I got on a conference call last night. This is remarkable because I was on this call representing someone I no longer work for. I am no saint, I am not superior to those who have the common sense not to work for someone they no longer work for. I made a promise to a client and kept it. The client is a travel agent / tour leader who is bringing some folks to South Florida for a cruise. He had asked if I would get on the phone with his clients and tell them about things to do in the area. I said yes.
Why? It took five minutes and greatly raised my stock in this client's eyes. He lives out on the Left Coast and it never hurts to have friends in the Bay Area. Besides, he's a really nice guy who took it pretty hard when he found out I had moved on.
Part of what I did on this call was shed a positive light on someone for whom I should have no positive feelings. It stands to reason that I am not happy with my former employer or they would be my current employer. The truth is, I have learned over the years that no matter what else happens, you must strive for excellence. I am not talking on a professional level, but on a human one.
Be a person of excellence. Do more than is expected and more than is asked. Do it without the expectation of reward. You'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish and you will discover that doing the right thing is a reward in itself.
Make it your best day yet. God bless you. Stay warm.
- Adolfo
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Day # 193 - Tales of The Traveling Cookie
My five-year old daughter, Emily, is one of those kids. She eats only what she wants, when she wants. Like most children, she can be bribed, but for the most part it's macaroni & cheese and some form of chicken nuggets. She is also not fond of breakfast, unless it's the weekend, in which case, I am sent to the store for a loaf of Cuban bread, which is served unheated and without butter. She asks for cafe con leche which she will take a couple of sips of. (For those of you not from Hialeah, cafe con leche is Cuban coffee with warm milk. It's like a cafe latte, but $2,000 cheaper.)
Last night, Abby made her outrageous chocolate chip cookies. This morning, Emily asked for one. I know, it's not appropriate breakfast food, sue me. Emily took the cookie in hand and walked all over the house, taking bites that were so small, the cookie kept its original shape. The dog eagerly followed her around, hoping for a crumb, or the whole cookie, to fall.
I am not crazy about the kids eating anywhere other than the table. It's messy, it leads to ants and other creepy-crawlies, and it's just not a good habit. I didn't give Emily too hard a time about it, but I did ask her to go to the table, which she did, only to sit there for a minute while holding the cookie in her little hand.
Parents know that most kids are picky eaters. Some, like my wife, get worked up about it. Others, like me, don't sweat it. I give my kids vitamins and they do eat non-junk foods on a regular basis. I also make sure my kids drink plenty of water. In fact, on occasions when we go to restaurants, my kids will ask for water instead of soda (most times - they're still human.)
I pick my battles because I know my children are not malnourished. I know they get everything they need. I know they are not missing anything in their lives, so I can let them have the occasional chocolate chip cookie for breakfast, or mac & cheese four times a week. Go ahead and call the department of children and families on me if you want, but the cookie stays!
Last night, Abby made her outrageous chocolate chip cookies. This morning, Emily asked for one. I know, it's not appropriate breakfast food, sue me. Emily took the cookie in hand and walked all over the house, taking bites that were so small, the cookie kept its original shape. The dog eagerly followed her around, hoping for a crumb, or the whole cookie, to fall.
I am not crazy about the kids eating anywhere other than the table. It's messy, it leads to ants and other creepy-crawlies, and it's just not a good habit. I didn't give Emily too hard a time about it, but I did ask her to go to the table, which she did, only to sit there for a minute while holding the cookie in her little hand.
Parents know that most kids are picky eaters. Some, like my wife, get worked up about it. Others, like me, don't sweat it. I give my kids vitamins and they do eat non-junk foods on a regular basis. I also make sure my kids drink plenty of water. In fact, on occasions when we go to restaurants, my kids will ask for water instead of soda (most times - they're still human.)
I pick my battles because I know my children are not malnourished. I know they get everything they need. I know they are not missing anything in their lives, so I can let them have the occasional chocolate chip cookie for breakfast, or mac & cheese four times a week. Go ahead and call the department of children and families on me if you want, but the cookie stays!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Day # 192 - Lights
We took the girls to The Villages of Gulfstream last night to walk around and see the light show. The show consists of Christmas Trees covered in lights timed to flash on and off in sync with the artificial sounds of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. If you've never heard of TSO, they basically play Christmas Music... badly. Just kidding, it's great and wonderful, it's just a little tiring... for me. I'm old, I guess.
