tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66543931369287944072024-03-04T20:47:19.483-08:00OneMoreStep RevolutionImagine a world in which everyone goes "one more step" for each other...This blog is a collection of thoughts, experiences, and stories about how going one more step impacts people's lives. The goal is to inspire others to do a little something extra...when you think you've done enough, go one more step for someone. Experience the magic of the OneMoreStepRevolution...
Proverbs 11:25Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-21444914799965431712014-10-26T14:56:00.000-07:002014-10-26T15:29:18.566-07:00Different & Normal<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Different & Normal</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDk2Iw1Pglt-Ud6piGvW4d_m-3nbD_x1meBCELlSVM37ylP1CqzfAAFMj2ZN_ZWIZ2gjZp9_NRzM0L9ZJFNgl3FZLX0Nh1J8nXHK-I23SGKYG-QlzofppjYT3d1ALn23njAzoXw1uA8Y/s1600/DifferentKindsOfNormal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDk2Iw1Pglt-Ud6piGvW4d_m-3nbD_x1meBCELlSVM37ylP1CqzfAAFMj2ZN_ZWIZ2gjZp9_NRzM0L9ZJFNgl3FZLX0Nh1J8nXHK-I23SGKYG-QlzofppjYT3d1ALn23njAzoXw1uA8Y/s1600/DifferentKindsOfNormal.jpg" height="33" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we have a thousand things going on, in all different
directions, we often say, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I wish things
would just get back to normal again…</i>”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s so annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every time we get things nice and settled, just the way we like them,
something changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re asked to
do something different at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
get pulled into a different routine outside of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times we’re forced to meet and work with new people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things become very different than they were before, and life
gets uncomfortable. We long for things to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">normal</i> again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently called my parents, and as they do so often, they
reminded me that just because things are different, it doesn’t mean things
can’t be normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just means
that they’re different.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">OneMoreStep</b>
worth remembering, when life gets tedious and out of whack, isn’t really a step
at all…it’s to simply be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">patient</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Seems pretty simple, but not very easy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things may be unsettled or even unsettling, be it with our
finances, careers, or relationships…and it may not feel normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, everything about everything is
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, with enough
patience, love, and faith that it will all be okay, we’re able to let go,
taking the pressure off of ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>{<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s funny how when we take the focus
off of ourselves, the pressure we put on ourselves dissipates…</i>}</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Letting go and letting a higher power take over never fails
in these situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we’re
patient, we relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we relax,
we <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/06/ride.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">enjoy the ride</span></b></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we’re
enjoying the ride, things feel…normal again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Different + Patience = THE NEW NORMAL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One for the road…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Birthday week, to my Dad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ9f8PCE6V3HFEZ9lN8a3AsDWFS2bK0LIgzqzPOKEnK8UvgQE16VX8wzjnrq8_9jF8UtShzT5357V0aY0Xeyt08c8xPWrfHbJKJAOBo9fIAfFCkK35bX1i9HAMdcbSZDVnNESGJ8neos/s1600/Me_Mom_Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ9f8PCE6V3HFEZ9lN8a3AsDWFS2bK0LIgzqzPOKEnK8UvgQE16VX8wzjnrq8_9jF8UtShzT5357V0aY0Xeyt08c8xPWrfHbJKJAOBo9fIAfFCkK35bX1i9HAMdcbSZDVnNESGJ8neos/s1600/Me_Mom_Dad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patient People...at least the two on the left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Thanks for always teaching me and loving me even when I’m
the opposite of patient, which is about every other hour of every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connecting the dots backwards, thinking about each
life-changing event, I usually get all out of whack. </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slowly but surely, I settle down, relax, and sooner than
later, I begin enjoying the new normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All the while, you’re patient, loving me through it as I work through
the process…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reminds me of a famous quote from the #1 best selling book
of all time:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Love is patient, love is
kind…” – 1 </span></i></b><b>Corinthians 13:4</b><br />
<br />
Have a great day.<br />
<b> </b><br />
Taylor Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-27672298118710827112014-10-19T09:42:00.000-07:002014-10-19T09:42:37.642-07:00Conversations Make Good Company
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conversations Make
Good Company</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hkwyyBaMAfthmQa2p5oT4XQiWyHT2gX8CcSz7vuHf7jUyNphxdFTEDgh64BwxY46cTmp4drtMeM55NihDSPBpG7OSKbfb09-fa8rTl_QVDcDZ1UQulvmo4AX4PAjEMTFqkR_bhYy6pw/s1600/Leo,Roberto,Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hkwyyBaMAfthmQa2p5oT4XQiWyHT2gX8CcSz7vuHf7jUyNphxdFTEDgh64BwxY46cTmp4drtMeM55NihDSPBpG7OSKbfb09-fa8rTl_QVDcDZ1UQulvmo4AX4PAjEMTFqkR_bhYy6pw/s1600/Leo,Roberto,Me.jpg" height="312" width="320" /></a> We work for companies, sometimes we start new ones, and for
some, they even own their own companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We often say, in conversation, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oh,
that’s a great company…</i>” Or sometimes we’ll say, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…this isn’t a good company…someday I’ll work for a real one…”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve said all of the above, about companies for which I’ve
worked, helped create, and even longed to join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s true that no matter the industry or type of work we do,
some companies are well oiled machines with a well known brand name to go with
it; while other companies fight, scratch, and claw their way through the
tedious day-to-day, just to make ends meet for their Guests, Clients,
Customers, Staff, and other key stakeholders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What really makes a company “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good”</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it the
brand…its fancy buildings…its impressive balance sheet, or ranking on the most
recent <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forbes list</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe…those things certainly don’t
hurt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve all been on both sides of the fence, working for or
with great companies sometimes and other times we’ve worked for or with what we
would describe as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bad companies</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we consider those companies that
come to mind…we can usually agree on one thing…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what we remember most about these ‘companies’ are the people with whom
we interacted</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span>…the people make the
place…</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">” </span></i>is cliché, but true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Companies can be number one on everything from Forbes list
XYZ to the stock market ticker, but all it takes is one person to ruin the
perception or reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
same token, small businesses up and down Main Street USA without the financing,
infrastructure, or resources of corporate America can create and deliver
fantastic experiences for their Guests, Customers, & Clients as long as the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">engagement with people </i>is memorable…in
a good way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So while it’s nice to have corporate infrastructure and the
power of “the brand”, the real power that fuels the engines of any company is
good old-fashioned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">conversation</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">among people</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s great news for any person, anywhere, working for any
company on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever
our role, in whatever company…big or small…we have an opportunity to: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inspire or
be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">inspired</b></i> </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Change</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> ours or their perception</i> </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raise</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> ours or their level of satisfaction </i>with any situation, on any
given day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All we have to do is simply talk to each other...engage in conversation, with genuine interest in what we can learn from each other or how we can help each other. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s true for the companies that employ us as well as the
company that surrounds us…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">conversations make good company</i>.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Two for the road…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I recently left one company to go work for another, with
many expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure it’s neat
to work for big companies with notable products and renowned brands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at the end of the day, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people</i> pull it all together and make the
magic happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brand new job, in a brand new city, and sent to yet another
city for over one month for training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had many expectations, concerns, and doubts…and I was nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not only meeting hundreds of new people, I’m going
through the experience with two of my new colleagues with whom I’ll be working
day-to-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both have about
25 years of life and career experience on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they’re on their second or third careers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw19Z5VmG5_7EwJvLQXDiS6cZzNAH8-De2rlCJ0UkzX1Bw_pIcjTJT7j6w653WAtZCAJRin0kBDsgwdd1sYsJOqQ92DgA_pcqiCGzpSZFEssU8FU_ElCeWbIuBr0GMA47kbJlVvF9KRO0/s1600/Mom_Dad_Me_FF_Oct2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw19Z5VmG5_7EwJvLQXDiS6cZzNAH8-De2rlCJ0UkzX1Bw_pIcjTJT7j6w653WAtZCAJRin0kBDsgwdd1sYsJOqQ92DgA_pcqiCGzpSZFEssU8FU_ElCeWbIuBr0GMA47kbJlVvF9KRO0/s1600/Mom_Dad_Me_FF_Oct2014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I was a bit anxious about the whole experience…until the
three of us started chatting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every morning on the treadmill, at breakfast, at lunch, during our class
exercises, and later for dinner…we engage in just good old-fashioned
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
With every
conversation I’m inspired, changed, and my satisfaction level with this crazy
experience rises to new heights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as my parents heard that I would be in Orlando for a
month, for training…they booked a trip so we could visit with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a solid week I went to work/class
and then met up with them for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The dinners were great, and the views were beautiful, but what turned an
otherwise stressful nerve-racking week into a very good week were the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">conversations we had with each other</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One More…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since leaving my last company, conversations with my
colleagues, friends, coworkers, and leaders haven’t stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks into my new job, my
previous boss called me…to just talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We talked for over an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Text messages to and from folks with whom I worked so closely for nearly
four years have also kept me grounded…reminding me that this whole thing really
is all about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people</i>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post is a nod to: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The company that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inspires </i>me (Disney)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The company that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">changed</i> me (Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The people that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">raised</i> me (my parents).</div>
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<br /></div>
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When in doubt...just have <i>conversations</i> with people. You'll be in <i>good company</i>... </div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a great day.</div>
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<br />
Taylor</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-63799299007428174352014-08-16T01:03:00.001-07:002014-08-16T01:05:00.526-07:00Welcome Home & Good Luck<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Welcome Home & Good Luck</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvWysFmeo8odT0be5cHK9l5haaDh7_pU5N1ILhdRfpkxmGur2P7e60n7HOlBa6pMAdxv8mOUCGEQztNFepew7LS4gtDn_5uYARv11Mfp4RqZKpNpSbKLe3shmk6Q9HQXw5rJlbLD2o2c/s1600/Identity+Leadership.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvWysFmeo8odT0be5cHK9l5haaDh7_pU5N1ILhdRfpkxmGur2P7e60n7HOlBa6pMAdxv8mOUCGEQztNFepew7LS4gtDn_5uYARv11Mfp4RqZKpNpSbKLe3shmk6Q9HQXw5rJlbLD2o2c/s1600/Identity+Leadership.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PEOPLE make the place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just shy of four years ago I moved to Las Vegas…for the
second time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anxious, nervous, and scared to the say the least, I
remember my mom telling me, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…this will
be great…you can be just as successful here as you can anywhere else…you’ll get
out of it what you put into it.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> {funny...my Dad gave me the same pep talk just this morning...}</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You see, I was afraid
to move back to Las Vegas…because I really wanted to be back at Disney instead</i>.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four years, several meaningful relationships (<i>that will last a lifetime</i>), a few life
events, a couple deaths, countless laughs, too many lessons learned to count,
and one tiny little Vegas hotel opening later…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m moving on to the next challenge…the next chapter</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m going back to work where my professional career began, the Walt Disney Company.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Las Vegas, it’s quite customary to end an interaction
with someone (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whether you work in the
industry or not</i>) with, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Luck…</i>”;
given the world famous nature of the town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Disney Vacation Club, it’s quite commonplace to overhear
Cast Members or DVC Members greet each other with, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Welcome Home</i>”, a phrase they’ve made <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">world famous</i> over the years.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseZ2-OmpncxV6p_qOz6KqH3_kr7K1cgex8NJMoflEib8effVR_AEL-ISKr6R3tjL_KD7Howe8mCPR7fIX-V4IoZmVGP1mZVJ0x2go7RY6rzrGxLDas788ZCTnEKAIidG74bCszgV1duw/s1600/WorkSomewhereAwesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseZ2-OmpncxV6p_qOz6KqH3_kr7K1cgex8NJMoflEib8effVR_AEL-ISKr6R3tjL_KD7Howe8mCPR7fIX-V4IoZmVGP1mZVJ0x2go7RY6rzrGxLDas788ZCTnEKAIidG74bCszgV1duw/s1600/WorkSomewhereAwesome.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love diving into the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">threads</i>
that connect our memories, our lessons learned, and life's ever so dynamic, changing
seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So these past
couple weeks, working through this transition, I’ve heard both, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Luck</i>” and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Welcome Home</i>” over and over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It strikes me as ironic because four years ago I was flat
out scared to death of living and working in a city I have grown to call home - Fabulous Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, several folks
are <i>welcoming</i> me <i>home</i> to a place I’ve never lived which will undoubtedly feel unnatural and uncomfortable; especially
at first.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now I’m experiencing the same nerves and anxiety about
going to work at a place that should feel like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">home</i>, having worked for the company before at the start of my
career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Albeit a different line
of business, and I’ll be at Disneyland rather than Walt Disney World this time
around, but you see my point…)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the quick application I’d like to share with the
OneMoreStep community and one I’ll remind myself of, to calm my nerves during
yet another career transition:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wherever we find
ourselves…regardless of the stage in our careers or lives…no matter how scary
or unfamiliar the territory (literally or figuratively) we can ALWAYS MAKE IT
FEEL LIKE HOME.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It just takes a little
courage, stepping out of our comfort zones to not only meet new people, but
also pour our hearts and souls into making magic for them…that’s literally
all it takes.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pretty soon we find ourselves focusing less on our own
anxieties and more on making <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>
laugh, smile, and feel comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the magic happens, and we begin to feel more welcome
the more welcome we make others feel…and the beauty is that we can do this in any
city, in any job, at any time, from now until it’s our time to go…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s how this blog was born, and sharing thoughts and
stories on this blog has been the outlet I never knew I needed, to help me get
over my worries, fears, and anxieties…because when I jump into a writing
project, I’m thinking more about you than I am about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for letting me share, and thank you, Mom & Dad,
for encouraging me then and for encouraging me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to my employer in Vegas for letting me work on the OneMoreStep
project along with my day job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to my coworkers and the folks with whom I’ve
worked so closely since late 2010…you know who you are, and please know that I
love you all very much.<br />
<br />
Thanks to my girlfriend for loving, listening, and helping me understand how to do the same. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the future of this blog, I’m not quite sure of the
rules at my next place of employment, but there’s only one way to find out…I’ll
go OneMoreStep until they tell me to stop. (<i>I've never been a fan of rules</i>.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Two for the road</b>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few years ago, one of my mentors here in Vegas told me, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there’s no such thing as luck…but instead,
“luck” is where preparation meets opportunity</i>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the irony continues…spending these last four years in Las
Vegas, of all places, I’ve learned the two most important things we can do in
life, no matter where we find ourselves:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Love God</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Love People</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Repeat</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we focus on those two things, therein lies the
preparation that makes anywhere feel like home…we feel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">welcome</i>, we feel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i>, and
at that point it’s no coincidence that <i>a little luck</i> comes our way...
