Archive
Extra Points – Transitions
This week’s focus point… 
Transitions
Today is the day my mother moves out of our home and into a memory care/skilled facility. After 2 years of living with us at our home, Barb and I knew the time was now to transition. Her care was about to exceed our pay grade. It will be best for her from a comfort, care, and mobility outlook. It will also be a relief for Barb and me.
Transitions can be bittersweet. They often involve tough decisions and a commitment to the benefit of the most. They also involve consequences. For us, a “hidden” consequence is that the dogs have come to love her and I know they will miss her. They did when she was recovering from a hospital stay. But dogs are resilient and they move on with transitions often better than humans do.
Your career has probably seen transitions. Even if it didn’t entail a job change, your position changes in order to grow, develop, and reward you. It also creates its own “hidden” consequences that you might see right away, or may not manifest themselves for years. That’s part of living and transitioning.
Don’t fear transitions. Most times they are to ultimately change and reward you. You just have to be open to that change and willing to burst through that door.
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That’s relativity.”
- Albert Einstein
Extra Points – Unsolicited Advice
Unsolicited advice
Don’t accept unsolicited advice. As my professional mentor, Alan Weiss reminded us at his Seattle event last week, unsolicited advice is for the giver of the advice, not the recipient. Only accept advice from people who you want to gain advice from. As a member in Toastmasters, I accept advice from fellow members because it’s implicit in my membership. I don’t accept advice from someone I don’t know after walking off the platform when I speak. I accept advice from my mastermind group because I value and respect their opinions and it’s again implicit as part of that group. I don’t accept advice or comments through the internet where someone is anonymously hiding behind an avatar (see electronic comments on newspaper articles). Choose wisely who you take suggestions and advice from. They need to have gained your trust and respect in whatever it is they are mentoring or coaching you on (or even simply giving advice).
One additional note. Don’t get angry by people’s comments or “advice” on social media sites like Facebook. If you posted something, you have given the right to everyone seeing it to weigh in. It has now become “solicited!” I am constantly amused by people who are agitated by other’s comments on their life when they put themselves out there. If you don’t want to take comments on your life or business, don’t post on Facebook, Twitter, or Linked In. If you are looking to be provocative and edgy, be ready to take the heat. Unless of course the heat comes form someone you don’t know hiding behind a green Martian’s face…
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
- Mark Twain
Extra Points – Chasing the Rabbit
Chasing the Rabbit
Captain Jack
I admit to being an NFL geek. I watched the NFL Draft on Saturday as the Seahawks had about a gazillion picks to make. It was worth it when I heard former NFL head coach and ESPN Monday Night Football announcer, Jon Gruden tell a rookie quarterback…
“If the dog hadn’t stopped to take a crap, he would have caught the rabbit.”
Now, THAT is wisdom!
Here’s why. The dog takes off on a mission to catch the rabbit. The rabbit himself is fast and tough to catch to begin with. The dog stops to do his duty and the rabbit speeds on. The dog misses out on the rabbit and the rewards of catching the rabbit.
You start off on a new mission/objective/goal/initiative/dream (you pick one). The objective is going to be tough to attain to begin with. You are going fast and then something distracts or stops you. Seems like it’s important at the time. By the time you get going back again, you’ve lost momentum; lost passion; lost direction; and ultimately lost your rabbit and reward.
You, in your professional and personal life, are constantly setting goals and objectives. Too bad you’re allowing things to distract you and keep you from reaching them. More often than not, these distractions are of your own doing. It doesn’t have to be that way. You have control, you just need to be resilient, focused, and passionate. There’s always time to ‘um…”take a crap” later!
Go catch that rabbit!
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man.”
– H. L. Mencken
Extra Points – Resiliency
Resiliency 
Last week was a bad week in this country…
First we had the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon and subsequent events that killed 4 people, injured hundreds, and altered thousands of lives. A few days later, the explosion at a fertilizer plant killed 12 people (most of them first responders) and again injuring and affecting hundreds. Throw in a couple of earthquakes outside the United States and it was a crisis filled and emotional week.
One thing is absolutely certain, however, and it was proven again this week. We are a resilient people. We care, we sacrifice, we take care of each other. Hundreds of marathon runners kept running past the finish line to donate blood; bystanders put themselves in harm’s way to aid injured people; and as Boston showed, a city completely shut down in an effort to protect its people and seek justice. Regardless of who we are, where we come from, our political point of view, or our age, we are resilient and know what to do in the face of crisis. We band together for the greater good, lick our wounds, care for those who have lost, and keep moving forward.
