OK; I know you’ve faced adversity at least once or twice. Sometimes the source is the circumstances you happen to find yourself in. Other times, it knocks on your door in the form of, well, a person. Or three.

Hey, nobody loves adversity, right? I mean, sure, there’s all that stuff about welcoming adversity because there’s probably a lesson to be learned from it. Yada, yada, yada.

I mean, c’mon; who really welcomes it into their lives?

BUT (and that’s a really BIG ‘but’), the fact remains that adversity is still one of the best teachers I know. And so, That’s why we’re going to celebrate that next month by making that the topic of our next What I Learned From… groupwrite project! (sound of crowd cheering)

Hey, if you’ve never participated in one of our monthly groupwrite projects, don’t worry; it’s easy. You write about the topic (it can be directly, indirectly, or even parabolically related to it – it’s your choice), a post on your own blog sometime before the deadline, send me the link, and voila! you’re then listed in the wrap-up post on the following Monday! Easy as pie!

Now, here’s where there’s always some confusion. Officially, our groupwrite projects always kick off on the first Monday of each month. That means we launch the next one on Monday, April 6 – and the deadline for entries is midnight Sunday night, April 12 (just in time for America’s Tax Day).

However, because some folks like to have more than a week’s notice, I usually announce the topic a week early. So if you just can’t stand it, you’re welcome to write and post your entry anytime in the next two weeks. I’m just sayin’ the OFFICIAL kick off post will be next Monday.

_____________________________

Photo credit: Monty wants to play, by A2ZMpls

“Adversity” graphic created with Spell With Flickr, by Erik Castnor

_____________________________

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

___________________________

Ever found yourself facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge? Yup; thought so. Most of us have, at some time or other. In fact, in the light of today’s headlines, I dare say quite a few folks are lookin’ one in the eye even now.

Hey, when it comes to the stuff life throws at us, it really should come as no surprise when that mountain in front of us looks so ginormous

Well, here’s a little bit of wisdom from cartoonist Dave Walker. Sometimes, that mountain-seeming thing we see in front of us is not really as bad as all that.

Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not in the least tryin’ to minimize the challenges you face each day. Trust me; I know whereof you speak! All I’m sayin’ is, there may not be as big a mountain there as you think.

The truth is, you’ll never know unless you step up to it. But there’s something you can do that might just help you take on even the most challenging of tasks. One simple key.

So what’s the key, you ask? Well, I can give it to ya in just one word. Are you ready? Here it is:

Start!

Yup; it’s like that old Chinese proverb: “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.”

What happens, see, is you may just find it’s not nearly as hard as you thought it might be.

Hey, I’m just sayin’.

What About You?

So what about it, folks? Facing any mountains these days?

I mean, it’s not like I’d call you a liar or anything if your answer was “no”, but… well, you get my meanin’, right? Anyway, if you find yourself stalled and still working up the nerve to begin – what is it that keeps you from moving forward?

___________________________

Quick question, y’all.

When you assure someone that what you say will happen is actually going to happen – does it make you a bit nervous? I mean, no matter how confident you feel, sooner or later you’re going to have to, y’know, face the music, right?

So when your confidence level prompts you to make a commitment (sound of terrified scream), does it still give you cold sweats? Perhaps a serious case of the heebie-jeebies? Yup; thought so.

But y’know; some situations require nothing less than absolute and total confidence; to state the case in no uncertain terms; to respond to a challenge with supreme fearlessness; to spit in the eye, so to speak, of the oncoming torpedo, y’know?

Give the Man a Chance

Speakin’ of torpedoes – and bein’ a guy and all – that kind of situation inevitably reminds me of a rather poignant moment from one of my favorite “guy” movies of all time, The Hunt for Red October.

The scene I’m thinkin’ of is where our intrepid hero, Jack Ryan, tries to convince the captain of the submarine USS Dallas that the captain of the Russian submarine he is closely shadowing (the Red October) actually wants to defect to the U.S.

