Category: Uncategorized

The roads are getting more dangerous these days. The new driving fad among drivers of all ages is crisscrossing the lines as much as possible. My youngest son is driving on his learning permit, and even he notices that no one takes enough pride in their driving to stay between the lines. There must be some unwritten rule that when a traffic officer is absent, there is no reason to follow driving conventions and stay in your lane. Observing others do this on a constant basis reminded me of my lessons in kindergarten. My teacher spent much time teaching me how to color between the lines. When I finally developed the motor skills and the patience to do so, I kept doing it. Even today, when coloring with a young relative, I work hard and take pride in my ability to color between the lines. Imagine what safer roads we would drive on if drivers of all ages did the same.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Just Be Better.

It is happening all over again. We have to teach a teenager how to drive.

Our youngest son has his learning permit, and our job is to teach him how to drive. Teaching him how to operate a vehicle is a challenging job. We barely got over our older son learning how to drive. Thank goodness we only have two children. As soon as our youngest came home with a big grin on his face holding his permit in our faces, I knew it was time to call my therapist for support. At the end of the session, she offered me a year’s worth of sessions if I would also teach her child to drive when he gets his learner’s permit in a few months. Based on my answer, it may be time to find a new therapist.

In fairness, our youngest is not bad for someone who has not earned his license yet, but it is still a traumatic time for his parents. It is trying to exhibit patience as he goes across multiple lanes of traffic to make a turn while later holding back my despair when he stops 100 feet short of the stop sign and complains that he cannot see if there is any on-coming traffic. Teaching him to drive is challenging. We want him to gain confidence, but not at the expense of our sanity.

Speaking of sanity, why is it so hard for video gamers to pull into a parking space. You figure those who can “360-no-scope” in their sleep could park in a spot only 90 degrees to the right or left. This act of parking is separate from parallel parking. This parking style requires one to get their car between the white lines while they come to a complete stop. At this point of the day’s lesson, I was done and said it was my turn to practice backing out of the two spots he simultaneously parked the car. 

I have had many challenges in life. Luckily, this is the last time I will have the challenge of teaching a child how to drive.

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

In any meeting, I aim for the participants to receive the message, adopt the message, and improve results. Anything else is a waste of time. I do not like participating in meetings that are a waste of time. 

If I am doing my job, each charge should know the feedback they will receive at their annual evaluation meeting before it occurs. Through my actions and communications throughout the year, each employee should know what I expect from them, how I view their performance, and what changes they need to make. If I am doing my job well, my staff should never be surprised by the feedback they receive at their evaluation meeting. The meeting will digress and waste our time if I do my job poorly.

Evaluations should be about growth. I want the feedback I give and receive to focus on changing behavior and improving performance.

Prepare and work to get what you want out of every meeting. Nothing less. Ensure your staff knows what you think of their performance and focus on the desired result you want them to achieve

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.

Your auto has two communication devices, the horn, and the turning indicator. Knowing how to use them is a sign of success. Be a successful driver. Use blinkers.

Just Be Better

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.

My son’s Middle School Graduation practice was scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:00. Monday morning, he got an email stating that he also had graduation practice on Monday at 12:30. That failure to report to practice would mean he could not attend the actual ceremony.

How are parents who work expected to get their students to school in the middle of the day when they were not given notice that they needed to get their students to school, and busing was not provided, until they were already at work for the day? We were lucky and could arrange transportation at the last minute, especially since my wife and I both work.

I do not have time for leaders who cannot communicate well.  I do not have time for leaders who can not prepare adequately to get the results they want

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

Somebody asked me where I get my motivation to get up early in the morning and achieve the goals I set for myself. My response was, “I am not motivated. I am focused and so focused on my goals that nothing will get in my way.” The focus that I dedicate to my goals is why I get up before my wife to get things done because once my wife wakes up, she is my focus.

Don’t get caught up in the “motivation” game. Set some goals and get focused.

Just Be Better.

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.

I had a great start to my day. I got up before the alarm. I achieved my reading goals. I completed my biking goals. I even got a short lifting session in. This session was vital as I knew it would be a busy day. Then life happened. My coffee lid was not on tight enough, and I spilled some coffee on my shirt. Bad Luck; I was at work and had no spare one to change into. Good Luck; it was not that hot.

At this point, I had two choices.

1. Allow me to be angry as the perfect start to my day was ruined, and let everyone know I was a victim.
2. Move forward, rinse the stain out, and continue with my day focused on my goals.

Picking the latter allowed me to continue the day with my perfect start. Which choice are you prepared to pick when things go wrong?

Just Be Better

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.

You never know when you are going to have a positive impact on another person.

My brother and I were “running” a Spartan Race two weeks ago. The weather and the course were working against us. In our group was an older runner (For context, I am 53) named John. He was keeping up with us and working hard. I was so inspired. I then heard his story, recovering from sickness and working hard to back to his 7-minute miles. John was at least in his 60’s and ran 7-minute miles. Better than that, he has signed up for 11 more Spartan races this year. I needed a week to recover, signed up for 3 more races this year, and am lucky to run 8:45 minute miles.

Inspiration is not motivation; the right inspiration, like John’s, provides focus. Because of his influence, I am laser-focused on my training, recovery, and nutrition to one day be the guy John was to me at the race. He has no idea how much he influenced me.

Thank you to everyone like John out there, especially the one who ran with my brother and me at the NJ Super on April 29 in the 8:45 heat.

Be Strong, Be Healthy

Just Be Better

Today I was waiting behind a car on a two-lane highway to turn left into a parking lot. The car in front of me did not want to turn into the parking lot because she wanted to let the person go from the parking lot and turn onto the highway. The problem was we were being passed on the right by traffic. If the car in the parking lot tried to enter our lane, there would be a significant accident. The person in front of me was going to cause an accident. Finally, I communicated with my horn, and she turned into the parking lot.

Everyone will get where they need to go. Stop trying to be friendly and drive according to the rules of the road. If someone has to wait to get on their way, let them. Do not try to be the angel of the streets by holding up traffic.

Just Be Better

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.

This weekend marked my return to OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) since my knee and leg issues with Lyme Disease were resolved. The Spartan Super at Mountain Creek was a good challenge, and I could not have picked a “better” day. It was cold and rainy, and the runoff destroyed the course as it had been raining for a while. The vertical parts of the mountain were challenging. At points, you had to crawl up the mountain. The descents were impossible to navigate without slipping in the mud. The obstacles were soaked and muddy and almost impossible to complete. I would not change a thing. I like doing what others do not and attempting to do it well. I cannot wait for the next one.

What one thing do you like to do that others choose not to do? What pushes your comfort level?

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong