You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for February 2009

Cancer Free?

February 18, 2009 By 6 Comments
dad

Not totally, but enough to be pleased with the report.

Tonight my dad got a call from his doctor to let him know that the pathology reports came back clear on his lymph nodes, which was the greatest concern. So we praise God that we don’t have to consider the consequences of cancer intruding his lymph node system.

However, he also said that there were “some cells” of cancer on dad’s bladder and urethra. While we aren’t thrilled about that news, the doctor is recommending that my dad undergo radiation to kill the remaining cells and perhaps, be completely clear of this diagnosis.

For that, we say YES, and AMEN.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: ,

Quit Being Stingy & Give Your Ideas Away

February 12, 2009 By 7 Comments
giveideasaway

The nine students who are a part of Seth Godin‘s Alternative MBA Program, were tasked with coming up with 111 business ideas each. Fortunately for us, they posted them for all to pluck from.

I love to think of new things: business ideas, process improvements, enhancement to products and services, pretty much anything is up for ideation. This list puts things into perspective for me.

Ideas really are cheap.

In fact, they’re being given away. So, the true power of an idea must be in it’s execution. This challenges me in two ways:

  1. Keep my focus on the idea(s) that I’m truly passionate about executing
  2. Give away the rest (Check out this page for a list of my own ideas—feel free to take them)

Malcolm Gladwell says in his new book Outliers that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. In business, we could say that it takes 10,000 hours to become a success. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t?

The problem with my generation is that we’ve been spoiled by the dotcom successes. Somebody will launch an idea, like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, you name it, and within a short amount of time (1-3 years), they’re being offered millions of dollar$ to take it to the next level and a valuation of hundreds of $Millions. If I was honest, I expect that to happen to me too, but these successes are exceptions, not the norm.

Moving forward, I challenge all ideators, and myself, to ask and commit to the following question,

What idea are you willing to put 10,000 hours into?

If you can answer that question before you start hour-one, then I think you have an idea that’s worth pursuing.

Filed Under: Leadership Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Why I don’t like LOST

February 12, 2009 By 4 Comments
picture-1

I recently twittered…

picture-2

Within minutes I was getting smack on Twitter about it. However, my Facebook profile was revealing a different story…

picture-1

Here’s the deal. When I watch TV and movies, I’m not likely to recall names, back story or what people mean to the overall plot without a fair amount of mental effort and help from my uber smart wife. I just see it differently. I want to know… What is the topic of conversation? What is being communicated, nonverbally, in the conversation? Where was the story before, where is going afterward and how does all of this play into the big picture?

It’s safe to say, if a show introduces a lot of characters and plot lines, I’m out before the second episode. While I may watch it, I won’t be a fan. I’m just not that into it.

And so I remain LOST about LOST…and I’m okay with that.

For those of you who LOVE it so much, why? All the effort for what payoff?

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: ,

The other side of Prostate Cancer

February 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
medical

Around 8pm tonight, I finally got to talk to my dad. He’s tired, groggy and in a lot of pain. Surgery will do that to you I guess.

The doctor wasn’t sure that he was able to resect all of the cancer. We’ll know for sure early next week when the tissue comes back from pathology.

Mom sounded better as we went through the day.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The family and I covet them!

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: ,

How to save $40

February 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
dollar

Answer: Stop looking at your computer screen so much.

Over the past year or so, I’ve noticed some slight changes in my vision. I wasn’t concerned until the other day. My eyes hurt. Things were blurry. It was time to do something about it.

Yesterday I had my first official eye exam at an optometrist office.

30 minutes and $40 later, he tells me that I have 20/20 in each eye individually and 20/15 together. My problem, eye fatigue from looking at my computer screen too much.

Yeah…so I spent the $40 so you could save it. The remedy? Look away from your computer screen about every hour or so and focus on something at a distance. Give your eyes time to focus then resume your screen work. This simple exercise will help your eyes relax enough to reduce some eye fatigue.

Of course, he also said that the bigger the screen, the better. I guess I need to order that 30″ HD display after all.

What was your most recent excuse to order that thing/gadget you wanted?

Filed Under: Misc Tagged With: ,

Dad’s Surgery is at 8am

February 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

My dad heads into surgery tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 8am to have his prostate and other potentially cancerous parts removed. Please be praying: 1. cancer will be removed entirely! 2. Doctor doesn’t find anything new and unexpected 3. Peace for my mom and she braves this one alone. Both my sister and I weren’t able to make the surgery day.

Thanks!

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: ,

The Social Networking Golden Rule

February 7, 2009 By 4 Comments
socialnetworking

“Do unto others, as you would have them do to you.”

It’s not new, but the golden rule still applies in social media. For example…

Want to build traffic on your blog?

If you search, find, read and comment on other peoples blogs, there’s a good chance that your consistent efforts will be rewarded with increased traffic and commenting. Unless you are visible to the public eye, the owner/founder of some cool company or a person people generally see as influential, the only way to increase traffic on your blog by introducing yourself to new people.

Want more Twitter followers?

This is a two-fold strategy…one that I am still working through. First, as I’ve written about before, you have to provide good content. Simply experiencing life and tweeting about it won’t cut it. Secondly, use tools like the Twitter search, Mr. Tweet, Twitter Elite and others to find people of interest to you. From my experience, if the person you just followed finds that you have similar interests, they’ll likely follow you back.

We all know that it’s impossible to make new friends, grow your company, increase sales or even find a job without putting yourself out there. Social networking is no different.

Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: , , , ,

Sometimes it seems like it will never end

February 6, 2009 By 7 Comments
questionmark

Monday, Kristy and I got word that our best friends four year old daughter is having seizures, regularly. Why are they happening? What’s causing them? Why a FOUR YEAR OLD? <— All questions nobody can answer, today.

Wednesday: Based on my sisters recent MRI and PET scans, her brain tumor has allegedly grown. How much? What’s next? Where do we go from here? <— All questions nobody can answer, today.

Thursday, I got word that my dad is scheduled to have surgery to remove his prostate on Wednesday, February 11, due to his prostate cancer diagnosis in April 2008. What will be the side effects? How will life change? <— All questions nobody can answer, today.

One thing that I am clear about, we hold the keys to nothing. Our time and our lives are not our own. We are only responsible with the life—regardless of complications—we are given.

While there aren’t any answers…today…I choose to draw closer to the one who holds them. I ask you to join me.  Please say a prayer for Gracie, Charysse (sister) and Mike (dad) right now. Our families desperately need your prayers and support.

Filed Under: Personal