Anything...Anytime...Anywhere...

Anything…Anytime…Anywhere…

Things are nuts.  Work is crazy.  Boss’s expectations are quite lofty and borderline unrealistic.  Friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives, children, and/or family members…of course we love them, but let’s face it, sometimes they can be a tad needy. 

We all can relate to being so busy with work stuff, life stuff, and relationship stuff...Everybody has stuff. 

OneMoreStep thought for this holiday weekend – When the boss, your coworkers, your friends, or your family come to you for something – tell them no problem…tell them you’ll do ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE for them.

It sounds dramatic and unrealistic, but how many times have you been in a bind or felt like you needed a helping hand?  How often do we feel that unless somebody somewhere helps us out, we will fail?  We all have felt this way at one time or another.  How cool was it when that one friend, coworker, or what may have seemed like an angel from Heaven swooped in and helped you out?  Better yet, when nobody offered his or her assistance and you had to do it all by yourself…how cool would it have been if someone had gone OneMoreStep to extend a helping hand?

This is a golden opportunity to be the one person to take five minutes or an hour or two out of your day to lend a hand.  Even when we’re so busy with life, with work, with stuff…when somebody calls upon you for a favor or needs help, tell them anything, anytime, anywhere.  You’ll do it. 

Everybody else is too busy.  Everybody else is too important.  Everybody else passes the buck.  What if you were the one coworker, leader, boss, friend, or family member that said yes when everyone else said no.  What if you were what author Seth Godin calls a Linchpin, and took on a challenging project at work when everyone else on the team or the organization said it couldn’t be done.   

What if you were the one person that volunteered your own services and time for no other reason but to help someone else?  What if you dropped everything on your one night of the week that is usually spent relaxing on the couch and answered a friend’s call for help?

Imagine if we’re the one teammate, teacher, boss, coworker, or friend that no matter what is asked of us, our response is, “anything, anytime, anywhere…I’ll do it.”  That’s a OneMoreStep that is bound to make a positive impact every single time.  It’s bound to help someone out when they need it the most.  

Would you get paid more money?  No. Would the beneficiaries of your services feel forever indebted to you?  Doubt it. Would you be paid back or showered with recognition?  Probably not. 

Here's what will happen...

People that consistently go OneMoreStep to this degree make themselves indispensable at work.  The value they create quickly becomes an integral part of any team, company, or organization’s business plan.  The love and respect they show to their families is often the very glue that holds together an otherwise broken home.  The magic they make for their friends becomes the very medicine that saves people from loneliness, depression, and sadness. 

We can all be one of these people…when nobody else thinks it can be done, or when the boss, a friend, or a family member asks you for help, even at the most inopportune time, go OneMoreStep and tell them, “…anything, anytime, anywhere…I’ll do it for you.”  That’s how you create magic.

"Tell me what you need...I will surely come through...anything, anytime, anywhere...for you..." - Jimmy Buffett 

Happy Friday…but Finish Strong!

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Taylor

FRED Friday...tech MAGIC

FRED Friday...tech MAGIC

This week’s FRED Friday story comes from a popular website, reddit.com, a social news website on which users can post their own stories and content.  Other users can then vote on the links to stories, determining how prominently they're displayed on the reddit.com home page. 

Earlier this week, my boss forwarded me a link to this particular story…he said it made him think of FRED Fridays.  I had a few other potential stories in mind, but the more I thought about this one, I felt compelled to share it with the OneMoreStepRevolution community…

Lori works the tech bench at a large retail store.  This week she posted her story of a magical moment she made for a client about two months ago.  Lori’s heart went out to an elderly Guest/customer that came into the store with a broken computer.  Of course she needed it fixed.  This fragile, older lady had recently suffered two strokes, was having difficulty with her words, and she had a real tough time with her writing as well.  The lady brought in a fairly new netbook computer that her daughter had given her just a month prior.  The computer was showing no sign of power. 

Lori confirmed that the problem was not the battery or the adapter.  She then told the lady that she did have a manufacturers warranty and the machine could be fixed, but they would have to send it off for the issues to be resolved.

Though the lady did not get angry, she began to tear up…that computer was the only way that she could see her daughter and son-in-law, as he was deployed and stationed in Hawaii…

OneMoreStep moment…

Lori thought to herself, “She has only had the computer one month, and she’s only just a little bit outside the exchange policy grace period…plus the poor lady is having an awful time with this.”  So she sets out to see what she can do.  Lori went OnMoreStep…thought purpose over policy, and exchanged the computer for a brand new one…she didn’t stop there. 

