Thursday, March 30, 2023

So now what?

I bet you’ve been there… how do you feel about it?  Is it just the way it is?  Or, might we benefit from a bit of improvement?  I’ll pause so you can check that IM… All set?  OK, Here goes… 

In general, I hate being connected, which I associate with being either interrupted or confused, not being in touch. 

Geoffrey A. Moore 

My wife recently returned from a two-day sewing conference that combined training, hands-on work, and lectures.  It also highlighted attendees “being connected”… When telling me about her event she said something about appreciating the interest I was expressing.  She seemed surprised because: 

My wife says I only have two faults.  I don't listen and something else. 

                   Unknown Sage 

I was listening now… She said the hands-on sessions worked great because each attendee had their own workspace for applying the techniques from the training.  She wasn’t interrupted by other people’s interruptions. 

Hands-on is an effective approach for almost any endeavor, true?  Unfortunately, when I probed further what stood out for my wife was all of the interruptions during the training and lectures.  We have all been “there”.  But do we contribute to “there” ourselves?  Me included?  Oops…just a minute… 

OK I’m back.  A robo-call from my dry cleaner’s point-of-sale system reminding me that my clothes are ready…  now where was I?  Oh yes, I was saying we all have been impacted by those irritating little interruptions from our various electronic devices; often in the presence of others… I’m sorry, one sec please… 

My smart watch was reminding me to take my medication.  I wear it 24-hours a day to track my sleep.  It thinks I forgot to take my meds last night… Anyway, I totally agree with you: 

One wonders how we could survive without voices in our cars that keep reminding us that the door is open even when we want the door open to get some fresh air… 

Norman R. Augustine

Getting back to those interruptions, my wife said that during every training and lecture session several members of the audience were on their phones.  (You and I would never do that LOL!)  One lady had a loud jingle set for her incoming calls.  You know what’s next… yep, right in the middle of a lecture her phone goes off.  The device was buried in her oversized handbag so it took what seemed like forever to find it and end the jingle.  At least she didn’t answer the call HaHa!  She also didn’t set her phone to vibrate and another call (with more jingling) came in just moments after the first.  Is that your phone I hear in the background?  I’ll wait… 

Everything OK?... Back to my wife’s event.  The presenters didn’t say anything during those constant interruptions; didn’t ask people put their phones on silent; just ignored it.  Then my wife noticed one of the presenters herself was constantly glancing down at her smart watch – everyone knew she was scanning her emails during the middle of her presentation. 

So now what? 

Wi-Fi went down for five minutes so I had to talk to my family.  They seem like nice people. 

              Unknown Sage 

I wonder if the pandemic caused people’s behavior of multi-tasking across multiple devices in virtual environments to become permanent.  Now that we’re retuning to in-person gatherings, can we break those habits?  

Well, that’s all I have for today… I’ll let you get back to your in-box.  Thanks! 

GAP 

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

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Second choice…

Do you ever look back in your life and reflect on unplanned events that turned out to have big impacts?  I was doing that recently while attending a basketball reunion at my college.  It was 50 years ago (1973) when events occurred that changed my original plans; changed my life. 

From a basketball standpoint, in the spring of 1973 I had finished the best competitive sports year of my life.  It was my sophomore year at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.  First Team All Midwest Conference; led the conference in scoring; set the Knox all-time, single season scoring record; set the all-time, single game scoring record; set a couple other records, too.  Then, in the fall… 

 “Gary, what’s your second choice?”  My junior year, I moved from the low-post position to guard so a better player than me could start at low post.  (He ultimately broke all my records.)  It was the right choice. 

Coincidently, at the start of my senior year I moved positions again – this time from guard to forward.  Forward was the natural position for my skill set and the team thrived because our coach started better guards than I was.  By moving to forward I completed three years as a starter; made Second Team All Midwest Conference that year; and set the all-time career scoring record.  (That record was broken, too.)  Yep, the right choice. 

Academically, I found myself on a new path winter term of 1973.  Up to then I was in a pre-med track.  After the previous fall term where I earned a “C” in Accounting-I; a “D” in Organic Chemistry-I; and an “F” in a biology 400 class, Thallophytes, I was “invited” to meet with Debra Wing, Dean of Students after Christmas break. 

Debra inquired about my major.  When I replied, “pre-med” she didn’t pause, didn’t blink, she just asked, “What’s your second choice?”  I was placed on academic probation but permitted to play basketball under the stipulation I would change majors, improve my grades, and take a summer make-up course.  Just like that I was no longer going to be a doctor. 

I did change my major; improved my grades; and completed that make-up course over the summer (Economics).  I graduated in 4 years (albeit in the bottom half of my class LOL!).  It was the right choice. 

In the spring of 1973 another change of plan occurred.  My fiancĂ© and I originally planned to wait until after graduation to wed.  Instead, as a 20-year-old college sophomore, my 19-year-old, high school sweetheart and I eloped.  We were already engaged so getting married wasn’t a huge surprise.  Or so we thought.  Her parents thought differently.  When we returned from the ceremony to tell them our “great news”, they were mad as hell.  Fortunately, they didn’t ask my wife to make a second choice, HaHa!

Everything turned out OK as I wrote about (see My Rock).  We had a church wedding that summer witnessed and enjoyed by family and friends.  Her parents welcomed me into their family.  And equally important, my Mom and Dad got to see their younger son wed before my Mom died during my junior year after a long bout with cancer.  It was another right choice. 

So when you find yourself in a situation where your plans are not working out having to make a second choice is OK.  Sometimes we even find that the second choice turns out to be the best choice. 

GAP 

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

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

My rock…

This coming Sunday is a big day… 

This Sunday will mark our 50th wedding anniversary.  A significant number of days to be with one’s significant other, true?  In reality I’ve been with my high school sweetheart since 1970.  That makes it 53 years and continuing!  Actually, we’ve known each other since the 7th grade.  It’s more than just destiny: 

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny.  But what we put into it is ours. 

Dag Hammarskjold

Many of you are enjoying long-lasting relationships; the number of years isn’t what’s important.   To you, a Mile High Salute!  The secret? 

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

Mignon McLaughlin 

As you know, I write about my wife frequently.  Her impact on my life is significant.  Like any couple, we have our good days and… well… other days.  Like many couples, we’ve had some of those relationship-testing; foundation-rattling; we’re-not-going-to-make-it; kind of days.  

Over the years we can testify that “for better or worse” really does mean for better or for worse.  Reminding us: 

When you’re riding through hell… keep riding. 

James P. Owen 

Any meaningful journey is like that, true?  Even one of America’s most famous sweethearts offered her 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 

After 50 years we have learned to enjoy life’s little moments.  “Date night”, although a nice idea, looks nothing like an actual “date night” anymore.  Still, we have been blessed with our share of wonderful things; all driven by love.  In fact, 50 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. 

I have been a passenger on the love train that my wife has been pulling for 50 years!  I’ve tried to contribute a few little things each day to lighten her load a bit; you know; clear 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 paid attention to my role and boundaries, too: 

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, I 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.                                 

50 years and our love train is still rolling strong.  No matter our future course; no matter the challenges we will face; the trials that will test us; our love train will continue.  We will be pulled along by my significant other – regardless of whether the wind is at our back or resisting as it blows hard in our face.  Etheridge Knight’s words will continue to guide us: 

Love is a rock against the wind. 

Happy 50th 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. 

Thursday, March 9, 2023

I was a target; but avoided becoming a victim; sharing my lessons learned...

Internet scams surround us all.  There are plenty of "Public Service Announcements" advising us what to avoid and what not to do.  I wanted to share more specifically, exactly what happened to me.  

I was enticed (even though I knew better).  In speaking with the State of Colorado's District Attorney's Office lead investigator after-the-fact, he confirmed that (A) they are the masters of enticing us; appealing to our emotions; seeming authentic even though we should know better, and (B) they know they are "navigating in unpatrolled waters" - In my case, because they were operating out of state, Colorado had no jurisdiction; because I was in Colorado, wherever they were operating from (assuming it was within the USA) the local authorities would not be motivated to act since I was out-of-state; the only cross-jurisdiction authority is the FBI, but unless there was an actual financial loss of multiple millions of dollars, they don't have the resources. 

Because these internet scammers know they are not going to be captured, it's up to you and me to defend ourselves.  Here's my story - I hope it helps you.  Enjoy.

A very common scam

I knew… even though I didn’t want to know.  I hoped it wasn’t… even though I knew it probably was.  They wanted me to go further… I wanted to, too.  But I stopped short.  Still, I wished it wasn’t what I should have known it was and you would have known, too - from the beginning.

