Diets, exercise, schedule, business, family life, spirituality, etc.

And advertisers/marketers know this as well. It is during this time that you start hearing claims that x system versus y system is the greatest system for (fill in the blank).

Because I like to exercise and remain somewhat healthy, I am asked about “best exercise” all the time. My response is typically the same.. “What do you like to do?”

If they say, “walking.” – I tell them that “walking” is the best exercise you can do. If they say hiking or swimming or cycling.. then that is the best exercise they can do.

Our Problem is NOT “Optimal” it is “AT ALL.”

Most people don’t struggle with their weight or their schedule or life balance because they cannot find the optimal system. It is that they do not employ a system at all. It isn’t a challenge with “The System” but with “a system” and their actions – or lack thereof.

I use Google Calendar for maintaining my schedule. I LOVE IT! I think it is a great system because it integrates with my phone, is available all the time from any computer, and it sends me text message notifications.

My wife uses her Droid and even uses Google Calendar from time to time.. but she loves her written agenda and her list.

I might say that she is not using the “optimal” system.. but if you know here, she’s pretty freakin’ efficient when it comes to getting her stuff done. In fact, more efficient and diligent than I am.

Not because of her agenda and not because of a problem with Google Calendar. Nope.. very simple.. She works her system fanatically.. I don’t do that with mine.

But you should have A SYSTEM

I teach people systems. I coach them on content creation and a content calendar. I help them with productivity and scheduling. I help them put systems in place.

Systems are critical and it is good to evaluate your systems from time to time and make them better if you can. Having no system is efficiency suicide. It is foolish! In fact, it is irresponsible. Irresponsible to those who count on you and irresponsible to your dreams/goals (desired outcomes).

Make your systems intentional

If you believe you have “no system” for a given thing – ie: calendar and schedule – you are probably wrong. A system is just how we manage certain things. You have a way you keep your schedule – even if you do so less than effectively.

In order to make your system – whatever that system is – effective, you must add intention to it. This may require that you do a little research on what is available. But beware.. everyone is going to teach you that “their system” is the best. And while I may agree that certain systems have advantages over others, remember, if you LOVE walking, it is the BEST exercise you can do.

What systems do you want to make more intentional?

Let me know.

Note: This advice only matters if you want to be taken seriously.  If you are happy to be a caricature, don’t change anything.

Interesting is as interesting does

Facebook is very interesting. It’s interesting because there are people there.. and people are interesting.

Hint: Interesting is a great term. I use it all the time. Sometimes it means

Interesting: intellectually stimulating due to perspective and life experience or knowledge.

But other times it is a euphemism for “bizarre”, or “mean”, or “foolish”, any number of other less flattering ideas.

If I refer to you, something, or someone as “interesting”, you will have to decipher what I mean.

I don’t apologize

When I give my presentation, “Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media”, I cover this topic. I used to start the section with, “I apologize if I offend anyone with this.”

But that was a lie. I don’t apologize so I’ve removed that qualifier from this section.

4 People You Cannot Be Online

Facebook for me is a business/social medium. Really, in that order.  My advice is geared towards those in a similar position.

If you want to be taken seriously, there are 4 people you cannot be online. They are shown here:

The political ranter/conspiracist

The political ranter posts stories and opinions from any “alternative” news source to show that the “other side” is clearly racist, communist, evil, stupid, out to destroy the nation, hates the rich/poor, etc.

Or they post about Obama’s missing birth certificate, how George Bush and his administration are behind 9-11, etc.

I support your right to be as crazy as you want to be. My advice, however, is to keep it within the walls of your Tuesday night meeting of the “Crazy Conspiracy of the Month” club.

We are all a little crazy and you are allowed to be so. My advice is only for those of you who also wish to be taken seriously.

The angry individual/life ranter

“I’m so mad at my husband. He is such at $%^ and sometimes I wonder why I married him.” Or “My son/daughter did x, y, or z stupid thing today. What is wrong with kids?”

Listen, I understand that we all have challenges. But is Facebook and your 500 “close friends” the right place to air this stuff? You have real friends. Call someone up.. rant, complain, etc. – maybe you’ll  feel better. But I promise you, I’m probably not the person to help you with this. Plus, most of us believe in the “there are 2 sides to every story” and you are probably just pandering to the worst side of your friends list.

