Goodness Gracious

As you may know, I occaaaaaasionally use this blog to bust objectionable behavior.  It happens.  While I wish I could take the high road and shrug off most of the bothersome stuff, sometimes it boils to the surface and just has to be dealt with. 

This is one of them times.  

Here's the peeve, sans the pet.  If someone is kind enough to do something good for someone else ... than that someone else should do something good for them.  Period.  End of story. 

Sadly however, all too often those that are graced, merely use that grace; never to return the favor, or even a semblance of a return favor.  As hard as that indifference and lack of appreciation is to fathom or comprehend, it's even harder to justify.  Sure, we should help others without expecting anything in return.  Especially if the favor can never be matched.  Doing good without expecting repayment is at the heart of most religions, let alone parenting and servant leadership.

That said, there are certain good deeds that absolutely warrant a quid quo pro - assuming that the person on the receiving end of the good deed isn't a completely selfish moron, ingrate, scallywag, bum or loser. (Hmm, maybe that's the problem right there?)      

Now, there's no need to list specific examples of when we should be gracious to others for their good deeds.  I think we know it, when we know it.  Or at least we should, assuming we're not a completely selfish moron, ingrate, scallywag, bum or loser. (Is there an echo in here?).  If someone goes to bat for us, we go to bat for them.  If someone lends us a helping hand, we lend one back.  If someone does something that positively impacts our world, we do something to positively impact them back.  That's the deal. 

Sure, not all good deeds can be equally repaid.  Nor should they.  But they absolutely, positively, no-doubt-about-it-ly can be given appreciation in one form or fashion.  If the reciprocal deed can be somewhat equal to the other, great.  If it can't, but it's still meaningful nonetheless (i.e. a card, or a call, or a hug) - that's great too.  Do what we can.  When we can. With what we have.  

Being Gracious Is Good. 

Who Deserves A Tribute?

As you probably know (well, unless you live under a rock or are a St. Louis Cardinals fan; Ogres both the same) - Starbucks just celebrated their 40 year anniversary.  Good for them.  Now, knowing that Starbucks has lots of fans, as well as some detractors, I'm not going to try and establish any type of position one way or another. After all, I'm a lover not a fighter, with the exception to Cards fans; 'cause that's just the way us Cubbies role.  (Can you tell it's the start of baseball season ;)

What I will do for Starbucks, in addition to giving them lots of my hard earned coin - is give them some kudos and props on their Tribute campaign.  Dig it.  (Also dig their new Tribute blend: both invigorating and yummy.)  And what makes the campaign special, is its choice of word: Tribute. 

It's a fantastic word.  Clear.  Definitive.  Purposeful.  Sure, saying thanks is fine.  But the word Tribute - more so giving it - is much more better.  It's different and unique, but with a been there/done that comfort; kinda like a great pair of slippers.  But hey, why should Starbucks have all the glory and upside with the word Tribute.  We can all use it.  Pilfer away! 

Seriously, think about who you should "Tribute" and then give them a Tribute.  And this isn't just a business/customer/employer kinda thing.  Nope.  This is a give Tribute to anyone who has, is, or can make a difference in your life kinda thing.  Here's an idea: let's take an hour out of this week to list all of those who we should pay "Tribute" to - and then do it.  Pay them Tribute.  And not by email, text, Twitter, Facebook or smoke signals.  But in person, or the very least, by phone.  You might even want to throw in a high five, or a hug, or a card, or a meal, or a big wet kiss.  Your call.

Go on.  Give it a go. See what happens. 

My bet is, you'll rock their day.  

Tributes Are Good.        

Silly Wishes

The other day, I was sitting in a pretty contentious meeting - when all of a sudden, the quietest guy in the room retorted to another person's far fetched, ludicrous, ain't-ever-gonna-happen idea, "Yeah ... well ... and I wish chocolate chip cookies could cure baldness." 

Good one, hun?  He shoots; he scores!

While I thought I'd heard almost every witty rebuttal for dimwitted thinking, that one's skipped me for what, 23 years in business?  Better late then never, they say.  Much more better than just learning new repartee to add to my repertoire, it brought light on the whole notion of wishful thinking.

More specifically, the silliness in it all.