Lori went even OneMoreStep…

The poor lady had a slip of paper with all her usernames and passwords for all of the applications, websites, and programs that she used frequently.  Lori entered them in to all the sites she frequents and saved them, making it as easy as possible for her to access what she needed and most importantly, to download Skype.

The nice lady was very grateful, and she left happy.

A few weeks later, as Lori was working in the back, one of her coworkers came back to get her…a customer had asked to speak to her specifically. Though Lori was initially scared, as she was unsure of just who could be outside asking for her…she walked out, and it was the lady for whom she had made magic.  She was holding a teddy bear with a hula skirt on it and a card. She told Lori that what she did meant so much to her and her family that she called Lori's corporate office and told them the story…and her daughter sent Lori a card and hula bear from Hawaii as a thank you.

Lori said in her post, “It was overwhelming…”

Lori could have easily apologized for the inconvenience, followed proper “procedure”, and sent off the computer to be fixed…taking the standard 14 to 21 days…or who knows how long to be returned.  Instead, she cared.  She served…and she took an ordinary day’s work and turned it into an extraordinary experience for someone. 

Sometimes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is ONE…MORE…STEP!

Happy FRED Friday…

Taylor

Do it Anyway

Do it Anyway

Here we are…just trudging through our daily routines, doing what we do.  It’s easy to get lost in the everyday monotony of our own jobs, lives, and careers. As my grandmother used to say, “…life gets tedious, doesn’t it?”

We begin to wonder if the work we do, the hours we put in, and stress we endure really mean anything to anybody or anything.  Does our boss care?  Do our coworkers or friends truly appreciate us?  Do our Guests and customers really value us?  Do our students love and respect us as much as we care about them and their future?  

OneMoreStep thought for this week:

When life gets tedious, and you think others don’t care, appreciate, or value what you do everyday…do it anyway. 

When you’re asked to do things outside of your job description or above your pay grade, for no extra pay…do them anyway.

When people laugh at your dreams, goals, and aspirations…dream them anyway.

Value Creation = Magic

The essence of going OneMoreStep stems from taking the focus off of “us” and putting it on “them”.  Life is so much more fulfilling with this approach vs. the alternative.  So when you’re putting in the extra hours or taking on stress so that others don’t have to…so what if people don’t show that they appreciate your efforts?  Who cares if you never know what they really think about your performance…YOU’LL KNOW.  Soon enough they will too.

When we keep ourselves from making it about ‘us’ and genuinely focus on creating value for others – that’s when we make magic.  That’s when we look ourselves in the mirror and give ourselves a high-five because we know we created value and made an impact on somebody else’s day, career, or life.  That’s reward enough…so when people don’t show you they care or appreciate what you do – do it anyway.

On the Job

Whether it’s Corporate America, small business, or entrepreneurship – the boss, owner, or customer always demands MORE from us.  Whatever we think our limit or capacity is…if we want to stay afloat or get ahead, going OneMoreStep becomes a necessity.  So when you’re asked to put in the extra hour or do something outside your job description or pay grade, rather than holding out for more money or recognition before you do the work…do it anyway.  Why?  Because we’re creating value, that’s why.   

We have to do the small stuff, before they trust us with the big stuff.  Before we ask for more salary…we should focus on creating more value.  Popular author and successful entrepreneur, Gary Vaynerchuk, (author of Crush It, The Thank You Economy, and creator of WineLibraryTV.com) says about this topic, “…give, give, give, give, give…and then ask.” Consistent value creation, especially for your boss or your customers, will absolutely, positively result in promotions, more money, and recognition…eventually.  Patience is the key. 

Dreams…Goals…Aspirations

I’m a firm believer that if people want something badly enough, they’ll make it happen.  Sure some dreams, goals, and/or aspirations can be lofty and the deck may very well be stacked against us…but who says with the right amount of faith, trust, and good old-fashioned hard work, we can’t make those dreams a reality?  The beauty of this country, and really this life is that we can truly do whatever we want to do…it just takes time, effort, and maybe a little bit of luck.  As Walt Disney himself said, “…it’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”  So when people laugh at your aspirations or goals, and when you think your own dreams are too far fetched…dream them anyway.