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome Home & Good Luck!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See ya real soon…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taylor</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br />
<i>Many people say I'm crazy for repeatedly going through the pain and voluntary punishment of opening hotels and working on new projects...maybe I am a little crazy. But maybe this <a href="http://youtu.be/KS1-j2aABc4?list=UUKR4B8iUcBFQGDWhaDDYesg"><span style="color: blue;"><b>slide show video</b></span></a> (can be viewed on a laptop or computer...but not on mobile) I received as a gift from a colleague will tell the story better than I ever could...it's not about the sexy projects anymore as much as it's all about the beautiful PEOPLE and meaningful RELATIONSHIPS we're blessed with along the way. </i><br />
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-9952521189485479892014-07-21T22:25:00.000-07:002014-07-21T22:25:56.331-07:00SignIFiCANce
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sign</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">IF</span>i</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CAN</span>ce</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaMcJt0AZrG6HKGF3_yeyHiYLAMsZuUVHxEmkrWHrXcpPLdHwl3WecwmvhYXq3V2ayp52ahBfLiKnmB7gb0LfbvuUrGSXgPjj4qZdd4waoXvx-joPuSBj7JwnBoTE9e5NzMYzJLaSq3g/s1600/EncourageSomeoneToday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaMcJt0AZrG6HKGF3_yeyHiYLAMsZuUVHxEmkrWHrXcpPLdHwl3WecwmvhYXq3V2ayp52ahBfLiKnmB7gb0LfbvuUrGSXgPjj4qZdd4waoXvx-joPuSBj7JwnBoTE9e5NzMYzJLaSq3g/s1600/EncourageSomeoneToday.jpg" /></a></div>
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Significance…
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The irony is that we often overlook the importance of a word
that literally means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">– the quality of
being important</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For leaders, there’s power in a word like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">significance</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s borderline magical…because once any human being truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feels significant</i>, they become a new
person, capable of doing more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leadership</i>
means inspiring others to achieve greatness, then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">making sure people feel significant</i> should consistently remain at
the top of our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Do List</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Managers’</i> focus first
on the tasks at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leaders</i>’ focus first on the people they
expect to complete the tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">OneMoreStep</i></b> worth taking, for
leaders, is to make sure everyone on the team understands their value, their
strength, why they were chosen, and what they do better than anyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best leaders take pride in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">making people feel significant</i>…because they know that when people
feel significant they make significant contributions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m convinced that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">IF</i></b> people feel significant, they <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CAN</i></b>
do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our job is to believe
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>, encourage <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>, and invite <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i> to be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They can…and they will…because of how significant we make
them feel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
sign<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">IF</span></u></b>i<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CAN</span></u></b>ce. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taylor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-13540445809116183922014-06-25T22:28:00.002-07:002014-06-26T08:03:18.089-07:00Character Building Opportunity<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Character Building Opportunity </span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tmri1tA3ZkyMXQxJkSTvda6if9GMwFXhEiuJsrvYHYuXeDd9fEbETrc89leRaEmRwufWf1-FzJ9iAMj4q4ha7nEWgLToFdkorsG2FfvcLNZWZyGgiK_oeTX6s5m2zO98IMtbYcJ8bG8/s1600/building-character.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tmri1tA3ZkyMXQxJkSTvda6if9GMwFXhEiuJsrvYHYuXeDd9fEbETrc89leRaEmRwufWf1-FzJ9iAMj4q4ha7nEWgLToFdkorsG2FfvcLNZWZyGgiK_oeTX6s5m2zO98IMtbYcJ8bG8/s1600/building-character.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We heard it
often growing up…all the ways that we<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>were
supposedly “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">building</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">character”</i>…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lose a Little
League game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a bad grade on a
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring home a substandard
report card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get in trouble. Get
disciplined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suffer through an
embarrassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s okay, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it builds character</i>.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What about
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now we’re grown up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not in Little League.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re beyond high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve learned right from wrong, and
we’ve all been embarrassed at one time or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things</i>” happen these days, in adulthood…when
we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lose</i> the argument, encounter
adversity (at work or at home), or when we’re left feeling embarrassed…are we
still <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">building character</i>?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe in
some cases…but…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As adults –
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leaders, coaches, bosses, business
partners, friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, significant others</i> – when
we’re put to the test, whether it be in our personal lives or at work, we have
an opportunity to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reveal our character</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These are
the moments that speak volumes about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who
we really are, on the inside</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just
how strong of a person we’ve become</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the
Merriam-Webster definitions of the word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">character</i>
is:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; vertical-align: top;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">char·ac·ter</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">noun</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> \</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ˈ</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ker-ik-tər,
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ˈ</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ka-rik-\ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the way
someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
OneMoreStep opportunity here is realizing that around every turn, in any
season, we have a chance to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reveal our
true character</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When our
true character is revealed- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the way we
think, feel, and behave</i> - it just might make a positive difference in
someone’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or it could have a
negative impact on those around us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The good
news is that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what actually gets revealed
is absolutely up to us</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get
to choose!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“</span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Character is the will to do what's right even when it's hard.</span></span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;">” - </span>Andy Stanley</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Two for the road… </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Undefeated</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObnnonUuFNWrKAZCKHje4EPu1I72LahNNK2xsBkYw0VOWZlqB2UQ1IGGk6jmzDbCsmnTAV4hHpih_vVRM0lMFUT0b2w288H8s7ZDJIvZhsO8DRFFIGZ3I0dUHISwZFDJYSFeS1HR-Tak/s1600/Undefeated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObnnonUuFNWrKAZCKHje4EPu1I72LahNNK2xsBkYw0VOWZlqB2UQ1IGGk6jmzDbCsmnTAV4hHpih_vVRM0lMFUT0b2w288H8s7ZDJIvZhsO8DRFFIGZ3I0dUHISwZFDJYSFeS1HR-Tak/s1600/Undefeated.jpg" height="136" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year I
watched the 2011 documentary, Undefeated, which documents the struggles of a
high school football team in Memphis, TN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.coachbillcourtney.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Coach Bill Courtney</b></span></a>, the Manassas Tigers Head Football Coach started
coaching the film’s featured group of seniors when they were all in the 8<sup>th</sup>
Grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While it’s
very cool to watch what Coach Bill did with the Tigers on the football field,
what makes the film so inspiring is that it’s really not about football…it’s
about character.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YhfP5LauEyU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Earlier this
year, Coach Bill Courtney’s book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Against-Grain-Coachs-Wisdom-Character/dp/1602862249/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&utm_term=MCP&utm_campaign=website-book-sales&sr=8-7&qid=1393888279&keywords=Against%20the%20grain&utm_source=Media-Connect-Partners&utm_medium=Website"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AgainstThe Grain: A Coach’s Wisdom on Character, Faith, Family, and Love</i></b></span></a>, came
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read it cover to cover, and not only loved it, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I recommend the book for anyone, at any
stage in his or her life or career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Coach Bill challenges us all to become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon men and women</i>, and the principles and illustrations in the
book will leave you inspired to do just that. True <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2013/03/gifts-from-coach.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>gifts from a coach</i></b></span></a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Relationship Mechanics</span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL6MFvI7BwOsOke6J4wvu2Hyu3hEQGw0CuOk0Dw3q9lVUZCwUHzWbCXhMJX1CB311IAKgt5tzl-NfKf0Kb9PSel-LXtzpP5ttBGK9GAMF9ULZN87lSrhB8A3trwdRFD53xYJ5IRMjLbw/s1600/Francisco_DonationBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL6MFvI7BwOsOke6J4wvu2Hyu3hEQGw0CuOk0Dw3q9lVUZCwUHzWbCXhMJX1CB311IAKgt5tzl-NfKf0Kb9PSel-LXtzpP5ttBGK9GAMF9ULZN87lSrhB8A3trwdRFD53xYJ5IRMjLbw/s1600/Francisco_DonationBox.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Earlier this
month my girlfriend and I took a trip to Southern California to escape the
Vegas heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About halfway through
our 3.5 hour drive across the desert, we heard a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">clack, clack, clack, clack</i> sound coming from under the car…a bit
concerning at 70 miles per hour, on I-15 in the middle of nowhere.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We made it
to our destination late Friday night but bright and early the next morning, we were
off to Huntington Beach, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had looked up an auto repair shop in the area, and at just after 7am, we pulled
up to <a href="http://www.franciscosautorepair.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Francisco’s Automotive</i></b></span></a>.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I walked into the shop, and there sat a happy, smiling face
with a cup of coffee, tidying up his desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Francisco himself.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He quickly
said, “<i>Good morning…how are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What can I do for you today</i>?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gave him the rundown, and he asked me a few more questions...he was genuinely interested – where I’m
from, what I’m doing in town, what I do in Vegas, etc.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He came out
to the car, took a quick look under the car, and put Jenna and I both at
ease…telling us this was no problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cover underneath the car had simply come loose, with all the winds
we drove through the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told us he could have it fixed right up for us in no time, and he
assured us that it would be totally fine to drive back to Vegas the next day.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf5l3PmuApYzgtrKiECqSxQ0glrUPwfHkdlxIMpbFxUcHHSHzVsWCN0zE0PJf4vQPcnCfxfhGyVKjm_r-qUMO8zbIqmlWzElIdMUkuEnEA0S4PpsNMui7Mu5gOLxFhn0S5T_XBo5poLU/s1600/JennaAndOcean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf5l3PmuApYzgtrKiECqSxQ0glrUPwfHkdlxIMpbFxUcHHSHzVsWCN0zE0PJf4vQPcnCfxfhGyVKjm_r-qUMO8zbIqmlWzElIdMUkuEnEA0S4PpsNMui7Mu5gOLxFhn0S5T_XBo5poLU/s1600/JennaAndOcean.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While we
waited for his mechanics to report to work, Francisco made small talk with
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked us what we would like
to see while we were in town, offered up suggestions for sights to see, places
to eat, and great places to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He invited us to come around, on his side of the
counter, so we could see his computer screen as he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Google Imaged</i> different areas along the Pacific Coast Highway that
we should ‘check out’ while we were in town.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The coolest
part…when he and his team finished up with our car, we asked him how much we
owed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">absolutely nothing…just put some money in
that little thing there</i>”, pointing to a donation box for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American
Family Housing</i></b>, an organization offering housing and supportive
services to the poor, the homeless, and low income families. (<a href="http://www.afusa.org/">www.AFUSA.org</a>) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFbhzdeZZzxqyWqkOUywc6vlG492PFgERbMpcBiehCDDFa8eIr7TWpQKadQ74EMDEH4KkrTf2cmtfLlli7cS-SOPB0jyhltHSaMPi-Z5ssNvbMlCAnndf_StvwFvzeyoVN5LCQvtIW_A/s1600/FranciscoAndJenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFbhzdeZZzxqyWqkOUywc6vlG492PFgERbMpcBiehCDDFa8eIr7TWpQKadQ74EMDEH4KkrTf2cmtfLlli7cS-SOPB0jyhltHSaMPi-Z5ssNvbMlCAnndf_StvwFvzeyoVN5LCQvtIW_A/s1600/FranciscoAndJenna.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Francisco
went on to tell us how he, too, was homeless when he was a child, and the
American Family Housing philanthropic work that he does has become his true
passion these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He not only
survived homelessness, growing up in Southern California, but he started his
own business from nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having
experienced Francisco’s service first-hand, I can see why he’s been so
successful as an entrepreneur since the mid 1980’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I’m sure he’s extremely knowledgeable about cars, but I
can’t help but think that his success is mostly because of his <b><i>character</i>.</b></span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you’re
ever in Huntington Beach and find yourself in need of some <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">auto mechanic magic</i>, Francisco’s Automotive is your place – 7662
Slater Ave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell Francisco Taylor
and Jenna sent you…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a great
day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Francisco's YouTube video, giving anyone and everyone a glimpse into what customers can expect says it all:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IyUDY0wzY7A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-30633690199501649632014-06-11T21:48:00.000-07:002014-06-12T07:42:52.982-07:00Captains...Steer 'SHIPs<style>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Captains Steer ‘SHIPs</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmPdKN-b31u-jm37kz0YfKOFrSsEAOtJ8IuEN3McdINyJwdjKa6d9vtQTAdfqkaempQVId2_KbPx7If_hVIWN0P6a6Jvs0UBlPImhrBK5FTEomarw7LanqY3MefLYGFm5-Z9p7pCJD0k/s1600/CaptainJack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmPdKN-b31u-jm37kz0YfKOFrSsEAOtJ8IuEN3McdINyJwdjKa6d9vtQTAdfqkaempQVId2_KbPx7If_hVIWN0P6a6Jvs0UBlPImhrBK5FTEomarw7LanqY3MefLYGFm5-Z9p7pCJD0k/s1600/CaptainJack.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everybody
wants to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Captain</i>”. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we deal
with people – at work, at home, or in the community…it seems like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘everything would just be easier, if we were
in charge…if only we were the so-called, “Captain” of the ship’</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But is it
really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that easy?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Captains’</i> of any team – sports teams,
work teams, or otherwise must steer ‘SHIPS…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LeaderSHIP</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Above all else, true
captains must be leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
don’t need to be “bossy”…just leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of the time, the captains that emerge are not even defined by
title, but instead they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lead</i> by
example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of the
official “title”, <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-leaders-lead.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">leaders LEAD</span></b></a> – they <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">L</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">isten,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">E</b>ducate, take <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A</b>ction, </i>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">D</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eliver</i>
for their teammates. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RelationSHIPs</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider the
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Team Captains</i>” on sports teams…take
the stars of this year’s NBA Finals – Lebron James & D. Wade for the Miami
Heat and Tony Parker & Timmy Duncan for the San Antonio Spurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch them, and notice the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">connections</i> they have with coaches,
teammates, fans, and even the media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s apparent that they spend time fostering relationships with the
people around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s one of
the reasons so many people gravitate toward them, respecting them as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">team captains</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PartnerSHIPs</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Captains realize
that despite their superior talent, they can’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘do
it alone</i>’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re never
afraid to rely on their partners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Russell
Wilson has to trust his offensive line to protect him, and if/when plays
breakdown, he has to trust his teammates to make plays…because he simply can’t
win games on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captains
understand the importance of maximizing true <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">partnerships</i> that result from the meaningful and productive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relationships </i>they foster with teammates.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FellowSHIP, FriendSHIP, &
CompanionSHIP</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think about
the most <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likeable</i> people on your
contact list in your phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think
about the most inspiring leaders you’ve ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider your most trusted partners at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chances are the people that come to mind make it a point to
develop a sense of community with those around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t lead through fear or power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, they gain credibility and
admiration as a result of their compassion and genuine interest in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other people</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With credibility and admiration comes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likeability</i>, and a person’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likeability</i>
is what makes them someone worthy of following. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">StewardSHIP</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps this
one doesn’t come to mind as often as the other “SHIPs” listed above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love this
Merriam-Webster definition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stewardship</i>:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The conducting, supervising, or
managing of something; the careful and responsible management of something
entrusted to one's care <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">True <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">captains</i> understand that it’s not all
about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they know and
understand that the very thing they’re <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">captaining</i>
doesn’t even belong to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what makes them special…because while they understand that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘it’</i> doesn’t belong to them (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the team, the office, the building, the
situation, or the project</i>), they step up and take full responsibility
anyway, as if it were their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lebron and
D. Wade don’t own the Miami Heat, but they carry themselves, on and off the court,
as if they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They relish
opportunities to <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/08/represent-your-nation.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">represent</span></b></a> their owners and fan base, as the face of the
franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In turn, the Miami Heat
organization, from the front office to coaches to players to the city of Miami <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">entrust </i>their fate in Lebron and D.