Instead, having a challenging day with someone, if you must post something, post a “Challenging day. Working through some things. Time to call a friend.”

The used car salesman

I see this a lot. Someone post daily a link to their website and a “I do this.” Message. Guess what.. so do many others. Instead, add some value. For instance, write a blog entry or a note that gives me some suggestions on how I can do what you do for myself.

Some people struggle with this concept. Feel as though they are giving away the farm. And yes, you are and you should. Why? Because most people cannot or will not do it for themselves any way. But for those who will, you gain social standing and become a go-to source for that information.

It isn’t about you and your services – it is about adding value to the network.

The social media slut.. er.. loose individual

I wrote a blog entry, “Keep Your Tongue Out of my Mouth”. I’ll republish it soon but here is the gist.

Scenario: When I connect with someone I try to put the relationship in context. I write them a note – particularly if I do not know them. I introduce what I do and how I use social media. I ask them to write me back with the same information and then ask them how I can help them.

I had done this with an individual a few months ago. They had not accepted my friend request for a week or so but when they did, they suddenly “invited me” to like more than 15 pages in about 2 minutes. None of the pages were particularly interesting to me.

They never responded to my personal message. They skipped dinner and drinks and stuck their tongue right into my mouth. It was gross!

I don’t “Like” pages unless I “Like them”. I don’t trade likes – because those aren’t really “likes”.  Read, “I like you and other Facebook lies”.

It isn’t a matter of “Am I allowed?” but “Should I?”

Don’t get me wrong. You can be any of those individuals above. I know several of them. I like them. I interact with them occasionally.. but I don’t take them seriously.

Be interesting but don’t be “interesting.”

If you are a musician, information marketer, or wish to have some other product or promo item to giveaway via CD, consider Kunaki.com.

I can’t remember how I found this company but holy cow!!

They provide low-cost CD duplication, digital press, print-on-demand services.

You can order as few as 1 CD at a production cost of $1. Of course, the shipping cost ordering 1 CD doesn’t really scale. But as a for instance, 40 CD’s results in a cost per CD of under $2.00.

The come in a jewel case with a 2 panel, 4 color, insert and the CD is also printed 4 color.

Everything they do is automated and tightly controlled. This means you don’t get a lot of options but from my perspective – at the cost and flexibility of very low-runs, that’s fine.

You don’t even use a web form to order. You download their software, create an account (through their software) and prepare and submit your CD or DVD artwork and files… through their software! It is very basic, very sparse, and very cool.

Elsewhere around the web

Intellectual Predator: This happens a lot in the technology and social media space. I used to get called almost daily… friends asking for advice or assistance on fixing their computer, what software to buy, how to perform x or y function. But my brain is my commodity. If a car salesman ask for my advice on social media, it isn’t the same as him advising me on a car.. it is more akin to him giving me a car.

I write a lot about Google. You should be using their many tools. Mashable discusses Google Analytics. Analytics allow you to see who comes to your website, where they come from, and the search terms used to get there.

One of the tools I’ve used for year – thanks to my friend Mike Martinez, is FileZilla – a FREE FTP (file transfer protocol) client and server.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/03/28/no-you-cant-pick-my-brain-it-costs-too-much/

And finally, after some reluctance and some prodding, Lori Bonn has jumped into the blogging game. Learning by doing and doing a great job. Lori reflects on life and God and the relationship between the two.

You can check the calendar here.

All time are Pacific Standard (California):
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2PM – Content & Blogging for engagement and SEO

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 4PM – Solution Selling:A Case-study Approach

Friday, Jan. 6, 9AM – Consultant Kickstarter: 5 Keys to starting your consulting business

Friday, Jan. 6, 12noon – Google-ize Your Business: Beyond The Search Engine

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 9AM – Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 11AM – Solution Selling:A Case-study Approach

Big Thought of the Week

“The excitement was in finding them, not keeping them.” – 232 Sand Dollars blog entry by Derek Sivers.

A couple take-aways here: Enjoy your world but let others enjoy it too. Furthermore, much of what we do is driven by the joy of discovery or the rush of experience… but if we lose sight of the joy in the journey, we can quickly try to find joy in the acquisition. This feeds an appetite that is NEVER sated.

Technologies, Tools, & Strategies

It’s the week prior to Christmas, I’m only sharing one.

