Barb & I and the Summer Concert Series

Loving the Summer Concert Series put on by the Chamber of Commerce with my friend Barbara from Beach Fitness - not only is she an amazing entrepreneur, but she is awesome to train with. Thanks Friend!

Activism

It is important in our world to be an activist. While I disagree with the somewhat sarcastic sentiment of the photo, I do think that we tend to talk about activism at cocktail parties, mixers and with our peers, but do little to actually be involved.

When was the last time you were an activist for anything? Don't you think you should consider advocating for something you believe in?

Choices

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

When considering options in your business and your life, realize that it is not the "big" decisions that make the difference, but all the accumulated smaller decisions. Make sure you evaluate not only the choice of the moment, but the impact of the choice down the road. What will clients, employees and competitors think of your choice? How will it impact the way you deliver your products or services? So take a moment and reflect.

Community in Change - Article for Sun Newsapapers

“The best political community is formed by citizens of the middle class.” So said Aristotle, and this is particularly relevant to our community in Seal Beach. It seems as though we are at a crossroads with many things in our town: business growth and type, how we participate with other communities and what we find most important about our town’s character. Our community in many ways is solid middle class; retirees, working families and entrepreneurs make up a core of our town.
Most of us would likely agree that Seal Beach is “Mayberry by the Sea” – quaint, small town, conservative to change, a bit older than the median, relatively well heeled and beachy. Or is it? When we look more closely, Seal Beach has some major industry players present – Boeing, Clean Energy, Energy Tubulars, Affliction Clothing, shopping centers and major destination restaurants. It also has a new younger crowd of entrepreneurial business owners – just look at our Main Street and other centers of shopping. The City and community in College Park East has concerns about composting at the Joint Forces Training Base, parks and getting their children more programming. They aren’t just an afterthought in our community; they are a dynamic part of it. There is a new energy in town. The Chamber and the City are even redoing the official City map because it hasn’t been redone since 1986!
Sunset Beach has made it clear that they want to be part of Seal Beach rather than Huntington Beach, because we match their vision of independence, creativity, community involvement and nature. I for one am thrilled with the idea that our town would become more diverse and expand to encompass Sunset when our state and our nation is in a phase of recession. The Chamber of Commerce is very interested in bringing more businesses into our sphere of influence and hopefully that will happen. By the same token, do we want to restrict business in the Main Street Specific Plan area? Maybe not. We are just beginning to see vacancies on Main Street get filled in. Perhaps we should talk about what we want in our town rather than what we don’t. The Sun even requested for weeks information from the community on what is needed. We seem to want to have that discussion because we are interested in staying in Seal Beach.
Our City is in the process of major public works projects like the new Fire Station, paving, water and sewer projects when the State can’t seem to find two pennies to rub together and are slashing programs in every service area. That doesn’t seem so “small town” to me. We are a region preparing for the next 40 years of continued high quality of life. It certainly makes me want to invest in our town by building business and buying property here.
Why is all of this true? Because the people of Seal Beach are engaged in a uniform action based on a simple premise: “Let’s make Seal Beach better!” Though people may disagree with how we make it better, at least we are engaged in the process. So whether you want more restaurants or less, more special events or fewer, more visitors to the beach or our parks, the thing about change is it is up to you. Let us all grow more together than apart as the character of our town develops into not just quaint, but vibrant as well. As always, please remember to shop local and enjoy the Summer Concert Series!

Work

Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it. - Henry David Thoreau

Timing

Do you ever wonder about the timing of events? I know I do. Sometimes it seems so serendipitous a given event or connection.

The Effort of Kindness

When I took a year to get my MBA, we went through an exercise where everyone in the class had to get across a wall. We couldn't help lift the person over and you could only help one person each. This is me helping the last person up and over by hanging off the wall and then ab crunching them up over the top. It was a powerful moment for me. It taught me something simple - we all need to act from kindness to others. I happened to have the physical strength to help the last person up and over. They in turn had to let me do so. Kindness is an effort to share the self with others without expecting any return result. It also is an action which precludes some degree of pride on both sides.
Just yesterday I was walking along the Pier in Seal Beach with one of my trainers, Vidal. I noticed a friend and fellow entrepreneur who was clearly not having the best day. Upon my return walk I sat down with her and we shared with each other some of the challenges we both were facing. It was a moment of kindness for both of us. We both were reminded that we need to just take a moment, be kind to one another and get back out there and keep "eating the elephant one bite at a time." We seem often seem remarkably pulled together on the outside, but we all have our problems and all have the "wall" at some point to get across. At other times, we are the one who can help another over. So expend some effort towards kindness.

Types of People

"The world is populated by three types of people: those who make thing happen, those who watch them happen and those who wonder what just happened." - Power & Influence: The Rules Have Changed.

I have often said something very similar with my family: "There are those who create events, those who attend and those who are simply not invited." Which one are you?

Dialogue

Is the art of intelligent dialogue gone? I wonder in meetings with clients or time spent with friends, that often meaningful dialogue is looked down upon. "Chatting" about the latest in trends, fashion, politics or views might be entertaining, but does not always provide something which nourishes us and our intellect. I have to say that I received an incredibly kind correspondence from a mentor today via email. Interestingly enough, our virtual conversation was one of the most positive and stimulating I have had in some time. Make a point to have your comments have meaning or at least be silent and listen - we should often consider more fully what we say prior to actually saying it. Take a moment, think, reflect and then share.

Success & Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad! It is pretty amazing to think about my father Alan who stands here holding one of his trophies for his vineyard and winery. He is on the far left. He has attained levels of success in his winery and in art that I am proud of and deeply admire. A prostate cancer survivor and a man of deep indomitable will, he is truly the definition of an entrepreneur and artist. His story has been a one of creation, risk, adventure and ideas. He taught many lessons, one of which is demonstrated here - deserving success is worthy of celebration. He has never worked harder (though as I child I remember much multi-tasking: single parent/father, college professor, mentor, housekeeper, cook, chief bottle washer, artist, storyteller and master adventurer), so he says, than he does currently in his vineyard and tasting room, but as one of his octogenarian customers reminded him, "and aren't you lucky to be able to work like you do." It is with great love, affection, friendship and commitment that I dedicate this blog to him - his successes, his emotions, his insight, his lessons and the incredible journey which has been his life to date. Much love to you & again, happy birthday!