I have a strategic plan

What if Martin Luther King had said that, instead of "I have a dream"? Would it have moved so many people?

I think it was Lou Holtz who talked about this in a video I watched last week as part of the Harvey McKay University.

Dreams are powerful, not only for ourselves but for others also. Dreams inspire and motivate people. And most importantly, they inspire and motivate you.

What are your dreams? What do you want most in life? Love? Success? Money? Happiness? Then dream it. And share your dreams. You really can't do it all. If people share your dream, they'll be glad to help you and/or support you.

But a dream by itself is not enough. You do need a strategic plan. I've talked about this before. You need goats! Your dreams are your vision. But to make your vision a reality, you need to attach a deadline.

Dream it! Share it! Live it!

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-ranger-day/ Remember poor Ranger Smith who had to deal with Yogi Bear?

It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/talk-in-an-elevator-day/ I'm not going anywhere that has an elevator today.  Maybe I'll work on my elevator pitch and spend the day next year riding up and down elevators. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/system-administrator-appreciation-day/ Where would we be without them? And lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/uncommon-instrument-awareness-day/ Play your didgeridoo, Blue

Tomorrow - There's a lot going on tomorrow, including https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-wide-web-day/ (which seems appropriate the day after System Administrator Day!), https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/girlfriends-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mustard-day/  Mustard goes much better on hot dogs and hamburgers than it does on raspberry cream pie

Next Friday - Here are a couple of celebrations that many of you can enjoy: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-beer-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/india-pale-ale-day/ The next year these events will coincide is 2020. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lighthouse-day/ Sounds like a good day to visit a local lighthouse (at least for those of us who live near large bodies of water) and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/particularly-preposterous-packaging-day/

August 31 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/trail-mix-day/ I haven't had any in a while. I used to eat it a lot. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/we-love-memoirs-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/love-litigating-lawyers-day/ We must really love memoirs by litigating lawyers!

All or nothing

Sunday was All or Nothing Day and I was planning on doing this post on Monday, but I got too busy with business presentations and I missed it.

An interesting simile (or is it metaphor?) is boiling water, which is what Michele Reynolds talked about in her "Together We Can" mentoring call on that day.

Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit...at 211 degrees it's just hot water, but when it boils it creates steam and as we all learned in our history classes about the Industrial Revolution, steam can do lots of work for us if we harness it.

However, I like working with Celsius because then water boils at 100 degrees and it's easy to convert that to percent. If we heat water to 99% of it's boiling point it's just hot water but when we get it to 100% we get steam. All or nothing!

It's the same thing with us. If we don't give something our all, we usually don't get the results we want. You need to make a commitment. Darren Hardy, the publisher of Success magazine, tells the story about cliff divers in Acapulco. Until they've made the commitment of actually jumping off the cliff, they're not all in.

Decide what it is that you want to accomplish and then give it 100% of your effort. If you do, then nothing can stop you!

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/father-in-law-day/  My father-in-law is no longer with us, and my kids haven't gotten married yet, so I don't have one and I'm not one, yet! If you have a father-in-law, treat him to lunch. If you don't know where to take him, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chili-dog-day/ I'm getting mine right after I finish this post. Then for dessert, I think I'll celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cheesecake-day/. And I'll cap off the day by re-reading "Hanging Out for a Living" by my friend, Mark Herdering since it's also  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/paperback-book-day/.  Mark's book is available directly from his site above, Amazon or the SendOutCards gift shop

Tomorrow - If I happen to find myself in an elevator tomorrow, I'll celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/talk-in-an-elevator-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/system-administrator-appreciation-day/ Take your sysadmin to lunch! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-ranger-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/uncommon-instrument-awareness-day/ Such as Mr. Spock's ka'athyra

Next Thursday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fresh-breath-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wiggle-your-toes-day/ Maybe I'll have a breath mint while wiggling my toes at the beach. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/root-beer-float-day/

Free Root Beer Floats at A&W. For a good cause!

