Magic 8 Ball

Years ago, I had a toy called a Magic 8 Ball.  This black billiard ball looking toy seemed to have all the answers to my past, present and future.  And, when it didn’t – I shook the ball again and awaited the cloudy answer to appear.

It’s not rocket science to know that it is NOT wise to put your trust and future in someone or something.

But all too often we do accept the opinion of another person WITHOUT knowing if they are qualified or skilled in that area to share an opinion.

Often, we base our movie selection, restaurant choice or television watching all based on what a person says.

In another area of life, many people read their daily horoscope, and then wrap our day around that day’s reading.

We laugh at the Magic 8 Ball because at times the answers fit well with the questions – but other times, they are completely pointless.

As a Life Coach and Leadership Trainer, I can offer this advice.  First, be intentional.  Know where you are going and what you want to achieve.  Formulate your schedule, your actions and your research around reaching that goal.

Second, only take advice from people who are successful in THAT area.  I would never get dental advice from a barber.  Yet, many people make that mistake on a daily basis.  Seek out a successful person and pick their brain.  CAUTION:  Be respectful of their time.  Arrive at your meeting with them ready to take notes, have questions written down AND listen more than you talk.

Then, be prepared to implement an action plan.  The mentor or advice giver will be happy to see you have put wheels to what he or she has said.  And, they will be more likely to offer more advice.

I cannot tell you how many people I have met with seeking advice, who never take action after our meeting.  Then they call me to schedule a second meeting….which I never give to those who do nothing.

So, the real magic is you – not in the 8 ball.

Have a great week

Ron  
To schedule Ron to speak to your business, civic group
or organization, contact him at:
ron@ronorendi.com
717-802-0483

First Impressions

The old saying goes, “Always make a good first impression.”  That statement has a lot of merit because it will determine the initial course of the relationship or interaction you have with an individual. 

Years ago, people were told about dress and cleanliness when working on their first impression.  Those are definitely important and stand their own ground in the first impression category.

However, as life spins its way through the information age, other factors play a key role in making a good first impression.  Let’s look at each one of these factors…..

Referrals

Referrals are great first impressions because you want others talking good about you.  Their statements do more for you than your statements about you.  Trouble is their bad statements also carry weight.

Business Cards

Your business card can say a lot about you or it can say nothing special at all.  If you have the freedom to design your own card (and stationary), then speak with an expert (and I am not talking about the young kid at Staples).  Talk with someone who knows marketing.

Promotional Materials

Promotional materials can really make a great impression.  But, there are some that are a turn off and just annoy people.  Be sure your promotional material / items stand out from the crowd.

Phone Conversations / Phone Skills

Be clear – be concise – be courteous – be thoughtful and be respectful of the caller’s time.  Remember to not hold that cell phone too cloe to your mouth or your words will come out blurry.  Don’t yell through the phone to carry on a conversation.  Speak in positives.

Social Media

Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media are easy ways to share a funny thought, story, complaint, what’s going on in your life or your stance on a variety of issues and subjects.  The only problem is – people can see it. 

That also means your clients, customers and coworkers also can see it.

Even IF you only allow friends to see your posts, there is always that chance that someone will repost your comments.

Make sure what you post is something you would be okay for your mom, pastor or boss to read.

Feel free to share your thoughts………….

Have a great week

Ron  

To schedule Ron to speak to your business, civic group
or organization, contact him at:

ron@ronorendi.com
717-802-0483

Wimpy

For some reason, as I was driving the other day, I recalled a Popeye cartoon I had seen many years ago.  As I ran the episode through my head, I remembered Wimpy, Popeye’s rather obese friend who was always up for a hamburger.

So, in this week’s blog, I thought I would share some thoughts about Mr. Wimpy.

Wimpy’s classic line is, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”

So from that single sentence we can assume that for Wimpy, payday was every Tuesday. 

We can also assume that Wimpy loved hamburgers….since that is the only food we ever saw him crave and / or eat in the Popeye cartoon.

