“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” ~ Neil Armstrong, astronaut and first man on the moon My Louisiana cousins suggest that we go catch crawfish. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, with no prior crawfish expedition experience, I jump at the chance for this new, first time adventure. I have eaten these tasty mudbugs many times with my relatives at the camp in Slidell, the location of our annual vacation trip. This trip is a promise my dad made to my mom before they … [Read more...]
First Figure out the ‘Why’
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born . . . and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain “Just one thing,” was the reply of the boss of the cattle drive. He was answering the question he had posed to the cowhand. This pivotal scene came from the movie, City Slickers. Actor Jack Palance played the boss and Billy Crystal played the city slicker, who was now a cowhand on a vacation that provided a real experience of a cattle drive. The question he had posed was, … [Read more...]
PAUSE . . .
It is a dark night. My cousin and I are driving in our hometown, Birmingham, Alabama. We are cruising along in the downtown area where Interstate I-65 is being built. There are lots of cones, signs and equipment, typical at a major construction site involving a federally-funded highway. Somehow, we have lost our way and the next thing I know, we are on that Interstate yet to be open for traffic. I am not thinking about whether or not the road is open, or that in this particular area it is … [Read more...]
The Toughest Thing About Communication
I am in the audience for the Wednesday Noon gathering of Toastmasters in downtown Mobile. Our speaker, the past president of the Club, leans over and cups her hands around her ears, just like someone does when intently trying to listen in a noisy environment. It is a great opening, with significant relevance to her speech on communication. The audience sits up to take notice. Her theme – the importance of listening and the inherent difficulties – are the points she makes throughout the … [Read more...]
Simple Formula for Goal Achievement
Create goal Be specific Set deadline Put in writing Make it visible Create accountability Share with supporters Read AM PM Measure progress often Celebrate victory If you would like to receive details on any of these steps, contact Rob … [Read more...]
Mondays are great if you start with a positive attitude.
Here is what Michael, Charles and others say about attitude. "You altitude in life depends on your attitude in life." Zig Ziglar "Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation." Michael Jordan "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." Ralph Waldo Emerson "The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." Oprah Winfrey "Hope is a waking dream." Aristotle "If you think you can do a … [Read more...]
A Short Book about Leadership
“The Heart of a Leader,” by successful author Ken Blanchard, is a short book about leadership and is worth reading. I love reading and studying about leadership because it is a core factor in the success of organizations, and within families and marriages. In this book, Mr. Blanchard describes a three-legged stool for success in business organizations: Raving Fan Customers, Gung Ho Employees, and financial strength. The first two in his list just happen to be the titles of other books he has … [Read more...]
The Phone Call
I look at the screen of my cell phone that is now ringing. Fifteen minutes earlier, my wife Carol had left for the local Wal-Mart. The screen indicates that she is calling. She probably wants to ask about something I might need from the store. Over the years, we have averaged one phone call anytime one of us goes solo to the store. It is our normal routine. Making lists and checking them twice does not stop the phone call. You can depend on it. One of us will remember something that needs to be … [Read more...]
I Think I Can
Do you remember the story of The Little Engine That Could? This classic story, published in the New York Tribune in 1906, can be traced back to a sermon by Reverend Charles Wing, a pastor in Brooklyn, New York. In the tale, the engine of a train carrying toys to the village over the mountain breaks down. Along comes a little engine, small in size that has never been given such a huge task. The little engine does not know for sure that it can be successful. It starts with the thought “I think … [Read more...]
Mental Toughness
Are you mentally tough? How do you know? This question came to mind recently when I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon at the University of South Alabama where the main speaker was Joey Jones, head football coach. He is familiar with the public work of the Navy SEALs, a U.S. Navy special operations unit. Getting permission from the president of the University, Coach Jones organizes an experience for the football team with the SEALs. In the several days of challenging jobs, it is now … [Read more...]