Wade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The OneMoreStep thought is simply
this:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For anyone
who thinks they’re so low on the totem pole that they’ll never make an
impact…and for anybody worried that their unique talents and hard work might
never be good enough to be noticed…if we’ll just keep steering ‘SHIPs, we too
can emerge as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Captains”.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captains…steer ‘SHIPs</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a great
day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-15618823029571709842014-06-02T21:05:00.001-07:002014-06-02T21:05:27.334-07:00Life Happens...In Seasons
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Life Happens…in
Seasons</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-TrMnCcSymi-Pbj9SwvdgF0CrbmiLEzgJESBIX84zDSlAJE_GJPuIoHJb-1Xf4y4smPQMX3JCIPOpXS4iLfOoHheOlUZwEZ5cPOtzPXiQ7FmdMajZX5_ljcZpADm_FwMJhzXFftNK7M/s1600/Old-Life-New-Life+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-TrMnCcSymi-Pbj9SwvdgF0CrbmiLEzgJESBIX84zDSlAJE_GJPuIoHJb-1Xf4y4smPQMX3JCIPOpXS4iLfOoHheOlUZwEZ5cPOtzPXiQ7FmdMajZX5_ljcZpADm_FwMJhzXFftNK7M/s1600/Old-Life-New-Life+%25281%2529.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nowadays, with HBO GO, Netflix, and Amazon, it’s so easy to
watch season after season of our favorite shows. When we watch several seasons of our favorite shows, in
succession, we pick up on subtle changes in the characters we love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all watched the Huxtables grow
up before our very eyes back in the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found ourselves feeling for Anthony Junior and Meadow Soprano, along
with Tony's and Carmella’s many ups and downs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pull for Vinny Chase and the boys, in Entourage, and we
can’t wait to see what Ari is going to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We seem to notice as characters begin to grow into their
full potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Rudy Huxtable grew up (on the Cosby Show),
Christopher became a made man (in Sopranos), and in the last season of Entourage, even Turtle
became a millionaire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Though we find ourselves almost <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">connected</i> to these characters, they’re not real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a show, but we can still
relate to them, because we know we must face the same types of issues in our
own lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If we were to watch our own lives back, through the <i>seasons</i>, I'm sure we'd notice subtle changes, developments, and growth...personally and professionally. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe this is obvious, but then again, maybe it is worth
mentioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our own lives, in
the real world, we’ll have great days and we’ll have bad days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll have fun times and we’ll have
incredibly annoying situations to endure along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll enjoy success one minute, and
seemingly struggle to find our way the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good
seasons</i> and we’ll have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bad seasons</i>…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It happens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life happens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep looking up, being you, and doing the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More often than not, we look back and
realize that’s what got us here (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wherever
we may be</i>) in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One for the road…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week a dear friend of mine and her husband were in Las
Vegas on vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a chance
to catch up; we talked about old times, our many mutual friends, and brought
each other up to speed on what’s new in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve been friends since the summer of 1999 – 15 years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We exchanged emails once she
got back to Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both
shared with each other that we still think of our old crew, the fun times
interning at Disney, and the glory days in our 20’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I loved what she wrote back:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">I agree - I think about
everyone so often - it's just so hard to believe that it was all 15 years ago
this month...so much life has happened since then and because of then!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continue to do great things in Vegas; you’re
at a really nice spot and only good things will keep happening for you!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks, to my dear friend Jess Hodge Barnes, for reminding
me that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘so much life has happened since
then and because of then</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we feel down in the dumps, we should remind ourselves
that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life happens…in seasons.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While today’s circumstances may not be
ideal, what we do with the cards we’re dealt today impacts how great tomorrow (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or next week or next month or next year</i>)
will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taylor </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-89441619463177127172014-04-07T23:58:00.002-07:002014-04-07T23:58:51.388-07:009 Lessons We Can Learn from the 2013 / 2014 Kentucky Wildcat Basketball Team
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<h2 class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">9 Lessons We Can Learn from the 2013
/ 2014 Kentucky Wildcat Basketball Team</span></b></span></h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KuXIIuCoSrzqZtnfvnY_oxFN6U2UV-6LqobbNGNsXIvlumAGeiXDMwMxyxAAA7GxETlpJ-1RqequF78JxYJrp4ne6RtfhFb6CUt-VCm_zXXt7Y8jqIohey5U1rNTHz2h9Grh25CLr9E/s1600/2013-2014+Cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KuXIIuCoSrzqZtnfvnY_oxFN6U2UV-6LqobbNGNsXIvlumAGeiXDMwMxyxAAA7GxETlpJ-1RqequF78JxYJrp4ne6RtfhFb6CUt-VCm_zXXt7Y8jqIohey5U1rNTHz2h9Grh25CLr9E/s1600/2013-2014+Cats.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Give New
People Time</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A year ago,
seven key members of this year’s team were finishing up HIGH SCHOOL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Six months ago, they became the topic
of conversation, not only around water coolers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
but also on nationally syndicated sports talk radio and television shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A less than stellar regular season had
KY fans (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me included</i>) up in arms with
disappointment and prompted criticism and judgment…mostly in a negative way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The story of
this year’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">team</i> reminds us that
everyone is “new”, at one time or another; whether in school, sports, or
career, we’ve all been “the new person”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These young men just happened to be “the new guys”, at the ages of 18
and 19, on one of the biggest <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sports
stages</i> in the world – Kentucky Basketball, the winningest basketball program
in the history of the NCAA.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As it turns
out, all they needed was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
maturation process happens at different rates, for different people…and this
team showed us that sometimes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all new
people need…is time</i>…to develop and blossom into their full potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Team Trumps
Talent</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O6Bz7PqzuQTnBKIjdCHxua9rVm1AZaT479eTO5lnysOVYweLsNe0tAn0vsfqbjcFLAw-yGakZZf4FPcgYn3B7vxWCdHBtVT2zmwP0XZIokqGjmv4YjPQwb8jSBx-0MKc-Wriby0lILg/s1600/TeamHuddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O6Bz7PqzuQTnBKIjdCHxua9rVm1AZaT479eTO5lnysOVYweLsNe0tAn0vsfqbjcFLAw-yGakZZf4FPcgYn3B7vxWCdHBtVT2zmwP0XZIokqGjmv4YjPQwb8jSBx-0MKc-Wriby0lILg/s1600/TeamHuddle.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They were
the most highly touted group of freshmen recruits in recent history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their collective talent-level far
exceeded that of any other recruiting class and really any other team in NCAA
Division 1 Basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, everyone
– including each individual on the team, the coaching staff, and the fans –
found out during the regular season that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">merely
having the talent</i> wasn’t nearly enough to win, consistently. </span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The now
proverbial “tweaks” Coach Cal made down the stretch are getting a great deal of
press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the many tweaks was a
paradigm shift, almost a transformation of each individual, moving away from “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me”</i> to more of what’s best for “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the team”</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It sounds so
simple and anything but profound…but this team may have learned this valuable
lesson at an early age, and in doing so reminds all of us of the same lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their season reminds us that unless <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">talented people work together</i>, focusing
on the greater good of the team, the company, the organization, or the family…really,
nobody wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people work as a
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">team</i>, everyone wins.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Make Your
Free Throws</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT0xAmB8hUolf2_oqEPrmc4ZAUN1WBS1VKdPYUFvq4B_Xxs8f_oGhYAdZeOmz2WSYdiErpaKznPP7H6qZ9OISJEz0BtvCspfX15N7Z_KxgjhfbXqNTTVQXAdHoRuZ6eOdO1LR2ZreKbY/s1600/FreeThrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT0xAmB8hUolf2_oqEPrmc4ZAUN1WBS1VKdPYUFvq4B_Xxs8f_oGhYAdZeOmz2WSYdiErpaKznPP7H6qZ9OISJEz0BtvCspfX15N7Z_KxgjhfbXqNTTVQXAdHoRuZ6eOdO1LR2ZreKbY/s1600/FreeThrows.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During the
regular season, this Kentucky team shot a less than stellar free throw
percentage – 68%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
tournament, however, the Cats shot a little better – 71%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though only a 3% improvement, they
seemed to make them when they needed them, down the stretch in close
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately they just
didn’t fall for the Cats in the final game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In basketball, free throws – those free shots, with nobody
guarding you, with the clock stopped - can make or break the team’s ability to
win games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can all
learn from this, regardless of our roles, in any industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about the equivalent to a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">free throw</i>, in your business or life… What
are the easy-to-capitalize-on things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever and wherever the low-hanging fruit is in our lives, when and if
we execute, taking advantage of those easy opportunities, we’ll win the close
“games” against our competition. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Have Fun
& Enjoy The Ride</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Early in the
season, we saw Kentucky players grimacing at each other, wincing at officials,
and sometimes even at their coaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was pretty clear that nobody was having much fun at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, as this group of talented
individuals transformed into a TEAM, Kentucky fans began to see alley oop
dunks, Three-Point Goggles, Hi-Fives, smiles, jubilation, and celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw guys having fun, celebrating
when their teammates got a steal, made a great move, or hit a game-winning
shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure, it’s
easier to have fun and truly enjoy life, when things are going well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this team reminds us that things
in life or even at work tend to improve once we start having a little fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When this team relaxed and just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">went out to play</i> the game they love,
with guys they’ve grown to love…everybody enjoyed the ride of their life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This team
reminds us all to simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relax…and
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Their talent is
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For others, it may be
teaching; some people are great at math, while some people were born to sell or
lead or speak or write…whatever it may be, when we simply relax and <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/06/ride.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">enjoy theride</span></b></a>, doing what we do best, good things happen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t Be
Afraid to Miss</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ox3Zs6rUlCL4MRYmP5UQL86jgGrLvl12I-KpAm7dzyzeOzAAR8G43tYbs3TCGNW8k3ySNUkrT_HvOnduD8fJ_O0auxYyOHzc2rTPm_qd4ux2-d_f_9kVogUL3LLyni75eRrpwqHm_2I/s1600/DontBeAfraidToMiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ox3Zs6rUlCL4MRYmP5UQL86jgGrLvl12I-KpAm7dzyzeOzAAR8G43tYbs3TCGNW8k3ySNUkrT_HvOnduD8fJ_O0auxYyOHzc2rTPm_qd4ux2-d_f_9kVogUL3LLyni75eRrpwqHm_2I/s1600/DontBeAfraidToMiss.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few tough
road losses, combined with a couple disappointing performances at home during
the regular season left these Wildcats a bit timid, on offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guys that could score, at will, a year
ago, as the stars on their respective High School teams, were seemingly afraid
to shoot the ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In a game when
the objective is to score more points than the opposing team (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by shooting the ball into the hoop</i>),
it’s fairly imperative that basketball players SHOOT THE BASKETBALL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another one
of Coach Cal’s “tweaks”, down the stretch, was this idea of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t be afraid to miss a shot</i>…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once players adopted that new mindset,
we saw them become more aggressive, offensively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took shots they weren’t taking a few weeks prior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their energy-level sky rocketed, which
somehow seemed to elevate their play…sometimes quite literally – with more
dunks, more lobs, and more three-pointers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The best
illustrations, of course, were Aaron Harrison’s heroics versus Louisville and
again versus Michigan and yet again versus Wisconsin, launching deep, game-winning
three-pointers late in all three games.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The lesson
we can all learn is to be aggressive and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go
for it</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shouldn’t be afraid
to take chances, speaking up when the time and audience is right…as long as we
do so in good conscience, respectfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We should apply for the job, ask for the responsibility, and make the
tough call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid to
miss…if it doesn’t work out, no problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ll get another shot at it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Listen to
Leaders, not the Public </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAg5kGk5Dyjij6fdAmM0MX1mCdj24SVjoaGsYPP_DotHEhyphenhyphenq7l1g5QNwa36f2XCeYRjlLCVjR0gw-GvkcMdcqcSsMSUI_kzHMSyl0oFxV-gHQGQCmOFoOLtNvdZIGxuPfecM3zVb2NMq8/s1600/CoachCal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAg5kGk5Dyjij6fdAmM0MX1mCdj24SVjoaGsYPP_DotHEhyphenhyphenq7l1g5QNwa36f2XCeYRjlLCVjR0gw-GvkcMdcqcSsMSUI_kzHMSyl0oFxV-gHQGQCmOFoOLtNvdZIGxuPfecM3zVb2NMq8/s1600/CoachCal.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
several losses that were never supposed to happen, these young men could have
folded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fans (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">again…me included</i>), talking heads on ESPN, sports talk radio shows,
and article after article criticized their play, their character, their skills,
and their attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They didn’t
listen to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead they
listened to their coaches…and the leaders among their peers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’re
reminded that people will always talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People on our teams, our competitors, our enemies, our customers,
clients, and Guests…everyone will have an opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, with social media, people will likely share their
opinions in public forums, online and otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Kentucky
Wildcats taught us all a lesson this year <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in
staying the course</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
showed us that despite public opinion, we should pay attention to the
opportunities tomorrow holds instead of dwelling on yesterday’s failures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what Coach Cal instilled in this
young team, and that’s what kept them in the NCAA tournament all the way to the
end of the road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Know and
Leverage Strengths</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscxikmZfV1KHX5W-fppO8YxjApPMG3PmA9z9IPwPxy0uIw8zI5BzS6Z5QCoQx4Sy7K8kvONeVDkQ_FNMwSGC17lTgaVId3w98ET7cp8wmd258QnCEdg0RdOtbhdzuMTrTY6hgfeHeFHw/s1600/StrengthsCats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscxikmZfV1KHX5W-fppO8YxjApPMG3PmA9z9IPwPxy0uIw8zI5BzS6Z5QCoQx4Sy7K8kvONeVDkQ_FNMwSGC17lTgaVId3w98ET7cp8wmd258QnCEdg0RdOtbhdzuMTrTY6hgfeHeFHw/s1600/StrengthsCats.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a few
false starts, this team seemed to find a groove late in the season…especially
throughout this NCAA Tournament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They found their collective mojo when each individual became comfortable
with ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that thing’</i> they brought to the
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whether it
was Julius Randle’s or James Young’s ability to score almost at will, against
any defender, at any time…or Dakari Johnson’s ability to rebound…or Alex
Poythress’s ability to jump over people to score or block shots…or the Harrison
twins’ ability to set the tone with their ball handling, passing, and/or outside
shooting – the Wildcats, as a team, were at their best when guys played within
themselves, exploiting their strengths.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
Kentucky team reminds us all of a sentiment my Dad’s high school basketball
coach, “Doc” Murphy, used to teach – “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…keep
your passers pass’n and your shooters shoot’n…”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Everybody
Matters</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nBtoBItVvXBNgyUHcPQmXH36zpL5tOjSKA09XmhDDf2GsrwLGQtRYKwYNvnUcZwptaY-QXHkSW1VcQsUKVhTva7uGAlNy2673F4fmeNa0iWziAPtTgoIK-dUSR3sqAyvo9MGWLeFby8/s1600/PolsonHoodGrads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nBtoBItVvXBNgyUHcPQmXH36zpL5tOjSKA09XmhDDf2GsrwLGQtRYKwYNvnUcZwptaY-QXHkSW1VcQsUKVhTva7uGAlNy2673F4fmeNa0iWziAPtTgoIK-dUSR3sqAyvo9MGWLeFby8/s1600/PolsonHoodGrads.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We watched
this team pull together down the stretch…from the guys on the bench to the ones
on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody had a role
and everybody mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw
players like Marcus Lee, Jared Polson, and Dominique Hawkins step into games and
contribute in important situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even when Willie Cauley-Stein got hurt, his teammates insisted that he
wear a jersey and sit with them on the bench, because he brings a certain
energy with his presence on and off the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I also
noticed something very cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the tournament, I noticed Jon Hood, a senior from Madisonville, KY, on the
bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His playing time this
season drastically decreased because of all the talented freshmen, but he
stayed engaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a guy who
used to clock significant minutes and actually has an NCAA championship ring,
from the 2012 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He could
have easily disengaged and sat at the end of the bench daydreaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I saw him making sure Coach
Cal and the rest of the staff had what they needed – from clip boards to
information during timeouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was the first person jumping to his feet when the team was making big plays and
winning games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also the
first teammate to offer encouragement, picking his teammates up when they
needed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once, as the telecast
was cutting away for a commercial I caught a quick glimpse if him literally
drawing up a play on a clipboard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This reminds
us that we all make a difference…the choice is ours as to whether the
difference we make is a positive one or negative one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Win or
Lose, We Learn and Grow</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbbyq14Io3Wuv9zAtuJ1Ku5ty9wLSXXpIzJtgn-bWaynGCZmMf2zLfA-YTkW0s6rHMYsbwUOsBmiepvUWZ5pZiPkkPzu3Cwq3WqPE-SqoWPqIhnnmX1-cA47N0DAarpYD-DS_SuTrq7Y/s1600/LearnAndGrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbbyq14Io3Wuv9zAtuJ1Ku5ty9wLSXXpIzJtgn-bWaynGCZmMf2zLfA-YTkW0s6rHMYsbwUOsBmiepvUWZ5pZiPkkPzu3Cwq3WqPE-SqoWPqIhnnmX1-cA47N0DAarpYD-DS_SuTrq7Y/s1600/LearnAndGrow.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
significance of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">9 Lessons</i> is that
this would have been the 9<sup>th</sup> National Championship in the history of
Kentucky Wildcats Men’s Basketball…if they won the game.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
beautiful thing about sports that translates to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life</i>, personally and professionally, is that we don’t have to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘win the game’</i> in order to learn and
grow… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Winning is great, but it isn’t everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we learn and ultimately share with others is what it’s
all about – in sports and in life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love
Kentucky Basketball more than most things on planet Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Big Blue Nation and I would have
loved nothing more than to be celebrating that 9<sup>th</sup> championship
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, let us pause and
celebrate these sixteen special college kids on the 2013 / 2014 roster who
became young men, on one of the biggest stages in sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure they learned a great deal
about basketball and life, but they also taught us some lessons while they were at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s special, no matter how old they are.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To Coach Cal
and the Cats, thank you not only for another year of memorable, Kentucky basketball,
but also some valuable <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life lessons</i>
we can all apply to our own lives at work and at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and
review Lesson #6 on this list…keep looking up…don't hang your heads one bit...be proud not only for what you've accomplished this year, but also who you've become...)<br /> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a great day</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">...and until the first game of the 2014-2015 season, in 7 short months - Go Cats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(...Ironically,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one expert poll has the Cats ranked #6 in
Pre-Season <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2020741-preseason-ncaa-basketball-rankings-2014-15-super-early-top-25-experts-poll/page/21"><b><span style="color: blue;">NCAA Basketball Rankings for 2014-2015</span></b></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>#Thread )</i></span> </span></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-22898623328841045062014-04-01T20:10:00.000-07:002014-04-01T21:30:16.696-07:00Compro-My's and Work<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compro-My’s and Work</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh266jJJHaDmf4Wa58iRDkUegW7jN8t-qvhcC1ZsZPkwPEHlVlj5ZQ30Tk3hpRtk0L4UOfBRaCQNDf1JNDghsEhVPptz21SBel9YZk6Zzw7KskOkwuIFantIRHFMcm8et6o_nLcG3OAQMQ/s1600/ComproMy's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh266jJJHaDmf4Wa58iRDkUegW7jN8t-qvhcC1ZsZPkwPEHlVlj5ZQ30Tk3hpRtk0L4UOfBRaCQNDf1JNDghsEhVPptz21SBel9YZk6Zzw7KskOkwuIFantIRHFMcm8et6o_nLcG3OAQMQ/s1600/ComproMy's.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You’re
wasting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>time.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a
waste of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>money.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope this
doesn’t ruin <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>chances.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How is this
possibly good for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>career?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I shouldn’t
have to share any of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>stuff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Toward the
end of last year, my buddy, Brady, asked me what the most important lesson I
learned in 2013 was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
hesitation, I told him the ability to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">compromise</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I have mastered it…but just
that I’d learned -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Without it,
relationships at work and in life are impossible, and they won’t work.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We know that
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to compromise</i> means giving up
something of our own – our time, our money, our stuff, or our own interests –
for something or someone beyond ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sounds magical enough, but we’d all agree it’s often difficult to do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reality
is – it takes real <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’re born
selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the time we’re first
learning to walk and talk, it’s all about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mine…mine…mine...</i>
That’s ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if we wake up each day only
thinking about the person in the mirror, we’ll soon only have…that person in
the mirror in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s where
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work </i>comes in...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
difference between selfishness and selflessness is often the gap that prevents
two sides of any type of relationship – romantic or otherwise – from
prospering. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The mental OneMoreStep
worth taking is to make a conscious effort to let go of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘my’</i> tendencies, obsessing over <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my time, my money, my stuff, </i>and/or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my career</i>… Simple, but not very easy...because this doesn’t just happen
naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact, it’s unnatural
to lead with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Compro-My’s</i>
attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a choice available
to us, however, in every single situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Either we want to put in the effort necessary to make the relationship work, or we don't. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we
choose to do the work…to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Compro-My’s; </i>our
relationships change for the better; in most cases, for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something also happens to that person
in the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Compro-My’s</i>, that person in the mirror
is also changed for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All it takes
is a little work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that work is
waiting for us, within the gap between selfishness and selflessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So the
difference in relationships that truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work</i>
and those that don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work</i> is often choosing
to go OneMoreStep: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the
relationships that mean the most, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Compromise</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a great
day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-60589649090012651682014-03-25T21:28:00.000-07:002014-03-25T21:28:58.875-07:00Nobody or Everybody...
