God love the farmer…

It takes exceptional courage to make a living as a farmer.  Agriculture in general is tough; beef, hogs, chickens, fruit, fishing, and such.  But planting seeds in the ground and having your income dependent on what comes up?  That’s toughness!

In the face of drought, flood, wild fire, insects, farmers continue to plant year in and year out.  Even when their seeds yield a crop they’re still faced with the risks of labor availability, speculative-driven market prices, fuel costs, and even bee shortages. 

I was chatting with an elder farmer recently.  I asked him how he did it?  How did he make a living at the mercy of Mother Nature, commodity futures, and God?  He just shrugged and said he never gave it much thought.  His philosophy was simple: 

Every day put the plow in the ground and open up the throttle. 

We can all, “put the plow in the ground and open up the throttle”, true?  Who knows?  Maybe AI and the “machines” will wind up sending humans out of the office and back to the farm.  If and when they do, don’t worry.  There must be great satisfaction in seeing the seeds you sow grow into a living. 

God bless the American farmer.  Amen! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

 

Day by day…

Happy Anniversary Debbie! 

Tomorrow marks 53 years.  That’s 19,345 days.  A significant amount of time to be with one’s significant other, true? 

In reality it’s actually more when I add in the days we were engaged and the days we dated, all the way back to before our high school prom in 1970:

Many of you are in a long-lasting relationship; many have been married longer than we.  A Mile High Salute to you!  Maybe our relationship thrived because I was a “Road Warrior” for several years?  A colleague of mine once said:           

The secret to a long marriage is a husband that travels. 

Lisa Kwiecien 

I like to write about my wife frequently.  Like any couple, we have our good days and our not-so-good days.  Like many couples, we’ve also had some of those relationship-testing; foundation-rattling; we’re-not-going-to-make-it; kind of days.  When those days occur we follow James P. Owen’s advice: 

When you’re riding through hell… keep riding. 

Any meaningful journey is like that, don’t you think?  Even one of America’s most famous sweethearts offered this guidance on life’s journey: 

Pain nourishes courage.  You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you. 

Mary Tyler Moore 

Throughout our relationship we’ve had more than our share of wonderful things happen; all driven by love.  In fact, 53 years ago this month the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 was “Love Train” by the O’Jays.  According to Wikipedia: 

The word 'train' comes from the Old French trahiner, from the Latin trahere meaning pull, or draw. 

My wife has pulled us along on that love train for 53 years!  I’ve tried to pay attention to the little things that make a difference day by day; lighten her load a bit; smooth the tracks.  Rob Gilbert made a list: 

How to have a Winning Day: 

You have to listen more than you talk…

You have to smile more than you frown…

You have to be fascinated more than you're frustrated…

You have to believe in yourself more than you doubt yourself.

You have to work more than you whine.

You have to do more than you don't.

I have also paid attention to my boundaries: 

Men ordering custom colors must first bring in a note from their wife. 

Guiry Paint Store 

It’s OK; she writes the notes; I run the errands; we make a great team.  And on those occasional occasions where disagreement looms, we heed Harlan Miller’s advice: 

Often the difference between a successful marriage and a mediocre one consists of leaving three or four things a day unsaid.

19,345 days and still rolling strong.  No matter our future course; no matter the challenges we face; the trials that will test us; not even the weather we may encounter; our love train will continue – pulled along by my high school sweetheart.  Even if an icy wind blows hard in our face, Etheridge Knight’s words will continue to guide us: 

Love is a rock against the wind. 

Happy 53^rd  Anniversary Dear!  You’re my rock and I love you. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Cluelessness…

I mentioned before I’m enrolled in Metro State University of Denver’s Meritus Scholars program.  Spring term, I took an 8-week, men’s health care course, “Aging Warriors”.  It focuses on what makes older men tick; designed for undergraduates to learn about men like me.  Good luck! 

I attended a related lecture on campus about the decline of men in health care careers.  Classroom #230 is located in the “West Building”.  I entered under the overhead walkway that connects the West Building to the Arts Building.  Inside, I discovered the stairways in the West Building were blocked due to construction.  I walked the entire first floor halls and even went out a side door to see if there was some other way to get to the second floor.  I double checked the invitation email to ensure I had the right building and room number.  After wandering for some 30 minutes, I started to leave. 

Going back the way I came in and standing under that overhead walkway, I paused to get my bearings.  That’s when … you got it: 

I (finally) went into the Arts building.  Took the stairs to the second floor.  I crossed the walkway from the Arts Building to the West Building bypassing the construction.  I arrived in time for the lecture because, thankfully, I had left early.  I always leave early.  I get lost a lot. 

