Moving and a good photo

So this really nice photo was taken of Anthony and I by our friend Scott D. (thanks!) at Bryce & Annika's wedding last weekend. I wrote about it in an earlier entry (Weddings, Friends & the Circle of Life). In addition, I had the opportunity to help our cousin Susan (and her significant other, Sean) , move today.

Wow do I hate moving! It is such an unpleasant task, but it did give me 4+ hours of steady, low intensity cardio and lifting work. Couches, foldout beds, dining room tables and televisions (not flat screens) are really bloody heavy! We moved them from Long Beach into Seal Beach. What does this have to do with business? Well, in a phrase - opportunity cost! Remember gentle reader, that all the actions we take have a direct cost in the form of what else we could have been doing other than what we chose to do. For example, Folsom Street Fair was this weekend - special shout out to all those who might read my blog who went - as it is a Bachnallian festival of unbridled sexual and physical abandon - would we have loved to have gone? Sure! Could I have done paying client work on Sunday rather than move them? Sure! Could Anthony and I have done something else? Sure!

Instead, we opted to help. So remember to evaluate not just the effort the activity itself but the lost opportunity for other activities. Next time, I think I will just contribute in some other equally meaningful way for the move. Still, happy to have done it. What opportunity cost example can you identify in the last week?

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!

Fairness

When considering money, equity, time and sweat/effort - what is truly fair? It has been an interesting last two days as work has taken me to our friends/clients home in Palm Springs. Man is it HOT here! I can see how this is truly the desert. What does come to mind is the issue of fairness and "even-handedness" in all relationships.

Not only do most of us work, many of us are in relationships with significant life partners. Over the course of our lives we both create and destroy capital and resources. How much do we each participate in each other's successes & failures? How can this be categorized? One thing is clear, if you have it in writing before you needed it, it likely will proceed most smoothly. If you are currently in a business relationship with someone - make sure you have a clear operating agreement or at least a outline of responsibilities and equity. Don't leave things to chance, or chance will tear you apart!

Arts & Culture

We went to the Norton Simon museum to see Vermeer's A Lady Writing. It was amazing. To see what was done with light and texture - Vermeer was a master. The work of genius is both inspiring and humbling. It truly excited me to see it. There also was a nice show of Jainist art - interesting how snakes in an Eastern culture has completely different meaning than the Judeo-Christian tradition. Here Anthony and I are in the sculputure garden and there is an image of A Lady Writing. Take time to enjoy family and culture!

A New Year, A New Focus

Welcome back friends and happy New Year! It has been a great start to 2009. Anthony and I spent a wonderful week of Christmas and New Year celebrating with family, friends and eating our way through Southern California. Wow was it delicious! Big thanks to Mom & Jim, Susan & Sean and of course Hazel and George for making the holiday so flavorful and indulgent.
New Year was really great with Bryce & Annika and our new friends JJ & Leslie. Sorry to have missed the Giant party with Moby, but when Andrew gets back from Wales, I am sure the whole BF tribe will go out again!
Whew, ok, so on with the post!

I was interviewed yesterday by the Sun Newspapers & Sean Belk about Main Street going online. I do feel that online and virtual components of any business are absolutely essential to the growth of any business. Let me be clear - ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. If you don't have a website for your business, or for that matter for you personally. Do so. You can have a Facebook, myspace, LinkedIn or whatever, just have something. There are all kinds of resources to help you make yourself & your business exist in the virtual world. The reason for this is simple, you want customers (and people in general) to be able to find you. We are quickly becoming a very flat world, and your online presence is part of who you are and what your business is all about. So for 2009, I encourage all of you to have an online presence. Make it a priority. Let me know if I can help.

Friends and listening

My dear friend John W. called last night. He wanted to share some thoughts about his workplace and where he is personally. It was wonderful to just listen. I think all to often we find ourselves too "busy" just to listen to friends. It is harder when people are in other time zones - that three hour time difference really makes it necessary to plan when you talk. Make sure that you take time to listen to those who are close to you.

As he shared, it helped me put some client issues into perspective, and provided some insight for how to help them better. His story triggered additional thoughts in my mind about what was happening both in his workplace and in the client's. I think it also really helped him to share it.

I miss the time spent with close friends just checking in on their life and feeling how they are. Do you ever miss it? I wish there was a way to connect quickly over long distances which is easy and inexpensive and not "virtually." Remember to take time for them - they will help you in ways you never imagined.

Old Friends

My stepfather, Jim, has a powerful observation about life: "Beware of those who don't have old friends." Considering that he is 73, that means something. His friends have been dying - particularly some this year, but his message is simple. Those who are able to sustain friends for most of their adult life are generally good people. When I look at my parents (all of them!), I see that they do indeed have life long friends: my dad and Sam Farr / friends from Carmel, Mom and Mary Jane, Papa and Jim Smith, Barbara and Roberta, etc. . .Even I reflect and see friends from different eras of my life - Chris R. & Niti S. from high school, Rick S. from Sewanee, S. J Carter, Terry "Jean Arnell" from Nashville, John W., Chris D., Dan W., Dave & Chris, DJ, David S. and now Tara T., Susan B., Robyn G., JoAnn A., Barbara B., Dave D., Tarit T., Bryce B. Andrew S., Cameron V., Julio C., Joey A. and more. . .

So when we consider business deals and allies, you might want to check and see how many old friends the person might have. It gives a whole new perspective on how people interact and will likely interact with you over time. A great resource to consider how your friends impact you is the book Vital Friends by Tom Rath. You can get more info about it here: https://www.vitalfriends.com/