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nobody or Everybody…</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNPfKKHPSNdwdg_uF1GDivhsVBApyPY-8Wfb1FTVTV4CinwBUdCjwg-9pg4nmENAMm3TUqrKZqDRIvR3UdepRdEVfp0wiFO0pVRwLzDWO-bfosxQJG36t2bW6cht46fPeBDDHzoShr-o/s1600/EverybodyLovesEverybody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNPfKKHPSNdwdg_uF1GDivhsVBApyPY-8Wfb1FTVTV4CinwBUdCjwg-9pg4nmENAMm3TUqrKZqDRIvR3UdepRdEVfp0wiFO0pVRwLzDWO-bfosxQJG36t2bW6cht46fPeBDDHzoShr-o/s1600/EverybodyLovesEverybody.jpg" height="104" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When frustration sets in, it’s easy to slip into the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Nobody ______________(fill-in-the-blank)</i>’
mindset.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nobody <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really cares.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nobody <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is fun”</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nobody <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">helps me</i>.” “Nobody <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is nice.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what we say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We find ourselves in the midst of a downward spiraling, tension filled
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s natural, and we all
do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we’d all agree
that it’s rarely productive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, it’s counterproductive and usually gets us nowhere, except more
frustrated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news is – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we
have a choice</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have
to accept the notion that “nobody cares” or “nobody is nice”…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can choose to think about it differently – we could have the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Everybody’
</i>mindset.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if we challenged ourselves to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">find something fun or nice or valuable</i> about EVERYBODY?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reality is that if we’ll just try…if we’ll just open our
minds and hearts, and simply listen to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them,</i>
we’ll usually realize <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that special ‘something’
</i>about EVERYBODY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing
what we learn about people when we’re slower to speak and quicker to
listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody ever felt bad about learning fun, new things about everybody
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if everybody looked for the good in each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would ever be frustrated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taylor</div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-53002210878512319742014-02-09T17:02:00.000-08:002014-02-09T17:02:12.898-08:00The Attraction of Winning & an Underlying Paradox
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Attraction of
Winning & an Underlying Paradox</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-ejdeSQ1fhxnOLFl9fQcmH0Obr_S8EpTprOlnFkN9_gm-5Vf6JpTDk_Ey5haroRpyZ2Pz0fzf8hX5glDdXHGuZvTkj4_QV-frsFQrzyuJ1m_oInBiB022fxiOAGYh61eumPC6D5yVAU/s1600/win-lose-dice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-ejdeSQ1fhxnOLFl9fQcmH0Obr_S8EpTprOlnFkN9_gm-5Vf6JpTDk_Ey5haroRpyZ2Pz0fzf8hX5glDdXHGuZvTkj4_QV-frsFQrzyuJ1m_oInBiB022fxiOAGYh61eumPC6D5yVAU/s1600/win-lose-dice.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone wants to win. We’re all naturally attracted to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">winners</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">winning teams</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We see it in sports, every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fans are a bit louder, wear the team colors a little more
often, and we watch our teams more frequently…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">when they’re winning</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
when it’s easy to be a fan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the same token, when it’s our idea, or when our point of
view sways a decision, or when we get our way at work…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we feel like we win</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We feel good...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because winning is attractive</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone wants to win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">winning</i>
usually doesn’t ‘just happen’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quite the opposite is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It takes hard work - planning, studying, practicing, sacrificing, and
executing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many finite details
must come together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Individual performances
have to be great, but they can’t overshadow or prevent the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">team</i> from its collective <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">winning</i>
effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment it takes
to win…not that attractive, nor is it easy to do these things consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone wants to win, but not everyone has or does what it
takes to win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we all have a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every person on the planet not only has a story of where
they’ve been, but also a story of ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">where
they’re going</i>’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more we
learn about him or her, the more we learn about their stories – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what inspires them, what motivates them, how
they approach their daily routines, how they attack their goals…and why they do
what they do</i>…we get to know their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true
character</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Quick Olympics Thread…</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;">I’ve been obsessed
with the Olympics since 1988, when the Summer Games in Seoul mesmerized me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just turned nine years old, and
at the time I played Soccer, Little League Baseball, and Basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I was like most nine year old
boys, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">an aspiring big-league athlete</i>,
the ‘competitive athletics’ component of the Olympics wasn’t what drew me
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;">Instead it was the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stories</i> of the athletes – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how they grew up, where they trained, what
inspired them, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how they had to
overcome adversity</i> – the true character of the athletes inspired me…and I
couldn’t get enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every four
years, to this day, I’m fascinated with the Olympics, for the same reasons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched as Gracie Gold crushed it on her routine in the
team skating competition this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know absolutely nothing about ice skating (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">although in just the first two days of these Winter Games I’ve learned
a new figure skating term, which I love – “…twizzle…”. Very fun.</i>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just know that she nailed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every jump was flawless, and she was so
dialed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was impressed
with her skating, I couldn’t help being inspired by her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">story</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sEIwNPD21KiUW69axufibAX-oN-G4w9o0vBcTR8nbuVf0acykzQ696l9bFNldNqB-wxutA89N7k1xh2IOXFLd08TovBmdAMSkAct9Q88ZUjlYH9i8O_-YfxjW2q1aerkSWwV8erth-U/s1600/GracieGold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sEIwNPD21KiUW69axufibAX-oN-G4w9o0vBcTR8nbuVf0acykzQ696l9bFNldNqB-wxutA89N7k1xh2IOXFLd08TovBmdAMSkAct9Q88ZUjlYH9i8O_-YfxjW2q1aerkSWwV8erth-U/s1600/GracieGold.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The commentators told stories of her first time putting on
skates at a birthday party as a child, and they spoke about her rise to the top of her
sport in recent years with her performance at the national championships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned that she’s only 18-years old,
but has moved all over, living in different cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made quite the sacrifice, moving all the way to Los
Angeles to train with notable figure skating coach, Frank Carroll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That kind of commitment and hard work
was definitely inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After she skated, gracefully exited the ice, and awaited her
score, I turned off the TV…and went to church without even finding out if she
won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I realized that
it didn’t matter if Gracie Gold actually won or lost…I was still inspired by
her story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">winning</i>
really the attraction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or could it
be something else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We think we’ll be awesome and everyone will love us…we think
we’ll be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">attractive</i> if we win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at the end of the day, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">winning</i> isn’t nearly as attractive as
our story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with any story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">characters</i> make or break the storyline,
and ultimately how good the story is or isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for all of us, it’s our very own <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">character</i> that makes or breaks our story. It's also what might even make a positive impact in the lives of those around us, improving their story. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Instead of focusing on who wins, we should focus on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who we’re becoming</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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People with true character are attractive, regardless of how
many wins they have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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That’s the underlying paradox.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a great day, and if this post makes it to Sochi, <i>thanks to all of our Olympians representing the</i> <i>United States</i>. <i>You certainly make our story better...</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Taylor</span>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-23318152100601078712014-01-28T08:53:00.001-08:002014-01-28T08:53:46.253-08:00An Uncommon Thread
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">An Uncommon Thread</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimObQCbyPbbQ3QJJlXfd__teKKUsY6HHmF9vKWwMu7KVRhjvv6ymW62wGH4A6PWE5vOIiF0wMfxNZeFxbgj3n3MyYJQ6BRHJ5Tznj4eOMwxXS6QNNNxK5oedb94m_1FzsNH3TB3KwcOvI/s1600/UncommonThread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimObQCbyPbbQ3QJJlXfd__teKKUsY6HHmF9vKWwMu7KVRhjvv6ymW62wGH4A6PWE5vOIiF0wMfxNZeFxbgj3n3MyYJQ6BRHJ5Tznj4eOMwxXS6QNNNxK5oedb94m_1FzsNH3TB3KwcOvI/s1600/UncommonThread.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remember back in school; growing up…when something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out of the ordinary</i> happened, we felt a
tiny spark of excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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When we
were able to stay on the playground thirty more minutes, or when we had a guest
speaker, or especially field trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anything new…was fun.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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For many of us, it’s no different today, as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slightest hint of something new or
different in our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyday</i> routine,
can give us that jolt of energy we didn’t know we needed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">different</i> can be
scary at first, but it can be so fun, if we’ll just give it a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon what was once new is no longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things become routine again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Life happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s in fact,
pretty common.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week my best friend, Sonny, invited me to speak at an
Avis Budget Group Leadership Summit he held for his Ancillary Sales Team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">car rental</i>…and they sell you stuff when you pick up your car”, I
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty common…a sales
meeting, getting together to talk about new products, numbers, and
“strategies”.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was anything <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">but</i>
common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i> as anything I’d ever
experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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In fact, I met about 80 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i>
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They not only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">engaged</i> in deep dialogue with one
another, they were also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">engaging</i> in
the way they shared their ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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They were polished and knowledgeable about their products,
but even more passionate about their people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were excited to be together, but couldn’t wait to get
back to work on their shared mission, in their respective airports and local market
locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uniquely </i>different, as individuals, but
somehow collectively they were the same…united, focused, and determined to win,
together.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Senior executive leaders from their corporate headquarters
flew in for the summit, just for support, and to build a little community with
the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And…they were nice</i>. Sadly, in corporate America, today…most
executives are many things, but ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">genuinely
nice’</i> is rarely how they’re described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ABG’s executives were nice…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i>, for their role.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Stepping away from my daily routine, for this experience was
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out of the ordinary</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the events took place in
Orlando, Fl, where I feel almost <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at home</i>,
having lived there for nearly ten years…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it
felt new</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t feel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">common</i>…it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you, to Sonny and my new friends at ABG, who reminded
me of the power of being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Just like those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out of
the ordinary</i> days at school were fun, new, and different when we were
young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just like when
something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new</i> happens in our lives
today…when we choose to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i>,
you and I can become the fun, the inspiration, and the very jolt of energy that
everyone else on our team didn’t know they needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One for the road…</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Early in life, I remember learning in the second grade, that
every single person on Earth is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fascinated with the fact that not one person has the
same fingerprints as me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one
person has the exact same fingerprints as you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today, I’m still fascinated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Common</i>, by
definition, is ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of no special quality’</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mediocre</i>, at best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uncommon</i>, on the
other hand, is ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exceptional’,
‘remarkable’, </i>and ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">extraordinary’</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easy to feel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">common</i>,
with our routine jobs, in our routine industries, with our seemingly mundane,
everyday <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">routine</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that despite today’s circumstance,
no matter where we are in lives or careers, we are not common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all created differently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can choose to go OneMoreStep into our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uniqueness</i>, and leverage it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody else is just like us, anywhere
in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we should embrace our opportunity to truly <i>be</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uncommon</i>
men and women…and just maybe, we'll be someone else’s inspiration to do the same.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a great day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Taylor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-77588927189934257212014-01-19T03:11:00.000-08:002014-01-19T03:11:04.403-08:00Seattle's 12th Man...and Leadership
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Seattle’s 12<sup>th</sup>
Man… and Leadership</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U0bdZQ0iCbadYy5pKCTGA1HzOv-EGX3MZLjFMqFDZczFX3zjSMCAwOhJo1ZFNlVC5L3vEHRcxq9oAUQKx4Lm4nhN3nTcozPP-9bbmeNAAdKowsDRYDLrNidnxfxo_PGC1C-GmIMgjqY/s1600/12thManNeedle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U0bdZQ0iCbadYy5pKCTGA1HzOv-EGX3MZLjFMqFDZczFX3zjSMCAwOhJo1ZFNlVC5L3vEHRcxq9oAUQKx4Lm4nhN3nTcozPP-9bbmeNAAdKowsDRYDLrNidnxfxo_PGC1C-GmIMgjqY/s1600/12thManNeedle.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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Earlier in this year’s NFL season, my girlfriend, Jenna,
brought home a Russell Wilson jersey<b>. </b>Someone she works with gave it to her, and she gave it to me...I'm a huge fan of his, and I love his story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Russell Wilson is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">#3</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, on the
inside of the jersey, it had a #12 stitched on the neck…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I didn’t get it</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment, I
was on the receiving end of a mini-lecture from my Pacific Northwestern girlfriend on how the Seattle Seahawks’ beloved
fan base is referred to as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup>
Man</i>. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">11 players on a football
team…and the fans are…the…’12<sup>th</sup> Man.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom…got it.</i>)
</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’ve been fascinated with it ever since…</div>
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Seahawk fans are just that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fanatical</i> about their team…and their city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re loyal, zealous people, of all
ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wear their ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hawks</i>’ gear all year round, with pride, <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/08/represent-your-nation.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">representing their nation</i></b></span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they pass each other on the street
in Seattle, in the aisle at their neighborhood Fred Meyer, or even outside of the
Pacific Northwest…</div>
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I’ve seen them here in Las Vegas, at Disneyland, in Anaheim,
and even when vacationing in Florida…they greet one another with, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Go Hawks”</i>, as their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blue’s </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">green’s</i> shine
brightly on their hats, shirts, headbands, shoes, and accompanying
jewelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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On Fridays, in Seattle, during football season it’s a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sea</i> (no pun) of blue…for what they call,
“Blue Friday”, as everyone wears their gear, leading up to the game on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<i>Blue Thunder</i>, the official drum line of the Seahawks, has
played at every home game as well as over 100 events per year, throughout the
greater Seattle area, since 2004.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As Gameday approaches, during the season, the city hoists the official <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">`12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’ flag atop
Seattle’s iconic Space Needle.</div>
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Before every home game, a prominent individual to the
Seattle community raises the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup>
Man</i>’ flag, in a ceremony before the games are played at Century Link
Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fans not only turn out for
every single game, selling out Century Link consistently, but they also cause
an absolute ruckus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re so
loud that opposing teams get disoriented with multiple <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">false start penalties</i>, and on more than one occasion the crowd’s noise actually
registered on a seismometer nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Impressive.</span></div>
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Earlier this season, the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’ proudly became the loudest crowd in history,
on a Monday night in early December when the noise level reached 137.6
decibels.</div>
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Here’s what amazes me --- when
67,000 of Seattle’s ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’
faithfully migrate into Century Link and thousands more across the Pacific
Northwest trek out to their establishment of choice for the games --- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s
about 36 degrees (if they’re lucky) and probably raining</i></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Needless to say, I’m impressed with Seattle, and I’m
enamored with the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’
phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I naturally dug a
little deeper, tapping into some <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Googling
skills</i>, to learn just how in the world this all started.</div>
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Now, I get it.</div>