• Treepad: http://www.treepad.com
  I started using Treepad 5 or 6 years ago. It is an amazingTREE outline information management tool. After migrating to a new computer and NOT writing for a few years, I stopped using it. Recently, I rediscovered it..It allows you to create an outline of information, with article/written content in each tree. It is searchable, fast, and can export all the content into a menu driven complete website.. Less for design, more for rapid deployment of information.Another key feature is the ability to take a Treepad database (file) and using one of their many free add-on utilities, turn it into an E-Book executable. You can distribute this file with or without a password. Depending on the version (everything from FREE personal/lite to Enterprise multi-user), you are looking at $0 to a couple hundred dollars. I use Treepad Business $44. It’s a bargain.

Around the Web

I’m not using “Buffer” yet – a twitter/facebook social media publishing tool, but I started checking out their blog and ran across this blog entry. Ideas to paying customers in 7 weeks: how we did it. Similar to what I’ve read in Rework, they talk about getting 1 or 2 working pieces out there.. don’t wait until you have it “all together”. They say, “Keep version 1 minimal. No, more minimal than that.” – Great advice!

Friend and mentor, Coach Bill Hart shares about Optimization. Are your systems in place.. are they optimized. Bill may not realize but his prompting is partially responsible for my new book project.. so thanks.

I met Pam Slim in Phoenix at one of the first Social Media Club meetings. She is the author of what I consider the best titled blog and book ever! Escape From Cubicle Nation! And her material is good too. I could randomly pick almost anything she’s posted to feature but this is a great reminder of simplifying your presentations or products. Interesting equation.. take what you want to cover and “whack it in half” and then “whack it in half” again.

What I Am Doing

• I’ve had more than 100 consultants or aspiring consultants download my consulting proposal this week. If that was you, thank you. I hope you find it helpful. I’ve corresponded with a couple of you and will be coaching at least one of you in the new year. Continue to spread the word and let me know what you need.
• My daughter is visiting from Phoenix before she starts a rather epic journey. As such, I am coaching her on her blog and content. It is interesting coaching your adult daughter who has proven herself to be a doer. She doesn’t view herself that way, because, as I’ll write about next week, when you live in your head almost everything you experience is “average” – ie: we discount our own genius.
• Preparing content for the webinars. Next week I deliver two webinars. I’ve had a tremendous response so far – particularly for the week between Christmas and New Years.

Are you ready for 2012? Seriously.. are you taking it seriously! If not, if you want to accomplish more.. if you want to become a rockstar.. if you would rather move from wishing to being.. let’s talk!

*Yes, someone can be both a client and a coach.

I coach him on online presence, content, and technology – he coaches me on vocals and performance. Truth is, many of our conversations are exploratory strategy or focus on life-lessons.

We met at the Indie Music Conference in Hollywood this past October. I had given a presentation titled, “Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media.” The next day, my band was performing at a showcase at Musicians Institute. But I showed up early because I knew Steven was giving a workshop towards the end of the day.

We were already “friends” on Facebook but really had not interacted.. but I had heard great things about him and his workshops.

Identifying & Breaking Patterns

He started his discussion covering a number of topics.. much of which has nothing to do with vocals per se – and more to do with muscle memory, patterns, things we tell ourselves, etc. At one point, as he spoke about what we do unconsciously from a physiology standpoint, Becky turned to me and said, “Like you and smiling.”

Note: I love being on stage. My banter between songs is fun and easy.. but when I start performing, I become immersed in the song and with my band.. or I used to.. One of the most common comments/questions I USED to get when performing is, “Why don’t you smile more?”

Steven heard her comment and asked me, “Is smiling something you struggle with?” I nodded and Becky nodded furiously!

“Okay, I’m going to work with you last.”

Steven proceeded to work with two other performers, each on a specific area of voice or performance. One, a singer with a beautiful voice. The other a hip-hop artist – Terrence Brown. I like Terrance. He had been in my workshop the day prior and was smart and engaged. Steven’s work with him was eye-opening to me.

Actually, his work with both of the artist before me was impressive. Much of what he does is break your own pre-conceived notions or patterns.

Then came my turn. He brought me on stage and had me perform the opening verse and chorus to one of my songs..

I did so. When I was done, he had me do an exercise…

He told me to think about and flex the muscles I use to smile.. but NOT to smile. The exercise was to feel how it felt to flex those muscles.

