Fellow Half-Fullers

I had intended to post about something entirely different today, but as I came out of a staff meeting I caught a headline on the lobby TV:

“Brett Favre to Retire”

I didn’t expect my return to sports news after a very long sabbatical would be something like this, but there it was .

I sat back at my desk and went to the Internet and yes, Brett has let the Green Bay Packers that he is retiring from professional football after 16 seasons in the league.

While I felt a tinge of regret at this news, more than anything I felt thankful - thankful for the entertainment he provided me (and millions of others) on so many Sundays as a player who so clearly enjoyed what he did, and led by example by his dedication to his craft and unwillingness to point blame on anyone but himself.

More than anything, he was just a regular guy doing extraordinary things, but could always put it in perspective. I can’t tell you how many times I heard him say - “hey, everybody, this is just a game!” .

He spent countless hours volunteering for the Make-a-Wish foundation, and I remember a press conference where he said that leveraging his fame to really make a difference for children in need was more personally meaningful than playing a sport.

Brett has been a rarity for me - a public figure that I’ve spent a long time observing and actually learning from. His context is much different than mine, to be sure, but his consistent displays of joy, leadership, dedication and perspective are quite “portable” to my life, and how I go about every day practicing my craft.

Thank You Brett Favre, and see you in Canton five years from now. I look forward to that speech.

Back in 1987 I got my first operations management job out on the west coast - my boss was a wealthy entrepreneur who’s glass was perpetually not just full, but overflowing.

He could be quite demanding, but what he did for me was priceless - he taught me the “art of the possible”. There was a framed sign on his wall that he loved to point out to us, that simply said - “it can’t be done, it can’t be done, it can’t be done……..it’s done“.

The word “can’t” was simply drummed out of me. Over time I’ve tempered this into an overall philosophy of “Half-Fullism” - always trying to put a “can do” spin on the literal world.

Which brings me to the news of the death of famed Mt. Everest climber Sir Edmund Hillary. Mighty Mt. Everest rises over 29,000 feet into the atmosphere, and until Hillary reached the summit with Tenzing Norgay in 1953, the prospect of literally standing “on top of the world” was pretty much thought of as a “can’t do”.

Many had tried before and failed- most notably back in 1924 when George Leigh Mallory famously provided his reason for attempting the climb - “because it is there!” and proceeded to perish in his quest for the summit.

The conditions are brutal - the peak is near cruising altitude for commercial airlines. But yet Sir Edmund methodically, coolly, and with great determination, got there. He didn’t believe it couldn’t be done. Better still, he had a great sense of perspective on the whole thing - his modesty was endearing, writing his mother after the ascent:

“Well, I may not have produced much joy or happiness in the world but at least I’ve helped make the Hillary name a bit more famous.”

Sir Edmund Hillary set a standard of “pioneership” that sparkles to this day, even though the climbs of Everest have now been rendered nearly commonplace (but still dangerous). Somebody had to do it first and wipe out the “it can’t be done” forever, and it was this man. He had the courage to dream of the “art of the possible“.

What a lofty standard to look up to, quite literally.

Godspeed Sir Edmund, and thank you.

Happy New Year!!!

Well, here we are in 2008, and my mind is already racing at a mile a minute, plotting and planning for an awesome year to come.

I’ve already come up (thanks to Christine Kane) with my “word of the year” - Om (yes, it is a word - it’s in the dictionary).

Here is what I said on Christine’s blog about it (check out her post, it’s marvelous):

Since I started practicing yoga about six months ago, I’ve found that my times of meditation and the chanting of this mantra believed to be the “spoken essence of the universe” has brought me much in regards to my mental health and well being. I guess I could have chosen “centeredness” as well. I’ve learned its OK to be still, and not think about anything but what’s happening at that very second. I’ve written about “sinking into the earth” at these times of stillness and relaxation, and that’s a mental image that goes hand and hand with the sound of Om.

I’m going to continue this quest for “centeredness” next year, with that word and sound as my touchstone.

All this thinking and “Oming” wouldn’t be complete unless I also conjured up a list of my wishes for the “Ramblings” blogging community:

