When the Sun Sets

Anything important takes time to accomplish.  You don't master a skill in a day.  You can't become an expert in a day.  It's impossible to learn everything that you need to know in a day.  You can't solve all of your problems in day and you definitely can't get healthy in a day.  

What you can do every day is to improve.  Work at things that are important.  Read, take a class, learn, communicate, eat better and exercise more.  Sounds like quite a bit!  Take it in small increments and you will be amazed at your progress.  Use a journal to track your progress.  

When the sun sets ask yourself, "Am I a little better than I was yesterday?"

The Key

Our daughter recently turned 30 and that milestone caused me to reflect on many things.  Today, as when she was a child, my most joyous moments are those when I see her happy.  I cherish the memories of Christmas, Birthdays, Easter, etc when I was able to witness her happiness with the gifts that we gave her.  Isn't it that way for all of us? 

As we become adults we often have a search for fulfillment.   It may be fulfillment in our profession, in our personal lives, in our spiritual life and more.   Over the years I have found that I am most satisfied when I am giving.  There are many ways to give and ways to do so in every situation.  

When at work we can volunteer to do more, to assist others, to mentor more junior teammates and more.  In the community we can volunteer at our schools, visit senior citizens in care facilities, participate in community cleanups and volunteer at Church.  Giving isn't necessarily a financial gift.  I would say the gifts of time, love, effort, kindness and assistance are the most appreciated things that we can give.  

I have participated in numbers of organizations.  BNI taught me that "Givers Gain" and I witnessed folks succeeding in business because they gave referrals to others in the group causing others to reward them with referrals in kind.  Rotary Club taught me "Service Above Self" and I soon was rewarded after volunteering in the community, helping others, and donating time. Today I read quite a bit about "work life balance" managing time, stress and anxiety.  I think these problems are caused by a lack of fulfillment and the chase for happiness.  Nothing provides fulfillment like giving.  That is the key! 

Adaptability

Charles Darwin said: "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent.  It is the one that is most adaptable to change."

We certainly have seen many changes since the beginning of 2020; Pandemic, civil unrest, political divide, devastating job losses, and upheaval in how work is done are but a few.  Change is nothing new for many of us that have lived through the Cold War, the Vietnam Conflict, the falling of the USSR, the advances of technology and the closure/downsizing of many industries that led to financial catastrophe.  The lessons that we learned was no different from those of our parents or of what our younger generations are learning today.  CHANGE IS FORCED UPON US.  How we adapt will determine our achievements, the financial stability of our family and probably have an impact on future generations.  Let's not fight what we can't control.  Embrace the opportunity to rise above it!

Here is a link to an article from ENR about how some of the top Engineering Design Firms have adapted.  I hope that you enjoy it! 

https://www.enr.com/articles/51631-top-500-design-firms-designing-for-the-new-normal?oly_enc_id=5201F3458378J1Z

Are you keeping your tools sharp?

Craftsmen spend time regularly to sharpen their tools and insure that they are in good working order.  Professionals stay abreast of new technologies and techniques to insure that they are providing unsurpassed value and high quality results.   What do you do to insure that you are at the top of your profession? 

Continuing education is something that most individuals are required to be involved with to maintain their licensure but there is so much more.   Have you participated in improving your client management and client development skills?  How often to you participate in learning about the newest technologies in your profession?  Have you enrolled in leadership classes?  There are many more but the key is, don't stop.  There are always new things to learn or revisiting things that you have learned may help you to improve your skills.  You have invested heavily in your career.  Continue to invest to improve and maximize your potential!

Professional Networking

People often talk about networking without any true idea of what it really is. Done correctly it not only builds good relationships but benefits all parties involved. Networking is more than attending a function and handing out business cards.

Prior to attending a function you should try to obtain a list of people that have registered to attend and set a goal of meeting a number that you would like to get to know. It may be someone that can mentor you, a competitor that you respect, someone that you would like to provide goods or services to or someone with a unique background that you find admirable. When obtaining the list do your homework before going and understand the background of those that you would like to meet and set a goal to meet 2-4 and have some meaningful conversation. Most importantly, don't lose touch with them. The value of attending the event is to have something to build on. Send a card, schedule a call, arrange for lunch. Make it a daily routine to do something to nurture your network. Be sure to have something of value to discuss.

A place to start is in your file of business cards that you have made contact with in the past. Don't waste those efforts. Start to call those folks immediately and arrange to meet. You will be glad that you did.