We have all heard about these incidents.  When you start to read the following, true story, don’t be too quick to say, “I know”.  They are counting on us to be complacent.  They are counting on being smarter than us.  They are counting on law enforcement to be too busy to enforce this law.  They do it so often, it must be working and I, like you, should know better.  At least I knew sooner if not better and at least the only thing hurt was my pride.

Still, I wished it wasn’t what I should have known it was right off…

He said:

            Hello there.,

> Are you available for writing project?

> Kindly email back for further information and payment per word.

Thanks

Michael

I replied:

Yes, however I am on vacation until February 2nd. Please contact me then or thereafter.

I really was headed out of town.  A road trip to Chicago with my wife, to visit family along with a side trip to Galesburg for a Knox College basketball alumni celebration.  I put Michael’s email in the back of my mind.  If anything, I expected nothing more to come of it.  He had other intentions.

After retiring from fulltime employment in 2022, I entered the “gig economy”.  I updated my LinkedIn profile to show I’m an author and open to content writing assignments.  I was “fishing” for work more than “hunting”, really.  Hunters go out and actively stalk their prey.  Fisherman, at least my kind of fisherman, find a likely location; bait their hook; put their line in the water; and wait for a fish to bite.  My likely location was social media and my bait was my resume of sales and sales enablement, along with my weekly blogs.  

In January of 2023, I got my very first “bite”.  I was excited (cautiously excited perhaps, but excited nonetheless).

Two and a half weeks later Michael wrote back:

            Are you back now

I replied:

            Hello Michael,

Yes, back from our vacation.

            And he said:

                        Glad you are back safe.

Sharing my initial email string with my wife she, being the more level headed one, immediately replied, “scam”.  I too had the same impression, but I really wanted this to be my first paid engagement.  I replied to Michael that I was interested and asked him to provide more detail.  He responded immediately with what, except for a few “little factors”, was almost perfect.  Almost…

Michael offered an excellent description of the proposed writing project…  Social Media: The Benefits and Risks; 2,000 to 2,500 words; an outline of 6 topics to cover; a deadline six weeks out; payment via certified bank check.  Everything he asked I knew not only I could do, but more importantly, I wanted to do.

How prescient the topic, Social Media: The Benefits and Risks.  It came to mind that I could simply write about this true tale of anonymous, electronic contact from a stranger.  The context was within the realm of possibilities, considering how I had positioned my content writing availability on social media.  I was conscious of the risks.  It was the voice of that Unknown Sage in the back of my mind that I couldn’t get rid of:

Conscious - is when you are aware of something.

Conscience - is when you wish you weren't.

And then there were those “little factors”…  Those didn’t involve his initial offer of 1.5¢ per word.  I checked the “How much should I charge” section in The Writer’s Market (an annual reference book devoted to the business and promotion of writing).  1.5¢ was within the pre-word, price point range.  It was at the very bottom of that range, but still it was in the range.  At 2,500 words that would be $37.50. 

I was hoping my writing gigs would be in the $150 to $200 range but as I’ve said, I wanted this first deal.  Talking myself into it I was saying, “Well Gary, you have to start somewhere.”  I wasn’t a published author or known writer.  I didn’t have a portfolio of content writing engagements I could reference.  In fact, I didn’t have any references at all. 

So I continued the email exchange:

Thanks Michael,

Very thorough. The proposed payment is quite a bit lower than my typical project, but I'm interested in the topic and appreciative of your patience.

Would you consider paying a higher rate? And if so, perhaps we can simplify the payment process by going through Venmo or PayPal. (That would save you bank fees on a certified check as well.)

I understand the outline and the timeframe. Can you tell me anything more about the audience?

Finally, I've noted your anonymity. Is it your preference to continue this way?

The elephant in the room…  All I had was an email that was revealed when I hoovered over his sender field that included, “mgkrule147…”.  That made me curious.  I Googled “Magic Rule 147”.  I didn’t like the results.  Then I Googled his full email address.  One of the “hits” brought me to a LinkedIn profile of one Michael Ganze (not his real, fake name), Associate Professor of Clinical Education, Emeritus in the USC Rossier School of Education.  Could he be legit?  There were still those “little factors”.

