Ross Reck's Reminders

According to author, Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame, “Successful people go the extra mile.  Plain and simple.”  They regularly exceed expectations and stand out from the crowd because of these extra efforts.  According to Canfield, “They get the promotions, they get the loyal customers, they grow their businesses twice as fast, they get the financial rewards, job security and they go home feeling satisfied.”  He goes on to say, “Listen to any success story and you will hear of someone who worked exceptionally hard to get what they wanted.  You’ll hear how they put in the extra time, did what wasn’t part of their job description, and over-delivered on what was asked of them. You’ll hear how they stuck at it until they broke through, and usually you’ll hear how it only took them a couple of years to do it.”  In addition, Mr. Canfield points out that, “You can only win be making extra efforts.  People who go the extra mile always get payback.  You will discover yourself becoming more self-confident, more self-reliant and more influential with those around you.”  What Mr. Canfield is saying that going the extra mile is really the shortest and surest route to success.

I read an article recently that was written by Lauren Paige Kennedy which contained a list of tips from Queen Latifah for leading the good life.  The tip that really caught my eye was attract love.  Ms. Latifah said, “You have to not seek it.  You have to be it.  Love yourself first.  It will come to you naturally.  You don’t have to fake it.  You don’t have to be needy.   Be open.  And don’t judge the package it comes in.”  When you attract love, you surround yourself with people who really care about you.  These are the people who pick you up when you’re down, who cheer you on when you feel like you’re running out of gas and who are truly happy for you when you succeed.  We would all live the good life if we followed the Queen’s advice: we attract love by giving love and it starts with loving ourselves.

It doesn't take much - a smile...

This time of year, people are thinking about their New Year’s resolutions.  Many of these resolutions are concerned with things like losing weight, quitting smoking or starting and maintaining an exercise program.  These are all very difficult things to do, so by the end of January most of them will have been forgotten.  There is, however, one resolution that is much easier and, at the same time, makes the world a better place.  That is to make it a point in every encounter with another human being to lift that person up – make them feel better off for having crossed your path.  It doesn’t take much – a smile, a kind word, a compliment or just listening to what that other person has to say.  Such activities require almost no effort on your part but they make all the difference in the other person’s day.  In addition, this type of behavior is contagious.  Now the person whom you’ve just lifted will be doing things to lift others as well.  So, give this a try during 2012.  This will not only put smiles on the faces of the people you interact with, it will put a big smile on your face as well.

I came across this poem by Edgar Guest. He was born in England, but spent most of his adult life in Detroit writing regularly for the Detroit Free Press. During his life, he wrote more than 11,000 poems all of which contained excellent advice for getting the most out of life. The one below contains some extraordinary advice on how to prepare ourselves to successfully navigate the New Year.

It Couldn’t Be Done
By Edgar Albert Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

... the gift of your presence.

This week’s Reminder is prompted by an incident I learned of where a father was pushing his child on a swing with one hand while texting on his cell phone with the other.  I know that texting and talking on a cell phone can be addictive.  I’ve observed people texting at funerals and during church services.  I’ve also heard people talking on their cell phone while using the bathroom in the stall next to mine.  It’s like some people just can’t let it go.  When it comes to family and friends, I think we owe them the courtesy of giving them our full presence while we’re with them—actively listening to what they have to say and so forth.  If we can’t do this, then we’re really not much of a friend or parent.  So, if you’re playing with your child or visiting with a friend, turn your cell phone off and give them the gift of your presence.  You’ll both be glad you did.

Can we get together for lunch sometime soon?

With all the good will that gets passed around during the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to repair any strained relationships you might have in your life.  People are generally in a great mood, which makes them far more open to forgiving and accepting forgiveness.  So, if you have any strained relationships, now is the perfect opportunity to make that phone call and say, “I’ve missed you.  Can we get together for lunch sometime soon?”  Or, to walk over to a fellow employee’s work area and say, “I’m sorry about the way I acted during the meeting last month.”  If you do this, you’ll not only crank up the intensity of the holiday spirit that’s already inside you, but you’ll start the New Year with a clean slate as well.

...a kind word or gesture from you can brighten a retail clerk’s day.

This is the time of the year when retail clerks catch a lot of undeserved verbal abuse from the people they’re trying to serve.  Stores are crowded, people are in a hurry, check-out lines are long and tempers are short.  Under these circumstances, a kind word or gesture from you can brighten a retail clerk’s day.

I read where one person carried small packets of M&M’s in his pocket to give to clerks as he was going through the check-out process.  He would simply put it in their hand and say, “I hope your day is going well.”  Showing an interest in their welfare can also brighten their day.  During last year’s holiday season, I was checking out in a grocery store and I asked the clerk how her day was going.

