2008 November

Monthly Archives: November 2008

What Are You Measuring?

Posted by Grant on November 26, 2008 – 6:40 am

I’ve heard it said before that “What gets measured gets done.” Very true!

At the beginning of the year, I set several business/personal related goals for myself and I’m at the point now, where I’m sitting down and reviewing them and the progress that I’ve made. It feels great to see how far we’ve come in a variety of areas, but now I’m beginning to look towards 2009.

And as I create goals for the New Year, I’m keeping in mind how I will measure progress. A lot of times we set goals, but we never determine how we’re doing in accomplishing those goals.

We say things like, “My goal is to make more money.” Good, the rest of us want to do that too! Or “I want to get better grades.” Great, so does everyone else. Or “I want to lose weight.” You get the idea…

The point is unless you are being specific enough that you can measure progress, you won’t accomplish that goal. If your goal is to make more money, determine how much more money you want to make. Better grades? Make it measurable. “I want to have at least a 3.5 GPA.” Now you can track if you’re making progress. Interested in losing weight? How much weight? Put a number with it.

Once you begin paying attention and make your goals measureable, you’ll pay closer attention and work harder at accomplishing them.

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POLL: Favorite Thanksgiving Food Item?

Posted by Grant on November 25, 2008 – 8:23 am

Filed under Random

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7 Things I Wouldn’t Miss If They Disappeared…

Posted by Grant on November 25, 2008 – 6:06 am

Filed under Uncategorized

I know this week is Thanksgiving, and we’re all supposed to be sentimental about what we are thankful for. And if you read my post yesterday called 11 Things I Can’t Live Without, then you know I have plenty to be thankful for!

But today, I’m going to flip the script and share with you 7 Things I Wouldn’t Miss If They Disappeared…

Taxes – they are a necessary evil in life, but I still hate sending big chunks of cash to them.
Country Music – I don’t understand it, but my wife loves it. Pray for her.
Cooked Carrots – this is one of the only foods that completely disgusts me. I’m fine with raw carrots but cooked carrots are repulsive…
Starbucks Coffee – I’m not a coffee drinker, so I haven’t experienced this “Kool-Aid” that everyone else drinks…
Political Ads – I know we’re past that season, but I think we were all a little sick and tired of them.
Dirty Diapers – I change my fair share of these, but on more than one occasion, my life has been in danger due to the smells they produce
Car Repairs – someone should invent a car that has the ability to heal itself. That’d be awesome…

What would be on your list?

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11 Things I Can’t Live Without…

Posted by Grant on November 24, 2008 – 8:29 am

Filed under Thinking Out Loud...

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches this week, of course we’re all reminded to be thankful for how blessed we are. And so I wanted to give you the opportunity to share what it is in your life that you just can’t live without. But there’s a catch…

We’re all thankful for family, good health, roofs over our heads, and things like oxygen. So beyond the obvious things you’re thankful for, what is it that you just can’t live without?

Here’s what I came up with (in no particular order)…

My cell phone – how did we ever function without cell phones?
My laptop – it’s pretty much got my life on it, so yeah…
Skype – when I’m on the road, this is what I use to video chat with my girls back home. And I also harass my sister who is in Scotland via Skype…
Hampton Inn – when I travel, I love staying here…you can read more about my affection for this hotel here: What You Can Learn From Hampton Inn.
$.89 Dr. Pepper from McDonalds – this is one of the best values anywhere…I would never eat McDonald’s food, but they have the best fountain Dr. Peppers, for the best price.
Netflix – every time a red Netflix envelope arrives, it’s like Christmas morning!
$1.51 Gas – I can’t believe it’s that cheap right now…
Strawberry Cream Slush from Sonic – if you haven’t tried one of these, you’re missing out…they are heavenly
Albert Pujols – In case you don’t know, he plays for the St. Louis Cardinals…my team. I have a man crush on him. Don’t judge me.
Pumpkin Loaf from Starbucks – I’ve got to figure out how they make it so dense and moist…it’s delicious
The Office – easily the best show on television right now. Thank you Michael Scott…

What would be on your list?

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I’m Glad I Had A Camera Phone For This Moment…

Posted by Grant on November 21, 2008 – 8:00 am

Filed under Funny

I mentioned it in a status update yesterday, but while walking through the food court at the mall, a moment occurred that I’m glad I was able to witness. Some employees were fiddling with a faucet when apparently something busted and water began spraying everywhere! While this picture doesn’t do it justice, it was a great moment!

You can see the water spraying up, but unfortunately you don’t get the full effect of smoke coming from the light that was being sprayed and the two teenage employees in sheer panic as the food court watched on. Good times…

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Excellence Is In The Details…

Posted by Grant on November 19, 2008 – 8:09 am

Filed under Thinking Out Loud...

Everyone knows to pay attention to the big things that everyone sees.

But true excellence isn’t found in the obvious things, but rather in the details. When you begin to pay attention and go the extra mile on something, people take notice.

Think of this when you go to a restaurant…you notice the details don’t you?