Steven then had me perform the same piece BUT I had to flex those muscles the entire time! It didn’t matter how weird it felt or whether it impacted my vocals – just that I flex them continuously.

I won’t lie.. I felt strange; like a buffoon! Really, it felt awkward… but I did it. He’s the expert!

After I was done, applause broke out from the audience.. then the interesting part of the exercise.

He asked me how it felt… “Weird.. contrived.”

“Now I want you to ask everyone else their thoughts but you cannot interject your opinion. You can only ask for feedback.”

So I did.. the responses..

“That was amazing! You looked like you were having the best time!”

“Electric!”

Becky actually had tears in her eyes.. so did I to be honest.

Similar to Terrence’s work prior, Steven explained a few things – and I am paraphrasing and butchering much of this, so check out his material for yourself.

• When we perform, we are thinking about the mechanical elements of the performance. Remembering lyrics, breathing, playing guitar, etc.
• We have patterns and those things we’ve trained ourselves to do – so we don’t think much about changing those.
• You need to make a conscious, intentional effort to change patterns – and this is key.

Assume the Role Before You Are Given The Role

One of the things he touched on several times is that performance is about performing. The truth is, if you want to step into superstar status, you’d better perform like a superstar even when you playing the dive bar with no one but 4 drunk people at the bar in attendance.

Later that night, at the showcase, I focused on engaging direct eye contact and SMILING a lot during my performance. Our third song was the one from the seminar. Of the 25 or so people in attendance, perhaps 8 of them had been at Steven’s workshop.

I asked who had attended the workshop and then said, “I’m doing the song from the workshop. Don’t let people know the secret but see how I do…” And then I performed it – as big as I could! I smiled!!! And at the start it felt a big contrived… but then something happened…

Before the song ended, I was not playing a rockstar on stage.. I was being a rockstar on stage.. The smile moved from being contrived to just being!!

When I completed the song, several people in the audience jumped up – an enthusiastic shout and response. Afterward, several of them approached me to tell me how amazing the performance was… And it felt like it!!

Someone who I’ve been fortunate to witness do this is Bobbo Byrnes of The Fallen Stars. He wants that stage and wants all of it!!!

The same idea, however, can translate to your business. You cannot run your business as though it is “when I get there” type of proposition. Your bring talent and energy to the equation.. don’t wait until you have or are recognized by the big client to play the part of someone with big clients.

And don’t wait for permission.. or if you are waiting for permission, here it is.. I give you permission to be a rockstar! In fact, the way you will be viewed as a superstar on the stage or in business is to embrace your inner rockstar now!

Thank you! And Good night Los Angeles!

I’d love your input. What would you like me to cover and how would you like me to deliver upcoming training. This covers live workshops, webinars, and tutorials.

I’m in the process of writing the 2^nd Edition to the book – retitled “Building Your I.T. Career”. In the process, I am adding several online supplements to the material – including additional information on growing a consulting practice.

I am also finalizing, “12 Week To Profitable Consulting” – an eBook and virtual coaching session for those interested in growing a successful consulting practice.

If you are interested in getting some of the most up-to-date and useful information possible to grow your consulting business, visit the 12 Weeks to Profitable Consulting and Consulting Proposal Template sign up page.

I will personally email you the proposal and make myself available to answer basic questions. Plus, after the first of the year, I’ll be providing some Webinars for consultants.

Stay tuned.

Concept Over Process

One of the more important pieces of that presentation is a discussion on “Concept Over Process” – a project development methodology and mindset I first starting writing about in 1994.

A perfectly implemented technology or process, based on a flawed business understanding or concept, will produce a perfectly flawed result…

And the adverse..

A less than perfectly implemented technology or process, based on a solid business understanding or concept, will produce a solution.

Concept-driven and Process-savvy

In my consulting practice, I provide technology advisory (Virtual-CIO), network & desktop integration & support, custom application development, web technologies (cloud and collaboration), and online presence (blogging, podcasting, search-engine optimization, and social media content & strategy).

As a business coach, I help my clients better define business direction and brainstorm growth and operational efficiencies – providing a set of action-items that lead toward a very specific set of outcomes.

In all of it, my focus is always to steer my clients away from the tool and solidly back on the concept.

