As that Rufus & Chaka Khan song played in the car this past weekend, I had to laugh. It reminded of my early days in radio as a copywriter and production director. I’d be walking the halls and suddenly, around the corner, an exasperated salesperson would emerge, paperwork in hand.
As I noticed the petrified look in their eyes, I used to sing:
“Tell me somethin’ good, tell me that you love me, yeah!”
Far too often, a knock at my office door was bad news, especially Monday mornings at 7:58, just before the sales meeting began.
We all hear bad news every day, don’t we? With the challenges of the economy, health care and the job market, it seems we can’t escape the dark clouds that the media, and those around us, have decided to hand out free with the dawn of every new day.
In case you haven’t heard, there are great things happening in this world, and in your home town, every day. You’ll find them at the end of the local newscast, or buried in the back section of the newspaper.
There are also many positive people who paths cross yours every day.
Perhaps you can reach out to one of these people today and share something positive. Create the expectation that, whenever you meet, a positive word or thought is a great place to start.
Want to create a smile and a great memory? Sing the song, loudly and proudly, as they approach. Then tackle the task at hand.
If life has a soundtrack, let yours be dominated by this song’s powerful, positive message:
“Tell me somethin’ good, tell me that you love me, yeah!”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Never Let the 'Nays' Wreck Your Days
All right, I know…I just became one of those motivational speakers who uses rhymes to make a point. In my defense, I was trying to create an affirmation that you, my reader, can use to protect yourself from negative people.
I have been sharing some Social Networking messages with friends who are suffering from negative clouds drifting into their dream skies. For many, the mere sharing of a thought or goal is quickly blotted by dark clouds, complete with planes towing banners containing the words “You CAN’T do that, you SHOULDN’T do that”, etc.
Throughout my eighteen years of entrepreneurial endeavors, I have had numerous people try to rain on my parade. Can I say that I have always protected myself from the storm? No. There are days I have let others dump all over my dreams, causing me to doubt my own thoughts and goals.
Have you ever seen similar storm clouds? Are you seeing them right now?
I found a way to eliminate most of them. I now subscribe to a different weather report. How did I do this? I changed the channel and found new people who report sunnier skies.
Essentially, I have managed to surround myself with more positive people who are willing to support me and offer advice on how to give strength and direction to my dreams.
And, as I have done this, I have noticed those who felt the need to dump on my dreams have managed to find new skies to darken, as mine have become brighter.
Their own personal skies are none too calm as well, as they consistently fail to improve their own lot of life, all the while complaining about the rain.
Do you have dark clouds looming on your horizon, just waiting to unleash their fury upon your sunshine? Even if it is someone whom you must encounter every day, you do not have to ‘allow’ that person to do this to you.
You have the right, and the power (if you wish to use it), to change the channel and discover a much better forecast.
Try it today.
You might just find a whole new network of people to brighten your skies!
I have been sharing some Social Networking messages with friends who are suffering from negative clouds drifting into their dream skies. For many, the mere sharing of a thought or goal is quickly blotted by dark clouds, complete with planes towing banners containing the words “You CAN’T do that, you SHOULDN’T do that”, etc.
Throughout my eighteen years of entrepreneurial endeavors, I have had numerous people try to rain on my parade. Can I say that I have always protected myself from the storm? No. There are days I have let others dump all over my dreams, causing me to doubt my own thoughts and goals.
Have you ever seen similar storm clouds? Are you seeing them right now?
I found a way to eliminate most of them. I now subscribe to a different weather report. How did I do this? I changed the channel and found new people who report sunnier skies.
Essentially, I have managed to surround myself with more positive people who are willing to support me and offer advice on how to give strength and direction to my dreams.
And, as I have done this, I have noticed those who felt the need to dump on my dreams have managed to find new skies to darken, as mine have become brighter.
Their own personal skies are none too calm as well, as they consistently fail to improve their own lot of life, all the while complaining about the rain.
Do you have dark clouds looming on your horizon, just waiting to unleash their fury upon your sunshine? Even if it is someone whom you must encounter every day, you do not have to ‘allow’ that person to do this to you.
You have the right, and the power (if you wish to use it), to change the channel and discover a much better forecast.
Try it today.
You might just find a whole new network of people to brighten your skies!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saving the World...With a Slingshot
I am very proud to live in New Hampshire for many reasons.
We have it all: four seasons of interesting weather, easy access to beaches and mountains, spectacular fall foliage and a ’social contributor’ in Dean Kamen, visionary head of DEKA Research.
In addition to the Segway and many other contributions, Kamen’s latest project (10 years in the making) is the Slingshot, which is capable of turning contaminated water, even raw sewage, into pure, healthy drinking water.
One drawback: the current cost of assembly. Each unit taps out at several hundred thousand dollars to build.
Perhaps if government coffers were overflowing with ‘Cash for Clean Water’ stimulus money (clunker-free), life would be simpler (this is as political as I will get, I promise).
In Kamen’s own words (according to CNN.com): “The biggest challenge right now between this being a dream and a reality is getting committed people that really care about the state of the world’s health to get involved”.
The goal is not to make as much money possible, as quickly as possible, with justification that the product can serve people well. For Kamen, helping others is paramount.
Where are you in the equation of saving the world? Are you searching for ways to help those who cannot help themselves, without your first thoughts drifting to the bean-counters of Corporate America? Or are you looking to cash in, even just emotionally, on the suffering of others?
Is there one action you can take today, this week or in the fading months of this year, to make the world a better place?
Perhaps you can unite a team of people marching in the same direction, with similar dedication and care in their hearts, to make the world a better place for all its inhabitants, without thought to a balance sheet.
Where do you see yourself needed?
With whom can you align your dedication and resources?
How will you take action?
We have it all: four seasons of interesting weather, easy access to beaches and mountains, spectacular fall foliage and a ’social contributor’ in Dean Kamen, visionary head of DEKA Research.
In addition to the Segway and many other contributions, Kamen’s latest project (10 years in the making) is the Slingshot, which is capable of turning contaminated water, even raw sewage, into pure, healthy drinking water.
One drawback: the current cost of assembly. Each unit taps out at several hundred thousand dollars to build.
Perhaps if government coffers were overflowing with ‘Cash for Clean Water’ stimulus money (clunker-free), life would be simpler (this is as political as I will get, I promise).
In Kamen’s own words (according to CNN.com): “The biggest challenge right now between this being a dream and a reality is getting committed people that really care about the state of the world’s health to get involved”.
The goal is not to make as much money possible, as quickly as possible, with justification that the product can serve people well. For Kamen, helping others is paramount.
Where are you in the equation of saving the world? Are you searching for ways to help those who cannot help themselves, without your first thoughts drifting to the bean-counters of Corporate America? Or are you looking to cash in, even just emotionally, on the suffering of others?
Is there one action you can take today, this week or in the fading months of this year, to make the world a better place?
Perhaps you can unite a team of people marching in the same direction, with similar dedication and care in their hearts, to make the world a better place for all its inhabitants, without thought to a balance sheet.
Where do you see yourself needed?
With whom can you align your dedication and resources?
How will you take action?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)