November, 13 2009

Ellen on the Cover of O

I am writing about this because of the significance of the choice to join Oprah on the cover of her magazine that Ellen made about a year ago. It seems that she picked something that she wanted that she thought was nearly impossible to achieve. At the point that she started talking about the O cover, no one but Oprah had ever been on the cover before. (Unbeknownst to Ellen, Oprah had invited the First Lady to join her on the cover.)

Why should Oprah have Ellen on her cover? I cannot think of one logical reason -- they have rival (sort of) talk shows, they aren't friends, Ellen isn't someone you would think of as a cover girl for an O magazine. But Ellen thought that it was a far out goal and she wanted to make it happen. AND SHE DID!

Thank you Ellen. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself and where I usually fall short on setting my goals really high by thinking about you and your goal. The slogan for my website is "Think Big, Do Big, Be Big." I guess they were words that I decided to apply only to my colleagues and clients but maybe not to myself because I often stop before "BIG" is achieved. While the earth would not stop rotating if Ellen didn't achieve her goal, it mattered to her and this month she is on the cover of "O" and she has demonstrated to the world that the impossible can happen. Your impossible can happen too. I hope you will re-think what you are assuming you can't have or be because you can have and be anything you set your mind to...go for it.

October, 28 2009

Halloween

It's almost halloween and I'm spooked all right. The world seems to be going crazy -- is it the blogging or the 24/7 news cycle or cable generally? People seem down right manic much of the time. What are they doing to themselves and to each other. Cool heads need to prevail. We need to watch old Marx Brothers movies or something light and funny to get our perspective back.

Life is supposed to be way more fun than it seems at the moment.

Did you know that you can't be angry and laugh at the same time? Did you know that scientists have actually found that smiling changes your physiology? Do you realize how much you control the content of what comes into your life?

I seem to be forgetting this latter point myself. I have great books on my shelves that beg to be read or re-read that will transport me to beautiful places. I have music and art that could distract me.

My commitment is to learn, live and love with all the passion that I can muster for the time that I have here on earth. Yours?

October, 14 2009

Customer Service -- Arggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh

Doesn't anyone care anymore? I have just had my latest bout with SunTrust Bank, which seems totally uncaring about keeping long-term customers. I have never bounced a check. I keep a hefty deposit in my money market account, but they just don't care. They'll charge me money for the dubious distinction of keeping MY money in their bank.

I heard from a colleague this morning that her insurance company has finally decided [u]after 10 months [/u]that she is eligible for a surgical procedure on her back, which will greatly reduce her pain. Up until this injury, she hardly any claims at all. How dare they?

It's just a little past noon. I'll probably hear more or experience more thoughtlessness before the day is done.

When will it end? Large companies were caught with their pants down. They were unethical, greedy, irresponsible and thoughtless for a decade and then the economy tubed and much of what they did was uncovered. BUT...nothing has changed, has it?

I heard about some poor guy, who bounced his first check EVER because he was $.27 overdrawn. The fees were staggering from his bank and the establishment's bank etc. 27 CENTS! Where was the official in the bank who could help him with that. How do these people sleep at night when they won't reverse something like this.

Where is customer SERVICE? We must do better and we must demand more.

September, 28 2009

Assume opportunity exists

We have become accustomed to hearing bad news and even though we don't intend for it to, it affects how we feel about opportunity. It closes us down to possibility. I know for a fact about a number of businesses that are having their best year ever and about others that are having a great time when others are spewing doom and gloom. What are they doing?

1. They see (and seek) solutions.

2. They play the "What-if" game and imagine potential.

3. I have been writing about the importance of withholding judgement for a long time. If we just see our reality without defining it, it is the first step in arriving at some action steps. It's important not to judge the solutions or the situation. I say..."it is what it is!" Go from there.

4. Don't edit when you are brainstorming -- put it all on the table and play with the pieces.

5. Know your strengths.

6. Get excited. Enthusiasm is a wonderful tool.

7. Prepare to amaze.

We all know of the stories where people have done all of these. It isn't magic -- it's commitment to the process and a belief in ourselves. GO for it!!!!