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You see the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup>
Man</i>’ really took off when, in 2005, Coach Mike Holmgren recognized the
Seahawks fans with a presentation of a special game ball, for their incredible
efforts in a dramatic overtime victory over the New York Giants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the game, the Giants committed 11 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">false starts</i>, which undoubtedly occurred
because of the Seahawks fan’s crowd noise…</div>
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<br /></div>
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However, recognizing and involving the fans in Seattle, as
it turns out, has been a part of their culture since Day 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team was originally going to be
called the Seattle Kings, but after a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">public naming contest</i></b> the name, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seattle Seahawks</i>’ was selected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contest drew over 20,000 entries
and over 1,700 names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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In 1996, the Seahawks franchise was almost moved out of
Seattle…to Southern California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
not for Paul Allen, the team would have likely been taken away from the Emerald
City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allen funded a $25 Million
ad campaign, targeted to the people of Washington to vote for a $430 Million
project<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- a new stadium for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hawks</i>, exhibition center, and parking
garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> IF and only IF the vote passed, Allen would agree to buy the team... (<i>yep, he peeled off $25 million, just to lobby for the new stadium...before he even owned the team</i>.)</span></div>
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The vote passed…Allen was then able to buy the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, he paid $130 Million and the public
(taxpayers) paid $300 Million to build the new stadium…and that’s how and why the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’ has the unbelievable platform to do what they
do 8 Sundays each season, to this day.</div>
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Supposedly just to get the deal done, the way it all went
down was a mini-miracle…and would probably never happen today, as too many
parties had to compromise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Through all the chaos, they say that Paul Allen had little
interest in owning a football team, but he saw it as a civic responsibility…and
he did it for his hometown, so the <b>people</b> of Seattle wouldn’t lose their
beloved Seahawks.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leaders Can Learn
From the Seattle Seahawks Story</b></div>
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To recap...the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people</i> of
Seattle are: </div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Involved in the process of choosing their team’s
name from the start</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Credited for the Seahawks’ extraordinary ability
to win at home</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Recognized and appreciated with the pre-game <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘12<sup>th</sup> Man’</i> flag raising</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>United by that ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’ flag flying high above Seattle’s Space Needle</div>
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And in turn, the people of Seattle, the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12<sup>th</sup> Man</i>’, are loyal,
energetic, enthusiastic, passionate, and they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bring it</i>…everyday...<i>even the 36-degree days</i>...<i>and in the rain, and rain, and rain</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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They love their team, and they love their city.</div>
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Calling all leaders!!! --- When we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">involve </i>the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">people</b> on our
teams, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">credit</i> them for successes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">recognize</i> and show them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">appreciation </i>for what they do, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unite</i> them together with common bonds
and shared goals…we, too, can experience a culture of loyalty, energy, passion,
and enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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And we’ll all love
it.</div>
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<a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-about-people.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b>It’s all about people</b></span></a>…</div>
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And that’s why I love <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seattle’s
‘12<sup>th</sup> Man’</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leadership</i>.</div>
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Go Hawks…</div>
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<b>One for the road...about ATTITUDE</b><br />
<br />
I'm a bit of a weather snob, having lived in either Florida or Nevada for most of my adult life. So the weather in Seattle...yeah...not my fave.<br />
<br />
But if you ever ask a person from Seattle, "<i>doesn't it rain all the time in Seattle?</i>"<br />
<br />
They almost always respond with, "<i>yeah, but it it's so beautiful...in the summer</i>."<br />
<br />
So nine months of the year, it's gray, cold, and raining...but they <i>choose</i> to focus on the three months of gorgeous views, sunny weather, and the beauty of what God blessed them with<b> </b>rather than complaining about the rain. (<i>They love their city so much that they actually get offended if you make fun of the rain...I've learned the hard way.</i>)<br />
<br />
There's just something about Seattle, and while it is certainly a beautiful city...I can't help but think <i>the people make place</i>. <br />
<br />
It's all about people. So focus on people the most!<br />
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Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-82561475448488927552013-11-28T06:37:00.001-08:002013-11-28T07:34:49.520-08:00A Thanksgiving Thread<style>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A Thanksgiving Thread</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p5bZYKPYzj6taNw1NbwSGOu9o_7QDJdzoI5XMMeV7jZif_BBfyB0LSeGqJ-9KDDSlB1kN7Ku37e59X5I-5sCkkkI5Oibb-t3k6v9IEfNRLeKEydLneXKfmMLSEgA-Elzz_bVnDiBVAs/s1600/TheBlessedLife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p5bZYKPYzj6taNw1NbwSGOu9o_7QDJdzoI5XMMeV7jZif_BBfyB0LSeGqJ-9KDDSlB1kN7Ku37e59X5I-5sCkkkI5Oibb-t3k6v9IEfNRLeKEydLneXKfmMLSEgA-Elzz_bVnDiBVAs/s320/TheBlessedLife.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I was
little, we had a routine – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work hard in
school, practice and play hard on the basketball court, spend plenty of time
with friends and family…but come Sunday morning, it was off to church.</i></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember
on the ride to church, my Dad would always grab his checkbook and write out a
check, to put in the offering plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes, he’d have me fill it in, and then he would sign it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every Sunday, he repeated the same
exercise – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">write out the check, put it in
the envelope, and drop it in the offering plate</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I feel very
blessed to have grown up with two sets of loving grandparents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have very fond memories of both
grandfathers, in church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
I’d sit in the balcony, with my Dad’s Dad…and come offering time, he’d always
throw his money in, and then he would be pass the offering plate to everyone in
the pews in the balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
Sundays, I’d sit with my Mom’s Dad, and come offering time, he’d always slip me
a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">five</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ten</i> dollar bill <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with a wink</i>…just
so I’d have something to put into the offering plate as it came our way.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a child, I didn’t
really know why we gave, I just trusted that it was the thing to do, and
everything would work out just fine…</span></i></b></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fast forward
to earlier this year – April, 2013 – at <a href="http://www.centralonline.tv/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Central Christian Church</b></span></a>, in Henderson, NV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Senior Pastor, Jud Wilhite did a series
on living <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Blessed Life</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with most of Jud’s messages, he
takes scripture and unpacks the principles, illustrations, and applications for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re usually left inspired,
moved, or simply refreshed about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This series was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jud taught from several scriptures and
books of the Bible, which illustrate not only what it means to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blessed</i>, but also just how we can strive
to live and experience <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Blessed Life</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course
one of the underlying principles in the series was that it’s more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blessed to give than to receive</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jud reinforced how when we graciously
and faithfully <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">give</i> of ourselves – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our time, talent, & stuff</i> – we begin
to experience the many blessings in store for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the contrary, when we hold on to our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘stuff’</i> – our money, our time, and our treasures – we quickly find
ourselves alone, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seemingly </i>on an
island of discontent and frustration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mini-season</i>, I was worried and stressed
about various things…nothing out of the ordinary…the usual – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finances, career, long distance relationship
(and no clue really how or what to do to navigate next steps…)</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jud
challenged us to take a 90-day challenge, and commit to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">giving</i> an amount we felt appropriate, to God, on a regular
basis…not because the church needed or wanted our money, but instead as an act
of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had always
thrown money into the offering plate, but never with a commitment quite like
the one I was about to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
week in April, I enrolled in Central’s online giving portal, and set up an
automatic payment of 10% of my paycheck to go straight from my bank account to
Central Christian Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though I
didn’t really understand exactly how the dollars and cents would work out in
the end, I felt moved to take that step, in faith…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and trust that everything would
work out just fine</i></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>...sure I still think about money, my career, and finances, but I don't worry about it all like I used to... </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>(And as a side note -- those 'next steps' with the long distance relationship...not only did Jenna move to Vegas, but she also found a job within 9 days of becoming a Nevada resident. All that worrying, and all we had to do was look up, step out, and trust...<b>everything is working out just fine...</b>)</i> </span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That <i>90-Day Challenge</i> turned into a new routine. Every other
Friday, since that weekend in April, I receive the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MyGiving</i> confirmation email from Central Christian Church, that my
contribution has been received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
always smile on those Friday mornings, because the irony is that I should be
sending a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">confirmation email</i> to the
Man upstairs, thanking Him and letting Him know how much I appreciate ALL of the
many blessings in my life…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On this
Thanksgiving Day, I’m thankful for so many things and so many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I guess I’m most thankful for my
parents, grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles whose gifts (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lots of toys…</i>) over the years were certainly blessings...but the
best gift has been teaching me how to live a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blessed life</i>.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So here’s a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">confirmation email</i>, to my parents and
family members, letting you know that I love you and appreciate you, and
every <i>blessing</i> in my life today, can be traced back to lessons learned growing up
in Grayson, KY – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">working hard in school,
practicing and playing hard on the basketball court, spending time with family,
and especially…going to First Church of Christ on Sunday mornings…</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">#</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Threads</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Thanks<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GIVING…</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span></div>
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Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-46081533189838663502013-11-21T20:34:00.000-08:002013-11-21T20:46:19.267-08:00Connect Four<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
Four</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2dtxXN2iqFfkLck10xM_t9RjUq9jK6mML_JFTVhowj57VlS6CQhJCxKhxI31RI2CM1nwkfXUIXitNLdzIkzmFgbRcgn7Orc0GskUdbmJbYSiGKYpC4M3wmgtzzeEQS4wcLvjtub6MTk/s1600/ConnectFour_Rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2dtxXN2iqFfkLck10xM_t9RjUq9jK6mML_JFTVhowj57VlS6CQhJCxKhxI31RI2CM1nwkfXUIXitNLdzIkzmFgbRcgn7Orc0GskUdbmJbYSiGKYpC4M3wmgtzzeEQS4wcLvjtub6MTk/s320/ConnectFour_Rob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Coming off a recent vacation to Florida, where I spent time
having fun with friends and family, my friend Rob MacRae, and I joked... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We laughed about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how nice it would be if we could just figure
out a way to play ‘Connect Four’ and/or Shuffleboard for a living; perhaps a
“Pro-Circuit” of sorts</i>…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that life
would be way more fun.</i></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The more I thought about the idea of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“connect four</i>”, some OneMoreSteps came to mind, which if/when put
into action, we could add a little spice to our lives and maybe even add a
little magic to those around us, at work or at home…making life more fun in the
process:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
with People</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A
gossip is one who talks to you about others, a bore is one who talks to you
about himself, and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about
yourself</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- Lisa
Kirk</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">four</i> questions,
to get to know someone new or catch up with an old friend…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">four </i>questions
of our boss…learn how we can add the most value possible to them, today…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">four </i>questions
of our significant other, to make sure we’re filling up their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘love tank</i>’…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ask <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">four </i>questions
of the people on our teams, to make sure they’re ok, still enjoying work, etc.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect the
Dots</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You can't connect the dots looking forward
you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots
will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something: your gut,
destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect
down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it
leads you off the well worn path</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- Steve Jobs </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
four</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> dots backwards, in our life/career…to better understand how
we arrived here, today…</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
four</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> mini-milestones we’ll need to hit in order to get from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">here</i>…to where we want to be…</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
four</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> friends or colleagues together – to make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘fun connections</i>’ or to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">build dynamic teams</i>…</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
four</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> childhood lessons learned with the challenges of today, which can also be applied to tomorrow's opportunities…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While we’re <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">connecting</i>…what
if we found a way to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">connect</i> the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">four</i> most important things, in order of
importance – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faith, Family, Friends</i>,
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Career</i>…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now that I think about it...if we: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">* Have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">faith</b>
in a higher power</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">* Love our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">family</b>
unconditionally</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">* Stay genuinely interested in how we can make a positive
difference in our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friends’</b> lives</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">...While chasing our wildest dreams for our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">careers</b>…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Maybe
we can make a pretty good living playing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Connect Four</i>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have a great day, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">connecting</i>…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Taylor</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Connect
Four pics, for the road</span></i></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjPfBMnHGSM6Sbuko1wRwk3iGYLGKC-2ixZA3wBlGuGTdq5kfcslzGlsyOy49JEXrGlwLyZY4-26hsnAmXH20QN3q2nhhGN03I1mvC_ilpOHU24kayUefT7BQ3wGU7GMAplvE9nioni4/s640/ConnectFourTimes2_VeryMery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connect Four X 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjPfBMnHGSM6Sbuko1wRwk3iGYLGKC-2ixZA3wBlGuGTdq5kfcslzGlsyOy49JEXrGlwLyZY4-26hsnAmXH20QN3q2nhhGN03I1mvC_ilpOHU24kayUefT7BQ3wGU7GMAplvE9nioni4/s1600/ConnectFourTimes2_VeryMery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1598084836"></span><span id="goog_1598084837"></span></a></div>
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<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDITN-XorUJ0zpwx3S0wnjghdZ_4AZDoc7jqErKvaCJf7KMAB8estwEbMkro84UvgWEEHggLj4Jhoy-kAUS1Z8U_mB4zVoqGy5v0RJLxzfDeqkNWfyLxYh8QrwJSbnwoHTktO-Ekz4gY/s1600/DicksWithMick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDITN-XorUJ0zpwx3S0wnjghdZ_4AZDoc7jqErKvaCJf7KMAB8estwEbMkro84UvgWEEHggLj4Jhoy-kAUS1Z8U_mB4zVoqGy5v0RJLxzfDeqkNWfyLxYh8QrwJSbnwoHTktO-Ekz4gY/s400/DicksWithMick.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Connect Four...with the Big Cheese</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM4PHnylMRHSq4PO6htuHBy6nVYAeZuPiJJPkhUXuoZkowW_6XKJmDVCqrwxzFuSN2lhwp_N1aPVQxl0PyVOBn5J1gsr_b5WouJ0fzUk1_RYtkzUnGVO7quuiCxKQ2r14M9kZcM82g3M/s1600/ConnectFour_SJAIJBTS_MK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM4PHnylMRHSq4PO6htuHBy6nVYAeZuPiJJPkhUXuoZkowW_6XKJmDVCqrwxzFuSN2lhwp_N1aPVQxl0PyVOBn5J1gsr_b5WouJ0fzUk1_RYtkzUnGVO7quuiCxKQ2r14M9kZcM82g3M/s400/ConnectFour_SJAIJBTS_MK.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSPC0i4lSNq97LMmh7TmQoOBI_yBMHFjSnwA4i0OHLk-dJx0l4HoHpMYB_cWXJAPvcIcTOiuSrfF185xj3qddbDAWcpyYBg6WWsQ02Iu9rz24acFNbG6obqBv5PIsilyYXsj0hF5Xcnk/s1600/ConnectFour_16102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSPC0i4lSNq97LMmh7TmQoOBI_yBMHFjSnwA4i0OHLk-dJx0l4HoHpMYB_cWXJAPvcIcTOiuSrfF185xj3qddbDAWcpyYBg6WWsQ02Iu9rz24acFNbG6obqBv5PIsilyYXsj0hF5Xcnk/s400/ConnectFour_16102.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Roommates...ReConnecting</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1598084855"></span><span id="goog_1598084856"></span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C1dqtrQA7k9Ilmc15y5MdWF67wrcbGajuoCfq1mUotvhSBf6qvakBnqoDLCD6L8W2lZtMixODa9cLdP8kAy_6kJ7hOB49KmWP1EuWsSH5MKiqvDtrAx4kxUa_6J8vg9yeEpwDyz9ZsU/s1600/ConnectFour_Serenade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C1dqtrQA7k9Ilmc15y5MdWF67wrcbGajuoCfq1mUotvhSBf6qvakBnqoDLCD6L8W2lZtMixODa9cLdP8kAy_6kJ7hOB49KmWP1EuWsSH5MKiqvDtrAx4kxUa_6J8vg9yeEpwDyz9ZsU/s400/ConnectFour_Serenade.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connect Four Serenade...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNnpZqDsJX1iMP0PX7XlXWXJk3D4rPGm9kbvcPhcxy2rGODevOS0SeyYEIAbwjT_5E9lG0ADHCzFaNKa7hIOgGJ2lVaQq4Y8PtoKgWgB7brWT0nu0RVI65ikSjzZIIEEItXo1aWZYWVs/s1600/ConnectFour_Jellyrolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNnpZqDsJX1iMP0PX7XlXWXJk3D4rPGm9kbvcPhcxy2rGODevOS0SeyYEIAbwjT_5E9lG0ADHCzFaNKa7hIOgGJ2lVaQq4Y8PtoKgWgB7brWT0nu0RVI65ikSjzZIIEEItXo1aWZYWVs/s320/ConnectFour_Jellyrolls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connect Four...then a couple more</td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdUQDa69ScCnIbfNGzEOd6f-1t11N9FADdfJHYfHVJi_F0pqezbyK9vLOd8kQ7bQSusEFUIHBSLit8hE2Y-SRt4-kDm-oaFxE4TtL_wYZganmeLadNq3JMD4pipkB6oaChQ8JGujTgaQ/s400/ConnectFour_Seattle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dub Dub reUnion, Connecting all Four</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa1w6dTu0esxdgI_mseUigSC1tPwXI_qzsDiTBozJf5aSD1YxFk4tDr54F41idfphxzDJF71sUAU5gue5wHdm5KAmGTHFleq8woe_frICIAgVxK9ku3eubBj6PXhDX5J__axbUOM_XK4/s1600/ConnectFour_times2_Idiots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa1w6dTu0esxdgI_mseUigSC1tPwXI_qzsDiTBozJf5aSD1YxFk4tDr54F41idfphxzDJF71sUAU5gue5wHdm5KAmGTHFleq8woe_frICIAgVxK9ku3eubBj6PXhDX5J__axbUOM_XK4/s400/ConnectFour_times2_Idiots.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connect Four times 2</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>...and if one can't <i>connect</i> over a game of Checkers</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> ...with a total stranger</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> ...in the Magic Kingdom</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> ...where can ya <i>connect</i> ?</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMc1GhzwyyQqP8K8WrqzkzLYjs2taq4Tktjw6G1bZfs8d_wPYWctfOMkFhs2b14yOGEWk17QLppf50h9Z7bsMcNj5PJkcSd1x7asJv6rGrVT3icVjuFO3C8cTcaIPyL8ibQ0m99nLHf8/s1600/ConnectOverCheckers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMc1GhzwyyQqP8K8WrqzkzLYjs2taq4Tktjw6G1bZfs8d_wPYWctfOMkFhs2b14yOGEWk17QLppf50h9Z7bsMcNj5PJkcSd1x7asJv6rGrVT3icVjuFO3C8cTcaIPyL8ibQ0m99nLHf8/s640/ConnectOverCheckers.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b> </b> </div>
<br />Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-67914728702993665922013-10-29T20:21:00.000-07:002013-10-30T08:06:01.960-07:00Love Vegas<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Love Vegas</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3_Jdci9CAp4f95xGJT6Z2C-NObrjeBbBv4sHyxn8dXWXyU-gx-9OqBM5Qppv470Tw5uVqyQI1OBpHHtti5mqRPr5KCJX79Foc5Va61Am5f3oHgAXtRUjef7bKEjrkY7IpjGnHwTeQ_8/s1600/LoveVegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3_Jdci9CAp4f95xGJT6Z2C-NObrjeBbBv4sHyxn8dXWXyU-gx-9OqBM5Qppv470Tw5uVqyQI1OBpHHtti5mqRPr5KCJX79Foc5Va61Am5f3oHgAXtRUjef7bKEjrkY7IpjGnHwTeQ_8/s320/LoveVegas.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We love Vegas…then we hate Vegas.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The electricity, the excitement, the energy, the
entertainment…all of which make up <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>
Las Vegas experience which people come from miles away to see and feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But then…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We hate Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our team didn’t win, and we lose money on our bets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dealer had 21 after we split 8’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Roulette wheel wasn’t
cooperating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clubs and bars
served too many drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
replace sleep with a steady supplement of drinking, gambling, and sinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People then become angry, tired, and
overcome with discontent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Before
we know it, disgruntled people are everywhere, and they totally get us
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So whether we’re visiting Vegas, or for those of us that live
in Vegas…we can’t help but think about how much better it will be when we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">get out of Vegas</i>, where people are
happier and we can actually enjoy ourselves again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I lived in Vegas five years ago, and hated it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was far away from my closest friends,
most loving family members, and everything that was familiar to me – the
“South”, Florida, enchanted theme parks, oceans, lakes, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more nice people</i>, per capita (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so I thought</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I spent the better part of a year, working in one of the
nicest hotel/casino resorts ever built, Wynn / Encore Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the brightest minds, most creative
visionaries, and best operators in my field were in the offices next door, down
the hallway, and across the conference room table from me…yet I couldn’t see
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I saw was the negative,
and what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vegas lacked</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I moved back to Florida, and was quickly reminded that angry
people, discontent, and sin are not indigenous to Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also reminded that I’m not in
charge, and no matter how many books I read and regardless of how much
schooling I have – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t do this on my
own</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The truth is…I spent a few seasons of my life thinking I
could…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”do it on my own</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ll go get the promotions at work”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll go get the degree from business school.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be irresistible because of all my
accomplishments.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">False.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>False.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>False.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And…false.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Three years ago, after spending a few months with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no job, nor that “career path” I had dreamed
of</i>, ironically the place I did find a job was Las Vegas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I packed up a U-Haul in Windermere, FL,
and trekked back across the country, to Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town I thought was NOT for me; the place in which I
vowed never to live…ever again…because I hated it…was now home, once again.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When I arrived, I remember thinking to myself, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t do this…again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way, can I live here and work here,
and put together any kind of life or career.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t possibly actually like this.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yet in these past three years:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve been inspired by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people</i> around me, more than in any other place I’ve lived or
worked.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve embraced the opportunity to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">create</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">contribute</i>, to
ultimately add value to my company </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve been moved by pastors and worship services at my
church (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and others</i>), having read more
of the Bible than in any other time in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Though I fall short often, in my daily walk, I strive
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be</i> more of a Christian now than
ever before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Not only have I found <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i>, I’ve learned more about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how
to love</i>, than in any other time in my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I found all of this…in Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all this can be found in Las Vegas, it can surely be
found in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anywhere, USA</i>.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">This post isn’t about me…nor is it about Vegas. </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">It’s about LOVE.</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My point is this: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">People often say, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
could never live in Vegas…because I’d be afraid it would darken my heart</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I just want to share with the OneMoreStepRevolution community
that if God can show up, in a big way, on the Las Vegas strip, He can also show
up on your doorstep, wherever you live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s with us and He is for us, regardless of our current zip code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He loves us, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because of</i> how awesome we can be, but instead, He loves us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anyway</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in spite</i> of our habits or hang-ups. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You and I can’t possibly do this thing on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We</i>
can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But LOVE CAN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">God’s love can open doors, change people, and fill hearts
with even more LOVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
replace the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> we have for our own
accomplishments and self-image with genuine, compassionate LOVE for others, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">once darkened hearts</i> quickly become full
once again…no matter where we live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If I can find all of this in Las Vegas, I’m convinced that
you and I can find it anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“All we
need is love…love is all we need</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">.” – John Lennon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two for the
road…</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tq1-_VLBNYAzUfBG-bvGM_vTzjhj_KOsQHgvT2Xx8vSAZzapyg_XwZs9j_eKVGgrAGPeYvS4P7XKe70qdEx8vjT-8xNDQuwr8reF5e_e4XXHOmk8XJrnPNrwx4Siy3eqhEAopELuc6k/s1600/PackTheMack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tq1-_VLBNYAzUfBG-bvGM_vTzjhj_KOsQHgvT2Xx8vSAZzapyg_XwZs9j_eKVGgrAGPeYvS4P7XKe70qdEx8vjT-8xNDQuwr8reF5e_e4XXHOmk8XJrnPNrwx4Siy3eqhEAopELuc6k/s1600/PackTheMack.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My church, in Las Vegas, <a href="http://www.centralonline.tv/"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Central Christian Church</i></b></span></a>, has recently embarked on a mission to take its ministry
and reach to new heights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tag
line for our journey is simply, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LOVE CAN</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thankful</i> response to what God’s love has done for us, and our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">faithful</i> response for what we believe
God’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LOVE CAN</i> do to further our
ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On September 29<sup>th</sup>,
we held a church service which we called “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pack
the Mack</i>”, at the Thomas & Mack center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Over 15,000 people literally <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">packed </i>the Thomas & Mack Center, to worship…smack dab in the
middle of Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proof that if
God can show up in this way, in “Sin City”…chances are, He can show up wherever
you and I may find ourselves today…and tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeW-qJD5TYyyffsTxys9p9rVd9YocpxG0lsJJhSYGbk9AJicit5UVBySohkmKVP1bNKe65ir9LBXwNR280B2HsZYHHPyvY5630QcHVCkaWggJRgtErL8dVu8cjugdLZkURrI0RG4_OpQ/s1600/Tram10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeW-qJD5TYyyffsTxys9p9rVd9YocpxG0lsJJhSYGbk9AJicit5UVBySohkmKVP1bNKe65ir9LBXwNR280B2HsZYHHPyvY5630QcHVCkaWggJRgtErL8dVu8cjugdLZkURrI0RG4_OpQ/s320/Tram10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Years Ago...we tipped the Cross-Country Tram Trip - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Three years ago, I was in between jobs…out of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my best friends, Matthew Glenn
Olsen, opened up his home and invited me to stay with him until I found the
next adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t have to
do that…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On this date, in 2010 – Oct. 29<sup>th</sup> <sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup>-- When I was offered a job back
in Las Vegas, Matt not only helped me pack up the U-Haul (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and clean out his own garage, which was FULL of my stuff</i>), but he
also volunteered his time making the cross-country drive with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ll never forget those three days,
traveling across the United States with Matt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laughed…I may have cried…I was a nervous wreck, as
usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most importantly, I’ll
always remember why he jumped at the chance to help…he did it with LOVE,
encouraging me the whole way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And…we do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love Vegas</i>.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have a great day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">#LoveCan </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Taylor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FE-hDwp6cMU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-82682385610281779062013-09-30T22:50:00.000-07:002013-09-30T23:49:40.811-07:00Pursue<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pursue</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7VlCv0CK3CX4feJqzUIjAVWH1vvREOtynUfLHsE0EufJEf9E-NoMlkdrg4ZqFqjx5eHCjeppboY3qz3Q8Z3vjL7r4iaWkqOL5uq85UMJPZ25R0MZBy84vS7Cs7HXDVxYJvpIgiRjFS4/s1600/Pursue_Happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7VlCv0CK3CX4feJqzUIjAVWH1vvREOtynUfLHsE0EufJEf9E-NoMlkdrg4ZqFqjx5eHCjeppboY3qz3Q8Z3vjL7r4iaWkqOL5uq85UMJPZ25R0MZBy84vS7Cs7HXDVxYJvpIgiRjFS4/s320/Pursue_Happiness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Think about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>
dream you once dreamed; which days, weeks, months, or years later finally came
true.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Consider <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2013/02/that-person.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">that person </span></b></a>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> people you became so
fond of as soon as you met them, whom later became some of your closest friends
or maybe even so much more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Remember the time, effort, and energy you put into training
for and/or preparing for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> job or
career you knew was the right one for you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Think about the most meaningful relationships in your life
today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">All four of these statements have two things in common:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It took a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">conscientious
pursuit</i> to achieve them</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuit</i>,
itself, kept you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alive, energized,
jazzed, </i>and overcome with a sense of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">purpose</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, every single day during the pursuit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">OneMoreStep
Thought</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> – When life gets tedious, dull or simply no fun…consider
your passions in life and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">pursue</b>
even more opportunities to make your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passions</i>
part of your routine...everyday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If it’s writing…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">write</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s acting…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">act.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s dancing…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dance</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s cooking…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cook</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s watching TV…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DVR it up</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you’re passionate about love…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just love everyone, early and often</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re passionate about sports…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">play them, watch them, blog about them, </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">research them</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Too often we get caught up in “life” and we get lost in the
shuffle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lose ourselves and
forget what or whom it is that makes us happy, and tragically we stop <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuing </i>those things and/or the
opportunities to be around <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those people</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then wonder why we’re in a funk…why
we are so ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">down’</i>…why we don’t have
the energy we once had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sometimes, the OneMoreStep worth taking is to remember to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursue</i></b>…and
once we’re back in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuit</i>, that’s
when we rediscover a sense of purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s when we find our source of joy and inspiration, which not only
makes us happier but it also reignites a feeling of happiness in those around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That’s the whole point of the OneMoreStepRevolution by the way, <i>to go OneMoreStep</i> <i>whenever possible, to make a positive difference in people's lives</i>…let’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursue it</i>.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two for the
road…</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of my best friends, Matthew Glenn Olsen, sent me a text
message last week, which was not only thoughtful on his part, but it was also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thought provoking</i> for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His message was one of
encouragement, letting me know that he was happy for all of us – the fellas - because
we’re all very happy with our girlfriends and wives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Matt reminded me, however, that all too often men stop <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuing</i> the women they love once they
become an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">official couple</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He encouraged me to never stop <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuing</i> my girlfriend whom he knows I
love very much, even though she and I have reached that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“official couple</i>” status.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So I did…and I will…because it’s in the midst of that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuit</i> when we find true happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This past weekend, I took my girlfriend on an old fashioned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all-day date</i>, which included a fun
lunch, quality <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shopping time</i> in some
of her favorite stores, a Putt Putt Golf experience which she’s been wanting to
do for weeks, dinner, and a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Days like this used to happen all the time, earlier in our relationship,
when we were both in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">major pursuit</i> of
a relationship with each other…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As we started out on Hole #1, and I saw the smile on her
face…I remembered why this whole thing was worth <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuing</i> in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she’s happy, that makes me happy…and happiness is found in the
pursuit itself!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUtEmHUFDYldGdv6hUiMVfxkmLNd8hHVy0x2UxI2aAyc89kZ0fENvoH34yOwlR67Na9HDDlbof3AhLjgECE1aQ9wjA5bg7aA_8FvI09i3830Ui30EEhnOAQb5qTRnKrxEEUOUyaTaAvw/s1600/Pursue_JB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUtEmHUFDYldGdv6hUiMVfxkmLNd8hHVy0x2UxI2aAyc89kZ0fENvoH34yOwlR67Na9HDDlbof3AhLjgECE1aQ9wjA5bg7aA_8FvI09i3830Ui30EEhnOAQb5qTRnKrxEEUOUyaTaAvw/s400/Pursue_JB.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was great fun, until she won by 4 strokes...I'm now pursuing a rematch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I saw this quote on the wall in the entrance to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Innoventions</i>, an attraction at
Disneyland, which also got my wheels turning on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">OneMoreStep opportunity</i> to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursue</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">: </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The OneMoreStep 'thoughts' put into words --- It's less about crossing the finish line or reaching the top of the mountain...and it's ALL about pursuing the 'types' of work that "sustain our spirit". In short, we should do what keeps us feeling ALIVE with a perpetual, renewed sense of PURPOSE every single day. If we don't have that today, no problem...we can always PURSUE it!</i></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLvZhq6rWKG6UycfktS2LAUJsYgzgCOYzt7zkoc3RcKXwX78Xe9FaZ52bFSy0trdokLGvelf4WtBuxIeEo17oUK7lJrmlVESwce6jjn4Ju46REY10BGE4kVdpaqABW37NJ4m9SbSYL0o/s1600/Pursue_InnoventionsQuote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLvZhq6rWKG6UycfktS2LAUJsYgzgCOYzt7zkoc3RcKXwX78Xe9FaZ52bFSy0trdokLGvelf4WtBuxIeEo17oUK7lJrmlVESwce6jjn4Ju46REY10BGE4kVdpaqABW37NJ4m9SbSYL0o/s320/Pursue_InnoventionsQuote.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks, Matthew, for the reminder, to <i>never stop pursuing...</i></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have a great day <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursuing</i> the work or the people that make you happy…and as you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pursue</i>,
I hope you feel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reenergized, jazzed,</i>
and truly overcome with a renewed sense of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">purpose</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b><i>"The journey is the destination..." -- </i>Dan Eldon</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Taylor</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>One more...</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Speaking of my good buddy, Matt Olsen...and speaking of <i>pursuing</i>. It's worth noting that Matt, since I met him in June of 1999, has always <i>pursued</i> LIFE. He works hard, and he certainly makes sure <i>fun</i> is budgeted into his schedule...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This past weekend, Matt being Matt, participated in the BATTLE OF THE PADDLE, <i>stand up paddle board competition</i> in Dana Point, CA. Just another illustration of how he not only pursues life, but quite literally, <i>"The Salt Life</i>", one of the brands he represents as the Director of Licensing for an apparel company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What if everyone not only <i>pursued</i>, but truly lived their company's brand...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b>"<i>It's all good...it's alright...just get'n high...on a Salt Life...</i>" - Chuck Wicks: <i>Salt Life</i>, ROUGH</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga46uSxc8v-lxs_L3G7hchcYr-G6djdt_ub53kWsjK2-D_ttOCGJVz6ZA6P2GJnkzTgDNeW4PBfwSJyyR0SqzTyKlqx-7sl7jh0F3643Np225XQGMqxkz6h-hTgYT2KzOrCI8eAvko7zI/s1600/MattAndSaltLifeGuy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga46uSxc8v-lxs_L3G7hchcYr-G6djdt_ub53kWsjK2-D_ttOCGJVz6ZA6P2GJnkzTgDNeW4PBfwSJyyR0SqzTyKlqx-7sl7jh0F3643Np225XQGMqxkz6h-hTgYT2KzOrCI8eAvko7zI/s320/MattAndSaltLifeGuy.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P2tEBkMdKOVXRPwALUou6kS87OYreTUMKVkkPHwnqNcsZyEqxLM6r0hNIMtoK48VsgoHdFHLCGT5K1DjcJU1orEpCC-37CJ5HeqDu7tzCHpopnH8cD1f1_JINpiKsTWClEVDznj44MY/s1600/StandUpPaddleBoards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P2tEBkMdKOVXRPwALUou6kS87OYreTUMKVkkPHwnqNcsZyEqxLM6r0hNIMtoK48VsgoHdFHLCGT5K1DjcJU1orEpCC-37CJ5HeqDu7tzCHpopnH8cD1f1_JINpiKsTWClEVDznj44MY/s320/StandUpPaddleBoards.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><b> </b> </span></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-28872117192406949952013-09-25T22:36:00.000-07:002013-09-25T22:36:54.644-07:00"I Think..."
