3,000 Different Theories

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“If at first you don’t succeed try, try, try again.” This quote from William E. Hickson has been around a long time, 1857 in fact. Many times we let the fear of failure hold us back. Persistence pays off. As we take a look at some of the most famous individuals such as Thomas Edison or Abraham Lincoln, these gentlemen had several failures before they were ever able to have a win or success. As I learn about the different setbacks and disappointments that Abraham Lincoln encountered it provides me hope and humility that it doesn’t matter if we fail but if we pick ourselves back up and keep trying.

Thomas Edison constructed 3,000 different theories in connection with the electric light. If he had given up at failure 100 what would have happened? Failure can be a gift and the perspective gained that something needs to be changed or tweaked.

Sometimes the fear of failure is our greatest stumbling block. We have to look at the word fear and change its meaning to an acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR). Faith and fear cannot reside together at the same time. So having faith and a strong belief that whatever the outcome will be the journey and process of trying is where the opportunities lie.

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5 Tips to a Family Business

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Being raised in several generations of family owned businesses, I have seen first-hand the opportunities and the pitfalls. In fact, in my immediate family the business generates income for seven of the family members.

One would think that with the growth of global economies and technology that big corporation would erase the family business. However, statistically 50% of the gross domestic product is generated by family business. In fact 35% of Fortune 500 companies are family companies.

With the economy changing at a rapid pace individuals may be considering additional revenue and the launch of the family business could be the answer to both the individual and family unit. Here are some things to consider when having a family business:

  1. Who does what: As you determine the role for the family member be sure to draw on their strengths and your own. That is what builds complementary teams.
  2. Strategic Planning: It is important to define what your business plan is and the intended path to achieve your goals. That way you know what you are working towards and how to measure your success or progress.
  3. Problem Solving: When problems arise the more you can put personal egos aside the better you will be able to determine solutions. By addressing the problem or what I like to call “growth opportunities,” immediately differences of opinions can be fleshed out and you can get back to your goals.
  4. Creating boundaries: It may become easy to eat, live, and breathe the family business 24/7, 365 days a year. Keeping a balance will help the overall health of all of the stakeholders. The opportunity can be a rich and rewarding experience keeping a long-time perspective.
  5. Communication: This is the building block to being successful. By constantly communicating you limit misunderstandings, disagreements and negative emotion.

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I got braces!

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What was I thinking?

All my life I have hated the dentist with great PASSION! Growing up my teeth were a little bit crowded. My upper front teeth were a little crossed – not bad – but it always bothered me.

I have always had individuals tell me I had a beautiful smile. But again those front teeth always bothered me. Many years ago, my sister-in-law Kathy got braces she was in her late thirties or early forties. I really admired her for doing that. At the time I asked her if they hurt – she said yes.

As I have aged through the years my teeth have also been moving. My bottom teeth were actually at two different levels. On a whim I decided to see an orthodontist and get an evaluation. I met with this very hi-tech practitioner and left very discouraged. What I thought might be a simple process I learned would not be and would be very expensive.

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Add 40 years to your life!

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It has been said that networking will increase your life by forty years! That is pretty incredible. Let’s look at why. Human beings are social in their very nature. We long to be respected, admired and valued by those who we find are the most important people in our life. The other day we were discussing how the world of technology is changing how individuals interact. The fear that as time goes on, the art of human face-to-face communication may be sorely impacted.

There are so many different ways to network now; more than at any time in the history of the world. Today you can network without walking out the door. The phenomenon of Facebook, My Space, LinkedIn and Twitter are making it easier to expand our individual networks. With face-to-face networking you need to have a strategy for your networking efforts, otherwise you can easily spend a lot of time and your efforts will be fruitless in moving you forward with your professional and organizational goals. “A plan, like a tree, must have branches – if it is to bear fruit. A plan with a single aim is apt to prove a barren pole.”  This is a quote from B.H. Liddell Hart that I came across years ago.

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Anatomy of relationships

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Why is it that there are some individuals on this planet that you instantly connect with and others who take a little bit of time?

This question has been one that I have often meditated upon. I find that those individuals whom I feel what I like to refer to as, “energy transference,” are the individuals I enjoy spending time with. What is meant by “energy transference?” Energy transference is when you feel positive and synergistic communication occurring between yourself and another. In contrast, have you ever met those folks who when you have a dialogue or exchange information with they suck the life right out of you? I know I have, and I have made it a priority to seek relationships that I feel positive energy from.

