How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
My niece is doing better than expected, and is being released from the hospital tomorrow. She will be transferred to Marion Joy for physical therapy, and right now all things look good. All of your thoughts and well wishes are very much appreciated and I have shared them all with them.
What else can be “Positive” you ask? The financial markers continue to rise, there are concerns about inflation, the weather is breaking, the phones are ringing more, and people are buying. However, the buying is more educated, more conservative, smarter. This is now the time that I will have to shape our message to convey that working with our company is the “smart choice”.
Oh, one last good news to share. We just got a job that last Thursday we had lost to California Closets. We went back and spent another hour and half to educate the customer about why buying form us was a better solution to their problem. It was a good feeling!
March 30, 2010
March 24, 2010
Define Positive
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
When I started this email to my wife in December of 2008, I knew that I needed to be focused on the positive things in my life, and my world. Many things have occurred since that time. I could talk about the DOW being on an 18 month high, or that our phones are ringing more, but I am not.
Last week I wrote about my niece having to have emergency brain surgery. There was a real concern as to whether she would even make through the surgery, then the concern was will she make it through the next 24 hours. I know and realize that we all are living our lives each day, but the outpouring I have seen of support is truly mind blowing. Hundreds of people from not just our small community, but from all over the world have expressed concern, interest, prayers, visitation, meals, gifts, posters, cards, flowers, text messages, emails… I have, like you, I am sure, have read about or heard about this type of support, but to experience it, and watch it unfold is really what is positive about all of us. We, as people truly care. When times are tough, we as a people band together to help each other. There is no formal process to do this, it just happens.
The update on Kenzie Rae Curran is as follows:
Monday the nurse asked her to hold up two fingers, which she did. Then the nurse asked her to see if she could put a glove on all 5 fingers, which she did.
Tuesday the speech therapist tried to get her to swallow, and Kenzie took the spoon away from her, and did it herself. She then wanted to stand up, and the nurses did not if they should let her, so her father leaned in and said “give me a hug”, which she did! She is making great progress and is ahead of schedule. She should be moved later this week out of ICU. Keep her in your prayers, and in your heart, and thank you to all of you for reaching out and letting us know that you care.
When I started this email to my wife in December of 2008, I knew that I needed to be focused on the positive things in my life, and my world. Many things have occurred since that time. I could talk about the DOW being on an 18 month high, or that our phones are ringing more, but I am not.
Last week I wrote about my niece having to have emergency brain surgery. There was a real concern as to whether she would even make through the surgery, then the concern was will she make it through the next 24 hours. I know and realize that we all are living our lives each day, but the outpouring I have seen of support is truly mind blowing. Hundreds of people from not just our small community, but from all over the world have expressed concern, interest, prayers, visitation, meals, gifts, posters, cards, flowers, text messages, emails… I have, like you, I am sure, have read about or heard about this type of support, but to experience it, and watch it unfold is really what is positive about all of us. We, as people truly care. When times are tough, we as a people band together to help each other. There is no formal process to do this, it just happens.
The update on Kenzie Rae Curran is as follows:
Monday the nurse asked her to hold up two fingers, which she did. Then the nurse asked her to see if she could put a glove on all 5 fingers, which she did.
Tuesday the speech therapist tried to get her to swallow, and Kenzie took the spoon away from her, and did it herself. She then wanted to stand up, and the nurses did not if they should let her, so her father leaned in and said “give me a hug”, which she did! She is making great progress and is ahead of schedule. She should be moved later this week out of ICU. Keep her in your prayers, and in your heart, and thank you to all of you for reaching out and letting us know that you care.
March 19, 2010
Minute by Minute
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
When this recession began, and we were in the middle of it, I kept saying we have to get through each day, then each week, then the month, and then the year. That has new meaning for me now. My niece had a seizure, and was rushed to the hospital for a 6 hour emergency brain surgery. The doctors told us that the first step was to just make it through the surgery. After the surgery, they said she needs to make it through the next 6 hours, after that it was the next 24 hours. Now they are talking about the next 3 days. She has to fight to stay alive every minute, then every hour, then each day. So, too must we fight each minute of each day for what we want and value. For her, it’s her life, what is it for each of us? What do we value? I say to fight for it like your life depends on it, because it just may.
When this recession began, and we were in the middle of it, I kept saying we have to get through each day, then each week, then the month, and then the year. That has new meaning for me now. My niece had a seizure, and was rushed to the hospital for a 6 hour emergency brain surgery. The doctors told us that the first step was to just make it through the surgery. After the surgery, they said she needs to make it through the next 6 hours, after that it was the next 24 hours. Now they are talking about the next 3 days. She has to fight to stay alive every minute, then every hour, then each day. So, too must we fight each minute of each day for what we want and value. For her, it’s her life, what is it for each of us? What do we value? I say to fight for it like your life depends on it, because it just may.
March 11, 2010
Diversification is Working
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
It seems that the phone is continuing to ring, so maybe this is the beginning of a slow recovery. We have had a fair number of calls from people who are remodeling their Master Bedroom Suite, including the bath and closet, along with Basement remodels. Also, we have sold 3 SunSetter Awnings already this year, and just received our first Hunter Douglas order. Helping people solve many problems around their home looks like it may have been the key for us to survive these last 2 years. Diversification….now what else is on the horizon?
It seems that the phone is continuing to ring, so maybe this is the beginning of a slow recovery. We have had a fair number of calls from people who are remodeling their Master Bedroom Suite, including the bath and closet, along with Basement remodels. Also, we have sold 3 SunSetter Awnings already this year, and just received our first Hunter Douglas order. Helping people solve many problems around their home looks like it may have been the key for us to survive these last 2 years. Diversification….now what else is on the horizon?
March 10, 2010
One Year Ago
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
Wow, have I been busy. About 3 weeks ago the phones and walk-in’s really started to pick up. It seems that people are now coming out of hibernation and are engaging in purchases. Yesterday I had 5 appointments, now we all must work hard to turn the proposals around within 24 hours to capitalize on peoples desires. While spending so much time in the car yesterday a story came on about our financial markets. One year ago the DOW closed at 6,500, and yesterday it closed at 10,500. Quite a change one year makes. Now, I’m not saying that everything is now perfect, but these are all steps in the right direction. All of us must work our way, day by day through this. For together we will survive.
Wow, have I been busy. About 3 weeks ago the phones and walk-in’s really started to pick up. It seems that people are now coming out of hibernation and are engaging in purchases. Yesterday I had 5 appointments, now we all must work hard to turn the proposals around within 24 hours to capitalize on peoples desires. While spending so much time in the car yesterday a story came on about our financial markets. One year ago the DOW closed at 6,500, and yesterday it closed at 10,500. Quite a change one year makes. Now, I’m not saying that everything is now perfect, but these are all steps in the right direction. All of us must work our way, day by day through this. For together we will survive.
March 05, 2010
New Beginings
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
CUBS Win! The beginning of baseball, the beginning of spring, the beginning of nice weather, provides an opportunity for a new beginning in my life and in my company.
CUBS Win! The beginning of baseball, the beginning of spring, the beginning of nice weather, provides an opportunity for a new beginning in my life and in my company.
March 04, 2010
Life is Simple, Really
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
Just met with a supplier this afternoon, and she simply stated “Two days of great weather changes people’s attitudes, TREMNDOUSLY.” It struck me how simple we really are. Life is not complicated, but we make it that way. Today, I will relax and keep things simple.
Just met with a supplier this afternoon, and she simply stated “Two days of great weather changes people’s attitudes, TREMNDOUSLY.” It struck me how simple we really are. Life is not complicated, but we make it that way. Today, I will relax and keep things simple.
March 03, 2010
Small Areas are Improving
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
I like it, and it’s interesting. Since writing these emails, and increasing who wants to receive them, it seems everyday I get at least one response to what I’ve written. Yesterday, after the email about the builder, I heard that a home inspector has had four inspections scheduled in the last 10 days. He felt that it seemed to be picking up ever so slowly. Depending on whether you see the glass as half full or not, only two of the four homes were short sales. The other two were “normal” transactions. In small pockets of our small area we are seeing improvement. It all starts with baby steps.
I like it, and it’s interesting. Since writing these emails, and increasing who wants to receive them, it seems everyday I get at least one response to what I’ve written. Yesterday, after the email about the builder, I heard that a home inspector has had four inspections scheduled in the last 10 days. He felt that it seemed to be picking up ever so slowly. Depending on whether you see the glass as half full or not, only two of the four homes were short sales. The other two were “normal” transactions. In small pockets of our small area we are seeing improvement. It all starts with baby steps.
March 02, 2010
Success is Possible
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
I met with a builder yesterday who had two houses he was building, and while talking with him he said that he had four more he was building. His comments gave me hope that things are picking up, slowly, but they are moving in the right direction. By now, most of us small businesses that are still in business have made the necessary changes to stay in business. Now, we all need to do what we can, when we can to take advantage of every situation, no matter how small. It is in these small opportunities that survival will continue. Once we feel safe with our survival, we can focus on the goal of profitability and success once again. This conversation, gave me the feeling that success is possible once again!
I met with a builder yesterday who had two houses he was building, and while talking with him he said that he had four more he was building. His comments gave me hope that things are picking up, slowly, but they are moving in the right direction. By now, most of us small businesses that are still in business have made the necessary changes to stay in business. Now, we all need to do what we can, when we can to take advantage of every situation, no matter how small. It is in these small opportunities that survival will continue. Once we feel safe with our survival, we can focus on the goal of profitability and success once again. This conversation, gave me the feeling that success is possible once again!
March 01, 2010
Comments Mean Something
How to Stay Positive in a “Challenging” World
It doesn’t take much to give me hope, to make me believe, to keep me focused. It could be as simple as a comment my wife or a friend makes, a customer telling me they are really happy with the work we did for them. A statement that one of our leaders says “while on the record”. It could be as simple as the phone rang, and someone wants what we sell! Today, I will make my comments with this simple thought in mind.
It doesn’t take much to give me hope, to make me believe, to keep me focused. It could be as simple as a comment my wife or a friend makes, a customer telling me they are really happy with the work we did for them. A statement that one of our leaders says “while on the record”. It could be as simple as the phone rang, and someone wants what we sell! Today, I will make my comments with this simple thought in mind.
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