Weedin 360

I had dinner with my Tia Lucia’s family last night at the legendary Andres Carne de Res. My cousin Bernardo told me there are two “must go” places in Colombia and they are the Gold Museum (check) and Andres (now check). This place is unbelievable. The food, the festivities, and the fun that spreads out over a vast area is pretty much indescribable…even for me;)

One thing I’ve learned on this trip (among many), is that when you are with “familia” it doesn’t take long to feel like you’ve known each other forever. It became obvious we all have the same blood flowing through us! What a wonderful group of people I get to call “familia.”

OK…enough mushy stuff. Here’s my review. When you go to Andres (next time you’re in the area, order the Lomo de Res (loin if beef). I was an idiot and didn’t take a picture of it. Thanks to my cousin’s wife Liliana for giving me the recommendation! The waiters keep bringing you other foods like empenadas and others that I can’t remember the name of. It’s that voodoo thing that you keep eating but more food keeps showing up!

One other tip. If you are with family and your native languages are different and you are all sitting at a large rectangular table, here’s what to do…

Park yourself squarely in the middle and put the best two English speakers next and across from you (gracias a Daniel y Laura). That way, you can just swivel your head and get great interpretations! That being said, I’ve found that most of my family (and most Colombians I’ve met) understand English very well even if they have trouble speaking it.

No rest on Sunday for me (which is fine). It’s off to the Finca to be with otros primos (other cousins). Mas manana!

P.S. I also got to meet our exchange student’s parents who made a special 2 1/2 hour trek from there home to meet me. These are wonderful people who are committed and sacrificed for their daughter to come to the States as a Rotary exchange student. I was touched and impressed by their humility and love.

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Twins?

After two wonderful days at the Hotel Sofitel, I was picked up by my cousins. The Hotel Sofitel must be the best hotel in Bogota…I can’t imagine better service. Thanks to Mario and his team for treating me so well.

I enjoyed another wonderful day. Here’s a quick rundown…

• I visited my Tia Lucia. I’m certain we met back in 1971, but I don’t remember. She is delightful and has a spectacular view of the city from her apartment. Going to have lunch with her today.
• Enjoyed the day with my primos (cousins) Maria Eugenia and Eduardo, my Tia Lolo who lives with them, and then got a chance to see their daughter and son-in-law Diana and Jorge. Diana is probably the one person I know best because she had visited the States on two occasions before, however the last one was almost 15 years ago!
• Was invited out to dinner with my cousin Alberto and his girlfriend Sandra. We went to an outstanding restaurant called Club Colombiano (I think). I had this out-of-bounds ( a good thing) seafood chowder in coconut milk. I think there must be some Colombian voodoo going on as it seemed like I kept eating and the bowl never went down! The food and especially the company was terrific. Many thanks to Sandra who helped us as “interpreter;” her English is perfect and Alberto and I can’t say the same about our opposite languages. A great night!

Today I will get to meet our exchange student’s parents. I think I will get to spend more time with them than I did with her when we picked her up!

One thing I learned that was interesting. In Colombia, there are two days of the week you can’t drive our car. Really. It’s based on the last number on your license plate. Depending on what days that falls in (other than weekends), you have to find another way around. The intent was to get fewer cars on the road, but the result was just the opposite. People started buying more cars so they could alternate when the other couldn’t be driven! The auto dealers must love this law.

That’s all for now. I will keep you updated on my adventures!

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

with my cousin Alberto and Sandra

View of the Park in Bogota

My first full day In Bogotá just rocked. The people are all wonderful and the food is out-of-bounds (that’s a good thing).

I met Mario, the General Manager of the hotel and he pointed me in the direction of a beautiful park right next to the hotel. It’s 2 and a half miles if you walk or run the entire thing. The sub came out and I took a walk mid-day. Sort of reminded me of Central Park – not as big but the variety of people and activity are the same. I saw jugglers, business people, mothers with kids, boys playing soccer, and a whole lot of dogs walking (Captain Jack and Bella can learn manners from these Colombian dogs).

I enjoyed a terrific massage in the hotel. I’ll tell you, a full day of traveling (especially 9 hours in the plane) can be brutal on body and mind, and the massage was a needed treat to be ready for today.

Now the food. I told you I got a tip on a great Colombian dish called Ajiaco (Ah-ee-yaco). It’s a chicken soup with Colombian potatoes, spices, capers, cream, and a whole lot of flavor. The capers are what brought it for me. The side dish was rice, corn on the cob, and a delicious slice of avocado. I think we should be doing more of the avocado on the side in our restaurants. I had a terrific house “tinto”…red wine with dinner. For dessert, I had Postre de Natas. No idea what it was but my server Tatiana recommended it and she was right! Not bad for a smooth $46,164. Oh…pesos. About $27 in dollars;)

I ended the evening meeting with one of my fellow speakers, Tim Ludwig. Tim is a professor and consultant out of North Carolina. He’s an expert in behavior science as it relates to safety o the job. I’m eager to hear him speak.