Judging by Wimpy’s size, he must have eaten lots of burgers.  Maybe even more so than the brown haired boy with the red & white checkered overalls that stands in front of Friendly’s.

We also can surmise that Wimpy gives in to instant gratification.  Aha!!!  There is where many of us can relate / identify with Wimpy.  Ahhhh the point of purchase items, the “I want, but I can’t afford” attitude.  And, the “Buy it on credit now and pay same as cash later” con game.

Some may even call Wimpy a moocher.  He was always borrowing money off of someone to feed his burger addiction.

If you recall Wimpy “tapping” his friends for some cash in the cartoon, sometimes they loaned him money and sometimes they ignored him.

So, are you a Wimpy?

Maybe you don’t crave a burger.  Maybe it is something else you cannot afford – but you just have to have.

Maybe you don’t negotiate the Tuesday payment plan that Wimpy did.  Perhaps it’s a 6 year loan for a car.  Or, a 3 year loan for a jet ski.  Or, maybe it’s a more gradual borrowing like on a credit card.  The problem is Tuesdays never seem to have enough $$$ to pay for your personal burgers.

If this is your battle, seek financial help.  When going in a store (leave your credit cards at home).  Pay off your debt, student loan, line of credit.

Most importantly – stop giving in to impulse.

Because Wimpy never seems to have enough cash to buy his own burgers we can assume that he is also a poor money manager.

There are books out there that are wonderful on money management.  There are also courses you can take that will expand your mind with regard to money.  Dave Ramsey has several, Suzie Orman has some, and there are some available through your church.  Talk with a person who has paid down or paid off their debt.

Once you do, you will never have to tell a friend, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”
Have a great week

Ron  
To schedule Ron to speak to your business, civic group
or organization, contact him at:

ron@ronorendi.com
717-802-0483

The Hatfield's and the McCoy's

The Hatfield's and the McCoy’s

Them’s fighting words.

That’s a famous line from a cowboy movie.  Once those words are said there’s sure to be chairs flying at the saloon. 
Someone will get tossed over the bar.  All the while the piano player is playing, unphased by the commotion. 

Sounds a bit corny doesn’t it?

Yet every day somewhere in corporate America there is a person in a cubicle hurt by someone else’s actions or words.

“Can’t we all just try and get along?”  Those were the famous words of Rodney King.  Truth is, we can try to get along…..but sooner or later someone is going to misread a statement, take a comment personally, interpret an e-mail the wrong way or only hear part of a statement and take offense. 

It’s inevitable.

Sure there are malicious people out there.  But, for the most part – people are not out to get you.

Face it folks – anger takes work.  It is exhausting.  It’s not productive.  And, it takes a long time to patch a relationship pot hole.

While we are planning our next defensive move or retaliation – our own forward progress suffers.

Biblically, we are told to not let the sun go down on our anger.  But, in the case of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s – they allowed many suns to go down – they even allowed decades.

There are keys to help prevent your boiling point from hitting 212 degrees.
• Q-TIP – quit taking it personally.  Everything that is done is NOT being done as a personal attack on you.
• Get all the facts before blowing your cool.  It is often one tiny piece of info that brings clarity or understanding.
• Look at both sides of the issue – that’s your side and the other persons.
• Go burn energy – run, jog, work out, go to some batting cages, do something to channel that energy so you can think clearer.
• Go for a walk.  Walking is not only exercise – it’s therapeutic.
• Journal – jot your emotions and feelings down in a book or tablet that only YOU will read.
• Write a letter.  Yes, write a letter to the person you are upset with, telling them what you feel.  Give them a good piece of your mind.  Then, when you are done – burn the letter.  NEVER mail it!
• Talk with a counselor, pastor, priest or rabbi.
• Never ever react.  Animals react – humans respond.  Humans have the capacity to think things through.
• Laugh – go ahead – it’s healthy.

Had the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s done these things, there never would have been a feud.

Have a great week

Ron  

To schedule Ron to speak

to your business, civic group
or organization, contact him at:ron@ronorendi.com
717-802-0483