While I'm all for stretch goals, overachieving objectives and unbridled "was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor" enthusiasm  (a classic line from John Belushi in the movie Animal House) - pure wishful thinking, aka day dreaming - without any degree of practicality and an empirical reality of becoming true - is silly.  And unless you live your life in a movie, a book or a song - it's pretty much a waste of time and energy.  Moreover, wishful thinking is fraught with danger and heartbreak; let alone financial ruin if entrusted too much, or taken too far.  Beware! 

Heck, I wouldn't even waste a quarter in the wishing well on something that didn't have at least some outside chance of coming true.  That said, I'm thinking about throwing in a ten spot to wish the Butler Bulldogs win the NCAA tourney.  But hey, that one's got a realistic shot at happening though, right?  Go Dawgz! 

The moral of the story: stay away from unrealistic silly wishes.  They'll get you nowhere, fast.  Think positive pragmatism, instead.  And while they may someday invent chocolate chip cookies that cure baldness, or other such crazy wishes in business or life might actually someday come true - it's best to keep it real.  

Keeping It Real Is Good.     

Sorry Charlie

The other night, I watched with a wincing, teeth clenching fixation - a few of the infamous interviews with Charlie Sheen.  I wanted to look away (and should have), but couldn't.  It was like a crazy mix of pain and pleasure. Go figure. 

Speaking of crazy, all I can say is: WHOA!  That Sheen's a rambling, delusional, incoherent, arrogant, crazy jerk.  Sad.  Very sad.  Even sadder, on a more selfish level, is that I use to like him.  But now, seeing who he's become, I don't even want to watch his 2 1/2 Men TV show (which I dug), let alone two of my favorite movies, Wall Street and Platoon (well, maybe those can get back into rotation, but only after my wounds heal.) 

Seriously, I don't think I can stomach seeing him again, at least not without an acidic taste in my mouth.  Kinda like I can't stomach hard shell tacos anymore, thanks to a long ago night of extreme over-indulgence of them, which might have been slightly influenced by a Charlie Sheen like Tequila fest (minus the drugs and girls, of course).  But I rigress.       

On a more lighthearted note, his interview reminded me of the classic old-school Starkist "Sorry Charlie" commercial - which for those unknowing youngsters keeping score at home - was a big time popular TV commercial way back when.  The Cliff Note version is, that Charlie the Tuna thinks that just because he talks about having taste, means that he's actually tasty. But that's not the case.  Because he isn't tasty, and Starkist won't have him.  That's why you get the voice over saying "Sorry Charlie." 

Get it?  Got it?  Good! 

And just like Sheen yaps away that he is right; that he is great; that he is super uber fantastico man - don't make it so.  Nope.  Quite the opposite.  Interestingly enough however, this isn't the first time we've seen "Sheenesque" type crazy jerks.  Indeed, there's other obnoxiously full-of-it crazy jerks in all walks of life.  Oh yea, they're out there: knuckle headed crazy jerks, who talk a bunch of stupid smack, yet somehow have the audacity to think they're not crazy jerks.  More often than not, these types of blathering idiots seem to be mostly in professional sports, show business or corporate industry.  Although I've also seen a few regular Joes, who act like crazy jerks, as well.  Regardless of who, where, or when - its just not right.  

While I could continue to type away about how fantastically wrong deplorable crazy jerk behavior is (after all, this is sorta therapeutic, and way cheaper than an actual therapist), it's time to bring this one to a close.  Bummer, hun!?  So what's the moral here?  Simple:  Don't be a crazy jerk.  And don't hang out with crazy jerks.  Not cool, either way. 
           
Crazy Jerks Are Bad.

Can You Handle A Little PDC?

It's confession time.  And this one's a doozy.  Now, while I'm slighty kinda sorta embarrassed by this confession, it's not soo bad that my wife's kicking me out (at least not at this point), or that my kids will hide from me in shame (then again), or that I'll need to visit Father Kevin (heck, he's seen me enough, as it is). 

So you ask: what gives Abbott?  What's this uber confession that's got you so worked up, and yet apparently, so pressed to share!?

Fess up man, and get on with it!

Well, okay.  If you insist.  Here goes.

I gots a man crush on Tony Horton. You know, THE MAN behind the P90X workout program.  Yeah, I think he's cool.  After three full weeks of sweating/grunting/swearing to P90X - he's the current wind beneath my wings (cue Bette Midler).  Seriously, if not for Tony himself and how he does what he does the way he does it, there's no way I'd be doing what I'm doing.  Fact.  And for that very reason, I declare my public display of affection (PDA) for Tony and P90X. (We interrupt this program to state that this is not a paid endorsement by P90X; as if they'd subsidize a flub like me.  Disclaimer #2: don't expect me to look like he does in the picture.  Nope.  It's all about the health benefits (for now ;).)

