In 2006, a friend and I decided to train for a marathon. I had been running 3 miles most days and could run a max of about 5 miles. A marathon is 26.2 miles. I don't even love running. Honestly, most days I don't even like it. I do like challenges, though. I like competition. This was a personal challenge and a competition against myself. Every day part of me wanted to be lazy and part of me wanted to check off that day's workout. The finish line of the Marine Corp Marathon was a rewarding experience BUT the most impactful experience was the daily competition. I won most of the days from the day I signed up for the marathon till the day I ran it. Not all of them, but most.
Dec 31, 2018. A quick self assessment revealed that I needed a change. In may of 2018 I had run for the last time that year. I was experiencing some joint discomfort that pushed me to try some different fitness options. They weren't bad. I was getting stronger BUT, I was also getting fatter and I found myself getting winded too easily. When I heard myself breathing hard after some basic activity I decided it was time to get back into cardio exercise and running is the easiest option.
January 1, 2019 I ran for the first time in 7 months. That was the longest stretch of no running since I started in 1995. My goal was to finish 3 miles without stopping. That has been my baseline distance since 2003. I had no time goal. Just finish without walking. And, I did. With a pace of just over 10 minutes/mile. Since then, my goal has been to trim my pace. Yesterday, January 18th, I did my 9th run of 2019. It was my first run under 9 minute pace in a LONG time. It wasn't easy. I think people could hear my breathing half a mile away. I even heard a guy yell from his garage "You got it!" I'm guessing he heard me passing... But I got it! My PR (personal record) for the past year.
So, what's the point? Back in 2006, I remember days at the store where things weren't great. That happens when you are on a team. There is almost always something that needs attention. The more people on the team, the more challenges. The marathon training gave me something I could work on that was just me. No team. Nobody but me. Nobody to coach but me. Nobody to push but me. Same thing the last 18 days. The only one standing between me and my goal was me. Sound selfish?
These challenges provide a break from coaching others and allow me to lead me. Instead of 100+ people, just 1. I find I lead others better when I lead me well. And, sometimes things may not be going like I want them to with the team but I can still go for a run. I can find that win on a day that may not have had many wins. AND, the win at the end of the run can lead to wins elsewhere. I know I lead others better when I'm leading me well.
What is your personal win today? What could it be tomorrow? Sometimes, days on a team can be a challenge but you can always find your personal win. Lead you to those wins and then you will lead others better.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Doughnuts Make You Stronger!
Prior to an at bat, the next batter in the lineup typically is in the "on deck circle" where they are preparing for the at-bat. Getting their batting gloves on tight. Applying pine tar to the bat to enhance the grip. Timing the pitcher. And some use a doughnut on their bat to help them in the moments before their at-bat. What is this doughnut? It's a weight that slides onto the bat so you can take practice swings with a slightly heavier bat so that when you are at the plate, preparing for your real at-bat your bat will feel lighter. There is debate about whether this practice actually improves bat speed or just makes it feel faster. Regardless of the science, that preparation contributes to the batter's confidence as they approach the plate. And, that is what matters. Hitting a baseball isn't easy. Hitting a baseball when you have doubts is even harder. You've got to be fully prepared and even then, you are likely to fail 70% of the time.
Changing gears just a bit. For 2 years I was the Chairperson for the Board of Directors at Voyager Academy. I didn't really want that role but I was asked and it appeared to be the right time and some of the needs of the time fit my strengths so I accepted. I anticipated that it would be a challenging time and I wasn't wrong. In fact, I had underestimated the challenge and the weight of the role.
Voyager is a school with 1,300 students. Probably about 700-800 families represented. Over 100 full time staff. One of the larger Charter Schools in NC where there is a heated debate on the merit of Charter Schools. Just ask the Mayor of Durham what his thoughts are. Some people in powerful positions in the city and state are looking for any reason to shut them down. Google Excelsior Academy and read the headlines of what the city did to them last year.
So, we need to educate the kids in a way that optimizes their opportunities the rest of their lives AND we have to do it in full compliance with state regulations. Some of those make sense and some... not so much. There is alot going on in a school Voyager's size. Alot that has to work and work the right way.
When I'd drop kids off in carpool, attend school events, see Voyager uniforms in our dining room, meet parents in the community or wake up at 2:00 AM I was reminded of how much was riding on the school. And, the board is in charge. And, the chair has the most influence on the board. So, one could argue that the single most influential role at the school is the chair. Maybe not on what happens that day but on the health and sustainability of the school over the next 1-5 years. That is alot of weight. For 2 years.
But, last June (2018), my term ended. I wasn't just done with my time as chair but my term as a board member was up. Suddenly, that responsibility was gone. That weight was gone. And, it was noticeable.
I've been a CFA operator for over 20 years. Every day for over 20 years. That's over 7,300 consecutive days. And, it's not a light weight role. There have been many days that the weight of the role has seemed overwhelming. Sometimes entire years where this was the case. It seemed the odds of succeeding were way less than getting a hit against a major league pitcher.
BUT, after those 2 years as Voyager Chair, when the extra weight of that role was taken away, the role of "only being an operator" felt lighter. I felt more prepared to do my primary role. I still had the same responsibilities. The weight of the bat I was swinging was still the same. The difficulty of hitting the pitch was still the same. But, by swinging that bat with the extra weight from that other role for 2 years, the bat felt lighter when that temporary role was taken off.
What I've learned is that a good way to prepare for my "at bats" as an operator at CFA is to find a "batter's box" that has a doughnut that I can take a few swings with so that I feel more prepared for the real at bats. These are shorter term commitments outside CFA. School board, Church role, coaching sports, Advisory Boards, mentoring...
If your role professionally feels heavy, you probably need to find a "doughnut" to add to your bat and take some swings. Maybe for a week. Maybe a year. Maybe a couple years. When your time with that commitment ends, your remaining roles will feel lighter. You will be more prepared as you approach the plate to take your swings.
Baseball players typically use that doughnut before each at bat. Not, once a game or once a week. What is your doughnut that is preparing you for your real at bats? For some, CFA is the doughnut for another role. For others, CFA is the game and they need to have a doughnut to help them with their at bats at CFA each day.
Oh, and it doesn't have to be a heavy weight. A baseball doughnut typically weighs 1/2 to 1 lb. But, its 1/2 to 1 lb more than you are used to swinging. You don't need to be a chairperson of the school board. Maybe assistant Sunday School teacher of kindergarteners. Coach of a rec ball team. Mentor to a couple younger people. It just needs to be a little weight to prepare you for the real at bats.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Clemson and Alabama
I think most of ya'll know who I was pulling for last night. I've spent most of my life booing Alabama but in the last few years I have grown to appreciate their disciplined execution and consistent level of excellence. Because of this I've become a reluctant fan. I like watching excellence.
So, what happened Monday night? I'm no football scholar but what I saw was a team that wasn't prepared which is so surprising when that team is Alabama. Preparation is what has built the dominance that they have had in college football the last 10-12 years.
Clemson was good but not 44-16 good. Clemson was 20/32 passing. 135 total yards of rushing. Neither of those stats is impressive. Alabama had very similar stats. 22/34 passing and 148 yards of rushing. Here is the difference. Alabama had 2 very poorly executed plays resulting in interceptions leading to touchdowns by Clemson at key moments. Alabama also had 2 fumbles although they recovered both of them. That's 4 fumbles/interceptions compared to 0 for Clemson. Clemson had 240 yards on 3rd down plays. When Alabama had Clemson 3rd and long, they consistently gave up big plays. Not just enough yards for 1st downs but long yards. 15+ yards. And, most of those were clearly very bad execution. Missed coverage where the defense was in the wrong place. Mental errors. Only a couple plays were won with outright physical overpowering. Most were bad execution on the part of Alabama. My college coach would often say "it's ok to make physical errors. Those happen. It's the mental errors that you can't make. There is no excuse for those." Oh, and then there was the fake field goal. Another bad mental mistake. Who knows what they were thinking on that play.
Clemson came prepared. They are known to be a bit more showy. They dance a bit more. But, last night, they won because they came prepared. They executed. They didn't beat themselves. They made very few mistakes. No dumb penalties. No blown coverage on pass plays. They got beat on some plays but they rarely beat themselves
Take away? Past records don't matter today. If you aren't prepared for today, it doesn't matter how good you've been in the past, you will lose. The flip side is that with preparation, you can do just about anything. As Sweeney (Clemson coach) said afterward "If we can do it, you can do it!"