• A wish that I can meet and talk to at least 300 blogging friends at SOBCon08 in Chicago. Yes, there WILL be a SOBCon, and yes, I will be the MC again. Perhaps I can do that “bloggy dance” again too. What do you think?
• A wish that I can keep learning joyfully and jubilantly with my friends and colleagues at Joyful Jubilant Learning, and anyone else who takes in the warm and welcoming aura that that site, led by the magnificent Rosa Say, gives off each and every day.
• A wish that I can support 100 Bloggers this year with a post or two. My main man Phil Gerbyshak leads this group of excellent writers, and they’ve been too kind leaving my name on the contributors list (when it’s been way too long since I’ve contributed).
• A wish that I can make it to Des Moines this year to see the “Iowa blogging posse” again. Drew, Sandy, Tim, Mike S, Mike W, Tom, Doug and Mitch, stay warm and see you soon.
• A wish that I’ll be able to throw more than a few thoughts into Liz Strauss’ “Open Comment Night” during the year. This is always one heck of a party each and every Tuesday, and the drinks taste pretty good too!
• A wish I can go to a yoga class taught by the “yoginis who blog”, Asia and Liv
• A wish that I can keep getting great comments and encouragement from all who visit here, including Andrew, Robyn, Herman, Ariane, Delaney, Karen, Chris, April, Lyman, Tim, Joe, Steve, Maria, KermitFan, Terry, Robert, Karen, Larry, Chris, Jesse, Rick, Douglas, Stephen, Trevor, Mary, Eric, Angela, Steve, Albert, Deb, Raven, Vern, Denise, Derrick, Liz, Tina, Terri, Jen, Troy, dharmamama, Donna, Doug, Kristen, Jim, Valeria, HART, Priscilla, and Jacklyn (just to name those who have graciously left notes over the past few months).
• A wish to keep reading outstanding stuff from the likes of Jodee, Ben, Steve, Dave, Rebecca, Lisa, Leah, Tony, Kammie ,Hilda, Dwayne, Dawud, Easton, Connie, Alex, Cat, Director Tom, Ellen, Ann, Marti, Craig, Kent, Jason, Char, Erin, Claire, Jonathan, Wendy, John, Dave, Tshombe, Adam, Junebug, Karen, Raymond, Steve, Ryan, Mike, Shawn, Heather, Becky, Jennifer, Kathy, Gina, Digital P, and Amanda. Keep on blogging gang!
• Lastly, a wish filled with positive vibes and great tidings for Susan Reynolds, who’s fighting cancer with wonderful panache and in public, on a separate blog and on Twitter. Inspired by Susan, the Frozen Pea Fund has been established to funnel contributions in her honor to the American Cancer Society. Go to the site and find out how the fund got it’s name, and if you can, pitch in a few bucks to a very worthy cause.

A lot of wishes, yes, but hey, I’m a half-full guy! Have an outstanding, productive, and fulfilling 2008!

Just before the holiday one of my best blogging friends and mentors, Phil Gerbyshak, posted his “Make it Great 125” - a group of sites which make his world great.

I happen to be familiar with a lot of these sites, but not all of them, so Phil provided me with many new writers and wisdom to discover.

I was also honored to make the list myself - thank you for that Mr. Gerbyshak!

As a tribute to Phil’s enduring positive energy and relentless pursuit of greatness, and as a means to spread great blogs as far and as wide as I can (notice I take Phil’s word for it - he knows great when he sees it), I reprise the list below:

