To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Football

Bold visions for our country

blog_756933_2835423_1453171867

What great timing for this topic! With Martin Luther King Jr.’s national holiday being this week, it couldn’t have been better planned. So glad for those moments when the universe aligns.

To me, there is not a greater message than the one Dr. King brought on unity. I believe in people, and that together we can achieve everything we need to in our lifetime. Today, we stand in a world that is facing many challenges, and unfortunately at the root of much of this is a lack of unity.

Most of those reading this fortunately live in neighborhoods and communities that are mostly unified, with safe and progressive schools, churches and places of business. My greatest concern is that we get distracted from what is really going on in our country. We hide behind busy schedules and soccer games, the latest big sport contest (since the Chiefs are out, I’m cheering for the Broncos!), etc. Let’s not forget that last year we faced multiple hate crimes (I hate even typing those words) in America, and some within driving distance. One of my colleagues grew up in Ferguson, Missouri and her neighborhood was a victim of the fighting. It could easily happen in every neighborhood.

I’m sure many of you, like me, have friends of all races and religions. If you talk to them long enough, you know that even today, they face regular accounts of prejudice behaviors. It’s ugly and makes me sick to think about. As you know UNITY goes far past the issues of race and religious freedoms, and our current candidates for president are showcasing that well, as they clearly are not unified on most topics. As Dr. King’s words indicate below, our silence on these larger issues that impact our country will be felt eventually.  Let’s not be silent.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

This blog is really about our country. We need bold visions and bold actions in order to secure it for the generations that follow. I encourage you to really take the time to understand the issues and in November to vote for a candidate that can unify our country. We cannot be silent. I personally know I need to do more. How about you?

3 reasons being loyal will improve your year

blog_754715_2832370_1452747244Loyalty! Why be loyal? It seems obvious in some categories, such as relationships.

As a friend, we really need our friends to be loyal and honor our story and support us no matter what happens. As an employer, we really cannot succeed at the top of our game without employee and customer loyalty.  =Starbucks thanks many of us for our loyal support, as do thousands of other businesses nationwide.  Why does it matter?

The statistics in the workplace are pretty astounding. According to the authors of Leading on the Edge of Chaos, the ability for businesses to keep their customers can increase profits 25-125%. WOW! The reliable 80/20 rule is also true in this category according to Gartner from Forbes.com – “80% of your company’s future revenue will come from just 20% of your existing customers.”

For employers, the cost of turnover is dramatic, but we won’t be delving in that category. The purpose of this post is to share not only what I believe to be true about loyalty, but to offer you some facts that may make a difference in your thinking and year! We need to be loyal to our role for own success and happiness. Here are three reasons why:

1. Full value: If we aren’t loyal, we don’t show up with our full value. I can’t imagine not showing up with full value. (Well actually, I had a temporary summer job one year doing something like making boxes…it was awful, and probably scarred me for life on tedious and boring jobs that appear to have no meaning.)  We must find a path that supports our values, passions and enables us to maximize our talents. Our world is counting on us to all come to the table with our full value.

2. Strong & better: When we are truly loyal, we become stronger and better employees, leaders, moms, dads, friends, volunteers, neighbors..I’m always game for getting stronger and better in any category.

3. Healthier: Finally, it’s January and most are focused on their health. Guess what? Scientists have documented that loyalty in relationships and in our career, offer benefits of reduced illness, longer life, higher compensation, more productivity and creativity. Even being loyal to our sports team, (GO KC CHIEFS!), helps reduce anxiety according to the Wall Street Journal! Who knew?

Who needs your loyalty?  Who needs their story honored by your support & loyalty? If you aren’t feeling loyalty to any of your key roles, stop and evaluate if it’s a good role or relationship and begin creating a game plan to up your game or get out!

Happy Thanksgiving!

blog_739734_2813866_1448508539“Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday BY FAR. It’s really a feast of the superpowers:  simplicity (stripped of the gifts and excessive hype that can weigh down other holidays), love, (of course), and humor among them.”

(‘Life Is Good‘ by Bert and John Jacobs)
___________________________________________________

As I said earlier this week, I love this book, but this thought couldn’t be beat as I truly discerned what is the best message for a Thanksgiving Day.

