Winning Strategies

Happy Thanksgiving to All and a few funny memories

The sun rose brightly today and the day is truly a beautiful day.  Ahhhhhh, a day to relax and renew.   It is a day of introspection and quality time.  I love holidays.  They give us a chance to enjoy the world that surrounds us.  We get a chance to hang out in our home away from the strife of work and the stress of 'getting it all done'.  It is a day to breath.  It is a day of thoughful dreaming and planning.

We use this time throughout the holidays to plan vacations for 2010 and set goals for our future.  It is a fun time as we look out ahead to see the path forward and glance back to see where we have been.  It is funny to see pictures from the far distant past and remember the funniest things from our family time.

Today we were thinking about being on the beach in the Dominican Republic last year.  Many of the women were topless, and needless to say, the boys (Brandon then 13 and Caleb then 9) were wide eyed with curious amazement.  Brandon was like an explorer, exploring a new land.  It was very funny to watch.  Brandon would say, "I'm going for a walk on the beach"- and we'd say, "you never go for walks on the beach".   We recalled a thanksgiving meal in Hawaii where we had everyone at the table express what they were thankful for, and one of the teenagers said "ketchup". It apparently wasn't a custom that he was use to.

So- today on this glorious and beautiful day, I'm thankful for so many things.  I'm thankful to a host of readers that have taken a liking to my blog.  In my writing I'm able to do what I love most of all and if I can do that and encourage others, then I'm double blessed.  I'm thankful to friends that have cared for me through thick and thin, and to an unwavering love from my family.

To all, I wish you the happiest of Thanksgiving Days..... 

Hospitals and Charitable Care

Many people are aware that hospitals give away multiple millons of dollars in charitable care each year. This morning it got me thinking. Why aren't the banks and mortgage companies required to give away a small percentage of their homes and loans? If we have this burden on hospitals (many of which are making some of the lowest margins in the industry today), why wouldn't we expect the same charitable contributions from insurance companies, banks, mortgage companies, and big business. Hospitals deliver approximately 5% in charitable care. Shouldn't the car makers, refrigerator makers, etc also be required to 'give away' a little of what they produce?
It seems unbalanced to me that more people are losing their homes- so more homes sit empty while many have no place to stay. We lack creative thinking when it comes to solving business dilemmas. Banks could offer free 2 year leases for families willing to pay utilities and fix up the homes. We are stuck in conventional ideas in a world with problems that will require new creative thinking.
Walk outside of the box that you are trapped in and create a unique solution for your company. Present that solution to senior leadership. You may be amazed at the results. There are answers to these tough problems that we face- all of which are outside of the box.
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The Blind Side and an Attitude of Thankfulness

Last night we slipped away to see what I believe was the best movie that I have ever seen- The Blind Side. What an amazingly uplifting story that inadvertently reminds us of all the blessings that surround us. It was a great way to end a day where the message of the day was thankfulness.
I am humbled by the reminder of the blessings that surround us. Pause for a moment- think about all of the blessings in your life. Practice 'thankful' thinking. Look for the good in everything; your circumstances, your family, your job--- find the good in everything.
Charitable contributions have dropped more than they have in 40 years. We have drawn back. We are still being blessed, but we have stopped blessing others.
Gratitude saves us from materialism, depression and will help us to live thankful and satisfied, happy lives.
Decide to share yourself with the world; share your knowledge, your talents, your resources and your influence.

(I must credit many of my Sunday posts to ideas taken directly from Steve Stroop's message.)

Develop an attitude of thankfulness and see if your perspective improves. I have a sneaky feeling that it will.
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Dare to Dream in Living Color

Do you allow yourself to dream? Do you let your mind take you to the places you've always wanted to go?

I'm sitting by a beautiful pool overlooking the lake. It is not my pool, just a lonely empty house that I like to go to dream. It is a beautiful house that has sat empty for years. To me it cries out for inhabitants- and beside it I can envision my own dreams- the places I want to go- the things I want to do and the people that I want to meet.