Before I could continue, I heard back:

Sounds fine to me, Will you be able to finish up before March 20.,Considering the amount to be paid for the job, cashiers check or bank certified checks is our best bet. My sponsor Will proceed with the payment…Please get back to with your details in the format below and the scope and plan of the project will be defined by you and modified by you so that we can best enjoy your assembled word to word writing and point.

1.Full Name( as it should appear on the check)

2.Physical address

3.Mobile number.

The check will be issued and mailed out as soon as I receive these details. Please note that the Article will not be turned in until payment has been delivered and cleared in your account. I await your quick response.

Regards

Michael

Now what?  I turned once again for advice from my wife.  She wasn’t emotionally impacted by this event.  She remained steadfast… “scam”.  That activated the voice once again in the back of my mind: 

Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.

                                                                                    Emily Jong

Duly noting her instinct, I decided to continue trying to land this “fish” anyway.  She had detected the first “little factor” as I did; Michael’s poor punctuation, grammar, and random capitalization of words; not something you would expect from a college professor in her opinion.  I don’t know.  Have I met college professors that are a bit “absent minded”, or is that just a Hollywood stereotype I’ve accepted?  I pressed on. 

I replied to Michael asking for his full name, address, and phone number to put together a Statement of Work for the engagement.  He responded with, “Michael Ganze” (same as I found in LinkedIn) along with an address and phone number.  Coincidence?  Luck?  Legit?  Or as my wife believed, was this “fish” phishing me? 

Google Maps confirmed there was a building at the address Michael provided.  It was in California, too, same as USC.  Google Street View showed a two-story building with retail shops on the first floor and what appeared to be offices on the second floor.  Looked authentic.  But another “little factor” came to the forefront; he gave his Suite as #5.  Google showed Suites #1 and #3, but no #5.  Hmmm.  It struck me as an almost legitimate address.  

I continued to use online tools to try and decipher who Michael was.  I suppose I could have called him, but now I was concerned about getting “too close to the flame”.  I searched the USC website and found the Dean of Faculty for the USC Rossier School of Education (at least I think I found the website for such an institution and such a Dean).

 

I emailed the Dean: 

Dear Sir:

I have been contacted by Michael Ganze of Torrance, CA for a small, paid creative content writing engagement. Can you confirm please that he is affiliated with your institution as an Associate Professor of Clinical Education, Emeritus in the USC Rossier School of Education?

The Dean emailed me back:

            Mr. Pokorn,

I can confirm that Michael Ganze is Associate professor of Clinnical Education, Emeritus at the USC Rossier School of Education

Yes, I noticed the “Clinnical” typo and the lower case "professor", too.  Was this Dean of a higher education institution simply busy?  Or, was my wife’s “radar” on target – too many grammatical and typographical errors for people of this ilk?

I felt I was committed to the engagement (and if you know me you know I take my commitments seriously).  I created and signed a Statement of Work along with a $75 invoice.  I specifically changed the Statement of Work from listing me by name to listing my company, Penny or a Pound Publishing, LLC.  That didn’t create much of a buffer.  It’s a limited liability corporation entity with a single employee – me.  But I felt better about putting up even a meager defense and emailed the SOW and invoice to Michael …

along with:

By the way... did you find me via social media?

And received this reply:

A friend send your contact to me when I find it uneasy to search and good writer,

Thanks for your time

Noting his worsening grammar, I tried one last time:

Great, thanks! Would you please ask my friend to contact me so I can thank him/her?

And received back:

            Alright I will

So far as you can see this was strictly an email exchange.  No phone conversation; no further inquiry on his part of my competency; no follow up from my referring “friend”; yes, yes, it had “scam” written all over it. But, I had almost 6 weeks before the deadline so I mentally moved into a “what’s the worst that can happen” mode just in case he was actually an actual new client.

My wife was worried that if I deposited their bank check in my account it would somehow give them access to my bank account information.  Since I used my business account which I keep at a minimum balance I was still feeling somewhat OK.  My son and daughter-in-law suggested using Walmart’s check-cashing service to keep my bank account out of the equation altogether.  But surely Walmart would require my driver’s license or some other sensitive piece of identification to protect them from fraud.  

My conundrum was how to cash a $75 check while protecting my identity.  Well I thought, it was only $75.  Afterall, it was going to be my first content writing gig.  If I wanted to break into the field maybe this was a risk I would have to take.

