Thursday, January 1, 2015

And then some

Out with the old, in with the new. In like a lion, out like a lamb. New year, new you. Rather than thinking of the past as something negative that must be changed, how about striving to just be?

Pledge to live, not merely exist.

And in truly living, these are my wishes for you in 2015: Excitement. Gratitude. Family. Happiness. Opportunity. Prosperity. Learning. Contentment. Adventure. Love. Friendship. Knowledge. Challenge. Adversity. Growth. Strength. Style. Peace. Blessings. Serenity. Excellence. Tolerance. Fortune. Health. Hope. Faith. Trust. Wonderment. Quiet. Education. Warmth. Coolness. Experience. Stillness. Optimism. Goodness. Healing. Thoughtfulness. Gladness. Sadness. Evolution. Humility. Generosity. Acceptance. Spirit. Development. Travel. Fun. A safe place to lay your head. A fully belly. A full heart. An engaged brain. What’s good for you. More. Less. Enough.

Make 2015 everything you want it to be.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Customer service is not for sale

I probably shouldn't be writing this while I'm annoyed, frustrated, angry, disappointed... you name the less-than-positive emotion that goes with not getting what you pay for.

When I call tech support, it's because I have an issue with your product or service. I'm a fairly resourceful person and can, the vast majority of the time, figure out the solution myself. Regardless, calling tech support is not something most people do just for kicks. It's because they're a customer of yours and they have an issue that only you can help solve.

So when I do break down and gird myself for the endless hold times and bad music associated with calling tech support, do not make the first 6 options something about sales. At that point, I'm really not terribly interested in adding any of your services, since what you currently provide me isn't working.

Another thought: If you know 'help' content on your site is wrong, fix it. Don't just apologize for it and say that's someone else's department. And speaking of departments, do I really need to be transferred 5 times during the same call? Did I not explain myself clearly enough with the problem, which was repeated verbatim to each of you?

Automation can be a good thing. I know some people prefer it because it lessens the chance of error, which is always introduced when a human is involved. Human error is a natural way of life. But it's customer service which differentiates you from your competitors. Don't drive your customers away. It's much more cost-effective to keep them than to replace them.

<rant over>

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Is this thing on?

I don't know about you, but each day, I get fresh inspiration and random, mostly creative ideas about things that would make an interesting blog post. It's really great, ideas flowing fast and furious...

... as I'm trying to fall asleep. Don't want to get up and write down the ideas because then I'll be awake, but certain that by the morning I will have forgotten what I wanted to say. Maybe it's age, or early senility, or a lazy yet overactive brain. Who knows.

What I do know is I need to get back into the practice of writing. Letters, proposals, pitches, blogs, web content, you name it. Work out the kinks and get the rusty machinery running smoothly. So we'll see how I do holding my own feet to the fire.

If I can get on track with this, I might look into a gym membership. Hmmm, maybe I better pace myself.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

I want to cry

There's no guarantee this will post either... I got on a good run with a post that's been on my mind and had to step away momentarily.  I'm trying this new-fangled tablet and I'm not real smooth yet with all the apps (thanks, history with ancient BlackBerry) so you can imagine my dismay when I realized it was.all.gone.

I'm the kind of writer who for the most part has the best draft in the first draft - or so I tell myself - so I'll have to see how the spirit moves me when I go at it again.

In the meantime, I may search out a refreshing libation and see what inspiration comes.

Grrr... but grateful I have a tablet and a working mind.

Until we read and write again.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

An open letter of thanks

For friends, family, bosses, lovers, peers, colleagues and formers of all (well, except parents, because I don't have any former parents.)

We tend to show appreciation and gratitude for positives, for good fortune, for successes. But I have learned through the course of my life that it's usually the negatives that do a better job of shaping people and events. Well, shaping me, at least.

So for all the turmoil, disappointments, turbulence, tribulations, falsehoods, untruths, half truths, let downs and shenanigans that I have so generously been showered with over the years, I thank you all.

Because if it weren't for those experiences, I don't think I would have learned patience, tolerance, self reliance, forgiveness, tenacity and pure independence. Not to mention truthfulness, loyalty, sincerity, reliability and helpfulness. Give your word and keep it. Help people out and pay it forward. Pay attention when people speak - listen actively. Live, don't just exist. Be genuine.

I'm going through one of, if not the, most challenging times of my life these days. But I know I'll survive and prosper. And I will be eternally grateful to those who, through their actions and inaction, showed me just how resilient I am. Thank you for building me up.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

new year, new you?

It's so easy to get excited about the possibilities a new year holds: the chance to make changes, to try new experiences, to shed old habits, to create new habits. I'm not in the habit of making resolutions... that's kind of like annual reviews to me. Address an issue as it comes along, no sense in saving it for the year end and all the build up.

So as I embark on 2013, I'm trying to focus on the positive and the things I want to improve, not necessarily bad things I want to 'fix'. And then my mind starts to wander with the seemingly endless list of things - careers - activities I'd like to try... you know, since you do only get one ride on the merry-go-round and all.

When I grow up, as if, here's what I want to be for my new year, new you: an ESPN commentator. A scuba dive instructor. A travel writer. A photographer. A mentor. A mentee. An FBI profiler. A PGA tour events professional. A pediatrician. A bartender in Tortola. A teacher. A philanthropist. A mom. A wife. An attorney. A pilot. A rancher. A southern belle. An adventurer. An actress. A motivational speaker. An around-the-world sailor. A seasonal ski instructor. A race car driver. A chef. A US Senator.

I guess we'll have to see how the world turns and what comes up on my next spin. But rest assured, I'm going to seize every day and every opportunity I can!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

well shame on me

huh. wonder what I've been doing for the last year and a half since it clearly hasn't been writing. well I'll get back to it in short order. my nephews are here tonight so maybe while they're doing homework I'll do some "homework" too.

catch up with you soon...