Get the real facts. Not the assumed facts, the apparent facts, the obvious facts, or the hoped for facts. Keep digging until you get the real facts. Facts don't lie.
~ Harold Geneen, (past president of IT&T)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I love old junk!
I just love old junk!!! This is the what I purchased for my coffee table. Isn't it sooooo cute??? Can't wait for it to be delivered, clean it up and see what I can do to restore it to a better finish. Why do I love junking so much??? Is it because I relate to how worn, ragged, distressed and torn I am without some tender love and care with restoration that God gives me? You might think that a strange analogy, but I think it fits. I don't know if that's the real reason or if it really is just simply that junking runs in our family blood line and we all have a blast in the hunt for it! But I do know that I absolutely love finding old things and making them new, a part of my life's collection to tell a story about me.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Quotes
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for...
~ Joseph Addison
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
Careful planning helps us maintain a sense of perspective, purpose and ordered priorities.
~ Stephen Covey, Author and Speaker
~ Stephen Covey, Author and Speaker
Friday, March 12, 2010
logo is done!
...after 10months of working on a logo for my business, Medical Account Solutions, it is done! Check it out (click to enlarge):
Yes, it took three designs, a few different color themes and font changes to come up with the final product, but I am well pleased with the work of Michael Stephens at Golden Rule Signs in Yuba City, CA. He did excellent work and I am impressed! Now that this is finalized, the stationary order placed, I will move on to the next big project...completion of the website and the setup of my business blog. Please come check it out and be a follower!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
CHECK OUT the giveaway
My cousin at The Virginia House has a giveway that you don't want to miss...check it out here. Check back frequently or start following this blog for the really neat ideas with the theme: We Can Do It Cheaper and be inspired!
Facebook...a good thing or hinderance to friendships?
I had a friend email me last week for some information on Facebook. My first response was, You asked a loaded question! I went thru some basics so there would be a foundation of general understanding on the way its constructed:
To access it you must have an account. Your user ID/login is your email address and you create a password. You can upload photos for friends to see, post links to articles, coupons, many other like things you find on the web, simply just a thought or something on your mind. Some use it to encourage others, get feedback or recommendations, some use it just to vent or complain. You can search for people you know to be your "friends". If their account is "private" you will not find them. Very few people are private on FB, in my opinion, what would be the purpose of having an account if you don't want friends unless your sole purpose is to spy? In a nutshell, all this is controled by settings. Once you find a friend, you send a request and if they accept, you are friends. Either party can delete a friend at any time and FB does not notify you that you are no longer friends, it just happens and you will find it later if you go to their page or try to send them a message. You can control who sees what, i.e. your wall, your photos, etc and you can control who gets to post on your wall.
I have a FB account and will be honest that I have mixed feelings on it. There are days I find it encouraging, a way to connect in relationships with many I know and love, and other days I end up feeling its a waste of time, wondering what is up with people, questioning what someone said or didn't say, and a general feeling of socialism. The clicks that are in friendships via social groups both thru christian fellowship, work and otherwise, have their "clicks" (as I call them) on FB too. When I say "clicks", I am talking about people who always comment on the same peoples posts, like the same peoples stuff, and stick just in their circle of special friends and don't respond to you. As with other areas in life, the ones that are consumed with their own lives, are consumed in the same way on FB. Having said all that, I have seen photos, met new people, been encouraged by people I would not normally come in contact with or know what is going on in their lives without the friendship thru FB. This website (along with all other social networking sites) is blocked at work due to employee misuse (something I put into place because we pay them to work not to be social) so I am not on it during the time frames most people are which makes me feel out of the link many times and when I do get on, I have 8-24 hours or more to catch up on. It can take just a few minutes to update your status and check your friends or you can let it comsume your time unless just like other things on the web, you control it and limit the amount of time you spend on it.