Undaunted, I Googled combinations of Michael’s name along with “fraud” and “scam”.  I also Googled combinations of “cashiers check” and “bank check” with fraud and scam.  Nothing associated with his name surfaced.  But bank check fraud surfaced immediately with the scam of receiving more money than agreed upon with a request to “refund” the difference to the sender.  This was that third “little factor”.  A bank check for a $75 engagement?  Definitely overkill, true?  Now I was leaning towards my wife’s position while still hoping for the best.

These people had my name, home address, email, company name, and phone number.  Still do.  But none of those data elements are secret per se.  Anyone can Google my name and see all of that information online.  I decided there was nothing left to do but wait and see what would happen.

I didn’t have to wait long (bad punctuation and all): 

OMG!!! Payment has been Sent But Sponsors Banker mixed Up the instruction and Sent More than the Amount to you.

            Hello Gary .,

I Just received a sudden payment shipment notification from My sponsor banker and it's kind of complicated and I think there is some confusing issue with the payment amount sent to you and The sponsor Banker already will not get back on time because of some family health issues That come up all of a sudden and that warrant the whole mixed up in the amount sent to you., Please keep me posted as soon as possible and Can you please keep me updated on my mobile for prompt update… ,.

So much for my first engagement.  Sure enough at 8am the next morning a FedEx overnight envelope was delivered to my doorstep.  I received a text from Michael asking me to confirm the receipt.  I wasn’t expecting it so soon.  I was sipping coffee when his text came through.  It had snowed overnight so I looked out the window.  Sure enough, there were footprints in the snow from the street to my front porch.  Opening the front door, there was the FedEx package.

In my mind I knew I was being scammed.  The only question I had was the dollar amount.  Silly me… I was thinking they would send a check for $750 instead of $75 to make the “mistake” look like it was within the realm of feasibility.  Nope.  The check was not from a California bank where Michael supposedly resided either.  It was from the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union (with no address or phone number); made out to my company; in the amount of $10,000!  I guess if you’re a crook you might as well go big or go home.

Well, Michael continued to email, text, and now even call me all with quite the sense of urgency.  I “went dark” but carried a degree of fear.  Still do.  I’m hoping they will move on to the next target and leave me be. 

That morning while Michael’s scam was still “in play” (or was it me that was the one still in play) I called the Denver office of the FBI to see if I could get an agent in the loop while things were still active.  As it turns out, agents don’t take phone calls for cybercrime.  Who knew?  I was directed to file a crime report online, which I did.  I received an automated email back acknowledging the report filing and an automated suggestion that I also contact my local police authority. 

I called my county’s Sheriff’s Department.  Yep - you guessed it - same deal.  Sheriff Deputies don’t take calls about cybercrime either.  After completing their online, crime report I received another automated email confirmation that began with:

            “It’s a very common scam.”

And I really wanted to do that writing gig.  

Anyone interested in a $10,000 bank check?  Just Zelle me $75, HaHa!


Minimum Viable…

Why would anyone go into technology sales?  Most deals are lost; most cold-calling doesn't convert; according to past research, 57% of Salespeople surveyed do not believe they will make their quota.  So why go into this unchosen profession?  Well, I like to say sales is what we do when we can’t do anything else. 

In response to the high failure rate and excessive turnover, many technology companies have increased the volume of young, inexperienced sellers they hire.  Many companies then create definitions of a “Minimum Viable Seller” in order to map out onboarding and training programs.  Sort of a “paint by numbers” approach to ensure this high volume of inexperienced sales reps have support to improve their odds of success. 

I like the objective, supportive approach.  Not that there isn’t room for subjective considerations – there are always “exceptions”.  I’m an exception.  There were many situations where I was considered an “out of the box” hire; many managers took a chance on me.  Turned out OK. 

I believe there is a “Minimum Viable” application to the prospects’ side of the equation, too.  Every prospect’s “project” (aka “Sales Opportunity”) must have minimum viable characteristics.  In absence of such criteria, the sales rep is just chasing rainbows. (Before they wash out.) 

To avoid rainbow chasing, many reps are taught to use B.A.N.T.  a qualification technique originating literally from last century.  Budget; Authority; Need; Timeline was developed in the 1960’s by IBM.  This century’s Modern Buyer has seen that rodeo.  Prospects will lie about their B.A.N.T. leading sales reps down that well-worn, path known as the

 “l      o      n      g      g      g              l      o      o      o      s      e”. 