I leave behind the constraints of the world, any debts or relationship woes and I soar unfettered and unencumbered into a world full of beauty and delight. In my dream I am all I can be, I'm using all of my gifts and talents and I'm living a full and rich life with no regrets.

Why do we stop dreaming? Why do we stop setting goals and reaching for the stars. Do we truly believe that after a certain age we are 'limited' and unable to achieve our dreams? Never stop dreaming. There is no age in which you are frozen from achieving. There is no hole you have dug too deep, no situation too desolate to dream you way out of.

Dream. Dream a dream. Dare to let your whole self reach for the stars.

Walk a few steps in their shoes

There is an alarming number of single moms raising their children alone. Many of them are doing this without any kind of financial support. They are working, caring for their children and managing all of their responsibilities alone. Can you imagine what a day in their shoes feels like?

You probably work in a company, attend a church service or school where you know several of these single moms. They will never admit it, but the road is hard. Even if the finances work themselves out, there is an emotional drain that occurs when you are the main source of emotional support for your children. It is a hard and harrowing road. I'm asking each of you to consider doing something special for one of these single moms. Consider leaving her a gift card from anonymous. Think about leaving an encouraging note or a cooked dinner for her to take home. If she reports to you, consider give her an extra day off or two. (Same message for the single dads- it is rough no matter the gender). Invite a single parent to your house for a home cooked dinner (tell them to bring the kids).

These moms (and single dads) are raising the children that will run our schools, our government and our world. They are our future. We turn our heads and pretend that we don't really see them. We go through our days unknowingly refusing to admit to ourselves the dire struggles that they may be facing. Open up your eyes. Dare to see the truth hidden in their eyes. Dare to care.

I know my readers have hearts of gold. I know you are a caring bunch. Reach out and touch a life close to you.

Many of you know that I struggled as a single mom for years. One year, I got up on Christmas morning and headed to the tree. It was (another) very tight year financially. I hadn't been able to buy much at all for Heather. I was dreading Christmas morning. My neighbors had somehow broke into the house and filled my tree with presents. 'Santa' had visited my house. Someone made our morning!

I tear up thinking about how much hope I felt and how much resilience I received from that blessing. Bless someone around you this year. They will remember it always. Heather was four years old that Christmas- I'm talking to you today about an event that still moves me to tears that happened 18 years ago.

Go bless someone around you this season. It will change their perspective and have a positive impact on your life and theirs.

49 amazing years

No I'm not 49 years old (yet) and shame on you for thinking that (LOL).

On Friday, my parents James and Elois Eastman will celebrate 49 years of marriage.

They continue to inspire and uplift the people that they touch. Not only have they been incredibly devoted to each other, and my brother Bert and I, but also their devotion, caring, and sacrifice has touched the lives of the homeless served by Carriage Town Ministries in Flint Michigan and many of the members of Mayfair Bible Church where mom decorates for events, tirelessly cooks meals for funerals and continually lends a hand to those in need.

On the eve of their anniversary- I lift up these unsung heros of Flint Michigan. They are always behind the scenes, outside the limelight, yet in constant adoration and love towards God above. They don't have a lot, and what they have- they give away.

Mom and dad, I'm so Very proud to be your daughter, proud of the legacy you've built, proud of the character that you have, and all that you stand for.

Thank you for giving me a value system that transends space and time, and for loving each other for the last 49 years. I love you dearly. Happy Anniversary!

Bethany
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I am here to support and help you...

This is my committment to you. I will always call you back, even if you have no business for me. I care about each of you, whether or not you succeed or fail, how hard you are working, how well you are managing work/life balance, and if you are happy. I will go out of my way to lend a helping hand, listening when you need an ear and help you solve the critical business issues facing you today.
I will work diligently to help you find work when you are looking.

I have over 20 years of experience driving complex initiatives and I have a team of hundreds of professionals standing behind me here to help.