An Example of process-driven or tool-driven thinking

The right tool for the right job…

I provide a lot of automation scripting. Various tools like Kixtart, VB Script, Javascript, and Visual-basic for Applications (for automating Microsoft Office) are amazing tools for rapidly streamlining operations.

Many years ago, I had implemented a login scripting framework using Kixtart (a login script processor for Windows). About a month after implementation, the client called…

“We have a vendor who is saying that they could write the script we have in place in C+ and that C+ is a more powerful programming language than Kixtart.”

Here is the challenge.. he’s right.. C+ is a much more powerful platform and language than Kixtart. But their solution was for a login script that could be easily modified and further developed by non-programmer/network administrators. C+ would effectively require that a C+ developer alter and compile the script.

The conversation continued:

Me: “What is a more powerful tool: A hand-held hammer or a jack-hammer?”

Client: “Um… a Jack-hammer?”

Me: “Would you use a jack hammer to hang a picture?”

Client: “I suppose not.. thanks.”

The Myth of Limitations

One of the critical elements and symptoms of process-driven thinking is something I refer to as, “The Myth of Limitations”.

It is most easily seen in technology projects that look like this…

Management goes to the IT group and says, “Can you modify the CRM – change this screen and add this element to this report?” They tightly define the changes needed.

The IT professional, taxed by many deadlines, adds this to their change request and dutifully makes the change.

Later, management is discovered to be taking information from this same system, putting it into spreadsheets (often manually), or creating other manual processes to work around the data and system limitations.

The challenge is that, when management approaches IT, they do so often with a very tightly controlled set of request. In many cases, it is because they are “limited” by a mythological understanding of what is possible. They view the current system and devise their “solution” or requested change based on what they have. What they have, and their lack of broader knowledge of what is possible, creates a “Myth of Limitation”.

The IT professional, sometimes similar limited (ie: they are a specialist in X or Y technology, so every solution is based on X or Y technology), provides exactly what is requested. It is both safer and what is understood.

Unfortunately, the real question should be, “why are you asking for this change?” “What do you want to accomplish?” “Show me the business challenge and teach me what you are doing.”

The Big “IF” Question

My job, when done correctly, is to help management and their technology professionals move from process-driven or tool-driven thinking by asking this question:

“If time, talent, and money where no object (unlimited) and not looking at any current business process or technology, in your dreams… how would you solve this problem?”

What is interesting is how often I get push-back on all sides. Ie: time, talent, and money is an object.

This is a given – we know this – but let’s put the ideas on the table because here is what we often discover.

Oh.. that’s all you want.. we have that.

In many cases, when we strip away the pre-conceived ideas, we find two things.

One: Management better defines the challenge and discovers that the business process itself can be simplified.

Two: Their Information Technology department (or resource) realizes what is needed and that they already have that capability – turned off in the system – or easily achieved.

Three tips to help you move to Concept-driven thinking

• Ask Why? A LOT!
  Answers like, “we’ve always done it this way?” or “I don’t know.” are pretty good indicators that more review time could be helpful.
• Broaden the conversation beyond “the specialists”
  I worked for an interesting IT Director once. When a new challenge came up revolving around “X” technology he NEVER limited the conversation to the 1 or 2 “programmers” who worked on “X” technology. He would bring in a network engineer, a business analysts, and perhaps specialist in a different area.The resulting conversation often yielded powerful input from outside the specialty.
• Work in the business unit
  Again, especially applicable to computer professionals and those who manage them. Maintaining a wall of separation, the silicon cage, limits the IT professional or vendor’s understanding of what the business unit is doing.You might be surprised at how people use (or misuse) the tools you’ve given them. A few short hours can save a lot of time and wasted energy.

Chapter 21 of my book, The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit (Cisco Press) describes Concept Over Process is greater detail. You can read that chapter for free right here.

Remember, it isn’t either/or – you are either business-concept savvy or good at technology. In the best of all worlds, you are Concept-driven and Process-savvy.

I’d love your feedback. Leave it here or email me at:
info@KreativeKnowledge.com

Some of the reasons I enjoy hiking:

• It’s physical and engaged
• It’s cheap (free minus gas)
• It builds relationship
• It’s beautiful

Aside: I’m amazed, and sometimes dismayed, at the number of people I know who live in both states, minutes away from beautiful scenery, who have never discovered the beauty in their own backyard.

This weekend I was still recovering from a cold and throwing my back out – every 2 years like clockwork but I had been cooped up long enough. Plus, I wanted to get out with the kids.

