Tag: business

Value

Posted on by cmryan

Everything and everyone in creation has value, either to some thing, some process or experience, or someone else. Interestingly, it is our individual judgment or opinion that determines the value of whatever we’re considering.

While we may decide something is “bad”  now, we could just as easily determine (after a time and deep reflection) that it really was “good” to have had that person, thing or situation in our lives when it appeared. The goal, especially as one becomes more spiritually aware of the Oneness and overall Good of the Universe, is to see the benefit in all things as it is happening.

For example, consider this scenario: Perhaps you really don’t like your job anymore. First, acknowledge that you do have employment (good). The money is necessary for life and you get paid regularly (good!), but the satisfaction has diminished or disappeared (judged as bad). Although it’s been hard work amidst lots of company politics (bad), the skills you gained in your position have increased your professional worth (good) and you are respected in your field (more good). You know your work so well, that most days you can show up, do your business, and not feel stressed at all! But you miss the challenge. What do you do? You have several choices.

  1. You can continue on this current path and be satisfied with the good there is, as it is.
  2. You can complain about your job to anyone who will listen and attract that very same negativity into your life, perhaps resulting in your termination and loss of wages – before you’re ready for such a change.
  3. You can look for additional challenges (projects or other positions – in the company or elsewhere) that would test and grow you to another level; releasing the status quo and creating in another area…be of more service.
  4. You could develop interests outside your work and on which you could focus your excess energy, perhaps creating a whole new business, profession or personal outlet for yourself.
  5. Or…you could do any combination of these and more!

We all have a choice in how we respond to Life…to the Good that is all around us..to the very thoughts we think. Since it can be difficult and confusing to judge our own life experiences as to what is good or bad, we do well not to spend too much (or any) time, energy or thought judging others. We can never really know the full benefit, the good, of their experiences. We need to be concerned only with our own. It’s often just a matter of actually looking for the Good and being Grateful for what we DO have.

Gratitude is the best antidote for “the blues” or the “less than” feelings we sometimes bring to the surface of our consciousness. Gratitude for what already exists, starting with our very breath, life, and acknowledging everything else in our field of existence. It’s not always easy; we often like to place the blame for our bad situations elsewhere. Stop! An “Attitude of Gratitude” coupled with earnest prayer can do wonders to turn the day around and help us see the value in everyone and everything we experience in Life. Isn’t that what you would really rather experience?

Life happens…and it really is ALL good!

First Things First

Posted on by cmryan

The first days of a new year can stir up so much in one’s psyche. The excitement of something new or starting over or beginnings of various kinds can either bring a person’s mind into focus of what needs to be addressed – or – the excitement can be a distraction. Keeping “First Things First” at the forefront can help you sort out what needs to happen next.

I first started using this slogan as a calming method many years ago. I found myself getting overwhelmed with all my busyness and caretaking activities; things that often were not mine to do. I could waste valuable mental energy planning scenarios, making lists, and not really accomplishing what needed to be done in the moment. By repeating this slogan during times of stress or overwhelm, it helped me regain focus of what was really important to do, see or be in that moment. I could breathe easier, clear my head, and attend to my project or task with efficiency and successful completion. I still use this method today, although much more easily and quickly.

The difference I see now is the types of stirrings that require a “First Things First” practice. Where before my focus was on concerns and what needed to be done for others, now it’s keeping myself from taking on too much at once. As those who know me can attest, I have many interests and a lot of energy! When I get a new idea to pursue, addressing the daily tasks can be a challenge. Like a brand new toy at Christmas, I want to play with the latest gadgets, the new ideas…not the old stuff that’s been around forever.

Yet, it’s the old stuff that has brought me to this point and allows me to appreciate and recognize the new. Awareness grows. Life experiences build wisdom. Beliefs are refined. Knowledge is obtained. Thinking expands. Comfort is found. And another new idea blossoms to stir the excitement again.

I know what it looks like when a chicken is running around with no head. Being overwhelmed can be like that – or worse! There’s a rhythm to life; we know this.  “First Things First” helps keep me in Life’s pulse so I can express to my fullest. It’s my friendly reminder of how to stay in sync with the Universe so that as many as possible of my new ideas can be born in their right time…one year after the next.

Happy New Beginnings!

Pride

Posted on by cmryan

According to the definitions offered on Wikipedia…PRIDE is “an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common meanings.” First, with a negative connotation, pride refers to “an inflated sense of one’s personal status or accomplishments, often used synonymously with hubris [extreme arrogance].” Second, and with a positive connotation, pride refers to “a satisfied sense of attachment toward one’s own or another’s choices and actions, or toward a whole group of people, and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled feeling of belonging.”

While I’ve been aware of the first definition since childhood, I prefer the second meaning, and here’s why…

I believe that having ‘pride’ in one’s community – whether it be where you live, go to school, your church or work, or participation in a cause – pride creates a bond for the Good of that group. As a group that is proud of their connection, people tend to take greater care of their community and one another. There’s a positive connection of belonging, of being united, of having one focus. We grow in the process.

Groups identify themselves in various ways; you see it everywhere. Sports teams have their mascots. Businesses have their logos. Schools have certain colors. Churches have a symbol of faith. Employees wear name badges. Professions have uniforms. It doesn’t matter what the identifier is; it matters that we can identify one another because of these symbols. We recognize our connecting interest to such groups through these visual signs. What about the invisible signs of individual pride?

One way to express individual pride (invisibly) is to do your best or be your best – the best expression of who you are. You can complete a task or job to the best of your capability and knowledge. You can leave a campsite (this earth) better than you found it. You can bring love, peace and joy to a situation where there was none. You can express yourself through your talents, your personal style, your beliefs, how you care for your body or home, and/or the way you live in the world.

Pride starts from within you…how you feel about yourself…and radiates outward. The negative description of pride is the result of an inflated sense of self; it never goes beyond the individual’s ego. The positive definition is when one feels that sense of pride within and shares it with the rest of the world in a generous and healthy way. We are all unique so our individual expression of this “virtue” is also distinctive.

In what ways do you show pride in the world – for yourself or with others? Perhaps some independent self-reflection can empower you to express in expanded ways and, thus, benefit you and the world.

Driving or Driven?

Posted on by cmryan

There is that “thing” in us that pushes us to express life, ever fuller, ever richer. We call it Divine Inspiration, motivation, urge or drive. One name does not fit all, nor does one way apply to how every individual expresses, whether in their career, artistic expression, or even the way they drive a car. My daily commute averages 60-90 minutes each way and exposes me to thousands of drivers. I often wonder if the people “drive” their lives the same way they drive their cars.

My drive to and from work is very calculated and planned, so that I can arrive at my destination in the least amount of time and incident-free. I pay attention to the traffic patterns presented during my commute, the time of day, even the time of month or season; such factors affect the number of cars on the road and the types of drivers, too.

For example, in the morning I stay in the far left lane of the highway until I’m about a mile from my exit. It may not move any faster than the other three lanes, but it’s the most direct and has the least number of drivers coming in and out of it. I’m on a mission: get to work! Also, if I need to suddenly stop, the shoulder is just to the left and I can avoid any rear-end impacts to those in front or behind.

As for my return commute in the evening, the fastest and smoothest-running lane is the one just right of the far left lane. The cars move at a steady pace and the lane seems less congested than the ‘fast’ lane. Again, it usually has the least number of drivers coming in and out of it.

So how do these driving habits relate to the way I express in life? In my career? My hobbies or activities? Maybe you can relate to these comparisons:

  • Have a plan, route or map to the destination. I’ve thought through as much as I can based on present observations and past experiences.
  • Use a signal or directional when making lane changes. I talk about it when I need to make a change in life, too. Admittedly, I’m not the most spontaneous person I know… and certainly not for those things in life that hold significant consequences. Go to a movie at a moment’s notice? Yes. Quit my job without having another lined up? Not any more.
  • Obey all traffic laws and the Laws of the Universe, even when no one is looking. I let people into my lane when they signal such an intention, and if someone wants to pass me in a hurry, I let them go by–and pray for their safety. The Universe keeps perfect score ALL the time, and I want my scorecard balanced and clean.
  • Buckle the seat belt every time I’m in a car and maintain my vehicle regularly. This relates to doing what’s healthy and wise for my body, mind and soul, being proactive in caring for this physical form that carries me through life, slowing down when things get too chaotic, maybe even pulling over or taking a break.
  • Stay aware. I notice when traffic or weather patterns change and I need to adapt. I watch for and avoid careless drivers. Learn and apply new skills. Take a different route or get out of the familiar lane. Sometimes it’s necessary to leave familiar patterns…to experience a new situation. 

