Those versed in the military way of life will appreciate this. Those who aren’t, I am sorry I had to post this. I recieved this from a client of mine whose husband is currently serving in Iraq.

JaeLynn – Thank you! Many blessings you and Seth. I hope he enjoyed the coffee and can share a cup with you very soon. He is always in our thoughts.

MEMORANDUM FROM: MG CLAUS, Commander, Joint Arctic Operations Detachment

Subject: Distinguished Visitor
Date: Sunday, 16 December, 2007

1. An official visit by MG Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December 2007. The following instructions will be in effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit:

a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through normal command channels. Mice stirring permits will be obtained through the office of OSURG, Veterinary Services.

b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 2007, Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment will be drawn from CIF prior to 1900 hours, 24 December 2007.

c. Personnel will utilize standard ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. This item will be drawn from the servicing dining facility.

d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings. Unit Safety Officers will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December 2007, ATTN: AEAGA-S, for approval.

e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and thrown open the window sashes. DCS G3 Plans (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 1995, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Division chiefs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn open nor window sashes thrown prior to start of official clatter.

f. Prior to 2400, 24 December 2007, all personnel will be assigned “Wondering Eye” stations. After shutters are thrown and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.

g. DCS G4 will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of MG Claus’ driver who, in accordance with current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF 46 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking; and be able to shout “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen.”

2. MG Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, from DCSENG, for use during ceremonies. Chimney simulator units will be requested on Engineer Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 2007, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-In.

3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.” This shout will be given on termination of General Claus’ visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of division chiefs.

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Awhile back I saw this guy, Paul Potts, and was moved to tears – both by the performance and the story.

Then, Athol introduces me to this lovely 6 year old, Connie Talbot.

Later, when looking for the video on YouTube because my 6 year old wanted to see it full screen, I made a personal discovery – both of these vocal powerhouses were competing during the same season! What a piece of bad luck for the both of them.

I watched Paul sing with such mastery and emotion. Brilliant. Then I watched Connie do her “Over the Rainbow” and couldn’t help but think, “Sure he’s great. But how do you compete with that?” She’s sweet, cute, and talented. Plus, she’s 6. How do you compete against 6 year old?

The same way you compete with anyone else – don’t.

If there was a more perfect example of why using others as our personal measuring stick is a bad idea, I invite you to share it – we can always use more reminders.
Competition against others allows you only to be “better than.” It is no testament to your actual potential. There is little success in beating out the competition. However, there is greatest awaiting when you tap into your own possibilities and set your mind to being better today than you were yesterday.

While competition maybe great for price control, service quality, and other capitalistic ventures, it falls short when attempting to determine your personal value.

Ok, so that’s a bit sarcastic, I know. But seriously, who among us has not discussed our business with friends and colleagues in a way vastly different than anyway we ever present it to our clients and the public at large. It is the thing that made Dilbert an office icon for crying out loud.

A Little Background

Fists are flying all over over the real estate bloggy world about this video by Daniel Rothamel, which led to this post by Lani Anglin and this post by Jeff Brown and this post by Joel Burslem, which generated this comment by Greg Swann

Not to rain on everyone’s parade, but Daniel Rothamel’s video is the polar opposite of good marketing. Given that it appeals to you, to Lani Anglin and to Jeff Brown on BHB, that should tell you precisely whom it will not appeal to. The video is pandering and condescending, insulting to consumers. I have huge respect for Daniel and his skills, but this is a good example of how the incestuousness of the RE.net leads people astray. There’s nothing wrong with being cordial, but if we’re so interested in courting each other that we can’t see when we’re sneering at our clients, we’re playing entirely the wrong game.

Which in turn generated a myriad of arguments discussions including (but not limited to) posts by Lani Anglin, Benn Rosales, Greg Swann and The Tim. The best by far is this one which features another video created by Daniel’s wife, Kari. If you are going to clicky clicky, don’t skip the comments and be wary of some of the language if you don’t like that kind of thing. It’s not awful – it’s just there.

If you don’t have that kind of time…here’s the skinny as I see it.

The Skinny

There is a well know real estate issue that some agents have with some clients when determining how to price a particular home. It’s called “overpricing” and it makes for a difficult situation. To most individuals (unless it is your home in question) this is a no brainer. Homes that are overpriced are harder to sell.

Daniel created a video that is for sure funny in certain circles. However, there is another school of thought that says the video is condescending and not client friendly. I’ll agree that point also has merit.

The Truth as I see It

The video is fun to some, awful to others, and a non issue to the rest. It is what it is. Love it, hate it, enjoy it, call it a waste of time and move on.