Well, now it’s game time. I’m ready to knock it out of the park for these folks. It will be a different experience using an interpreter. As you know, humor in stories is predicated on timing and gestures. I really use the audience reaction as part of my speaking. This might have a “delay” through being interpreted. I will let you know how it goes.

Another great day in Bogotá in store!

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

A beautiful morning here in Bogotá. As far as the weather goes, I might as well still be in Poulsbo or Seattle. It’s about 60 degrees, gray overcast, but very pleasant. It will probably get up to 65 or so today.

I ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant with the doors to the patio open so I could see the street. Like I said, with the weather, it seems like I’ve never left the Puget Sound. I ate a terrific scrambled eggs and bacon breakfast with a mocahchino. Hey, I’m in Colombia…I’ve got to have coffee, right? My favorite barista at Starbucks know I take decaf, however that didn’t seem to translate here. Full octane for me so I will be ready to prepare for my program tomorrow!

One thing I found unique that I didn’t expect. I watched a little television before turning in last night and I was surprised to find at least a third of not more of the channels were in English. CNN, TNT, and others were on just like on my TV at home and had Spanish subtitles. Heck, I watched the end of Flashdance on VH1 trying to brush up on my Spanish and reading the captions!

Full day to enjoy the hotel and prepare for my presentation. It’s advisable to any business traveler, especially if you are a speaker, to get to your destination a day in advance to relax and rejuvenate. Game time tomorrow!

I will keep you posted on my activities so you can learn a little more about this wonderful city and country!

P.S. The waiter gave me a great tip for dinner. I’ll let you know how it goes…

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

I’m on my last full day of my final Certified Risk Manager class to get my designation. I’m tired if these tests and can’t wait to get this one done. I feel like I’m back in college. A few random digressions on my trip as I prepare to start my day…

1. Thank goodness for GPS. My cousin let me borrow his pickup truck to drive into Dallas from his home 40 minutes away. I’m pretty positive without it I would have ended up somewhere in Oklahoma.

2. The American Airlines Conference Center is pretty good as a place to train. They have several groups here and the facilities work for those who need to study and relax in between. Other than that, we are in the middle of Nowhere, TX.

3. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is on day 30-something of over 100 degree weather. I spent last night about 9 pm relaxing out by the pool after 3 hours of studying. Even in oppressive weather conditions, you can find a time to enjoy where you are.

4. There is a group of life insurance agents from New York Life. I found it ironic that a few of them at a study break had to go outside to smoke. No commentary on smoking, I’m just saying…

5. The single key I have for the truck was sitting on a bookshelf above the table I’m currently typing on. Somehow in moving something, they fell into the trash. I’m glad I heard it. Can you imagine once the room was cleaned and I started looking for them? How many close calls do you have in business and your personal life every day? Are you paying attention?

Back to class….

Dan

You must first believe that the story I’m about to recount is being told without any exaggeration. You seriously can’t make this stuff up.

The dogs have an appointment to have their nails trimmed at the vet. My daughter Mindy is joining me and has the dogs on the dual leash and is going to sit in the back of the car with them. I (like a nice guy) open the back door so they can all pour in (reminder that Captain Jack is the dreaded Jack Russell). In order to accomplish this”nice guy” feat, I put my wallet and iPhone on the top of the car (I’m wearing gym shorts).

To get to the vet, it’s about a 20-minute drive which begins going down Finn Hill; through the stoplight at Viking Way; followed by a sharp left on to Bond Road (one of the busiest roads in the county as it leads to Kingston and the ferry terminal). Once on Bond Road, the speed limit is 35 miles per hour and I’m living at the limit with cars all around me. Mindy is in the back with the window rolled halfway down so Jack can stick his head out the window.

All of a sudden, I hear a thump. Mindy says, “Dad, where’s your phone?”

Me: I say, “I don’t know..why”

Mindy: “Because your wallet just flew in the window and hit me in the face. I think you left your phone and wallet on the roof of the car!”

Me: #!*&^$#

I find the next best spot to turn into. As I maneuver around to go back, Mindy says, “Check and see if it’s still on the roof.” I know it’s not, but at this point I’m grasping for luck. I jump out and right behind me flies Captain Jack. Luckily, he was still leashed and I grabbed him and threw him back inside. Back to the scene of the mishap we fled.

As I’m driving back, I know that the results will be dire. I envision my iPhone of 4 months strewn about this busy country road. Mindy guides me to about the place she remembers being hit by my wallet. “Look,” she exclaims. “On the road!” There, in the same lane I had been driving minutes ago, was a small black object. iPhone down! Cars were screaming by it at 35 mph (and then some). I pulled over (making sure Jack was secure this time) and got out. I put my hands out to stop traffic, which initially had only mild success. One side stopped and as the opposite car went by, all I could think was, “This last one will probably get it.” It didn’t. I bent down and retrieved my iPhone. I turned it over and hit the little button. There was Jack and Bella’s photo!