August 30 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/toasted-marshmallow-day/ It's been quite a while since I've had those! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-whale-shark-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/holistic-pet-day/ Don't forget to take care of your pet whale shark! And let's forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pony-express-day/ or https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/slinky-day/ The Pony Express only lasted about 18 months but I don't think a Slinky lasted that long before it got all tangled up

I was almost right

I predicted that there wouldn't be a blog post today. I was thinking about posting one after my event today but I was exhausted! I've been getting up early and running around the last few days. I got home at about 6:00 PM and was asleep by about 6:30. I woke up about 3 hours later.

My event didn't quite turn out how I had hoped but I knew it was short notice. I did get to work on my presentation a little, so that was good.

I have another event on Wednesday evening in front of a few doTerra Independent Wellness Advocates. I'll be doing some relationship marketing training and then I'll share the opportunity.

So, that's it for tonight. I'm going to eat my Peanut M&M's before Milk Chocolate Day is over. Tomorrow I'm planning on having a full blog post.

SendOutCards opportunity meeting

i spent most of the day preparing for my SOC opportunity meeting tomorrow so I didn't have a chance to work on my blog today. And probably the same thing tomorrow.

Here's the link to the FB event.

https://m.facebook.com/events/1628425334081303?notif_t=plan_user_associated&ref=m_notif

The Funday Sunnies

Interesting days

Today - Let's celebrate our parents' and their siblings since it's both https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/parents-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/aunt-and-uncle-day/ And if your family tree is like mine, these could be the same people! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/all-or-nothing-day/ Are you all in?

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-houseplant-for-a-walk-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/walk-on-stilts-day/

Next Sunday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/friendship-day/ Reach out to your friends today. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sisters-day/ Often your sister is your best friend or your best friend is like your sister! And don't forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ice-cream-sandwich-day/. And lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/psychic-day/ But you already knew that

August 26 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dog-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/womens-equality-day/

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thread-the-needle-day/ How many of you sew?

Tomorrow - Since yesterday was https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cousins-day/  it seems only appropriate to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/aunt-and-uncle-day/ Without our aunts and uncles we wouldn't have cousins! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/parents-day/ Without parents we wouldn't be here. And  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/all-or-nothing-day/ Sometimes you need to give it your all

August - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/romance-awareness-month/ I guess it's appropriate that the 1st day of Romance Month is https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/girlfriends-day/. And it's  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/golf-month/ Maybe it's time to take up golf!

Next Saturday - And let's not forget those who don't have children on https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-childfree-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mustard-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/raspberry-cream-pie-day/ Although I highly discourage you from mixing them together. Let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/yorkshire-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mead-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/girlfriends-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-wide-web-day/

August 25 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/kiss-and-make-up-day/. And maybe a couple of whisky sours wouldn't hurt since it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/whisky-sour-day/ I have to work that evening so I won't be able to celebrate...maybe on the weekend

Just interesting days

I have a networking event to go to a little later today but I have some errands I have to take care of before then, so only interesting days today. But I do have some things I want to talk about next week.

Interesting days

Today - Happy https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cousins-day/ to all of my cousins out there! Why not take your cousins out to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tequila-day/. Many drive thru's are open late, so you can also celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/drive-thru-day/ after. And you can also share some of the many old jokes you used to tell when you were kids because it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-an-old-joke-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thread-the-needle-day/

Next Friday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/uncommon-instrument-awareness-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/talk-in-an-elevator-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/system-administrator-appreciation-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-ranger-day/

August 24 - Continuing with the musical theme it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-strange-music-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/vesuvius-day/ I did see Mt Vesuvius from the airport in Naples once. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/knife-day/ I do like my Swiss Army Knife! And lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pluto-demoted-day/ This day would be almost forgotten, but Pluto has been promoted back to planethood. In case you're wondering why, scientists finally got to see a closeup of the far side of Pluto

ICMR

No, it's not a type of missile. It stands for Integrated Corridor Mobility Route, which sounds vaguely military to me...a route shared by cars, trucks and missiles being hauled down the highway.

But it's actually a plan for relieving congestion on a portion of Interstate 80 near San Francisco.

Here's a video that describes all of the changes being made to help improve traffic flow during rush hour and when collisions occur.

I live right in the middle of this stretch of freeway and I get to deal with it most days on the way to work. The reason I'm talking about it today is that some of the lane signs are being tested. Here's a photo I took yesterday while stopped on the freeway.

Next year the interstate highway system will be 60 years old and it does have ties to the Cold War. One of the primary purposes in the creation of the interstate highway system was to increase the mobility of military troops. I remember seeing a section of 580 being built when I was about 4 or 5 years old, which would be around 1960-1961.

Highway 80 runs all the way from San Francisco to New York City. All main highways in the system are one or two digits, with east-west highways being even and north-south highways being odd. Interstate 5 runs from Canada to Mexico through California, Oregon and Washington. The highway numbering starts in the west for north-south highways with Interstate 5 and continuing to I99 between New York and Pennsylvania. The east-west routes begin with I2 which resides totally within Texas, to I96 which only serves Michigan. I10 runs across the US from Santa Monica, CA to Jacksonville, FL. When I moved from New Jersey back to California we took I10. It was in November so I wanted to avoid any snow that may have been along various parts of I80, which would've been a more direct route. And the southern route enabled us to visit my parents outside Knoxville, TN and my future father-in-law in Tampa, FL.

The shortest interstate highway is I97 which is only 17.62 miles, while the longest, I90, is 3,101.77 miles

Auxiliary highways have 3 digits, with the 2nd and 3rd digit being the primary route. If the 1st digit is odd, the road is a spur route. If even, the route returns to the main highway. In this local area, I often take I580 which starts in Marin county, crosses the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (I live very near the eastern end of this bridge), and merges with I80 near the Golden Gate Fields horse racing track. The most interesting thing about this section of freeway is that I80 East is the exact same stretch as I580 West and vice versa (this section of freeway is actually running north and south). At the approach to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge the highways split, with I80 West continuing to SF and I580 East heading out to I5 south of Tracy. This split is known as the MacArthur Maze...I580 in this area is known as the MacArthur Freeway. Not only do 80 and 580 split from here but so does 880, which runs from Oakland to San Jose and a few miles down 580, CA24 also splits off to go between Oakland and Walnut Creek. This maze is a big reason for all of the heavy traffic in the area.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gorgeous-grandma-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-dog-day/ Since I'm not a grandma, gorgeous or otherwise, I'll only be celebrating one of these days. However, if any of you hot grandmas want to join me, you're welcome to

Tomorrow - Several interesting days - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cousins-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-an-old-joke-day/, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/drive-thru-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tequila-day/ I don't know if any drive thru's will be celebrating drive thru day but On The Border and Chevy's will be celebrating tequila day

Next Thursday - Continuing with the hot dog theme https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chili-dog-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cheesecake-day/. Hmmm...a chili dog for lunch followed by cheesecake for dessert...works for me! Don't forget to bring your father-in-law to lunch with you since it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/father-in-law-day/. And buy him a book for https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/paperback-book-day/

August 23 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/valentino-day/ No silly, not Valentine's Day...that's in February. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ride-the-wind-day/ Sounds like a good day for sailing or windsurfing, neither of which I've done in a long time

 

Skeptics vs cynics

Jordan Adler, network marketing speaker and trainer, did a Periscope about handling people who are negative about network marketing and he talked about the difference between skeptics and cynics. The short answer is that skeptics are good and cynics are bad.

Let's see what those words actually mean and then talk about how skeptics can actually be good for your business.

According to www.dictionary.com

skeptic

[skep-tik] 

noun

1.

a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.

cynic

[sin-ik]

noun

3.

a person who shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly cynical attitude.

cynical

[sin-i-kuh l]

adjective

3.

bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.

