Monday, June 21, 2010

You've got to Want it!

Marco and I were having a conversation about a girl on his track team who bypassed 7th grade and went straight to 8th. He wanted to know why she would do that. There are probably lots of reasons but what it came down to is, You've Got to Want it!

Two teams of equal talent and preparation take the soccer pitch. The team that want's it the most will win.

For a Marriage to work both parties have to really want it to work.

For a company to change it's culture. For it to realize that culture and something greater than Dollars and Profit can create greatness. It has to want it.

I think if you really want it you'll do what it takes. You take the risk. You'll accept failure and learn from it. If you really, really, really want it, even the team with less talent can win.

Search Google for Billy Mills. In 1964 he ran in the Olympic 10,000 meters. He came in one minute slower than the world leader. On the final lap he got pushed by that world leader into lane 3. He then got pushed by the head bobbing runner who would later become one of the greatest. But Billy Mills on that day wanted it. He came through a crowd on that last lap to pass everyone. To the surprise of everyone in the world an American won the 10,000 meters. By they way he's the last American to do this. Is that because we have not talent or no want. Probably the talent hasn't matched the want.


It's a good life.....

Dave

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day Papi!

Father's Day without Papi! I hope you know that you have guided me through the last few weeks the same way you always did.



It's a good life....

Dave

Friday, June 11, 2010

Totally Cool Company

I got the pleasure to meet with the fine folks at Zappos yesterday. What a totally cool company. Like me you've probably been to a company or two where the words and music don't match. Where the brand speak or the internal value speak don't get acted out by the employees. Well I can tell you for sure. The folks at Zappos live their core Values. Every single person in the building brings it. Here they are:

1) Deliver Wow through Service
2) Embrace and Drive Change
3) Create Fun and a Little Wierdness
4) Be Adventerous, Creative and Open-Minded
5) Pursue Growth and Learning
6) Build Open and Honest Relationships with Communication
7) Build a positive Team and Family Spirit
8) Do More with Less
9) Be Passionate and Determined
10) Be Humble

It's a good life...
Dave

Monday, June 7, 2010

Week of 5/31/2010

There are tough weeks out there and this was one of them. Going into it with a low back that was throbbing and a left leg that constantly feels like it's getting pinched was not a good sign.

Monday - Memorial Day. I did what I could to stay out of trouble. Put as little pressure on my back as I could and just chilled all day with the family.

Tuesday - Easy spin on the trainer - 30 minutes. This was also the start of the US sales meeting for Zoot which had my head spinning a bit.

Wednesday - Group run with the sales team. We had a really good turn out for the run. Out the hotel parking lot, to the coast highway and north along the coast to Carlsbad. Easy pace with the group to the turn around. Then sub rep from NY decided he needed to keep his creed, "finish strong". The pace gradually picked up. We negative split the run by 2 minutes. Uphill most of the way back. Only 3 finished together. - 47 minutes
Wednesday PM - This doesn't count for anything but it was sales meeting team competition at the beach. My team finished 2nd overall partially due to my inept 3 legged race effort. But we got into the final because of some outstanding boogie boarding by me and my teammate Jim. Ocean time is always good time and it felt great to be in the waves. Then I got out and my back was hating me beyond belief. Ice I need Ice!

Thursday - Group run again. Much smaller group because everyone was out partying the night before. My back was absolutely crying out there. I kept the pace in check and the run short - 30 minutes. Everyone appreciated that effort.

Friday - Back time. It won't go down in a workout log but it should. First off it was the back doctor making sure no real damage was done. Then it was the trigger point massage therapist Susan working on the body. Her quote "you knew it was going to hurt, that's why you came here right?" There were tears rolling down my cheek as she worked on my obliques.

Saturday - Recovery from Friday. Also more important it was Mary's Birthday so Saturday was all about Mary. And my sore back.

Sunday - Finally relief in the back. I did some light core work and lots of stretching. Minor soreness but not that back pain that rules your every move.

Here's to weeks that make you stronger mentally.

It's a good life....
Dave

Thursday, June 3, 2010

For Better or Worse

I'm not sure if it's better or worse to know what's coming.

That is the question I ponder this week.

It's a good life...
Dave