Extra Points – Preparation
Preparation.
Last week, Barb and I spent 4 days and 3 nights in New York City. On Tuesday, it was the Occupy Movement Day to protest whatever it is they are protesting. The participants of Occupy New York gathered in Bryant Park next to the Bank of America. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to take in the park and watch the “festivities.” Although, sirens were constantly going, the march and protesting was all peaceful. Nobody got out of line.
When we got back to our hotel, we were shocked and dismayed to see Seattle was in disarray. Protesters were breaking glass on cars, throwing bricks through storefronts, and basically creating havoc and mayhem. It dawned on me that I was safer in New York than in Seattle!
New York is the safest big city in the world. Even before 9/11, they have been prepared for insurgency and terrorism; riots and unrest; and everything in between. This May Day event was small potatoes for a group that is prepared, focused, and committed to keeping people safe. Seattle and other cities can learn a few things.
So can all of us in business. Being unprepared is negligent. Not knowing how to respond to an objection in a sales call; not having your technology prepared and tested prior to a speech; and not being ready to deliver orders when you marketed for just that eventuality is bad business. Run your business more like New York runs their police team – be prepared, be be focused, and be committed.
This week’s quote - “My interest is in the future because I’m going to spend the rest of my life there.” Charles Kettering
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Alan Weiss in Los Angeles – June 7th
If you’ve been following me or been part of my community for the past 6 years, you know that Million Dollar Consulting ® author, Alan Weiss is my professional mentor.He is arguably the most successful solo practitioner consultant ever, and has been mentoring and coaching consultants and entrepreneurs for the past 16+ years. Alan is putting on a nearly free, full-day workshop on the West Coast, and you should consider attending.
Click here to learn more and register
If you’re a consultant, business owner, entrepreneur, speaker, or author, this is a must see. For only $100, you get a day filled with tremendous value that will help you accelerate your business. Invest in yourself and your company. Join me at the event and walk away with more than you can imagine to keep growing professionally and personally.
Alan Weiss and me
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
New York Journal # 3
Great day on Tuesday. Barb and I spent the morningworking with my professional mentor, Alan Weiss. I highly recommend thistype of involvement with a coach or mentor to re-define, reinvent, and focus energy.
We were done about noon, which gave us more time to hang around the city. We walked around Madison Avenue and Bryant Park. The city was full of Occupy protesters and police. Although we were constantly hearing sirens, all that we saw was peaceful marching and no issues. We never felt unsafe. Unfortunately, in my home city of Seattle, a bunch of lunatics thought it made sense to break store and car windows and cause general mayhem and havoc. Go figure, I was safer in New York than in Seattle while wandering the streets.
New York does it right as far as protection. The police everywhere, and I mean everywhere. They are also much better prepared and forward thinking. Certainly, they have every reason to be, but Seattle and Portland can learn a lesson.
We went out do dinner last night with Alan and his wife and then to Evita on Broadway. Elena Roger is the first Argentinian to play Eva Peron on Broadway and she was brilliant. I also thought Ricky Martin performed admirably. All in all, a terrific production.
Today is travel day. Raining like Seattle, so we feel at home…
2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
New York Journal # 2
Monday was play day in “The City” for Barb and me. Her first time in New York and we wore out our shoes! Here is a quick snapshot of what we did…
- Met with the sister of a good friend who works at Viacom in Times Square. We atebreakfast with her and got a nice tour of the Paramount Pictures preview theatre and other cool things, including Forrest Gump’s bench.
- We went to the Top of the Rock…Rockefeller Center. Some 70+ stories in the air, we had the best 360 degree view of the area. It was a beautiful day, so ideal to view Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and New Jersey.
- We attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
- I bought a very cool fedora after gaining text affirmation from my daughters.
- Lunch at the Pershing Cafe next to Grand Central Station. We also “toured” Grand Central, including the market.
- A hike to Central Park, where we found a comfy bench and relaxed in the sun.
- A fun night with friends who live here – Times Square and then a subway trip to Soho to eat at the oldest pizzeria in the country, Lombardi’s. We ate….pizza!