After spending the day cooped up in an office, I needed to be outdoors and this was just the ticket.
If you live in South Florida, you have doubtless heard the commercials for the light show. I have. I was expecting more than the three Christmas Trees I saw. Part of me was expecting my kids to be disappointed by the scope (or lack thereof) of the show. On the contrary, they were asking if we could wait an hour to see it again.
Why the difference in levels of satisfaction? Sure, the fact that they're kids makes them easier to impress, no denying that, but they only knew there was going to be a light show. They thought we were going to drive through the neighborhood, stopping in front of the houses that are lighted up. They couldn't help being impressed. I, who should know better, allowed myself to expect miracles, and so nothing could have reached my level of expectation. So was I wrong to expect so much and were the kids right to have no expectations? In some ways, we were both right and both wrong.
I am obviously stretching here, but our expectations in life should always be high. I heard the commercials for the light show and expected the gates of Heaven to open up. Why? Because that's what I wanted. All I told the kids was that we were going to see a Christmas light show. Period. They didn't know what to expect and were very pleased as a result.
In life, you must expect, and demand, excellence from yourself and other people. Will you sometimes be disappointed? Sure, but if you expect nothing and get it every time, you will not only be disappointed, you will become tired and bitter. Even when someone does more than they needed to, it won't matter, because you didn't expect anything and therefore didn't care and were not invested in the outcome. Win, lose, whatever, is not a way to live. Raise your expectations and let the people around you know. Tell them you expect the best of them, and that they should expect the best of you. This is the key to excellence and success for yourself and for those around you.
God bless you. Make it an excellent day.
- Adolfo
After spending the day cooped up in an office, I needed to be outdoors and this was just the ticket.
If you live in South Florida, you have doubtless heard the commercials for the light show. I have. I was expecting more than the three Christmas Trees I saw. Part of me was expecting my kids to be disappointed by the scope (or lack thereof) of the show. On the contrary, they were asking if we could wait an hour to see it again.
Why the difference in levels of satisfaction? Sure, the fact that they're kids makes them easier to impress, no denying that, but they only knew there was going to be a light show. They thought we were going to drive through the neighborhood, stopping in front of the houses that are lighted up. They couldn't help being impressed. I, who should know better, allowed myself to expect miracles, and so nothing could have reached my level of expectation. So was I wrong to expect so much and were the kids right to have no expectations? In some ways, we were both right and both wrong.
I am obviously stretching here, but our expectations in life should always be high. I heard the commercials for the light show and expected the gates of Heaven to open up. Why? Because that's what I wanted. All I told the kids was that we were going to see a Christmas light show. Period. They didn't know what to expect and were very pleased as a result.
In life, you must expect, and demand, excellence from yourself and other people. Will you sometimes be disappointed? Sure, but if you expect nothing and get it every time, you will not only be disappointed, you will become tired and bitter. Even when someone does more than they needed to, it won't matter, because you didn't expect anything and therefore didn't care and were not invested in the outcome. Win, lose, whatever, is not a way to live. Raise your expectations and let the people around you know. Tell them you expect the best of them, and that they should expect the best of you. This is the key to excellence and success for yourself and for those around you.
God bless you. Make it an excellent day.
- Adolfo
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Day # 191 - A.I.
A.I.: Arrogance & Ignorance. There is a lot of each going around, usually in tandem. I have been exposed to thousands of people over the year and it never ceases to amaze me how little they know - or how little they care to know. We have chosen ignorance as a lifestyle. We are oblivious to the choices we make and the choices made for us, never for a moment thinking that our futures are in the hands of disinterested, arrogant people.
The biggest distinction between the Haves and the Have-Nots is information. By information, I mean the Haves choose to be informed, to be educated. They spend their money on books and education and they work as hard as they have to in order to succeed, while the Have-Nots do not invest in their education and do not work as hard as they can. Why? My belief is that many of the Have-Nots have been convinced by the government and the media that those who are successful, or rich, only became so by cheating. The Have-Nots are constantly told the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. You spend enough time telling a bird it can't fly and it will eventually believe you.