More than just outing my PDA for Tony to hundreds of thousands of readers (riiight, as if) - the bigger point is to make a public display of commitment (PDC).  Think about it: I've now told everyone (well, one or two) that I've signed up to do the excruciatingly exhaustive 90 day P90X program.  So how can I back out now!  Can't.  Gotta get it done.  Anything short of finishing P90X, and this will be a very visible, pride swallowing, ego tripping, won't hear the end of it, my brothers will make me eat a big ugly nasty bug covered in dirt, type of humiliation.  Gulp!     

You know what though: bring it on!  Make it so!  The fact is, I did it, knowing it, and now you all know it, as well.  I ain't no dummy - for the most part; while I might have been born at night, I wasn't born last night (props to Kid Rock).  I knows what I did, and I'll hold me to.  I expect you to now hold me to it, as well.

So - how 'bout you?  What PDC do you want to do to help hold you to doing something new, or stop doing something you don't want to do?  Moreover, get the doing done.  For sure, you don't have put it out there on social media, let alone subject yourself to cracks about a man crush, like I did (please don't).  You can just keep it with your peeps.  Your call.  Either way, give it a go and put it out there.  It just might help. 

PDC is Good (if you can handle it).          

Lessons From Logan

Yesterday, our beloved dog Logan was sadly put to sleep.  After 15+ awesome years, it was just time for her to move on; discard her painful, achy, nonworking body - so that her beautiful soul could run again in heaven.  Through my tear filled eyes, I can see her now: zipping around fast as can be, running through streams, catching fish, chasing squirrels, playing with kids, licking faces and chomping on sticks.  She's bringing joy, getting well deserved belly rubs and having fun once again. I'm sure of it. 

The fact that she made it this long was fantastic, as Golden Retrievers have an average life span of about 10 years.  While her longevity was phenomenal and appreciated by family, friends and neighbors alike - I don't think it was a random coincidence, or luck. Nope. I think she was truly blessed (as are we, who loved her) because she was who she was.  And who she was can teach a lot of us humans about how to behave, and maybe even how to live longer, happier lives. It's true.

Check it out: If I did a mash-up of Logan's most wonderful and endearing qualities that we can learn from, it would go like this:

Attentive, happy, caring, kind, enthusiastic, careful, modest, playful, courteous, tender, fun, compassionate, protective, poised, accepting, unassuming, others-oriented, joyful, sensitive, smart and loving.  But make no mistake: while Logan would much rather wag her tail, cuddle and be petted - she would growl, bark and bite if the situation, or the person, warranted.  She was no fool, and she suffered no fools. 

Indeed, Logan was the complete package: friend, protector and confidant. Which leads me to think that if we humans could comport ourselves with half the characteristics that Logan had as a dog - the world would be a much better place.

Woof!

So run in peace Logan. 

We love you. 

We miss you. 

We honor you. 

Lessons From Logan Are Good.

Be A Sensor

If your career development plans include getting a promotion - let alone enjoying success with your current position - you're going to do what it takes to succeed, right?  Presumably then, you're going to have to do great at your current job, with the skills you have - while at the same time, learning/incorporating new skills. 

If this is your situation (please say yes ;) - than I'd like to suggest an important, yet often under appreciated skill, that you most definitely need to put on your list. And that's "sensing." In other words, you need to become a "sensor."

What's a sensor, you ask? Well, it's someone who can interpret, and moreover leverage, "soft data." A good sensor knows how to read body language, gauge the subtle clues, feel the vibe, sniff out the BS, observe the not-so-obvious, and detect the empirically undetectable.  Put another way: see the forest through the tress.  

Granted, being a good sensor is one part DNA; that's why they say common sense is not so common.  But make no mistake, you don't need to be a Jedi. It can be learned, honed, and toned through concerted effort and attention.  That said, be careful not to over use, as it can also be dangerous - especially if you let your "instincts" and so-called "street-smarts," get in the way of using real facts and figures.  After all, information still rules, and economics still wins.  And while perception might be reality, reality is still real (deep, hun.)    

So, when developing your talent repertoire, be sure to incorporate sensoring as a key component/attribute for your personal and professional success. 

Feel me?    

Sensoring Is Good.