We have the usual places we go – Wildwood Park (great stream, waterfall, canyon), La Branca (amazing canyon and waterfalls), and several other local trails. I wanted to go somewhere new. To find new local areas, what I do is bring up Google Maps, go to satellite view, and look for any terrain that looks interesting.

Interesting to me includes water, rocks, or old abandoned building. On this day I found Lake Eleanor in Westlake – Decker Canyon. Actually, I’ve driven by it several times. I noticed there weren’t any real trailheads identified, just a pullout area on the side of the road… but I did see a few small trails when I zoomed in. That was good enough for us and off we went.

We got there and the canyon was definitely a looker. Large rock cliffs overlooking a small lake.

The Dream, The Goal, and The Plan

We determined that we wanted to sit on the top of the cliff overlooking the lake. That’s the dream (the scenery and experience). We determined that we needed to hike to the top of those rocks to experience the dream (that’s the goal). And finally, looking at the “mountain” (hill) in front of us, we eyeballed a course of action to get us there (the plan).

Off we went. We also had limited time as we were going to dinner to celebrate both Becky and my birthday. Plus we had started our hike late – the sun was on its way down.

The hike was fairly difficult. There weren’t a lot of established trails – or at least well-traveled trails. So we picked our way up deer trails and traversed the mountain.

Along the way, there was some grumbling about the chosen course. And then, a moment of decision…

“Do we want to get to the top or just go across to the lake?”

The fact is, going to the lake would be pretty nice. In the end, however, we chose to continue to the top. At one point, I looked up to see a large deer running along the base of the cliffs and up a ravine.

We made it to the top providing us a beautiful vista to look Northeast toward Westlake and to the Southwest into Decker Canyon. Below us was Lake Eleanor (a large pond really). Further to our East was Los Robles reservoir.

It was beautiful and also created a memory; an adventure.

This corresponds with the story of my daughter Jess and the elephant seals.. but that is a story for another day.

As we hiked down, in the dark, picking our way carefully through the brush, we decided that we would come back when we had more time and we would bring their older sister out when she was visiting during the holidays.

So… how does this help us with goal-setting?

The Satisfaction Gap

It got me thinking about the decision we made to continue to the top.

There are always times in life when we sacrifice what we want for what is expedient or convenient. There are even times this can prove to be the wisest and best decision.

But there are many times – too many times, we simple settle for something because going after what we want seems too difficult, too inconvenient, or we just lose sight of what we want and get lazy!

Choosing the “thing you will settle for” over “Where you want to be” leads to dissatisfaction. When you do it enough times – compromise what you want for what  you will settle for – you create a lasting “Satisfaction Gap”. I believe the size of that gap for significant dreams and goals in our life produces discontent… It is where many unhappy people come from.

Using an image of Lake Eleanor, I represent the “Satisfaction Gap” below

• Where you want to be
• What you will settle for
• The difference between those two is where your dissatisfaction will live

Click image to see full-size

Some lessons from the hike

What can I take away from the hike?

• Choose something extraordinary: Even using a satellite image, we knew this area would be beautiful.
• Talk about and believe how great it is: Both internally and to our teams, we have to believe and talk about how great reaching our goal will be.
• Notice the wonder along the way: it offsets the more grueling parts of the journey
• Take time to relish the view: There is always something new to conquer but you need to stop and take some time to enjoy where you are. This is true both during the journey and when you reach a major goal.
• Share the victory and set the next goal: We talked the beauty, we shared what each of us saw or experienced, and then we talked about the return; sharing with their sister.

Exercise:

Here is an idea. Take a piece of paper. Give it 3 columns.

In the first column, write down a major goal or dream.

In the second column, write down what you settle for (or if you achieved it).

In the third column, write whether this is really something you’d like to revisit and/or re-do.

Be honest.. there are some things in life, some places you’ve compromised, that are okay.  We don’t have to pursue dreams to their folly.

On the other hand, identify a few that you can revisit and renew. The good thing about life and about goals is that we can redefine and resuscitate.

In a week I’ll take a bit more about goal-setting and I will let you inside some of my goals and some of my “settle-fors.” I’ll let you see some of my own “Satisfaction Gaps” and what they mean to me today!

A picture of Lake Eleanor.. visit the Conejo Open Space website