Do you find that time influences your behavior? For example - How long would you wait for someone meeting you for a lunch or a dinner gathering at a restaurant? There’s no response back from your text. Not even the third one. Your voicemail messages were never returned. They had confirmed that morning – everything was on – all set to meet and looking forward to it. What is happening inside of you as five minutes goes to ten minutes, then to fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty and … [Read more...]
Mark Off The Date With A Big X
A favorite and consistent habit of every person working aboard an ocean going merchant ship is marking off each day on the calendar. A big X signifies another day done and dusted. Sometimes the calendar is a large one on the bulkhead (that’s the wall you land lubbers!) and for others a smaller calendar on the writing desk or by their bunk. It’s a combination of seeing the days gone by and looking ahead to the days when it’s time to leave the ship and go home again. Other than a few words … [Read more...]
What Have You Done With Your Extra Time?
During the years I spent working aboard commercial U.S. Flag Merchant ships the time spent at sea seemed endless. Yes there were days at sea where we never saw another ship. There were times when the sunrise and the sunset were magnificent to witness. Another aspect of these months at sea was the freedom it gave me to have earned months of vacation which had to be taken. Through the course of these years I was able to complete my MBA Degree. In addition, three of us – all merchant mariners … [Read more...]
What Does Average Really Mean To You?
We all hear about the average cost of a new home? What goes through your mind when you hear this information? Does it have one bit of relevance to you? What really matters to us is what does a home cost or sell for in the region where we live! Or what does a home cost or sell for in the region where we are moving to? These are the reference points we really care about, not the average. Further is – there is no context – what size and style home is the reference point for this statement … [Read more...]
Who Is In Charge Of You?
Who is in charge of you? Seriously – think about it – is it really you? "Refuse to let the actions of others affect your attitude, and enjoy taking charge of your time and your life." - Paul J. Meyer Let’s read this again now out loud this time. Don’t confuse any part of this statement to mean you are off the hook in terms of your responsibilities to your work, career, family, community and your faith. No, not at all – in fact it is the opposite. This statement means instead it is up to … [Read more...]
Don’t Fall For It!
August started this week - did you notice? In North America it is easy, too easy to kick back and say, “Everyone is going on vacation this month so I am going to chill out.” Don’t Fall For It! Seriously Don't! Really! Here is one calendar fact to take note of - if you take August on the slow bell and decide to start picking up the phone again after Labor Day - that is September 5! Three working months left in the year (assuming you also think no one is going to be working in most of … [Read more...]
