Archive
Providence Journal #1
I love technology.
Here I am at somewhere around 25,000 feet (give or take a foot) pecking away on my laptop and working on the Internet. Makes these cross-country flights much more productive and fun.
I’ve posted a survey on my Facebook page. I asked my “peeps” a question about visiting cities. Basically, if you are at an airport and have a 3-hour plus layover, does that count as a city you’ve visited? My reason for asking is that I’ve been to many an airport where I’ve dined at excellent restaurants, watched games at the sports bar while sipping on a local beer; purchased “stuff,” and basically acted as if I were a tourist. Shouldn’t any of this count towards plopping that pin on the map saying you were there? Does driving through the panhandle of Idaho mean you’ve been to Idaho even if it takes less time than an airport layover? Just asking…
I’ve received fun and humorous comments on my Facebook page. I hope they keep coming. What do you think?
By the way, I will be chronicling my trip to Providence as I always do with my trips. The main event is Friday when I will be at an Alan Weiss workshop, which I am looking forward to as always. More to come…
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Too Much In Your Face(book)
When Facebook started years ago (not really sure because now it seems to have been around forever) it was for college kids. They posted what school they went to, who they were partying with, and what they would do
over the summer. Then the adults figured it out. And according to many young people…ruined it. I’m starting to think they are right.
Here’s what adults have inflicted on Facebook…
- Facebook has become a venue for a plethora of sappy posters, ramblings, and other inanities. Last year, I had to block all the dumb games. Now my News Feed is filled with these posters. I’ve found one that was funny and I passed it on. Ironically it was on social media. The rest are mostly awful. Now, they are all over the place!
- It’s election season and I may have to take a 6-month hiatus. It’s bad enough to see a gazillion signs littered around our streets; horrid and often inaccurate commercials; and political debates that have become a circus. Now, I get to see every party – Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Tea Party, Tea Drinkers, and the Field – tell me their opinions and attitudes. I get the right to voice your opinion and overall, that’s okay. The problem is the way it now is delivered. This leads me the next bullet point…
- If you’re having a political conversation or discussion in person, you have more at stake to be civil. Now, even with your profile picture showing, it seems acceptable to talk like a belligerent drunk. Bad language, name calling, and vitriol unleashed. It used to be that Facebook was on par with walking around a cocktail party. Now, its 1:30 in the morning in a bar and chairs are flying.
- I don’t care if you are a Republican or Democrat (or one of the others); Pro-Life or Pro-Choice; For Gay Marriage Against Gay Marriage; Baby Boomer or Gen Xer; Like Cats or Hate Cats; Like the Patriots or Hate the Patriots; or on any side of any controversy; do yourself a favor. Be nice. Don’t think that just because someone may have a different opinion than you (and on Facebook you have no idea), that they are damaged. You never know who may be reading and how it may affect your ability to do business with them, or even to remain friends. I think the kids get this better than the adults do.
While I’m firmly positioned on my Soap Box, I’m going to continue…what the heck…I’m probably being “DE-friended” all over the place:
- Think twice about posting a picture of you with a huge cocktail in front of you as your profile picture. Yes, you’re undoubtedly well over 21 years old and it’s legal for you to drink. Just remember that a growing number of employers check out Facebook profiles prior to hiring. Even if they can’t see your wall, they can see your profile picture. Just saying…
- Think about what you can do to enhance relationships and improve others personally and professionally (for you business people), rather than insulting the other person’s intelligence.
- Voice your opinion. Just don’t assume the people on the other side (normally pretty close to 50%) is damaged. They just have a different opinion. Voice your opinion maturely.
- Don’t swear or curse (and that includes all the funky acronyms and spellings – we get it). It doesn’t ever show well for you.
- Use this amazing technology to re-connect with family and friends; help others in their business; promote the value your business can offer others; learn about others; promote your favorite charities; and share photos of your life with your friends.
- Be careful what you say. You never know who is reading. Be certain you’re willing to standby what you say and how you said it.
Okay, I’m stepping off my Soap Box. Facebook is about to go public. I’m certain it’s because they see a huge opportunity to make money as they watch adults turn this once innocuous platform for kids into a place where adults can aggressively spar and spit while sitting comfortably behind their computer screen or cell phone. As 2012 moves closer to elections, my guess is it will only get worse. My guess is that when it does, many adults and kids alike will begin to be more careful about who they “hang out” with…
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Bogota Journal # 2
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
Bogota Journal #1
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
Random Digressions from Dallas
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
Serendipity at its Finest – You Can’t Make this Up!
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
You’re the Inspiration
Twenty-five years ago today, on a beautiful first day of summer in Oak Harbor, WA, I married my best friend (in today’s lingo, my BFF).
As we sat at home watching television last night, we discussed how we never knew a quarter of a century later, that we’d have two daughters in college, be living in Poulsbo, and my mother would be living with us. The only thing that had come between us was our dogs (literally).
Relationships of any kind are fragile. People are motivated by different things, events change, feelings are hurt, and both joys and crises are shared. In today’s world, somewhere about half of marriages fail. One of the reasons I believe ours hasn’t is because we dated for so many years prior to get married (even though we married at 21 years old). She definitely saw me at my best and worst! Even though today marks 25 years of wedded bliss, this September we will have been together 29 years. There is something to be said for cultivating trusting relationships. They take time, perseverance, forgiveness, humility (still working on mine as she might attest), humor, understanding, and the ability to face crisis as a team. Take a look at your best relationships – both personal and professional – and I’m certain you will find those characteristics.
Today, I honor my BFF. Thank you Barb for 25 years of marriage, for putting up with all of my “idiosyncrasies:” my wild hairs; my golf outings; my sports watching; my inability to cook but my willingness to eat; for holding my “stuff” while we sit at games; and for all those other things that get lost in translation during the course of 4,380 days. I love you.
P.S. to Leo who I know reads this blog – she loved it! Thanks for your help…
© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Extra Points – On Overcoming Resistance
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
Class by Cuban
I just finished watching the Dallas Mavericks vanquish the Lebron-led (or not led) Miami Heat. I can tell you that there is a stark difference in class. First, you’ve got the mega-hyped, Lebron James who held “The Announcement” last year to bolt from Cleveland. Everyone outside of South Beach was rooting against him.
Mark Cuban is the bombastic owner of the Dallas Mavericks. He just won his first NBS championship and what’s he do? He invites the club’s original owner, Donald Carter, to receive the championship trophy on stage. That’s class.
Leadership is about actions. Mark Cuban showed tremendous leadership, character, and class tonight.
© 2011 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Alan Weiss Northwest Groupies
Days like this in Seattle have been few and far between. The small group we had of Northwest consultants spent the day sharing successes, challenges, strategies, and techniques. We are all part of Alan Weiss’s consulting community and regularly get together as a group to help our businesses grow. This was a terrific day both from a weather and professional development standpoint. The attendees in addition to myself were Libby Wagner (Seattle), Bobby Bakshi (Seattle), Rick Pay (Portland), Jackie Bonner (Seattle), and Connie Siu (Vancouver BC).
