What's Your Story?

Thank Goodness It's Monday

Being that this is the Monday blog post and, if you are like me, it's going to take a few cups of coffee to really get rolling.....I'll be brief.

Thank God It's Monday!  Yes, if you are down and out - today is another chance to turn it all around and strike it big.  If you are already kicking ass, then today is yet another day to make your mark.  

I wrote recently about believing in yourself and the opportunities surrounding us in America.  It's all about the underdog stories:  anything is possible.  You can go from the bottom of the heap to the king of the castle in a short period of time in this country and that alone should be motivation even in down times.  We've all heard it before - keep your eyes peeled for opportunity as it often reveals itself in the least expected times and in the least expected manner.  Don't let current circumstances, whether they be inconvenient or spectacular, blurr your vision to the opportunities all around.

2 quick notes to get Monday rolling:  (a)  yes, another sports analogy - but another great list of examples of believing in yourself and beating out basically everyone else who would bet the house against you:  http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=miracles/081020  (b)  more tea with Sir Richard.  This is an awesome interview at the TED conference.
 

Let's have a kick ass week.

Steve Gumm

Stress, Anxiety, Fear, Depression.....Say Hello To My Little Friend.

Random Thoughts - Weekend Edition......

I just read through today's paper and have come to the conclusion that the world is truly about to come to an end.  Is there ANYTHING good or happy to report on besides the 2% they cough up in the paper?  Is everyone going out of business and being foreclosed on?  Can anyone write about the people amping up marketing and sales to rise above the economic trouble?  What about the families who have figured out how to adjust and make it?  What about the companies that are innovating and improving their operations because the time demands it?  Maybe it's true:  journalism is dead.  It seems like competition from tabloids is creating an environment where even "reliable" papers are just meeting the tabloids head on with trash of their own. 

Anyway - it just seems like everyone is so stressed out, anxiety ridden, afraid and depressed.  I'm about to share with you a little something to get your head in the right place. 

So, without further adieu - this weekend edition of Random Thoughts is bringing you a classic.  I love this.  Now watch it and smile a little for crying out loud.

Take it away Bobby......

Friday's Thoughts From the Grocery.....

     

Friday's random thoughts from my trip to the grocery:

There's so much bottled water at the grocery and it costs some coin.  If they stood there and filled it up at the tap, would we still buy it? 

If my faucet spilled out pizza for free - could they convince me to buy "better pizza" at the store?  Hmmmmm. 

Is the bottled water really that much better?  If someone took my bottle of Smart Water and filled it with tap without me knowing, then chilled it to perfection, could I tell the difference?

I guess sometimes marketing + media hype + great packaging= me buying something at the store that dumps out of my faucet for free.  DARNIT!  They got me!

Ever wonder who had to test all the food originally to figure out we can eat it?  Who's the nut that first tried cow's milk?  What about KIWI?  That fuzzy thing would scare the crap out of me if I didn't know it was edible.  There really should be a day of celebration for these people who dared to test this stuff.

They have faster service to create a convenience for those with fewer items.  It seems to me that it would make smarter business sense to have a "100 items or more" lane that had more staff, automatic delivery to your car, free beverage of your choice while you wait and a chance to win some cash.  Maybe more people would buy more.  It's like the system rewards people for not shopping as much.  Hmmmmm.

Where were these carts shaped like cars when i was a kid.  I'll give this guy or girl a high five if I ever meet them.  Put this on the "kick myself for not thinking of it" list.

I'm all for protocol and standards, but asking me if I need help out to my car when I have a bag of chips, can of soda and lunch meat borders on insulting.  Do I look that sickly and weak?  Next time I'm going to just say yes and have them carry out my bag.

Is there really that big of difference between toothpastes?  Seems like every single one will whiten my teeth better than the next.  I see an experiment in competitive packaging here for sure. 

What if technology put a scanner on the cart that charged a credit card on file?  Then you could just pay as you went along and then roll right out - no lines or waiting.   Kind of like IPASS for the grocery.  I'd sign up for that.

Have a great weekend.  I'm outta here.  Gotta eat.

Steve G.

Random Thoughts on a Friday......

   

I was in the bathroom at a Steak and Shake today and there was gang graffiti on the baby changing station.  I wonder if parents changing their kids are getting the message that this gang is not to be messed with and that "Little C" says "RIP Dribbles; Straight G".  There has to be a better target they can go after with this message.

Even though I'm grown up and a professional now, it's still awkward for me when I have conversations with anyone named Dick.  I know, I know - I just can't get past it.

The English language fascinates me and unknown origins (at least to me) intrigue me.  Who decided "Going to the John" meant bathroom and why now "going to the Craig"?  Joe Cool.....why not Steve Cool.  Why did Kathy get stuck with "chatty"? 

I was invited to, and am going to, a WaMu business series called "Big Ideas for Small Business".  I love the irony of WaMu putting this on.

It seems to me like everyone should just calm down.  Step back and realize that almost any "bad situation" in America is a luxury suite at the Trump to a large majority of the rest of the world.  Rest easy in tough times......we will be fine.