Now that I have shared some of my thoughts on Facebook, what are yours? How to you handle the obstacles that arrise out of communication? How much time do you spend on FB, or do you limit yourself? What is your purpose of having an FB account? Do you feel that this is enriching our society or making it just another thing to have to feel obligated to? I would enjoye your feedback. Please share your comments...
To access it you must have an account. Your user ID/login is your email address and you create a password. You can upload photos for friends to see, post links to articles, coupons, many other like things you find on the web, simply just a thought or something on your mind. Some use it to encourage others, get feedback or recommendations, some use it just to vent or complain. You can search for people you know to be your "friends". If their account is "private" you will not find them. Very few people are private on FB, in my opinion, what would be the purpose of having an account if you don't want friends unless your sole purpose is to spy? In a nutshell, all this is controled by settings. Once you find a friend, you send a request and if they accept, you are friends. Either party can delete a friend at any time and FB does not notify you that you are no longer friends, it just happens and you will find it later if you go to their page or try to send them a message. You can control who sees what, i.e. your wall, your photos, etc and you can control who gets to post on your wall.
I have a FB account and will be honest that I have mixed feelings on it. There are days I find it encouraging, a way to connect in relationships with many I know and love, and other days I end up feeling its a waste of time, wondering what is up with people, questioning what someone said or didn't say, and a general feeling of socialism. The clicks that are in friendships via social groups both thru christian fellowship, work and otherwise, have their "clicks" (as I call them) on FB too. When I say "clicks", I am talking about people who always comment on the same peoples posts, like the same peoples stuff, and stick just in their circle of special friends and don't respond to you. As with other areas in life, the ones that are consumed with their own lives, are consumed in the same way on FB. Having said all that, I have seen photos, met new people, been encouraged by people I would not normally come in contact with or know what is going on in their lives without the friendship thru FB. This website (along with all other social networking sites) is blocked at work due to employee misuse (something I put into place because we pay them to work not to be social) so I am not on it during the time frames most people are which makes me feel out of the link many times and when I do get on, I have 8-24 hours or more to catch up on. It can take just a few minutes to update your status and check your friends or you can let it comsume your time unless just like other things on the web, you control it and limit the amount of time you spend on it.
Now that I have shared some of my thoughts on Facebook, what are yours? How to you handle the obstacles that arrise out of communication? How much time do you spend on FB, or do you limit yourself? What is your purpose of having an FB account? Do you feel that this is enriching our society or making it just another thing to have to feel obligated to? I would enjoye your feedback. Please share your comments...
Monday, March 8, 2010
Quotes
Every day I get up and look thru the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.
~ Robert Orben
weekly devotion
Weekly Wisdoms for the week of March 8, 2010
Time is the price you must pay for intimacy with God.
One of the most valuable things that a person could possibly have is an intimate relationship with God. That same God who is big enough and powerful enough to create the whole universe is also small enough and caring enough to desire a personal relationship with you--a relationship that will last for eternity.
Of course, such an intimate friendship won't happen by chance. Your relationship with your best friend didn't come overnight, and your relationship with God is no different. It requires time.
There is a principle that can be seen both in the Bible and in the world, which basically states that you reap what you sow (see 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7-8). However, you can't expect to reap a harvest on seeds you've never sown. In other words, you can't expect to know God well if you don't invest significant amounts of time and energy into the relationship.
Therefore, it is very important how you use your time. No wonder Paul, in Ephesians 5:15-16, wrote this: Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Here, Paul is encouraging us to use our time wisely--that is, to make the most of it.
The way to make the most of your time is to invest it into something of great value that lasts forever--an intimate relationship with God.
A practical tip that I have found to be true in my own life is this: Reserve a specific slot each day to spend time with God. Don't do anything else during that time; make it your time specifically for you and God. You can't use the excuse, "I'll read my Bible and spend time with God, as soon as I can find some time." You will never find time! You must make time. Therefore, reserve time for God, remembering that time is the price you must pay for intimacy with God.
Time is the price you must pay for intimacy with God.