(Now bear two things in mind; the American Captain has orders to sink the Red October, and up until this particular moment, the Russians have no idea they were being so closely tailed.)

It’s an edgy scene, to say the least. In the narrow confines of a submarine corridor, they tensely face off against each other – the Captain, because he thinks Ryan is out of his gourd for suggesting such a thing, and Ryan, supremely confident because of his own analysis of the Russian’s motivations (and because he’s the hero of this tale – and he’s never wrong).

Ryan realizes he only has one chance to make his case before being hauled off to the brig.

He finally plays his trump card by claiming he knows the Russian Captain so well he can actually predict the man’s every move – and that his next turn (called a “Crazy Ivan” in submariner’s lingo) will be to starboard. (That’s “to the right” for you landlubbers out there – and if you’re one of those who, like Mrs. MZM, can’t tell your right hand from your left, then please, move over and let ME drive!)

Suddenly, the intercom sounds…

Intercom: Conn, Sonar. Signal to noise ratio’s dropping. Possible aspect change in target. Possible target zig based on bearing rate.

Intercom: Conn, Sonar. Crazy Ivan! Captain. Captain, he’s turning!

Captain: Which way is he turning?

Intercom: To the starboard, sir.

Captain turns sharply to Ryan.

Ryan: Give the man a chance.

Captain (coming to a sudden decision): All back full.

Intercom: Captain, say again.

Captain: I said all back full!

Intercom: Back full. Aye, sir. Engines back full.

The submarine fills with noise as the propeller reverses, bringing the submarine to a sudden and noisy stop.

Intercom: We’re cavitating! He can hear us!

Captain: Conn, aye. All stop.

Intercom: All stop, aye.

Captain (smiling wryly at Ryan): All right, Mr. Ryan; we just unzipped our fly.

Here’s the thing…

At a previous job, our client once asked me to create a big poster listing 10 to 15 critical milestones for the project I’m working on. Now, ordinarily, that’s no big deal; we always had a detailed project schedule with that information available at the drop of a hat (but not my hat, mind you; that would be, y’know, wrong).

But still; there’s something about putting those milestones on a big, honkin’ poster and putting’ it up there for all to see, y’know? In a way, it’s kinda like making a list of your New Year’s resolutions – then publishing it on the front page of the New York Times. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like so much more of a, y’know, commitment that way.

Now, though, if we missed a date, it’s *ulp* right there on the wall for all to see (I could already feel little drops of sweat forming on my troubled brow…). After all, as any experienced project manager will tell you, a schedule is simply a battle plan. (And I emphasize the word plan.)

Oh, sure; we do our best to execute the plan (and no, I don’t mean – much as you’d like to – stand it against a wall, tie a blindfold on it and blow it to Kingdom Come). But still, there’s always, y’know, reality to deal with. As Field Marshall Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke (a bonecrusher of a name if there ever was one) once pointed out, “No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.”

Hey, I understand perfectly. The very idea of “puttin’ feets to them words”, if you get my meanin’, can make even the most confident person on Earth tremble a bit inside. Especially when there’s a fair to middlin’ chance that factors outside your control might be at work at play.

But as I said back at the beginning of this little essay, sometimes the situation requires nothing less.

So What About It?

When was the last time you had to make one of those “everything-rests-on-this” type of commitments? What brought it up? What was the result? Do you dare to share a little about it here? C’mon, go ahead; we’re all friends here. (Besides, I need some new blog material. - KIDDING!)

_____________________________

OK; I was drivin’ in traffic the other day (which comes as no surprise since I live in Houston), when I pulled up to a light next to this pickup truck. (Again, no surprise there – this is Texas, y’know).

As I was patiently waiting for the light to change, though, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a movement next to me. I turned to look, and lo and behold, I spotted this fine-lookin’ fellah!