That’s how we continue to grow and more fully express life.  LIFE: the gift that keeps on giving!

Inspired by Integrity

Posted on by cmryan

I finally find myself in a work environment – corporate-based but within the educational realm – where I am inspired by the integrity and passion for service of the people, the leaders, within the organization for the customers (students) they serve.

There is an atmosphere of truly wanting to do the right thing, even if that means putting on hold all the other active projects so this immediate issue – be it a student in need or a policy that needs urgent support – can have full attention. No excuses. There is the expectation that everything can be better; a striving for higher quality, open and direct communication with one another, full disclosure and performing at your highest capability. This is my work heaven. This is where I thrive.

I drive to work each day excited to be going there and anxious to contribute to the greater good in any way I’m able. I know I’m appreciated for what I do, because no one is afraid or embarrassed to say “thank you” or “that was really helpful.” I expect a cooperative environment because that is what I’m putting forth in my work efforts. My tasks are interlaced with many others and yet everything I need to complete a project shows up, on time, and in the best way possible. It opens the door for equal reciprocation and cooperation…and so the cycle continues spiraling upward toward a greater respect for one another and one another’s talents.

My intent is to continue recognizing the good that surrounds me so I can reflect that back to others in my life…at work and elsewhere. I am so blessed to be surrounded by integrity, respectfully appreciated, and given the opportunity to express my talents for the greater good of those we serve. I am truly blessed.

Sharing with the Competition – Website Ethics

Posted on by cmryan

The other day I was once again reminded why I help friends and clients with their websites. There’s more to it than just enjoying the creative side of the design or my perfectionistic tendencies of correcting punctuation errors. There’s the deeper motivation to right a wrong…what I define as an unwarranted business practice in the world of website maintenance.

My new client wants to make changes to her six-year-old website; it’s time for an update. To do this, of course, I need log-in information and passwords, the hosting company URL address, and any other account details she can offer. (If she still has a contract with the firm, they’re most likely not going to allow me access to her account.) But it’s been six years; she can’t remember any contract and there have certainly been no updates by the website design/hosting company. So she gives them a call.

Not only will they NOT give her – the client and owner of the site – access to her account, they tell her THEY own the content on her site. This is her business site, mind you. The design/hosting company has added industry-specific features (add-on templates)  that they also provide to other similar sites – competitors to my client – but she wrote a good deal of the content information as well. Plus, while they’ve been charging her a hefty monthly fee to host the site (with no changes for six years!), now they want an equally hefty hourly or contract fee to make any updates. This scenario infuriates me enough to write about it!

It’s my opinion that a business owner owns his/her own website content – at least the portion they write themselves or that which they contract to have written for them. I also believe that, if the client wants access to their website to make simple changes (or those within their skill set to do so), give them access. If the business owner messes up the site, the designer can then be paid to straighten it out. And the business owner can decide in the future if they want to walk that path again.

When I assist a client with their site, I give them a number of options:

  • They can write the content; I’ll edit. After all, they know their business much better than I do.
  • I can make the design and text changes, widget uploads, suggestions for improvement…or I can teach them how to do it. Most business owners don’t have the time, desire or skills to do this, but I believe it should be their choice – not my dictate. I get paid either for doing the work or consulting/teaching them.
  • If at any time I’m not available to assist with their project or they can find it done more cheaply somewhere else (unlikely at this point), they can turn it over to another designer/contractor. That’s the beauty of free enterprise and competition. But to hold someone hostage like my client has experienced, I consider that totally unethical!!!

My client now faces the decisions of staying with this original design/hosting company and continuing to pay their escalating fees and sales pressure to totally redesign her site (for thousands of dollars!) …OR…have me (or another independent website designer) start all over to give her a site that she can have access to whenever she wants by whomever she wants. She has already stated to me that she does not want to do the updates herself (no time and limited website skills). It actually might be cheaper in the long run to have her site re-designed, but she has concern about losing some of the features already on the site (all those handy template add-ons). Maybe it’s the familiarity with what’s been there for so long.

Until she makes a decision, I’ve got work to do on her blog. See, I can share.