... have gotten really bad in my opinion. Why do they spend so much time saying what the opponent did wrong and what is bad about their opponent? Come on, do you really expect me to believe that there is not one issue or even an aspect of an issue that both sides agree on? Really?
Wouldn't it be great if we heard a candidate say 'Well, my opponent has done some good things or has some good ideas but I think that my ideas are better and here is what they are' Wow, that would be different.
Our politics have become extremely polarized. They call attention to things about the other side to make you not like them. I think that our society has become polarized and I really don't like it. I will not be discussing politics with you unless we basically agree or if you want generalities like I have written here.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
The Magic Story
I am a fan of the story Richest Man in Babylon (RMIB) and I have posted about that recently. I bought the CD so that I could listen and relisten to the story so that I could pass along the advice of RMIB.
Well, it just so happens that the CD that I bought also has a second story called The Magic Story. You can buy this book on Amazon or you might be able to get it from the library. This too, like RMIB is an old story, I think written in 1900 or so. It too, like RMIB offers advice that is still very valuable today.
I recommend that you read or listen to each of these stories as they are both very short but both valuable. The basis of The Magic Story is that there is a positive and negative entity of every person. The author gives several tips on how you can make the positive version of yourself work for your best success.
Again, this is not a story about greed or taking advantage of others in any way. Instead, it is about using your God-given skills and talents to your benefit and for those who depend on you. I recommend both of these stories as simple but excellent advice for everyone.
Well, it just so happens that the CD that I bought also has a second story called The Magic Story. You can buy this book on Amazon or you might be able to get it from the library. This too, like RMIB is an old story, I think written in 1900 or so. It too, like RMIB offers advice that is still very valuable today.
I recommend that you read or listen to each of these stories as they are both very short but both valuable. The basis of The Magic Story is that there is a positive and negative entity of every person. The author gives several tips on how you can make the positive version of yourself work for your best success.
Again, this is not a story about greed or taking advantage of others in any way. Instead, it is about using your God-given skills and talents to your benefit and for those who depend on you. I recommend both of these stories as simple but excellent advice for everyone.
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Richest Man in Babylon - Revisited
This is not about greed, it is not even about wealth necessarily. It is about return on investment, that is the investment of your time. I suggest that everyone visit the library or Amazon.com and look into getting a copy of this book. The book was written by George S. Clason in the 1920's but it is still relevant today.
The basic principles as I understand them are that "A part of all you earn is yours to keep," and trust your investments to experts. The concept is that you keep at least ten percent of all of your earnings for your entire working life. So for example, if you earn $30,000 at your job, live as if you earn $27,000 and bank the $3,000 every year. If you earn $50,000, live as if you earn $45,000 and bank the $5,000.
It is not enough to just bank the money though, you need to make it work for you. That is very difficult in today's economy because of the very low interest rates payed by banks. This is where the advice about seeking expert help is so important.
Many of us will make the excuse that we need every penny that we earn to live on. The RMIB theory tells you that you need every penny of the 90% to live on and that you owe it to yourself to pay yourself the 10%. Over the years, the savings compound and your return on investment of time becomes your wealth.
Consider yourself a personal corporation with your earnings as your revenue and your savings as your profit. If a corporation achieves a 10% profit margin, that is not very favorable but at least it is profitable. Why should the expectations be less for an individual. Shouldn't your "profit" be at least 10%. By all means, you should not be operating in the negative.
Pick up a copy and read The Richest Man in Babylon. It is worth the investment of your time.
The basic principles as I understand them are that "A part of all you earn is yours to keep," and trust your investments to experts. The concept is that you keep at least ten percent of all of your earnings for your entire working life. So for example, if you earn $30,000 at your job, live as if you earn $27,000 and bank the $3,000 every year. If you earn $50,000, live as if you earn $45,000 and bank the $5,000.