So, a skeptic is someone who either has questions about your product or service, or maybe about the network marketing profession in general. If you can address their concerns, in a way that doesn't invalidate their position, they can become your best supporters. Usually skeptics just need validation from a 3rd party, which is where your 3 way calls or 3rd party tools such as webinars or videos come in.

While a cynic just wants to make themselves look good by making you look bad. Avoid them like the plague.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hammock-day/ Darn! I wish I could celebrate this today! But I'm going to try to celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/penuche-fudge-day/ if I can find someplace that has it

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gorgeous-grandma-day/ Take your grandmother out to lunch because it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-dog-day/ I know I'll be celebrating this one!

Next Wednesday - I highly discourage you from celebrating https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lipstick-day/ by kissing a tiger, even though it's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-tiger-day/. And why are we celebrating https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/rain-day/ in July? You can celebrate https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lasagna-day/ by sharing it with your favorite tiger striped cat

August 22 - Speaking of cats, I'm sure yours will love https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-cat-to-the-vet-day/. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/be-an-angel-day/

Express yourself

This is kind of a followup to my post last week on freedom of expression but this is about the need that most entrepreneurs have to express themselves.

I think that a lot of people start their own businesses as a means of expressing themselves whether creatively like my cuzaunt by marriage, Shauna Napier and her business Ginger Gypsy Glass Works, or whether it's a desire to help others such as Tom Pearson and his business Own My Greatness.

And for others, like me, you just don't quite fit into the 9 to 5 mold. Even though I've been doing it for 35 years, it hasn't been a good fit. I've started several businesses over the years...a couple of traditional businesses involving computers and tech stuff, and a couple of network marketing businesses.

I truly love SendOutCards...the product itself provides a way for people to express themselves. Some people love spending hours designing a greeting card, and I've seen some awesome ones (check out www.sendcere.com/144087 (click on All Cards to see everything and not just the few that I've collected) which is our Pinterest style site where people share the cards that they've created) and other people like me use the creativity of others to express ourselves.

So, I guess my point is this...if you want to express yourself consider starting your own business, whether it's a traditional brick and mortar business like my friend Dennis Beckman and Back in Power, a business to help others overcome their shyness like Bonnie Lafer and Acting with Confidence or a network marketing business like JoAnn Hall and doTerra.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/junk-food-day/ Yes, I am planning on celebrating this!

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/penuche-fudge-day/ I'll have to see if I can find some. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hammock-day/ The perfect place to enjoy penuche fudge

Next Tuesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/milk-chocolate-day/ Although I'm more of a dark chocolate guy, I do like milk chocolate too

August 21 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mens-grooming-day/ Sounds like a good day to get a shave and haircut at Grand Barber Shop (Laura is awesome!). It's also  https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/spumoni-day/ Personally I've never been a fan. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poets-day/ August seems to have a lot of poetry related days

I am a network marketing professional

Yesterday Eric Worre, a network marketing trainer, came out with a video on "What do we call ourselves?".

A lot of people go by the term direct sellers, but as Eric pointed out we really don't sell directly to the consumer anymore. Now we usually connect a customer with our company and the customer orders from the company's website and the company ships directly to the customer. We still get our commission but we don't sell directly to the customer anymore...not like when my Mom sold Avon when I was a kid. She would go to customers' houses in her territory, show them what was available, take their order, place the order with the company, get several large boxes from Avon, put each customer's items in bags and deliver them to their home.

Multi level marketing, or MLM, describes how we get paid not what we do. We don't market to multiple levels but we get paid on multiple levels.

Like Eric I think the best term for what we do is "network marketing" because we share our products and services with our friends and family...our network. And every person has a unique network that nobody else shares which is what makes network marketing such a great tool not only for the network marketer but for the network marketing company as well.

As Eric says at the end of every video "My wish for you is that you becoming a network marketing professional because it is a stone cold fact that we have a better way". And I agree 100%.