One final thought. My great-grandfather was a police officer in Seattle in the early 1900′s. He was killed on the Seattle streets in the line of duty (and eventually had a street named after him). We saw in Boston and in Waco that law enforcement, fire fighters, medical staff, and other professionals who are first responders put their lives on the line every day for our protection and safety. Thanks to all of you who bravely put your life on the line for us…
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.”
- Francois De La Rochefoucauld
Extra Points – Perspective
This week’s focus point…
Perspective
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for my high school alma mater. Earlier this month, a lady who graduated 10 years before me (and whom I did not know), died tragically near Seattle when someone going over 100 MPH the wrong way hit her head on. The son of my 6th grade teacher and first basketball coach was killed in Alaska. Then in back to back days last week, we lost classmates who I went to school with going all the way back to grade school. Then on Friday, this state lost two coaching legends (Marv Harshman and Frosty Westering) on the same day hours apart.
This memo isn’t about regrets or tears. It’s about understanding that we don’t have limitless days in front of us. None of us knows when those days will end, but we do know they don’t last forever.
I think there is nothing more sobering than wasted opportunity. In many cases, we know it right at the moment it happens. With life, we don’t. It’s easy to get thinking that tomorrow will always come and “someday” will always come. For my classmates, “someday” is over.
You and I are here today. This may be something you’ve heard before, but if you’re like me, it’s easy to overlook. Don’t waste days. Don’t waste opportunities. Don’t stay mad. Don’t be negative.
Instead, spend time with your family and friends; create new memories; attack every day like it’s a new adventure; and keep a smile on your face. If you’re reading this, you are as fortunate as I am because we have been blessed. Take advantage of each day and run the race with great passion and enthusiasm.
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote –
“Make the big time where you are.”
- Frosty Westering, former head football coach at Pacific Lutheran University
Extra Points – Runs, Hits, and Errors
Runs, Hits, and Errors
I’m writing this Extra Points on Saturday morning, while watching Felix Hernandez pitch for the Mariners against the Chicago White Sox. 3B Kyle Seager booted a routine ground ball for an error with 2 outs. While it didn’t end up costing the Mariners a run in that inning, it did have hidden consequences.
Mariners broadcaster Mike Blowers recalled a conversation with former Mariners skipper, Lou Piniella. Piniella said that errors have a consequence, even if a run never scores because it adds to the pitch count for the pitcher. Especially early in a season, pitchers are on a strict pitch count as to not overwork their arms and cause injury. In all the years of watching baseball, I’d never considered this.
The same is ultimately true in your business or career. Your own “errors” end up having consequences that are not readily apparent. Often, our mistakes aren’t realized immediately until those consequences catch up to us. Even if we do know we “booted a grounder,” if we can recover quickly we feel we got out of our jam.
This week’s quote -
- Tom Landry, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys
Extra Points – April Fools Day
Fools Gold
April Fools Day.
One of my favorite days, especially because it’s my wife’s birthday. I’ve always teased her because she is an April Fools baby and I was a New Years Eve baby, which means everyone parties on my birthday, and plays practical jokes on hers. Fortunately, she sees the humor in it and can laugh along with me. Believe me, I give her plenty of ammunition to poke fun at me!
I remember years ago (back in the mid-1980s), Sports Illustrated ran a featured story on a pitcher by the name of Sidd Finch. The Curious Case of Sidd Finch was written by prize-winning journalist, George Plimpton and chronicled the unbelievable story of this guy who had a 168 mph fastball and was trying to make the New York Mets staff. It was a 14-page article that caught like wildfire (in the non-Internet dark days). Of course, it was a hoax, but as is the case with much jocularity when the propaganda is so outlandish, many people fell for it only to be told, “April Fools Day!” One of my favorite stories almost 30 years later.
The ability to laugh at one’s self is priceless. It’s actually not fool’s gold, but the real McCoy. In good times and challenging times, laughter and humor can save us from despair, depression, and disgust. Being able to laugh at yourself instead of someone else is a true test of your ability to have humor. I hope this April Fools Day, you will take some time out of the day to have a hearty laugh and a full sense of humor.
This week’s quote -
“A fool and his money are easily parted.”
