I was thrown an incredibly tight deadline today. For an incredibly large client. And while I generally find myself a fairly non-corporate guy in spirit (you wouldn’t know that from my resume), I am actually looking forward to this.

Why?

There is a woman in Asia holding a training session and she desperately needs materials/information/guidance to allow her to succeed – or even survive. And she would be grateful for any help we offer.

The Cynics Response
Sure, you could say “Why did she wait until the last minute?” I’ve certainly asked that many times in situations like this over the last 10-15 years. But answering that question won’t help her in the short-term.

For me, there is no greater satisfaction than in helping someone – especially someone who is truly grateful. (And her situation is likely not her fault anyway.)

I’ve struggled for years over whether “helping” needed to be in a non-profit organization. And, maybe I could help people with greater needs in a non-profit. However, as long as I am making my money in the business world, it is great to find opportunities to help real people – even if they are just a cog in some big corporate wheel. They are still people.

Could You Help Someone?
Maybe you’re a bit like me and you still dream of changing the world. Is there a way you could help others in your job? There are probably more opportunities than you think.

A Little ManagerMustard
Managers, you might take note of what motivates each of your team members. Every person is different. For some it may be acknowledgment or public praise. For others it may be about the difference they can make. Find out what motivates your team members and play to those individual drivers. You’ll see results. Trust me. For more on this, read Marcus Buckingham’s The One Thing You Need to Know.

No Comments »

It’s 5:22pm

I want the day
to be over

but it’s not

I haven’t
finished

and I don’t want to start

I want to swap

but for what?

–
17 June 2004
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

1 Comment »

I see you in the stars
Sometimes so clear
Other times hidden
In the haze of clouds

When you are clear
Your beauty is most
Apparent, near

Strangely, clarity
Often comes with cold
And haze with heat

Tonight, though
You are bright
And I walk slowly

I enjoy both -
The cold and the light

Amen – that is, I believe.

–
28 October 2005
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

1 Comment »

The end of the sliver
is under my skin
I broke the exposed part
off

Now I can see it
And I try to push it out

But I cannot

Something else is needed

By myself
I can only do part

To purge completely
I need
Something
For that purpose

And quick

lest my skin harden
And make the end
invisible to me

–
23 June 2004
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

1 Comment »

He finds fruit
in the beauty
at the top

It’s a long way

He’s diligent
Working with his
“hands”

I cannot see
the immediate benefit

Nor do I know
what draws him
or leads him there

But he keeps
moving
staying
the course

–
5 June 2005
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

3 Comments »

I was torn, transplanted
Placed in space anew
I was awkward
And even ugly

Slowly
I extended root
One part shot
Up another
Straight out

Stretching toward
Light

It lives fully
unconcerned
about appearances

And thrives

Why can’t I?

–
5 June 2005
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

1 Comment »