It is not enough to just bank the money though, you need to make it work for you. That is very difficult in today's economy because of the very low interest rates payed by banks. This is where the advice about seeking expert help is so important.
Many of us will make the excuse that we need every penny that we earn to live on. The RMIB theory tells you that you need every penny of the 90% to live on and that you owe it to yourself to pay yourself the 10%. Over the years, the savings compound and your return on investment of time becomes your wealth.
Consider yourself a personal corporation with your earnings as your revenue and your savings as your profit. If a corporation achieves a 10% profit margin, that is not very favorable but at least it is profitable. Why should the expectations be less for an individual. Shouldn't your "profit" be at least 10%. By all means, you should not be operating in the negative.
Pick up a copy and read The Richest Man in Babylon. It is worth the investment of your time.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Hometown Favorites ... Fans for Life
I know that I have written about this before but it comes to mind amidst the recent losing streak by the Cleveland Indians and seemingly dismal situations of the Cavs and Browns. Your hometown is part of your identity. While I would love to cheer for winning sports teams, these are all I have, really.
The commercial on STO that claims that we are fans for life really resonates with me. No matter how bad our teams perform, they are part of our hometown presence and thus, part of our identity. We are not Yankees, Steelers, or Cowboy fans. That is not real. We are Cleveland fans.
One day, we Cleveland fans will have our satisfaction. I don't know when but it will be glorious.
The commercial on STO that claims that we are fans for life really resonates with me. No matter how bad our teams perform, they are part of our hometown presence and thus, part of our identity. We are not Yankees, Steelers, or Cowboy fans. That is not real. We are Cleveland fans.
One day, we Cleveland fans will have our satisfaction. I don't know when but it will be glorious.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Skilled Work Makes You Employable
I have been very fortunated in my career to visit many manufacturing plants. One of the facts that has become very obvious to me in recent years is that manufacturing in America has become highly technical.
Now, I know that manufacturing has always been a technical field but the way that things are made now is amazing. From computer-managed scheduling to CNC machines, to precise shipping management, manufacturing processes today require skilled workers.
It seems to me that getting training and learning manufacturing skills is a key to gainful employment in the labor world that we face now and into the future. I am not saying that becoming a machine operator guarantees a lifetime of employment. But I am saying that skilled workers seem to be in great demand now in America.
I am not sure what it takes to become a certified machinist, but compared to years and decades past, it seems like a good living today. Most of the plants that I visit today are clean, air controlled, and very workable. It just seems to make sense that this could be a very good way to make a living. What do you think?
Now, I know that manufacturing has always been a technical field but the way that things are made now is amazing. From computer-managed scheduling to CNC machines, to precise shipping management, manufacturing processes today require skilled workers.
It seems to me that getting training and learning manufacturing skills is a key to gainful employment in the labor world that we face now and into the future. I am not saying that becoming a machine operator guarantees a lifetime of employment. But I am saying that skilled workers seem to be in great demand now in America.
I am not sure what it takes to become a certified machinist, but compared to years and decades past, it seems like a good living today. Most of the plants that I visit today are clean, air controlled, and very workable. It just seems to make sense that this could be a very good way to make a living. What do you think?
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Speed Networking
Sometimes we go to meetings or conferences, see the same people over and over, and never get to know any of them. Maybe it is because we are shy, or maybe there is no opportunity.
I learned a technique called speed networking. In this exercise, you divide your group into two. Line up two sets of chairs or have one of the groups sit at a long table. Have the other group lineup across from them, close enough to talk.
Give them three minutes to talk about anything. After three minutes, rotate and do it all over again until everyone from group one has met everyone from group two. It works.
I learned a technique called speed networking. In this exercise, you divide your group into two. Line up two sets of chairs or have one of the groups sit at a long table. Have the other group lineup across from them, close enough to talk.
Give them three minutes to talk about anything. After three minutes, rotate and do it all over again until everyone from group one has met everyone from group two. It works.
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