I’m clueless about many things.  When Lisa DiCarlo was writing this, I think she had a man (maybe me) in mind: 

The Know-Nothing: 

This is that clueless user who looks in vain for the “Any Key” when his computer prompts him to “Hit Any Key." 

Following the lecture, I paused in the second floor hallway to get my bearings.  A young man from the Aging Warriors class came up, he was a bit confused on exiting.  (So it’s not just we Q Tips!)  He mentioned it took him a half hour to find the second floor classroom, too. We chuckled at our cluelessness.  Of course, being men we didn’t stop anyone and ask for directions.  Nope, that’s not what men do.  Men align with Murphy: 

Murphy's Paradox: 

Doing it the hard way is always easier. 

Unknown Sage 

We both found our way out of the building and went our separate ways.  I was early for my next class, so I stopped in the library cafeteria for a snack.  Reflecting on yet another bout of cluelessness, I smiled remembering this mantra I picked up years ago (from a man, no doubt): 

I’m lost, but I’m making good time. 

I was with that same young man in the afternoon’s men’s health class.  When he arrived we made eye contact and smiled.  Yep, he was learning what makes Aging Warriors like me tick.  Careful what you ask for! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

 

Have you been tested?

There’s a provocative question in today’s world, true?  You can relax, it’s not that kind of testing I’m referring to. My context today is about something else, something more important. 

I’m participating in a Men’s Health class at MSU Denver this spring term titled, “Aging Warriors”.  The Professor (Doc R) invited a few of us elderly men to attend so his undergraduates could get a feel for what we’re like.  He knows at our age, many of us have been tested: 

Aging is not for the weak. 

Dr. Steven Rissman  

Although this class is focused on men, many of the topics apply to women equally.  And yes, in the business world many women feel they’ve been tested.  There’s even a math expression for it: 

Woman's Equation 

Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. 

Unknown (Female) Sage 

One of the many topics covered in class has to do with having a, “Strong inner self”.  That’s not something we can just say we have and be credible.  It’s like the sailing analogy: 

In calm waters, every ship has a good captain. 

Swedish Proverb 

Captains are tested in rough waters, true?  What about you?  What rough waters have you been tested by?  Do you believe in your skills and abilities? 

Doc R further presented in class that: 

If you believe in your own skills and ability to manage and master stressful events you gain a sense of security. 

“Stressful events” you say?  Why I bet in the business world you believe you’re bathed in stressful events, surrounded by pressure, faced with continuous deadlines.  That’s the American Way isn’t it?  I’m sure you are dealing with business stress.  However, there’s more to life than business, our work, the size of our W-2, the next promotion.  

Life’s stressful events are different.  They are the worse types of events that are almost indescribable.  They’re the events even the sturdiest of us wonder if we will be able to stand up under the weight.  They’re the events that take our mind completely off of work. They're Herculean:

Having confidence and believing in oneself is one thing.  But take it from an Aging Warrior, to have a strong inner self - it must be tested.  It will be tested. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Olympian…

Did you enjoy the Olympics?  Who wouldn’t want to have “Olympian” on their resume! 

During Olympic coverage, the sports media poured tons of hyperbole over the gold medal performances.  The spotlight may even have shined brighter on those athletes that failed, true?  Either end of the extreme is good for the ratings business, I suppose. 

In Olympic competition, not every competitor wins every event.  Their day is a lot like our day.  Following the closing ceremonies, what do you suppose the Olympians are doing this week?  Getting ready for their next competition, I’ll bet. 

Competition is about striving to win; preparing to win; competing to win.  Winning (or losing) is simply the end result, isn’t it?  You and me, we compete in our daily lives, don’t we?  And when we fail, what motivates us to try again?  Here’s Steve Richard’s view: 

            Who motivates you?  You! 

Of course, others can also play a big part in helping us leverage the power of motivation to overcome failure in pursuit of success.  For instance, teammates. 

As a sales professional, I advocated “hunting as a pack”.  There is power in the team.  I learned this approach from Joe Newton, who coached, “running as a pack”.  You may have read my writings about “Tiger Joe” before.  He was one of the most successful high school boys cross country coaches ever.  Although I was not a runner, he was the person who most influenced my sales process.  (BTW – he also coached 4-time Olympic gold medalist, Sebastian Coe.) 

There were many elements to Joe Newton’s competitive approach; the principle of continuous improvement; the ability to earn great success yet going back out every day to prepare anew; etc.  One key I remember was his focus on offering positive motivation to his kids.  His key to positive motivation?  Pretty simple, really. 