One of the most valuable things that a person could possibly have is an intimate relationship with God. That same God who is big enough and powerful enough to create the whole universe is also small enough and caring enough to desire a personal relationship with you--a relationship that will last for eternity.
Of course, such an intimate friendship won't happen by chance. Your relationship with your best friend didn't come overnight, and your relationship with God is no different. It requires time.
There is a principle that can be seen both in the Bible and in the world, which basically states that you reap what you sow (see 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7-8). However, you can't expect to reap a harvest on seeds you've never sown. In other words, you can't expect to know God well if you don't invest significant amounts of time and energy into the relationship.
Therefore, it is very important how you use your time. No wonder Paul, in Ephesians 5:15-16, wrote this: Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Here, Paul is encouraging us to use our time wisely--that is, to make the most of it.
The way to make the most of your time is to invest it into something of great value that lasts forever--an intimate relationship with God.
A practical tip that I have found to be true in my own life is this: Reserve a specific slot each day to spend time with God. Don't do anything else during that time; make it your time specifically for you and God. You can't use the excuse, "I'll read my Bible and spend time with God, as soon as I can find some time." You will never find time! You must make time. Therefore, reserve time for God, remembering that time is the price you must pay for intimacy with God.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March 2010 Adult Verse Night
You will seek Me and find Me,
when you search for Me
with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Thought by Dan Miller (48 Days weekly newsletter)
All learning comes with some kind of cost - either your time, money or energy. What you learned from a particular experience is often different than what you expected. Don't waste time brooding about time, money or energy spent - just make sure you get the lesson to be learned and go on.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
The most critical thing I think business leaders and future business leaders need to understand is to stay focused on the things that you can control and influence, and then execute, execute, execute.
~ John Chambers, Cisco CEO
~ John Chambers, Cisco CEO
Saturday, February 27, 2010
how to: make a homemade pillowcase
Standard Pillowcase
Fabric requirements:
body requires 1 1/2 yard (54" long)
band requires a good 1/2 yard (18" to 18 3/4")
border requires 1/8 to 1/4 yard
Directions for a set of pillowcases:
Preshrink fabric. Cut out body of pillowcase 27" in length by 21 1/2" in width. Cut out band 9 3/8" in width by 21 1/2" in length. For border cut a strip 1 1/2" up to 4" in width by 21 1/2" in length, or use trims and cut 21 1/2" in length. Repeat for second pillowcase.
Sew a 3/8" seam on body and band together on one edge. Serge seam. Press seam towards body. Topstitch to seam edge. Beginning at the band edge, with right sides together, sew a 1/2" seam at side edges. Backstitch at the beginning of the seam and 1/2" or so at corner before rotating the seam. Backstitch 1/2" or so also at the beginning of the rotated corner seam too and continue stitching a 1/2". At end of seam, backstitch again. Serge pillowcase seams. Trim corners off at an angle.
(Next time I make these, I will take pictures and add to the post.)
(Next time I make these, I will take pictures and add to the post.)
Enjoy the cute creation you have made! Have any other pillow ideas you wish to share with me?
Friday, February 26, 2010
What is your criteria for hiring out services?
I have been reflecting on qualities I want in people I do business with and pondering the question: "What is my criteria for evaluating these people?" In a nutshell, how do I go about determining "who" I want to do business with?
You meet some nice people and you meet some pushy people that are no way on the same page as you. You sort them out by talking to them on the phone and getting intial feedback on how they respond to your questions, how thorough they are at understanding your needs and giving you adequate information in return, what their fee schedule is like, waht policies they have and how they do business with their customers. You then proceed to make an appointment to go over details in person and iron out the final issues. When you part ways, you leave with only a smidge of an idea of how they do business. How do you know you want to work with them? Did they just give you a great feeling or did they really hit the nail on the head? How do you know they will do the job the way you want it done? And when I say done, I mean accurately? professionally? efficiently? cost effective? In some ways, the little window of time you have with them is your only chance at making a good summary of what their production will be like, but the proof will be in the pudding when they do the job. Sometimes, thats a lot to risk. What questions do you ask to get the knowledge you need to make the assessment conclusion?
