Whew! The bloom is certainly off the rose in terms of dealing with the snow up here in the Beach. We bought a snow blower last fall in anticipation of this and after having to shovel by hand last winter. Felt proud of ourselves. Not feeling so delighted after another night of snow and with the forecast calling for snow every day now for the next week. It is becoming a real pain-in-the ass to keep the double driveway clear.
Today I feel disoriented. I know I need to get a lot done. I certainly have put a lot of 'to do' items into my calendar today. No enthusiasm or energy to tackle anything today.
I know I have to clear the snow though.
So what if I don't do anything in my calendar that I don't want to do today? Is that just me procrastinating? Aren't you supposed to 'work through it'? Isn't that what successful people do?
Maybe I should go for a run and then clear the snow.
I know I have to initiate a new project today that has been sitting on the shelf for over 5 years. It is a radio idea, 'Overheard/Overnight'. Never sold the original idea, now thinking about a blog. Conference call with my partner today to discuss it...again.
OK, go for run early, clear the snow, then make call.
And oh yes, I should still continue my job search. This feels utterly hopeless...the advertising business is contracting (at least for jobs in large, US-owned agencies in Canada); they are looking for 'digital specialists' (experience I do not have); and younger, cheaper talent (over 50!). An outsider would call me crazy for continuing to look for work within the agency world.
Hmmm....once I get finished running, clearing the snow and conclude the call about 'Overheard/Overnight' I should look into companies that I buy stuff from.
To get this started this morning, going to have my coffee now.
There, made my first decision of the day.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Motivation and Marketing
Participated in a conference call today hosted by Jack Canfield (of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' fame). Wow. While he doesn't talk about anything that you don't already know, he reminds and challenges you to get back to the basics. His web site and monthly seminars are worth checking out: http://www.askjackcanfield.com/
Some background. Way back in a previous life when I was at a low point in my life personally and professionally, I attended a live seminar. At its conclusion I bought the set of books he was selling that night. Read them all in the process pulled myself out of the doldrums and got on with life once again. At the heart of the experience: setting goals. Writing them down. Lots of them. Then breaking them down into small steps and working daily to achieve them.
Some were long term, others more immediate. All painted a picture of life in the future.
To my surprise, as I kept at the daily discipline of reviewing them and working on 'baby steps', I actually started to accomplish them.
Then I lapsed. And now I find myself once again going back to the basics: setting and writing down my goals. And once again, the positive energy begins to flow as I get to work on creating my own future.
This is analagous to the business of marketing. I was taught a long time ago that you can basically break any business down into the following: Objectives, Strategies, Tactics. Essentially this is the business plan, the marketing plan, the communication plan, the advertising plan...even the operations plan. The objective is where you want to go, what you want to achieve. The strategies are how you want to get there. The tactics are the specific, 'baby step' things that you work on each day to get there.
And the motivation? Knowing that you are living each day working toward achieving your objectives.
Some background. Way back in a previous life when I was at a low point in my life personally and professionally, I attended a live seminar. At its conclusion I bought the set of books he was selling that night. Read them all in the process pulled myself out of the doldrums and got on with life once again. At the heart of the experience: setting goals. Writing them down. Lots of them. Then breaking them down into small steps and working daily to achieve them.
Some were long term, others more immediate. All painted a picture of life in the future.
To my surprise, as I kept at the daily discipline of reviewing them and working on 'baby steps', I actually started to accomplish them.
Then I lapsed. And now I find myself once again going back to the basics: setting and writing down my goals. And once again, the positive energy begins to flow as I get to work on creating my own future.
This is analagous to the business of marketing. I was taught a long time ago that you can basically break any business down into the following: Objectives, Strategies, Tactics. Essentially this is the business plan, the marketing plan, the communication plan, the advertising plan...even the operations plan. The objective is where you want to go, what you want to achieve. The strategies are how you want to get there. The tactics are the specific, 'baby step' things that you work on each day to get there.
And the motivation? Knowing that you are living each day working toward achieving your objectives.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Rodeo Road Trip
The three kids and I had planned this cross-Canada road trip from Toronto to Calgary for a number of months. We were all excited about the prospect of spending two weeks on the road. Heading west to visit friends in Saskatoon and Calgary with a sidebar to Banff. Just the boys
Started in Windsor. I had been on a business trip in Detroit.