Every day at every practice, Coach Newton called out every kid by their first name - every day.  Every kid (and most of his teams had 100 runners or more) would hear his coach call him by his first name (or nick name), every day.  Joe Newton coupled this with saying at least one positive thing to every kid, too. Every day. 

It’s amazing how far a simple; “Way to go!” goes.  Joe Newton’s positive reinforcement helped his runners, run; every day.  They were motivated to train hard – harder than their competition.  On race day?  They dominated.  And after dominating?  Back to preparation because: 

It requires a strong constitution to withstand repeated attacks of prosperity. 

Joe Newton 

Back to business - Loren Brockhouse, a former colleague of mine, offers this link to Inc. Magazine’s “9 beliefs of remarkably successful people”. I particularly like Belief #9:

            The extra mile is a vast, unpopulated wasteland.

Enjoy the full article - 9 Beliefs of Remarkably Successful People 

Way to go Loren! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

 

Followers…

I read this headline in CNBC recently, did you see it? 

I wish I’d known earlier in my career that no one actually knows what they’re doing. 

Anjali Sud 

Well, OK.  A fairly unfair statement by the CEO of Tubi.  It could have been in jest (headlines rarely provide proper context) and to be fair I didn’t read the full article.  Even so, I’d like to believe that in my career I “knew what I was doing”.  To remain fair…  I didn’t always lead well.  And when I led poorly, my direct reports let me know. 

Much has been said and even more written over the decades about leadership; the qualities of leaders; the importance of leaders; all things leadership related.  Lord knows in our country today, many leaders are blanketed with riches beyond imagination.  But not all leaders stand above their followers:

Today, permit me to honor those followers.  To be a good and competent follower is a noble role, don’t you think?  I mean we’ve all worked for one of  “those” bosses.  And when we do, it makes our job harder.  But as a follower, we still need a leader.  And good followers have been “managing their managers” for years, true? 

"EXECUTIVE” (high powered): 

A golfer who calls the office from a cell phone every five holes to make sure employees haven’t left for the day. 

Martin A. Ragaway 

When I led teams, I welcomed their feedback on what I was doing, right or wrong.  Admittedly, when my people criticized me, it hurt.  I remember to this day one of my best salespeople (Lisa Kwiecien) speaking up in sales meetings when, as a leader, I wasn’t “connecting” with my team.  “Gary”, she would say, “You’re killin' me.”  Her facial expression that went along with the critique was priceless. 

Sometimes I backed off when criticized, sometimes not. All in all, I take great pride in the success many of my followers went on to achieve.  Perhaps along they were simply helping me learn to be a “better leader”: 

Good leaders inspire their followers to have confidence in them. Better leaders inspire followers to have confidence in themselves. 

Ron Meyer 

I don’t know how many of my followers went on to leadership roles.  In my case, after leading, I returned to a follower role for the last 15 years of my career.  As a follower, I earned great recognition because my leaders gave me the confidence that I “knew what I was doing”. 

So, “Thank you!” to those who followed me.  You helped me become a better leader.  In turn, I hope I helped you become more confident in yourself. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Luv rules…

Every year Valentine’s Day give us an opportunity to do something special for that special person.  Yes, we should treat our loved one special throughout the year, but you know, life can get in the way.  However this coming Saturday unfolds, it’s OK because: 

Love rules without rules. 

Italian Proverb 

And there’s plenty of time before Saturday to display your love for your love:

Who says men are oblivious? 

OK –  I can’t take credit for creating this awesome display of love for my love.  That was someone else’s awesome display on the outskirts of Kewanee in western Illinois farming country. 

Of course, we hope our women display their love for the men in their lives even when we don’t recognize the signs: 

You know “That Look” women get when they want sex?  Me neither. 

Steve Martin 

Saturday may be a special day in my marriage, but our relationship over the years has taken constant care (and patience).  Thankfully, my wife has patience: 

Patience strengthens the spirit,

   sweetens the temper,

      stifles anger,

    extinguishes envy,

  subdues pride,

bridles the tongue,

   restrains the hand,

      and tramples upon temptation. 

George Horne 

My wife and I will do something quiet this Valentine’s Day.  We enjoy our quiet time together - always have.  Our conversations will span many topics; children, friends, happy memories.  Of course, we will also synchronize our calendars, debate upcoming projects and review our finances.  Yuck! 

At the end of it all we will be reminded: 

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. 

Mignon McLaughlin 

May you enjoy Valentine’s Day with someone special in your life.  And if you’re with someone but you’re not sure if he or she is “the one”, don’t worry – trust your gut feeling: 

Love is not finding someone you can live with; it’s finding someone you cannot live without. 

Rafael Ortiz 

Love rules without rules on Valentine’s Day – and every day. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.