WOW Word-Of-the-Week #274: Oopsie
October 25, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #274: Oopsie
Oopsie – what you say when things don’t go as planned.
What do you say when you make an unintentional mistake or screw up? Do you have a tendency to “beat yourself up” or do you accept it, deal with it, and move on?
Oopsie - I can't believe I did that!
Well, I had an “oopsie” at 3 AM yesterday morning when I awoke and realized I had not done my WOW #274. I was so busy working on my volunteer project this weekend I totally spaced it. Not that that is an excuse! I should have made myself a note instead of relying on my memory, because clearly that didn’t work.
My first thought was to say it was a computer glitch. Which it sort of was. If you don’t put it in the computer, it is a glitch. However, that would not have been the truth. So I apologize for not having it done on time. I am sorry and I am human. It’s not like my missing it was earth shattering.
I am glad to say that I am a “recovering perfectionist.” The old me would have been “beating myself up” for being so stupid. The new me is a lot more forgiving. How do you handle an “oopsie?” Can you acknowledge it and move on?
I do believe there are some people who should not have “oopsies” at all. People who I would never want to say “oopsie” are NASA scientists or health care providers for starters!
So this week think about how you handle “oopsies.” Are you forgiving of yourself if you make an unintentional mistake or screw up? How about someone else? Could you say “oopsie” and smile? Could you discuss it without being upset?
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #273: Amazement
October 19, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #273: Amazement
Amazement – A state of extreme surprise or wonder; astonishment.
Can you remember the last time you experienced amazement? Are you like me and love surprises?
Shep Hyken, author of “The Cult of the Customer” says there are five cults and the cult of amazement is the highest level and one that all businesses should be striving for.
Cult of the Customer
He writes, “Ask yourself which best describes your customer’s orientation to you and your operation.”
This week focus on amazement. Have you ever enthusiastically recommended or praised a company? What did they do to make you want to tell others? What can you do to get your service to the cult of amazement?
Reader Responses
“I would never describe amazement in terms of a cult. I think we all like to be amazed – something happens that is beyond our expectations. We have no reason to expect that something amazing happens, and then it does. Maybe because of the disappointments we have had in our country over the last several years we just don’t expect the best. We simply accept the mediocre, the bland, the unexciting. In other words, we have seen so much of the bad, average or below average we don’t ever think anything good, exciting or amazing will happen. However, when it does we are blown away. And we wonder why it can’t happen more often. Because there is so much mediocrity around us we don’t ever think anything amazing will happen. So, we probably would not appreciate the amazing if it happened more often. But that does not mean we should accept less than the best in our lives and in our country. We should be expect to be amazed more often. Hopefully, we will. But in the meantime, let’s work to help amazing happen. A positive attitude is half the battle. I have always believed that if I expect the best, it will happen. I may be disappointed from time to time, but at least I dreamed of what the possible could be. Great word, Susan. Have a great week. “Warrior” Joe Moran.”
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #272: Rivalry
October 19, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #272: Rivalry
Healthy Rivalry
Rivalry – competition
When you think of the word rivalry what comes to mind? Is it positive or negative? With regard to sports the dictionary refers to “the long standing rivalry between Harvard and Yale.”
This week’s article that caught my eye was in the SD Union titled, “Presidents Cup match set to be fun, fierce.” U.S. captain Fred Couples picked Michael Jordan to be an assistant captain. Jordan thought he was kidding. Even though he is a big fan of golf he is much better at playing basketball.
“Couples knew exactly what he wanted out of Jordan, and it wasn’t to dish out tips on putting. His role was to have fun with the guys. That’s it. FUN. It’s not a word usually associated with professional team golf, especially after bitter incidents over the years in the Unites States’ rivalry with Europe in the Ryder Cup. But the Presidents Cup has established itself as the international battle that is more like a friendly chess match that a war.”
Well, I certainly could not have found a more fitting article. Having the words golf and FUN in the same sentence was perfect! And it gets more interesting, because on Monday I had decided it was time to start playing again. And my goal is to have FUN and play well. My competitive nature in golf is with myself. I want to do better and see improvement every week.
So this week focus on rivalry. Are you comfortable with competition? Do you have a rivalry going on with someone, something, or another business? Could you see it being a friendly battle versus a war? Do you need to win all the time?
Reader Responses
“I read the same piece in Saturday’s Chicago Tribune. One of the golfers, Sean O’Hair, had a lot of fun with Michael Jordan. He seemed to relax the golfers and put them in a good state of mind for the competition. Let’s face it, Susan, we all love to win. I know that I like to win at everything I compete in. However, I have learned that it is how we play the game and perform that makes the difference, because we can’t win at everything. It reminds me of the words from a Danny O’Keefe song in the early 1970s, “Goodtime Charlie’s Got the Blues.” The lyric, “Some gotta win, some gotta lose. Goodtime Charlie’s got the blues.” When my daughter plays me in games, I usually let her win. I try not to get too competitive with her. And Erin is very competitive. She does not like to lose. Sometimes she will get pouty when she knows she is not going to win a game, and then she insists on playing another game. So, I will let her win sometimes. Competition is fine in life, but it is learning to be gracious in losing and humble in winning. There are too many people who are poor sportsmen and want to rub people’s noses in defeat. That is not the way to handle winning and losing in life. While we all want to win, we have to learn how to do it the right way. Great word, Susan. Have a great week. Take care. “Warrior” Joe Moran.”
“My first glance, (pre-first cup of coffee) I read the Word as “Ribaldry”. And then your question you always ask, What first comes to mind”. I’m thinking “ok ,vulgar, indecent, gratuitous sex, ok. And looking at your newly added graphic I’m surmising Hmm, Susan’s letting her down. Then I noted the word was actually “Rivalry”. Oh well J!”
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #271: Balance
October 12, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #271: Balance
Balance – having just the right mix of work, play, and passion.
Do you feel that you have a balanced life? Are you involved in things that you are passionate about? Do you feel blessed with the life you have?
Our feature this week is an article in Parade’s healthystyle on Eva Longoria Parker titled, “Make Every Moment Count.” In it she says, “My friends like to kid me that I only have two speeds – off and on. And I guess they mean really on, because I’m constantly moving.”
She and her husband Tony Parker share the same kind of drive. “We are both energetic and athletic. We love to travel. We love food and wine, we love beaches, we love laughter and music. We think healthy, and we work hard to stay in shape. I check my schedule constantly to make sure no time is wasted. I bounce between my TV work, Tony’s basketball games, and my charities.”
We Like What Eva Likes!
“The key is balance and common sense. I love to enjoy every moment. I’m really blessed to have the life I have. I do a lot of work with less fortunate kids, so I know I have nothing to complain about.”
And that off switch? “Part of my schedule is a good night’s sleep. When things get overwhelming I look forward to a weekend home with Tony. I love to cook. Sometimes we stay in bed all day watching the Discovery Channel.”
“You have to make a choice to be an active citizen of society. I want to contribute in a positive way, whether it’s through my work, entertaining, or the love I give to my husband and family. We can all make a significant mark on the world.”
This week focus on balance. Do you have a need to make every moment count? Do you take time to relax and “turn off.” What are you most passionate about?
Reader Responses
“Kristen and I look forward to those weekends where we don’t have anything planned. Since we both work, we split up the duties of taking care of the kids and other activities during the week. There are times when we just want to sit and read the newspaper or magazines or books. Usually it is when our girls are asleep at night. We do enjoy every moment we have with the girls, and we make sure to take advantage of those because life goes so fast. We are blessed with beautiful girls, good health and good families. I have no complaints about my life. There are things that I still want to accomplish in my life, but I find that my life at home really gives me a great perspective, and my wife and girls always remind me of the important things. This weekend, if it does not rain, I need to scrape the railing at the backdoor of our house. I promised Kristen a couple of years ago that I would do it, so hopefully I can do more work on it. Hopefully we can relax a little more this weekend also, because the next two weekends will be hectic. We do get plenty of rest in the evenings, and that keeps our energy and health in good shape. Great word, Susan. Keep up the great work. Take care. Have a wonderful weekend. “Warrior” Joe Moran.”
FUN-travel:Alaska
October 5, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel:Alaska
Day 1 – Thursday, July 9, 2009 – Alaska – 14 days – First (and last) Princess cruise
- Good News – nonstop flight to Seattle takes off almost on time
- Bad News – first class full
- Good News – ocean view room upgraded to balcony
- Good News – food is very good, lots of choices, thin crust pizza outstanding
- Good News – take nap, bags arrive, unpack, eat dinner, nap, have late night pizza snack
First stop
FFTK&T (FUN Facts to Know & Tell) – In 1867, US Secretary of State William Henry Seward negotiated purchase of Alaska at 2 cents an acre for a walloping total of $7.2 million
Alaska has:
• 3000 rivers
• 3,000,000 lakes
• 100,000 glaciers
• 47,000 miles of coastline
• 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the US including Mt. McKinley, the tallest on the continent
Sea Plane Ride
Day 2 – Friday, July 10, 2009 – Day at Sea – Sunrise 4:43 am – Sunset 9:00 pm
- Good News – sleep good, eat good, nap good, gain an hour
- Bad News – foggy, cloudy, cold
Day 3 – Saturday, July 11, 2009 – Arrive Ketchikan 7:00 am – Sunrise 4:21 am – Sunset 9:22 pm
- Good News – sunny & warm, get off ship and walk around town, see totem poles (world’s oldest collection is here)
- Good News – take 75 minute seaplane ride to Misty Fjords National Monument – land on lake, go out on planes pontoons to take pictures
- Bad News – ship departs 2:00 pm, not enough time to enjoy all the sightseeing
FFTK&T – Misty Fjords National Monument is 50 miles wide and 118 miles long
Day 4 – Sunday, July 12, 2009 – Day at Sea – Sunrise 4:25 am – Sunset 9:59 pm
Glacire Bay Ice Calving
Day 5 – Monday, July 13, 2009 – Arrive Skagway 7:00 am – Sunrise 4:07 am – Sunset 10:06 pm
- Good News – sunny and very warm, walk into town, quite cute
- Bad News – miss the 2 hour trolley tour, downtown is 6 blocks, see everything in one hour
- Good News – take 3 ½ hour train ride on White Pass & Yukon Railway up to Canadian Border
- Good News – set sail at 8:00 pm, have happy hour on top deck lounge, see beautiful snow capped mountains, waterfalls on both sides of ship, spot orca whales, gorgeous sunset
Gorgeous Sunset
Day 6 –Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Day at Sea – Sunrise 4:25 am – Sunset 10:58 pm
- Good News – Bingo at 11:15, $600 jackpot
- Bad News – didn’t win, but almost, will play on last day to get that jackpot
- Good News – fresh wild halibut and salmon for dinner
Welcome to Valdez
Day 7 – Wednesday, July 15, 2009 – Valdez – Arrive 7:00am – Sunrise 4:39 am – Sunset 11:03 pm
- Bad News – Not much to see, not much ambience
- Good News – take boat out to Prince William Sound for 8 hour cruise
- Good News – see humpback whales, sea otters, stellar sea lions, dall’s porpoises, harbor seals
- Bad news – black bears barely visible
Sea Lion on Siesta
FFTK &T – Good Friday in 1964, an earthquake led to a massive underwater landslide causing a 30-foot-high tsunami. 90% of the town was destroyed, abandoned, moved 4 miles away. Good Friday in 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef causing the biggest oil spill in North America. Effects of that spill still visible today. Wild life almost back to normal.