In today's times, it is a great time to have business developer friends on your side (and many of you do). So this a thank you to the healthcare professionals around Dallas/Ft Worth and surrounding areas that have squeezed me onto your schedule, taken my calls even when you were busy and just generally treated me very well. I appreciate all of you .
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We are the Heartbeat of our Homes

A note to working parents- - - - we set the tone for our families.  We don't always think about it, but we are the vitality, lifeblood and energy for our households.  We set the tone and heartbeat of our homes.  Our children 'feel' what we feel.  They can sense our moods.  Our ability to impact the lives of our household lies heavily in our ability to help them to appreciate life, look at adversity with resilence, and to try to leave the world a better place than before we were here.

Our lives uniquely influence the ones around us.  We get busy and we forget about this very important role that we play.  If we can find happiness, contentment and satisfaction in our lives, we can pass those traits down to our children and our families.  How we decide to deal with struggles teaches our children how to deal with their struggles.  Each day we encounter hundreds of 'teachable' moments.  Like the CEO is to his company, we set the precedent, vision and attitude that our family will run by.  Each of us is a CEO of our own home.  We set the vision and an example that makes our home either a fantastic place to be or less than fantastic.  We choose.  Make a great choice today.  Your family depends on it.  Leave your office struggles at the office and bring home a carefree loving and attentive self.

Re-discover the you that existed before the economy took a downturn.  Your spouse and children are waiting for the old you to return.

Question from reader: I am in a rut, how do I get out?

You are stuck in a rut, a big hole and you can't seem to get out of it.  You are either unemployed and can't find work, stuck in a position or job you dislike, loaded down in piles of debt, social life is barren, or you are in a relationship rut with your kids.

All is not lost.  Just like a giant hole in the ground, these situations weren't created overnight.  They were painstakingly created over months or years and your way out of the rut will also be a multi month or multi year plan.  The bad thing about a rut is that our emotions and self esteem created from the rut make it harder for us to crawl out.  We feel bad.  We beat ourselves up.  In effect, our own emotions keep us down, they keep us where we are.

First- forgive yourself for anything you may have done to land where you are.  Second- commend yourself for your gifts and talents.  Remind yourself about the positive parts of your character, your personality and your skills.  You are gifted, smart, and an individual with much to offer the world.

Unemployed and Looking for Work

Enhance your LinkedIn profile (www.LinkedIn.com).  Commit to "feet on the street".  Go visit potential employers, fill out applications in person.  Touch base with EVERYONE that you know in your rolodex or phone.  The people finding jobs today are finding them in their network or 2 or 3 degrees away from their network on LinkedIn.  Commit to spending 2-3 hours a day searching.  Be creative.  Tie your unique skills to a company need.

Have Lost a Connection with your Children

All is certainly not lost.  Start small.  Find something that they like to do and offer to take them.  Start by slowly investing time and attention.  Listen more than you talk.  Care about what they say without judging them for what you hear.  Never give up.  Even when they are telling you they don't care about you, they do and they WILL come around.  Never quit trying.  Never give up on them.  Keep listening.  Take baby steps and just be there for them.

Remember- all can be corrected with MUCH time....and CONSISTENCY.  Persistence beats resistance EVERY TIME.  It is worth it.

Keep the questions coming...and yes- -  you are doing a good job, they are quite hard.

The Homeless Children of Dallas- solving the city's crisis

There are over 1,300 homeless children in Dallas. Over 300 homeless women and children sleep at homeles shelters every night. Today I feel a burden on my heart for these little ones. I feel like there is an answer hidden somewhere in this great city of ours: a women's organization waiting to be started, a pulling together of influential women to solve the city's crisis. We can fix this. We can make Dallas a better place. We can fund our future through an investment in our children!

I am up to the challenge. If you have the money, but not the passion or the time- let's solve this together. I can put it together, up and running for less than a million dollars. Take the leap. We can change the world together.
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