Richard’s Thoughts…
By the time you open this message, we will know what the prognosticator of all prognosticators Puxatony Phil had to say about the upcoming spring. This day always reminds me of the Bill Murray movie in the name of his funny holiday, Groundhog’s Day.

We all have funny and sometimes tears-streaming-down-your-face funny events happen throughout the day, but rarely do we allow ourselves the joy of experiencing those moments. We stifle the laughter because we’re in public or with friends who may not enjoy laughing in the moment.

But life needs laughter. Our day-to-day lives need laughter. If you feel a laugh coming, let it come out. You will be glad you did!

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I did have a moment recently where I posted a piece of political news about a candidate I like on my personal Facebook profile and someone was being less-than “adult” about their opinion and while I engaged back once, their reply did not deserve my time. That was a personal thing.

I was reading a story the other day from eMarketer where this was said: “At the same time, nearly 28% said they understood that companies don’t have time to respond to each consumer.”

That comment I must say, bothered me a bit. For a few reasons.

Let’s just pretend that Facebook, Twitter and all the other social networks didn’t exist and companies only had phones to deal with customer issues. In those situations, would that person make that same comment about a company not answering and responding to their phone calls? I’m sure the quote would look something like this: “I can’t believe a company would be in business if they are not going to answer their phones! I’m never shopping with them again!”

I think this person has it wrong. If a customer takes the time to communicate – positively or negatively about your company – they deserve a response. It doesn’t have to be much, but they deserve it.

Perhaps it is my personality that I do sincerely enjoy talking to and listening to people. In the end, a company exists because they have a passion, be it a product or a service. They have a passion. And with that passion comes a responsibility to treat others with kindness, to produce a good product or service and to act with kindness. I don’t think in the 21st Century that is too much to ask for from a business, or a person.

So, I must ask: How will you treat your customers, fans and friends today?

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Richard’s Thoughts…
Commitment. That’s the key to success. Well, that an a few other things like faith, passion, a dream, energy and of course luck. But I do believe one of the keys is commitment. I have begun to track my progress of training for my marathon in written posts and videos. Why?

Because I am committed. My first goal is to finish. But I also want to do well. I don’t believe I will be breaking the four-hour mark, but I’m shooting for 4:10 – 4:20 for my finishing time.

Here is my latest video:

I made this video last weekend during my run through a snowstorm here in New York City. I did it to prove a point for this week’s lesson: I am committed to being 100-percent prepared. There is no other way to go after your dreams. Commit, prepare, and succeed.

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All in all, this is a fantastic resource. The book covers everything you could ever want to know about running in and training for a marathon. It is no easy task.

The great thing about the book is that is covers mostly the best ways to train. That’s where a lot of people get tripped up. (Full disclosure: I’m not doing one of Higdon’s programs due to my own physical limitations and injuries.)

Throughout the book, Higdon details how to go through your daily and weekly runs and how to allow yourself adequate recovery time. Littered through the book, the 4th Edition, are stories of success. Not everyone had it easy, but success is paramount.

Aside from all the training advice was the information on eating; especially pre- and post-marathon. For me, that has been my biggest concern and focus, aside from the running itself.

All told, this book seems to be a great guide for the new-to-marathoning runner. And for someone (me), who only plans on going on this adventure once, this book is a great guide on how to do it right.

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Richard’s Thoughts…
We all know emotions are a tough thing to deal with. They can drag you down and sap your energy and passion for life away. That’s where offering your own experiences up as proof of coming through to the other side is vital.

Not only to that other person, but also yourself. For instance, if you talk someone else through a difficult experience or moment or decision that you too have either gone through or are going through, you are exponentially able to gain perspective for your own situation.

It is a priceless act of caring and compassion that I recommend you do. You can also get this same experience through volunteering which I also do through The Trevor Project. I do believe Barbara is right: give back to others. You’ll make the world a better place.

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I did a quick search and here are some comments against having a drink at lunch:

“If I am going back to work, never. I am always surprised when a lunch companion orders a drink.”

“That’s one of those “let’s show you to the door” offenses where I work.”

