Sunday, December 24, 2006

Holly, Jolly, Merry, Happy...

Happy...Festivus?
As we've learned from Seinfeld and our culture, most anyone can create their own version of a holiday. The very name holiday comes from HOLY day. Today many of our "holidays" aren't holy days, but at least one still should be.Why do so many seem to have a problem with the "Christmas" designation of this day?

Changing a word here or there doesn't really have any effect on the intended meaning now does it? The cause for celebration and what it has become around this holy day has subtly moved the focus away from what it was intended to be. Lest Martin Luther King day become "good men for causes" day, and Memorial Day becomes "let's have a day off, but not talk about why" day...Christmas is about a singular thing.

Without that singular thing, none of the other things would matter much.Remember the story?"Unto you this day, is born a savior...Christ The Lord."Giving consideration to all holy days (even Festivus?)...this day exists on our calendars as the celebration of Christ's birth.
Merry Christmas. (this entry was originally posted on Christmas Day, 2005)

posted by Michael York at 8:18 AM 0 comments  

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Success Secrets #1

The Secrets of Success?
They're not exactly well-hidden, if only we're paying attention.
And I've noticed lately they're not unlike the secrets of travel.
I write quite a bit about my travels here, so I thought I'd drop in a few "secrets" I've learned along the road.
Been on any success searches for secrets lately?

Secret #1: DRESS UP.
I almost always "dress up" to fly. Not only when I fly, but especially then.
Zig said it years ago when I was just a young salesman, "If you wanna' go up, then you gotta' dress up!"
Dress slacks are the most comfortable pants I wear. There is no pair of stiff jeans or dumpy khakis that feel like fine wool. Especially when you're sitting down a lot. Usually I'm in a "business tee" (or some other very comfortable) shirt and I wear a sport coat or suit jacket over the top of the shirt that I can take off on the plane or keep on, whichever is more comfortable according to the temperature.

Dressing like this-from the time I drive up to check my bags till I'm at the gate boarding, and even coming onto the plane...gets me treated differently! Right or wrong, it's the truth. I get noticed as a business traveler and get moved up in lines or better seats or a different level of service (a level of service that I always tip well for).

Wanna' GO UP?
Dress up and you'll exude a certain STYLE that attracts opportunity to you.
Shhh...it's a secret. If you have a secret, leave your comment here!
Check back for more success secrets throughout 2007!

posted by Michael York at 7:49 AM 0 comments  

Friday, December 08, 2006

A Gathering of LEADERS

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: A Leadership Retreat
Whenever I think of leaders I'm reminded of something I heard as a first-time manager discussing top performers, "Leaders are like eagles...they don't flock, they gather one at a time."

This has been a stimulating couple of days, a gathering of leaders who exude confidence and commitment in their lives as well as their work. We stayed in this mountain village just outside Gatlinburg complete with log cabins and the first snowfall I've seen this winter.
A "freedom weekend" with a gathering of eagles from across the country...a great learning experience.
What are you learning from the leaders in your life? And what can others learn from you in the process?
Make a decision today to read a book on leadership and see what leadership qualities you might already possess. Leadership key: Leaders are readers.

posted by Michael York at 8:04 PM 0 comments