That was a full day. Stay tuned for our further adventures…
2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
New York Journal # 1
One and a quarter days into our Big Apple experience and we are having a simply terrific time. Just like to famed “New York” minute, our time her has flown by. Let me give you a recap…
- We arrived on Sunday late afternoon. We were picked up by the town car and I started a conversation with the driver, Eduardo. Turns out he’s from Colombia (my heritage) and we had a great conversation. He gave me a chance to practice my conversational Spanish, and I did pretty well if I say so myself!
- Sunday night we walked over to Rockefeller Center. The line was too long to go to the top and watch the sunset, so we found a great little burger joint and grabbed dinner. The place is inside Rock Center and is called Bob’s Burger & Brews. I had a juicy burger, but substituted the brew for a smooth Malbec. Nice way to start.
- We are staying at the Princeton Club in Manhattan. The reciprocal arrangement with the Washington Athletic Club gave us the opportunity. It’s a nice place in a superb location right near Times Square. One of the cool things about it is outside they fly several school flags. A University of Washington is proudly flying the purple and gold among them. I feel right at home!
That wa just Sunday. I’m getting prepared to visit Alan Weiss for the business part of my trip. After that, I will catch you up on a whirlwind Monday.
P.S. for some reason, my photo stream from my iPhone to iPad doesn’t seem to be streaming. Photos will follow…
Chao for now!
Extra Points – Opportunity Knocks
View from Central Park
Opportunity Knocks….
As you are receiving this week’s Extra Points and reading it, I am somewhere in New York City. My guess is Barb and I are having breakfast somewhere in Times Square. We are in The City both for business and pleasure. On Tuesday, we spend the day with my professional mentor, Alan Weiss. I am undergoing an “immersion” day with him that will likely leave my head spinning and overwhelmed with ideas and projects. That’s one of the reasons I brought Barb – to help me stand back up! I am excited because these days with Alan are always extremely valuable to my growth professionally and personally.
I am also here to have a small vacation with Barb. We were supposed to be in New York last year to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Life happened – my dad got sick and passed away; my mother moved in with us; and business and other adventures made it impossible to re-schedule. So it is. But, opportunity often does knock more than once, and when the option to meet Alan in New York “knocked,” we answered!
Two morals to this story – First, opportunity knocks more than once. In fact, opportunity knocks every day numerous times and probably wonders why nobody is home. Are you prepared to answer it? Second – Find ways to mix work and pleasure whenever you can. As Alan says, “You don’t have a personal life and a professional life. You have a life. Get on with it.” There’s no rule that says you have to split these up. Find great places and open the door to opportunity when it knocks and take advantage of your time.
Opportunity may knock often, but you can’t make up for that lost day. Make every day a great “at bat!”
This week’s quote - “The good old days weren’t always so good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.” American philosopher Billy Joel (he can also play the piano pretty well)
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
Off to the Big Apple
I am heading out for New York to meet with my professional mentor, Alan Weiss. It’s my turn to jump in the “total immersion” pool. I have a ton of new “irons” percolating in the fire and I need help to get them moving in the right direction. You can’t be brilliant by yourself.
The timing is right. I’ve had a terrific first quarter, but the game is just starting for the year. Forward momentum is crucial for business. When I coached basketball, my biggest in-game concern was always momentum. I always substituted and made changes based on who had the momentum, which can change in an instant. In fact, we had specific practice drills to emphasize momentum. It was that important. It’s that important for your business, too.
What are you doing in the 2nd quarter of your game to build momentum, not just try to maintain? The end of halves are vital in basketball games, and in business games.
Alan Weiss and me
If you’re not careful and become complacent, you’re in danger of having the pendulum swing. It becomes really hard to turn it back, and requires effort, time, and often money.
I hope you will be keeping track of me as I bounce around the Big Apple. I am happy to be taking Barb for her very first trip. Pictures, posts, and surprises to follow on this blog right here! Stay tuned!
© 2012 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved
