As I continue to work on my second book, "21 Questions for 21 Olympians," which highlights the stories of those who have competed in the Olympic Games, I wanted to share with you what I learned by interviewing 21 self-made millionaires. Here's Chapter 1 of "21 Questions for 21 Millionaires."
Vicki Tillapaugh - One of God's Greatest Gifts
Yesterday morning I learned of the passing of a dear friend, confidant, and counselor, Vicki Tillapaugh. Vicki was, quite simply put, one of God’s greatest gifts to the rest of us. She was insightful, wise, committed, kind, honest, reasonable, able, discerning, and amazing.
It’s not just in death that I say this. I frequently wrote such things in my journal and also told her when we spoke and communicated it via email.
She guided me through the roughest time in my life with pure and wholesome love, unbelievable insight as a gift from the Divine, and constant, steady counsel to do what was right.
She taught me how to be authentic. She helped me see where some of the greatest holes in my character were (and still are, I’m working on them) and showed me how to work on them. She constantly pointed me to Him. She cared about me and my well-being, as well as every other of God’s children. She had a pure Christlike charity that directed her every move. Her ONLY desire was to do what was right, to do the one thing which was needful, and to show others the way to Him. She reached a level of spiritual development, or enlightenment as some would call it, that few in this life even sniff, much less attain.
She was a trusted advisor and kind, wise friend.
It seems looking back on it I might have known something was up. I can’t really recall the details of our last conversation, but I seem to remember something foreboding, something that could have indicated this may be the last time we spoke. Something in her tone, some statement she made as we hung up that signaled she was giving me insight as to what was to come.
And I have a confession to make – a few weeks ago, maybe last week, I was prompted to reach out to her, to email to see how she was doing. I didn’t do it. I had the feeling a few times. I was busy and wasn’t sure what I was going to say, so I let it go.
Maybe that was God’s way of speaking to my heart, letting me know something was coming so I didn’t take it as a shock. Maybe I’m at peace because I’m so grateful she’s in a MUCH better place and is free from all of the constraints of this world.
Her influence will live on in quiet, simple ways. It will bless people’s lives, like my children’s, in ways they don’t even know.
Vicki was an amazing person and certainly one of God’s greatest gifts. I wish you could have known her.
Luvnberry FroYo - travel logs from the dairy diary
While traveling recently I found a new yogurt place to try - Luvnberry at the Washington-Dulles Airport. I was actually heading to Banana Leaf, from which I had previously enjoyed a fruit smoothie and was going to test their yogurt. But I saw Luvnberry, remembered I saw them last time, and wanted to test it.
I got a taster cup and went to what first caught my eye - Peppermint Patty. With excitement for the cool mint and smooth chocolate I sucked a bit of yogurt in from the cup.
It was undoubtedly the worst frozen yogurt I have ever tasted. It was so bad that I couldn't hold back a reaction of disgust.
Overcome Overwhelm
Overwhelmed is how many of us would categorize our feelings at the end of the day. Students, workers, single parents, executives, travelers trying to catch up with everything they missed while out, and those returning from vacation all know the feeling. It's that crushing blow that you have too much to do and not enough time and or resources to do it, so your first inclination is to scream or push it all away.
Another word for overwhelmed is stressed. You know what it is and how bad it is and so do I.
UMASS Lowell reports, "Job stress is estimated to cost American companies more than $300 billion a year in health costs, absenteeism and poor performance. In addition, consider these statistics:
The Fallacy of PMA - "If you can dream it you can achieve it"
"If you can dream it you can achieve it."
Dear Friends,
Please understand this point - there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation that is continually bandied about as the 'secret to success' or the 'mindset of millionaires' or a thousand other taglines for why you are not yet as successful as you want to be.
Part of this garbage (yes, that's strong, I know) is the popular, "If you can dream it you can achieve it" platitude or variations on that theme.
Fro Yo - The good, the bad, the dating
Froyo Yogurtini
Yogurtini = good yogurt. I was impressed with the Cookies & Creme and Chocolate. Vanilla, although not bad, was pretty vanilla. Cookie dough topping (that's the standard). B+ rating. Let's Yo was not so good. C- rating. Bland flavors all the way around. Vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream. It was as if the chocolate and cookies & cream were indistinguishable. Very unfortunate.
When I wanted more fro yo today where did I go? Yogurtini, of course. They were out of cookie dough, so I had brownie bits. The flavors weren't as good as the other night, but I still enjoyed.
Still conflicted about emotions and dating? Yep. Taking it easy for now.
Sales Performance Improvement - Janek Performance Group
Janek Performance Group is the leading authority on sales strategy and sales performance improvement. Cartier, California Casualty, Pearl Izumi, Chase, Visa, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and TIAA-CREF are just some of the organizations with which Janek has partnered to improve sales results.
The Sr. Sales Trainers and Consultants for Janek like me have the best gig in the world, deploying training and coaching engagements. It really is play time.