Now that you know my thoughts in general, let me get specific. I have been interviewing CPA's.
The first CPA made a good impression on the phone. He was recommended by a financial guru that I have deep respect for. But when I saw him in person, I wasn't so impressed. To begin with , he was severely overweight. Now, don't mistake me, I know that that can't change and should not be a deciding factor, but to me its a sign that shows something is out of control and not in balance with the whole wheel of life. He was candid and a bit arrogant in his response to my questions about how many clients he had and how much he charged his clients and would not give me a price, somewhere between $25.00 - $7000.00. After telling me that, he said that most of his clients have told him that he doesn't charge enough. Huh? You have my previous years tax return to review and see exactly what I made and what my itemized deductions were, on top of all that I have prepared for you all my data for year to date (which was 11 months worth, so the year is pretty close to final in figures) and you are telling me its gonna range from what to what? I don't think so. Then to top it off, you handed the stuff back to me and said after year end, fax me your stuff and I will give you some numbers. You did nothing to "earn" my business while I interviewed you. You gave me no data. You never followed up with me to see if I had any other questions. You were ruled out.
The second CPA I interviewed was recommended to me by the place I have my business checking account at. He was a bit of a cowboy, but not a redneck, just not a business man look (if you know what I mean). He talks slow and is not in a hurry to move you out of his office. He honestly listened to all my questions andreally tried to answer each one. He gave me his advice and provided me some data to review to one of my big questions regarding tax filing status (Sole Proprietor vs S Corp) for businesses and the effects of each. He did estimates in what I had paid in thus far for the year and what my 4th quarter payment should be. This guy worked on behalf of me! He spent over an hour and a half talking business details and tried to help me, not just flap his mouth like the first guy did. In talking with me about what I do I learned that they started their own Medical Billing Agency out of a need a client had. Would this be benefit to me? or would it be drawback possible conflict of interest? Could I deal with difference in his personality being I tend to live on the run and in a hurry, almost literally? Was I willing to be charged an hourly rate for a tax return vs a flat fee? I wasn't sure. That means I asked for references from friends to interview one more CPA.
The third CPA was recommended to me by a doctor I am really impressed with. I never got to talk to him ahead of time on the phone so I had no initial impression of him to work off of. His assistant had to schedule me two weeks out to even get an appointment to interview him. This might have been a clue to me that he is a bit too busy if I had given it thought, but being the time of year it is, I really didn't let that stop me and it certainly wasn't what I was thinking at the time. When I met with him, he was much more of a professional individual, but not stuffy in any way. I was impressed with his answers and how he told me he tries to work the deal the best for the customer. In reviewing my data, he was familiar with my place of employment and stated he used to be a patient there until the split between owners and new office was built. I dected a bit of sarcasim and partiality, but wasn't sure how to respond. I replied by, are you referring to so and so? and he said yes. I didn't comment further, I didn't work there then and the details of the split don't matter now, and ultimately it has nothing really to do with me. He did not try to sell me a filing status I don't need yet as a small business owner with the amount of net income I have, which I found intriguing. But at roughly 25minutes into the conversation, he was ready to be done. He asked, Did I have more questions? If not, it was up to me if I wanted to leave my stuff for them to copy (though he needed two things I had not brought with me that no other CPA had yet asked for - backup copy of my Quicken, plus a Balance Sheet and P&L report) but he would not be able to get to my return for probably 2 more weeks. At this moment, I went from being impressed to being turned off...how can that happen so quickly? I was sad. If I still went with him, at a later date when I have questions, would he be too busy to take the time to explain them or did he resent my knowledge that I came in with from online research? His assistant had told me to bring my stuff with me and I decided to proceed with them he would do my return then, or at least get it started. Was it a communication break down or did she not know his schedule and the way he really does things? Overall, I liked this guy and his honest evaluation of business growth and what is necessary and what is not, but I felt he really didn't need my business if he was going to make me wait 2 weeks. I don't want to wait another 2 weeks when I have been ready for 3 weeks. I need and want to finalize 2009 now so that I can be ready for my 1st quarter estimated tax payment by the April 15th deadline. Doing both of these within a short time frame of each other isn't how I want to do it, even though I have the money in the account. This is not really "his problem" but it affects my decision process.