So, today, are we Alabama with a great track record but maybe not much preparation today? Or, are we Clemson, with some track record and a passion to rise up and willing to put in the preparation necessary to win?
So, what happened Monday night? I'm no football scholar but what I saw was a team that wasn't prepared which is so surprising when that team is Alabama. Preparation is what has built the dominance that they have had in college football the last 10-12 years.
Clemson was good but not 44-16 good. Clemson was 20/32 passing. 135 total yards of rushing. Neither of those stats is impressive. Alabama had very similar stats. 22/34 passing and 148 yards of rushing. Here is the difference. Alabama had 2 very poorly executed plays resulting in interceptions leading to touchdowns by Clemson at key moments. Alabama also had 2 fumbles although they recovered both of them. That's 4 fumbles/interceptions compared to 0 for Clemson. Clemson had 240 yards on 3rd down plays. When Alabama had Clemson 3rd and long, they consistently gave up big plays. Not just enough yards for 1st downs but long yards. 15+ yards. And, most of those were clearly very bad execution. Missed coverage where the defense was in the wrong place. Mental errors. Only a couple plays were won with outright physical overpowering. Most were bad execution on the part of Alabama. My college coach would often say "it's ok to make physical errors. Those happen. It's the mental errors that you can't make. There is no excuse for those." Oh, and then there was the fake field goal. Another bad mental mistake. Who knows what they were thinking on that play.
Clemson came prepared. They are known to be a bit more showy. They dance a bit more. But, last night, they won because they came prepared. They executed. They didn't beat themselves. They made very few mistakes. No dumb penalties. No blown coverage on pass plays. They got beat on some plays but they rarely beat themselves
Take away? Past records don't matter today. If you aren't prepared for today, it doesn't matter how good you've been in the past, you will lose. The flip side is that with preparation, you can do just about anything. As Sweeney (Clemson coach) said afterward "If we can do it, you can do it!"
So, today, are we Alabama with a great track record but maybe not much preparation today? Or, are we Clemson, with some track record and a passion to rise up and willing to put in the preparation necessary to win?
Discipline eats talent for breakfast
When I was 7 years old I played my first organized baseball. You've already read about how that year began with me kicking and screaming going to registration. I didn't learn the full story of how that season ended till many years later. I had been selected to the all-star team my first season. My parents didn't tell me because they already had summer plans and the all-star schedule conflicted so they told the coach I couldn't join the team and they didn't tell me so I wouldn't be disappointed. The next 13 years our summer plans worked around baseball.
I made the all-star team every year of little league, then I made the high school team, practicing with the varsity team as an underclassman (2 practices every day). Then I made a Metro-Atlanta High School All-Star team. Then I made a very real discovery. Discipline beats talent. I had more talent than most of the guys on that team BUT, most of the guys on the team had more discipline than I did. As a little league player we all tried the same but talent usually won. As we got into high school, the guys that were committed started working out and training outside of practice. And those guys that I used to beat with my talent began beating me with their discipline. Today, I rarely see a major league ball player display talent beyond what I had. BUT, they have the discipline to do what's needed that I didn't have.
I see the same thing in leadership of teams. Some people have leadership talent that gets them on the team, in the game and even winning some. It's the leaders with discipline that continue to add capacity and win over time.
Talent can win games. Discipline wins championships and creates dynasties.
This is good news for all of us. Talent is really difficult to obtain if you don't have it naturally. Anybody can apply disciplined behavior today. Some people are "natural" leaders. The rest of us can become leaders through disciplined behavior. Just as I experienced with baseball, often the natural talent shines early on BUT the disciplined behavior wins over time.
I made the all-star team every year of little league, then I made the high school team, practicing with the varsity team as an underclassman (2 practices every day). Then I made a Metro-Atlanta High School All-Star team. Then I made a very real discovery. Discipline beats talent. I had more talent than most of the guys on that team BUT, most of the guys on the team had more discipline than I did. As a little league player we all tried the same but talent usually won. As we got into high school, the guys that were committed started working out and training outside of practice. And those guys that I used to beat with my talent began beating me with their discipline. Today, I rarely see a major league ball player display talent beyond what I had. BUT, they have the discipline to do what's needed that I didn't have.
