Big sports weekend ahead. NBA All-Star Weekend. The Winter Olympics begin. The Daytona 500. UT vs. Kentucky in men's basketball. Here are some thoughts on this weekend's events:
NBA All-Star Weekend: I'll take the Saturday night events (Slam Dunk; 3-Point Shootout; and Skills Competition) over Sunday's game everytime.
Winter Olympics: I've never been on a snowmobile and I don't snowboard but there is something about the Olympics that always makes me want to watch. You can bet by the end of the Olympics, I'll have watched alot of halfpipe and know who wins the gold in the bobsled. Love that bobsled. Would love to make one run down a bobsled track (with a skilled driver, of course).
NASCAR makes a huge deal of the Daytona 500, in effect, making it their Super Bowl. Yes, it is the first race of the year and has lots of tradition. But in the grand scheme of The Chase, it counts no more than races in Pocono or New Hampshire later in the season.
The UT/Kentucky game could get ugly. UT on the road at Rupp Arena doesn't bode well. Kentucky is likely a Final Four kind of team. Tennessee has played through a very difficult season. Arrests, suspensions, the dismissal of a top player, several injuries and two walk-ons playing big minutes is not the recipe for a championship season. If the Vols win 3 or 4 of their last 7 games, it would be an accomplishment. Unfortunately, I don't expect a long post-season run either, just too much to overcome. I hope I'm wrong.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Same Thing at the Same Time
Quality communication is crucial within an organization. For an organization to be successful, it's best if everyone hears the same thing at the same time. All too often as information is disseminated, the message changes. It gets diluted away from its purest, true form.
When this happens, people in an organization begin to work from different agendas. They generate different plans. Disconnections occur. Frustrations build. Confusion lingers.
If everyone hears the same thing at the same time, many of these difficulties can be avoided.
When this happens, people in an organization begin to work from different agendas. They generate different plans. Disconnections occur. Frustrations build. Confusion lingers.
If everyone hears the same thing at the same time, many of these difficulties can be avoided.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Ambulance Chasing
There's an old phrase that derides some attorneys as ambulance chasers; that they chase an ambulance to the scene of an accident so that they may possibly gain a client out of the incident that has occurred.
Our family chases ambulances too, but in a very different way. We chase ambulances with prayer. Here's the concept: anytime you see an ambulance with lights flashing and sirens blaring, it's very possible that someone is in trouble. If you've ever been a passenger in an ambulance or even followed an ambulance carrying a loved one to the hospital, you know the feeling of the fear and the uncertainty. People in those situations need our prayers.
Over the past several months, our family has begun a new practice. If an ambulance in emergency mode passes by our car, instead of just "wondering what's wrong" or "hoping everyone's okay", we've begun to pray for the people in need. And for the worried family members in the vehicle which is usually just behind the ambulance.
Chasing ambulances with prayer is just another way for us to teach our sons to be concerned about the welfare of others and to take all of our cares to God.
Our family chases ambulances too, but in a very different way. We chase ambulances with prayer. Here's the concept: anytime you see an ambulance with lights flashing and sirens blaring, it's very possible that someone is in trouble. If you've ever been a passenger in an ambulance or even followed an ambulance carrying a loved one to the hospital, you know the feeling of the fear and the uncertainty. People in those situations need our prayers.
Over the past several months, our family has begun a new practice. If an ambulance in emergency mode passes by our car, instead of just "wondering what's wrong" or "hoping everyone's okay", we've begun to pray for the people in need. And for the worried family members in the vehicle which is usually just behind the ambulance.
Chasing ambulances with prayer is just another way for us to teach our sons to be concerned about the welfare of others and to take all of our cares to God.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
More Than I Bargained For
I recently took my car in to have the oil changed. When, in less than 10 minutes, a man came out into the lobby asking for "Mr. Williams?", I knew this was not good. You've probably been to a shop where they try to offer you (meaning sell at a huge markup) products and services which you may not really need. But this was not one of those places; this was a reputable shop I've used many times over the years. I hesitantly followed the man into the service area and saw my car up on the rack. They then proceeded to inform me that I needed new tires. I was ready to disagree with them (and silently question their integrity).
I'm no Mr. Goodwrench but I try to be smart enough not get taken either. However, as they began to show me the tire wear on all four tires on my car, I reluctantly had to agree with what I was being shown. I know the penny test where if you can see much of Lincoln's head, then you have significant tread wear. I could see Lincoln's hairline. In the moment, I briefly thought about trying to keep the tires for a few more miles. But there was no denying that they were right; I needed new tires.
Whereas I walked in looking at a $35.00 oil change (I was using a coupon), I ended up paying hundreds for a new set of tires. While unexpected, it was the right thing to do when I considered my family's safety as well as a trip I was taking the next day (in the pouring rain) to Atlanta. And while this oil change turned out to be more than I bargained for, I was glad to have a good set of tires on my car during our recent ice and snow events.
I'm no Mr. Goodwrench but I try to be smart enough not get taken either. However, as they began to show me the tire wear on all four tires on my car, I reluctantly had to agree with what I was being shown. I know the penny test where if you can see much of Lincoln's head, then you have significant tread wear. I could see Lincoln's hairline. In the moment, I briefly thought about trying to keep the tires for a few more miles. But there was no denying that they were right; I needed new tires.
Whereas I walked in looking at a $35.00 oil change (I was using a coupon), I ended up paying hundreds for a new set of tires. While unexpected, it was the right thing to do when I considered my family's safety as well as a trip I was taking the next day (in the pouring rain) to Atlanta. And while this oil change turned out to be more than I bargained for, I was glad to have a good set of tires on my car during our recent ice and snow events.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Explain the Why
Our younger son is two and a half years old. He's at the stage where he asks the question, "Why?" all the time. At his age, it's a matter of just wanting to learn about what's going on in his world. At his age, lots of things are new or unknown.
It's much the same way with adults. Everyone wants to understand why things happen or why they are being asked to do complete a given task. So often people are told what to do without any explanation as to the purpose behind the task. It's only natural to want to understand the "why" behind a project; to want to understand how a singular task fits into the big picture; to recognize that each step and each individual adds value to the organization as a whole.
Whether as a team building measure or simply as a common courtesy, I've found it very beneficial to explain the why.
It's much the same way with adults. Everyone wants to understand why things happen or why they are being asked to do complete a given task. So often people are told what to do without any explanation as to the purpose behind the task. It's only natural to want to understand the "why" behind a project; to want to understand how a singular task fits into the big picture; to recognize that each step and each individual adds value to the organization as a whole.
Whether as a team building measure or simply as a common courtesy, I've found it very beneficial to explain the why.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Fun on Friday- Snow Day
Had the opportunity to pretend I was an Ice Road Trucker a couple of times last night. If you've not watched the show on The History Channel, it's worth a watch or two.
Not that I'm a Longhorn fan, far from it, but we can always wonder what might have happened if Colt McCoy had not been knocked out of the BCS National Championship Game.
Tonya asked a great question this week, "I wonder which guy on the UT Men's Basketball team is thinking, "glad I didn't go out with those guys"?
Check out the new Throwback Pepsis and Mountain Dews (http://www.pepsithrowbackhub.com/). They're made with real sugar and no high fructose corn syrup. They taste the same, but I love the retro can designs.
Great snow day today. Off from work and I don't have to shave and shower until I want to.
Not that I'm a Longhorn fan, far from it, but we can always wonder what might have happened if Colt McCoy had not been knocked out of the BCS National Championship Game.
Tonya asked a great question this week, "I wonder which guy on the UT Men's Basketball team is thinking, "glad I didn't go out with those guys"?
Check out the new Throwback Pepsis and Mountain Dews (http://www.pepsithrowbackhub.com/). They're made with real sugar and no high fructose corn syrup. They taste the same, but I love the retro can designs.
Great snow day today. Off from work and I don't have to shave and shower until I want to.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Problem Solving
When you are involved with any group of people (work, team, family), if you're not trying to be a part of the solution, it's very likely that you are a part of the problem.
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