Today, everyone should commit to giving a compliment to a stranger, buy the coffee for the person behind you in the drive thru, send a thank you to a friend or associate, CALL YOUR MOM, let the person go in front when merging, take flowers home to your wife, wake up early and cook breakfast with your kids........let's all just have an awesome weekend.

Love Ya,

Steve G.

Random Thoughts Vol. 2

We should create a new holiday:  "NameTag Day".  Everyone talks about coming together and all that jazz. How about one day where you pass a stranger and can say "have a great day Eric", "Can I cut in here Marcus?" "Do you have the time Craig?".  It may just be me, but I think you can teach people to be nicer.  It's much harder to just drive by "Mary" who's broken down on the side of the road than it is to just drive by some broken down car.

I love the tube at the bank that shoot my documents into the bank and they shoot it back.  How entertaining would that be for a fast food joint.  Cash goes in with my order - burrito shoot through the tube to my car.  I'd probably go just to watch the burritos.

Why are street side garbage cans so ugly?  I know it's just a garbage can, but with all the people buying "designer" soap dispensers and other household goodies - I just think it would make sense to have creative, designer garbage cans too.

We should encourage adults to use playgrounds more often.  Go down the slides, use the monkey bars - have some fun.  You know you want to.  Maybe this would help adults would freakin' lighten up a little.

I've been watching these "debates".  THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LEAD THE COUNTRY!  Why do we have restrictions and a timeline.  I say let's have them stand there and literally debate each other and ask each other the questions. No moderator and no timelimits.  Let them go for 15 hours if necessary - whatever.  We'd never select the President of a company like this because you couldn't get a feel for the real person or there true capabilities.....it would be too risky -  but apparently we're all cool picking the leaders of the country this way.

I think it would be cool to have a slide from upstairs to downstairs in my house.  It would put me in a great mood to slide down into the kitchen in the morning.

"Oh No Cubs Oohhhh, Oh No Cubs Oohhh - Hey Chicago whadya say!"

No two snowflakes alike?  Really?  All those snowflakes and someone can assure me that none are the same?  Hmmmm.  Who's checking this out?

Steve G.

Saturday Thoughts From Steve.....

Here's the first installment of what will probably become a Friday rant for me.  There are so many things I don't understand or really wish were improved that I'm going to just lay down some of the things on my mind with these Thoughts From Steve (that would be me).  Maybe I'm just a weirdo - but there's just a ton of things I don't get and I'd like to share them with you.  And without further adieu.................................

Why do all the real estate for sale signs look the same?  What's with so many realtors putting their pictures on them and who started that trend?  Wouldn't it really grab your attention if a Realtor decided to actually do something different?   And there should be someone to say "probably shouldn't" for some folks that want a picture.

Is my neighborhood so dangerous?  It seems like so many of my neighbors have security systems?  And what's with the bright blue signs telling me the house is protected by such and such?  It seems like an odd addition to the landscaping.  Are there some statistics I'm missing out on?  Maybe I need one of these systems on my house to be safe.  I think I'd rather risk a break in than have that sign on my property.

The geese are heading south for the winter.  I think they are smarter than we give them credit for.  I wish we'd follow their lead.

What happened to Tom & Jerry and The Road Runner?  Did those cartoons really make previous generations more dangerous?  I personally think Barney is a little creepy myself....and I won't even get into the DoodleBops.  Wow.

I think whoever sold people on all those "no solicitor" signs must have done a great sales job while soliciting those folks.  If I get a "solicitors welcome" sign will I get more salespeople knocking on my door? 

Who decided the middle finger was bad and thumbs up good?  We should reverse it for a week - then the middle finger would be pretty funny.  Maybe I'll just switch it up myself without telling anyone.  "Hey, great job man!"  finger in the air.  That would be very confusing to people....and hilarious - until I caught a beat down anyway.

What happened to a good, old fashioned, phone ring?  I really don't need to know that my apparel sales rep loves 50 Cent's "In Tha Club". 

You know how many times in my life I've needed a bailout?  Maybe we should get 2 bailouts each and call it even.  I don't get paid enough to earn a bailout I guess.

Why don't gas stations offer old school full service anymore?  I'd go for it if I could pull up, have a well presented attended ask me what kind of fuel I needed - call in to have a Monster energy drink and cliff bar brought out to my car and thank me for coming by.  That would make my day.  Seems like these days I always end up with gas on my hands or having to get out of the car to go in while I have my kids in the car.  You want me to become a loyal customer?.....do something different.

Energy drinks are so popular these days that I think I've switched from coffee.  I would kill for an energy drink drive up window in the morning on my way to work.  I'd hit it every morning.  Why can I only get a coffee at a drive-up window?  How about a Red Bull or Monster?

I'm out.  Instead of Regards, Thanks, Sincerely etc. - why can't we have some fun and say "Breakdance, High Five, I love quarter pounders" to close out a letter?

Tummy Rubs,

Steve G.