Baxter's Poetry
Make History Today
As Black History Month ends, I'm thinking about how I can make this place better
Trying to improve my seat and make sure my place is better
But most are concerned with trending topics
KMZ and E ain't never put money in my pockets
As I write a letter to my cousin, feeling guilty because his jail number escapes me
The only thing I can think of is my sales number for the month
We're in a bottom line business and the bottom line is
One day it can rib eye, the next day Captain Crunch
But I love you cuz, and I feel like I'm finding my way
I'll be up soon and we can talk about the good days
And I know that we'll have more
When? I'm not sure. I can feel it my bones
Like old folks with arthritis, just keep holding on
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
What a week!
Baxter's Buzz
Buzz of the Week - Last week was very, very interesting. Being in sales, and understanding the importance of your performance on the entire business gives you a unique perspective.
There was an event I attended at the Ann Arbor Center For Independent Living. They are a non- profit committed to improving the lives of everyone, especially those with disabilities. Every time I attend something there, I meet amazing people who inspire me. They are facing obstacles that most of us could never imagine. Their aim is to become productive members of society like most folks desire.
There are a few Americans that are placed perfectly at the starting block when they are born, and the rest of us start at a significant distance behind, trying to our best just to get even. I think about black and brown folks, along with woman who are treated like they have disabilities (just to name a few). Life is hard enough to begin with, before having additional obstacles put in front of you. But I digress.
I also meet the awesome staff members who work every day to make a difference. Folks like Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, and Helen are full time employees at AACIL, remind me that there are people out there that still care. Sometimes, we hear so much bad news that we forget that people all over the world who are making a difference and making their mark in people's heart every day.
So once again, I'm reminded that there's more to life than chasing the elusive dollar. That same day when I returned to work, things were in the process of falling apart. There were co-workers of mine that were laid off that afternoon. Lives were turned upside down. Even those of us who were fortunate enough to keep our jobs, were taken aback by the events that transpired.
This same week, my wife was told by her boss that she needs to come in to work on time. Not because she was getting there late, but because she would be 25-30 minutes early! Maybe her boss wants her to come in 25-30 minutes late like she does. I don't know. But before the lay offs at my job occurred, I told my wife in a text, "Remember: its just a job."
Your job can define you if you choose for it to define you, but under no circumstances does it have to! We need to find fulfilling jobs that we feel good about. And if that's not an option, we need to fill the rest of our life up, outside of work, with meaningful things.
God Bless you all. Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it!
Buzz of the Week - Last week was very, very interesting. Being in sales, and understanding the importance of your performance on the entire business gives you a unique perspective.
There was an event I attended at the Ann Arbor Center For Independent Living. They are a non- profit committed to improving the lives of everyone, especially those with disabilities. Every time I attend something there, I meet amazing people who inspire me. They are facing obstacles that most of us could never imagine. Their aim is to become productive members of society like most folks desire.
There are a few Americans that are placed perfectly at the starting block when they are born, and the rest of us start at a significant distance behind, trying to our best just to get even. I think about black and brown folks, along with woman who are treated like they have disabilities (just to name a few). Life is hard enough to begin with, before having additional obstacles put in front of you. But I digress.
I also meet the awesome staff members who work every day to make a difference. Folks like Stephanie, Lisa, Gary, and Helen are full time employees at AACIL, remind me that there are people out there that still care. Sometimes, we hear so much bad news that we forget that people all over the world who are making a difference and making their mark in people's heart every day.
So once again, I'm reminded that there's more to life than chasing the elusive dollar. That same day when I returned to work, things were in the process of falling apart. There were co-workers of mine that were laid off that afternoon. Lives were turned upside down. Even those of us who were fortunate enough to keep our jobs, were taken aback by the events that transpired.
This same week, my wife was told by her boss that she needs to come in to work on time. Not because she was getting there late, but because she would be 25-30 minutes early! Maybe her boss wants her to come in 25-30 minutes late like she does. I don't know. But before the lay offs at my job occurred, I told my wife in a text, "Remember: its just a job."
Your job can define you if you choose for it to define you, but under no circumstances does it have to! We need to find fulfilling jobs that we feel good about. And if that's not an option, we need to fill the rest of our life up, outside of work, with meaningful things.
God Bless you all. Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Baxter's Poetry
Baxter's Buzz
Hold on to Your Seats
What a world we live in
Things change suddenly
Hold on to your seats
There are bumps in the road
Hold on to Your Seats
What a world we live in
Things change suddenly
Hold on to your seats
There are bumps in the road
Monday, February 14, 2011
Money Makes the World Go Round
Baxter's Buzz
Buzz of the Day - What's more valuable, time or money? That's a question we ask ourselves several times a day and maybe not even realize it. What are your eating for dinner? What about lunch? Are you going to cool or eat out. Snow needs to shoveled. Gutters need to be cleaned.
As I gain for experience (notice I didn't say getting older), I'm starting to understand what money is and what it does.
It does different things to people. I've been "fortunate" not to have ever had a lot of money. I say fortunate because once the economy went in the tank, my wife and I didn't have anything to lose (haha).
As I gain more experience, money doesn't even seem real! Maybe its because everything is on a card. Most of my money never sees my pocket and it arrives in my account for about as long it takes to drink a slushy, and the funds are transferred to all of the businesses I owe and the cycle continues.
I understand that debt is part of the American Dream, but if you don't manage it correctly, it's a nightmare.
Buzz of the Day - What's more valuable, time or money? That's a question we ask ourselves several times a day and maybe not even realize it. What are your eating for dinner? What about lunch? Are you going to cool or eat out. Snow needs to shoveled. Gutters need to be cleaned.
As I gain for experience (notice I didn't say getting older), I'm starting to understand what money is and what it does.
It does different things to people. I've been "fortunate" not to have ever had a lot of money. I say fortunate because once the economy went in the tank, my wife and I didn't have anything to lose (haha).
As I gain more experience, money doesn't even seem real! Maybe its because everything is on a card. Most of my money never sees my pocket and it arrives in my account for about as long it takes to drink a slushy, and the funds are transferred to all of the businesses I owe and the cycle continues.
I understand that debt is part of the American Dream, but if you don't manage it correctly, it's a nightmare.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Good Intentions
Baxter's Buzz
Random Buzz - So part of the reason I purchased a blackberry was so I could, ahem, multi-task and note certain random thoughts, so I could later add to my blog. Yeah, it didn't work out so well. There's so much going on from social media, to work email, I haven't utilized exactly how I'd planned it. So my plan is to share more of my feelings with my blog and my followers, as opposed to twitter and facebook.
This social media stuff has taken over my world. Couple that with the fact I have an attention deficit, and it just spells gloom for me and my responsibilities.
With that in mind, I feel like I'm finding a balance and hopefully it will bring more consistent writing from Baxter's Buzz. Fingers crossed.
Random Buzz - So part of the reason I purchased a blackberry was so I could, ahem, multi-task and note certain random thoughts, so I could later add to my blog. Yeah, it didn't work out so well. There's so much going on from social media, to work email, I haven't utilized exactly how I'd planned it. So my plan is to share more of my feelings with my blog and my followers, as opposed to twitter and facebook.
This social media stuff has taken over my world. Couple that with the fact I have an attention deficit, and it just spells gloom for me and my responsibilities.
With that in mind, I feel like I'm finding a balance and hopefully it will bring more consistent writing from Baxter's Buzz. Fingers crossed.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Grown Folks' Business
Baxter's Buzz
Buzz of the Day - My life feels very grown up. I am nearing my 30th birthday and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel, but I think I feel older.
I just bought a freaking house! I'm a nervous wreck about that because I made a 30 year commitment to something and I'm not even 30 yet!
The only other commitment that made me this nervous was my marriage. "To death do us part," is a very big step, but even that doesn't have a number on it. Hell, I could die today and the marriage would be over, but my wife would still be on the hook for 30 years of payments! But I digress...
I'm heavier than I've ever been and less than two weeks ago my shoulder started to bother me. My mind feels as sharp as ever, but my body? Not so much.
The Bible says that youth is wasted on the young. Probably because when you're young you don't appreciate your youth. If that makes sense. My goal is to make my 12 months not only my most grownup, but also my most youthful. Wish me luck.
I appreciate my new readers (2 people), and I'm hopeful I haven't lost my other two :-0
Buzz of the Day - My life feels very grown up. I am nearing my 30th birthday and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel, but I think I feel older.
I just bought a freaking house! I'm a nervous wreck about that because I made a 30 year commitment to something and I'm not even 30 yet!
The only other commitment that made me this nervous was my marriage. "To death do us part," is a very big step, but even that doesn't have a number on it. Hell, I could die today and the marriage would be over, but my wife would still be on the hook for 30 years of payments! But I digress...
I'm heavier than I've ever been and less than two weeks ago my shoulder started to bother me. My mind feels as sharp as ever, but my body? Not so much.
The Bible says that youth is wasted on the young. Probably because when you're young you don't appreciate your youth. If that makes sense. My goal is to make my 12 months not only my most grownup, but also my most youthful. Wish me luck.