As I walked back to the car, I saw a familiar car coming the other way. My other daughter, Kelli was driving back with the kids she was babysitting. She would later tell me she thought, “Who’s that idiot in the middle of the road about to be hit by a car? Hey, I recognize that guy.” She pulled over to help me out, not knowing why I was on the side of the road. I motioned her on and got back in the car. Amazingly, the iPhone had no cracks, no dings, and only a minor scrape to the skin. It was basically as good as it had been when it slid off the car.

Go figure…

• How did the phone and wallet stay on top of the car as long as they did?
• What are the odds that the wallet happens to fall straight down into a half-open window recently vacated by a dog’s head and into my daughter’s lap (after hitting her in the face)?
• How is it possible that the cell phone manages to land squarely in the middle of the road, in one piece, so that all the cars driving by go right over the top of it?
• How did Mindy’s eagle eyes spy that “itty bitty” phone on the road?
• How did I NOT get hit by a car?

Serendipity.

Other than thanking St. Jude (the patron saint of lost causes – I don’t think there’s one for iPhones yet), I’ll have to chalk this one up to serendipity.

Are you paying attention to serendipity in your professional and personal life? What unbelievable events happen to you and are you taking advantage of them?

This was a close call for me. My risk management “hat” will allow me to use this story in some speech or article at some point as a metaphor for close calls. I’m certain I will find other uses. You need to stay in your moment and find ways to leverage serendipity that happens in your life. Whether it’s a speech, an article, or just a change in your life, make sure you take full advantage.

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

This week’s focus point -

Overcoming Resistance.

When we were on vacation in Washington D.C. six years ago, we were warned about the metro system. As you leave the train, all the “slow” people stay to the right, and the “fast” people play through on the left. Boy, were they right. Everyone who needed to get somewhere fast zipped past us like Dale Earnhardt Jr. The system worked because those on the go were not delayed and those who were tourists like us didn’t get trampled.

Getting off the ferry to go into Seattle last week, I recalled fondly that system. Unfortunately for me, there is NO system off the ferry. People walk with large bags, dawdle, stop mid-stride, and stroll in all areas of the walkway. They literally block all of those who are in a hurry to move and trying to gain speed and momentum. Guess which lane I want to occupy here!?

The same thing can happen to your speed and momentum in business. You will encounter resistance just like I did trying to get into the city. Instead of baby strollers and rolling luggage, you will run into people, systems, situations, competition, and plain bad luck all trying to derail you and impede your momentum. However, in my experience one of the biggest culprits of resistance comes from ourselves. We can be our own worst enemy and hinder our own progress. Lack of confidence, discouragement, stress, and impatience mask our own talent and cause us to quit before we should. “Resistance” can be an invidious condition and one that we need to recognize and hold fast against.

Today’s’ morale – make sure you’re playing in the fast lane and don’t let anything slow you down.

This week’s quote – “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
- Admiral David Farragut – a lifelong left-lane sprinter

I was deeply saddened today to hear of the passing of golf legend, Seve Ballesteros. As I reflect on the influence he had on me at a young age, I can’t help but think it went much deeper than golf.

Seve was my first golfing hero when I took up the game at 12 years old. He was young, dashing, confident, had great charisma, and was a Spaniard (I’m half Colombian with the Spanish genes). As I grew up playing golf, I always imagined playing like Seve. I picked up his swashbuckling, big risk-big reward style. Ironically, as I think about him today, I realize that style carried over into my personal and business life. Maybe his influence has a lot to do with how I’ve attacked my life, not just my golf game. He was also a terrific ambassador for the game and philanthropist. He passed way too young at 54 years old.

Seve exuded confidence, passion, flare, and was never afraid to take risks to reap rewards, As we all do, he sometimes failed. As Alan Weiss says, “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying.” Through my maturation as a golfer and as a person, I believe I took those characteristics with me into life. I can honestly thank the influence of Seve Ballesteros in my life.

Here’s a great video of one of his classic shots…

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

I belong to an outstanding professional community founded by my mentor, Alan Weiss. This group has over a thousand consultants, coaches, and entrepreneurs. It’s been a terrific place for me to gain new ideas, ask for suggestions, and increase my knowledge. It also has afforded me the opportunity to gain new friends.

I just received a voice mail from one of my colleagues from this group. She lives down in the Bay Area and knew that Easter was coming up and that this would be the first one without my father. She took a few minutes out of her day to say hello, check in on me, and offer support. I’ve met Simma in person only a couple of times, however we’ve connected for the past several years through Alan’s forums. Her reaching out literally made my day. It was a kindness that is often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world.

So my question to you (and to me) today is..who can you touch today? Who can use a bit of encouragement and you’re just the person to do it? Might be a family member, friend, colleague, associate, fellow employee, team member, or someone you just meet on the street. Regardless, don’t overlook the impact you can have in someone’s life with just a brief encounter and show of support.

I got mine today. I guess it’s my tun to do the same for someone else!

© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

My best wishes for all for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I hope you have a warm, safe, and well-fed day with your family and friends.

Dan