http://www.angelamaiers.com
http://aprilgroves.com/beautifulchaos
http://aprilgroves.com/makinglifeworkforyou
http://ateegarden.typepad.com/empowerment4life/
http://badgerblogger.com/
http://baileyworkplay.com/
http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/
http://blog.bretttrout.com/
http://blog.buzzoodle.com
http://blog.doyouq.com/
http://blog.lifebeyondcode.com/
http://blog.talk-to-strangers.com/
http://blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/brandautopsy/
http://bren.pintglass.org/
http://bsetc.ca/blog
http://carpefactum.typepad.com/my_weblog/
http://chrisbrogan.com
http://christinekane.com/
http://cmm.thepodcastnetwork.com
http://creatingabetterlife.net/
http://customersarealways.com/
http://cuberules.com/
http://customersrock.wordpress.com/
http://daveolson.ca/
http://www.davidsfinch.com
http://deb_inside.typepad.com/deb_inside/
http://dmiracle.com/
http://drewsmarketingminute.com
http://edbrenegar.typepad.com/
http://elementaltruths.com/
http://eloquentauthor.wordpress.com
http://essentialkeystrokes.com
http://everydotconnects.com
http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/
http://galmorale.typepad.com/galmorale/
http://getmotivation.com/new.html
http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/
http://ipopin.typepad.com/think_positive/
http://www.ismckenzie.com/
http://jeroen.typepad.com/jeroen/
http://jibberjobber.com/blog
http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/
http://kimandjason.com/blog
http://kitchener-waterloo-real-estate-investments.com/
http://learningvoyager.blogspot.com/
http://lenski.com/
http://makingadifference.typepad.com/making_a_difference/
http://managementcraft.typepad.com/
http://managementcraft.typepad.com/2weeks2abreakthrough/
http://mapmaker.curtrosengren.com/
http://middlezonemusings.com/
http://monkatwork.com/
http://movingspirit.typepad.com/spirit_in_gear/
http://officiallifebydesign.com/
http://passionmeetspurpose.com/blog
http://perfectlypetersen.com
http://positivesharing.com/
http://qlog.typepad.com/the_qlog/
http://rasterweb.net/raster/
http://remarkableleadership.wordpress.com/
http://rohitrohila.com
http://www.rohdesign.com
http://servantleadershipblog.com/servant-leadership/blog/index.htm
http://sharecompassion.blogspot.com/
http://shinsato.com/
http://simplicityitk.blogspot.com/
http://sixdisciplines.blogspot.com/
http://stevefarber.com
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com
http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress
http://successcreeations.com/
http://successfromthenest.com/
http://syntaxandsoul.com/
http://talkitup.typepad.com/weblog/
http://theconfidentials.blogspot.com/
http://www.thepracticeofleadership.net/
http://www.thekissbusiness.co.uk/
http://thenonbillablehour.typepad.com/nonbillable_hour/
http://thesimplestthing.typepad.com/erikas_blog/
http://thoughtsphilosophies.com/
http://thriftynaturalist.wordpress.com/
http://troyworman.com/wordpress
http://www.terrystarbucker.com/
http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/
http://workfromwithin.typepad.com/weblog/
http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/
http://www.alexshalman.com/blog
http://www.balancedlifecenter.com/
http://www.bawldguy.com/
http://www.becausepeoplematter.com
http://www.bloggingforbusinessbook.com
http://www.bobtheking.com/index.php
http://www.bootsandsabers.com/
http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com/
http://www.converstations.com
http://www.daverothacker.com/rothacker_reviews/
http://www.davidzinger.com/
http://www.directortom.com/director-tom/
http://www.emomsathome.com/blog
http://www.genuinecuriosity.com
http://www.getfreshminds.com/
http://www.ggci.com/blog/index.htm
http://www.goodwordediting.com/
http://www.idea-sandbox.com/blog/
http://www.intrinsiclifedesign.com/scaffolding/
http://www.instigatorblog.com/
http://www.jorydesjardins.com/pause/
http://www.kevineikenberry.com/blogs/index.asp
http://www.kimandjason.com/jennasblog
http://www.kirkweisler.com/t4d
http://www.lipsticking.com/
http://www.manager-tools.com/
http://www.maryschmidt.com/
http://www.mikemcbrideonline.com/blogger.html
http://www.movingfrommetowe.com/
http://www.networkmarketingjourney.com/
http://www.nickschweitzer.net/
http://www.ownyourbrand.com
http://www.perfectlypetersen.com/
http://www.persistenceunlimited.com/
http://www.personal-growth-with-corinne-edwards.com/
http://www.petsgardenblog.com/
http://www.positivityblog.com/
http://www.priscillapalmer.com
http://www.purplewren.com/
http://www.qaqna.com/
http://ravenyoung.spaces.live.com/
http://www.ribriot.com/
http://www.rohdesign.com/weblog/
http://www.sayleadershipcoaching.com/mwacoaching/
http://www.sbannister.com/blog
http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog
http://www.shardsofconsciousness.com/
http://www.simplerich.com/blog
http://www.smallbizsurvival.com/
http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/
http://www.spinningsilk.com/
http://www.successful-blog.com
http://www.theideadude.com/
http://www.tonymorganlive.com/
http://www.virtualosophy.com/
http://www.wealth-prosperity.info/
http://youalreadyknowthisstuff.blogspot.com/
http://zenchillcom.blogspot.com/
http://walkingmyownwalk.com/

Thanks again Phil, and to all of you on the list, I look forward to our current and future conversations.

About 16 months ago I came across a blog post by Steve Farber, who had the audacity to ask this question:

“Where is it written, where’s the universal law that says doing great business, amplifying personal joy and meaning and changing the world are mutually exclusive ideas?”

That one sentence told me that this was a person who aimed a lot higher than most when it came to leadership.

Suitably intrigued, I bought one of his books, “The Radical Edge“. There I got hooked on his vision of “extreme” leadership, and had this to say in my review:

“He’s trying to take leadership to an entirely different place – a place that dares to go beyond “business success” and into the realm of self-realization and finding one’s place and purpose in this world. Yes, Steve Farber is a dreamer, and he has succeeded in bringing his dream to vibrant life in ‘The Radical Edge’”

I sent him the book in the hope he would autograph it, and he graciously did, and even left a really cool note on an airline napkin I left in the text:

“Great ideas happen on napkins like this….
Even ones that can change the world”

I ultimately got a chance to meet Steve at SOBCon07, and sure enough, he is the genuine article, a truly passionate man who who has a vision well worth absorbing into your being.

For why not think big when it comes to leadership? Why can’t we change the world?

All in all, I guess he “had me at hello” on this one. But if you’d like to get a more lengthy taste of Steve’s inspiring wisdom, he recently offered free downloads of his 3 hour audio series, “Extreme Leadership: In Pursuit of the OS!M”, for a limited time.

He normally retails this series at $49.95, so take my advice and download it, pronto. You’ll be taking your leadership to the extreme level in no time, and your world will change with it.

Really. He’s that good.

Enjoy your weekend!