I appreciate my new readers (2 people), and I'm hopeful I haven't lost my other two :-0
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Two Year Review
Baxter's Buzz
Buzz of the Day - Time truly flies. I just did my taxes this past weekend and remember blogging about the terrible lady I had two years ago at H&R Block. These days, I'm a different person...kinda.
Yesterday I blogged about standing up for yourself and returning some one's vicious serve by simply sticking your racket out and using their force against them. Two years ago, I hadn't been at my job six months, we had just gotten our salary reduced and I was a nervous wreck.
These days, I'm a much more confident person when it comes down to job security. The main reason being because I bust my butt and give them an honest day's effort. Another reason is because I have the skills to do my job well.
A "sales team" is similar to a track or golf team; it's an individual sport, but we're expected to have some camaraderie. When I started, people barely wanted to speak to me. Of course there were some nice folks, but most of them resented the fact that there was another person, essential taking money out of their pocket.
I've decided that as long as I'm an employee there, I will not only greet all new comers with open arms, I will go out of my way to lead by example in meetings and with my interaction with my "team" members. I think the culture has been "I'm too cool for school" at my job. A very cold, uninviting sales team where folks would rather talk about you than to you. Many of those people are no longer there and now I believe it's up to me to lead the way to instill a new culture. At least be a piece to the puzzle. This way I am not only giving my employers what they want, but I also get the most out of my skills on a daily basis. Who wouldn't feel comfortable?
See you tomorrow.
Buzz of the Day - Time truly flies. I just did my taxes this past weekend and remember blogging about the terrible lady I had two years ago at H&R Block. These days, I'm a different person...kinda.
Yesterday I blogged about standing up for yourself and returning some one's vicious serve by simply sticking your racket out and using their force against them. Two years ago, I hadn't been at my job six months, we had just gotten our salary reduced and I was a nervous wreck.
These days, I'm a much more confident person when it comes down to job security. The main reason being because I bust my butt and give them an honest day's effort. Another reason is because I have the skills to do my job well.
A "sales team" is similar to a track or golf team; it's an individual sport, but we're expected to have some camaraderie. When I started, people barely wanted to speak to me. Of course there were some nice folks, but most of them resented the fact that there was another person, essential taking money out of their pocket.
I've decided that as long as I'm an employee there, I will not only greet all new comers with open arms, I will go out of my way to lead by example in meetings and with my interaction with my "team" members. I think the culture has been "I'm too cool for school" at my job. A very cold, uninviting sales team where folks would rather talk about you than to you. Many of those people are no longer there and now I believe it's up to me to lead the way to instill a new culture. At least be a piece to the puzzle. This way I am not only giving my employers what they want, but I also get the most out of my skills on a daily basis. Who wouldn't feel comfortable?
See you tomorrow.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Return Serve
Baxter's Buzz
Buzz of the Day - As I get older, I realize that this whole craziness called life is, well pretty bizarre. There are so many of us who walk on eggshells daily, as to not upset anyone, and it gets us absolutely nowhere. There's a fine line between polite and getting run over.
I am a very considerate person (at least I think so) and there are definitely pros and cons to this. I'll never become the super obnoxious dude that tries to run over everyone on their way to: prove their point, solve their own problem, or bully you just because they can. But I refuse to let those type of people get away with those things at my expense.
I'm so laid back, I typically let most things roll off my back, but I vow to speak up more. That includes simple things like asking more questions. You'd be surprised how many folks DON'T know their job and hope that you don't ask them questions because they haven't a clue. It's okay to ask why.
Its okay to not assume everyone knows what's best for you. Have you ever had to deal with someone being a jerk or trying to insult you? I'm sure you have, but did you ask them to clarify what they meant? Did you put the pressure back on them to explain exactly WHAT they're trying to say? It's empowering. Please try it and let me know how it works.
Buzz of the Day - As I get older, I realize that this whole craziness called life is, well pretty bizarre. There are so many of us who walk on eggshells daily, as to not upset anyone, and it gets us absolutely nowhere. There's a fine line between polite and getting run over.
I am a very considerate person (at least I think so) and there are definitely pros and cons to this. I'll never become the super obnoxious dude that tries to run over everyone on their way to: prove their point, solve their own problem, or bully you just because they can. But I refuse to let those type of people get away with those things at my expense.
I'm so laid back, I typically let most things roll off my back, but I vow to speak up more. That includes simple things like asking more questions. You'd be surprised how many folks DON'T know their job and hope that you don't ask them questions because they haven't a clue. It's okay to ask why.
Its okay to not assume everyone knows what's best for you. Have you ever had to deal with someone being a jerk or trying to insult you? I'm sure you have, but did you ask them to clarify what they meant? Did you put the pressure back on them to explain exactly WHAT they're trying to say? It's empowering. Please try it and let me know how it works.
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