Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society.

Giving Advice

There are times when it seems that everyone has advice about what you should be doing. Just because they do not know your circumstances or your needs, or how you perceive a situation, they are still there with what they believe is the way to fix your mistakes. I know I make my fair share of errors.  It just aggravates me when someone who only sees a small sliver of the concerns tries to force their solution into my life.   

This happens to everyone. And I have a secret for you, it’s also perpetrated by everyone. Yes, in one way or another, at one time or another, we all fall into the trap of thinking we know what’s best for someone else. And sometimes, we do this whether we mean to do it, or not.

If you find someone has taken you under their wing as their fix-it project for the week, thank the person kindly, take a quick check to make sure whether or not they are correct. And then move forward with what you know you need to do. Taking a few moments for a sanity check is always considered a viable action.

If the person giving you advice becomes aggressive in seeing suggestions implemented, your only real action is avoidance. You’re not saying they’re awful people. Because most people like this, including ourselves when we do it, are well-meaning. And yet, when push comes to shove, each and every one of us can back into the blunder of trying to force our way of doing things on someone else.

I do not wish to superimpose my thoughts into how you handle such offerings of this kind. I can only tell you what I strive to do in such situations. The first thing is to wait until asked to provide any ideas or comments. And secondly, when and if I am asked, I respond genuinely with care and understanding.

Thank you for reading the blog. I’ll write another one again on Monday.

 

 

 

Community

Lately, it seems the country is caught between floods and fires. Here in the Springs, we had terrible smoke and haze on Sunday from the fires in California Oregon, and even locally in Woodland Park. Monday, we had heavy afternoon storms that caused some of the worst flooding in the last few years. The water came down Ute pass and through Manitou Springs.

The mess left from hail, which was more than ankle-deep, and the gunk from the stream overflowing, brought the small tourist town to a standstill. The next morning civic togetherness was in full demonstration as many people in town showed up to help clean up the mess. It would take a few days to get the Town back up and running again. And, of course, the loss due to property damage and lack of tourist trade will set the town back.

The most helpful thing to come from this is the fact that even with the property damage, interruptions to routines, and loss of business, the entire community came together to help each other and clean up the mess. The town stood together to ensure everyone was safe and could recover from this devastation. Manitou Springs once again is a positive role model of a southwestern community.

This is one more occurrence that makes me step back and ask myself, “What have I done for others lately?”

Getting It Done

Some days it seems hard to concentrate. I don’t know if the lack of concentration is from age, or from too many things pulling me into many directions. I just know that I often feel as though I should be doing something else.

When I am working on the lessons I’m learning, for new projects I am about to undertake, I feel I should be working more on my courses or writing my books. When I’m writing my books, I think I should be marketing. When marketing I feel as though I should be doing something else.

I know that I tend to take on more than I can do. And, I tackle it head-on. I like to stay busy. The fact that I have a lot to do means I can get a lot done.

If I watch television shows of interest, they can give me a real guilt complex. Why am I watching TV when I have so much to do? And we’re not even getting started on iPad computer games. If you want to know what addiction feels like innocently find a game to play. Three weeks later, you can see yourself playing it when you first wake up, and before you go to sleep at night. You will be trying to find time during the day to play it.  Kids hooked on games, never stand a chance to get other things done.  Having multiple apps and playing them when you really should be doing other things is a guilt trip you would not believe.

The thing to do is limit game time. List and rank-order what you must get done, what you would like to get done, and what is just some minutia you can do whenever you find free time. The next thing you have to do is schedule what you can, and then fit the rest of the items in, as they fit.

The trick is to schedule the big things first. Those are the things which will take the longest time. Then I can fit smaller jobs in around the more significant time blocks. Then, add the minutia wherever possible. You can also use computer office assistant, and apps such as automatic bill pay or calendar reminders, to take off some of the burdens and keep you on schedule.

I’m not going to say you have to do this or should do that. There are plenty of great systems and applications on the market for setting something up. The trick is to find what works for you, and the ones that you will follow.

We hope to see you tomorrow, have a great day

Getting Started Is Hard

Sometimes getting started is hard. When these times come, the real heroes are the ones who get up and take a step forward anyway. What direction they go, or how far they go, or how fast they go does not matter. The important thing is that they make the initial move. Starting to move is always harder than keeping the momentum going.

Many things can get in our way of that first step. Whether it is a physical problem or a mental block does not really matter. The seeming inability to get started, always feels the same.

There is a trick I used to teach my team when anger, fear, resentment, or other problems blocked a path to moving in positive directions. This is something that I have used and seen work, and I’ll share with you now.

