An Early Thanksgiving Message

I know many of you will be travelling for Thanksgiving next week so I thought I'd write my Thanksgiving message a bit early.  Let's start by wishing you and your loved ones a great Thanksgiving as you recount your blessings with joy.  

It's hard to believe but we often don't recognize what we have to be thankful for, until it is almost taken away.  Twenty months ago I was diagnosed with a "slow moving" prostate cancer.   By last Thanksgiving it had accelerated and treatments were scheduled to begin after the first of the year. I was concerned but not fearful as I had been diligent about screening.  In January I began treatments with injections that made me irritable, lethargic, exhausted and sleep deprived.  Radiation started in April and the regimen was daily until June.   It exacerbated the side effects of the earlier treatments and I thought that it would never be over.

During this time I worked daily (most days actually) but often went home early due to exhaustion.   I know that my productivity suffered, that I wasn't pleasant to be around and my family suffered with me.  All treatments ended in June and my first follow up was in July and my prognosis was good.  My Thanksgiving present was a blood test that I think reflects good results again but I will know for sure when I visit the Doctor on Monday.  Since August I have been slowly returning to normal; working out regularly, losing weight, being productive at work and regaining my cheer.   

This year I will be celebrating my ability to go to the gym, be productive at work and be a good husband, father and employee.  My boss has become a close friend and while I have appreciated his leadership and friendship I recognize that I never grasped how thankful that I should be.  I actually have Thanksgiving daily at this point for some of the things that I have noted and many more.  I wake up with a smile and try to take the time to revisit everything that I have to be thankful for.  

Happy Thanksgiving!  

The Week In Review

Friday is usually a day where I spend some time to survey what happened during the week, things that are important and other things that I found interesting.  Here are some random thoughts. 

Church on Sunday focused on Hebrews 12:14 "Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord."  This was pretty convicting for me.  I have a tendency to be sarcastic.  Is that an action that is in alignment with finding peace with everyone?  Probably not, much like anger, ego and resentment, all that I can better manage. 

I read a social media post by Harvey Mackay noting that 60% of high school students admit to cheating, 52% of employees admit to theft of office supplies and 43% of sore merchandise losses are due to employee theft.  Pretty disturbing. 

In working with a client this week my contact became upset because I was not "respecting their process."  That process works fine.  The issue is procrastination and lack of communication.  It is tough to recruit and hire in today's market with employee shortages.  A clearly defined process with timely action and clear communications is expected by those that you are considering hiring.  

CNN reported that companies are rushing to implement robots into their workforce with orders of 29,000 being placed through September.  That is a 37% increase vs 2020.  The shortage of staff won't last forever but the use of robots will.  Make sure that you are always improving your skills/knowledge so that you can't be replaced by technology.  

That's it for the week!  Enjoy the weekend! 

Boys of Summer

Yesterday concluded the regular season for Major League Baseball.  My Pittsburgh Pirates played down to their expectations this season losing 101 games but the summer was still grand.  I got to spend much of it with my first love, baseball.  As a child the off season was long, dragging through fall and winter before the teams reported for spring training.  Today we have a steady stream of information about trade rumors, winter league performances of prospects, salary negotiations and more.  Still, there is nothing like the hope that comes with the players reporting to Spring Training.  

What I love about baseball is that regardless of your performance, tomorrow is a new day with a new game and the game isn't over until the 27th out.  Time never expires.  Even in a losing season there is hope!

In 2021 my Pirates were atrocious at times, entertaining at others and provided inspiration throughout the season.  I watched perhaps the most bumbling play that I have ever seen, some rookies getting called up and playing well providing a glimpse of the future and some veterans greatly under performing.  The player that failed to live up to expectations on a large scale provided me the most inspiration and probably the most joy to his teammates.

Gregory Polanco was a highly touted prospect that was just beginning to make an impact when he was injured in 2018 causing damage to his left shoulder that I believe never was the same.  He made no excuses, worked hard, stayed in phenomenal condition but flat out stunk in 2021.  In the face of being booed continually he had a perpetual smile, was loved by his teammates and continued to be an integral part of the team even while not performing.  Management probably waited too long before releasing him and I am certain that was a tribute to his hard work and attitude.   On 8/27 he had a game that reminded everyone of his potential but it was too little, too late and he was cut a few days later.  He moved to an other organization in the minor leagues and had a great September.  