And from EvilHRLady.org: “Alcohol at lunch is downright stupid. Sure, it’s your “own time,” but do you want to have an employee who was drinking 30 minutes ago working for you? Of course not.”

Now for the people who say it is okay to have a drink at lunch:

“Change the local business culture so that it is not just tacitly tolerated but actively accepted to drink alcohol at lunch again.”

“But when I got into the advertising world and learned that a beer fridge in the office was not grounds for immediate termination – let’s just say I didn’t think it was that big of a deal to have a “pop” and then walk back to a communications position in an office building.”

“Whenever I get the chance to eat lunch at a nearby pub, I always grab a beer. IMO, if the beverage won’t interfere with your professionalism once you get back to work, go on and enjoy one! If you think it may interfere with your productivity later, then opt for something else. A beer or cocktail is just a drink, but what matters most is how you conduct yourself while having it and after you’re done.”

That said, there is a lot of school of thought out there. And let me now give you my take. I was “scolded” by a co-worker when I got back and told her I had had a drink. Her mother was in HR (at a separate company) and said they would never allow it. Here is the truth, it was one beer. I was a salaried employee. Yes, I went back to work afterwards, but there was no explicit policy against having a drink. As a salaried employee, you are never “on the clock,” instead your are technically always on the clock.

I do believe there are professions where you should never have a drink when you are on lunch, but I have never worked in one of those fields.

One last thought: It is something called the Ballmer Peak. “The theory that computer programmers obtain quasi-magical, superhuman coding ability when they have a blood alcohol concentration percentage between 0.129% and 0.138%. The discovery of this effect is attributed to Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft – who probably “discovered” it by simply monitoring his own perpetually inebriated nervous system, and deducing that programming ability “peaks” after a few drinks and then dips dramatically after full-blown drunkenness ensues.”

In summation, I will just say that I believe we are all adults and if my burger will be better with a craft brew that will not inhibit my ability to do my job well and to great success, then I should be able to make that choice; so long as I am not breaking any company rules or laws in the process.

What do you think?

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Future topics include time management, how to write a book and how to make a lasting impression on the world.

Thanks for being great friends and fans!

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Richard’s Thoughts…
Life is just one big roller coaster, isn’t it? Birthdays (and the new year) are always great times to be introspective and since today is my birthday, I thought that is what this week’s life lesson should focus on. Much has happened in my life in the last 365 days. For starters I moved to New York City and then I tried out to be a US Open ball-person.

This year has given me some pretty darn high highs. But also some pretty low lows. And that is where Jugwei’s lesson comes in. Life is a magnificently created roller coaster that we get to ride. But with that, comes a major choice. Are you going to keep your eyes closed, or open them and experience each and every moment that comes along? Sure, it is okay to grip tightly sometimes, but I encourage you to throw your hands up into the air and enjoy the journey too!

So, that is my lesson on this, my 28th birthday. Life is going to bring you the brightest skies but it is going to deliver, sometimes at your own fault, the darkest of storms. But experience it. Take it on and you will be better for having lived through the valleys to enjoy the mountains that await.

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I have to admit however, I did not realize this book was a memoir. I read the whole thing thinking it was a fiction book because surely what the writer had created could not have happened in real life! But it did. Of course, author Dave Eggers makes clear in the beginning (which you should read!) that he had to take some liberties in creating the story which is why this book falls into the “creative non-fiction” genre.

But do not let that deter you. The book reached No. 1 on The New York Times Bestseller List and was a nominee (and finalist) for the Pulitzer Prize.

So, back to the title, “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” What does that mean? It means David’s life was crazy, but genius. So much so that MTV should have begged him to be on The Real World: San Francisco. So much so that he worked at a start-up magazine at the same time that WIRED exploded. He lost both of his parents. And his life is genius. Or so he thinks.

Why you should read it:

• If you like entertaining fiction that also pulls on your heart, you’ll enjoy it.
• Hell, you might even laugh out loud at some of the things David says/thinks.
• If you’ve ever thought your life could be on television, compare it to David’s and ask yourself the question again.

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