I am a network marketing professional! And I love what I'm doing.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/moon-day/ I remember I was camping in Trinity on this day in 1969...hard to believe that was 46 years ago! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/space-exploration-day/ I downloaded a really cool app for my iPhone that I got for free from Starbucks called "Skyview", which is available for purchase for $1.99 in the iTunes Store. I'm not sure if it's available for Android. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-jump-day/

And last, but not least, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lollipop-day/ Sounds like a good day for a Tootsie Pop

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/junk-food-day/ OK, I think I'll celebrate this one. Chips, candy, soda...etc.

Next Monday - Hmmm...interesting juxtaposition! It's both https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/take-your-houseplant-for-a-walk-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/walk-on-stilts-day/ Since I don't have a houseplant...or stilts, I think I'll sit this one out

August 20 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lemonade-day/ This sounds refreshing! And so does https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-pecan-pie-day/ Well maybe not refreshing but certainly tasty. Check out this recipe. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-mosquito-day/ All I can say is buzz off!

The Funday Sunnies

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/raspberry-cake-day/ I may have to pick one up on the way to work. And I celebrated https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/daiquiri-day/ yesterday since I have to work today

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/get-out-of-the-doghouse-day/ Been there! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lollipop-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-jump-day/ Hopefully we don't knock the earth out of orbit and send it spiraling towards the sun. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/moon-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/space-exploration-day/. After seeing the far side of Pluto, scientists quickly decided to make it a planet again!

Next Sunday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/aunt-and-uncle-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/parents-day/ This could turn out to be a rather large celebration! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/all-or-nothing-day/

August 19 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/aviation-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/photography-day/ And if you have a drone you can combine the two. Or you could just go to the airport and take some pictures of the planes taking off and landing

Come Saturday morning

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/caviar-day/ Been there. Done that. Have the t-shirt (not tucked in)

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/raspberry-cake-day/ That sounds tasty! And so does https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/daiquiri-day/ Maybe Chevy's again

Next Saturday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thread-the-needle-day/ No, I can't sew

August 18 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mail-order-catalog-day/  I used to love getting the Montgomery Ward catalog...it had pretty much everything. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bad-poetry-day/

Confessions of another tucker

My name is Rick and I'm a tucker.

Yes, I admit it. I tuck my shirts in more than is considered stylish.

I read in a blog post the other day from http://www.artofmanliness.com about t-shirts and it included guidelines on when to tuck in your shirts here. Art of Manliness caters to men, young and old, with articles on health, fitness, work and style! And boy, I need help with style. It also has a lot of articles that are of general interest to everybody.

To tuck. Or not to tuck. That is the question. Whether it is more stylish to tuck and keep your shirt in your pants...or not tuck and have your shirt flapping in the wind? Aye, there's the rub.

To help answer that question, here's an excerpt from the AoM blog post:

Don’t tuck your tees in. It’s almost always going to come off as nerdy. Here’s which shirts you tuck, and which you don’t.

As I'm sitting here with my t-shirt tucked in. That might be why I look so nerdy!

And another tucking faux pas that I make is:

• Hawaiian shirts — These and any other loud-print shirts don’t get tucked no matter what their hem looks like. Seriously, just don’t. Nothing looks dorkier than a tucked-in vacation shirt. This goes for Guayaberas as well.

Here's a general guideline for shirt tucking:

Shirts that are made with a flat bottom hem are meant to be worn untucked. But if the shirt has visible “tails” — that is to say, the hem varies in length, rather than being even all the way around — it should always be tucked in.

Wearing a shirt with tails untucked is not a forbidden look. But it is a juvenile one. With nothing else on the upper body, it makes you look like a teen rebel at a grown-up wedding. Under a jacket or with a suit, being untucked makes you look like you’re trying too hard to be stylishly rumpled.

 So, I tend to over tuck, but last night I did wear my Hawaiian shirt untucked.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/yellow-pig-day/ Interesting...in a strange sort of way. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/peach-ice-cream-day/ Ahhhhh...that sounds refreshing

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/caviar-day/

Next Friday - Did you hear the one about https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-an-old-joke-day/? (I know I used that one yesterday!). It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cousins-day/. 

