Smile and the World Smiles with You

I want to thank everyone for your nice comments about my blog.  Many times when I am at industry events or with business associates they mention my blog to me.  This is very gratifying and humbling to me.  I'm just a guy with a keyboard and although I have always enjoyed writing I certainly do not profess any expertise or ability above anyone else.  It seems to me more and more that an attitude of gratitude is a great way to, borrowing from Mr. Carnegie, win friends and influence people.  If my weekly posts are helpful and inspirational, as some have said, then that affirmation gives me all the reason I need to keep writing this little post every week

I am privileged to work with people that have as great a passion for my business as I do.  I NEVER take this for granted.  Like most every other business in the world the last several years we have been through some challenging and difficult times.  It has made us question and question again whether we have what it takes to survive in the future.  This is still a work in progress but I am happy to say that we are emerging from the most challenging days our business has experienced in 34 years with a greater resolve and a more focused approach to the future than we've ever had.  Believe me, we still have a lot of work to do and we are by no means past all of the challenges that lie ahead.

What has forever changed as a result of these difficulties, however is our attitude towards the future and how we work each and every day.  We are determined to make every day a great day and in doing so give women more opportunities to feel fabulous.  This is why we come to work each day.  This is why we endure difficulties and celebrate victories.  It is a cause bigger than all of us individually but one that we have committed ourselves to each and every day.  Has it made a difference?  OH YEA!! 

It hasn't diminished the challenges, we are still far from perfect and we certainly haven't solved the world's problems.  We've just made significant strides in the one thing in this world we have control over individually and collectively as a company - our attitudes and the culture we choose to work in every day.  It really has made a difference that I believe is being played out not only within the walls of our office but in every touch point of our business. 

Let me give a quick example.  A few months ago we started answering our phones with an enthusiastic "it's a GREAT DAY at J. Renee'!"  The response from people on the other end of the phone has been enthusiastically positive, to say the least.  In some small way, whether the call is to ask a question about our business, complain about a mistake we may have made or (hopefully) to place an order, we have lightened the mood and made that customer feel better having called us.  We're having fun, they're having fun and we are fulfilling our mission to give women (and men) more opportunities to feel fabulous!

I wonder what small ways you can come up with to do the same thing for your customers would be?  We are thinking of them all the time.  And having a lot of fun doing it. 

Right is Wrong

Ever since I started helping my dad unpack and repack shoes to ship them to customers in our garage - almost 40 years ago - I have heard a saying that we have all heard thousands of times.  The customer is always right.  There's no denying the truth behind that statement or the wisdom to be heeded in hearing it again today.  Even if you know you're right, if your customers don't agree with you you're wrong.  Being wrong in today's marketplace is not good for your financial well being.  It is peculiar then that I see an increasing number of people so focused on being right all the time, even, or should I say especially, at the expense of making sure the other person is wrong.  It's a zero sum game that's getting far too much play - in the midst of an economic environment with enough challenges of its own.

Whatever happened to doing unto others, turning the other cheek and staying humble?  And for goodness sake where has customer service gone?  I think it all boils down to an attitude of "me first" and/or "looking out for number one."  I guess if your goal is to always be right and always be first then you can jump on the bandwagon.  I hear it's lonely at the top, though.

I believe the better answer is to continue to serve others and to help other people meet their needs.  I am convinced that this is the way to live a productive and happy life.  I can tell you first hand it is sorely needed in the business world and the society in general these days.  I find that the novelty and sincerity of it actually attract people and make them want to be your friend and/or to do business with you.  I wish I could come up with a better quote on my own but this is one that cannot be matched or duplicated.  Zig Ziglar said it many, many years ago:

"You can have EVERYTHING in life you want if you are willing to help enough other people get what THEY want."

Marinade on that one a while.  It is simplistic and yet it is very profound.  How might you use it today to positively impact your relationships at home?  At work?  With customers?  With strangers?  It is a line of thinking and a lifestyle worth pursuing and investing in. 

I spent a lot of time in my younger years trying to be right a lot (all the time).  Some of the adjectives that described my attitudes were: paranoia, jealousy, anger, moodiness.  You get the picture.  I want to be very clear that I have not "arrived" yet but where I am striving to get to is putting other people first more often.  On the occasions when I do, here's the adjectives that come to mind: compassion, kindness, selflessness, humility, patience, peace of mind, relaxed.  I like the way that sounds and feels a lot better. 

So, I am trying to devote more and more of my time to being less right and staying aware of opportunities to help and serve other people.  You can choose to stay focused on yourself - but that would be completely wrong. 

Trumping Tragedy

This week was a tough week for me.  A very dear employee, friend and woman left our company.  I wish I could take the blame or try to lay the blame for her departure but I can't.  I wish I could use this as a learning opportunity to evaluate what I did wrong so I can learn from it and do better next time.  Not in this case.  I wish that saying I wasn't going to concern myself with things that are out of my control were as easy to do as it is to say.  No matter what I think or do - no matter what anyone does or thinks, even she is powerless to undo the sad truth of the situation.  She has terminal cancer. 

As we go through life we see and hear many stories that break our hearts.  I don't think I've experienced one this close.  We also see stories that inspire us and make us better people having known about or of the person or situation.  Due to mine and everyone who called her a member of our Remac Family's incredible fortune we have seen both in the same person over the last several months since her diagnosis was confirmed.  My heart has been broken and touched - and my life will be better as a result of going through this situation with her.  I have only had the good fortune of knowing her for 4 years - and I am grateful I had that long.

I started writing the above post the middle of last month - and never finished it.  Since that time our Dear Friend sadly lost her brief struggle against the horrible disease we call cancer.  While we have mourned her loss we rejoice to know her struggles are over and her pain is gone.  The ones who are hurting are those of us she has left behind.  We miss her terribly and try to comfort ourselves knowing she is at rest and at peace.  Even though we don't completely understand it.

No one said life is easy.  We all deal with difficulties of all shapes and sizes.  Some are just daily bumps we need to move past and some are life changing.  With the grace and courage that we saw exhibited in our friend I have resolved to live every day this year in a way that makes others glad that they know me and leaves people, places and things better off than before I encountered them.  I can't recommend this lifestyle change enough.  Perhaps you know someone who elicits these feelings in your life - I hope we all know at least one.  Better yet, why not be that type of person?  Not a day goes by where I don't make mistakes and don't wish I had done things differently but I am determined to overcome those obstacles.  It seems rather minor in light of what some people have to deal with. 

I have more energy, determination and purpose that at any time in my life.  I know that I am much more productive and much more goal driven.  It is exhilarating and it is a lot of work.  I am happier than I have ever been and I am sleeping better than I have for as long as I can remember.  It seems to me I am living the life I was created to live.  Being who I am supposed to be is a great feeling. 

There have been many factors that have gone in to how and why I have arrived at this place.  Not the least of which is the impact that my friend had on my life.  Who, or should I ask how many, will be glad to say that they know you and that you are part of their lives?  That's something worth living for!  Today and every day that we are alive.