We get one shot at this thing.  We only go around once.  As long as we know in our heart of hearts that what we do day in and day out - from the smallest contribution to the dramatic, game-changing initiative – as long it creates value and we know we’re doing the right thing…regardless of what others think about us or whether they give us credit or recognition for our contributions…DO IT ANYWAY. 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Have a great day.

Taylor

Related Posts:  

Keep Doing the Little Things  

It's My Job

Don't Give Up

Just Be Nice...

Just be nice…

Dad and I at the track...it was very nice

This past weekend I flew home to spend some time with my family in Kentucky.  

Fresh off of a redeye flight Thursday evening into Friday morning, I spent Friday and Saturday with my Dad and 165,000+ of our closest friends at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY for the Kentucky Derby weekend festivities.  

I spent Sunday visiting my sister, brother-in-law, and little nephew, Henry, in Lexington, KY…and then finally Dad and I made it back to our home - Grayson, KY where we hosted a nice Mothers’ Day cookout for my Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and close family friends. 

It was a nice break from work and the first time I’d been out of Las Vegas since moving there in October; over six months ago. It was refreshing to be back in the south…the people are so nice.

After four days in Kentucky, I’m reminded of such a simple, yet very powerful OneMoreStep that anyone, anywhere can put to practice to make an impact...

- the OneMoreStep thought for this week: JUST BE NICE.

It’s worth noting that I’m not suggesting that everyone in Kentucky, or everyone in the south, for that matter, is ALWAYS nice…I truly believe “nice” people can be found everywhere.   We have nice people in Las Vegas.  Plenty of nice people reside in Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, and everywhere in between. 

However, my four days in Kentucky were filled with one delightful and enjoyable experience after another…and the common theme in each of those experiences – people were nice.

Great "people watching" too

Sure it was Kentucky Derby weekend in Louisville; Kentucky’s main event and arguably the state’s number one claim to fame for the past 137 years, the “Run for the Roses”...the first Saturday in May.  

I’m in the hospitality industry so I get it…every server, bar tender, front desk attendant, cab driver, ticket taker, beer man, program seller, and custodial person has been trained, educated, and pumped up by their management teams to really crush it for what turned out to be a record crowd at the Derby.  Well…they really did crush it. 

Everyone smiled.  Everyone laughed.  Everyone was genuine.  Everyone made me feel comfortable, important, and extremely welcome.  Despite long…and I'm talking very long lines at concession stands, ticket wagering windows, bathrooms, and even lines to get to your seats…people managed to keep a smile on their face…and they were just nice. 

Aside from servers, bar tenders, and the folks working at Churchill Downs, people…in general…regular people…just fellow Derby patrons, Guests, customers, visitors, and native Kentuckians that I talked to were all so nice.  When I said hello to people next to me in line…they engaged in conversation with me.  As I passed by other folks here or there people said things like, Excuse Me, Pardon Me, Thank You, Please, Sir, Ma’am, Good Luck, Have Fun, Take Care, Great to See You, Best of Luck, and of course – God Bless Ya. 

A few of the Derby winner's owners...even they were nice

Total strangers spoke to others and me as if we’d all been friends for years.  People were engaging, high fiving, chatting, and relationship-ing with one another everywhere I looked.   

I know…I know…it was one of the most festive weekends of the year in Kentucky, and for horse racing fans all over the world Saturday was a special day.  Still…it doesn’t make the impact of all those nice people with whom I had the pleasure of interacting any less significant.  People were nice, and it made me smile, laugh, feel welcomed, and at home. 

So this week and in weeks to come…why couldn’t we all just be nice to people? 

·      When things are crazy busy at work when we feel like we’ll never catch up…ask a co-worker what you can do for them…take something off of their plate to free them up so they can work on something else…wouldn’t that be a nice touch.

·      When you “need” something done ASAP and you’re in a hurry to give out direction to your team, players, clients, partners, or students – say please, thank you, sir, or ma’am…they will work that much harder for you and respect you that much more because you were nice.

·      When you’re hosting visitors – go out of your way to make them feel welcome, comfortable, and important…make them smile, make them laugh, and make their day…they will go back and tell everyone how nice you were.

·      When spending time with friends or co-workers…really engage and invest in the conversation.  Let them talk more; as you listen…finish your meal first, because you’re listening as they do all the talking.   You’ll make an impact on their experience…they’ll vent, get it all off their chest, and confide in you, their true friend…they’ll walk away appreciating you for being so nice.