She responded with, “Wow!  Somebody asking me how my day is going; now there’s a switch!”  We then proceeded to have a very pleasant conversation.  Several days later, I was back at that same grocery store and the check-out lines were long.  That same clerk spotted me and said, “I’ll open my register for you. Come with me.”  I then let her know how much I appreciated her kindness.  She looked at me and said, “We always remember the nice ones.”  So, take the time to spread a little joy among retail clerks this holiday season.  It will brighten their day and yours as well.

This is the time of the year when retail clerks catch a lot of undeserved verbal abuse from the people they’re trying to serve.  Stores are crowded, people are in a hurry, check-out lines are long and tempers are short.  Under these circumstances, a kind word or gesture from you can brighten a retail clerk’s day.
I read where one person carried small packets of M&M’s in his pocket to give to clerks as he was going through the check-out process.  He would simply put it in their hand and say, “I hope your day is going well.”  Showing an interest in their welfare can also brighten their day.  During last year’s holiday season, I was checking out in a grocery store and I asked the clerk how her day was going.
She responded with, “Wow!  Somebody asking me how my day is going; now there’s a switch!”  We then proceeded to have a very pleasant conversation.  Several days later, I was back at that same grocery store and the check-out lines were long.  That same clerk spotted me and said, “I’ll open my register for you. Come with me.”  I then let her know how much I appreciated her kindness.  She looked at me and said, “We always remember the nice ones.”  So, take the time to spread a little joy among retail clerks this holiday season.  It will brighten their day and yours as well.

"Sing like no one's listening..."

Recently, I was talking with a woman who seemed very apathetic about life.  After listing to her for a while, I decided to ask her a tongue-in-cheek question to see if that’s the way she really looked at life.  The question was:  “Are you indifferent or is it that you just don’t care?”  Her forthright response surprised me.  She answered, “Half and half.”  This woman clearly had nothing in her life that she was excited about and, I might add, she didn’t seem very happy either.  Passion is the wind that fills our sails and propels us through life. Without that wind, it doesn’t matter how good a rudder we have because we’re going nowhere.

So, if we expect to be happy, we need to find something that we can get passionate about; it can be our children, grandchildren, a worthy cause, making others happy or serving our community.

The key is to find something that excites us and then letting loose.  As Mark Twain put it, “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”

Recently, I was talking with a woman who seemed very apathetic about life.  After listing to her for a while, I decided to ask her a tongue-in-cheek question to see if that’s the way she really looked at life.  The question was:  “Are you indifferent or is it that you just don’t care?”  Her forthright response surprised me.  She answered, “Half and half.”  This woman clearly had nothing in her life that she was excited about and, I might add, she didn’t seem very happy either.  Passion is the wind that fills our sails and propels us through life. Without that wind, it doesn’t matter how good a rudder we have because we’re going nowhere.
So, if we expect to be happy, we need to find something that we can get passionate about; it can be our children, grandchildren, a worthy cause, making others happy or serving our community.
The key is to find something that excites us and then letting loose.  As Mark Twain put it, “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”

Last week I sent you half the list of 20 simple ways to show your appreciation to someone who has done something nice to you.  Below is the second half of that list.  Some of these won’t apply to those of you living in warm weather climates; but the thought still applies.

1. Pick up some groceries and drop them off on your way home.

2. Return a favor. If your neighbor always shovels your walk way or mows your grass get   out there before him or her and do theirs for a change.
3. Watch your niece or nephew for an afternoon to give their parents some time off.
4. Make reservations at their favorite restaurant.
5. Make a candle light dinner at home for your spouse.
6. Give a hug. Yes it can be that simple.
7. Tell them what you think they are particularly great at.
8. Write notes to leave on a pillow, a computer keyboard, or in a lunch box.
9. Give a handmade gift. Winter is in full swing here, so how about a knitted scarf or mitts? Or a center piece for their table.
10. Make a special day just for them. Plan a day for them around what they enjoy. Go with them if it’s appropriate.

Our relationships with others are what enrich our lives. Take time to show the people who make your life better how much you appreciate them and how much they matter.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

I recently received an email informing me that November is “Gratitude Month.”  I have no idea who wrote the original email, but it contained a list of 20 simple ways to show your appreciation to someone who has done something nice to you.  I’d like to share half the list with you today and the other half next week.

1. A heartfelt thank-you note/card.
2. Gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop.
3. Fresh baking for their early morning meeting.
4. Fresh cut flowers to be passed around the office. Include a card that says: A little something to brighten your day. I’m yours for two hours then give me away.
5. Invite your friend or co-worker out for a cup of coffee or a drink after work.
6. Lend a hand when a friend or family member is painting or remodeling their home.
7. If you know your friend wants to get organized but is having a tough time starting, buy them a book on organizing, some containers and nice notebook.
8. Cook a meal so they don’t have to after a long day at work.
9. Frame one of their favorite pictures.
10. Share a plant or a plant clipping.