Since I post on Thursdays, I was thrilled that Thanksgiving will always be one of the days I get to take a moment to reflect. What am I thinking and what may resonate with my readers?

So for 2015, I think with the many issues that require our prayers and attention (See short list below), I loved this concept. Simplicity truly is a superpower, and one I need more of. I pray today that we all are able to take a deep breath and truly be joyful in the moment we are in. Whether it’s alone watching the Thanksgiving Day parade and drinking hot tea, or surrounded by many family and friends for a wonderful meal, and then playing a family traditional football game.

Add to that a big dose of love for those with us and those we wish were with us. Throw in humor to ensure sanity in this season. I promise there is a good laugh to be had if you simply look around the room. (Remember, those pictures of yesterday where that big hair and those bell bottoms are now hysterical, well, friends, that awesome outfit you have on today will give the same effect 20 years from now…Heck, you may have a similar outfit on today and are rocking the styles.)

Wherever today finds you, life is good indeed!

Here is the short list I mentioned above:

World peace (which translates to safety, security and a great future for our lives in general), is at the top. Other big ones include the critical importance of us electing a galvanizing leader for our country in 2016, taking care of those that have been placed in our care, be it families or community members that need our focus, and  working each day toward simply serving in the best way we can, using our gifts/talents.

Take on October!

blog_723953_2787377_1443875038

Can you feel the excitement?

Football, baseball playoff time, pulling on the cute type of winter boots (though they are not all cute…), sweater weather, crunching leaves, smoke-filled air from fire pits and fireplaces, and of course, comfort food with family and friends!

October is amazing.

So here’s the deal friends: We have approximately 90 days until 2015 wraps up! We have a full quarter – a full 25% – of our time left this year to make a difference. Businesses nationwide are driving hard toward having a successful year. Football teams are no doubt in huddles trying to figure out just how to win the game! Students are looking at those mid-term grades and making the adjustments needed to move into victory.

As you think about a life of excellence today, what do you need to do to achieve what success looks like to you over the next 90 days?

I leave you with my list of 13. Why 13? Because that’s my lucky number, of course!

  1. I really need and want to make healthy fall meals! Think soup, warm bread (sorry to my trainer, but I promise I’ll put in the work to cover it) and a yummy apple crisp.
  2. Plan ahead to ensure I have time to spend with the people I hold the dearest over the next three months, not letting the rush of the holidays be a barrier!
  3. When I am with those people, cherish every moment.
  4. Complete my annual “read through the bible” effort. I have done every year this for four years now, and it makes a huge difference in my life.
  5. Go see my grandma in Tennessee!
  6. Take in a few Chiefs games, and even take the time to put together an actual tailgate.
  7. Generate some ideas for my annual Christmas theme and act on making it magical for the family.
  8. Get to the Cider Mill, pumpkin patch and to my friend’s winery next door, which is so much fun!
  9. Review my ‘life plan’ and make sure I’m on top of my goals! “Achieve great success at work this quarter” is a big one.
  10. Make progress on my book, To Serve Well. I’m about halfway done right now.
  11. READ! I read 3-4 books per month, which is a terrific habit.
  12. Watch my Royals win the World Series… nothing wrong with having bold faith!
  13. And most importantly, love and cheer on my boys like it’s nobody’s business.

I’d love to hear a couple of yours – I am cheering you on.

Be so good they can’t ignore you

Aaron Rodgers (QB, Packers)
JJ Watt (DE, Texans)
Peyton Manning (QB, Broncos)
Jordy Nelson (WR, Packers)
Antonio Brown (WR, Steelers)
Odell Beckham, Jr. (WR, Giants)
JAMAAL CHARLES (RB, GO CHIEFS)
JUSTIN HOUSTON (DE, GO CHIEFS)
Kyle Williams (DT, Bills)
Dez Bryant (WR, Cowboys)
Okay, you get it- Here are 10 of the names we are hearing a lot of on Sportscenter, NFL Redzone…. My son sent me the quote and of course it’s right up my alley- I LOVE IT!

These players are SO GOOD, they can’t be ignored.  Why is that?  Here are some thoughts for today to get your mind primed for setting your days and weeks up for EXCELLENCE.