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“I Think…”</span></b></div>
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The two most frequently used words in corporate America and maybe even society as a whole are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I Think…"</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> <br /><br />
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How often do we hear it? Partners, leaders,
colleagues, and even customers say it all day long…day in and day out. </div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The risk with beginning a sentence with, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I think</i>” is that it assumes the person
on the other end of the phone conversation, across the conference room table, across the aisle, in the audience, or in the classroom actually cares to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know what we think</i>.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It assumes that we're already a <i>respected</i> and/or <i>credible</i> source of knowledge, on any given topic.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The truth is…they may not even care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or even worse…they may not even respect
us, let alone what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we think</i>. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">OneMoreStep
Thought</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> for this week – especially for those of us who take pride in
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leading</i>, whether we ‘<i>have THE title</i>"
or not – is to simply change the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I
think…</i>” to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what do you think?”</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leadership</i>
can be defined many different ways, but I like this one (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">among others</i>):</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Leadership is the activity of influencing people to cooperate
towards some goal, which they come to find desirable and which motivates them
over the long haul</span>."</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> – Ordway Tead, <i>The Art
of Influence</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Most people become successful
because once upon a time, they were really good at ‘something’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Whether it’s selling,
creating art of any kind, speaking, writing, dancing, adding and
subtracting…some people are just really good at <i>doing</i>, whatever it is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">For true <i>leaders</i>, however,
everything changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s less
about what <i>we do</i>, and it becomes all about what we can inspire others to
<i>do</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s far less about what <i>we
think</i>, and all about inspiring <i>them</i> to share what <i>they think</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Once we accept that
ever-so-dynamic (and at times difficult) <i>challenge</i> of influencing…it’s
less and less about us and ALL about <i>them</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mark of a great leader or coach or teacher or mentor
(those who have accepted, with an open mind and heart, this <i>leadership
challenge</i>) is no longer <i>what we can do</i>, but instead it’s all about
<i>how well can lead others to go do __________ something</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So it stands to reason, that if <i>true
leadership</i> really is all about taking a group of people, transforming them
into a TEAM, and then ultimately leading them toward a common goal with unified
focus…leaders should ask <i>“what do you think…”</i> more than we boldly
proclaim, what <i>“I think…</i>”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Great leaders facilitate collaborative
conversations as opposed to dominating every conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Successful coaches take suggestions and
input from their players and assistant coaches rather than taking the “<i>my
way or the highway</i>” approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The most inspiring teachers and professors take pride in being <i>lifelong
learners</i>, and they take time to <i>stop and ask students what they think</i>
as opposed to always pontificating<i> </i>with sentences that begin with, "<i>I think</i>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What do you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Have a great day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Taylor</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">One for the road…</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Thanks to Arthur Keith, a former
leader of mine and someone I’m proud to call a friend and colleague,
who in the summer of 2007 taught me this very important <i>“I think” vs. “What
do you think”</i> lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arthur
was my <i>Leadership Coach</i>, in a Leadership Development Program when I was in graduate school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Arthur, I may have thanked you
then, for this simple yet profound <i>leadership nugget</i>…but I’m sure I
didn’t articulate it well enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So…thank you, again, for the very candid feedback and coaching six years
ago. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-66190857981533616202013-08-22T21:33:00.000-07:002013-08-22T21:33:14.044-07:00Y Me Path
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Y Me Path</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBulh61EbYbVYX5JzXcx2DVM1wbKnBVjsuILBJJ1jooUptq8Mzbi8dg-9ZDfUeCFQz6ZqC87u0SdCWRpKsxGFFKZnZIxJR2qqGQKisMJxlFRKZ2HX-btKwrDxJ30zzldpWnSzjv66pXg/s1600/YMePath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBulh61EbYbVYX5JzXcx2DVM1wbKnBVjsuILBJJ1jooUptq8Mzbi8dg-9ZDfUeCFQz6ZqC87u0SdCWRpKsxGFFKZnZIxJR2qqGQKisMJxlFRKZ2HX-btKwrDxJ30zzldpWnSzjv66pXg/s320/YMePath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Jeepers,
here we go again…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why does this always
fall on my lap?</i></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">How
come this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always happens to me</i>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Of
course, they’re all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">coming to me</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for the answers</i>…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">They</span></i><span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> always do this to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me…</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Does this “path”
sound familiar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We find ourselves here, at one time or another.</span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Life and
work and, and, and, and _____ become tedious very quickly, all too often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it does, we’re quick to blame or
judge or point fingers at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then spiral down this unhealthy
path, which is everything but productive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Often it
comes down to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how we’re thinking about</i>
the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we find
ourselves in a full-on, dead sprint down the “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Y Me Path</b>”, what if we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>change
the way we think about “it”</u></i> (whatever or whomever “it” may be…)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">OneMoreStep</i></b>
sentiment that absolutely, positively changes everything, every single time is
simply to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ReShuffle</i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Y Me Path”</b> …rearrange the letters,
just as we could “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rearrange”</i> our
thoughts about certain situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It spells – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">E-M-P-A-T-H-Y</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What a great
and powerful word – EMPATHY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is truly
amazing what happens when and if our thoughts of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Me” become </i>thoughts of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “We”</i>;
better yet, when our “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Y Me</b>” feelings
turn into <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">compassionate, understanding, kind-hearted, </i></b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">considerate</i></b>
feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just like
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Y Me Path</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">magically</i> changes to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Empathy</b>
when we look at the same seven letters differently, our outlook on an otherwise
annoying and demoralizing situation <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">magically</i>
changes (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for the better…perhaps for good!</i>)
when we look at the ‘same’ situations differently -- through an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">empathetic</i></b>
lens vs. a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">self-serving</b> one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>One for the road...</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Clarendon; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today I was speaking with some of my colleagues at
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were talking about Guest
Service, Leadership, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">delivering a
fantastic experience</i> to our Guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My coworker's take was simple, yet a powerful<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> reminder.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Clarendon; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My colleague, Kevin Brown, said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">T…all we have to do
is get people to have more <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>empathy</u></b></i>…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">instead of the cliché, ‘walk a mile in their
shoes’, we should be teaching and coaching for our folks to ‘get inside their
(our Guests') heads’; to ultimately <u>feel what they feel</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then…we’ll finally have compelling reasons to deliver the level of experience our Guests expect.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a
pretty simple sentiment that packs a pretty big punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we have to do is change the way we
think about things. A little <i>empathy</i> goes a long, long way in turning bad days into better days, frowns into smiles, and frustrations into <i>feel good, happy</i> <i>moments</i> that mean the most. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanks,
Kevin, for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">OneMoreStep</i> reminder
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a great
day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhFAaX03F35K6YljWyUJVzuYrcrVFNZo67qnahZ1bs56O7gN3M8qDYT0U778_J9ZA8GtUNGUy9maNgVzFYt56dTrEJ9kloXbGnhnAsoUWZ3S1xGVH_eNrb2KQaX1V93wIilfl2ODOxV0/s1600/KevyBrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhFAaX03F35K6YljWyUJVzuYrcrVFNZo67qnahZ1bs56O7gN3M8qDYT0U778_J9ZA8GtUNGUy9maNgVzFYt56dTrEJ9kloXbGnhnAsoUWZ3S1xGVH_eNrb2KQaX1V93wIilfl2ODOxV0/s320/KevyBrown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-57289787268685396972013-08-09T02:20:00.000-07:002013-08-09T02:20:20.854-07:00Live like Interns
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Live like Interns…</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2ALzFzUHXQLts3Iv_F7nA5Z3E-UpNmwxJ47zOJYeG6igYgm7V-uCqFZK7msTwu3wrvyPkaxaj6070ugNACJMLSeDAPgPzAcNUxQvUw1mVJA70dJ-VDa_pAoKkACHcdRNOK3oHXrCFc8/s1600/LiveLikeInterns1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2ALzFzUHXQLts3Iv_F7nA5Z3E-UpNmwxJ47zOJYeG6igYgm7V-uCqFZK7msTwu3wrvyPkaxaj6070ugNACJMLSeDAPgPzAcNUxQvUw1mVJA70dJ-VDa_pAoKkACHcdRNOK3oHXrCFc8/s320/LiveLikeInterns1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today several of my colleagues and I spent a few hours with
our nine <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summer Interns, </i>on
the last day of their 10-week internship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each individual gave a presentation on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">an idea</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a project</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they’ve completed,
an initiative they recommend, </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a
‘key takeaway’ from their experience</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following their presentations, we congratulated them on an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">internship well done</i>, with a nice
reception overlooking the Las Vegas skyline.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watching and listening to these nine talented, future <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hospitality leaders</i> speak, and having
spent some quality time with many of them this summer, I’ve decided…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we
should all live like Interns</i></b>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Interns are:</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inquisitive…and
genuinely interested in learning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<u>they
listen really well)</u></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enthusiastic…and
full of ideas for the future</i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fun…and
they smile ALL THE TIME</i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fearless…yet
they’re just as friendly as can be</i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Passionate…and
inspired by the simplest things, yet they still dream BIG</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The older we get, we tend to talk more than we listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With age comes more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life
experience</i>, which sometimes (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as we
all know</i>) gives way to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘life’s
disappointments’</i>; and before we know it, our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘bright ideas’</i> seem less and less “possible”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You and I often find ourselves spiraling into the tedious daily
routine that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">used to be fun</i>, but for
whatever reason has lost its luster; and we don’t smile as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5E-2BGRJcVwm2ijS0anznWCxJIgbxi1_BGEW4bD2tEE83kMeJRsw_aSd6cNZYYKaLKgMN2ZL_YLpzM7MrDA_o3mF0oYMgtHk2O1sFgKh7McPDQg5TMTSTDcatE_RmmE8FqDVUJGoxN8/s1600/LiveLikeInterns3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5E-2BGRJcVwm2ijS0anznWCxJIgbxi1_BGEW4bD2tEE83kMeJRsw_aSd6cNZYYKaLKgMN2ZL_YLpzM7MrDA_o3mF0oYMgtHk2O1sFgKh7McPDQg5TMTSTDcatE_RmmE8FqDVUJGoxN8/s200/LiveLikeInterns3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsey & Kassie, from Penn State</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The more we get “burned” in our relationships professionally
and personally, we’re less and less willing to take chances and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go for it</i>…and before we know it, we find
ourselves shutting down, socially engaging and/or personally connecting with
fewer and fewer people at work or in the community.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those plans we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">once
had</i> and those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dreams we used to dream</i>
can easily fade away as we slowly come to grips with merely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">settling</i> for…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whatever</i>…just because it’s easier that way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well…I’ve decided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If given a choice, I’d rather <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">live like interns</i></b>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They listen more than they talk…and...people like
them.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
is impossible to them, and they’re FIRED UP.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They connect and engage…with everyone they
meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And did I mention…people LIKE THEM)</i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>They don’t even know how to spell – FEAR</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The irony is that today nine college seniors spent a couple
hours telling my colleagues and I how much they learned from us…but I could
write a book on how much I just learned from them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact…I’m going to start, <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/02/today-is-day.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">TODAY</span></b></a>, being more like
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we should all go back
to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">living
like interns</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have a great day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Taylor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to our new friends: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brianna, Anna, Mikael, Dominique, Ashley, Kassie, Patrik, Christina, </i>and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chelsey</i>, for not only 10 weeks of
your service, but also for the inspiration we all need, from time to time, to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have
fun, learn new things, dream BIG, </i></b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">smile through it all</b>…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>#PassionForPossibility</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XTxIOYxuY_Bwu2HHsbURF8fowAHOhagPMqJw0YQRS07fMeTFPe1SbLqmmwQTsAxOfmm6DSD6IECmINdHtgo-UM28V4072JzFN-JVvVG2AO9x8JzNjShmqZ3HDMPufeaCzjyhlX0fXkQ/s1600/LiveLikeInterns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XTxIOYxuY_Bwu2HHsbURF8fowAHOhagPMqJw0YQRS07fMeTFPe1SbLqmmwQTsAxOfmm6DSD6IECmINdHtgo-UM28V4072JzFN-JVvVG2AO9x8JzNjShmqZ3HDMPufeaCzjyhlX0fXkQ/s400/LiveLikeInterns2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-103242972002419892013-07-30T18:15:00.000-07:002013-07-30T18:15:25.057-07:00The Truth about Jerks<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Truth about Jerks</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6VjTRc2EJk08ITpJxtAt-ateajKdpgj5mM6_WuiU6_AiwnOJNvheHA-aUA91DWaQm958AVJjJPxrTRQdPXywxqtGjpCJw43-S_8w9ypbIs1tklciR3Y3ii7eQlSXv0gbtD7-S_8dWPc/s1600/TruthAboutJerks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6VjTRc2EJk08ITpJxtAt-ateajKdpgj5mM6_WuiU6_AiwnOJNvheHA-aUA91DWaQm958AVJjJPxrTRQdPXywxqtGjpCJw43-S_8w9ypbIs1tklciR3Y3ii7eQlSXv0gbtD7-S_8dWPc/s320/TruthAboutJerks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’ve all
either <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">been</i> a jerk to someone or
we’ve <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">been</i> on the receiving end of
someone else’s jerk-like tendencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re all human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
happens.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People are
jerks sometimes; no question…it’s an unfortunate reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fortunate reality, however, is (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or can be</i>) how we choose to react when
people around us are…in a word - a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">jerk</i>.</span></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some <i><b>OneMoreStep</b> thoughts</i> on <i>Jerks</i></span>:</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They may NOT know better</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though it may be hard to believe,
that person on the other end of the phone, across the aisle, across the
conference room table, or in the next room, may not know how to act or react in
certain situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some cases,
even if they know what’s right, they may not know how to show it, say it, or do
it.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">else</i> may be going on in their life</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2011/03/everybody-has-stuff.html"><b><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everybody has stuff</span></i></span></b></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jerks are not indigenous to our
current location, current place of employment, or current city </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite our natural tendency to
romanticize ‘the next season’ or ‘our next place of employment’ (you
know…’that’ place or ‘that’ company where it ‘would’ be so much better), the
grass isn't greener (with fewer 'jerks') someplace else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jerks have a funny way of surfacing, no
matter where we find ourselves.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They're probably scared of something</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of my favorite authors and guru
on Leadership and Marketing, Seth Godin, published a blog post several months
ago entitled, “<a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2012/06/snark-and-fear.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">Snark and Fear</span></b></a>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The main idea of the post was that if/when people get snarky with us; we
should ask them what they’re afraid of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jerks may have needs</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They may very well need help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is financial assistance, someone
they can call a friend, someone to make them laugh, or perhaps just something
or someone to put their mind at ease…they may have a huge hole the size of
Texas in their life, and they may need something or someone.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wait…maybe…in reality they're not a
jerk after all</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It could be that they may not be as
bad as we think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not
sold?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still not buying it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wasn’t
either…until I remembered that I, too, have been a real jerk to people at one
time or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“wouldn’t it be nice if people gave me the
benefit of the doubt when I was a total jerk…”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That's reason enough to be <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2013/02/that-person.html"><b><span style="color: blue;"><i>that person</i></span></b></a> to the "jerks" in our lives, because they're no different than us. I bet deep down, they're not really jerks.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So when
people are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">total jerks</i> to us, going
OneMoreStep, smiling right back at them, meeting them where they are, and
perhaps even figuring out a way to help them could be way more fun and
productive. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Too often we
try to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">get back at them</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">win the argument</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prove our point.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every time I do that I get myself in trouble or make matters much worse. Then…who’s the jerk?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s the
truth about jerks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have a great
day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taylor</span></div>
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Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-82529384876592369232013-07-23T19:30:00.000-07:002013-07-23T19:30:06.089-07:00The Beauty of Now
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<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18.0pt;">The Beauty of<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Now</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I dream
about the future; many say I do so far too often. I’m guilty as
charged…it’s true. I love the opportunity of the future – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what we can accomplish, where we could go,
how we’ll get there, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with whom
we’ll take our adventures</i>.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCWz9uHUklyrOV4pMfLw-mSyDyNJZbhB7Pikaize48zBwvgkgFhTfWyJWU-e6m6mFyMj4A23kRZ-z_YD1hBowM2VRoFQtiFA737qAstmAPHWOT4UiZ8arJWlobT7xZwHUkI0NvuAeX64/s1600/BeautyOfNow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCWz9uHUklyrOV4pMfLw-mSyDyNJZbhB7Pikaize48zBwvgkgFhTfWyJWU-e6m6mFyMj4A23kRZ-z_YD1hBowM2VRoFQtiFA737qAstmAPHWOT4UiZ8arJWlobT7xZwHUkI0NvuAeX64/s320/BeautyOfNow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">However,
last week my girlfriend and I took a quick weekend trip to Southern California,