At first, I had the distinct impression he was eyeing me with the same intense scrutiny he’d give a T-bone steak. Kinda disconcerting, to say the least. But then I realized he likely just wanted someone to talk to.

He’s probably tryin’ to tell me, in his own doggy way, Here I am, once again stuck in the back of this truck, while Big Bubba up there in the cab gets to enjoy the air conditioning, the radio, and the cushy seats. Sheesh, life just ain’t fair, y’know? I mean, here I am, stuck in the back… again!

Then again, he coulda been thinkin’, Woof, woof, woof, woof-woof, arf, arf.

Oh, sure; the truck bed may be tough on the tootsies, and it’s certainly mighty windy back there. Every time they turn a corner it’s tough to hold on when all you got is, y’know, paws. And if it rains, well, if you’ve ever experience wet dog…

But still; before you go all feelin’ sorry for him, there just might be another side to it.

First of all, ol’ Spot up there seems perfectly content to ride in the back of the truck, y’know? After all, there’s lots of good things about bein’ back there, y’know? For instance, he gets to go where Bubba goes. Dogs love to be wherever the hand that feeds ‘em goes.

Second, if you’ve ever watched a dog stick his head out the window of a moving car, you’ll understand another reason why he probably loves it back there. (And no, I have no idea why they do that. But then again… they’re dogs.)

Another thing – and to truly appreciate it, this is something you’ll have to experience yourself on, say, a motorcycle – the visibility is fantastic up there! Unlike inside the cab, where you can barely see the sky at all, out in the back there’s so much more to see of what’s goin’ on around him! It’s certainly enough to keep a body entertained, I’ll tell ya!

Anyhoo – just thought I’d share a quick lesson about how easy it is to focus on what we perceive as the negative aspects of life – and completely miss the great things! C’mon, admit it – you’ve probably been as guilty of it as I have.

So here’s your assignment for the day: Pick anything about your life you don’t like. No, really – anything. Now, just for the fun of it, write down a few points about why that thing might actually be a positive thing.

Go ahead. Dare to see what happens. Hey, here’s a thought: It might prove to be an interesting way to change the world, don’cha think?

In the meantime, I’m wishin’ I could ride up there with ol’ Spot. And trust me; I ain’t just a-woofin’!

____________________________

Photo Credit: Stuck in the Back Again! by Robert Hruzek

____________________________

The other day my buddy GL Hoffman sent me an email inviting me to be a guest over at his site, What Would Dad Say. It just so happened I was right in the middle of writing yet another Sidewalk Series post, and coincidentally enough it just happened to fit right in with the general theme over there.

Naturally, I jumped at the chance to escape the box for a bit.

What’s it about, you ask? Well, it’s about this tree…

Oh, and I give you 5 things I learned about job hunting in today’s world. (Along with a story, of course. What would I do if I couldn’t tell stories? I’m tellin’ ya; my head would probably explode!)

Hey, why not jump on over the GL’s place and take a look? And don’t forget to say “Howdy!”

_____________________________

Photo: Need a Little Help, by Robert Hruzek

_____________________________

So, I’m sittin’ at my local grocery store the other day, pumping gas for the ol’ jalopy (and meanwhile being extremely thankful that little price dial ain’t whirrin’ around like a fan, like it was a few months ago), when I happened to look up and noticed this little fellah up there in the tree above me.

Just before I managed to drag out my cell phone and snap this shot, he was waaaay out there on the very end of that limb. Although the little guy couldn’t have weighed more than a whiffle ball, that skinny little branch he’s on was bent over like a bow.

What could he have been thinkin’, I wondered?

I mean, there he was out there on that tiny little twig, risking life and limb, and for what? There weren’t any nuts out there (except, of course, himself).

I’m always amazed at the apparent fearlessness of these little critters; risking it all (like that little character, Scrap, from the Ice Age animated movies) for the Holy Grail of squirreldom, that one last juicy nut.

What makes ‘em that way, anyway? What is it that makes them – or anyone, for that matter – willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish what they have in mind?

