Word Of the Week #56: Treasure
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #56: Treasure
Treasure: something of great worth or value.
What is the first thought that came to your mind when you read this word? Did your mind immediately go to a big wooden box spilling over with gold coins, sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor, next to a sunken pirate ship?
Terrible Ted from Tucson
My good friend and sailing buddy Ted, said, “Treasure is a good word for one of your WOW’s…. as it doesn’t have to be gold, good friendship fills the bill.”
How many genuine good friends do you have? Do you treasure your friendship and relationship with them? Have you ever told them that you treasure them? If you want to put a big smile on someone’s face, just tell them how much you appreciate them and that you are glad they are in your life.
Friends come and go for a variety of reasons. I have a friend from second grade that I stay in contact with. I have friends from opening restaurants in the ’70’s that I go on vacation with every year. We share lots of old memories and stories.
I have found that when I am open to experiencing new things I meet new people. Had I not taken sailing lessons I would have never met Ted! We now have a core group of sailing buddies, half of which I didn’t know more than two years ago! And my new friends are treasures too!
How willing are you to accept new friends into your life? How willing are you to tell the special people in your life that you treasure their friendship?
Reader Responses
“I especially liked this one, I too learned how to sail about a year ago this time and met some great new friends. One in particular that we get together for lunch when we can and planning some joint vacations with our significant others. Sailing is great stuff!” –Debra K Anderson
Word Of the Week #55: Fastidious
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #55: Fastidious
Fastidious: reflecting a meticulous, sensitive or demanding attitude.
Have you heard the expression, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness?”
An executive from American Airlines was explaining the importance of having clean airplanes. She said, “When passengers board an airplane and see that the trash has not been picked up, they equate that to a lack of overall maintenance. In other words, a dirty airplane means a dirty engine which means the plane might crash.”
I have heard that in the restaurant business the state of the bathroom is reflective of the state of the kitchen. If the bathrooms are dirty then you can bet the kitchen is dirty too. And that equates to unsanitary conditions and possible food poisoning.
Do you consider yourself to be meticulous? Would your customers, guests, or members say that your operation is fastidious? This week focus on how you and your business are perceived. Could you be more fastidious in your appearance? Could you be more meticulous when it comes to your business?
Reader Responses
“Thanks for all your help to improve me in my personal and professional life!
P.S. Looks like my closets need some meticulous ” help” this weekend I have not been fastidious and the shelve fell down!!!!!!!!!Haha!!” — Shelley Sigholtz
“In addition to the restrooms, my barometer that gives me “key indicators” also includes the back loading / receiving dock and the dumpster area. If it is clean, then I bet you that the kitchen, etc. is also clean. Another area of importance to me is to keep all employee areas clean and looking sharp. I truly believe that the environment of which we develop for our employees has a direct impact on their attitude, which reflects on service to our members and guests. I wish we could of worked together over the years. We would of been a great team of managers! We share in the same approach to leadership and just basic living.” — Don Vance
“Thanks for the new word. I would have responded sooner, but Kristen, Erin and I were in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin, for a long weekend to watch the colors change on the foliage in Northern Wisconsin. It was beautiful with fresh air, temperatures in the low 70s, and gorgeous sunshine. I have to tell you when I returned to the office I felt rejuvenated. It was a well-timed trip. The rest of my vacation time is reserved for the last two weeks of December. As for fastidious. I once was told by a friend that her parents always insisted that they dress well when attending school because of the psychological factor it played in their overall performance. If one looked good, they felt good and would be more motivated in the classroom. It also improved their general attitude and the attitude of their teacher toward them. There is a respect factor involved also. My mother-in-law told me a story about going to a restaurant for the first time. She said that as they were going in the door, the sun was shining in such a way that showed how dirty the floor was. After an unsatisfying meal, they never went to the restaurant again. If a person takes the time to make their appearance presentable, it shows a respect for themselves but also the people they are meeting. A nonchalant attitude can be gleaned from a person who does not take the time to look good in public. My in-laws reminded me of a time when Americans dressed up not only when going to church but when taking trips on planes. We don’t see that anymore. I guess people really don’t care what people think of how they look. I recall a time in grade school when my third grade teacher, a nun named Sister Rosella, commented to my mother about how shiny my shoes were every day. That is because I shined them every weekend before going to school that week. If there is anything I have learned in the short period I have been on this earth, it is that people DO NOTICE. Unfortunately, in this increasingly casual age in which we live, respect has disappeared. Maybe it will come back. I do believe these things are cyclical. However, we need parents – especially young mothers – to teach their little ones not only manners but how to dress in public. The husband of my Godmother just turned 90 today, and while he has slowly lost his sight over the past five years, his attitude about life and living has never changed. He is still incredibly optimistic, he works out and plays golf every week. He is an amazing man whom I emulate. His own fastidiousness and consistency in living has led to his happy longevity.” — Joe Moran
Word Of the Week #54: Frugal
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #54: Frugal
Frugal: economical in the use or expenditure of resources; not wasteful or lavish.
Here’s another word that could conger up a negative or a positive feeling for you. Do you consider yourself a saver or a spender?
I have a postcard on my desk. The picture on the front of it is that of an attractive woman from the early 50’s era. She has blond hair with a page boy haircut, brown eyes, diamond and pearl drop earrings with a necklace to match, beautiful full red lips, and a pink blouse. It reads, “Frugal is such an ugly word.” I giggle every time I see it.
Being of the Baby Boomer generation, it reminds me of my childhood and having parents that went through the depression. They were very frugal! The fact that they didn’t have much made it easier.
I have a friend who drives a Ford Taurus and can afford to drive anything he wants. Lately, he has been toying with the idea of buying a more luxurious car. But why spend the money when a car just gets you from point A to point B? Well, I say because it’s fun and in So Cal you are your car!
