Dude, Give Me Two Minutes!

I used to get annoyed when I needed to talk to someone and they would say, “Dude, give me two minutes”. But now I realize the value in two minutes of focused time and how much I can get done. In two minutes or less I can: write a quick thank you note, finish off an email, make an appointment to get my oil changed (dang I need to do that), schedule a meeting, hug my wife and kids, download a cool song on iTunes, scan channels and decide what I want to watch on TV (it just seems longer to Mandi), get in 100 reps on that dreaded ab machine that kicks my butt every time, or read the highlights of a good story in the newspaper. My daughter really has this down because apparently she can study for a semester exam in two minutes or less!!

So the next time someone asks you to give them two minutes, don’t get annoyed – get productive.

Wait someone’s at my door. I just asked them to give me two minutes. (I need to post this blog!)

Dream Big!

The future is not promised. But yesterday today was the future and it is here. I believe what Eleanor Roosevelt said to be very true: “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” So dream big today and tomorrow will belong to you!

CJ’s 3 Ss: Scribe, Share, and Stand. Scribe: It helps me to write down my goals and dreams. If they are in my face every day, it motivates me to do something today to get closer to them. Share: I share my dreams with others that are in my corner. It creates an instant cheering section and a team to keep me accountable. Stand: I stand by my dreams and never let anyone shake my tree. There will never be a short supply of peeps that will try to tell me I can’t accomplish my dreams. So I have to constantly stand strongly in the face of adversity.

Remember that today was yesterday’s tomorrow!

Deliver Quality!

I have a poster hanging outside of my office door that reads: To deliver quality means to deliver what our customers need and value. Nothing else will suffice!

Clearly that's a great approach to business process and product quality management but I am challenging myself to take that approach in other areas of my life.

If I look at each role I play (husband, parent, coach, friend, teammate)as an opportunity to deliver what my customers (wife, children, players, friend, teammate) need and value, I'll win and they'll win! Nothing else will suffice!

Squids on the Ground!

Squids on the ground

Squids on the ground

Lookin’ like a fool cause your Squids on the ground!

Punched in the mouth

Helmet turned sideways, Squids hit the ground.

Think you are all that but you’re looking like a fool,

Army’s O is driving and your Squids on the ground.

Yeah you beat us 9 years but we’re gonna turn it around,

This is our year fool now get your Squids off the ground!

Go Army, Beat Navy!

On, Brave Old Army Team!

The Army team's the pride and dream of every heart in gray.

The Army line you'll ever find a terror in the fray.

And when the team is fighting for the Black and Gray and Gold,

We're always near with song and cheer and this is the tale we're told:

The Army team - Rah Rah Rah – Boom!

On, brave old Army team, On to the fray, Fight on to victory, For that's the fearless Army way!!

Am I That Guy?

Am I the guy that everyone wants on their team? Everyone wants that guy because they know that in good times and in bad times, I will stand in the gap. They know that I will do whatever it takes to help them succeed and achieve their dreams well ahead of mine. They know that I will be strong and steadfast in my opinion and confident in my expertise but will also listen intently to their input and earnestly consider it. They know that to me TEAM means 'together everyone accomplishes more' and I will bring everything I have to every task. They know I will work hard and play harder and never, ever take myself too seriously. They know that quit is not in my vocabulary and I will fight until the final bell, play until the gun goes off, and run until I cross the finish line.

Am I that guy? I'm working on it.

It's Simple

Simply do what is required but do it with ferociousness and integrity.

Simply communicate with others but do it succinctly, thoroughly, and with candor.

Simply be the best you that you can be but be you with transparency.

Simply correct wrongs you have done but do it quickly and with a plan to not repeat them.

Simply forgive but forgive without distain and forget expeditiously.

Simply love but love without conditions.

See, it’s simple.