My father-in-law used to share philosophical quips with me and thankfully some of them have stayed with me. One of my favorites simply states that, "Good enough, seldom is!" Seriously, that's a doosie! Doing as good as you CAN is a totally different statement than doing as good as POSSIBLE. Seems like semantics, but I know the difference; I have experienced the … [Read more...]
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
I know, you will all be glad when this fair is over and I can get back to talking about everyday office drama. Lately my everyday is filled with the advertising, PR, sponsorships and marketing of the drama I call the Tennessee State Fair. It starts in 5 days! I'm doing the job of three people so to say the least, it's been interesting. I drive a hard bargain and run a tight … [Read more...]
When the Marathon Becomes a Sprint
I've been preparing and in the midst of the State Fair marathon for about eight months now. At "T minus 10" days until opening ceremonies, I'm starting to not only put in long hours, but the pace is alarming. I'm no stranger to working 16-hour days, seven days a week--that part I can handle; it's keeping it together mentally, physically and professionally that is imperative. … [Read more...]
Social Networking Cures All
When done right, a good status update or twitter post can make your day or the day of someone you call "friend." Instant karma, instant love, instant attention. This society loves instant gratification and I'm no exception. I've noticed over the months that one small inspiration, witty phrase or cry for help written between the lines of a friend or co-worker never goes … [Read more...]
Knowing When To Let Go
For a small woman, I have a lethal grip. I tend to clench tightly to projects and initiatives, even when they're dying a slow death. I am a self-proclaimed control freak somewhat in recovery; I am learning to let go. I have always felt that the more control I have over a project, the better it will turn out...and sometimes it's true, but at what cost? High stress = NO … [Read more...]
Stop and Smell the Chile
No roses, not this weekend—I didn’t need any stinkin’ roses—I needed comfort food and family. A dozen fresh cut “Golden Celebration” roses couldn’t lure me away from the smell of roasting Hatch Green Chile outside a Whole Foods in Albuquerque. I stood mesmerized as the tumbler full of bright green peppers danced their way to perfection. It was the ideal smell to transport me … [Read more...]
Find Out Who Your “Friends” Are
Country singer Tracy Lawrence has a great song that tells a story of a guy who's been at the top, and when he gets down on his luck he finds out who his friends are. Most of us have friended a friend of a friend (prior to Facebook that sentence would have made no sense what so ever). Then before you know it, you have 502 “friends” in your life. Well, with all the hype about … [Read more...]
The Customer Service Oxymoron
I refuse to be one of those people who's jaded and negative. I'm the person who goes to great lengths to make sure the manager of a restaurant knows when their bathroom needs attention or equally, if it looks nice. I'll always make an effort to let someone know when I receive superior service. Many people only reserve the dreaded, "may I speak with your manager" for negative … [Read more...]
How to Deal with Professional Disappointment
Anger doesn't fix any problem; profanity is a waste of breath and blame is an exercise in self-righteousness that really has no place in the workplace. And I know because I've tried all three! So what is the answer to overcoming a large-scale let down in business? It's the same as it would be in your personal life; and as a psychologist once told me, "disappointment is just … [Read more...]
You Can’t Win ’em All
"Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing" is a well-known sports mantra. It exemplifies a form of unfettered competitiveness that has permeated American sports. Its assertion about the importance of winning has been touted as a basic tenet of the American sports creed and, at the same time, singled out as encapsulating what is purportedly right with competitive … [Read more...]