The Web Blog

 8-12-2010

Analyzing the Fairytale Cinderella

Analyzing the Fairytale Cinderella Sad but true…just hang in there with me on this one.  This has become my daughter’s new favorite bedtime story.  It struck me tonight that I really admire Cinderella.  She had these horrible stepsisters, stepmother and life was just a mess of chores and work while the others in the house sat on their bottoms ordering her around.  Yet there was no complaining. 

She went about her work with a smile on her face never questioning the position she was in.  I had to ask myself - could I do it day after day?  Then there is a twist to the story...a ball.  A ray of hope.  But then again hope is dashed by her wicked family members.  Despair.  But yet there was someone patient watching to reward her for her diligent work and stellar attitude. 

While I don’t quite believe in fairy godmother’s with magic wands I totally believe there is someone watching and it is a big “G” God and His reward system is very similar.  He is watching us when no one else seems to care.  He is looking for right attitudes in the face of adversity and diligent work even if it is something as meaningless as dishes and laundry, feeding the chickens, or filing papers. I encourage you whether it is in your house, on the job or in a business that you own – keep your attitude up, do not work to gain approval from people around you, be diligent and work with excellence in both the important tasks and the meaningless tasks and there is a great reward for you as well.  Maybe you will find your prince or maybe just peace! 

Oh and by the way just a side note...happily ever after comes only with a lot of work, faith and commitment - it maybe hard but it's worth it but that's a whole other topic :-)

5-27-2010
There is Something New on the Frontier

I was recently reading the Robert Kiyosaki book The Business of the 21st Century "72 percent of all adult Americans would rather work for themselves than for a job, and 67% think about quitting their jobs regularly or constantly."  I used to be one of those people.  I have come to find out that it was a passion grown in me from the beginning.  I was designed with that dream. I was scared for many years to pursue that dream – even went so far as to mandate that my sales job be structured with “security” of a salary cushion built in.  I am so thankful to those who pushed me out the door of my “job.”  There have been challenges along the way but I have never regretted the decision.  Now my goal is to migrate from the “S” quadrant to more of the “B” quadrant.  If you are intrigued by my statement go get the book referenced above and start climbing the mountain you are destined to conquer– you won’t regret it.

5-5-2010
There is Something New on the Frontier

I am a little behind the times this week.  How sad.  But true.  Things are hopping at the Jewel Team. News for all of you in Verizon territory.  You are about to get a name change to your carrier for the first time in decades if ever that I can remember at least :-).  Verizon is going to become Frontier.  For those of you in the Illinois area this will hopefully mean more streamlined customer service as they will have one main Midwest service center rather than the many that I encounter daily.  The change over is planned for July.  This should not effect your service and existing contracts will remain intact.  I will keep you posted so stay tuned.

4-26-2010
Is Your Copier Sharing Any of your Trade Secrets?

A colleague of mine shared this video with me today.  I honestly have to say that although it is slanted from a consumer perspective I watched it from a business owner/manager perspective.  While copiers are not my area of expertise, nor is network security, it was eye-opening the type of information could be shared with a simple copier.  I highly recommend any business purchase the additional encryption package or the ability for the copier to destroy the record of a previously sent document.  Even if you are not sharing personal data, this is your business intellectual property at the very least.  Don’t miss watching to know your risks.  See more here.

4-19-2010
Take Decisive Action, Don't Flinch
Had the privilege of attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event. I heard Trent Dilfer speak. He is a very humble man.  As he looked back on his 14 year NFL career he thought of himself as a good athlete but an inconsistent athlete.  He does not consider himself one of the greats.  He went on to say that in his study of good and great athletes there is one difference that separates the two is that great athletes don't flinch. They take decisive action. This also applies to business - jump into action, don't flinch due to doubt, fear, or hesitation and you will be successful!

4-9-2010
You Only Get One Chance at This Body - Treat it Well!
I took a short respite after the Easter Holiday.  I am back in action catching up on some of my neglected reading.  I found this fascinating and something I have known for several years.  I also know that it is easier to read than to do - but how important it truly is. Check out this paragraph in Dennis Waitley's Ezine Issue 153 just released.  He is talking about the importance of creating the Champion within and taking care of the one body that God gave you (those are my words). "Do take daily nutritional supplements, including essential multivitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Current research confirms that we can no longer get the essential nutrients from our food alone; we must supplement even the best diet with nutrition to promote resistance to disease. Do eat the right kinds of foods, and stay away from the fast-food, fat-food drive-throughs. You are doing yourself and your children a dangerous, long-term disservice by developing the habit of eating high-fat, nutrition-poor meals. Make your health your top priority. You can’t buy your health or life back after years of neglecting it while you earn your living."

3-19-2010
When you are reviewing your phone bills for unwanted items some things to watch for are items entitled "network charges."  These are often pass through charges from carriers that pay for rights to use AT&T ,Verizon or other territory networks (or RBOCS's) across the country. The charges should be verified.  Simply call customer service from the phone number on your bill and ask what the charge for this service should be.  It is typically a minimal charge ($2.00 - $3.00/month) If it has been incorrectly billed they should not only correct the billing going forward but apply a credit for the time this charge began.  Each state has a governing body , a Commerce Commission, that oversees terms of this nature.  For instance in our home state, the Illinois Commerce Commission allows a company to obtain restitution going back two years from the original date that a client notified the telephone company of incorrect charges. Check and double check , don't just trust that the phone companies have your best interest at heart.