The arrogant politicians believe they are better than the rest of us. They believe they are a glamorous race of people who were born to lead. The unwashed masses exist to do their bidding. The common folk, the Have-Nots, believe this. What else will they believe? They hear the words of their "Leaders" and they look around at their environment and they believe it's true. Sometimes, one gets away, but we don't want to talk about that now, do we?
When "Leaders" convince their followers that they don't stand a chance because of their skin color, their ethnicity, their gender, or whatever BS reason they can come up with, the followers don't stand a chance. Too many blacks believe that the world outside is a racist place where they don't stand a chance. Even our president, who is half-black, perpetuates this lie. Hispanics are no better off. We are told that the US is racist because some of us would like immigration laws observed. They are told this so often that they can't believe anything else. These people are suffering as a result of their own ignorance. They could accomplish anything if they would just decide to believe in themselves.
You avoid this by getting your information from various sources. Right or Left, doesn't matter. Read both. Have a little CNN with your Fox. Read magazines and books and more than one newspaper. Then, and here's the radical part of my plan, think! For the love of all that matters, THINK! Use your head. Ignorance is a choice. We are all guilty of it at times and that's no crime. Ignorance becomes criminal when left unchecked. Pick up a book and think for yourself. Encourage others to do the same. Build yourself up and let no one tear you down. It's your life... Live it!
Adolfo
The biggest distinction between the Haves and the Have-Nots is information. By information, I mean the Haves choose to be informed, to be educated. They spend their money on books and education and they work as hard as they have to in order to succeed, while the Have-Nots do not invest in their education and do not work as hard as they can. Why? My belief is that many of the Have-Nots have been convinced by the government and the media that those who are successful, or rich, only became so by cheating. The Have-Nots are constantly told the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. You spend enough time telling a bird it can't fly and it will eventually believe you.
The arrogant politicians believe they are better than the rest of us. They believe they are a glamorous race of people who were born to lead. The unwashed masses exist to do their bidding. The common folk, the Have-Nots, believe this. What else will they believe? They hear the words of their "Leaders" and they look around at their environment and they believe it's true. Sometimes, one gets away, but we don't want to talk about that now, do we?
When "Leaders" convince their followers that they don't stand a chance because of their skin color, their ethnicity, their gender, or whatever BS reason they can come up with, the followers don't stand a chance. Too many blacks believe that the world outside is a racist place where they don't stand a chance. Even our president, who is half-black, perpetuates this lie. Hispanics are no better off. We are told that the US is racist because some of us would like immigration laws observed. They are told this so often that they can't believe anything else. These people are suffering as a result of their own ignorance. They could accomplish anything if they would just decide to believe in themselves.
You avoid this by getting your information from various sources. Right or Left, doesn't matter. Read both. Have a little CNN with your Fox. Read magazines and books and more than one newspaper. Then, and here's the radical part of my plan, think! For the love of all that matters, THINK! Use your head. Ignorance is a choice. We are all guilty of it at times and that's no crime. Ignorance becomes criminal when left unchecked. Pick up a book and think for yourself. Encourage others to do the same. Build yourself up and let no one tear you down. It's your life... Live it!
Adolfo
Friday, December 3, 2010
Day # 190 - Free at Last
For a while now, I've been writing about certain situations, mostly related to business and management, without giving too many details. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to know I was referring to my own job and my unhappiness with it. I was cryptic because I was being respectful of my employers and protective of my job.
Well, that's all over now. After months of misery, of being under-appreciated, overworked, and underpaid, I resigned. There was no fit of rage, no "Jerry Maguire" speech, no AK-47. I didn't even stop and say good-bye to my co-workers. I simply responded to yet another insulting email written in broken English by a person who is not my boss, with: "Effective immediately, I resign my position as director of sales." I hit send. I walked out. I came home, made lunch, and helped Abby with spring cleaning (I know it's not spring - you get me.)
The calls came after, along with promises that all I deserved was just around the corner, like the drunk who promises his wife as she walks out the door that he was planning to go to the meeting next week. Too little too late.
My former boss asked how I could make a decision as serious as this one in a moment of anger. I told him the moment I walked out was the end of my anger. It was an easy decision, one that instantly brought peace. It wasn't about them or about me; we just weren't the right fit.