Let's not forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/drive-thru-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tequila-day/ How about a drive thru where you can get shots of tequila, a margarita or tequila sunrise?

August 17 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/black-cat-appreciation-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/thrift-shop-day/ No, I don't think you can get a black cat at the thrift shop, but maybe you can take yours with you

Early meeting with a customer

I have an early meeting with a customer this morning, so just

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/corn-fritters-day/ Here's a recipe. At least now I have a good idea of what they are

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/yellow-pig-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/peach-ice-cream-day/ Tasty!

Next Thursday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gorgeous-grandma-day/ You know who you are! And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hot-dog-day/ Maybe grab one with a gorgeous grandma

August 16 - Did you hear the one about https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tell-a-joke-day/? And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/rollercoaster-day/ Too bad it's on Sunday this year...I may have to celebrate it on Friday and/or Saturday. There are a lot to choose from in this area...the classic  http://beachboardwalk.com/giantdipper/, as well as newer ones in https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/attractions/thrill-rides and https://www.cagreatamerica.com/things-to-do/thrill-rides. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/airborne-day/ 

Here's a blog post that I've re-purposed from my SendOutCards blog:

Let your positive attitude lead the way

July 04, 2015

by r_tompkins

As an entrepreneur, you have an amazing opportunity. You have the power to create a business that encourages people to promote goodness and embrace the positive.

Imagine a world where people actually act on their promptings to make a difference in the lives of others? That’s what SendOutCards is all about! We’re also about building and maintaining relationships and promoting a positive attitude.

Let this opportunity guide the goals of your professional life. It is possible to make a difference in people’s lives! And it all starts with your attitude. Here are a few ways a positive attitude will contribute to a better bottom line for your business:

Set realistic goals and view them in a positive light. Put your mind in a place to desire success and then strive for it. Yes, achieving goals can be difficult, especially when you are first starting out, but if you focus your energy on how difficult it is to achieve your goal, you are devoting your efforts to a dead end. Remember that the purpose of goals is to give yourself something to strive for!

Don’t underestimate the power of your mind. Every time you tell yourself that you have talent and you can succeed, you water a small seed of confidence that will help you grow into the person you want to become. It also doesn’t hurt to surround yourself with people who are great at cheering you on!

Remember that your attitude affects those around you. Building connections is by nature a group undertaking, and it’s your responsibility to be a positive example to people. If you tell others to be positive but don’t take your own words to heart, they will eventually notice, and your words will be meaningless.

Rely on your optimism to re-energize yourself. We all feel discouraged sometimes, and we all run into those among us who doubt us or even try to tear us down. But successful people climbed the mountains in their lives by revitalizing themselves. They came to a point where they began generating their own optimism and positive energy to keep themselves going when everyone around them thought they’d fail.

Take this opportunity to create positive goals that will ultimately strengthen the foundation of your business, so you can enjoy the journey to the greatest extent and achieve the success you desire.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gummi-worm-day/ They're on sale at Safeway right now

It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tapioca-pudding-day/ I may have to get some today. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pet-fire-safety-day/ Make sure you remember them in your evacuation plans

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/corn-fritters-day/ Don't think I've ever had 'em. Don't even know where to get 'em

Next Wednesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hammock-day/ This is a day I can get into...literally! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/penuche-fudge-day/ I'm not sure what a penuche is, but it looks tasty

August 15 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/relaxation-day/ I'm sensing a trend here. And a hammock is a great place to enjoy https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/corn-on-the-cob-day/. It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-honey-bee-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/homeless-animals-day/

Freedom of expression

That's the topic of a call I will be speaking on this morning at 9:00 PDT. Please feel free to listen in at https://22s.com/7923. I'm not sure if it will be recorded but I'm hoping it will be.

For most of the past week I didn't really think too much about the topic until today. There seems to be a lot of stuff in the news these days about freedom of expression.