I see the same thing in leadership of teams. Some people have leadership talent that gets them on the team, in the game and even winning some. It's the leaders with discipline that continue to add capacity and win over time.
Talent can win games. Discipline wins championships and creates dynasties.
This is good news for all of us. Talent is really difficult to obtain if you don't have it naturally. Anybody can apply disciplined behavior today. Some people are "natural" leaders. The rest of us can become leaders through disciplined behavior. Just as I experienced with baseball, often the natural talent shines early on BUT the disciplined behavior wins over time.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Month-End End (Midnight Inventory Part II)
Read Midnight Inventory first!
Now, fast forward many years. I don't recall the exact year but it was probably around 2011-2012. Could be earlier. I was still doing inventory. The end of each month would come and I would still be the one counting inventory. I had handed off other stuff, including other parts of month-end but I was still the only one doing inventory. That means I probably did it at least 10 years, probably more like 12, especially if you count the 2 years I had a store in Atlanta. That is 120-144 straight months of me doing inventory. WHY?!?!?
It wasn't because I had just mindlessly continued to do it. I had actually put some thought into it. I thought it was good thought, too. This is why I had continued:
1) It's important. If we miscount the inventory, our food or paper cost will be wrong. That's bad for tracking and bad for my income. I figured if it got messed up I wanted it to be me that messed it up.
2) It gave me a way to stay connected with the business. It forced me to walk the entire store and see the physical business.
3) I didn't like doing it. That's right, I kept doing it because I didn't like doing it. I figured everybody would dislike it and it was something I could do and avoid dumping on somebody else.
4) I ran good numbers (food and paper cost) and I didn't want to risk that changing.
These are all legitimate reasons. They are good reasons. And, I was wrong...
So, I don't remember exactly why, but a month came where I wasn't going to be at the store on month end. I suspect there was an event out of town that I needed to be at. Tebo had been ordering truck for a while and counting inventory is similar. Just more detailed. So, I asked Tebo to take care of inventory that month. Guess what? Nothing fell apart. Tebo survived. Our food cost was fine. I could be wrong but I think Tebo may have even liked being given that opportunity.
30 days later I had a decision to make. Was I going to take inventory back or was I going to let Tebo do it again....? Well, I did both. My memory is we had a few questions after the first month so Tebo and I both did inventory. I think we did this a couple months. Then, Tebo took it. I've not done inventory since then. Guess what? Those 4 concerns I had, here is how they worked out.
1) We did make some mistakes along the way and I was able to help Tebo learn through them and get better. This is key. I didn't just dump it. We worked through it till he had it well under control.
2) It gave Tebo an additional connection to the store and performance and I was able to find other ways to stay connected.
3) I think Tebo likes his role of owning numbers and inventory and this was key to that.
4) I did run good numbers back then and we run even better numbers now. By sharing ownership, I was able to focus on other stuff that needed my attention and Tebo was able to own food cost more completely.
What are you holding on to? What are your reasons? Any of them sound like my reasons?
Imagine if I had held on to inventory. Would we be better or worse? What about all the other stuff I used to do (pretty much everything from squeezing lemons to washing dishes to DT bagger to fileting...
What could you hand off this month? Who could you create an opportunity for? Don't overthink it. Just do it.
Now, fast forward many years. I don't recall the exact year but it was probably around 2011-2012. Could be earlier. I was still doing inventory. The end of each month would come and I would still be the one counting inventory. I had handed off other stuff, including other parts of month-end but I was still the only one doing inventory. That means I probably did it at least 10 years, probably more like 12, especially if you count the 2 years I had a store in Atlanta. That is 120-144 straight months of me doing inventory. WHY?!?!?
It wasn't because I had just mindlessly continued to do it. I had actually put some thought into it. I thought it was good thought, too. This is why I had continued:
1) It's important. If we miscount the inventory, our food or paper cost will be wrong. That's bad for tracking and bad for my income. I figured if it got messed up I wanted it to be me that messed it up.
2) It gave me a way to stay connected with the business. It forced me to walk the entire store and see the physical business.
3) I didn't like doing it. That's right, I kept doing it because I didn't like doing it. I figured everybody would dislike it and it was something I could do and avoid dumping on somebody else.
4) I ran good numbers (food and paper cost) and I didn't want to risk that changing.
These are all legitimate reasons. They are good reasons. And, I was wrong...
So, I don't remember exactly why, but a month came where I wasn't going to be at the store on month end. I suspect there was an event out of town that I needed to be at. Tebo had been ordering truck for a while and counting inventory is similar. Just more detailed. So, I asked Tebo to take care of inventory that month. Guess what? Nothing fell apart. Tebo survived. Our food cost was fine. I could be wrong but I think Tebo may have even liked being given that opportunity.
30 days later I had a decision to make. Was I going to take inventory back or was I going to let Tebo do it again....? Well, I did both. My memory is we had a few questions after the first month so Tebo and I both did inventory. I think we did this a couple months. Then, Tebo took it. I've not done inventory since then. Guess what? Those 4 concerns I had, here is how they worked out.
1) We did make some mistakes along the way and I was able to help Tebo learn through them and get better. This is key. I didn't just dump it. We worked through it till he had it well under control.
2) It gave Tebo an additional connection to the store and performance and I was able to find other ways to stay connected.
3) I think Tebo likes his role of owning numbers and inventory and this was key to that.
4) I did run good numbers back then and we run even better numbers now. By sharing ownership, I was able to focus on other stuff that needed my attention and Tebo was able to own food cost more completely.
What are you holding on to? What are your reasons? Any of them sound like my reasons?
Imagine if I had held on to inventory. Would we be better or worse? What about all the other stuff I used to do (pretty much everything from squeezing lemons to washing dishes to DT bagger to fileting...
What could you hand off this month? Who could you create an opportunity for? Don't overthink it. Just do it.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Midnight Inventory
April 1, 2001, around 8:00 PM
That's when Regan was born just down the street at Durham Regional Hospital (now Duke Regional). It was a Sunday. It was also End of the Month.
In our business there are some important tasks that must occur at the end of the month and before the next month begins. When I first decided to pursue being an owner, month-end was actually a significant deterrent. My birthday and Kaylyn's are both on the first of a month. Same time Month-End occurs. And back then, the amount of work at month end was significantly more time consuming due to the lack of technology back then. A few of those tasks do still remain today, though. One of those tasks is counting inventory. These days, you'll see Tebo counting inventory the morning of the last day of the month. Back then, I was the one doing inventory, and most of the Month End process.
I don't know why I hadn't done inventory on that Saturday but I hadn't. So, it's Sunday night, the next day we'd be opening and it would be too late to get an accurate inventory to calculate food cost for March's P&L. So, it still needed to be done.
Around midnight, the nurses took Regan to the nursery to do whatever they do with newborns. It had been a long day. At the hospital all day, experiencing her birth was incredible and draining. And inventory still needed to be done...
My parents had come up when they heard we were heading to the hospital that morning. So, at midnight, my dad and I headed up to the store to count all the inventory. I don't remember how long it took. I just remember being up at the store in the middle of the night, counting boxes, because I was the owner and if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done.
When you own something you are the one that must ensure it is taken care of. Truett would remind operators all the time, "If it's got to be, it's up to me."
If you want opportunities, you've got to own them. "If it's got to be, it's up to me."
P.S.- There is a part II to this story. What about leadership? Delegation? Why was I the only one that could/would do inventory? Great questions. I was a good "owner" but still learning to lead.
That's when Regan was born just down the street at Durham Regional Hospital (now Duke Regional). It was a Sunday. It was also End of the Month.
In our business there are some important tasks that must occur at the end of the month and before the next month begins. When I first decided to pursue being an owner, month-end was actually a significant deterrent. My birthday and Kaylyn's are both on the first of a month. Same time Month-End occurs. And back then, the amount of work at month end was significantly more time consuming due to the lack of technology back then. A few of those tasks do still remain today, though. One of those tasks is counting inventory. These days, you'll see Tebo counting inventory the morning of the last day of the month. Back then, I was the one doing inventory, and most of the Month End process.
I don't know why I hadn't done inventory on that Saturday but I hadn't. So, it's Sunday night, the next day we'd be opening and it would be too late to get an accurate inventory to calculate food cost for March's P&L. So, it still needed to be done.