Does Marketing help?  They measure MQL (Marketing Qualified Leads), SQL (Sales Qualified Leads), or SAL (Sales Accepted Leads).  Yet regardless of minimum viable marketing metrics, sales rep quota performance is still moving in the wrong direction.  Maybe marketing could take on some hard quota, LOL! 

Just when we think it can’t get any worse along come the machines.  Website hits; email opens; content downloads; weighted forecasts; logged touches; and every other possible minimum viable data point is accumulated into “CRM” (Customer Relationship Management).  Sales reps enter all this data and more into their machines.  Problem is – customers don’t reside inside those machines. 

Using minimum viable Business Intelligence; Artificial Intelligence; Predictive Analytics; and all other tools on the planet; we still can’t tell if the prospect and their project is real or imagined – without salespeople actually talking with them that is. 

How much time do salespeople spend each day with their machines?  How much time with prospects?  Not even mentioning deal competition, too.  I understand.  If sellers stopped for a moment and thought about all of the known-unknowns and unknown-unknowns on meeting their sales quota they might freak out.  Maybe it’s easier to stay heads-down with the machines.

So why would anyone go into the technology sales profession?  

Well, we do earn a doctorate degree in "people anthropology", becoming versed in what makes us human.  We reach an advanced level of personal and professional acumen.  We enter a lifelong career, mastering communication skills while competing for vast, financial treasures.  We receive trinkets, earn bonuses, and win President’s Club trips along the way.  Plus, we get to be front and center witnessing great people leading great companies to historical events. 

Even with all the obstacles, high failure rate, and the machines, I still believe technology sales qualifies as a Minimum Viable Career. 

GAP 

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

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

A peek inside…

I was writing at the coffee shop recently.  Sharing my opinions and observations has been part of my weekly routine since 2009.  At the coffee shop I was reminded of a topic I first wrote about in 2015.  I thought it would be fun to reshare it today. 

From the beginning I have been conscious on how long it takes me to say what I have to say – or better said – I worry about the impatience of my readers. 

I posted recently about “throwing more words at it” (see Land the Plane).  Since I know I can be verbose when I write my blogs I pay attention to exactly how many words it takes to express myself.  Let me offer you a peek inside… 

600.  The number of words that comprise my posts is 600 – exactly.  Not 599; not 601; each blog must be 600 words.  Truth be told I bang out an initial draft on a particular topic in less than an hour.  Then I typically spend 6-7 more hours editing; re-writing; word-smithing; eliminating words until (A) I like the piece, (B) I think there’s a chance you will enjoy it too, and (C) it is exactly 600 words.  Welcome to my world. (LOL!) 

OK we’re 208 words in, still reading?  I like sharing my personal experiences and observations of this thing we’re engaged in called “life”.  It’s not for self-promotion and certainly not for monetary gain (I haven’t figured out how to peddle these pieces… yet).  I do wonder sometimes whether I’m being read, and if so why: 

People who read me seem to be divided into four groups; Twenty-five percent like me for the right reasons; 25 percent like me for the wrong reasons; 25 percent hate me for the right reasons.  It's the last 25 percent that worries me. 

Robert Frost 

It’s all good, though.  Writing is my way of “thinking out loud”.  I like to pose situations to my readers. Then you can:

·         Read about it briefly (600 words briefly)

·         Quickly decide if it’s of interest

·         And if it is, allow you to observe my thoughts so you can;

o   Determine if I am a blithering idiot offering nothing more than a little comic relief in your day

o   Make you feel good that if I was able to make a living being as inept as you believe I am, there is hope for you

o   Invoke you’re knowledge and experience with the situations I write about helping you to come to the conclusion, “Nice try Gary, that’s not how it works; what you should have done was thus and so…”

o   And as a result provide you the service of reinforcing in your mind what not to do in certain circumstances, which is of equal value 

Sometimes, I might even offer sound advice based on something my wife refers to as common sense and good judgment.  My wife would say I don’t have much of the former, but I believe I have learned where good judgement originates: 

Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgement. 

Unknown Sage 

Of course, I hope my readers don’t take my judgements too seriously: 

Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own.  You may both be wrong. 

Dandemis 

So there you have it; for better or worse; a 600 word peek inside the process and the paradigm behind these little ditties.  I hope you enjoyed. 

GAP 

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