Polanco became my favorite player in the midst of his failure this year.  He fought through adversity and maintained a great perspective.  I am praying that his efforts are rewarded.  In the meantime he made an impact on me that will not be forgotten.  And.... in about 4 months the Boys of Summer will be back! 

Just Do It!

 I am sure you have seen the commercials with these slogans. I see people daily with these or some variation on their workout gear at the gym. The problem is, I don't see many people in their professional and private lives push past complacency. It's easy to get comfortable, to feel that everything is good and to be satisfied, and yes, probably complacent. You owe it to yourself, to your family and to your profession to be the best that you can be. If not, your fire for life fizzles, your drive at work slows and you eventually wake up and ask, "Where did the time go?"

I know that change is uncomfortable. Tony Robbins tells us "Trust me, the ups and downs, the stomach flips, they're worth it. The world doesn't need more comfortable bystanders, drifting on autopilot. We desperately need you at your best, giving this world your best work."

I speak with many of you on a regular basis. Please remember this during our next conversation. You'll be glad that you did!

Do you read frequently?

I am partially through reading The Polish Officer, a novel about Europe pre WWII.  I often read historical fiction desiring to learn more about different times and challenges faced by others.  While the characters and their personal circumstances are creations I have found many of the books to be factual in a historical context.  Additionally I read books about business, books to learn or improve skills and biographies and autobiographies about significant historical figures and modern day heroes that have overcome extreme adversity or impacted the history of our country in a positive way.  

Like most, I wasn't an avid reader as a child.  I enjoyed outdoor activities far more and had my fill of reading in school.  I picked up my reading habit early in my professional career as I traveled extensively for business.  It was a great way to stay occupied while on planes, in airports or hotel rooms.  It permitted me to improve skills, learn new things and expand my base of reference regarding my personal life and thoughts.

Getting back to The Polish Officer, this paints a picture about real life challenges in Poland in the late 1930s as Poland was occupied by German and Russian armies.  Ordinary families had their lives greatly disrupted, wealth was confiscated, family members enslaved or murdered.  It's a great reminder of the value or our freedoms and a vivid reminder about how great we have it today.  

Remember the old TV commercials for "Reading is FUNdamental?"  If you aren't a regular consumer of books, give it a try.  You'll be glad that you did.  

Awe Struck!

For years this was the view from my living room and deck.  I woke up in the morning and found myself counting my blessings and returned home after work with the same joy.  Did I deserve such beauty?  

It's been several years since we downsized and our view is nowhere near as spectacular.  I keep this photo as the wallpaper on my phone as a reminder of the beauty of life.  Now when I look at it I think of all of the fullness in my life.  A loving wife and daughter, the blessings of good friends, a job that I enjoy, the companionship of my dogs and more.  God has given me grace and beauty that I do not deserve and this serves as a daily reminder.  

I am not always as grateful as I should be.  I let things that go wrong or are unexpected throw me for a loop and lose my focus on what is important.  When I view this picture of God's creation and remember James 1:12 ("Blessed is the one who preservers under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those that love him.") I suddenly realize what I should be thankful for.  

Are you focused on gratitude? It changes your perspective every time that you remind yourself.  

What are you going to do?

I know that I have posted about this in the past.  The demand to hire qualified talent is like nothing that I have seen.  Companies are struggling for months, leaving positions open, and not finding the people that they need.

I speak to engineers daily recruiting them for these openings.  I have to say that I am always surprised by the lack of professional curiosity.  I hear most often that "I am happy."  I have to question if it is happiness or complacency.  Nice people work everywhere.  If you are working on a project there will be projects elsewhere.  Your current project will be taken well care of by your company.  The fact is that no matter how happy you are, how well cared for you may be from your employer, that today another company will listen to you carefully and create a package that will far exceed what you are currently receiving.  

Were you in the industry in 2008-2013?  If so, you have to realize that things aren't always like they are now.  Raises were minimal if not non-existent.  Companies were forced to make staff reductions.  It didn't necessarily matter if you were happy, if you had been loyal or anything else.  There wasn't work for those with less experience and those with more experience were too expensive.  Those market forces will reappear.  In the meantime you owe it to yourself and your family to maximize your potential and earnings while the market is competitive.