I learned more in the time working for this company than in any other similar period of time in my life. I learned:
- Get it in writing. Although we want to believe the best in people, written agreements help define what that is. Although most of us would never steal or kill, knowing there are laws meant to punish those who do provides comfort to us, as well as a behavioral guideline.
- Set the expectations. I gave too much for too little. It's hard to get someone to expect any different once you spoil them.
- Stand your ground. Not an inch of our territory, not a stone of our fortress. If you give someone an inch, they will take you a mile. Draw your boundaries and adhere to them; if you don't, no one else will.
- Respect: Give it, earn it, expect it, demand it. If you allow yourself to be disrespected once, you'd best get used to it.
- Know your value and demand it.
I may eventually sit down and write a memoir of this experience. It has been eye-opening and educational. I learned a lot about what not to do in business and I think the world could benefit from the knowledge - especially younger people coming up in business.
I am free. I know where I've been. I know where God is taking me. I'll let you know when I get there.
God bless you. Make it a great day. Be free.
- Adolfo
Well, that's all over now. After months of misery, of being under-appreciated, overworked, and underpaid, I resigned. There was no fit of rage, no "Jerry Maguire" speech, no AK-47. I didn't even stop and say good-bye to my co-workers. I simply responded to yet another insulting email written in broken English by a person who is not my boss, with: "Effective immediately, I resign my position as director of sales." I hit send. I walked out. I came home, made lunch, and helped Abby with spring cleaning (I know it's not spring - you get me.)
The calls came after, along with promises that all I deserved was just around the corner, like the drunk who promises his wife as she walks out the door that he was planning to go to the meeting next week. Too little too late.
My former boss asked how I could make a decision as serious as this one in a moment of anger. I told him the moment I walked out was the end of my anger. It was an easy decision, one that instantly brought peace. It wasn't about them or about me; we just weren't the right fit.
I learned more in the time working for this company than in any other similar period of time in my life. I learned:
- Get it in writing. Although we want to believe the best in people, written agreements help define what that is. Although most of us would never steal or kill, knowing there are laws meant to punish those who do provides comfort to us, as well as a behavioral guideline.
- Set the expectations. I gave too much for too little. It's hard to get someone to expect any different once you spoil them.
- Stand your ground. Not an inch of our territory, not a stone of our fortress. If you give someone an inch, they will take you a mile. Draw your boundaries and adhere to them; if you don't, no one else will.
- Respect: Give it, earn it, expect it, demand it. If you allow yourself to be disrespected once, you'd best get used to it.
- Know your value and demand it.
I may eventually sit down and write a memoir of this experience. It has been eye-opening and educational. I learned a lot about what not to do in business and I think the world could benefit from the knowledge - especially younger people coming up in business.
I am free. I know where I've been. I know where God is taking me. I'll let you know when I get there.
God bless you. Make it a great day. Be free.
- Adolfo
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Day # 189 - Operational Freedom
Today's post is about business. It's an operations thing. Those of you who work for someone else will understand. Those of you who are self-employed, stop reading now, fall on your knees and thank God for that gift - then get back to work, because you don't want to risk losing that freedom.
In business, as in government, or any other organization, it is important to know your role. It is important for roles to be clearly defined for each member of the team, from the CEO to the janitor. This seems elementary, but it's one of those things that can easily be lost when there are too many people trying to be the chief - it leaves no little Indians. The micromanaging control-freaks of the world will soon enough lose the best people and wind up with the weak and the lazy running their departments or businesses. Most of these second-rate "businesspeople" will be okay with it, because they are so unsure of their worth as human beings that they would rather hold on to their power and fail, than release it and prosper.
The formula to success in an organization is simple:
1 - Hire the best people you can find.
2 - Pay them what they are worth.
3 - Incentivize their performance.
4 - Get the hell out of their way.
Your organization will never thrive if you have an accountant watching the sales department, telling them how to speak to clients, when and if they can take a lunch break, monitoring emails and taking them out of context, and generally interfering with the smooth operation of the single most important function of any business. A hospital administrator should never walk into an operating room and tell the surgeon how to do her job, either.
This should speak for itself, but common sense ain't all that common.