I get to know the client company through a pre-training consultation call and online research, then I get to understand their inner workings as we discuss things during the training engagement. My job is to make the training as relevant as possible to their real-world, so it's not a just general blast of information that doesn't really fit their model.
Dynamic Duo Events
Engaging Team Building Events
Greg Cleverley and I have launched a new business to produce fun, creative, and wholesome corporate team building events!
The best way to describe it is the Tonight Show meets Minute to Win It games.
Greg organizes the fun, one-minute games that are as goofy as they are challenging (stack as many chocolate donuts on your forehead as you can without them falling off...) and provides humorous interlude as I try to keep the train on the tracks hosting and making deals with audience members (who has a bobby pin in their purse?).
Attendees will remember the event for the fun challenges and the camaraderie, as well as relish a chance to see coworkers in a different light.
Team work, unity, and employee engagement all increase!
Click here to learn more.
21 Questions for 21 Olympians: Jessica Smith
The work of interviewing Olympians rolls on!
What a grand experience to learn from the trials and triumphs of successful people like Olympians.
Last week I was able to interview Jessica Smith, a speed skater. She competed in the 2014 Sochi Games.
The theme I'm noticing with the female athletes I've interviewed is that they had someone or others in their lives with whom they were trying to keep up. Jessica's dad, her first coach when she was roller skating - Jessica makes it clear this was on 4 wheels, not even inline skates - would tell her to go catch the older kids. He never let her settle or take a pass.
When she was 12 she was competing against and beating 16-year olds. She had a successful career in inline skating, but after accomplishing just about all she could in that sport, she was ready for a new challenge and decided to switch to speed skating so she could compete in the Olympics.
One of her most painful moments was in 2010 when she attended the Games as an alternate. She wanted to be skating so badly; it hurt to be the alternate watching the others compete.
Watch for her story and others when I launch the book next spring, "21 Questions for 21 Olympians."
Detroit, Camp Bow Wow, Frozen Custard, Dating
Camp Bow Wow
While running in Detroit this week I saw this.
It’s always great to see Heidi Ganahl’s Camp Bow Wow locations when I’m out and about. Looks like all is fine at this one! If you didn’t catch it, Heidi spoke at TEDx. Amazing woman.
Erma's Frozen Custard Detroit
Here's something else I enjoyed while in Detroit.
Pretty good custard, a B- grade. Was smooth and tasty, but not knock-your-socks-off. I enjoyed it while watching the sunset, people watching, and texting with friends.
Best frozen custard EVER: Witt’s Frozen Custard just outside of Columbus, Ohio, and Farr’s Frozen Custard in Sandy, UT. Witt’s is undoubtedly the best mixed/concrete custard there is. Farr’s is undoubtedly the tastiest, smoothest, and creamiest.
I also had some frozen custard from Custard & Co. this week in Detroit. Sad to say, but after a few bites I wasn’t interested. It was too creamy, too rich. Of course I didn’t let that stop me from finishing nearly the entire cup, but it wasn’t awesome. C grade.
Why did I nearly finish it when it wasn’t that good? Because it’s frozen custard. Why should I have stopped a lot sooner? Because I’m trying to get back into the shape in which I feel (and look) the best.
I’ve been food cheating about 3-4 times per week while at the same time being calorie deficit (sometimes by over 500) the other 3-4 days per week through running, lifting weights, riding my bike, swimming, basketball, softball, and or football (sometimes doing 2 and 3 of those things per day).
All I really need to do is maintain a daily calorie deficit of 300 while working out and I’ll be where I want to. But it’s a little “hard” right now since I’m in an emotional place that’s not all that comfortable so I’m compensating with food…
LDS Temple Detroit
I’m journaling about this emotional place to get clarity, as well as praying, so I was also here this week.
I have a friend in my neighborhood who is really attractive. I enjoyed spending time with her last weekend.
I have a friend in Arizona who is REALLY attractive. I’ve been communicating with her for a few months about the really important things in life. We’ve shared each other’s loads, have lifted each other up, have shared compliments, and most importantly, have shared God’s love and a pure, friendly connection. I met her for the first time last Friday. It was AWESOME. A great hug, more great hugs, a nice time talking and holding hands in a friendly way. After I left, she said it felt like I took a piece of her with me. After I left, I could still feel a piece of her with me.
I had a GREAT hug with the friend in my neighborhood as well. Of course, I can be friends with both, but at what point am I a little dishonest playing out two different tracks?
I wrote a blog a few months ago (if I ever get my blogs back you’ll be able to read it) about going with the flow. I can’t just go with the physical flow on this one because even though there is nothing physical beyond hugging, I feel like I have to be emotionally full of integrity and can only give such attention to one person.
And that’s just the latest emotional struggle. I’m still trying to get emotionally whole from a lifetime of not being and I’m trying to ensure I’m healing from divorce the right way.
I hope this is the kind of stuff my friend Tracy meant when she said this is what I should really write about…it feels a little weird, but as a social researcher I should also be looking objectively at myself, no?
Oh, by the way, I interviewed another Olympian. Watch for that post.