So I am left with a decision...do I proceed with CPA #2 that spent time with me and answered all my questions but didn't fit my total cup of tea? or do I go with CPA #3 who is slightly more expensive and a bit more to my liking but in reality is too busy for all the questions this entrepreneur has who wants to learn and do all she can herself to save money? I know this weekend I will be making a list of pro's and con's and determining what I think is the best option for me, but I think the signs are all pointing in one direction...I will be looking at finalizing a deal with CPA #2.
Will you share with me, what your qualities are that you look for in a person and how you determine who to hire for the job? I would love your insight.
You meet some nice people and you meet some pushy people that are no way on the same page as you. You sort them out by talking to them on the phone and getting intial feedback on how they respond to your questions, how thorough they are at understanding your needs and giving you adequate information in return, what their fee schedule is like, waht policies they have and how they do business with their customers. You then proceed to make an appointment to go over details in person and iron out the final issues. When you part ways, you leave with only a smidge of an idea of how they do business. How do you know you want to work with them? Did they just give you a great feeling or did they really hit the nail on the head? How do you know they will do the job the way you want it done? And when I say done, I mean accurately? professionally? efficiently? cost effective? In some ways, the little window of time you have with them is your only chance at making a good summary of what their production will be like, but the proof will be in the pudding when they do the job. Sometimes, thats a lot to risk. What questions do you ask to get the knowledge you need to make the assessment conclusion?
Now that you know my thoughts in general, let me get specific. I have been interviewing CPA's.
The first CPA made a good impression on the phone. He was recommended by a financial guru that I have deep respect for. But when I saw him in person, I wasn't so impressed. To begin with , he was severely overweight. Now, don't mistake me, I know that that can't change and should not be a deciding factor, but to me its a sign that shows something is out of control and not in balance with the whole wheel of life. He was candid and a bit arrogant in his response to my questions about how many clients he had and how much he charged his clients and would not give me a price, somewhere between $25.00 - $7000.00. After telling me that, he said that most of his clients have told him that he doesn't charge enough. Huh? You have my previous years tax return to review and see exactly what I made and what my itemized deductions were, on top of all that I have prepared for you all my data for year to date (which was 11 months worth, so the year is pretty close to final in figures) and you are telling me its gonna range from what to what? I don't think so. Then to top it off, you handed the stuff back to me and said after year end, fax me your stuff and I will give you some numbers. You did nothing to "earn" my business while I interviewed you. You gave me no data. You never followed up with me to see if I had any other questions. You were ruled out.
The second CPA I interviewed was recommended to me by the place I have my business checking account at. He was a bit of a cowboy, but not a redneck, just not a business man look (if you know what I mean). He talks slow and is not in a hurry to move you out of his office. He honestly listened to all my questions andreally tried to answer each one. He gave me his advice and provided me some data to review to one of my big questions regarding tax filing status (Sole Proprietor vs S Corp) for businesses and the effects of each. He did estimates in what I had paid in thus far for the year and what my 4th quarter payment should be. This guy worked on behalf of me! He spent over an hour and a half talking business details and tried to help me, not just flap his mouth like the first guy did. In talking with me about what I do I learned that they started their own Medical Billing Agency out of a need a client had. Would this be benefit to me? or would it be drawback possible conflict of interest? Could I deal with difference in his personality being I tend to live on the run and in a hurry, almost literally? Was I willing to be charged an hourly rate for a tax return vs a flat fee? I wasn't sure. That means I asked for references from friends to interview one more CPA.
