"If you still don't sense a vision of your own, then consider hooking up with a leader whose vision resonates with you." - John Maxwell
Hidden Bloggers know by browsing the blog that I've got some visions, but I still consider myself to be more of a right-hand man than the Man when it comes to most things.
I think it's crucial to be around people with characteristics that we admire. It's why I set the "ten new acquaintances" new year's resolution annually. And it's why lately I've spent plenty of energy supporting the folks at Normal Community High School. There are several fine people on staff, and I'm gaining a lot from hanging around the likes of Dave Witzig, Matt Schweinbert, Ryan Short and Nate Foster.
To win, find a winner and follow them.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Find Your Life's Path Through Your Gifts
"For [Walt] Disney, vision was never a problem. Because of his creativity and desire for excellence, he always saw what he could be. If you lack vision, look inside yourself. Draw on your natural gifts and desires. Look to your calling if you have one." - John Maxwell
Draw on your natural gifts.
The other week I had an opportunity to give a presentation on the department's 3-year strategic and operating plans. The goals are identical to last year. Employees with much of a track record would know that the operating plans would also be similar to previous year's, since obviously two of the three years overlap with the old one.
And I was totally psyched about the chance to do this!
I worked lunch hours and evenings on it with great enthusiasm. Dreamed up some fictitious comments from the chairman. Imported a picture of a mixed martial arts champion. Wrote and recited some poetry. Even danced a little.
It was affirming to hear that others liked it. In no small part, it's because I liked it first. Embraced the challenge of capturing their interest and maximizing the fun and productivity of that hour.
Years ago, some people told me that I'd make a good pastor. That was quite flattering, though since they were pastors, I'd overlooked the context in my appreciative state. I'm not nearly a spiritual role model for others... but I do love to teach!
At the office, people ask me if I've taught before. Tell me that I could do a good job with children because of the creative way that I present things. I remember years ago a person remarking after a presentation that I missed my calling. She was so right on. Give me an audience and the right topic, and I'm in an artist's heaven.
Would we rather die in a million-dollar home or with million-dollar memories? Today's a good day to start building.
Draw on your natural gifts.
The other week I had an opportunity to give a presentation on the department's 3-year strategic and operating plans. The goals are identical to last year. Employees with much of a track record would know that the operating plans would also be similar to previous year's, since obviously two of the three years overlap with the old one.
And I was totally psyched about the chance to do this!
I worked lunch hours and evenings on it with great enthusiasm. Dreamed up some fictitious comments from the chairman. Imported a picture of a mixed martial arts champion. Wrote and recited some poetry. Even danced a little.
It was affirming to hear that others liked it. In no small part, it's because I liked it first. Embraced the challenge of capturing their interest and maximizing the fun and productivity of that hour.
Years ago, some people told me that I'd make a good pastor. That was quite flattering, though since they were pastors, I'd overlooked the context in my appreciative state. I'm not nearly a spiritual role model for others... but I do love to teach!
At the office, people ask me if I've taught before. Tell me that I could do a good job with children because of the creative way that I present things. I remember years ago a person remarking after a presentation that I missed my calling. She was so right on. Give me an audience and the right topic, and I'm in an artist's heaven.
Would we rather die in a million-dollar home or with million-dollar memories? Today's a good day to start building.
25 To Life
Dena and I were watching "Cold Case Files" as our crime show du jour.
One criminal was given a prison sentence of 25 years to life.
What does that mean?
"In 25 years we'll round up the judge and jury again and see how mad they still are at you."
"If the prisons aren't too crowded by then, we'll just go ahead and have you stay a few more years."
"If you're having a good enough time here, we'll give you the option to renew your contract."
"25 years, unless we lose the paperwork. Then we'll just go with life to play it safe."
"It's somewhere between 25 years and life. We wrote the real number down on a secret scrap of paper. That way when your release date gets here it'll be such a surprise!"
"I've got a lunch date in ten minutes, so let's just go with a range and figure out the details when I get around to it."
One criminal was given a prison sentence of 25 years to life.
What does that mean?
"In 25 years we'll round up the judge and jury again and see how mad they still are at you."
"If the prisons aren't too crowded by then, we'll just go ahead and have you stay a few more years."
"If you're having a good enough time here, we'll give you the option to renew your contract."
"25 years, unless we lose the paperwork. Then we'll just go with life to play it safe."
"It's somewhere between 25 years and life. We wrote the real number down on a secret scrap of paper. That way when your release date gets here it'll be such a surprise!"
"I've got a lunch date in ten minutes, so let's just go with a range and figure out the details when I get around to it."
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Apollo 18
Houston, we have BIG problems.
So goes the most recent sci-fi thriller to hit the big screen.
It turns out that Apollo 17 in 1972 was not the final Apollo mission, as officially declared due to budget constraints.