Exit Glacier
Day 8 –Thursday, July 16, 2009 – Seward – Arrive 7:00 am – Sunrise 5:01 am – Sunset 11:05 pm
Puffin
- Good News – Take tour to Exit Glacier, Stan the park ranger narrates on trail leading to glacier
- Good News – black bear sighting on trail
- Bad News – see only black bear poop on trail
- Good News – walk thru town, go to Aquarium, see puffins (duck like birds, very cute) lots of fish
FFTK &T – 1910 & 11, gold miners blaze 1,000 mile dog sled trail from Seward to Nome, becomes known as the Iditarod Trail
Day 9 – Friday, July 17, 2009 – 7:00 am – Sunrise 5:37 am – Sunset 10:54 pm
- Bad News – rainy, foggy – Kodiak brown bear search cancelled
- Good News – get English speaking (large Pilipino population) taxi driver to find bears
- Good News – see one
- Bad News – apparently scared by ATV’s and runs away, never get pictures
- Good News – walk back to ship, stop at Kodiak Brewing Company, have tasting, rain not so bad now
Downtown Kodiak
FFTK &T – Kodiak Island is 2nd largest in US after Hawaii
Day 10 – Saturday, July 18, 2009 – Day at Sea – Sunrise 5:17 am – Sunset 10:02 pm
Grizzly Bear
- Bad News – starting to get bored, food not that good
- Good News – have dinner at Sabatini’s with cruise mate couple
- Bad News – have to pay $20 per person for some better food
Day 11 – Sunday, July 19, 2009 – Arrive Icy Point Strait 7:00 am – Sunrise 4:29 am – Sunset 9:46 pm
- Good News – get last 2 seats on Brown Bear & Wilderness Tour at 11:30
- Good News – nice walk into town
- Bad News – not much there, all action back at the landing dock
- Good News – stop and eat Halibut Poppers (fresh caught halibut mixed with creamy cheese mixture, wrapped in Philo dough and deep fried) YUM!
- Good News – tour includes walk through rainforest down to river and viewing platforms – see brown bear
FFTK &T – There are 3 types of bears in Alaska – grizzly’s AKA brown, black & polar (there are no penguins)
Bubble Netting!
Day 12 –Monday, July 20, 2009 – Arrive Juneau 6:00am – Sunrise 4:26 am – Sunset 9:41 pm
Bald Eagle
- Good News – take Whale watching cruise
- Bad News – have to get up early, cold & damp
- Good News – sail to 3 locations to find whales, see pod of 12 whales
- More Good News – see “bubble netting” (whales dive in unison and come up, jumping out of the water, in a circle with open mouths to feed on schools – National Geographic known to wait for days attempting to see them)
- Bad News – have to be back on board by 2:30 to depart, need more time
FFTK &T – There are 30,000 square miles of glacier ice, covering 5% of the state, weighing 7 trillion tons
Day 13 – Tuesday, July 21, 2009 – Day at Sea – Sunrise 4:49 am – Sunset 9:40 pm
- Bad News – getting cabin fever again
- Good News – sun comes out, getting warmer
FFTK &T – Alaska is 1/5 the size of the lower 48 states (and you really can see Russia) LOL!
Day 14 – Wednesday, July 22, 2009 – Arrive Victoria, BC – 5:00 pm
- Good News – great sunset dinner downtown
- Bad News – have to depart midnight
Victoria Harbor
Day 15 – Thursday, July 23, 2009 – Arrive Seattle
- Good News – going home!
- Good News – get on earlier flight
- More Good News – Alaska Airlines upgrades only $50. YEAH!
Overall Experience – Wanted more adventure
Lessons Learned – Go to Alaska before Antarctica!