Say what you mean. Mean what you say!

My classmates at Sto-Rox High School probably still remember these words from our Trig/Calculus teacher, Mr. Walkowiak.   They were repeated often and with force and are one of the things that I took away from high school that I truly value.  During sales training with Sandler Sales my coach and now friend Scott Bailey had a similar concept, "No Mutual Mystification," and this also has served me well in business.  

I have found that many in our society avoid directness and don't value clarity but are most comfortable without addressing issues until a conflict has begun.  At that point it is too late to resolve as emotions are running high.  Conflict arises in business even when everyone seems to be in agreement up front.  Don't exacerbate the problem by not directly addressing all of your concerns before moving forward early on.  If everyone can't address the tough issues up front, it will never happen when disagreements take place.  

Celebration of Family

Today would have been my Mom's 91st birthday and in 2 weeks my Dad would turn 98.  These important dates in my family are a cause for celebration, gratitude, and reflection.  The most important lesson that I have learned is the importance of a strong nuclear family.  

Mom and Dad played extremely different roles in my life.  Mom was there, every day, insuring that I did the things that I was supposed to including homework, bathing, taking care of the dogs, eating well and many others.  She prepared meals most days (Dad liked to cook so he did on his free time) and insured that the house ran smoothly.  Dad worked, and worked and worked.  Most time he worked 7 days at Fisher Body as well as an additional 5 days at Tomchak Tires.  Sunday and one day during the week were his days off at the tire shop and he relaxed by planting and caring for a huge garden, mowing grass, painting, working on cars, helping others in our family and in the neighborhood and more.  Most days I got to see Dad at dinner.  He wasn't talkative but paid attention.  After school I often went to the tire shop to see him after school and worked doing odds and ends in order to spend time with him.  When he wasn't working I followed him around assisting with chores, things like pulling weeds, trimming edges, moving things out of the way for his mowing, handing him tools, holding the flashlight, etc.  When things went well we had time for a game of catch or to play with the dogs.  He demanded excellence.  There was no excuse for anything but an A in school.  Projects had to be done well.  The ultimate sin was making a mistake on something that we were doing together because it indicated that I wasn't paying attention.  As a kid it was rough but as an adult I know it forced to me to learn skills, overcome obstacles and persist.  

Earlier I mentioned the nuclear family and it's importance.  You see, mothers and fathers have different roles and as children we learn different things from each,  Both sets of lessons are equally important.  My Mom gave up her career when I was born and I didn't understand the sacrifice growing up but I do today.  In my family it wasn't done because of the role of women, but for what was best for me.  Dad had a capacity for work like nobody that I have ever known and I don't know that he had the skills to guide and nurture a child 24/7.  Mom gave up a certain amount of independence and I am sure many dreams but I never remember her complaining.  I am happy with the person that they taught me to be and I owe my happiness to our strong family bond.  Love you Mom and Dad! 

The Promise

April 1, the beginning of baseball season in 2021.  Last season is a blur, canceled Spring Training, ridiculously short regular season, empty stands.  It just didn't hold its' normal promise.  I have been looking forward to this day for months, even though my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates are predicted to be among the worst in baseball.  How can that be?

I love the story of those that have overcome adversity or are still trying to overcome the odds.  Jacob Stallings our starting catcher was a non prospect in the minor leagues but worked hard to sharpen his skills.  Today he is considered among the top defensive catchers in the game.  He isn't a star, but an every man that worked hard to prosper.  

Chad Kuhl, today's starting pitcher, had high hopes and was touted for his skills, especially his fastball.  He was beginning to live up to his potential when he was injured and had Tommy John Surgery in September of 2018, knocking him out for the 2019 season.  His return was to take place in 2020 and it did, but due to the short season his ability to demonstrate his return to pre-injury levels was limited.  

Right Fielder Gregory Polanco was considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball in the early 2010s and showed flashes of that potential early in his MLB career but a horrific accident while attempting a slide caused injuries that have limited his abilities and he is still hoping to work his way back. 

Why do I mention all of this?  Baseball is the ultimate story of hope.  The 162 game season seems like a lifetime.  Injuries, slumps, team conflicts, hot streaks and adversity are all similar to what we experience in our lifetime.  Opening day represents a fresh hope, even when odds are against your success.  Today, I have the hope of a new season and can reminisce about opening days of years past and the glory of following my favorite team for the next 6+ months.  

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."  Romans 8:25 KJV.