Around midnight, the nurses took Regan to the nursery to do whatever they do with newborns. It had been a long day. At the hospital all day, experiencing her birth was incredible and draining. And inventory still needed to be done...
My parents had come up when they heard we were heading to the hospital that morning. So, at midnight, my dad and I headed up to the store to count all the inventory. I don't remember how long it took. I just remember being up at the store in the middle of the night, counting boxes, because I was the owner and if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done.
When you own something you are the one that must ensure it is taken care of. Truett would remind operators all the time, "If it's got to be, it's up to me."
If you want opportunities, you've got to own them. "If it's got to be, it's up to me."
P.S.- There is a part II to this story. What about leadership? Delegation? Why was I the only one that could/would do inventory? Great questions. I was a good "owner" but still learning to lead.
Friday, January 4, 2019
The Early Bird Gets The Opportunity
15 minutes early is on time, On time is late, Late is fired.
When I hear that line I think of Jerwaan Lloyd. He was one of our managers when we opened and I still see him come in periodically as guest. He would say this often. And, its a good lesson. But, there is more. Why should I show up early?
1) It shows respect to others. When you are late, you disrespect everybody that is wasting their time waiting on you. You lose influence when you are late.
2) It gives you options. Hopefully you read about my Honda Accord. If I had been planning on being on time, I would have been late. Things happen. Traffic, car problems, you forget something. If you are early, you have options when these surprises come up. And, remember, #1. It doesn't matter why you are late. It's always disrespectful and wastes other people's time.
3) It gives you opportunities. They may be small but sometimes they may become big. As a team member, I learned that the time I'd have for a break was highly variable. I might not even get a break if we were busy. By showing up early, I had the choice of eating before my shift or at least getting a request in for a break before others arrived. First come, first serve. But, it also accumulates into bigger opportunities. Because my managers could count on me to be there they gave me more opportunities. Those opportunities added up to CFA giving me the opportunity to be an operator. If I had only been as reliable as the average team member back then, I would have only gotten the same opportunities they got. Not much. Reminds me of Dave Ramsey's line "live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later."
4) It lowers your stress. Being late, especially to work, creates stress. It distracts you. It's hard to show up late and perform well once you are there. Life and work have enough stress already. Why add to it by being late. That's an unforced error and its hard to win when you beat yourself.
5) It's kind of like waking up earlier than others. The Early Bird Gets the Worm. By showing up to work early, I was able to get some stuff done before my shift officially began. As a leader, this is even more critical. I preferred at least 30 minutes of prep time as a leader before the team needed me to assume my position that shift. I found that by being early, the rest of my day would go well.
6) Personal discipline overflows into other areas of your life. If you can have the discipline to get to work early you probably will have the discipline to do other important tasks. If you can't even show up on time why would you expect somebody to trust you with something more complex/meaningful.
P.S. You could also say "showing up ready to work" is just as important. Early but unready is just as useless. Guys, if you can't be trusted to shave before showing up at CFA, do you really think you'll be trusted with more meaningful opportunities? I hate shaving as much as anybody but come on. It's not hard. Brush your teeth, shave and put on deodorant if you are coming to CFA today... It's not difficult...
When I hear that line I think of Jerwaan Lloyd. He was one of our managers when we opened and I still see him come in periodically as guest. He would say this often. And, its a good lesson. But, there is more. Why should I show up early?
1) It shows respect to others. When you are late, you disrespect everybody that is wasting their time waiting on you. You lose influence when you are late.
2) It gives you options. Hopefully you read about my Honda Accord. If I had been planning on being on time, I would have been late. Things happen. Traffic, car problems, you forget something. If you are early, you have options when these surprises come up. And, remember, #1. It doesn't matter why you are late. It's always disrespectful and wastes other people's time.
3) It gives you opportunities. They may be small but sometimes they may become big. As a team member, I learned that the time I'd have for a break was highly variable. I might not even get a break if we were busy. By showing up early, I had the choice of eating before my shift or at least getting a request in for a break before others arrived. First come, first serve. But, it also accumulates into bigger opportunities. Because my managers could count on me to be there they gave me more opportunities. Those opportunities added up to CFA giving me the opportunity to be an operator. If I had only been as reliable as the average team member back then, I would have only gotten the same opportunities they got. Not much. Reminds me of Dave Ramsey's line "live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later."