Thanks to my family, friends, and some really cool people that I met in Kentucky over the weekend for reminding me that sometimes the OneMoreStep that can make an impact is to just be nice.  Simple concept…but it could be the difference that matters to someone when they need it the most.

OneMoreStep story for the road…

It was great to see the little man

With an extra 165,000 people in the Louisville metro area, Derby weekend transportation can be quite the logistical nightmare.  Cabs are scarce, busses are packed to capacity, and shuttle services work overtime.   

Shuttle companies hire contract drivers to use their own vehicles to assist with transporting visiting Derby fans.  We were lucky enough to experience a couple of nice gentlemen who transported us to and from Churchill Downs.  One of them totally went OneMoreStep…and made MAGIC.

On Derby day, a nice gentleman gave my Dad and I a ride from the racetrack to a restaurant in downtown Louisville.  We all three talked the entire twenty minute commute…he asked where I lived, where my Dad lived, how the day at the track was, where we were staying while in town, where we were going to eat, etc.  When we arrived at our final destination, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse (phenomenal experience by the way), I asked him what we owed him for the ride.  He said, “Whatever you feel comfortable with”.  I thought that was a little strange, but cool…so I gave him $35 dollars, thanked him, and Dad and I were on our way.  

After dinner, Dad and I were in yet another cab heading back to our hotel about fifteen minutes away from the restaurant.  We realized that I had left a bag of Derby merchandise in the nice gentlemen’s car that had driven us from the track to the restaurant.  I couldn’t believe it.  I had purchased official 137^th Kentucky Derby hats for both my Dad and myself.  

Most importantly I had purchased my nephew, Henry, a little horse stuffed animal toy…he’s two and a half years old and I hadn’t seen him in over six months.  I couldn’t wait to give him his new toy, to keep in his room with all his other “friends”, as he calls them.  I was so upset that I’d left his gift in the car.  There went my cool surprise present for the little man…

OneMoreStep moment...magic

Henry & his new "friend"

When Dad and I walked back into our hotel, the Front Desk attendant on duty welcomed us back, and he said, “Are either of you from Las Vegas, by chance?”  He held up my bag of merchandise, and said, “a gentlemen dropped this off earlier this evening…saying something about a guest in our hotel who’s visiting from Las Vegas left this in his car.” 

Not only was the nice gentlemen, our driver, listening to everything we were talking about earlier in the evening, he took it upon himself to go OneMoreStep…he delivered a total stranger’s bag of merchandise to our hotel twenty minutes out of his way.   

He didn’t even leave his name or phone number.  He wasn’t looking for accolades, more tip money, or recognition.  He was just being nice…and now Henry has a new “friend”…

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

  

Have a great day.

Taylor

FRED Friday...my Brighton experience

FRED Friday…my Brighton experience

Teresa, Geena, Yours Truly, Sagan

I went into the Brighton store at Town Square…a shopping and dining complex on the south end of the Las Vegas strip.  I needed to pick up a specific item for my mom for Mother’s Day.  A co-worker who met my mom several weeks ago when she was visiting me in Las Vegas tipped me off on a specific Brighton handbag/purse-ish item. My mom had actually made a comment to her about how much she loved this Brighton bag.  I entered the Brighton store, on a mission…to buy this particular bag for what I thought would be an ordinary transaction; quick, easy, and I’d be on my way.

Instead…it seems Brighton has a few Freds working for them.  Immediately upon entering the store, Teresa greeted me with a smile and a big, “well hello there…are you looking for anything in particular today?”  I’m sure she could tell that I was a bit of a fish out of water, in a women’s store at 9pm on a Wednesday night. 

I quickly said, “I’m in the market to make some Mother’s Day magic.”  I found the bag that my co-worker had told me about…I was 90% sure that was what I wanted to buy my mom, but I did have some questions about the item.  I wondered if it would be something she would really like and be able to use. 

The next thing I knew, Teresa began asking me all about my mom…what was her height, build, age, etc…where does she live…what does she do…where does she go…Then, she showed me which bag she carries, and proceeded to tell me why.  The more questions I had about handbags, Teresa shared more details, giving me lessons on what women really need to carry, what’s important for them to have in tow, how it should look, what’s in style…and why.  She put a few purses over her shoulder, and showed me what they looked like “in action”.