They say balance is everything! Is there a part of your life where it would benefit you to be more economical or frugal? Is there a part of life where you can afford to be more lavish?
Reader Responses
“I recently traded up from driving a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee to a Land Rover -Discovery. I really didn’t want to get a new vehicle, because my Jeep was paid for and it sort of had sentimental value to me. It was eight years old with 116,000 miles and at the time I was making several trips back and forth to the mountains of western North Carolina, so I finally talked myself into purchasing this Land Rover. It had all of the bells and whistles on it. It had the safari racks, front row bars, deer guards, the additionalexterior lights, all leather interior, etc., I really liked that vehicle. It looked cool! After driving it for some time, I noticed that every where I went people would look at my vehicle and point, because they had not seen this vehicle, not the way I had it geared up with all of the extras. I thought that was pretty cool at first, but after awhile, I began feeling wrong, sort of like I was gloating and enjoying the extra attention. I can afford to drive the latest BMW Series or any vehicle I want for that matter, but I chose this Land Rover, because it identified me. I genuinely love the outdoors, I own a cabin in the mountains of western North Carolina and I love to hike, back pack, canoe, kayak and so forth, so again this car suited me, except for the fact that it drew attention to my family and I when we were in it. Somehow, it just didn’t seem right. On a recent trip to the mountains to stay in our cabin, on July 3rd, my Land Rover caught on fire, after making a trip through the mountains. Shortly after this experience, I traded my Land Rover in for another Jeep. I could identify with my Jeep, because I had owned four of them prior to this one. I even had two of the soft top Jeeps, the “fun” vehicle. Now that I am getting a little older and enjoy more of the comfort of a vehicle, I opted to trade down for the Jeep, Grand Cherokee, Laredo. Sure it has leather interior, a GPS System, a six CD Player System, etc., again all of the comforts of a luxury vehicle, but it doesn’t stand out and we no longer are the center of attention at stop lights. I feel much more comfortable now. I guess in some way, you could say that I was trying to be “frugal” in my purchase because I didn’t like the way I was viewed driving the Land Rover.” — Don Vance
“Thanks susan! This hit home today…. I defintely have areas that I need to be more frugal….and boy do I know some who should and could afford to be more lavish….. ” — Cathie Capolino
Word Of the Week #53: Addiction
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #53: Addiction
Addiction: devotion, strong inclination, or frequent indulgence.
Would you agree that some words automatically have a negative connotation? Many words have multiple meanings. Take the word committed for example!
Could it be possible to have a positive addiction? In the movie titled, “What The bleep Is Going On?”, they say that love is a form of addiction. Now I ask you, is that a bad thing?
Well, it could be if the person you love is harmful to you. And what I mean by that is, if they are abusive, demeaning, belittling, etc. That your behavior changes as a result of being connected to them.
But what if you love someone that actually motivates you to be a better person. Someone who holds themselves in high esteem and as a result of that, holds you in high esteem, treats you with respect, kindness, adoration, etc. Is that a bad thing?
This week focus on those things in your life that you have an enthusiastic devotion for and love to frequently indulge in. Are they harmful to you or helpful to you?
Reader Responses
“I agree with you that addiction can go either way. In terms of relationships, commitment might be a better word. Fortunately, my wife and I are committed to each other. Because our personalities are different, we complement each other and bring out the best in each other. What she brings to our marriage relationship has made me a much better person overall. I am blessed to have Kristen Janet in my life. She feels the same way. And we share the blessings we have with our three-year-old Erin Grace. As I have told my wife, I would not be where I am today without her help. So, I think commitment is a better word here than addiction. The biggest problem with addiction is that the addicted one does not really see the faults of the other person; or simply ignores them altogether. That can be, in extreme cases, deadly. In relationships, whether they be personal or professional, we have to be able to see the forest for the trees. If we ignore the warning signs, we will be in trouble. When we are addicted, we can’t see the warning signs. That is how I view addictions.” — Joe Moran
Word Of the Week #52: Zeal
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #52: Zeal
Zeal: impassioned eagerness and enthusiasm for a person or a cause.
You’ve heard the saying, “Practice Makes Perfect?” Is there something that you want to do well?
Dr. Daniel Goleman, in his book ‘Emotional Intelligence’ states, “Studies of Olympic athletes, world-class musicians, and chess grand masters find their unifying trait is the ability to motivate themselves to pursue relentless training routines.”
And the earlier they start, the better. The top violin students at the best music academy in Berlin, all in their twenties, had put in ten thousand hours’ lifetime practice, while the second-tier students averaged around seventy-five hundred hours.
Now don’t let this discourage you. The point is, that enthusiasm is a key component to being able to achieve what you want. You need to be able to stay motivated in the face of defeat.
Your emotions get in the way of or enhance your ability to think and plan, to pursue training for a distant goal, and to solve problems.
This week focus on your personal and/or professional plans or goals. What level of enthusiasm do you have for them? In what areas of your life do you feel zeal?
Reader Responses
“This is the best one yet! “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!” Many years ago, I had a meeting with a Disney Executive, when I lived in Orlando and we were talking about motivation, and the passion for excellence and so forth. In our conversation I told him that I believe practice makes perfect. He said; “That isn’t correct.” I was perplexed with his reply, because this is what I had always believed, but he shed a new paradigm on my belief, he said that “PERFECT PRACTICE, MAKES PERFECT!” If you practice and your level of practice isn’t the best or perfect or at the highest level, then you will never achieve the level of excellence of the greatest or highest level. From that day forward, I changed my belief and that it is only when we practice at the highest level, can we achieve at the highest level. Good stuff! — Don Vance