Yesterday, my friend Arya proposed a very fascinating question revolving around the idea of being. He said, “Andrew, you seem to always be about being your best and super positive with your head lifted up to the sky. It’s inspirational and motivating. but i wonder, do you ever just be? with absolutely no drive to do?”
This question, caused me to wonder about the formula for being and several questions began to enter my mind. What does it mean to be? What is the role of doing in that formula? How are doing and being related? Is there any relation at all?
It didn’t take me long to realize that it is possible to do, without being, but I do not believe that it is possible to become, or to be, without doing something. Are you with me on that? Continue reading » »
Yesterday, my sister-in-law and her husband, decided to remove a liquidambar styraciflua tree from her backyard. This tree, commonly referred to as the American Sweetgum, is known for its beautiful leaves and fall colors. This particular specimen was fairly large, and I was surprised that they were removing it. I could tell that it provided good shade for the house and so I inquired about the purpose for its demise.
Ankle Breakers
While the tree is known for its beauty, it is also known for its spiked fruit. These “gumball” shaped droppings are very unpleasant to walk on, and they do not decompose. If left on the lawn, they turn it into an uneven surface full of lumpy pock marks. Here in North Carolina, they call the the fruit “ankle breakers” because both the fruit, and the holes they create in the lawn, are known to cause many ankle injuries.
As a newcomer, it was hard for me to understand why this tree was being removed. Continue reading » »
Yesterday, I lunched with a client on the top floor of one of the tallest buildings in Los Angeles. It was a beautiful day and the view was incredible. Even more incredible was our conversation. It was one of our first meetings and so we spent our time sharing what makes each of us unique.
I looked out the window, and there, far below I noticed a field where some youth were playing soccer. They looked so incredibly tiny. I could not really distinguish the ball. I am sure it was there, but it was too small for me to see. All I could make out were the colors of the uniforms moving on dark green grass.
I drifted for a moment and wondered about the emotion and noises that must have been occurring on the ground. I imagined that a great competition was occurring. I knew that there was a different feeling down there than what was being evoked from my vantage point. Continue reading » »
I am enjoying the olympics. It is inspiring to watch others reach for greatness. I always find the stories of those who are giving their life to pursue an audacious goal so encouraging. My own desire to reach for greatness is always increased during Olympic season.
The Champion
This week, we witnessed a remarkable story in the world of Snow Boarding. America’s Shaun White successfully defended his crown as the reigning Gold Medalist. The fact that he is a double Gold Medal winner, in and of itself, is a significant accomplishment, but Shaun showed us the difference between a winner and a champion. Continue reading » »
While I was pursuing my MBA, I was assigned to give a 30 minute presentation on my business. I remember feeling an internal conflict brewing as I prepared my remarks. I was just becoming aware of how annoyed I feel when I am defined by what I do. I wanted people to know who I am, and it frustrated me to think that my identity was so firmly connected with what I did for a living. This assignment would only add to that definition so I decided to break the mold.
Instead of sharing the normal statistics of our company, i.e., number of employees, gross and net revenues, years in business and our plan to achieve global domination in our marketplace, I decided to relate the defining moments of my professional life and how they molded and shaped my career. I wanted my cohorts to see me as a person, so I shared the highs and lows that contributed to my successes and failures.
MBA classrooms are not known for their warm and fuzzy experiences. They are generally associated with hard facts, controlled emotions and crisp conversations. My presentation was shaping up to be an emotionally intelligent, but soft skilled approach. I felt exposed and vulnerable as I began my talk. Despite my hesitation, I shared my story, hoping it would some how resonate with my classmates. Continue reading » »