and of course spent most of our time at the Disneyland Resort. On several
occasions, she asked me, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s been
your favorite part of the trip so far?</i>” </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Every
time, I answered, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now…”</i> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each time the question was posed,
I literally couldn’t think of a better moment than the very moment in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">which
the question was being asked…each time. (A p<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ossible milestone in my own personal growth and development, as I'm
usually obsessed with everything BUT what's happening right now…but that’s
another story for another time…</i>)</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I felt
compelled to share these OneMoreStep thoughts on the ‘beauty of now’</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">…</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Perhaps this rings true for you,
people on your teams, loved ones at home, colleagues at work, or maybe even for
our friends…No matter what we have going on in our lives, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>, these truths apply:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We’ll never be younger than
we are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> ‘imminent’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thing</i>
we’re dreading is looming, it’s still just that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">looming</i>. It isn’t happening just yet. Why worry?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The annoying disappointments
of yesterday are long gone; in the past. We don’t have to deal with them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Most of what we’ve ever
learned in school or in life can finally be put to use, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Even if we haven’t quite
accomplished our goals, we can hustle and work toward making our dreams
realities, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If we’re in a rut, or a
rough patch; it’s only a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">season</i>…it
won’t be this way forever, it’s only this way right now.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If life is good, and we’re
really enjoying it, then we’ll soon miss the way things are, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Moments</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> that make us happy are never
more wonderful than when they’re actually happening. Sure we always have
the memories, and pictures capture an image of what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> happening in those moments, but our most cherished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">moments</i> capture our hearts and minds, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>, when they’re happening.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So
instead of worrying about what’s yet to happen, or the unfortunate things that
have happened, we should focus on what is happening…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>. Too often we don’t enjoy what’s happening <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>, and pretty soon we find
ourselves asking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“what happened…</i>” and
all we can think about is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how good we had
it back then</i>.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I like
what our friend Andy Bernard says in one of his last monologues on NBC’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Office – Series Finale</i>: </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu-dF6YoB0fnBz9z0mtvghEgE6ZLm5jWQQF7SVM4UTn9fI2A5OK4surbNjTicj90uj6V9FkEywS0zibjs3kSN_LpXM7-7qOVJG7ECAniITwZ4EW8tpvlxvgz6Pb7p5rHs8stB9xNKpO8/s1600/BeautyOfNowAndy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu-dF6YoB0fnBz9z0mtvghEgE6ZLm5jWQQF7SVM4UTn9fI2A5OK4surbNjTicj90uj6V9FkEywS0zibjs3kSN_LpXM7-7qOVJG7ECAniITwZ4EW8tpvlxvgz6Pb7p5rHs8stB9xNKpO8/s200/BeautyOfNowAndy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I wish there was a
way to know you’re in the ‘good ole days’ before you’ve actually left them.</i>” – Andy Bernard</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We can
dream about how it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">should be</i>, how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s supposed to be,</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how we’d like it to be</i>…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>OR</u></b> we can accept and embrace the
way things are, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right now</i>…today. Because
what’s happening at this very moment is real…it’s not a dream. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And
that’s what makes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NOW</i></b> beautiful…it may be a mess, but at least it’s not a
fantasy, it’s real.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Embrace
it. Accept it. Enjoy it. Love it. Love the NOW…because
down the road we may look back and wish we had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">embraced</i> more, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">accepted </i>more,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">enjoyed</i> more, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i> more. If we all truly go
OneMoreStep, doing all we can do, TODAY, for people around us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">RIGHT NOW</i>, imagine living in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> world…imagine that fullness of
life, every day. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Talk
about a standing ovation. Everybody take a bow. But don’t talk
about tomorrow tonight. I love the now…”</i></b> – Jimmy Buffett, “I Love
the Now”; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Floridays</i> album - 1986</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enjoy the season…enjoy
the now</i>.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Taylor</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-81006609265681368042013-05-11T23:17:00.000-07:002013-07-22T10:21:18.118-07:00Shelf Space<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Shelf Space</span> </b><o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This one’s for the Moms…</i> <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
What we know today didn’t just come to us, in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vision</i>, or out of the clear blue sky. Most, if not all of what we know today is because of what we learned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">once upon a time</i>, from someone else. <o:p></o:p><br />
What we know today, in most cases, we actually began learning weeks, months, or even years ago.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
My mom was a school teacher for 27 years. She taught Kindergarten, 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, & 3<sup>rd</sup> Grade. Depending on the time of year and topic on the lesson plan, she would transform her classroom into an ocean or a rainforest or an elegantly set dining room for high tea, for a Mother’s Day Tea Party – complete with antique tea cups, table cloths, and dishes.<o:p></o:p><br />
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My mom didn’t just teach…she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">created</i>. She told me once that her goal, in teaching these young people, was to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">simply create shelf space</i>. During the unit on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ocean</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Rainforest</i> she would aim to merely plant a seed, creating a shelf in the mind of an 8-year old, who perhaps one day would have an opportunity to study or work in a related field later in life, adding to that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shelf space</i> of knowledge first created in the 3<sup>rd</sup> Grade.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
At the Mother’s Day Tea Party for 2<sup>nd</sup> Graders, seven-year old boys and girls learned how to be well-mannered Men & Women. Mom wasn’t as concerned about 2<sup>nd</sup> graders mastering table manners or proper etiquette right then and there, but instead she was simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">creating shelf space</i>…so as young adults or professionals later in life, they could not only draw from what they’d learned, but also add to their knowledge on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘etiquette shelf</i>’ first created in the 2<sup>nd</sup> Grade.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The <b>OneMoreStep Thought</b> on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shelf space</i> is two fold: <o:p></o:p><br />
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1)<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>You and I have opportunities every single day to create <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shelf space</i> for someone else – our friends, family members, coworkers, teams, bosses, and even our students, Guests, or customers. We all may not be experts, but all of us do have unique talents, time, and passions…sharing any one or all of them with the people in our lives just might <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">create shelf space</i> in their hearts and/or minds that one day could lead to a new sense of purpose, an inspiring journey, or simply a positive difference in their lives.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
2)<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Sure we work hard, and absolutely we can be proud of our accomplishments. While some may have created their own destinies or climbed their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“mountain”</i> by his or herself, most of us have what we have today because of someone else. Somewhere, at some point along the line, someone either gave us a break, gave us a shot, taught us a lesson, or inspired us to make a decision that would change our lives for the better. <br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We should remember those people, and tell them or show them how much we appreciate the positive impact they’ve made in our lives.</i></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Join me in honoring all Mothers, Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, and Aunts on this Mother’s Day weekend, for the lessons and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shelf space</i> they’ve created for us over the years. <o:p></o:p><br />
To my Mom – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Every single day I draw from or add to one of the thousands of ‘shelves’ that you first created in my heart and mind - some years ago, while others were just days ago. Thanks for the <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2011/05/lessons-from-mom.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">lessons</span></b></a> and thanks for the love. </i><o:p></o:p><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I love you…Happy Mother’s Day.</i><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One for the road…</b><o:p></o:p><br />
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I was a unique case, having my Mom for a Kindergarten teacher, both of my Aunts were educators, and both of my grandmothers were educators.<o:p></o:p><br />
Last week several colleagues and I participated in Junior Achievement’s – JA in a Day program. We spent the day at a local Las Vegas elementary school, teaching Kindergarten, 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> 3<sup>rd</sup>, 4<sup>th</sup>, & 5<sup>th</sup> Graders about Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy. <o:p></o:p><br />
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At first I was a bit nervous, standing in the front of a 4<sup>th</sup> Grade classroom teaching 32 ten-year old students about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Entrepreneurship, Business, Revenues, Expenses, Profits, Losses, Problem Solving, Risks, & Rewards</i>. <o:p></o:p><br />
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However, thanks to the greatest teachers in my life – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mom, Nini, Jennifer, MomMom, and MaMa</i> – I had ample “teaching” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shelf space</i>…so I just connected the dots backwards to all the years I watched and listened to my Mom, aunts, and grandmothers...teaching felt quite natural after that.<o:p></o:p><br />
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…and my colleagues and I took great pride in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">creating some ‘entrepreneurial’ shelf space for the students of Cunningham Elementary School. </i>Who knows whom among them will become the next Steve Wynn, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates...<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />
Happy Mother's Day...<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Have a great day.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Taylor<o:p></o:p><br />
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{page:Secti"</style><span style="font-size: 24pt;">"</span><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> ...you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life</span></i></b><i>.</i><span style="font-size: 24pt;"> " </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-70272670994965199362013-05-06T22:22:00.002-07:002013-05-06T23:18:07.267-07:00Being there... Guest Blog Post by Sonny Ritacca<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Guest blog post, by Sonny Ritacca:</b> </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being there….</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greetings, One More Step Nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
has been a privilege to read, live, love, and grow with the One More
Step Revolution, and watch it evolve into what it has become today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However,
having the privilege to have Taylor Scott in my corner for over 12
years, there is little I haven’t already seen put into action, on our
playing field, better known, as “life.” These are not just words or
concepts to him… They are his way of being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The greatest lesson learned and one that has been pivotal in my leadership journey is “being there”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t think of one important day in my life, where Taylor has not been there in some form or fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether
it’s a promotion, graduation, heartbreak, loss, screw up, or simply to
bounce off an idea or strategy; I don’t remember every beer we’ve
enjoyed together, or all the antics that have ensued over the years
(well I remember most), but I certainly remember every time he was there
for the aforementioned moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only does he celebrate with me, he cries with me; a true measure of one’s character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Being there</i>” synergy is often the common denominator in our trusted circle of our Band of Brothers (<a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2011/09/fred-fridayremembering-9-11-ten-years.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we hit it off and immediately became the best of friends during and following the tragic events of September 11<sup>th</sup>, 2001</i></b></span></a>.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps that’s why we have such closely knit, trusted group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">leadership</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">friendship</i>, I truly believe that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being there</i>” is what separates the good from the great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To establish trust, loyalty, and partners that will go shoulder-to-shoulder with you, this is the right way to get there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be there</i> for our people at the times that are most important to them and when they need it the most</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
a leader, do not confuse this with the ability to have the tough talks
with your people or an excuse for not holding your people accountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
your people feel that you love them and that you are there for them,
the tough talks and measures of accountability become easier, and with
greater impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they understand that your position comes from a place of <a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2011/04/lead-with-love.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b>love</b></span></a> for the person and the business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will walk away from it, feeling they let you down, and an unbridled hunger to do better and tear down the walls for you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Furthermore, they will understand that you will be right there with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
they are not the right fit for the business, they will understand that
you made every effort to get them there, before it’s time for
separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In his book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leadership</i>, Rudy Giuliani passes on a lesson he learned from his father: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Weddings are discretionary and funerals are mandatory</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While being mindful of crossing personal boundaries for those you lead, understand when you need to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be there</i>”. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cheers,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sonny</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>One for the road...</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took the month of April OFF, from writing <i>OneMoreStepRevolution</i> blog posts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I talked to Sonny the other day, and he said he hadn't seen a post in a few weeks. I told him I was taking a break after feeling a bit discouraged, down, and even disappointed in a few outcomes as of late. As usual, Sonny had some encouraging words, picked me up, and even went OneMoreStep in sharing some of his encouraging and passionate words with OneMoreStep Nation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks, <i>for being there, </i>Sonny...thanks for bringing us back. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">#<a href="http://postmediaprovince.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/michael-jordan-45.jpg?w=358&h=349"><span style="color: blue;"><b>45</b></span></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have a great day.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taylor<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>A few weeks after we first met, both Sonny and I experienced the 'not so magical' side of a breakup. Two weeks later we found ourselves bonding at a Jimmy Buffett concert together in Manassas, VA on September 9th, 2001...cheering each other right up. (Needless to say, we grew even closer just days later after the events of 9-11-01.) </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>He grew up in Chicago loving baseball, and I grew up in Kentucky loving basketball. He always appreciated the rich tradition and heritage of the Kentucky Wildcats, and I grew up with a fascination with Wrigley Field and watching the storied Chicago Cubs on WGN. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>We clicked instantly over sports, Disney, and Jimmy...to this day we go to games, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Jimmy Buffett concerts...nothing like being there...</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>We both love Summertime, palm trees, oceans, islands, live music, Disney, and William James Buffett...12 years and upwards of 20 Jimmy concerts later...we seem to always remind each other of the importance of 'being there' for one another; which is how this whole thing started. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>The more things change, the more they stay the same... </i></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDOJnoJmKX2-hNckxP5GoPunZ7NXQV5lGpAxmVunr3cIE9xn7DiOd9ZTMJBVjWAESVtYBr4RuUBDmSrfZ7Mp8aMZov5vmr8emQbWQI3YZ3r1B5N1ssHvfnYB8IhEz9A9glkRFM02ZUlU/s1600/SonnyMeAtJimmy's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDOJnoJmKX2-hNckxP5GoPunZ7NXQV5lGpAxmVunr3cIE9xn7DiOd9ZTMJBVjWAESVtYBr4RuUBDmSrfZ7Mp8aMZov5vmr8emQbWQI3YZ3r1B5N1ssHvfnYB8IhEz9A9glkRFM02ZUlU/s320/SonnyMeAtJimmy's.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b> </b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span>Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654393136928794407.post-43744926962528605532013-03-28T18:47:00.000-07:002013-03-28T18:47:13.924-07:00Context Is King<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Context is King</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4Vs_Lf5xAERKlZpwxFNdbsh3gMZHDZ7l2Wwke48DgUxhM9V-SCQaBysIzkiZOk_6UxFTC8r6emOa41aYVkSD4drwOJXw7Csp8WyPgfL-1DQS9nZC7HbWhS2TlLdbkyCiaSmcx3L87t4/s1600/ContextIsKing.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4Vs_Lf5xAERKlZpwxFNdbsh3gMZHDZ7l2Wwke48DgUxhM9V-SCQaBysIzkiZOk_6UxFTC8r6emOa41aYVkSD4drwOJXw7Csp8WyPgfL-1DQS9nZC7HbWhS2TlLdbkyCiaSmcx3L87t4/s320/ContextIsKing.jpg" usa="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We get upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re often disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are frustrated too frequently.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the same token, we<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> upset</i> people, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">confuse</i> people, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">disappoint</i> people, and whether we realize it or not…chances are pretty solid that we also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">frustrate</i> the people in our lives at work and at home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(<i>People
that know me will tell you that I've managed to become a professional
at all of the above...however, I'm working on it...)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too often we don’t know where they’re coming from on certain topics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe they don’t really know where our sudden burst of conviction and passion is coming from on those very same topics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We AND They…far too often, just don’t know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WHY</i>…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">OneMoreStep Thought</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: Tell ‘em why!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give people the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why’s</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give people the context, the reason, the back story, the challenges…give them the CONTEXT of the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real OneMoreStep lies in not only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">giving the context</i>, but ASKING FOR the context.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s easy to preach, pontificate, and dictate our thoughts and our convictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what everyone usually does; which is what usually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">turns off</i> the person on the other end of the phone or the person in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other</i> department or the person that has a complete opposite view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relationships get nowhere, fast, as a result.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the other hand, when we pause, take a deep breath, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ask for more context</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ask for</i> the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why’s</i>; if and when we not only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ask</i>, but listen to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>…that’s when we begin to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2012/04/magic-of-understanding.html">understand</a></span></b></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i> begin to feel more comfortable with us; and it’s that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">comfort</i> that leads to TRUST, and the trust, is what leads to thriving, productive RELATIONSHIPS.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now…we’re partnering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now…we’re a team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now…we’re enjoying the conversation rather than avoiding it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The challenge is usually rooted in the inability to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">communicate effectively</i>, and the missing link, more often than not…is CONTEXT.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Context is King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Provide it and Ask for it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have a great day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taylor</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Related Post: <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://goonemorestep.blogspot.com/2011/12/content-is-kingwith-twist.html">Content is King with a twist</a></span></b></span></span></div>
Taylor Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07605767731267073556noreply@blogger.com0