I think a lot of people seem to believe that freedom of expression means that they get to say or do whatever they want and that everyone else just has to accept it because it's their right to express themselves. It's true that we're free to express ourselves, but we're not free from the repercussions of what we say or do. So, if you want to stomp or defecate on the American flag, don't be surprised if millions of people hate you...or worse.

But it can also go too far the other way. Many people are afraid to express themselves for fear of offending someone. But no matter what you say or do, someone might end up being offended by it. Suppose you were offering a million dollars. That sounds like a good thing, right? But someone may be offended because it's not two million dollars. Someone else may be offended because they see it as a handout and they refuse to accept a handout. And someone else may be offended that it's in dollars instead of Euros. Somebody, somewhere, may be offended by whatever you have to offer; whether it's a million dollars, your product or service, or yourself.

You can't please everyone and if you try to please everyone or not offend anyone, you end up pleasing no one and offending everyone.

Take the holidays, for instance. I was raised to celebrate Christmas and I tend to say "Merry Christmas". I don't say it because I think the holiday I celebrate is better than somebody else's. I say it because it signifies joy and goodwill to me. But if I know someone is Jewish I'll wish them "Happy Hanukah" because, at least in my limited understanding, that means the same thing to them as "Merry Christmas" means to me. And if someone wishes me a "Happy Hanukah" I'm not offended, rather I'm grateful that they care enough to share something important to them with me.

As a blog writer, I'm able to say what's important to me. And I hope that what's important to me is at least interesting to others. I try not to purposely offend anyone although I know that it's pretty much impossible to never offend somebody. I try to educate, uplift and entertain. If I occasionally accomplish one or more of those, without offending too many people, then I have succeeded.

Interesting days

Today - Yee haw! It's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cow-appreciation-day/. As well as https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/shark-awareness-day/ And pandemonium will break loose if we combine the two

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/tapioca-pudding-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gummi-worm-day/. And don't forget https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pet-fire-safety-day/ Make sure your dogs or cats know how to use the fire extinguishers in your home

Next Tuesday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/junk-food-day/ I celebrate this one nearly every day

August 14 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/creamsicle-day/ Maybe an Orange Cream Shake from Arby's

Early morning apartment hunt

I'm leaving in about 5 minutes to go apartment hunting, so I won't be doing a blog post today. However, I will try to Periscope when I go through the apartment(s). You can follow me on Periscope (or Twitter) as @rick_tompkins

The Funday Sunnies

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/etch-a-sketch-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/different-colored-eyes-day/ If you want to play with an online etch-a-sketch, see my blog post from yesterday

Tomorrow - Hear ye, hear ye. It is https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/town-crier-day/. As well as https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/embrace-your-geekness-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/french-fries-day/ Embrace your geekness and treat yourself to some fries!

Next Sunday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/french-fries-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/raspberry-cake-day/ Yum! I think another trip to Chevy's may be in order. For the daiquiri...not the raspberry cake!

August 12 - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/vinyl-record-day/ It seems that vinyl records are making a comeback! It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-elephant-day/ and https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/youth-day/. And speaking of youth, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/middle-childs-day/

301st blog post!

No, it just doesn't have the same ring as 300th blog post. Oh, well.

Interesting days

Today - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/population-day/

Tomorrow - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/different-colored-eyes-day/ Do you, or anybody you know, have different colored eyes? It;s also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/etch-a-sketch-day/ Play with one online here: http://www.megafungames.com/games/etch_a_sketch/aff.php

Next Saturday - https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/caviar-day/ I've had it...not one of my favorites

August 11 - I started working for AT&T on August 11, 1980 (Yes, that's 35 years ago!). It's also https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/play-in-the-sand-day/ That sounds like fun. And it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/son-and-daughter-day/ If you can't spend time with your kids you can send them a card or letter or just call them and say hello. Lastly, it's https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ingersoll-day/ I'd never heard of him before, but here's a Wikipedia article on Robert Ingersoll: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_G._Ingersoll