Five minutes later, here came Geena…also asking me a couple questions.  She was genuinely interested in making this a magical Mother’s Day for my mom.  Geena gave me some tips on the value of a “registered” Brighton bag, the warranty, and how that just may be something that my mom would value in the long run. 

As if this service experience wasn’t already exceeding my expectations, while Geena was showing me what my mom may enjoy about this bag or that one…here came a THIRD Brighton Fred…Sagan.  Sagan came right into the conversation, just as bubbly and smiley as a Cast Member at Walt Disney World.  For a second I forgot I was in Las Vegas and kind of felt like I was on Main Street USA awaiting the three o’clock parade at Magic Kingdom.  Sagan asked me a couple of her own questions about what my mom likes or usually carries…and then she wasted no time giving me her suggestions on which bag my mom really would like best. 

The common theme…they all three were interested in making sure I walked out of that store with the best possible gift for my mom.  Sure they may work off of commissions, but they all three sold through service.  They asked questions.  They made me laugh.  They made me smile.  They made conversation with me…genuine, quality conversation that led to a budding relationship. 

They went OneMoreStep as well…rather than merely giving me the card to fill out so mom’s gift would be officially “registered” with Brighton…they filled it out and sent it in for me.   

They made an effort to connect with me...They asked me where I was from…where I worked…what my name was…what my mom’s name was…They made an ordinary transaction after a long day of work on a Wednesday night a rather enjoyable experience.

The result…I actually purchased an item that was twice the price of what I went into the store to purchase.  Sure, I may be a total softy and marketing victim…but I ultimately made that buying decision because these three Freds showed me the value of what I was buying, and went OneMoreStep to teach me how and why my mom would value the item as well. 

Freds add value…as Mark Sanborn says in the book…here are just a few of the ways in which we can add value to others:  (The Fred Factor  - page 52)

·      Tell the truth – Teresa, Geena, and Sagan were brutally honest with me, telling me why the bag I ultimately purchased would certainly be a more valuable gift for mom

·      Practice personality power – These lovely ladies all three added their own flair to their trade…each had a distinct personality, which truly added to my experience, and resulted in an increase in Brighton’s revenue!

·      Attract through artistry – These were just bags…just simple accessories…but my new friends at Brighton truly added their own artistic flourish to their products by engaging me in the buying process

Unbridled Spirit...

Now that my mom totally knows what I’m bringing home to her this weekend for Mother’s Day…this is just another example of how going OneMoreStep adds value to others and makes a positive impact on people.  It’s also an example of how going OneMoreStep is contagious.  I was so inspired by Teresa, Geena, and Sagan going OneMoreStep that I totally went OneMoreStep, upgrading to a more premium product to buy my mom, and then I went another one and picked up the Kentucky Derby charm for her…based on Sagan’s suggestion, of course.

I’m looking forward to going to the Kentucky Derby with my Dad, and then being together with the entire family on Mother’s Day this weekend back at my old Kentucky home…Grayson, KY.

Happy FRED Friday…Happy Mother’s Day to the Moms

Have a great day.

Taylor

What is FRED Friday? See the first FRED Friday post here - FRED Friday

Other FRED Friday posts:

FRED Friday...meet Paul From UHaul

FRED Friday...meet Van

FRED Friday...meet Jennifer Le

Lessons from Mom...

Lessons From Mom…

Sunday, May 8^th is Mother’s Day.  So this one’s for the Moms…especially mine.

I’m proud of my roots having grown up in Grayson, KY, and I’m so very proud of my loving, wonderful, and beautiful mother.  She was an educator for nearly 30 years in her career as a teacher in Kentucky public school system, and she has taught me many life lessons for 31 plus years. 

For the OneMoreStep thought this week, I’ll share a few of my favorite lessons from my Mom.

Make it About Others, Not You

She probably started teaching me this lesson when she was my Kindergarten teacher way back when…she probably continued teaching me this lesson in my pre-teen years in middle school…I’m pretty sure she reiterated this lesson throughout my high school and college years…and I’m pretty sure it went in one ear and out the other.  Now older, wiser, and after experiencing the implications of making it about me…I get it now.  Every single time we take the focus off of “us” and redirect our energy to create value for others…good, positive, and magical things happen for them and for us.  “They” get the benefit of the value we create for them, whatever that may have been, and “we” benefit from knowing that we have just made a difference. 

