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What's Going On!!

That song title hit the Billboard charts in 1971 and is just as relevant a question today as it was 41 years ago! Although the lyrical lines of that day focused on social issues, the question now being raised relates to our current economic conditions.  People are looking for jobs, while those with jobs are looking for a way out. Large companies want to remain competitive but aren’t investing; small companies want to get started but can’t get investors. People with health insurance can’t afford to use it and those without it need care.  People say they don’t have money; yet they rushed out to spend their money on the latest holiday gadgets.   And, politicians use fiery language to stir voter excitement by saying “I’m the one”, but voters aren’t excited and are standing on the sidelines waiting for that someone else.  These polar opposites reminds me of two kids who’ve been sitting too closely in the backseat of the car on a long ride and they have finally gotten on each other’s nerves, but each refuses to scoot over. Well, it’s time to step back, refocus, gain perspective and give each other room to think.  

While the song didn’t provide answers to the riddle, neither will this blog. But the song’s title did spark meaningful dialogue back in the day. So, today it’s time to have sensible discussions again.  No more hyperbole, text messages or email. Just plain ole’ two-way communications on job creation, employee satisfaction, healthcare (yes! I said it) and capital preservation.  The discussions will be tense because it’s been a long time since true dialogue has been exchanged in a meaningful way on tough issues.  But at the end of day, solid ideas will emerge and best of all a renewal of kinship.  After 41 years, it is time to address how to fix What’s Going On! 

A Lesson from the Garden

This summer, I planted a vegetable garden.  Oh what a great piece of land. It was stemming with squash, chili peppers, spinach, collards, tomatoes and cucumbers. During the first planting I meticulously seeded, weeded, and watered. Before the beginning of the day, I was in the garden shooing away pest, gentle hanging pole beans, and spraying organic materials. My garden was looking good and I received a lot of complements from friends, family and neighbors. But as the long growing season continued, I began to skip early morning work thinking that I would catch up later in the day.  As the days wore on, I began to say that my workweek was too hectic and that I would tend to the garden on the weekends.  As the weekends turned into days of neglect, my beautiful garden was looking more and more like the wandering forest! Weeds were indistinguishable from vegetables! And my garden visitors were getting happy and fat from my planting. One day I looked at my once beautiful garden and wondered what happened. Why had I let such concentrated effort go to waste! I finally concluded that this was "hard work".

Well, as the ole' saying goes, it takes hard work to get what you want!  Too often we start out with the best intentions and achieve early success.  With early success comes the illusion that we've made it.  But real success lies in the harvest, not the planting. It takes hard work to continuously weed, seed and water  relationships, co-worker trust, self-assurance, job or business success.

So, take a quick assessment of your garden and visualize your harvest. From there, you will know the amount of effort needed.  And don't get too comfortable, 'cause every day the garden will need tending!

The Goal

When I was growing up I always wanted to learn how to swim. It just seemed really cool to dive in the water and glide with the waves.  So with all good intentions I started my journey very early in life. As a toodler I would go to the pool, put my toe in the water but then jerk it back out screaming to Mom that the water was too cold.  She would give me a reassuring look that next time would be easier but today just enjoy playing around the water.   As an adult, I must have tried several times but there was always something to pull me from the water and back on the sidelines.  While on the sidelines I realized that I could still find pleasure in looking at the crisp waves while people laughed and played in the water. I realized that I'd rather be sitting by the water with my upstyle hairdo than getting it all water logged!  In fact the real goal was simply enjoying life and I could do that in or out of the water. 

Life is full of changing directions, but the key is timing!  Like the song says..."you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em"   There are many paths one can take to reach a goal. If you stay on one path and face the challenges yet still not reach your goal, then you've only wasted time. Consider your options, decide your hold or fold strategy and when it's time to move on do so with the confidence that you've given it your all but you're taking another road.  You know, by going in a different direction, you may just find your true goal!

So, the next time you're at the beach and you see a bronze fashionista sipping on an umbrella drink, that won't be me!  I'll be the slightly overweight one with a baseball cap smiling at the waves, enjoying my real goal!

Networking for Real

I've read so many tips on how to network that I could probably write a book on the subject myself.  But the reality is that networking is tough work!  Nothing easy about writing that elevator speech in 60 characters or less; or being at the right meeting to meet the right people at the right time.  So here's some simple advice that I really like.  Keep it real!  To get started, meet people within your comfort zone, i.e. friends, family, church.  And when you have to step out of your comfort zone, let 'em know. People are always gracious with first-timers and will also help guide the discussion. Be persistent! Stay focused on your goal and keep moving forward even in the face of adversity.  Don't count on luck! You know the old saying, opportunity is knocking at your door. Well, there are too many doors. How is opportunity going to find yours. Give opportunity a hand by letting your network know that you're connecting with them and seeking business or job advice. Well, hope this networking tip helps!!