The same applies to children. Give your kids enough space to operate. Let them make mistakes. This is important in their formation. If you don't know failure, you will never know success. If you control every step of their lives, they will never learn to make decisions and never know what they can be - so they won't have any incentive to try to become more, to become better, to reach their God-given potential.
Allow your people to breathe. A closed fist may not let anything go, but it also cannot receive anything; and the tighter your grip, the more (whatever) will slip from your fingers.
Adolfo
In business, as in government, or any other organization, it is important to know your role. It is important for roles to be clearly defined for each member of the team, from the CEO to the janitor. This seems elementary, but it's one of those things that can easily be lost when there are too many people trying to be the chief - it leaves no little Indians. The micromanaging control-freaks of the world will soon enough lose the best people and wind up with the weak and the lazy running their departments or businesses. Most of these second-rate "businesspeople" will be okay with it, because they are so unsure of their worth as human beings that they would rather hold on to their power and fail, than release it and prosper.
The formula to success in an organization is simple:
1 - Hire the best people you can find.
2 - Pay them what they are worth.
3 - Incentivize their performance.
4 - Get the hell out of their way.
Your organization will never thrive if you have an accountant watching the sales department, telling them how to speak to clients, when and if they can take a lunch break, monitoring emails and taking them out of context, and generally interfering with the smooth operation of the single most important function of any business. A hospital administrator should never walk into an operating room and tell the surgeon how to do her job, either.
This should speak for itself, but common sense ain't all that common.
The same applies to children. Give your kids enough space to operate. Let them make mistakes. This is important in their formation. If you don't know failure, you will never know success. If you control every step of their lives, they will never learn to make decisions and never know what they can be - so they won't have any incentive to try to become more, to become better, to reach their God-given potential.
Allow your people to breathe. A closed fist may not let anything go, but it also cannot receive anything; and the tighter your grip, the more (whatever) will slip from your fingers.
Adolfo
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day # 188 - Decisions Then and Now
I am a proponent of speaking the truth. I think everyone should. Lies, or even withholding the truth are destructive. If not to the person being lied to, then definitely to the liar. It is a shame that we sometimes find ourselves in situations where we have to hold back and not speak our minds. The result is typically having to swallow a bitter pill.
I find myself in such a situation right now. I find myself needing to keep my mouth shut about certain things I would rather not keep my mouth shut about. I call it eating sh_t sandwiches. And it's as bad as it sounds.
While I don't consider myself a blunt person, I am an honest person - or at least try to be. Having to bite my tongue is a very uncomfortable situation but ultimately I am responsible for this. I put myself in this situation and I have to ride it out. It's man-up time.
This is why it's important to weigh every decision you make because they all matter. Keep in mind that what you do today may have consequences that you will feel, if not tomorrow, years from now. Using personal finances as an example, the latte you spend five bucks on today, could cost you big time down the road when you're broke, just like the cookies and milk you have before bed can affect your health down the road.
The point is we should take a little time to plan things out so we don't paint ourselves into corners. Freedom is the most important thing you have and you should make sure that you make no decisions to jeopardize it. Be deliberate. Be thoughtful. Be responsible. Be free.
God bless you. Make the right decisions. Make it your best day.
- Adolfo
I find myself in such a situation right now. I find myself needing to keep my mouth shut about certain things I would rather not keep my mouth shut about. I call it eating sh_t sandwiches. And it's as bad as it sounds.
While I don't consider myself a blunt person, I am an honest person - or at least try to be. Having to bite my tongue is a very uncomfortable situation but ultimately I am responsible for this. I put myself in this situation and I have to ride it out. It's man-up time.
This is why it's important to weigh every decision you make because they all matter. Keep in mind that what you do today may have consequences that you will feel, if not tomorrow, years from now. Using personal finances as an example, the latte you spend five bucks on today, could cost you big time down the road when you're broke, just like the cookies and milk you have before bed can affect your health down the road.
The point is we should take a little time to plan things out so we don't paint ourselves into corners. Freedom is the most important thing you have and you should make sure that you make no decisions to jeopardize it. Be deliberate. Be thoughtful. Be responsible. Be free.
God bless you. Make the right decisions. Make it your best day.
- Adolfo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