I used to supervise an assembly team for computers and servers. Whenever grumblings, complaints, or other items that detracted from our ability to work would show up, I would take everybody into a conference room. I would explain to them that they were all outstanding workers and yet we had some concerns about actually getting the job done and doing it right. And then I would put a trash can in the middle of the conference table with an entire team of up to 27 people sitting around the table.

I would look at the trashcan and look at the people. And I would explain to them that we were carrying things we absolutely did not need, and these items hurt our ability to build. The elements of this pain were the contrary ideas we had.  The thoughts were also destroying our ability to have a fun and productive shift.

I then had everybody take their hands and wind-up all their negative feelings in a ball. They wound up all the petty problems, all the trivial concerns that were preventing them from having a fun and productive shift.

I would have them take this imaginary ball that they had built with their own hands, smooshing it together as tight as possible so nothing would get loose. And, I would have them throw that ball into the trashcan. With the concerns now on the trashcan, I explained to them some of the good things that they had done in the past, and some of the great things they were capable of in the future. Then I explained we were going to go back to work. I said to them that no one was to reach in the trashcan on the way out and take their ball back out with them.

This actually does work. It is a physical moment in which people can clear their mind, leave troubles behind, and actually go forth to do great things. You don’t have to have a team of 27 people to do this. You can do this by yourself. Just set the trashcan on your desk or in the center of the room.  Get all those disturbances which are blocking you from doing what you want to do out of your head, and into the trashcan.  Sometimes, it’s even reasonable to take the trashcan out the back door and empty it.

Have a great day. Please do not pick up any imaginary problem balls on your way out.

Are You Connected

Technology is a great tool. The use of the computer today allows us to pay our bills, text and get immediate responses, buy things, sell things, share thoughts and even talk to someone face-to-face with a visual chat. Are there some problems that could be made better? Sure. And yet think of how much better this mode of communication is compared with others in the past.

Think of the sailors who used to go to see for years at a time, and their families and loved ones would not know where they were, what they were up to, or even if the wayfarer was alive or dead. Then think of the colonists coming to the new world and building from scratch an entirely new way of life.

At least the colonists in the new world had ships going back and forth to England, and they were able to send letters on the boats. They could send a message and get a reply back in probably three or four months. This was a vast improvement over what had gone on before. At least they got the letter replying back if one of the two ships going back and forth didn’t sink, or the cargo did not get washed overboard.

The other concern with sending letters back and forth across the Atlantic would be whether or not the receiver had been trained in the technology. Not everyone at that time could read. Most people could not sign their own name. The old joke about putting your ‘X’ here was an absolute mainstay of contract signing back then.

We are better educated today. And yet, many do not understand the fundamental technologies of communication today. I do know people who, rather than learning a new technology that could open up their world to many new experiences, actually pack up the computer and put it on the shelf in the closet. They did not understand it, and rather than learning, they just gave up.

Those who give up on technology feel they don’t need it. Many never had the technology when young, and therefore don’t feel the technology is required now. And as these folks go through life, they can be pleased and comfortable, and never realize they are actually just an island, stagnant in a stream of everything that goes on around them. They never see anything other than their little island, because without this technology they never knew what else was out there.

If you live as part of an extended community which makes a choice to limit technology, such as the Amish, you do not miss out as much. Because everyone in the covenant works at the same technological level. The loss of information and lack of gaining knowledge happens in the broader culture where various individuals use various levels of technology and do not get to see the knowledge presented at some of the other levels.

What did they miss out on? Family pictures, live video chatting, purchasing without ever leaving the comfort of your home, gaining knowledge on anything you want to know about, sharing with others, expression, and many other things.

As a community, we can help those who wish to learn newer technologies to do so.  If you know someone who needs technical help, lend a hand.  If you need a little help, check community centers and other places where people share knowledge.  Many centers may have free or nearly free classes.

Let’s Stay Connected

 

 

Variety

I love the summer months. Crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and then everything cools off for the evening again. It is a change from the winds of autumn and the snow in the winter. Changes more than just enjoying the season, change and variety are essential to our growth.

If we don’t try other things, how do we know if we like them or not? At the same time, if we only do what we’ve always done, doesn’t that put us in a rut? And think of the exciting ways we can grow as we learn new things. Places, people, sites, and activities, there are new adventures around every corner.

I am not saying that everybody should go out bungee jumping or go over a waterfall in a barrel or things that you are inherently scared of or afraid to do. I am just saying to try something. Maybe something small, and just take small steps first. Until you can figure out if it’s worth exploring further.

Imagine if Christopher Columbus had not sailed in 1492 because he just didn’t know what was out there. What would’ve happened if the Wright brothers did not try something that had never been done before? Where would we be if Ford, who had gone bankrupt three times, failed to build the car on the assembly line?

Are there risks? Maybe. Is there work involved? There is exertion any time you move anything from a standstill into motion in a desired direction. Some people call it work, and some people call it passion.

Again, start with something you think you might like, and try it. If you like it, do a little more. If you do not like it, you’re not that deep into it, and you can stop any time you want. That’s because you’re the person in charge.

I think you’ll be astounded at the amazing possibilities. You could meet new people. You could find new friends. You could discover skills you never thought you had. You could see a passion you never knew existed. And for some, you may even find happiness.

Think about small steps, because small steps can lead in a new direction. A new direction can show change. And sometimes change shows wonder.

Please enjoy your day, and hopefully, we will get together again tomorrow.

Technology Timesavers

Technology is a fantastic thing. The time it saves us, allowing us to work at a higher level of proficiency, helps to make even newer and more complex timesavers possible. And yet, as with all things new, to get the best use we need to take the time to learn and understand the new tool.

I know that my own blog writing skills have been enhanced tremendously through the use of computerized dictation systems. At first, they were very costly, and now they come is a standard part of Microsoft Word. They allow me to build my stories and blogs faster and saves me over 80% of the time I would spend typing those words.

I have an excellent spelling, grammar and plagiarism checker which allows me to ensure that I have spelled the words correctly and used proper grammar.  It verifies that I have not accidentally plagiarized someone else’s work. It does its job with speed and accuracy that allows me to write with confidence. The whole process of editing a blog takes mere minutes.

To ensure everything reads and sounds correct, word has provided a read aloud button that will read the work back to me. It even gives me a choice of three voices with which I can listen to the writing. 

I wish I would’ve had this when I was working on my Masters in adult education. The time it would have saved me in reading, writing and research would have been remarkable. What this technology does, is allow the user to concentrate on what they are doing.

Whether it is writing a book, learning something new, sharing with friends, or other activities the technologies ensure a correct and positive experience for the audience. The technology also gives freedom to the author to focus on the subject being explored while minimizing the concerns of technical presentation.

Thanks for being with us today and I hope to be with you again tomorrow.

 

Perfect Morning

It is a refreshing and pleasant day this morning, which is an excellent relief from last weeks Weather. We could use more perfect mornings like this.

Trying to find perfection in anything you do is an almost impossible task. Striving for perfection is the best that most of us can hope to accomplish. And yet, it is the striving which is essential.

Sometimes, the harder we work, the further from our goals we end up. I don’t think this is because we get sloppier. I believe we end up further from our goals because we begin to realize the undertaking. Because to do something and do it absolutely perfect, with absolutely no errors, is an undertaking that is very uncommon for the mere mortal. Don’t get me wrong, we all strive for our version of perfection. We just often do not realize that in a multi-dimensional universe, where something is good for one group, and at the same time terrible for another, we have to live with the idea of tradeoffs.

The harder we try to do good for some people, the harder it is not to interfere with others. The people interfered with may not benefit as well and may even be hurt by the intended rewards of our work.

Does this mean we do not try?  No.  It shows we need to understand the entire scope of what we would strive to perfect.  If we work towards a goal, make it a target with the most good.  Not for us, for those affected by our actions.

Hope you have a perfect day.

Tradeoffs

Ever get tired of the city and the rat race and want to give it all up?  Have you ever considered moving to the country? There are positives and negatives to both. Before you choose one in favor of the other, there are some things you should consider.  

In the city, people seem to be stacked on top of each other. Everything costs money. Therefore, you have to work to be able to afford to live. The city seems to carry more stress because you’re bombarded with more information and everyone once a piece of your paycheck.

At the same time, the city offers a certain level of security, your neighbors are closer, medical care in emergency care or both more prevalent and Food is as close is the grocery store or corner cafe.

The country is much more peaceful. You don’t have the traffic you do in the city. You can grow your own food and Enjoy the flora in the fauna.  If you have neighbors, you probably have enough acreage between the 2 of you that you are given some privacy. When you want to have something all you have to do is cook it.

The country life also has some other things you need to consider. Longer trips to a grocery store mean you have to stock up on the things you need for cooking and other tasks. You need to plan in advance, consider the weather, and realize the price of a  peaceful existence is putting everything else further away. In many areas of the country life, the medical staff is further away, and emergency assistance is harder to obtain.

I think the trick is to live far enough out of the city to enjoy some of the country life and close enough to the city that you can actually enjoy those things you desire or need. With the understanding that for some of our desires we need to have tradeoffs with others.

Have a great day.