The Wake-Up Call

The question is no longer an idle one. You may remember a couple of weeks ago I somewhat unexpectedly had to change companies due to cutbacks (sound of big surprise). More than once during these last few weeks, Mrs. MZM and I looked at each other and realized the hard truth: We had no Plan B!

Well… that’s not really true. To be more accurate, there actually IS a Plan B – and it’s been in place for well over a year – but we came face to face with the fact that we had failed miserably to do anything with it, if you get my meanin’.

See, here’s the thing.

I run a completely different business on the side. Not really that unusual, I know; lots of folks do something for a little extra cash, too. It’s just that to be successful in this business, it requires me to do things I’ve never done before. Like any business, in order to grow it, I have to… search for leads (not really all that hard), network my way into opportunitites (a little harder), and market myself like crazy (something I find very, very difficult).

Unfortunately, I haven’t been doing these essential things like I should have been – and thus, the business essentially languished. The result: now, when having that second income should have been a welcome safety net, well, it simply ain’t there – yet!

Hoo-eee! You wanna talk about your wake-up call!

Busy as… a Squirrel

OK, so for the last few weeks, I’ve really been doing what I should have been doing all along – all those, y’know, icky things I mentioned above – and more. But it ain’t easy, I’ll tell ya. Why? Because it requires me to kinda go out on that limb, so to speak, just like our little fuzzy friend up there.

See, the thing is, I’m an introvert by nature. And it’s dang hard for me to up and market myself like that. It ain’t something that just comes natural to me. Besides, it’s a scary world out there, y’know?

I mean, what if folks don’t want what I have to offer? (Of course you do, I tell myself. I mean, who wouldn’t want to pay less for something they’re already paying for every month?) What if they think I’m nuts? (So what’s your point, I say. That ship already sailed a while back, I’m afraid.) What if they look at me and think Just who the heck do I think I am, anyway? (Hey, I’m nobody special; I’m just like you, I’d say.) What if… Hey, you know how it is, right?

But to be successful at this business – or any business, or any endeavor worth pursuing, for that matter – you pretty much have to get out there anyway, right? C’mon, nod your head with me here. (Sound of heads nodding) The difference between then and now, of course, is that little thing called motivation. And that’s the key element.

It’s actually easy to do the tough things – when you’re motivated.

Motivation Makes the Difference

So, now that I’m, y’know, finally motivated, it’s time for me to go out on a limb, folks. Time for me to willingly – and with a remarkable sense of growing enthusiasm – do things I’ve never done before! Yep; time to take the risk! That’s right, y’all – it’s time to spit into the wind! To (swelling sound of inspirational music) go forth where no man has gone before! To dang the torpedoes and go full speed ahead! To – ouch… (sound of dull thud as blunt object hits back of head)…

Er, sorry; got a little carried away there.

I mean, sure, it’s scary; especially at first. But I tell myself (there’s a lot of self-talk involved in this, don’cha know… which is perfect, since as you know, I talk to my Self a lot anyway) it’s the only way.

What About You?

So what is it that gets YOU motivated to do that thing you want to do? ARE you doing what you want to do? What will it take for you to DO the thing you, y’know, love to do?

Tough questions, I know. Think about it, won’t you? In the meantime…

Onward, through the fog! (sound of inspirational music, fading into the distance…)

____________________________

Photo: Out on a Limb, by Robert Hruzek

____________________________

Hey, quick question: Considering the economic climate we’re probably going to face over the next several years, what would you say is the one key ability we all need more than anything else?

To my mind (which admittedly is a very strange and interesting place), the one key ability you’re lookin’ for is the ability to be, at all times, alert. (Besides, the world needs more lerts, right? Bwa-ha-ha-ha! Er, sorry.)

Alert for what, you ask? Hey, I’m glad you asked! It’s because you never know when opportunity is gonna, y’know, knock.

OK, got it? Alert. Yup… always stay… y’know, alert.