4) It lowers your stress. Being late, especially to work, creates stress. It distracts you. It's hard to show up late and perform well once you are there. Life and work have enough stress already. Why add to it by being late. That's an unforced error and its hard to win when you beat yourself.
5) It's kind of like waking up earlier than others. The Early Bird Gets the Worm. By showing up to work early, I was able to get some stuff done before my shift officially began. As a leader, this is even more critical. I preferred at least 30 minutes of prep time as a leader before the team needed me to assume my position that shift. I found that by being early, the rest of my day would go well.
6) Personal discipline overflows into other areas of your life. If you can have the discipline to get to work early you probably will have the discipline to do other important tasks. If you can't even show up on time why would you expect somebody to trust you with something more complex/meaningful.
P.S. You could also say "showing up ready to work" is just as important. Early but unready is just as useless. Guys, if you can't be trusted to shave before showing up at CFA, do you really think you'll be trusted with more meaningful opportunities? I hate shaving as much as anybody but come on. It's not hard. Brush your teeth, shave and put on deodorant if you are coming to CFA today... It's not difficult...
Thursday, January 3, 2019
My Honda Accord
Back around 1996 I got a used Honda Accord. I loved it. Quick, sporty, great fuel mileage, sunroof... But then one morning on the way to work, it stopped. I was still a couple miles from the mall I was working at and I was the opening manager. I was the only one with keys that would be showing up that morning. No cell phones back then. I'm quickly doing the math. How long will it take me to walk to the store?? I was going to need to run. Fortunately, I was wearing "street clothes" which meant my uniform wasn't going to get sweaty during the run BUT it meant I had to run with a duffel bag. The good news. I had time. Whatever my schedule said, I always planned to get to CFA at least 20-30 minutes early. Quite a few reasons for this but on this day the only reason that mattered was it gave me options so I could still get to work and open the store on time even though my car wasn't going to make it with me.
I wish I could say I ran to work up hill in the snow with no shoes and in 40 MPH wind but the truth is right as I began the trek from my car to the store a guy stopped and offered me a ride. This was 25 years ago, I was a fairly fit guy and I sized up the person offering me the ride and made the calculated risk that the offer was a good option. (Do not try this at home). The benefit of the ride was that I still made it to the mall before the rest of our team was scheduled to arrive and I had time to focus on my responsibility to get the store open even though my car didn't get there with me
When people ask how I got the opportunity to become a CFA operator, this is how. Back then, leadership wasn't a word we used much. The business was much smaller. Much simpler. Operators did much of what our leadership team now does. But, the foundation of leadership of others is leadership of your self. I led myself well. I ensured I always showed up. That's critical. The most talented player on a team has no value when they don't show up. The value is only realized on the field, in the game. The second part is I did what I agreed to do. Say it, Do it. Its certainly easier said than done but its often the simple difference between those that accomplish their goals and those that don't. Show up and do what you agreed to do.
When CFA offered me the opportunity to own a CFA location it wasn't because I was the smartest. I wasn't dumb but there were lots more intelligent than me. Not because I was the most talented. I wasn't unskilled but there were lots with more talent than me. Not because I was the friendliest. Ya'll know me... It was because they trusted me to Show Up and Do What I Said I Would Do. And, that's still true. At the end of all this, leadership adds capacity but opportunity begins with showing up and doing what you said you would do.
This is so easy to talk about but in real life it can be difficult. Over 6 years as a team member, I was late twice (no more than 10 minutes total) and I missed 1 day (mom made me call out because I had stayed home from school). There were plenty of excuses that I could have used BUT I am confident that if I had used the excuses most people use I wouldn't have been given the opportunity that few people get. Track records open and close doors. Excuses only close doors.
How did I get the opportunity to own a CFA? I showed up. Every day. I did what I said. Every day. You can choose to do this as well. You don't need some crazy talent or award winning smile. The people that have those often call out. Just show up and you'll pass most of the competition. Then, do what you committed to and you'll pass the rest of the competition. Very few people show up every day AND do what they committed to every day.