You notice when the temperate of your food isn’t quite right. You notice if there is a lipstick stain on your glass. You notice if there is a hair in your food.

All of these are small, seemingly insignificant details that can really affect your overall dining experience.

The same thing is true in your life.

You notice when someone remembers your birthday. You also notice when someone forgets it. You notice when someone sends you a card just to let you know they care. You notice when someone goes out of their way to help you or be kind to you. You notice all the little things that make a big difference.

Be willing to go the extra mile. Don’t settle for an average, mediocre effort. Pay attention to the little things and people take notice.

Excellence is in the details…

What are some small, simple things that people have done for you that you took notice of?

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One Of The Strangest Names For Something I’ve Ever Seen

Posted by Grant on November 17, 2008 – 1:14 pm

Filed under Thinking Out Loud...

Yesterday I finished speaking in Richmond, IN and was driving through the country back to Indianapolis to catch a flight home. As I was driving, I crossed a creek and I kid you not, the name was…

Nameless Creek

I guess that’s Indiana for you. Maybe someone was just too lazy to come up with anything more creative than that.

But what if that was said about you?

That you’re known for or remembered as that one dude. You’re just known as such-and-such girl. The nameless individual.

So what are you doing to create your legacy? What are you doing to leave your mark on this world?

Don’t follow the crowd. Go against the flow. Be the leader. Set the standard.

Do this, and people will remember you.

Don’t be nameless.

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10 Things NOT To Do When Sharing A Hotel With The President of China…

Posted by Grant on November 15, 2008 – 1:54 pm

Filed under Events, Funny

This weekend I had the privilege of speaking at the FBLA-PBL National Fall Leadership Conference in Washington DC. Meanwhile, across town at the White House, 20 of the most powerful men and women in the world gathered for an international economic summit.

So when I checked in at the hotel, I noticed there were Secret Service agents, police officers, and media reporters all over the hotel. I began asking around and guess who I was sharing a hotel with?

The President of China.

So with Secret Service agents swarming this fancy hotel, I came up with a list of 10 Things NOT To Do When Sharing A Hotel With The President of China…

10. Ask an agent if you can wear one of those cool ear pieces and talk into his sleeve.

9. Reach into your inside coat pocket as the motorcade is arriving. One conference attendee learned this the hard way and was detained for 45 minutes!

8. Introduce yourself as Jack Bauer and demand to speak with the President.

7. Offer the President Cashew Chicken with a side of Kung Pao, and then do a karate move.

6. In your best hick accent, say to the President, “You’ve got a big wall over there, don’tcha cowboy.”

5. Introduce yourself as MacGyver. Better yet, introduce yourself as McGruber.

4. Yell across the room, “Hey Mr. President…you’re the bomb!”

3. Go the Chinese media and tell them you’re the real Brad Pitt.

2. Tell an agent that you’re really a ninja.

1. Say to the President, “Sorry Michael Phelps beat your whole country this summer.”

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Is It Still Fun?

Posted by Grant on November 12, 2008 – 8:50 pm

Filed under Thinking Out Loud...

Maybe it’s just me, but I think life is meant to be enjoyed.

Yet too often people live
experience barely survive their way through life. They are miserable all the time in their work, at school, in their friendships and relationships. What a horrible way to live.

Take the time to ask yourself…is it still fun?

Is your career still a passion or is it now just a paycheck? Are you as excited about going to that class to learn as you were on the first day or has it become an obligation? That hobby, that friendship, that relationship…do you still have the zeal for it?

If you’re not enjoying life, you’ve got to ask yourself…why not? What needs to change to enjoy it more?

Quit settling for the status quo…start enjoying life a little more.

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Just Because…

Posted by Grant on November 12, 2008 – 8:28 am

Filed under Thinking Out Loud...

As you’re well aware, Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and the holiday season will be in full swing. I think we would all agree that Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to experience the three F’s: food, family, and football!

But Thanksgiving is also that simple reminder of what we have to be thankful for. And unfortunately, sometimes I find it to be a reminder of how unthankful I can be the rest of the year. I am incredibly blessed and too often, I’m afraid I take some of those blessings for granted. While I look forward to Thanksgiving to really acknowledge all that I have to be thankful for, I’m also trying to have an attitude that expresses appreciation just because.

So before November 27 arrives and we are consumed with making sure the turkey is cooked properly, praying that our relatives don’t destroy the house, and plotting our game plan for the shopping deals on Black Friday, I would encourage and challenge you to be thankful…just because.

Take a deep breath. That felt good, didn’t it? Just Because…

Look around at your family. Ignore the screaming for a second. Just Because…

Open the pantry door. Is there food in there? Just Because…

Check out the roof above your head. Look at the walls that surround you. Just Because…

Go to the sink. Turn on the faucet. Just Because…

Sometimes it’s just the small and simple things that remind us just how much we have to be thankful for. I hope you and your family have a very restful, relaxing, and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. But long before the chaos of the season arrives, take time to reflect and be thankful…

Just Because.

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