Buzz of the Day
We've all been single and on the dating scene. At least somewhat. As you get older you need to figure out if this person has potential to be "the one" or not, so you can stop wasting your time if they don't have that potential. Some of us feel like we can make a not so great situation work. And we waste time trying to turn someone into something they're not, and don't want to be. At the same time we're trying to convince ourselves that this is what we want to do. But most of the time, that's not the case. Granted, there's always some work that needs to be done but the question is: How much work is too much?
Why Do We Stay - Many of us stay for comfort. We stay for the safeness of routine, even if that routine ain't the best. This same example can be said for the job that we work at. Some positions are stepping stones (i.e., a summer fling) and some can be a true career move (i.e., wifey material). Evaluate your situation and make that determination. Not when you've had a tough day at work or a fight with your partner. Assess your situation with a clear mind and then act accordingly once you know what's truly in front of you. You owe it to you and your pursuit of happiness.
I appreciate the new readers. If you guys keep reading, I'll keep writing. Thanks for the love.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Random Thoughts and Notes
Baxter's Buzz
Hello All. I'll be posting at least 3 times this week so please check back in through the holiday weekend. Also, feel free to read some of the archive posts. I wanted to share some random thoughts with you to get your week started off right.
Ex Girlfriend - How do you handle dealing with ex girlfriends/boyfriends? These are people that were a significant part of your life at one time and then...nothing. How does your current significant other feel about those types of things? Personally, I don't deal with hardly anyone I used to date. I may see someone of facebook or something but that's about it. Granted, I didn't do much, ahem, dating. I guess it depends on what your definition of dating is.
Who's the Boss - Work has been pretty strange for a couple of reasons, the main reason being our new manager. He's just different. Not better or worse, necessarily, just different. I was talking to a friend of mine about their boss and how much of a jerk he is. My advice to him and to anyone else dealing with difficult boss: Let them push you up (promotion or being the best) but not out unless you're ready. I guess that is advice for anyone who's working with a difficult boss or a great boss.
Sports Buzz - The NBA draft was this past Thursday. I feel pretty good about the moves that the Pistons made. Now its about the new coaching search and trades. And the probable lockout that is approaching because these players and owners can't decide how to divide their extremely large pie. Speaking of lockouts, sources say the NFL players and owners will come to an agreement soon. Hopefully, the Lions have a chance this season. It would be a shame to lose time when we're becoming a respectable franchise.
Tweet of the week - "You can find inspiration anywhere because God is everywhere."
ReTweet of the week - "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Rev Run
Hello All. I'll be posting at least 3 times this week so please check back in through the holiday weekend. Also, feel free to read some of the archive posts. I wanted to share some random thoughts with you to get your week started off right.
Ex Girlfriend - How do you handle dealing with ex girlfriends/boyfriends? These are people that were a significant part of your life at one time and then...nothing. How does your current significant other feel about those types of things? Personally, I don't deal with hardly anyone I used to date. I may see someone of facebook or something but that's about it. Granted, I didn't do much, ahem, dating. I guess it depends on what your definition of dating is.
Who's the Boss - Work has been pretty strange for a couple of reasons, the main reason being our new manager. He's just different. Not better or worse, necessarily, just different. I was talking to a friend of mine about their boss and how much of a jerk he is. My advice to him and to anyone else dealing with difficult boss: Let them push you up (promotion or being the best) but not out unless you're ready. I guess that is advice for anyone who's working with a difficult boss or a great boss.
Sports Buzz - The NBA draft was this past Thursday. I feel pretty good about the moves that the Pistons made. Now its about the new coaching search and trades. And the probable lockout that is approaching because these players and owners can't decide how to divide their extremely large pie. Speaking of lockouts, sources say the NFL players and owners will come to an agreement soon. Hopefully, the Lions have a chance this season. It would be a shame to lose time when we're becoming a respectable franchise.
Tweet of the week - "You can find inspiration anywhere because God is everywhere."
ReTweet of the week - "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Rev Run
Money vs. Manny
SHUT UP AND LISTEN
by Deon Carson
Listen to me: YOU HAVE BEEN HOODWINKED, bamboozled, led astray, run amuck. Bob Arum (owner of Top Rank Boxing, and promoter of Manny Pacquiao) has fooled you. I know that a lot of you love Mr. Manny Pacquiao and a lot of you hate Mr. Floyd Mayweather Jr, but let's discuss the facts.
People say that Floyd carefully selects his fights and that Manny will fight anyone. If this is the case then how come until his upcoming fight with Juan Manuel Marquez Manny has fought guys whose records are a combined 0-6-1 in their last major fights (not counting a tune-up fight a guy may have taken) 3 (Hatton, Cotto, Margarito) were coming off of getting knocked out. On the other hand Floyds' last opponents including his upcoming with Victor Ortiz have all been coming off of KO victories and in some cases career defining wins i.e. Shane knocking out Margarito or Ortiz beating an undefeated Andre Berto. His last 6 opponents are 6-0 coming into the fight with one (Ricky Hatton) undefeated 44-0 at the time.
Now let's look at who really wants the fight between Manny and Floyd. As soon as rumors began to surface that Floyd was going to come out of retirement in 2009 to possibly fight Manny, Bob Arum immediately stated during an interview "The question with a Mayweather fight is at what weight? That's the big question. At 140, I don't think there's any problem making that fight," said Arum. (Bob Arum interview 2009 w/Doghouse boxing). Now Arum having promoted Floyd when he moved up from 140lbs knew damn well Floyd could not drop to that weight. Allow me to continue with Manny's trainer Freddie Roach he stated "At the right weight? No problem. At 147? Forget it," Roach said. "Manny doesn't need it. Manny's best weight is 140."(Freddie Roach interview with philstar.com). Now here are two guys that have the power to make the fight asking for something they know cannot happen now does that sound like someone that wants to fight.
Not to mention they already fought De la hoya at 147. Oh you need more convincing, well allow me to educate you a little more on the issue. October 7th 2009 in an interview with www.Boxingscene.com when asked about a Floyd vs. Manny fight after Floyd shuts Juan Manuel Marquez out. Bob stated "the fight that should be made is Mosley vs. Floyd but Floyd won't take that fight". They say they want to fight but after Floyd shuts out the guy who some think won beat Manny Bob Arum wants Floyd to fight a different fighter.
November 2008 Top Rank sends a contract for Floyd to fight Manny. This contract has several stipulations including one that Floyd pays $1 million per pound that he comes in over 147lbs, Top Rank would also chose the gloves, and the ring size, this was a ploy hoping that Floyd would not sign the contract buuuuuuut. Dec 1 2009 (Kevin Iole of yahoo sports) breaks the news that Mayweather has AGREED to all terms set forth by Pacquiao and has signed the contract to face him 13 March 2009. Freddie Roach states in an interview with www.fighthype.com that "March 13 is too fast." "I'd like to have more time". (Note Manny ended up fighting Joshua Clottey on that date and Roach had no issue with it.) Now Manny, Roach, and Arum would have you to believe that it's Floyd that is holding the fight up but Manny has never signed the contract.
Dec 22, 2009 it comes out that Floyd asked that both he and Manny submit to "random Olympic style drug testing". Dec 23rd 2009 Top Rank releases a statement "Team Pacquiao is only willing to do 3 non-random drug tests" (www.fighthype.com). They demand a 30 day cutoff for testing. Dec 28, 2009 a video surfaces of Manny taking a blood test less than 30 before the Ricky Hatton fight in which he won by 2nd round KO. Jan 7th 2010 Mayweather reveals a 14 day cut off was offered but Manny refused.
You can flip it anyway you want to but the FACT is Manny never signed the contract and Floyd did, Manny turned down a 50 million dollar fight and took an 8 million dollar fight instead just to avoid a drug test. It is also a FACT that Cotto, Margarito, Clottey, and Shane (only for 1 fight) were all under the same promoter as Manny. None of those fighters could move and counter punch they were all stationary fighters who would be there for Manny to hit. The last counter puncher that Manny fought was Juan Manuel Marques in 2008. Who got off the canvas 3 times in the first round and ended up fighting a Manny to a controversial draw.
I swear so called sports fans are like lemurs just following the masses straight off of a cliff. When the facts are right in front of your face to see you still allow outside influences to form your opinion for you.
by Deon Carson
Listen to me: YOU HAVE BEEN HOODWINKED, bamboozled, led astray, run amuck. Bob Arum (owner of Top Rank Boxing, and promoter of Manny Pacquiao) has fooled you. I know that a lot of you love Mr. Manny Pacquiao and a lot of you hate Mr. Floyd Mayweather Jr, but let's discuss the facts.
People say that Floyd carefully selects his fights and that Manny will fight anyone. If this is the case then how come until his upcoming fight with Juan Manuel Marquez Manny has fought guys whose records are a combined 0-6-1 in their last major fights (not counting a tune-up fight a guy may have taken) 3 (Hatton, Cotto, Margarito) were coming off of getting knocked out. On the other hand Floyds' last opponents including his upcoming with Victor Ortiz have all been coming off of KO victories and in some cases career defining wins i.e. Shane knocking out Margarito or Ortiz beating an undefeated Andre Berto. His last 6 opponents are 6-0 coming into the fight with one (Ricky Hatton) undefeated 44-0 at the time.
Now let's look at who really wants the fight between Manny and Floyd. As soon as rumors began to surface that Floyd was going to come out of retirement in 2009 to possibly fight Manny, Bob Arum immediately stated during an interview "The question with a Mayweather fight is at what weight? That's the big question. At 140, I don't think there's any problem making that fight," said Arum. (Bob Arum interview 2009 w/Doghouse boxing). Now Arum having promoted Floyd when he moved up from 140lbs knew damn well Floyd could not drop to that weight. Allow me to continue with Manny's trainer Freddie Roach he stated "At the right weight? No problem. At 147? Forget it," Roach said. "Manny doesn't need it. Manny's best weight is 140."(Freddie Roach interview with philstar.com). Now here are two guys that have the power to make the fight asking for something they know cannot happen now does that sound like someone that wants to fight.
Not to mention they already fought De la hoya at 147. Oh you need more convincing, well allow me to educate you a little more on the issue. October 7th 2009 in an interview with www.Boxingscene.com when asked about a Floyd vs. Manny fight after Floyd shuts Juan Manuel Marquez out. Bob stated "the fight that should be made is Mosley vs. Floyd but Floyd won't take that fight". They say they want to fight but after Floyd shuts out the guy who some think won beat Manny Bob Arum wants Floyd to fight a different fighter.
November 2008 Top Rank sends a contract for Floyd to fight Manny. This contract has several stipulations including one that Floyd pays $1 million per pound that he comes in over 147lbs, Top Rank would also chose the gloves, and the ring size, this was a ploy hoping that Floyd would not sign the contract buuuuuuut. Dec 1 2009 (Kevin Iole of yahoo sports) breaks the news that Mayweather has AGREED to all terms set forth by Pacquiao and has signed the contract to face him 13 March 2009. Freddie Roach states in an interview with www.fighthype.com that "March 13 is too fast." "I'd like to have more time". (Note Manny ended up fighting Joshua Clottey on that date and Roach had no issue with it.) Now Manny, Roach, and Arum would have you to believe that it's Floyd that is holding the fight up but Manny has never signed the contract.
Dec 22, 2009 it comes out that Floyd asked that both he and Manny submit to "random Olympic style drug testing". Dec 23rd 2009 Top Rank releases a statement "Team Pacquiao is only willing to do 3 non-random drug tests" (www.fighthype.com). They demand a 30 day cutoff for testing. Dec 28, 2009 a video surfaces of Manny taking a blood test less than 30 before the Ricky Hatton fight in which he won by 2nd round KO. Jan 7th 2010 Mayweather reveals a 14 day cut off was offered but Manny refused.
You can flip it anyway you want to but the FACT is Manny never signed the contract and Floyd did, Manny turned down a 50 million dollar fight and took an 8 million dollar fight instead just to avoid a drug test. It is also a FACT that Cotto, Margarito, Clottey, and Shane (only for 1 fight) were all under the same promoter as Manny. None of those fighters could move and counter punch they were all stationary fighters who would be there for Manny to hit. The last counter puncher that Manny fought was Juan Manuel Marques in 2008. Who got off the canvas 3 times in the first round and ended up fighting a Manny to a controversial draw.
I swear so called sports fans are like lemurs just following the masses straight off of a cliff. When the facts are right in front of your face to see you still allow outside influences to form your opinion for you.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Forget and Forget?
Baxter's Buzz of the Week
I always joke around about how I have ADD because I am so easily distracted. A few months ago I was watching a segment on 60 minutes and they were talking to these folks who've never forgotten anything in their life! They could pick a particular date in a particular month (Like February 22 in 1997) and remember exactly what happened. Amazing! It must be pretty hard to let go of things too. For example, does your heart ever heal from a breakup? Not sure.
I get so frustrated sometimes because I have so much on my mind and I'll lose my train of thought from time to time. When I think about my wife, it seems like she remembers everything. No, not just the things I do wrong (haha), but she just remembers pretty much everything that someone has said or done to her. Sometimes she gets so focused on the past, it begins to make her upset. She is such a sweetie, that she's also very naive.
I read the paper and see these critics talking about the people they cover on a daily basis. How would I react if I were a politician or an athlete that just got torn apart by a person from the media on t.v. or on some talk show? Would I grant this person an interview the next time they requested? What about a friend or family member who said some things about you that hurt? Should you pick up the phone the next time they call?
People always claim to want to know the truth, but can we really handle it? I believe that wounds can heal, but you truly have to forgive. You need to almost forget, but not totally forget. You should store it in a folder on a flash drive. We shouldn't save it to the desktop, getting fired up every other day because of something that reminds you of the moment is mentioned.
My wife had a falling out with one of her best friends about 3 years ago and they haven't spoken since. They've shared a few facebook messages (3 to be exact). Something like, "I saw this in an old folder and you're the only one who'd appreciate it." These messages were initiated by my wife's friend. Although my wife misses her like crazy, she keeps replaying this falling out in her head and can't bring herself to reach out. Well this past week, my wife's friend reached out again, basically saying that she's been through so much over the past years, she can't even remember why they stopped speaking. She was reaching out this time to let my wife know she missed her and wanted to talk.
Last week, my post talked about communication. I think this problem could have been resolved much sooner if they'd continue to talk. I guess the bottom line is they are taking steps to repair their relationship.
Because of my ahem, lack of concentration at times, coupled with the fact I don't care about certain things, I very rarely remember exactly what someone said to did to me. I always remember how I felt, but if I choose to continue dealing with this person, I try to remove any animosity. Now if I feel the situation is irreconcilable, I'll cut them off and not think twice about. And with my mind in so many places, something will soon take this person's place.
The trick is knowing what's worth working on and what needs to be dismissed. My answer: It's a case by case thing, no equation to plug in to simplify things.
I always joke around about how I have ADD because I am so easily distracted. A few months ago I was watching a segment on 60 minutes and they were talking to these folks who've never forgotten anything in their life! They could pick a particular date in a particular month (Like February 22 in 1997) and remember exactly what happened. Amazing! It must be pretty hard to let go of things too. For example, does your heart ever heal from a breakup? Not sure.
I get so frustrated sometimes because I have so much on my mind and I'll lose my train of thought from time to time. When I think about my wife, it seems like she remembers everything. No, not just the things I do wrong (haha), but she just remembers pretty much everything that someone has said or done to her. Sometimes she gets so focused on the past, it begins to make her upset. She is such a sweetie, that she's also very naive.
I read the paper and see these critics talking about the people they cover on a daily basis. How would I react if I were a politician or an athlete that just got torn apart by a person from the media on t.v. or on some talk show? Would I grant this person an interview the next time they requested? What about a friend or family member who said some things about you that hurt? Should you pick up the phone the next time they call?
People always claim to want to know the truth, but can we really handle it? I believe that wounds can heal, but you truly have to forgive. You need to almost forget, but not totally forget. You should store it in a folder on a flash drive. We shouldn't save it to the desktop, getting fired up every other day because of something that reminds you of the moment is mentioned.
My wife had a falling out with one of her best friends about 3 years ago and they haven't spoken since. They've shared a few facebook messages (3 to be exact). Something like, "I saw this in an old folder and you're the only one who'd appreciate it." These messages were initiated by my wife's friend. Although my wife misses her like crazy, she keeps replaying this falling out in her head and can't bring herself to reach out. Well this past week, my wife's friend reached out again, basically saying that she's been through so much over the past years, she can't even remember why they stopped speaking. She was reaching out this time to let my wife know she missed her and wanted to talk.
Last week, my post talked about communication. I think this problem could have been resolved much sooner if they'd continue to talk. I guess the bottom line is they are taking steps to repair their relationship.
Because of my ahem, lack of concentration at times, coupled with the fact I don't care about certain things, I very rarely remember exactly what someone said to did to me. I always remember how I felt, but if I choose to continue dealing with this person, I try to remove any animosity. Now if I feel the situation is irreconcilable, I'll cut them off and not think twice about. And with my mind in so many places, something will soon take this person's place.
The trick is knowing what's worth working on and what needs to be dismissed. My answer: It's a case by case thing, no equation to plug in to simplify things.
Kobe Bean Bryant is...Underappreciated
Shut Up and Listen
by Deon Carson
I have some news for you are you ready? Kobe Bryant is underappreciated. Yes I said it he's underappreciated. I used hear people all of the time say Kobe can't win without Shaq, or Robert Horry made the big shots or Kobe is a ball hog. Well we all know that Shaq was an animal and Horry was super clutch, but let's take a look at Kobe.
Against Portland (2000 playoffs) game 7 Kobe (21yrs old) ended that game with 25pt, 11reb 7ast, and 4 blk (Shaq 18pts, 9 reb). LA was down 71 to 58 going into the 4th Kobe made the shots and the passes to close the game. Let's go to the NBA finals against Indiana in 2000. With an ankle injury and Shaq fouled out of the game Kobe carried the Lakers to an overtime victory. Dec 6th 2002 vs. Dallas L.A. down 27 going into the 4th Kobe closed the game with 21 in the 4th including the game winner he also had 9 reb and 7ast. No Kobe no wins no ring.
2002 Western Conference semi-finals vs. the Spurs Kobe dismantled that team hell in the close out game Kobe scored 10 pts in the 4th with the Lakers losing to close and win. Jan 7th 2003 Kobe hit twelve 3 pointers vs. Seattle including a stretch of 9 in a row without a miss. Feb 18th 2003 with Shaq out and Yao healthy Kobe gives Houston 52-7-8 including 17 in OT. Game 4 vs. Spurs 2004 Kobe flies in from court and gives the Spurs 42-6-5-3 and 0 turnovers including 15 in the 4th.It would take me forever to go through all of the games that Kobe had to pull out for the Lakers even when Shaq was there. Bottom line he was the closer; Horry, and Fisher shots would not matter if Kobe doesn't do what he does and puts his team into position to win.
Let's look at post Shaq, yeah the awesome squad of Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, Chris Mimm, Luke Walton, as starters and regular players. March 15th 2004 Kobe ends the T-Mac debate by not only scoring 37second half points but also shutting T-Mac down in the 2nd half. Kobe scored 62 damn points vs. Dallas in three quarters and when he sat down Dallas only had 61 as a team. JAN 22, 2006 81 POINTS ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!!! March 16th 2007 LA losers of 7 straight Kobe coming off suspension scores 65pts vs. Portland.
Listen this could go on all day stretches of triple doubles, 50 points in 4 straight before they finally held him to 43. I just chose some moments that I felt people look past. I challenge you to find anyone not named Michael Jeffery Jordan that has a better clip of clutch and game winning shots than Kobe Bean Bryant. There always seem to be a "yeah but" when people speak of Kobe. Seven finals appearances 5 rings 2 finals MVP consistently all NBA Defense. Bottom line is Kobe Bryant is underappreciated I'd bet that a 25yr old Kobe Bryant would not have lost to Dallas had he been on this Heat team in either Lebron or Wade's spot. Just think about it.
by Deon Carson
I have some news for you are you ready? Kobe Bryant is underappreciated. Yes I said it he's underappreciated. I used hear people all of the time say Kobe can't win without Shaq, or Robert Horry made the big shots or Kobe is a ball hog. Well we all know that Shaq was an animal and Horry was super clutch, but let's take a look at Kobe.
Against Portland (2000 playoffs) game 7 Kobe (21yrs old) ended that game with 25pt, 11reb 7ast, and 4 blk (Shaq 18pts, 9 reb). LA was down 71 to 58 going into the 4th Kobe made the shots and the passes to close the game. Let's go to the NBA finals against Indiana in 2000. With an ankle injury and Shaq fouled out of the game Kobe carried the Lakers to an overtime victory. Dec 6th 2002 vs. Dallas L.A. down 27 going into the 4th Kobe closed the game with 21 in the 4th including the game winner he also had 9 reb and 7ast. No Kobe no wins no ring.
2002 Western Conference semi-finals vs. the Spurs Kobe dismantled that team hell in the close out game Kobe scored 10 pts in the 4th with the Lakers losing to close and win. Jan 7th 2003 Kobe hit twelve 3 pointers vs. Seattle including a stretch of 9 in a row without a miss. Feb 18th 2003 with Shaq out and Yao healthy Kobe gives Houston 52-7-8 including 17 in OT. Game 4 vs. Spurs 2004 Kobe flies in from court and gives the Spurs 42-6-5-3 and 0 turnovers including 15 in the 4th.It would take me forever to go through all of the games that Kobe had to pull out for the Lakers even when Shaq was there. Bottom line he was the closer; Horry, and Fisher shots would not matter if Kobe doesn't do what he does and puts his team into position to win.
Let's look at post Shaq, yeah the awesome squad of Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, Chris Mimm, Luke Walton, as starters and regular players. March 15th 2004 Kobe ends the T-Mac debate by not only scoring 37second half points but also shutting T-Mac down in the 2nd half. Kobe scored 62 damn points vs. Dallas in three quarters and when he sat down Dallas only had 61 as a team. JAN 22, 2006 81 POINTS ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!!! March 16th 2007 LA losers of 7 straight Kobe coming off suspension scores 65pts vs. Portland.
Listen this could go on all day stretches of triple doubles, 50 points in 4 straight before they finally held him to 43. I just chose some moments that I felt people look past. I challenge you to find anyone not named Michael Jeffery Jordan that has a better clip of clutch and game winning shots than Kobe Bean Bryant. There always seem to be a "yeah but" when people speak of Kobe. Seven finals appearances 5 rings 2 finals MVP consistently all NBA Defense. Bottom line is Kobe Bryant is underappreciated I'd bet that a 25yr old Kobe Bryant would not have lost to Dallas had he been on this Heat team in either Lebron or Wade's spot. Just think about it.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Teachable Moments
Baxter's Buzz
Today is the big day for my little sister. She graduated last week and today is her Open House. I am so excited for this day for a couple of reasons. One because this is an exciting day for high school grads and I remember how excited I was. Secondly, I'm excited that this will be over. Too many cooks in the kitchen regarding the planning of this Open House. Too many people involved in this planning process with almost no communication. My wife and I had been put in charge of food, but as recent as yesterday, I realized I had no idea of what was going on. Not even with the food! Nobody wants to hear me complain so I won't go into detail, but when I spoke to my sister yesterday. you could hear the frustration in her voice.
Teachable Moments - I used it as a teachable moment. The great thing about life is, it is full of teachable moments, because mistakes are a BIG part of life. So I told my sister how important communication is, and always will be. Immediately she started to defend herself. I said, "This has nothing to do with what you did or didn't do. This is a lesson you can take with you for the rest of your life." I explained that lack of communication creates dysfunction. It's tried and true. Communication isn't just about talking. It's about listening as well.
Is This Thing On? - I have a new boss at work and it remains to be seen how good of a communicator he is. He understands selling and he'll bring a lot of experience to the team, but that is only part of the equation. I don't care how many people you're working with, if everyone doesn't have the same agenda, trouble is near. Even if you're working by yourself, you need to write things out to make sure you have a direction.
Now Here Come the Hard Part - Part of communication is learning how to articulate your feelings and understanding other's perspective. Sounds easy right? Not so fast my friend. Most of us assume that people should know how WE feel. And because it makes sense to us, it should make sense to everyone. I had a sales meeting this past week and a colleague brought a problem to the table to get some advice. He didn't get what he expected and there were some uncomfortable moments in there because of lack of communication. I could give you tens of examples each day, just as you could from your job and home life.
Can I Be Honest? - The question is always: What will I do with this information? The honesty that it takes in order to communicate effectively discourages most people from going that route. We'd rather go home and complain to our family about how someone at work or your significant other "just doesn't get it" instead of helping them to "get it".
It's all a process, but if we can attempt to make small steps towards communicating more effectively, maybe we'd be more happy and less anxious. Just a thought..
Today is the big day for my little sister. She graduated last week and today is her Open House. I am so excited for this day for a couple of reasons. One because this is an exciting day for high school grads and I remember how excited I was. Secondly, I'm excited that this will be over. Too many cooks in the kitchen regarding the planning of this Open House. Too many people involved in this planning process with almost no communication. My wife and I had been put in charge of food, but as recent as yesterday, I realized I had no idea of what was going on. Not even with the food! Nobody wants to hear me complain so I won't go into detail, but when I spoke to my sister yesterday. you could hear the frustration in her voice.
Teachable Moments - I used it as a teachable moment. The great thing about life is, it is full of teachable moments, because mistakes are a BIG part of life. So I told my sister how important communication is, and always will be. Immediately she started to defend herself. I said, "This has nothing to do with what you did or didn't do. This is a lesson you can take with you for the rest of your life." I explained that lack of communication creates dysfunction. It's tried and true. Communication isn't just about talking. It's about listening as well.
Is This Thing On? - I have a new boss at work and it remains to be seen how good of a communicator he is. He understands selling and he'll bring a lot of experience to the team, but that is only part of the equation. I don't care how many people you're working with, if everyone doesn't have the same agenda, trouble is near. Even if you're working by yourself, you need to write things out to make sure you have a direction.
Now Here Come the Hard Part - Part of communication is learning how to articulate your feelings and understanding other's perspective. Sounds easy right? Not so fast my friend. Most of us assume that people should know how WE feel. And because it makes sense to us, it should make sense to everyone. I had a sales meeting this past week and a colleague brought a problem to the table to get some advice. He didn't get what he expected and there were some uncomfortable moments in there because of lack of communication. I could give you tens of examples each day, just as you could from your job and home life.
Can I Be Honest? - The question is always: What will I do with this information? The honesty that it takes in order to communicate effectively discourages most people from going that route. We'd rather go home and complain to our family about how someone at work or your significant other "just doesn't get it" instead of helping them to "get it".
It's all a process, but if we can attempt to make small steps towards communicating more effectively, maybe we'd be more happy and less anxious. Just a thought..
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Who's Cheating?
SHUT UP AND LISTEN
by Deon Carson
I continue to hear reporters say USC cheated or Ohio ST cheated. Listen there is a difference between breaking the rules and cheating. If you shave points you're cheating, if you use PEDs you're cheating, if you steal the answers to a test you're cheating, so forth and so on.
If someone gives you money, or gifts, or a car because of your good performance that is not cheating that is breaking the rules.
We all know that the real cheaters are the men atop of the NCAA. They make millions off of these players, and they say "the players get a free education" well allow me to break that down for you. The University of Michigan has an avg tuition of $23,919 let's multiply that by 80 scholarships that gives you $1,913,520 spent.
The University of Michigan has a 7.16 Million dollar per yr television contract with ABC. They have a stadium that seats 113,000 and the avg ticket is $50.00 that gives you about $5,650,000 per game multiply that by 7 home games per year. Bottom line is that once a player plays his first few games he has paid back the cost of tuition to the University. Now lets add the fact that they sell millions of dollars worth of Jerseys, and they also have a contract with Nike.
The NCAA is one of the most hypocritical institutions in existence and I for one am tired of hearing about so called cheating by taking gifts.
by Deon Carson
I continue to hear reporters say USC cheated or Ohio ST cheated. Listen there is a difference between breaking the rules and cheating. If you shave points you're cheating, if you use PEDs you're cheating, if you steal the answers to a test you're cheating, so forth and so on.
If someone gives you money, or gifts, or a car because of your good performance that is not cheating that is breaking the rules.
We all know that the real cheaters are the men atop of the NCAA. They make millions off of these players, and they say "the players get a free education" well allow me to break that down for you. The University of Michigan has an avg tuition of $23,919 let's multiply that by 80 scholarships that gives you $1,913,520 spent.
The University of Michigan has a 7.16 Million dollar per yr television contract with ABC. They have a stadium that seats 113,000 and the avg ticket is $50.00 that gives you about $5,650,000 per game multiply that by 7 home games per year. Bottom line is that once a player plays his first few games he has paid back the cost of tuition to the University. Now lets add the fact that they sell millions of dollars worth of Jerseys, and they also have a contract with Nike.
The NCAA is one of the most hypocritical institutions in existence and I for one am tired of hearing about so called cheating by taking gifts.
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