they don't match? What happens when our mental picture of, say, the car we drive is thrown out of order by an accident? Or our picture of how we make our living is thrown out of order by a sudden layoff?
Well, what happens is that we create inside ourselves a tremendous amount of drive and energy to restore order, to make our inner picture and reality once again match. We feel highly motivated to get that car repaired, to get a new job, to do whatever is required to set things right.
Once order is restored, the drive and energy turn off because they're no longer needed. This is exactly how goal-setting works. When you set a goal and systematically visualize the end-result, you throw your system out of order. That creates the drive and energy to change reality so that it matches the picture you've been visualizing.
That is why it's important to set goals continuously, so you won't arrive at your desired end-result and then go flat because your energy just up and drove away.
Did you know that, in at least one way, you're at your best when your system is out of order?
Now by "Out of Order," I mean when your mental picture of how things should be is very different from how things actually are. Human beings are always striving for order, and when our mental picture of how things should be matches reality, we feel comfortable and in control.
But what happens when they don't match? What happens when our mental picture of, say, the car we drive is thrown out of order by an accident? Or our picture of how we make our living is thrown out of order by a sudden layoff?
Well, what happens is that we create inside ourselves a tremendous amount of drive and energy to restore order, to make our inner picture and reality once again match. We feel highly motivated to get that car repaired, to get a new job, to do whatever is required to set things right.
Once order is restored, the drive and energy turn off because they're no longer needed. This is exactly how goal-setting works. When you set a goal and systematically visualize the end-result, you throw your system out of order. That creates the drive and energy to change reality so that it matches the picture you've been visualizing.
That is why it's important to set goals continuously, so you won't arrive at your desired end-result and then go flat because your energy just up and drove away.
The Best Kind of Operation
From Lou Tice:
Today, let's look at cooperation and why it is so important to have, as you move toward achieving your goals.
Change seldom happens in a vacuum. As we move toward our goals, we must often work together with other people. When you know how to cooperate, you are much more likely to get the help that allows you to change and grow successfully.
If you try to change without cooperation, you may find yourself stuck or even failing. Cooperation can mean the difference between being supported and being sabotaged. It is an important skill to have.
How do you get others to cooperate with you? Well, remember that we reap what we sow, so look for opportunities to help other people and listen to their concerns. Along the same lines, stay open to suggestions and support when they are offered. You don't have to wait for them to be offered. Ask for what you want and need, and that means knowing specifically what you want and from whom.
Be willing to negotiate. Refrain from making demands. Compromise and trade favors, instead.
Be realistic about what you expect from others, and don't try to get all your needs met from just one person. Ask more people to do less, rather than expecting few people to do more, if that will make it more likely to get what you want.
When cooperation works as it should, everybody gains something, nobody loses, and you will move more smoothly toward your goals.
Today, let's look at cooperation and why it is so important to have, as you move toward achieving your goals.
Change seldom happens in a vacuum. As we move toward our goals, we must often work together with other people. When you know how to cooperate, you are much more likely to get the help that allows you to change and grow successfully.
If you try to change without cooperation, you may find yourself stuck or even failing. Cooperation can mean the difference between being supported and being sabotaged. It is an important skill to have.
How do you get others to cooperate with you? Well, remember that we reap what we sow, so look for opportunities to help other people and listen to their concerns. Along the same lines, stay open to suggestions and support when they are offered. You don't have to wait for them to be offered. Ask for what you want and need, and that means knowing specifically what you want and from whom.
Be willing to negotiate. Refrain from making demands. Compromise and trade favors, instead.
Be realistic about what you expect from others, and don't try to get all your needs met from just one person. Ask more people to do less, rather than expecting few people to do more, if that will make it more likely to get what you want.
When cooperation works as it should, everybody gains something, nobody loses, and you will move more smoothly toward your goals.
Water You Waiting For?
From Mom, how fitting with my New Year's resolution:
The following will probably amaze and startle you...
One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pains for almost 100% of the
dieters in a recent University study.
Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime
fatigue.
Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with
basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen.
Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk ofcolon cancer by 45%, plus it slash the risk ofbreast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% lesslikely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?
The following will probably amaze and startle you...
One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pains for almost 100% of the
dieters in a recent University study.
Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime
fatigue.
Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with
basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen.
Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk ofcolon cancer by 45%, plus it slash the risk ofbreast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% lesslikely to develop bladder cancer.
Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?
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