“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Mom loves this quote.  Her daddy, my grandfather, Nick DeSantis, reiterated this to my mom as she was growing up…and Mom has instilled this in me and so many other people over the years.  When people talk down to you, belittle you, and make condescending remarks Mom has a great way to address it professionally and tactfully – she says to simply turn to the person calmly (key word – calmly – my red headed temper is sometimes a challenge, but I continue to work on it) and say, “I don’t speak to you that way, and I would appreciate the same respect in return.”  Direct.  Simple.  Professional.  Tactful.  People get the picture, realize they’ve overstepped the line, and even if they never admit it…they know it.  Moreover, they then know that it’s simply not okay to speak to you that way…period. 

If You Can’t Say Something Nice…Don’t Say Anything at All

Simple lesson; difficult to practice.  Like Marshall Goldsmith says in his book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There…the older we get it becomes less about learning what to do in order to make an impact, and more about what to stop doing in order to make an impact.   

Sometimes the impact and OneMoreStep is to simply keep your comments to yourself, especially if you really have nothing positive or “nice” to say about a particular situation or person.  I’m embarrassed to say that I fall short on this one all…the…time.  It’s certainly an opportunity for me to improve, but a great lesson from Mom nonetheless.  I’m not sure who originally came up with it, but naturally it’s quote from Disney’s full length animated classic, Bambi…when Thumper’s Mom reminds him of this lesson in a “teachable moment”. 

Look at the Big Picture

Cool thing about my Mom and this particular lesson is that she used to teach First, Second, and Third Grade children this concept…she’s taught me to always look at the big picture as well.  We’ll have great days and bad days.  We’ll crush it in some cases, but we’ll fall short in others.  Just because we fail at something doesn’t necessarily mean we’re a failure…Mom says to always look at the big picture.  What did you learn?  How can you improve?  What were the positives that inevitably came out of the situation?  Though a situation may not have turned out the way we might have hoped, does it really matter in the long run…think OneMoreStep beyond the situation at hand…look at the big picture.  I’ve found that when I do this…stop, take a deep breath, and look at the big picture…more often than not, things aren’t so bad after all.

Keep Being You

My favorite one…keep being you.  I’m sensitive.  I admit it.  We all are, even though some have a hard time admitting it.  I’d be willing to say that every single person in the world has experienced heartbreak, disappointment, and/or hurt feelings.  When we work hard, devoting our heart and soul into something or someone and it doesn’t work out quite like we planned, we begin to doubt ourselves.  We doubt our effort, our approach, our affect on someone or something, the impression we may have made, and the impact we “thought” we would make but maybe for whatever reason…we doubt if any impact was made at all.  Great lesson from mom, and my personal favorite – keep being you.  Your own style, personality, knowledge, and beliefs…in conjunction with doing the right thing at all costs, in any situation truly makes an impact.  People may not show it.  They may not admit it.  They may even be so insecure that their jealousy prevents them from being nice to you.  Just be you. 

People make fun of my passion for making magic and they make comments about my love for Disney magic.  Some executives and coworkers talk down to me, and frankly disrespect me.  Sometimes the girls I want to date aren’t interested in dating me.  Sometimes things don’t work out the way I would prefer.  Mom’s advice is always…keep being you.

"The most important opinion is the one you have of yourself, and the most significant things you say all day are those things you say to yourself." - Zig Ziglar

Quick lesson from Mom…for the road

Have you ever sat down at a nice, elegant dinner with multiple plates, glasses, and silverware arranged beautifully on the table…and you have no idea which is your bread plate, your glass, or your dessert plate?  It can be embarrassing  to take the wrong one at an important work function or even worse at a nice dinner with the girlfriend or boyfriend’s parents…

Mom hooked me up with this one when I was younger, and I pass it along to people all the time.  It always gets a laugh. 

With both hands, take your index finger and thumb, and make a circle…fully extend your middle finger, ring finger, and pinky on each hand.  If you look closely, your left hand is now in the shape of a “B”, and your right hand is in the shape of a “D”.  So as you face your plate…on your left is your BREAD plate, and on your right is your DRINK.  Now you’ll never forget which is which…pass it on. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.  I love you.  Thank you for the many lessons you’ve taught me. 

Now that I think about it…this entire blog…past, present, and future posts, along with everything I do in life, striving to do the right thing…can all be traced back to LESSONS FROM MOM.

When you think you’ve done enough…go OneMoreStep.

Taylor