Habits of the BEST PLAYERS

  • MINDS:  Their instincts and knowledge of the game allow them to make the very best “next” decision for their team.  What can you do to learn more about your “game” to allow you to make the best decisions?
  • PASSION FOR THE GAME: Their approach to practice, game time, and off season reveal that they truly LOVE what they are doing and sacrifice for it!  They commit to ONGOING LEARNING and to TEAM WORK.. ALWAYS… NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • CONSISTENCY: Their play on the field each week proves that they simply can’t be ignored. They continue to make plays despite what the scoreboard says.  How can you be more consistent and intentional in your work, parenting, etc…?

Have a great wrap to your week!

Simply KC – The Infamous Yellow Brick Road Leads to a Great Adventure

blog_700735_2752527_1437234082Since it’s the wrap to the weekend and we are in full summer swing, I thought I’d help you plan for NEXT WEEK’S ADVENTURES by sharing some of my ALL TIME KC FAVORITES!

I do by the way think, wish and HOPE that we would seek out each week as an ADVENTURE! After all, there are only 52 weeks in a year and only 24 WEEKS LEFT for 2015 and there is still so much to do, people to see, and PLACES TO GO!  MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO SEEK OUT AN ADVENTURE!

Here are some IDEAS in pictures!  MAKE THIS WEEK THE BEST THIS SUMMER! 

A summertime treasure! Picnic on the Nelson Atkins Lawn.

blog_700735_2754511_1437234083

KC Spirit abounds! Power and Light District.

blog_700735_2754512_1437234083

Must go get an ice cream cone at the Country Store!

blog_700735_2754513_1437234083

The American Royal and their famous World Series of Barbecue!

blog_700735_2754514_1437234084

Amazing Roasterie coffee and it’s locally owned!

blog_700735_2754515_1437234084

Sporting Sporting Kansas City!

blog_700735_2754516_1437234085

CHIEEEFFFSSS!

blog_700735_2754517_1437234086

First Fridays at the Crossroads Arts District.

blog_700735_2754518_1437234086

Our Boys in Blue!

blog_700735_2754519_1437234087

Crown Center and the Ice Terrace!

blog_700735_2754520_1437234088

My families all time favorite… Jack Stack Barbecue.

blog_700735_2754521_1437234088

KCP&L Plaza Lights!

blog_700735_2754523_1437234088

Simply Kansas City

blog_700735_2752527_1437234082Kansas City has recently gotten some great press –  Ranked one of the top cities in many categories! One of my favorites reported by the Huffington Post via Forbes Magazine… America’s Top 5 Cities to Keep on Your Radar.

I am KC born and raised-  BLUE when the BOYS IN BLUE TAKE THE FIELD (and tonight during the All Star Game!) in the Spring and Summer and ALL RED when CHIEFS FOOTBALL STARTS each Fall!

This week’s theme is KC and as always, I will include some thoughts on what we can learn from the uber cool place we call HOME.

For starters, when I am aching to get out of South Johnson County (South JOCO- which is a great place but sometimes you need the feel of a real city…), I love to go down to the River Market area and enjoy our Farmer’s Market —  It is simply COOL.  The farmer’s, the local music, the aroma of fresh produce and coffee.

blog_698856_2752531_1436827101

On Sundays, the KC City Market has a flea market – strolling through the “booths” and finding unexpected treasures is sure to happen if you like that type of thing.

Here’s where my heart goes when I’m thinking about the “CORE” of KC that is the Rivermarket area —

  1. REAL PEOPLE: KC is home to strong midwestern values and the farmers are what made our city strong for many generations.
  2. CUTTING EDGE: While we might be old fashioned in many of our values and thinking, KC has made a leap forward in recent years in ensuring that our great CITY has world class amenities and industries that ensure growth for many years to come.
  3. CULTURE & DIVERSITY: If it’s music you love, we have it- If it’s art, we have that- If it’s sports, we have it- Great education- check- have that too-  We have diversity galore and within 30 minutes in any direction, a multitude of neighborhoods with their own unique vibe.

I LOVE KC and am PROUD to be have not only been born and raised here but to have raised my children here! If you haven’t been to KC, come for a visit- We will be sure you have a TERRIFIC EXPERIENCE!