Observe

My wife Kathy and I spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family in Nashville, Tennessee.  Kathy grew up just south in the historic town of Franklin, Tennessee.  Together, we have visited most of the Civil War battlefields in the area as well as many of the historic homes and museums, yet we never visited The Hermitage, the home of our seventh President, Andrew Jackson.   I had been visiting the area for over 30 years and I never took the time to see this unique property.  I was bound and determined to do so on this trip.   We arranged to take with us our 15-year-old middle granddaughter Shelby, who lives in Nashville.  What a treat the day was going to be.   

I should say I am the history geek and my wife knows that I must read every sign, see every film and gaze on every relic in the historic places we visit.  I did not disappoint her this time as well.   In the museum at the start of the tour I read everything.  Yes, I’m that guy in your family.  Helping to enjoy our time together was seeing everything through the eyes of Shelby. 

We next toured the grounds and waited our turn to tour the historic home which we were told has ninety-five percent of its original furnishing and looks much the way it did when Jackson lived in the home.  The grandeur and practicality of the home as well as the plantation was amazing to experience.  The tomb of Jackson and his beloved wife Rachel are in the formal gardens.  The slave cabin exhibits tell the story of those who lived and toiled to make this place work which were riveting reminders of why we need to continue to learn from their story and strife.  

An additional benefit of visiting on this day was noticing people from around the world.  How did I know this?  Listening to the various languages being spoken and the style of their dress, confirmed this observation on a balmy autumn day.  Shelby seemed to be enjoying her time with us yet she had been to The Hermitage before so my wife thought she was just not as interested in being there as we were. Yet, we were soon to find out otherwise. 

Walking around the grounds my wife posed the following question to me, “When did Jackson die?”  Shelby piped up with the answer,” June 8, 1845,” she replied.  My wife and I both laughed and realized not only was Shelby paying attention, she was taking in and remembering what she had experienced.  I learned an interesting lesson that day.  How one observes the world may not be the same as you. They may not appear to be paying attention, yet they really are processing what they experience.  It just may be differently from you.

Moral: We all observe and learn differently. We just have to be OK with it.

The Flower Song

Boulder THINK

Boulder Creek runs through Eben G Fine Park in the west end of the City of Boulder.  The park is about a block from my office.  I often find myself drawn there for a little mental pause and to eat the lunch which my wife lovely spoils me with each day.  The walk to the park clears my head and allows me time to think, reflect and observe people.  Other people are attracted here to it’s wide, green lawn for playing Frisbee or to watch the kids during summer doing various camp activities.  There are people looking for a cool place to relax and float down the creek in their inner-tubes, often bumping into the rocks that give the creek its name.   The concrete path that meanders along the creek invites runners, walkers and people in conversation to a pleasant place to stroll along the scenic banks.  The park is a wonderful place to disconnect and think.

Finding the time to think is becoming rare. The sound of the water against the rocks of the creek breaks the clutter of my mind and my routine like the rocks break the water from its path.  The rocks divide the liquid over and around in different directions forcing it to move differently than its natural flow.  Like the water in the creek I look for ways to do things different so I can think differently.  I often return from this break, refreshed, refocused and ready for the rest of my day. 

   

I am not sure about you but I have become tethered to my mobile devices waiting for the next bit of news or the next world crisis.  I communicate more via 140 characters or writing a note in a text box than speaking to people directly.  I do these activities sometimes to excess as well.  Yet, I find myself wanting to disconnect, read, listen, talk, discuss, create and to think.  Most people are not as fortunate to work in a beautiful place as I do and do not have the luxury or ability to walk to a nearby park to think.  Yet, everyone can schedule sometime in their morning, noon or in the evening for a few minutes each day to think.  The key to creating something new or producing something new is to focusing one’s energy on positive things and positive activities which allows for positive outcomes.  Think and then think differently.  Some guy name Steve did this and his fruit company changed the world.  

Reflecting before the Results

Last year I attended my local caucus here in Colorado. This meeting of neighbors is where I first participated in the political process for choosing candidates for public office to represent me.  I volunteered to run our caucus meeting that night and I was elected to participate in the next level as a delegate to the county assembly.  I participated in my county assembly and even wrote and ran a resolution, which went down in glorious defeat, yet I actively engaged my neighbors and acquaintances.  From the county assembly I was elected as a delegate to the state convention.  Here I listened to candidates, supported those whom I agreed with on our shared values and principles.  The delegates voted and elected our primary candidates, then I volunteered for these candidates, walked in community parades, knocked on doors, made phone calls and even donated money.   

I volunteered on one of the early national debates and was fortunate to meet some of the candidates and ask them about their philosophy of politics and question them on their principles.  This grassroots process is unique in the world.  It starts out on an even playing field and gives all that participate an equal chance to be heard regardless of connections, background, skin color, religion or creed.  It gives all who make the commitment to show up, a chance to be part of our American tradition.

Yet, electing people as our representatives at any level is only half of the duty of an American citizen.  The other portion of a citizen’s responsibility is to be an active and engaged participant.  Once we elect our candidates or even if our choice is not elected it is our civic responsibility to hold our representatives accountable and make sure they do only those things that they are allowed to do by law and nothing else.  At all levels of government, the powers delegated to those elected officials is enumerated.

The day after any election the sun will rise.  We may be happy, or we may be sad at the election’s outcome, yet I would make a call to action and challenge people, to get involved and stay active in the process and make a difference regardless of who wins.  Volunteer for a local advisory board, committee or town council and challenge people’s premises.  Attend a town meeting or open forum.  Make others think and persuade with logic, reason and a commitment to protect the individual rights of your fellow citizens.  Keep government in its proper role to protect justice and serve in safety.  And most of all, to stay vigilant to the cause of liberty. The day after an election it’s always 730 days until the next victory or defeat. However, citizenship is something we all need to be active in 24/7/365.

Best Phone Case / Customer Service ever.

A while back I bought a phone case made of incredibly fine leather and well stiched from a company called #Embrazio.  The Piatto Satchelita as they named it has a wider loop on the back to accommodate wide belts as well as it fits the larger smart phones.  When you travel for business as I do and airports seem like second homes, you never miss an opportunity to "go" when "nature calls."  Only one problem.  My phone case would often slip onto the less than clean bathroom floors in said "necessary room." Yuk.  Scott Schafer at Embrazio to the rescue.  Scott listened to my problem and then created the leather catch that eliments the case from falling off my belt loop.  Problem solved and the best part he even delivered it to me.  Great product and above and beyond customer service.

Embrazio you have a customer for life.  Get yours at www.embrazio.com

Practice being positive.

I am a Toastmaster.  I have been a member of Toastmasters since 2005 and plan to be as long as I can speak.  I earned my Distinguished Toastmasters credentials, (DTM) in 2010.  This is the highest educational award a Toastmaster can earn. Even with this accomplishment I am active in two clubs and attend meetings regularly.  I have helped Charter four clubs and I am working with others to do the same. I have held every club officer position one can have.  I have mentored dozens of fellow Toastmasters.  When I travel on business and have the time I will visit a club meeting in a city I am in.  Why do I do this?  To keep my speaking skills crisp and to challenge my ability to listen, learn and think.

Like public speaking, staying positive takes practice.  Like most activities in life, you only get better at something if you practice doing it.   My investment today in being positive, no matter what happens to me or what I make happen, leads me to a being positive tomorrow, and the next day and the next.
Why is it important to be positive?   People like being around other positive people.  Successful people like being around those who are positive, reinforcing, and say YES!  Saying YES!  To all that is good, is an opportunity to attract and connect with others who will feed off your positive attitude and will reward it by being positive themselves.  It’s self-fulfilling.

Starting your day with a positive saying, or studying something positive or reading an uplifting, positive message, will start you mind off in a positive way.  I recite the Optimist Creed, daily.  It makes me feel good and reminds me to be positive. 

On my way to the office when I am in town, I listen to positive podcasts or cd’s that reinforce this attitude.  When a customer or inquiry calls my office and if I am unavailable they get this positive message:

Thank you for calling the mobile phone of Bradley Beck,

Director of Yes! at Design Master color tool, Inc.
Yes! I am away from my phone.
Yes! I will get back with you if you leave a message
Yes! I appreciate your business
Have a colorful day!