Why Does the Chicken Cross the Road?

During my year in Aruba, there was this spot we frequently, er, frequented. (Humph; my spell checker says that’s actually a word – so who am I to argue?)

Anyway, it’s a sortof combination shopping mall/restaurant row in downtown Orangestad (Aruba’s Capital). It also happens to be one of the busier tourist areas of the island. The thing is, the best parking for that center also happens to be on the other side of the busiest street on the island.

Unfortunately, crossing this particular street during “rush” hours (well, as rushed as things gets in Aruba, anyway) is a difficult proposition at best. That’s because the traffic consists of a more-or-less continuous stream of cars at any time of day or night, filled with both commuters and tourists (along with the occasional gecko or two).

Luckily (or due to good planning – hard to believe, but you never know), there’s an actual pedestrian crosswalk with one of these familiar “walk/don’t walk” signs, similar to the one pictured here. Thus, when you want to cross the street, you simply push the button, wait a minute or two – and when that odd-lookin’ little man with no hands or feet lights up – ya cross the street.

Easy as pie! (But then again, how easy is pie, anyway?)

Now, with that kind of a straightforward, clearly defined, and easy to execute procedure available for getting’ across a road, hey, you’d think even a chicken someone as clueless ever-vigilant as yours truly would have, y’know, no problemo, right?

No Problemo!

Lemme just start off by sayin’… it’s not my fault! Honest! See, there were extenuating circumstances…

First of all, workin’ in the engineering business as I do, the concern for one’s personal safety – both on AND off the job – is absolutely paramount. (That’s no joke, y’all; it’s an extremely serious and sensitive issue.) That means when in a plant environment, we have to pretty much live and breathe safety or things could turn, well, dicey rather quickly, if you get my meanin’.

Therefore, one of the primary things you learn in an industrial environment is Bubba, ya better watch where you put your feet! And for most of us in the biz, that sorta thinking is pretty much ingrained, y’know? So naturally, I tend to keep at least one eye on the ground when I’m walkin’ in unfamiliar territory. Gotta watch for debris, holes, and in Aruba’s case, little (and occasionally, BIG) scaly critters and stuff, y’know.

Another important detail is the fact that in Aruba, it’s always a windy day! And believe me, the winds are pretty much non-stop. That’s cause bein’ that close to the Equator (about 8º N Latitude) means the island is subject to what sailors call the Trade winds.

Now, because of that – and this is crucial – I couldn’t wear my trademark cowboy hat. (If I had, it would no doubt have ended up in Venezuela.) And so (yes, I finally got around to makin’ my point) I had to settle for a regular ol’ baseball cap instead. I know, I know; sad, but true.

And as the final piece in this particular tale – see, there was this, um, hole…

The Challenge

As I crossed the street, ol’ eagle-eyes here noticed that right there, right where the painted crosswalk ended and where the support pole for that crossing sign was, there was a big giant hole, right there in the sidewalk! Yikes!

Sure enough, my safety-aware brain immediately lasered right in on that sucker like a guided missile. I said to myself, Now that’s an accident waiting to happen! I could easily imagine some poor unsuspecting shlub tourist, paying little or no attention to where he was going, and stepping right into it. Possibly even spraining an ankle – or worse.

Anyway, as my highly-trained mind began to plot alternate routes around the danger, it immediately presented me with two alternatives: Option one: I could step to the right of the hole. Or option two: step to the left. Simple, huh? (Honestly, sometimes the solution can be that simple! He said.)

But my brain didn’t stop there! Oh, nooooo – that would have been ‘waaaay too easy! Instead, that big ol’ gelatinous mass of little grey cells up there under the hat forged rapidly ahead, quickly evaluating the available choices.

Choose Wisely

First up, option #1 – stepping to the right. A survey of the area quickly revealed this path would add several extra steps to my journey (hey, it was a big hole). Near panic ensued. Good heavens! Extra expenditure of energy? Based upon that analysis, this was, um, a less than optimum choice, to say the least.