Say it, Do it.
I wish I could say I ran to work up hill in the snow with no shoes and in 40 MPH wind but the truth is right as I began the trek from my car to the store a guy stopped and offered me a ride. This was 25 years ago, I was a fairly fit guy and I sized up the person offering me the ride and made the calculated risk that the offer was a good option. (Do not try this at home). The benefit of the ride was that I still made it to the mall before the rest of our team was scheduled to arrive and I had time to focus on my responsibility to get the store open even though my car didn't get there with me
When people ask how I got the opportunity to become a CFA operator, this is how. Back then, leadership wasn't a word we used much. The business was much smaller. Much simpler. Operators did much of what our leadership team now does. But, the foundation of leadership of others is leadership of your self. I led myself well. I ensured I always showed up. That's critical. The most talented player on a team has no value when they don't show up. The value is only realized on the field, in the game. The second part is I did what I agreed to do. Say it, Do it. Its certainly easier said than done but its often the simple difference between those that accomplish their goals and those that don't. Show up and do what you agreed to do.
When CFA offered me the opportunity to own a CFA location it wasn't because I was the smartest. I wasn't dumb but there were lots more intelligent than me. Not because I was the most talented. I wasn't unskilled but there were lots with more talent than me. Not because I was the friendliest. Ya'll know me... It was because they trusted me to Show Up and Do What I Said I Would Do. And, that's still true. At the end of all this, leadership adds capacity but opportunity begins with showing up and doing what you said you would do.
This is so easy to talk about but in real life it can be difficult. Over 6 years as a team member, I was late twice (no more than 10 minutes total) and I missed 1 day (mom made me call out because I had stayed home from school). There were plenty of excuses that I could have used BUT I am confident that if I had used the excuses most people use I wouldn't have been given the opportunity that few people get. Track records open and close doors. Excuses only close doors.
How did I get the opportunity to own a CFA? I showed up. Every day. I did what I said. Every day. You can choose to do this as well. You don't need some crazy talent or award winning smile. The people that have those often call out. Just show up and you'll pass most of the competition. Then, do what you committed to and you'll pass the rest of the competition. Very few people show up every day AND do what they committed to every day.
Say it, Do it.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Yes....
About a week ago I did a story about how often I've said NO to what should be a YES. This is a similar story.
I do a planning day every month and one of the benefits of this day is time to reflect on my roles and identify what I'm doing well and what I'm not doing well. This particular planning day I realized that I had a tendency to respond with no or a delayed yes when my girls would ask if we could do something. Maybe its kick the soccer ball or play a board game... I didn't like this trend. I didn't like the message it sent to my girls so I decided that going forward my default answer would be "YES, lets go". This is the answer unless I can't. And "I can't" must be a real "I can't". Not an "I can't" that's really a "I don't want to" or "I'd rather not" or "maybe" or "later". I want them to expect the answer to be YES when they ask me to do something with them.
This can be applied at CFA as well. What do I tend to say NO to? What do I give delayed yes's to? What needs to change? What needs immediate Yes's?
It turns out that by deciding what you will say YES to up front, you are also deciding what you will say NO to. Every YES also has a NO. If we decide up front what gets YES and what gets NO, we are more likely to say YES to the best things and NO to the "just good" things.
I do a planning day every month and one of the benefits of this day is time to reflect on my roles and identify what I'm doing well and what I'm not doing well. This particular planning day I realized that I had a tendency to respond with no or a delayed yes when my girls would ask if we could do something. Maybe its kick the soccer ball or play a board game... I didn't like this trend. I didn't like the message it sent to my girls so I decided that going forward my default answer would be "YES, lets go". This is the answer unless I can't. And "I can't" must be a real "I can't". Not an "I can't" that's really a "I don't want to" or "I'd rather not" or "maybe" or "later". I want them to expect the answer to be YES when they ask me to do something with them.
This can be applied at CFA as well. What do I tend to say NO to? What do I give delayed yes's to? What needs to change? What needs immediate Yes's?
It turns out that by deciding what you will say YES to up front, you are also deciding what you will say NO to. Every YES also has a NO. If we decide up front what gets YES and what gets NO, we are more likely to say YES to the best things and NO to the "just good" things.
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