Live Your Dreams

In Colorado Springs, we would start FHE with an icebreaker question. One week, the question was: "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live?" People gave answers like "Tibet" or "an island in the South Pacific." Stuff like that.

I said, "Somewhere on the Colorado front range, between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs." After a pause, someone behind me clarified (giving me a hard time), "Where do you want to live, not where do you live?"  I turned around and smiled at him.  "Some people spend their lives chasing the dream. I choose to live it."

Are you happy with where you are, and what you're doing? Would you rather be doing something different? You have a choice. Find what you're passionate about – what gets you out of bed when you have an open day before you. Form a clear picture in your mind of what your dream will be like. Crystal clear. Then pursue your dream. Work towards it. Do not let anything deter you from reaching your dream. Keep going until you are living your dream.

Finished Reading: MBA Basics

Some of you already know (and the rest now know) that I'm seriously considering starting an MBA program soon. I already know I'll enjoy certain aspects of it, like finance and leadership. But what about the other nuts and bolts of a business education, like Marketing and Sales? I had an Economics class while earning my BS. I don't remember if it was Macro or Micro, but I remember it was a painful class. Is it really that painful of a subject, or was the teacher just not that good?

With an eye to shedding some light into those areas of dark unknowns, I picked up a copy of Tom Gorman's MBA Basics. It's a pretty good read. Gorman gives an overview of the issues involved in managing people, resources, finances, and marketing, as well as steering and growing a business.

Whatever business you're in (and that includes nonprofits, education, and the like), you'll get a good view of the bigger picture that you (or management) deals with day-to-day and quarter-to-quarter. The different topics are well-presented, so you should be able to get a feel for how appealing to you any particular area is. If you find something you like, follow it up. Learn more about it. Educating yourself is one of the most rewarding activities you can do.

It's the Weekend

This was a long week for some reason. But it's over now. We're at
T.G.I. Friday's, getting a bite before going to see Prince Caspian.

Here's my Wild Berry Lemonade, and if you look closely, you can make
out the fountains in the median.

Spinning Ball Spare

I remember seeing this feat back on America's Funniest Home Videos, before its abbreviation, and while the guy from Full House was still hosting it.

My greatest bowling moment was picking up a 7-10 split in college. I spent a good minute carefully lining up the shot, then decided to sacrifice the one pin I figured I'd actually pick up and go for the humorous shot instead. I picked up a second ball from the return and bowled them together. Their paths crossed halfway down, the right-hand ball picking up the 7 and the left-hand ball picking up the 10.

Realigning Actions and Values

I was sitting in class tonight, and it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't paid for the venti Caramel Apple Spice sitting on the desk in front of me. I could remember the gal taking my order (she had to ask the spelling of my name), and I remembered playing with the phone while I waited for the drink to come up. (I was trying to remember what my AT&T username and password were to access the in-store WiFi.) But I didn't remember breaking a $20 to pay for the drink.

As soon as I realized this, I had a hard time focusing on what the professor was saying. Ironically or coincidentally, we were discussing values. It's amazing the peace that comes when your actions are in line with your values, and when they aren't, it's equally powerful. I didn't feel bad about it, since I knew full well that it was an honest negligence, but I did want to get back and make it right as quickly as possible.

I returned to Starbucks during the break in class. The same three baristas were behind the counter. They remembered me. They were a little surprised that I'd come back, but thanked me for doing so. We chuckled about the store's chaos earlier, and I dashed back to campus.

And I had to check the AT&T info when I got home.

Meat Loaf and Tiffany for GoPhone

The lyrics are a little forced in a couple places, but this is great.