Corny, no actually a little squashy and green-beany, (My kids can’t stand when I say that) I actually get people commenting on my positive voice mail.  Has that ever happened to you?  The point is, being happy and positive is a choice.  Yes! the world has negativity in it, yet I choose not to dwell in the domain of divisiveness and despair. I only have so much time and I choose to make my time, positive.

Being positive is the best defense in a world which thrives on the negative.   Being positive is best spelled out with the following words and their meaning;

·         Possible - capable of

·         Optimistic - a favorable view of events or conditions

·         Sure - convinced

·         Illuminative – to light up

·         Thankful - expressing gratitude

·         Imaginative - create in the mind

·         Vision - sense of sight

·         Enthusiasm - intense favor

The first letters of each word spell out the word, “positive.” I look for opportunities to be positive and to act positive.  When one is persistent and determined to practice their positive attitude, it becomes a habit which will open doors and guide you on the path to success and happiness.

I have studied being positive for years and have been greatly influenced by my parents positive outlook on life.  Then, as I attended school I had positive teaches and friends. And then as I started my professional career in selling, I studied the likes of Jeffrey Gitomer and his “Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude.”  Then, I read classic titles on having a positive attitude like, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie and “Life is Tremendous” by Charlie Tremendous Jones.  I listen to “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale a least once a quarter.  I seek out positive lectures, seminars, you tube videos and people.

As in Toastmasters, when one presents a speech their words are evaluated.  As we live our lives, we are being evaluated for how we conduct ourselves.   Having a positive attitude has afforded me more in opportunities than the opposite ever would have.

In a phrase, “practice being positive.”

 

 

Sweet

My friend Heidi knew I was a Toastmaster and wanted to see if I could help her.  Her e-mail was a simple request.  “Hey I head up a group called Mompreneurs–about 15 women that have their own business and are also Moms.  They asked if I could bring in a speaking coach to help them refine their elevator speeches around their business and just gain some confidence around speaking about their business.”
Of course my reply was YES!  Yet how could I help them? 

I thought back to a District 26 Toastmasters Conference class conducted by Dana LaMon, the 1992 World Champion of Public Speaking.  Mr. LaMon’s,  “Hook, Hammer & Hinge” formula of attracting someone with a quote, statement or question, then transitioning to connecting by making a point and telling a story (from Bill Gove, CSP, CPAE), and then engaging by having a call to action,  could be shortened and used as a way to introduce yourself. After all an elevator pitch can be much like giving a Toastmasters 5-7 minute speech.  It requires writing, editing, practicing and perfecting until it comes out as a conversation.
We meet on the agreed upon day at a local community room in a fire station.   Being a sales and marketing professional for over thirty years I know how uninspired most “elevator pitches” can be.  I am sure you have had those same experiences at a networking event when you meet someone who says, Hi, I’m a Dentist.  Your first thought is RUN!  Yet if this person said something engaging like, Hi I’m Greg.  I help photographers get people to say, “Cheese” (pause)  “What’s that?” they say.  I fix people smiles with beautiful teeth, I’m your local dentist.  A smile appears on the person’s face and a conversation ensures.  Helping people smile is a better way to say you’re a Dentist than talking about flossing. 

After sharing this formula we worked on various ideas of giving value first, using humor to get people to open up and refining their message to a core idea.   I asked each Mompreneurs to get up in front of everyone and give their own pitch.  After each spoke, we did a round robin evaluation where I asked the Moms to share two positives aspects of each elevator speech for every one suggestion for improvement.

It was a fun ninety minutes.  I made some wonderful contacts and even received an assortment of candies in the mail to remind me of the gratitude of the Mompreneurs.    My friend even hired me to help her with some speech coaching.  I am grateful that District 26 conducts wonderful educational programs and brings in top talent to learn from.   I was grateful for the opportunity to help these Mompreneurs gain confidence in sharing their elevator pitches.  As in business and in Toastmasters, helping others achieve their goals can be sweet.