My wife drove the fully loaded Isuzu Rodeo down to Windsor with the boys. Said our good byes at the Tim Horton’s and dropped her off at the Windsor Airport for her flight back to Toronto. Headed toward the tunnel to find I 90 for the first leg of the journey through downtown Detroit, across Michigan into Illinois and through Chicago in rush hour. Continued on up to Wisconsin for our first night’s stop in Madison.
Long first day. Coming after a night of no sleep due to the ‘celebration’ that concluded the business trip. Exhausted. Happy.
The Rodeo had been a surprise addition to our fleet. I am not a truck guy, but we felt flush after my recent job promotion and decided to get on the SUV bandwagon early. Black. Aluminum rims. 2.8 L V6. 5-speed manual…even then I chose oddball vehicles. Either that or the Dealer saw a sucker coming…
Effortless drive to be honest. Packed to the roof behind the rear seats. We stopped every two hours to rotate the boys through the seating. Ensured that everyone got to ride shotgun. Rodeo ran very smoothly along the Interstates. Long wheelbase, highway tires, 5th gear overdrive all contributed to the comfort.
Day 2 started early. We wanted to make it to Minot, North Dakota by day’s end. Same routine. 2-hour stops. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the road.
Stopped in Bismarck, North Dakota around 6 pm for supper at a Jack in the Box. 3 hours to go to Minot.
Headed north from Bismarck on a two-lane highway. Sun began to sink into the horizon off to our left.
Gorgeous light.
Stereo tuned to a local rock station.
Everyone relaxed
Then the moment: opening chords to ‘Life is a Highway’ by Tom Cochran.
All four of us broke into the chorus.
Magic!
We were ‘on the road’!
Started in Windsor. I had been on a business trip in Detroit.
My wife drove the fully loaded Isuzu Rodeo down to Windsor with the boys. Said our good byes at the Tim Horton’s and dropped her off at the Windsor Airport for her flight back to Toronto. Headed toward the tunnel to find I 90 for the first leg of the journey through downtown Detroit, across Michigan into Illinois and through Chicago in rush hour. Continued on up to Wisconsin for our first night’s stop in Madison.
Long first day. Coming after a night of no sleep due to the ‘celebration’ that concluded the business trip. Exhausted. Happy.
The Rodeo had been a surprise addition to our fleet. I am not a truck guy, but we felt flush after my recent job promotion and decided to get on the SUV bandwagon early. Black. Aluminum rims. 2.8 L V6. 5-speed manual…even then I chose oddball vehicles. Either that or the Dealer saw a sucker coming…
Effortless drive to be honest. Packed to the roof behind the rear seats. We stopped every two hours to rotate the boys through the seating. Ensured that everyone got to ride shotgun. Rodeo ran very smoothly along the Interstates. Long wheelbase, highway tires, 5th gear overdrive all contributed to the comfort.
Day 2 started early. We wanted to make it to Minot, North Dakota by day’s end. Same routine. 2-hour stops. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the road.
Stopped in Bismarck, North Dakota around 6 pm for supper at a Jack in the Box. 3 hours to go to Minot.
Headed north from Bismarck on a two-lane highway. Sun began to sink into the horizon off to our left.
Gorgeous light.
Stereo tuned to a local rock station.
Everyone relaxed
Then the moment: opening chords to ‘Life is a Highway’ by Tom Cochran.
All four of us broke into the chorus.
Magic!
We were ‘on the road’!
Took the Dog for a walk today
Actually our 4 lb. Yorkshire Terrier took me for a walk. This is one very determined animal who simply does not know how small her physical body really is. She has a huge personality and works ceaselessly to protect us. She teaches many lessons...
- Size doesn't matter. Her bark is definitely louder than her bite, but she is proud and fearless.
- Personality counts for everything. Through sheer force of being 'cute' she attracts attention where ever she goes.
- Enthusiasm is critical. Enough said
- Boundless energy. Always ready with a wagging tail to go out for a walk.
- Devoted and loyal. We repay this by allowing her up onto the big sofa to watch TV
My new year's resolution for 2009: actively seek out people with personality like our 'Tia'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)