Now on to option #2 – stepping to the left. At first blush, this path also seemed a bit hazardous, because it would force me to come a bit closer to the light pole (the one the aforementioned pedestrian crossing sign was mounted on). But still, there appeared to be adequate space between pole and hole. I decided I could easily navigate that without too much trouble. And besides (he said, blithely), anyone can dodge a pole, right?

Anyhoo – after extensively evaluating the two alternatives (all this happened within milliseconds, mind you), I made my decision (sound of a slot machine hitting three-of-a-kind) and chose option #2.

Forge Ahead

Now, having settled upon a viable plan, I adjusted my path slightly so it would take me between the pole and the hole. (Gee, that sounds almost poetic, doesn’t it?) I kept one eye focused on the dangerous obstruction, while still keeping the other eye on traffic, passing pedestrians, and the occasional seagull surprise (after all, the Caribbean was just 50 feet away).

Approaching the curb, I made sure my footing was sound, stepping up lightly (well, as lightly as I can, anyway) and placed my left foot precisely where it needed to be – exactly equidistant between the pole and the hole (it’s starting to flow trippingly off the tongue now, isn’t it?) Everything was going exactly according to plan.

Along about now you’re probably thinkin’ to yourself, “I’m tellin’ ya; there’s got to be some fly in this here soup! Nothin’ this Bubba does ever goes that smoothly!”

School of (Resoundingly) Hard Knocks

Alas… you’d be right. Lemme just say that, in my lifelong quest to live up to the motto: Always Avoid Personal Responsibility, I blame the baseball cap.

See, just as I set my foot down in the proper spot, and because my head was looking down, and because I was wearing that baseball cap, and because of that annoying bill on the front of said hat that, y’know, mostly blocks the view of what’s above you… Well, my head hit the, shall we say, “unfortunately low” pedestrian crossing sign hanging off the pole! (sound of resounding whannnnng!)

Yup; you read it right – in my quest to safely avoid stepping in a hole, I hit the stupid sign with my head! And as an extra-special bonus, I hit it hard enough to see stars! (Ooh – lookit all the pretty colors!) Hey, about the only thing I can add is, it’s extremely lucky it was my head because there’s very little possibility of, y’know, major damage…

It wouldn’t have been so bad – except for, um, that amazingly loud WHAANNNNNGG! (sound of… well, you know). I mean, just about everybody within 100 feet of me heard it clearly, and turned to see me rebounding from my, er, close encounter. Sheesh, talk about embarrassing!

You know how, when you do something incredibly (and of course, publicly) stupid, sometimes the most prudent course is to act like nothing happened and just keep goin’ – while pretending you really meant to do that? Yup; it was sorta like that.

All I could do was keep walkin’ – pointedly ignoring the looks, the pointing, the suppressed giggles (not to mention the outright guffaws) goin’ on behind my back. I mean, what the hey, when you have no dignity left…

Anyway, the lesson learned (and I gotta tell ya; this was one lesson really driven home, uh, hard, if you get my meanin’) was pretty simple: Hey, no matter how important it may seem, don’t get so narrowly focused on that ‘thing’ that you lose track of everything else around you! I mean, you never know what delightful lesson the School of Hard Knocks has in store for ya…

Oh, and just so ya know – I just got notified by the NSoL (National Society of Lerts). Looks like I’m in.

OK, Enough About Me

So… have you ever tried so hard to be on the alert… but no matter how focused you thought you were, something (that in hindsight was absolutely obvious) waltzed right up and smacked you right upside the hatrack?

Has anything even remotely similar ever happened to you? C’mon, y’all; now’s your chance to come clean. Hey, we’re all friends here, right? (Er… just sorta ignore the fact that anything said on the Internet is, y’know, forever…)

_________________________

Photo: Aruba Hat, by Robert Hruzek

_________________________