- Mark Twain
Extra Points – Madness. Memory. Momentum
Madness. Memory. Momentum 
“Great players have short memories.”
The words of CBS college basketball analyst (and former Supersonic), Greg Anthony as he was talking about Ohio State star, Aaron Craft. Craft made a game winning shot against Iowa State with less than a second left in the March Madness tournament. Anthony is absolutely right. Great players always put the failures of the past behind them and move towards success on the next play. That’s exactly why I’ve never become a great golfer!
In watching the Gonzaga game Saturday night, many folks around here are calling Gonzaga “chokers.” In reality, in a game where there were three distinct momentum shifts, Wichita State had theirs at the right time…at the end of the game. The Shockers made 3-pt baskets like they were layups for the last 3 minutes of the game, as momentum swung furiously in their favor.
To be successful in business and life, you need both a short memory and momentum. On the latter, you can successfully keep momentum going with activities and behaviors that you know work, but sometimes are tough to keep doing. Keeping your head down and doing the right things consistently and intentionally will keep those momentum bursts on your side of the court. On the former, the best way to keep ding all those right things is to have a short memory. Forget the rejections; forget the naysayers; forgot when people say you can’t; forget unsolicited advise; and forget the speed bumps that are there to slow you down.
I love basketball for so many reasons, but one of them is clearly the lessons it teaches off the court. If you want to be successful in your life – professional and personal – keep momentum on your side and have a little selective amnesia.
Next!
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“We an have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else.”
- John Wooden
Extra Points – Thinking Big
Think Big
What happens to kids as they grow up?
For most kids (us included), they spend the better part of their youth fearless. Think back to 2nd and 3rd grade. Kids don’t have a whole lot of trouble being brutally candid, eager to try new things, willing to suffer the consequences of their losses and ecstatic to revel in their successes. As I speak to this age group on a semi-regular basis in my role as a school board president, I notice that our young friends seem relentless in the pursuit of happiness, regardless of what lies in front of them.
As adults, somehow we become cowards. We over think, we over worry, we care about what others might think, we care about what they might say, or we are scared we might get “found out.” Because of all of this, we often think small. We never do those things that we dream of – writing a book, starting a business, taking a trip around the world, or whatever that “thing” is for you.
I have good friends who just took off to live in Paris for a year. They’ve owned their own business, been highly successful, and have the funds to do it. You might say, “Well Dan, with all of that, what is there to be fearful about?” Plenty. They leave their business, their friends, their family, their comfort, and everything else that they know. They don’t know what’s in store for them when they get there or when they get back. But, they went. And I enjoy following their adventures on their blog.
What about you? Do you think big enough or does fear stop you in your tracks? Why not find a little fountain of youth within you and instead of saying “why,” say “why not me?” Life is short and unpredictable. Every one of us has unfulfilled dreams on our own bucket list. Start today by being a kid and thinking BIG!
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.”
- Pope John XXII
Extra Points – The Beat Goes On
The Beat Goes On
Last Friday night, I had the honor of serving as the Master of Ceremonies for a fundraising event called “Poulsbo’s Got Talent.” This off course is a knock off version of the popular television show “America’s Got Talent.” The competition featured 17 acts that all involved either singing or dancing. There were individuals, bands, old, and young…all coming to have some fun and show their “stuff.”
What impressed me so much was what I witnessed in all the acts, regardless of age or talent. What made each one of them so good was how easy they made everything look. For instance, there was a duo of high school aged boys who did a sort of dueling percussion routine. One would give his bit, and the other would (without a word being spoken) basically say “Oh yeah?” and do his deal. They were both brilliant and really had the crowd engaged and captivated. They did all of this was a grace and an ease about them. So much so that you’d think, “That doesn’t look that hard.” Based on my horrible drumming abilities as displayed at Seattle’s Experience Music Project, I know that is NOT the case.
What makes you valuable to others is that you are able to make the hard look easy; the complex look simple; and the chaos look calm. That’s why people use your services. They can’t do what you do, and you are able to make it happen quickly, efficiently, and without stress.
In order to be at the top of your game, you need to make sure people know how you can help them; show them the value you create; and basically turn the problem into a solution quickly. Now, you may not have a crowd screaming they love you while cheering for an encore, BUT you just might have a lot of money going into your bank account and business that needs no encore!
© 2013 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
This week’s quote -
“You know the good old days weren’t always so good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”
– Billy Joel from “Keeping the Faith”