The third CPA was recommended to me by a doctor I am really impressed with. I never got to talk to him ahead of time on the phone so I had no initial impression of him to work off of. His assistant had to schedule me two weeks out to even get an appointment to interview him. This might have been a clue to me that he is a bit too busy if I had given it thought, but being the time of year it is, I really didn't let that stop me and it certainly wasn't what I was thinking at the time. When I met with him, he was much more of a professional individual, but not stuffy in any way. I was impressed with his answers and how he told me he tries to work the deal the best for the customer. In reviewing my data, he was familiar with my place of employment and stated he used to be a patient there until the split between owners and new office was built. I dected a bit of sarcasim and partiality, but wasn't sure how to respond. I replied by, are you referring to so and so? and he said yes. I didn't comment further, I didn't work there then and the details of the split don't matter now, and ultimately it has nothing really to do with me. He did not try to sell me a filing status I don't need yet as a small business owner with the amount of net income I have, which I found intriguing. But at roughly 25minutes into the conversation, he was ready to be done. He asked, Did I have more questions? If not, it was up to me if I wanted to leave my stuff for them to copy (though he needed two things I had not brought with me that no other CPA had yet asked for - backup copy of my Quicken, plus a Balance Sheet and P&L report) but he would not be able to get to my return for probably 2 more weeks. At this moment, I went from being impressed to being turned off...how can that happen so quickly? I was sad. If I still went with him, at a later date when I have questions, would he be too busy to take the time to explain them or did he resent my knowledge that I came in with from online research? His assistant had told me to bring my stuff with me and I decided to proceed with them he would do my return then, or at least get it started. Was it a communication break down or did she not know his schedule and the way he really does things? Overall, I liked this guy and his honest evaluation of business growth and what is necessary and what is not, but I felt he really didn't need my business if he was going to make me wait 2 weeks. I don't want to wait another 2 weeks when I have been ready for 3 weeks. I need and want to finalize 2009 now so that I can be ready for my 1st quarter estimated tax payment by the April 15th deadline. Doing both of these within a short time frame of each other isn't how I want to do it, even though I have the money in the account. This is not really "his problem" but it affects my decision process.
So I am left with a decision...do I proceed with CPA #2 that spent time with me and answered all my questions but didn't fit my total cup of tea? or do I go with CPA #3 who is slightly more expensive and a bit more to my liking but in reality is too busy for all the questions this entrepreneur has who wants to learn and do all she can herself to save money? I know this weekend I will be making a list of pro's and con's and determining what I think is the best option for me, but I think the signs are all pointing in one direction...I will be looking at finalizing a deal with CPA #2.
Will you share with me, what your qualities are that you look for in a person and how you determine who to hire for the job? I would love your insight.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
company for lunch!!!
It is February, and to keep to my goal of having company for lunch once a month, I made plans to have company for lunch today! A week ago, I invited Steve & Betty (who had to cancel on me once before when I invited them), Jon & Tracy and Terry. All seemed to be going pretty smooth as I rushed around this morning getting things ready and put together, until I cut my finger deeper than I have ever cut it with my lovely knives...I could not get the bleeding to stop, wasn't sure if it would ever quit, but I had no time to stop and go to a clinic for it to get stopped...I did my best to wrap it in gauze and paper tape several times. It greatly prevented my speed at finishing my preparations before meeting, and did I tell you that it stung and hurt awful???
Menu: Minestrone Soup with Avacado & Tomato Provolone Cheese Melts and mini Banana Splits for dessert.
We had a nice time eating and visiting...I enjoy having company and am looking forward to next month.
Menu: Minestrone Soup with Avacado & Tomato Provolone Cheese Melts and mini Banana Splits for dessert.
