Jul 30
Greetings Leaders!
I have a confession to make… I’ve been discouraged lately. Life has been just… well… hard. I don’t know if it’s the economy, my stage of life, my state of mind… but it’s just been hard. Having said that, I grew up Catholic and have that left over Catholic guilt. You know… my life really isn’t bad at all… so I end up feeling guilty, about feeling discouraged. Go figure. But… I have been discouraged, and found the following that encouraged me today.
Jul 2
Another pushup? Doing the Impossible!
Greetings Leaders!
I am pragmatic. Sometimes, things or situations are impossible. However, there are times when “impossible” is an excuse. When I was bit younger going through the US Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), things sometimes got rough. The drill sergeants knew how to get everything out of us, and more. The drop out rate (Drop On Request – DOR) was somewhere about 50%.
Jun 26
Greetings Leaders!
I had a great experience this week while volunteering at Breakaway to the Arctic Freeze, Bayside Christian Church’s Summer Extravaganza for kids (3000 kids + 2000 volunteers = two fun weeks!).
Here is a video of part of what Breakaway was all about.
I was the speaker every night for about 150 4th graders. The themes we talked about were:
I want to share what I told them about their future. If you are frustrated with your life and feel like your future is bleak… you need to read this…
May 28
Greetings Leaders!
This weekend, we pay tribute to our fallen heroes. In our country, we have the luxury of freedom of speech. I know not everyone believes in the military policies our country pursues. Yet, I feel so ashamed of people who live in this great country, who do not see fit to pay tribute to those who gave their life for the freedoms they have.
If you do not believe that our country was won, paid for with the blood of men and women, then you do not understand the realities of freedom. There is always someone waiting to to take your freedoms away, so that their idea of what is right can be put in place. Countries that are ruled by despots and dictators do not happen by accident. Why do people in N. Korea or Cuba live in darkness? Because they are not willing to pay the price. We are fortunate there were Americans who came before us, who were willing to gvve their lives to ensure that we can live a country where we have liberty.
Today, less than 1 in 10 people have served in the US military, the great majority are over 60. Today, just 0.3% of our population serve, so that the other 99.7% can enjoy the freedoms we have. Pretty astounding numbers when you think about it.
Take some time this weekend – to thank those who gave their life… for you.
Thanks to those… who have served, who were injured and who paid the ultimate price for my freedom.
JT
May 23
Greetings Leaders!
My wife and I were hanging out this morning at one of our favorite places in Roseville called The Fountains, an upscale outdoor mall not too far from where we live. We love sitting in the outdoor air, watching young families with their kids admire the main fountain which moves in synchronization to catchy music blaring over loudspeakers. Inevitably, the young children begin to bounce and jiggle and dance to the music. The older kids and the adults have smiles on their faces as they watch the often hilarious, joyous and free moves of the children. I think that we were created to dance, but over the years something happens. We begin to be conscious of ourselves and soon learn that it’s fun to watch, but not ok, to dance. When was the last time you danced?
May 21
Greetings Leaders!
Are you worried about your financial future? If you aren’t, you should be. As Bob Dylan said, These times they are a changing. If you put national pride, ego and heritage aside, it is fairly easy to see that the world is changing around us… fast, and that the US is losing ground in many areas. While it is changing, you only have to fear this if you are unprepared. If you see the change coming and prepare for it, you can not only survive, but you can prosper.
May 8
Greetings Leaders!
With Mother’s Day coming up, I got to thinking about Moms. I thought about my mom Maggie, of course my wife Debbie as the mother of our kids, and Stephanie the mother of my grandson Bryce. I am so lucky to have all three in my life. I just want to thank them for being the remarkable women they are.
While tomorrow is going to be a special day for them, a few weeks ago I was watching the church announcements up on the big screen and noticed that they were looking for people to sponsor single moms for Mother’s Day. I thought how hard it must be for those who are moms, but who may not be remembered. So in addition to moms, this is also for those of you who are single moms and also those who may not technically be a mom, but who are mothers even so.
May 3
Greetings Leaders!
It seems like we all want to feel significant. Sometimes to a fault. We search and search and search, only to come away frustrated. I want to encourage you to continue searching… by doing. While working at IBM, I was selected to attend what turned out to be the best seminar I have ever participated in. It was a small seminar for promising young IBM employees of Asian descent and was hosted by LEAP, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics. Through the years I’ve maintained a relationship with LEAP and they recently asked me to help review some scholarship applications for the Ronald McDonald’s House. I was a bit hesitant at first but I’m glad I accepted because what I found out rejuvenated and energized me.
Apr 26
Greetings Leaders!
Over the weekend I read an entry in my journal that I wrote in 2006 and was mildly surprised when I realized that not much has changed in my life. I did accomplish a few things, but hadn’t even come close to achieving all that I had hoped to. This was a great wake up call for me as I realized that I have grown complacent. It is easy to do.
Comfort can be a great enemy of Excellence
Apr 23
Greetings Leaders!
I had a hard day today. I had to get up at 5am to get to Starbucks early enough to get my favorite seat. I struggled with my day trading this morning as I sipped on coffee, before heading into my client who keeps extending me in this tough economy. It was slow today because we just successfully completed a very long project. I went shopping later in the afternoon but couldn’t find anything at the outlet mall. Then my wife had the audacity to call and ask if I wanted to go to see Date Night with her. A chick flick… c’mon. I had to put off my work out until after the movie and then had a frozen DiGiorno for dinner. Yeah… I had a tough day.
I hope you can hear the sarcasm in my voice, but the funny thing is… I really was in a bad mood today. Despite all my blessings, I chose to be in a bad mood. Don’t ask me why. Then I had a chat with Victor, the janitor at Gold’s Gym. I’ve known Victor for about two years, and although I don’t know him well, he seems like a nice guy. We always stop to chat for a few minutes while I’m at the gym. Victor told me a story that made me realize how lucky I really am….
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