Hours of recently discovered footage is spliced together from Department of Defense archives, revealing a secret mission dubbed Apollo 18.
Three men launch toward the moon under cloak of darkness and land safely.
Then, stuff happens. Noisy, shocking, creeping stuff.
How many return home safely?
And what do the Russians have to do with this?
Check it out, and bring a date to squeeze.
Afterward, we cozied up in the living room and cued up "Apollo 13" for a more heartwarming change of pace.
So goes the most recent sci-fi thriller to hit the big screen.
It turns out that Apollo 17 in 1972 was not the final Apollo mission, as officially declared due to budget constraints.
Hours of recently discovered footage is spliced together from Department of Defense archives, revealing a secret mission dubbed Apollo 18.
Three men launch toward the moon under cloak of darkness and land safely.
Then, stuff happens. Noisy, shocking, creeping stuff.
How many return home safely?
And what do the Russians have to do with this?
Check it out, and bring a date to squeeze.
Afterward, we cozied up in the living room and cued up "Apollo 13" for a more heartwarming change of pace.
Help Your Kid Ace Her Homework
Tips from Men's Health:
1. Don't admit that you struggled with a subject at school. It's a shot of modesty that might set a discouraging tone from the outset.
2. Don't demonstrate right away. Have her work on it on her own while explaining her answer. Once progress stalls, then step in.
3. Don't tell her she's smart when she gets something right, lest she think she's not if she fails on a problem or two. Focus on learning. Practice makes perfect.
4. Never say "wrong." It shuts down thought process and puts you in control. Something like "I see why you'd say that, but let's try it like this."
Encouragement through trial and error as a normal learning process, and phrasing that conveys support rather than superiority.
It's not just for kids! Anyone in a position to teach, train or lead can gain the same way.
1. Don't admit that you struggled with a subject at school. It's a shot of modesty that might set a discouraging tone from the outset.
2. Don't demonstrate right away. Have her work on it on her own while explaining her answer. Once progress stalls, then step in.
3. Don't tell her she's smart when she gets something right, lest she think she's not if she fails on a problem or two. Focus on learning. Practice makes perfect.
4. Never say "wrong." It shuts down thought process and puts you in control. Something like "I see why you'd say that, but let's try it like this."
Encouragement through trial and error as a normal learning process, and phrasing that conveys support rather than superiority.
It's not just for kids! Anyone in a position to teach, train or lead can gain the same way.
Bodybuilding By The Numbers
Picked up a few formulas for hitting a certain target weight from Men's Health magazine.
Pick a target weight, say, 160 pounds. Call that T.
Number of weekly hours of exercise. Let this be H. How about 3?
Then how many calories, C, do I need to maintain that weight?
T x (H + 11) = 160 x (3 + 11) = 2,240 a day.
How much of it should be composed of protein, fat and carbs?
Protein = T x 1.25 = 160 x 1.25 = 200 grams.
I checked the labels in the fridge and figured that I eat about 40 grams at dinner typically. So I can either eat 5 dinners... or find other sources. Drinking a quarter gallon of skim milk yields about 40 more. Surprisingly enough, whole grain bread can add up to another 40 or so. Snack on a bunch of almonds and it might add up to 20. The most obvious solution would be to plug in a protein-rich breakfast of some kind.
Okay, so a little deficient there. Fat intake? T/2 = 160/2 = 80 grams.
Carbs = [C - (P x 4) - (F x 9)] / 4 = [2,240 - (200x4) - (80x9)] / 4 = 180 grams.
Math and eating. I can imagine home ec classes across the country writing recipes in equations. Accountants accenting financial reports with succulent photos of roast duck. Hopefully it doesn't get too out of control.
Pick a target weight, say, 160 pounds. Call that T.
Number of weekly hours of exercise. Let this be H. How about 3?
Then how many calories, C, do I need to maintain that weight?
T x (H + 11) = 160 x (3 + 11) = 2,240 a day.
How much of it should be composed of protein, fat and carbs?
Protein = T x 1.25 = 160 x 1.25 = 200 grams.
I checked the labels in the fridge and figured that I eat about 40 grams at dinner typically. So I can either eat 5 dinners... or find other sources. Drinking a quarter gallon of skim milk yields about 40 more. Surprisingly enough, whole grain bread can add up to another 40 or so. Snack on a bunch of almonds and it might add up to 20. The most obvious solution would be to plug in a protein-rich breakfast of some kind.
Okay, so a little deficient there. Fat intake? T/2 = 160/2 = 80 grams.
Carbs = [C - (P x 4) - (F x 9)] / 4 = [2,240 - (200x4) - (80x9)] / 4 = 180 grams.
Math and eating. I can imagine home ec classes across the country writing recipes in equations. Accountants accenting financial reports with succulent photos of roast duck. Hopefully it doesn't get too out of control.
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