There is a difference between clients and colleagues. You could play this in an office meeting but never at a client appointment. Why? Because clients deserve personal attention to their particular circumstance. Whether it is a house, a car, a puppy, or a lollipop – clients come to me for a professional opinion on their current need – not a comedy routine. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have clients that would find this hilarious – if we were discussing someone else.

Marketing is marketer specific. This video debuted on Daniel’s blog that he created for his audience. Maybe Daniel doesn’t particularly like working with clients that wouldn’t find this funny. Maybe Daniel has more business than he can handle. Maybe he thinks his honesty will generate more business. Maybe Daniel feels his thoughts on the matter are important enough to rate a simple, to the point assessment of the situation. Who knows? It’s his spot on the web, his clients, his business. He can make any video he wants – especially if his wife keeps joining in – I am telling you that video was funny!

I am a bit frustrated so we are going to continue and hope this doesn’t become a rant…but I am thinking that once I make that disclaimer, I am already setting myself up for one…but on I go anyway.

Let your vote be counted – if you are going to vote like me
Let your voice be heard – if you are saying the same thing I am saying
Show up and show them strength in numbers – if you presence adds to my team

Otherwise, sit down, be quiet and stay home or else it is personal.

I hear lots of conversations that verbally express the first thoughts, then escalate to the second ones in the face of opposition.

It seems like lots of folks want you to stand up and say what you think, unless you disagree with them. Then it is a personal death match instead of productive problem solving. Politics is the worse. Community activity is almost as bad. The workplace has the same characteristics.

Don’t get me wrong – I can be a guilty as the next person. If you tell me you are voting for…well, we won’t go there because that is not the subject and as soon as I say it, it will be. But let’s just say you are voting for person “A” and you support topic “B” and I am adamantly opposed to both. I don’t mind if you are uninvolved in the process. In fact, I would just assume you let me handle it. I am guessing you would probably say the same thing about me.

But, we both know the process is not supposed to work that way. Somewhere in the grand scheme of things, disagreement got personal and compromise was thrown to the dogs. Winning became the point – right be damned. Who cares what the other folks say, it will be my way. Anything less is defeat and I will not submit. How does that work? How is that mentality useful?

It is becoming harder and harder to figure out who is the majority. Harder still to figure out if the majority is right. Moreover, is the majority informed enough to know one way or the other? Understand that, in the US, we live in a republic more than a democracy. We vote for the people who vote in our stead. And our guy doesn’t always win – so, we have people voting for us that we didn’t vote for…but, I digress…

I guess the real question is when did we lose the art of honest compromise for the overall good and just?
More importantly, how do we get it back?

A previous post about balance took on a life of it’s own. A spirited debate about children and television ensued. I almost wish the original post had been on My Beautiful Chaos with all the parenting advice given.

There was a dicey minute when feathers were ruffled. Then the thought was raised that the ability to keep keep feathers smooth was an important one. It sparked another post by Timothy over at Carpe Factum which included a fantastic quote

“Nobody can make me feel inferior without my consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

and a phenom reminder

…we ourselves own the reaction, even though we don’t always own the catalyst.

But, I can’t help but wonder where righteous indignation fits in. I believe that there is a such thing. I believe that there are times when things, situations, and even people are just plain wrong.

Don’t misunderstand – I know that one must pick their battles carefully. I also know that we are the masters of our own feelings. I think that drama filled, ill intended, provoked arguments are unless and counter productive.

But isn’t there a time and a place for a stand – and isn’t it possible that sometimes that stand is personal and affects us in an emotional way?

And isn’t just possible that that’s ok?

“How do you do so much?” I get asked that question a lot. The short answer is I am an alien from another planet and require no sleep.

Actually, that’s not true. But, it is true that I tend to be juggling balancing a good many things at one time.

You must learn the art of balance. Most of the very interesting people I know have multiple streams of income, multiple interests, and a variety of goals. Life is an oyster, so to speak…I am prying all of mine open.

Timothy Johnson is one of those people. He knows that combating burnout lives in knowing when to say no.

Life Hack has great pointers, as it is often to have. Dustin Wax’s great article on What to Do When It’s All Too Much is no exception.

Don’t know if you are out of balance? Really? Come on – you have to know. It feels just like it does when the tires on your car are out of whack. If you need something more concrete than that, Lisa Gates can help you out.

Many of us are talking about and living right in the middle of “going big.” These times, more than any other time, keeping balance is a necessity. It is important to make sure that the success of Thing 1 doesn’t result in the unintended failure of Thing 2.

What do you do to maintain balance?

*Photo credit to NASA