We had a nice time eating and visiting...I enjoy having company and am looking forward to next month.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
book review ~ Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
When I launched into Switch, I could hardly put it down. The ideas and thoughts expressed in many ways were so simple and yet had profound impact on me in the way I view change, recoginizing the issue at hand that needs change, how I / others process the thoughts and action plan on implementing change, and the way that change is apart of every aspect of life. The book held my attention for the most part, though there were a few spots I felt it seemed to get bogged down in trying to make a point.
The initial concept (that really was the punch line of the book) is the concept of The Rider and The Elephant and how it takes both of these emotional and rational aspects to be able to change behavior because knowledge alone does not. For behavior to change you have to influence not only the/their environment but the/their heart and mind. To do this, you can cajole, influence, inspire and motivate. The situation must change for change to happen. It's an attempt to change the culture, the linchpin of successful organizational change You must find bright spots; "successful efforts worth emulating" and be savvy at reinforcing these behaviors. This illuminates the road map for action and sparks hope that change is possible. This creates a destination postcard - a vivid picture from the near-term that shows what hard work can make possible. Ask whats working not whats wrong. Clarity dissolves resistance. Decision paralysis disrupts decisions and affects you; you become overloaded and choice no longer liberates, it debilitates. Change brings uncertainty and is a process. Any successful change requires a translation of ambiguous goals into concrete behaviors which means you have to "script the critcal moves". Progress is precious. It takes patience, focus and reinforcement every step of the journey. Small successes can be extremely powerful in helping people believe in themselves. Big changes can start with very small steps, which tend to snowball. All this is stregthened with practice and an inspiration to endure to make the necessary change. Motivation will be your hardest struggle as you try to make the switch. Change follows a pattern, embrace it!
I tried to put myself in each story and realized that I acted as The Rider and The Elephant differently depending on the circumstances. I found this an eye opener and a learning tool for me. I want to spend more time studing The Rider and The Elephant attributes and how they affect each other so that as I focus on change I know what needs cultivating and tweaking so that I have a clearer Path. I also thought the simple point of checklists was a great concept for building consistent habits. As the book states: A scholar is someone who lives to learn and is good at it.
Thank you Daniel Tardy for giving me a chance to be a scholar!
(due to scheduling and work conflicts, I did not post this book review on time, it was due yesterday 02.16.2010)
The initial concept (that really was the punch line of the book) is the concept of The Rider and The Elephant and how it takes both of these emotional and rational aspects to be able to change behavior because knowledge alone does not. For behavior to change you have to influence not only the/their environment but the/their heart and mind. To do this, you can cajole, influence, inspire and motivate. The situation must change for change to happen. It's an attempt to change the culture, the linchpin of successful organizational change You must find bright spots; "successful efforts worth emulating" and be savvy at reinforcing these behaviors. This illuminates the road map for action and sparks hope that change is possible. This creates a destination postcard - a vivid picture from the near-term that shows what hard work can make possible. Ask whats working not whats wrong. Clarity dissolves resistance. Decision paralysis disrupts decisions and affects you; you become overloaded and choice no longer liberates, it debilitates. Change brings uncertainty and is a process. Any successful change requires a translation of ambiguous goals into concrete behaviors which means you have to "script the critcal moves". Progress is precious. It takes patience, focus and reinforcement every step of the journey. Small successes can be extremely powerful in helping people believe in themselves. Big changes can start with very small steps, which tend to snowball. All this is stregthened with practice and an inspiration to endure to make the necessary change. Motivation will be your hardest struggle as you try to make the switch. Change follows a pattern, embrace it!
I tried to put myself in each story and realized that I acted as The Rider and The Elephant differently depending on the circumstances. I found this an eye opener and a learning tool for me. I want to spend more time studing The Rider and The Elephant attributes and how they affect each other so that as I focus on change I know what needs cultivating and tweaking so that I have a clearer Path. I also thought the simple point of checklists was a great concept for building consistent habits. As the book states: A scholar is someone who lives to learn and is good at it.
Thank you Daniel Tardy for giving me a chance to be a scholar!
(due to scheduling and work conflicts, I did not post this book review on time, it was due yesterday 02.16.2010)
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