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
Thursday, February 17, 2011
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.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Keep It Simple, Stupid (Question of the Week)
Baxter's Buzz
Question of the Week-Election 2010 was politics as usual. That's life right? No surprises. I feel that my simplicity in viewing situations sets me up for all kinds of disappointment. Someone will say, "Hey Baxter, would you like to go out tonight with us?" And my reply will be, "Probably not this time, but please let me know next time because I very well could make it next time." I get these looks like I'm being anti-social, rude or some other negative adjective. What about those that say, " Yes! Please call me later and we'll meet up," but they have no intentions in going out. THOSE are the people that I have issues with.
I think people lie so much, that they expect to be lied to. It's like this acceptance that I refuse to accept. Am I missing something? When your boss tells you something, and then they deny it? When your family member or friend commits to something and then reneges? Not cool.
I'm not saying that I've never committed and didn't follow through, I am human. I do my very best to avoid that though. And if I come across as being cold or direct when I politely refuse an invite or speak the truth when somebody asks me a question, I'm sorry. But under no circumstances am I going to lie to appease you! I don't believe in that. Maybe I'm too simple. I just want people to be honest. I can handle that way better than a disingenuous person. What do you think?
Question of the Week-Election 2010 was politics as usual. That's life right? No surprises. I feel that my simplicity in viewing situations sets me up for all kinds of disappointment. Someone will say, "Hey Baxter, would you like to go out tonight with us?" And my reply will be, "Probably not this time, but please let me know next time because I very well could make it next time." I get these looks like I'm being anti-social, rude or some other negative adjective. What about those that say, " Yes! Please call me later and we'll meet up," but they have no intentions in going out. THOSE are the people that I have issues with.
I think people lie so much, that they expect to be lied to. It's like this acceptance that I refuse to accept. Am I missing something? When your boss tells you something, and then they deny it? When your family member or friend commits to something and then reneges? Not cool.
I'm not saying that I've never committed and didn't follow through, I am human. I do my very best to avoid that though. And if I come across as being cold or direct when I politely refuse an invite or speak the truth when somebody asks me a question, I'm sorry. But under no circumstances am I going to lie to appease you! I don't believe in that. Maybe I'm too simple. I just want people to be honest. I can handle that way better than a disingenuous person. What do you think?
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