Some of our deepest relationships sometimes start off rocky or we misjudge the individual. One of my dearest friends growing up had the personality of someone who was aloof and unapproachable. As time went on and we had reason to interact I realized what an amazing woman she was and currently is. The lesson to each of us is to be careful not to judge. In fact if you become a perceiver instead of a judger you will experience more happiness.

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Appreciating Service

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While sitting in a restaurant the other day, I noticed the table next to me and how the serving staff was very attentive to this table and to all the surrounding tables.  What was interesting about my observation was how those folks sitting at the various tables were interacting with the restaurant staff. Each table was a little different.  One table was very gregarious and laughing it up while another table was very quiet and didn’t seem to notice those serving them.  The third table appeared to be very demanding and extremely rude from what I was observing.

Now if you have ever worked in the service industry you will probably recognize these different behaviors. Do you notice those serving you? Or do you go through life expecting service and never really acknowledge great service? Some service professionals are trained to be invisible while others are trained to connect and take more of a sales role. It is extremely interesting to observe political candidates and how they treat service staff at a networking function. If you have never done this, I would encourage you to try it sometime. Some individuals have a tendency to put forward an air of superiority while others are cognizant that they are not the only individuals walking the planet.

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Bring it on

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Those things that we have to work the hardest for are often the most dear and appreciated.

Why do you think that is? A few weeks ago I was having dinner with a past colleague who is contemplating a major move and an advanced leadership position change with his company. As we were discussing this decision he stated that most things in his life have come easy for him such as his career and upward mobility and the income associated with it. He was describing all of the perks for taking this new position and on one hand he kept asking himself “what is the catch?” While on the other hand he was telling himself he would be crazy not to take and run with the opportunity. He confided in me that maybe it wouldn’t be a challenge and getting to this point had not really been hard. The next week he discovered what the initial challenge would be. The questions he is asking himself now is “will this challenge be strong enough and the experience fulfilling?”

Adversity comes in many forms. It is also in the eye of the beholder. What you may find as a challenge, I may see it differently. So being sensitive to others and the experiences they go through will assist you in all interpersonal relationships. Sometimes as an observer it is hard to watch as someone is going through a really hard time and you can be at a loss for words. Just being a friend and trying to understand what it is they are feeling and validating those feelings will provide comfort and balm to that friendship.

Years ago I was faced with a challenge that I could not view as an opportunity. Through the experience I was depressed, gaining weight, losing self confidence and receiving very little sleep. In speaking to one of my friends about the predicament he listened and gave some advice but the comment he made that I could really hold on to was “Linda, you have been through worse than this.” I have reflected on that observation when new challenges and adversity has reared its head.

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Catch Me If You Can

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“Good decisions come from wisdom; Wisdom comes from experience; Experience comes from making bad decisions.”

–Author Unknown

Many years ago I had the opportunity to speak at and facilitate a conference where one of the most famous and recent national speakers of the day presented. The speaker’s name was Frank Abagnale. Between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one he was probably one of the century’s most cunning swindlers. Although misdirected he changed his life and eventually turned into an FBI instructor. Like many stories, this particular individual’s story was picked up and produced by Hollywood into a bestselling movie entitled, “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

I expected him to be a very gregarious and loud individual as a result of his portrayal on the silver screen. However, when I met the real man I was struck with how shy and humble he is. In fact, when I met him he verily looked me in the eye. I learned a lot from his presentation and his message is still today one worth listening to because as a con artist he was able to illicit trust from those he met instantly.

So let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of someone who is trustworthy.

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Raising Summer – We’re in trouble now!

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Raising Summer – We’re in trouble now!

Three weeks from today I will lose a daughter and gain a son-in-law.

How many of you have a child? Have you ever looked at a child and thought they are just like their Mom or Dad? That happened to me. It hit me like a lightning bolt. The child was my daughter Summer and from the minute she was born I could read her like a book. From the minute she started mentally processing life, I could tell what she was thinking because her brain is very similar to mine.

It’s pretty scary to look at your offspring and realize uh-oh, we’re in trouble now!

One the first precocious things she did was when she was three years old and we brought home a baby brother named Logan and about the second night we were home went in to pick up Logan from the crib and she was standing on his crib and shaking it and saying “wake-up baby, wake-up.” Figured out that night, Summer, needed to be put in a different bedroom.

When she was born and through her early years we were always told that she looked like her dad. Now, I’ll let you decide.  In several ways she is like her dad, but I can still read her like a book.

Unlike me, Summer has always spoken her mind from a very young age.

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