14 Points

I thank my friend Jan-Olav for posting this on Captains Voyage Forum. Wonderful things to think about!

1) Remember that leadership isn't about your position. It's about your influence.

2) Lift people up versus tearing people down

3) Protect your name. An impeccable reputation take a lifetime to build. And 60 seconds to loose.

4) Surround yourself with positive, ethical people who are committed to excellence.

5) Remember that even a 1% daily innovation rate amounts to at least a 100% rate of innovation in 100 days.

6) Believe in your dreams (even when others laugh at them).

7) Measure your success, not by your net worth but by your self worth (and how happy you feel).

8) Take an intelligent risk every 24 hours. No try-No Win.

9) Regardless of your title at work, be a team builder.

10) Remember that business is all about relationships and human connections.

11) Say "please" more. Say "thank you" more.

12) Know the five things that need to happen by the end of this year for you to feel its been your best year yet.

13) Be willing to fail. It's the price of greatness.

14) Focus less on making money and more on creating value.

Week 16, EP365

What a week it has been here!!!!!

Day 105 January 15, 2010
One Shot Wonder




Day 106 January 16, 2010
Comforting the Sick




Day 107 January 17, 2010
Recipe, Anyone?




Day 108 January 18, 2010
Hanging By A Thread




Day 109 January 19, 2010
Art Room Ceiling Tiles




Day 110 January 20, 2010
Reflection




Day 111 January 21, 2010
Household Protector

Attention Attention

Week 15 EP 365

A little late, I know...but here it is!! Last weeks observations.....

Day 98 January 8, 2010
Eyes




Day 99 January 9, 2010
Woman's Work




Day 100 January 10, 2010
Ordinary Chaos




Day 101 January 11, 2010
"Ummm...I think there's something wrong here, guys...."




Day 102 January 12, 2010
Winter Creek




Day 103 January 13, 2010
"Are you serious??? Mine???"




Day 104 January 14, 2010
Tap Rehearsal

Oh, We Got Her GOOD!!!

Last week was Girl's birthday.

Over the past year, she has been letting us know, in subtle--and UNsubtle ways- exactly the kind of car she would like to drive after she reached 16. (In her mind, there wasn't even a question of "if" she would get a car....if Boy got a vehicle, so would she...)

Well, unbeknownst to her, in November we had arranged to buy a used Volvo from some friends who were moving to Florida. We had it hidden in a local body shop, and Alan picked it up after dark the day before her birthday.

He left early on Birthday Morning, just after Alix opened her birthday gifts. We arranged for all three of us to meet up at the local Casa des Waffles (Waffle House) for breakfast. It was early, and Alix didn't notice which cars were still at home or why her father's truck was still there.......

So we have breakfast...and Alix is realizing that no car is being produced...we said something along the lines of "when Daddy's business is on better financial footing, we'll figure it out, blah, blah, blah".... and she gets a little down looking...

We finish breakfast, and walk outside. Alan notices a silver Volvo, sort of like one she mentioned that she liked once. She says "yes, that's exactly like the one I liked." And Alan tosses her the keys and says "It's yours."

To say she levitated would not be an overstatement. She screamed. She squealed. She bounced around like Tigger on crack.

Pictures speak better than words-- so, here's the sequence.....



Still kinda down...



What?---it's dawning on her what her father is saying...


Look at that face!!





Can you see the tears?? She still doesn't quite believe it.



I think this was after landing the 17 or 18th jump up and down....


Is that a face, or what?





Later that night, boyfriend Troy accompanied the three of us to Little Tokyo, where our usual chef Songchi (aka "Peter"--but I like calling him by his real Thai name!) serenaded Alix with a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday"



I love Songchi's trout hat...



It was a good day....a really good day.