Monday, January 19, 2009

The Day Before The World Changes --- Day 29

Day 29

This day began with a wonderfully Boot-Kickin' Boot Camp Training Call. Ginny asked the Boot Campers to really consider WHY they are pushing forth. And, to take that WHY and to sprint across the finish line and give their ALL from now until the end of Boot Camp. It was really inspiring.

As I contemplate our own goals this weekend, I remembered back to some training where an effective method of achievement was "sprinting" for certain periods of time. One unit of time was the quarter. Take 3 months, or 90 days, and break it down into manageable goals to accomplish each month, and each week within the month.

When I consider the Boot Camp and our slow start to catch the Campers in late November (Big Z on vacation, and my trip to CA for my ailing step-Dad), and the Pause that occurred due to our trip south to CA for services for my step-Dad, and staying on longer for Christmas and due to the snow, I know that for us, the stops and starts have been challenging.

After the Pause for the Boot Campers, there were a number of folks that weren't able to press on for whatever the reason. Some reasons I know; others I don't. Regardless, I know that they gave their all while they were participating, and, they were growing by leaps and bounds by moving through their fears.

The Campers, as we've recently expressed, are reaching their stride . . . And, we are getting back into a rhythm, too. We want it to continue. The Boot Camp is scheduled to end soon. I've heard 10 days; I've heard 2 weeks. Regardless, it's almost ZERO TIME LEFT PEOPLE. I want the Campers to keep their momentum, and to keep making their big strides, riding the big powerful wave that surges towards the big Tidal Wave . . . I want them to succeed.

I want them to keep having successes. And, I want us to do the same. I want the calls to continue. They are a wonderful way to keep our motivation and be inspired, to gain ideas, and to move forward.

What will happen when they aren't there, and, we haven't begun our own calls yet?

Will we keep blogging? Will we keep supporting?

Will we keep pressing forward with the same level of determination and passion for our WHYs and our Commitments to ourselves?

[(Big Z is reading as I type this, and he bent into my left ear, and he said, "The answer is, 'YES!'" Smart boy, he is ;-), though, he's resisting bed-time . . .]

My hope is that the answers are INDEED yes, for Ginny is exactly right: It is our own commitments to ourselves that are the most important. However, our word and commitments to ourselves are also something to consider as we move about in our home, with our family, with our friends, with the community. We're guilty as anyone for letting Life creep into our daily lives and steal away our dreams because we are thrown off track, and our steps don't move towards our dreams any longer. When we finally turn around and another year has gone by, we wonder why we are still in the same place, the same situation, and we look around us and see that our dreams may be further away than ever before. My, my. My son is 9! How did THAT happen?

Boot Camp is assisting us with moving forward. We've made progress. But, we've not made near enough progress as we want.

Today Big Z rejoined me. At the time he arrived home, I was getting Windows Messenger set up on my computer and getting info from Nita, the Director of My Power Mall/Together We Can Change The World Customer Support. A call went out on Friday for Live Chat Operators. I've decided that I'm going to assist. There are several reasons why: First is that I like to help people find what they are looking for. Second, there are so many people in this company that have given and given and given. Now that we've committed with Boot Camp, we're committed in every way. We're taking ownership. As such, it's time for us to give to the company that is giving us so much. A third reason is that it can only HELP us learn more, and be better sponsors to our team. By this coming Sunday, I should be set up as a Live Chat Operator ;-).

Shortly afterwards, Big Z had a playtime set up with a friend, so we scooted to the sun and the water to meet him. Afterwards, we had piano lessons.

When we got home, it was slice open the butternut squash and bake it, while getting the rest of dinner prepared. In the process, Big Z got his Pokemon(s) squared away and I got to reply to some blogs. It was so GREAT to read from Susan and that she is feeling better ;-).

Just before the PM call [(ever optimistic, we hoped it would be on as well as Family Chat). Unfortunately, Jacki is ill. So, Jacki, we're pullin' for you!!!] I called my friend in CA who had the Booster Club idea. To my surprise, she'd watched the presentation and was on her way to a Booster Club meeting then and there. She said she was going to try to present the information to them, and she was a little unsteady 'cause she had to get out the door and couldn't find her keys. We talked about the ability for all of them to watch the NPO presentation tonight, at the same time. She wasn't sure if it was possible, but maybe. I sent her the Q&A's for the NPO's so they would at least have something, including the whole manual. I've not read the manual for months, and I told her up front that tonight MAY NOT be the best night to talk with them ;-). Instead, maybe she wanted to get familiar by getting her own mall, supporting her college kids, etc. and learning more. However, she knows these people, and has been involved with the school in one way or another since we graduated from there in 1988. So, I don't know what she chose to do. I just let her know that I'd answer all I could, and if I couldn't, I'd enlist the support of Jacki and/or Ginny. Will keep you posted ;-).

I called my f/u scheduled at 6:15 early since the only call was going to be the Family Chat. I thought to invite her to the call, but I didn't want to if it was going to be about the PM Dialer. So, I asked her if I could reschedule for 7:15 instead. She confessed it had been a very wild day, and she was worn out, and hadn't watched it yet. In the hour she had, she said she would try to watch it and show it to her neighbor, too. When I called back, the neighbor answered and said that my f/u had to go into work to help with a client's tax return. I left my message for her to email me, and that I would call at 6:15 tomorrow night.

Lastly, we got to read a few more blogs, post ourselves, and now we must be off to beddy-bye.

Have a great sleep, everyone!!!

2 comments:

The Greatest Mall on Earth.com said...

What an awesome blog and yes we will go on this will never end and I think that was the intention:) I know that I have learned so much that I can use in my daily life and I know everyone else has too. I don`t know when this boot camp will end if it ever does but I don`t even think about it because this is a part of my life. I hope that you will keep riding this wave with me.

Big Z and his Mom said...

I guess you've nailed it right on the head, Richard. I didn't connect the dots, though it's been mentioned a lot in our training calls of late: having conversations with people that naturally lead to relationship, that naturally lead to a contact, that naturally lead to a business partner. It becomes a part of our lives. We're going to keep riding the wave with you and anyone else who's riding, Richard. We're going to be in great shape, too. Our bodies, minds and spirits are growing as we get better on the boards, and better at catching good wave action. Say, is it sunny where you are? Oh yeah, of course it is: You're in FLORIDA! Ha, ha, ha. 60 IS cold! (We have family in Del Ray Beach, great aunts.)