Friday Five Update on Life

Step #1 in getting out of your little world: Show Your Vulnerability - Tripp Lanier - The New Man Podcast

1. My computer crashed over a week ago which is why you have not heard from me. It was about time on that computer. I bought while living in Germany and it got used.
2. For four years I was forced to own Zoot. Not literally but because of the set up with the parent company there was no day to day leadership at Zoot. I knew from experience that leadership is not a title and anyone can lead so I took it upon myself to lead the brand. Just over a year ago after multiple urging from myself and others at Zoot a General Manager was brought in to lead the brand. I thought I could work in that situation but I think it's like the owner trap. When you sell your business out of need or want the owner usually lasts a year in the company before they decide to leave. Some are forced out but most leave on their own because they feel like they don't belong any longer. I fell into that owner trap.
3. The daily question is "What are you going to do?" I've spent the last three weeks on that. Let's just say for now that the options are wide and each one has a bit of excitement to it. As soon as my decision is made you'll know about it. That being said, if you read this regularly and feel like contacting me for my expertise leave a comment or find me on Facebook and let's talk. Nobody in the running shoe business has my experience. There are many that have like experiences but nobody has the complete experience I have. I'm confident that experience is worth something to someone for something.
4. The side benefit of not working is extreme fitness. It's not all swim bike run fitness either. I'm on the paddle board often, in the water snorkeling often and just spending more time doing stuff than not doing stuff. For running you'll find me at the Sunday run at 8:00am out of Cardiff and Monday night at Moving Shoes or Cardiff
5. The ALSicebucketchallenge is growing. If you have a Facebook account you've seen it. It's interesting to me that I have not been challenged but I'm sure it's coming. You may or may not know but on April 1, 2013 my brother Bob was diagnosed with ALS. It has progressed very rapidly. Today he sits in a hospital bed in the living room of his house. He has no movement in any body part but his eyes. He can't speak, which makes communicating very difficult. He has little to no facial expression. His two boys and his wife take care of him. They feed him through a tube and wipe his ass for him. An Hospice Nurse visits him daily to look after his health and give him a bath. His mind is 100% intact. That's write his mind is 100% aware of what's going on, it it's thinking normal and it's emotional yet he can't share it. So I urge you to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge either through the ice or through your wallet. This is a terrible disease. Nobody ever survives it and mentally they 100% know what's going to happen. It's terrible. We need to find a cure or at least the cause of ALS.

It's a good life....

Running Like Life

The 4 qualities of a good runner by Mark Wetmore in Running With The Buffaloes(one of the best running stories ever written):

1. Talent
2. Durability
3. Desire
4. Courage

I look at these and believe they apply to anything you do in life.

Husband

Clearly some are meant to be husbands and some are not. Once you decide to become one you need the desire to stay true and the durability to withstand the rough spots. Finally you need the Courage to risk it all on being a great husband. The odds are clearly against it so courage may be the big quality. 

You can apply this to work and so much more. 

It's a good life...

Time to Rest

In the last week I have been gifted a few quotes.

"Dave you need to rest, take a break" - when it doesn't feel like work why would I need a break from it? Yes there is room for rest improvement but flying around the world to build a brand is not tiring work. It can actually be quite energizing.

"I have no time to take a break I thought it would get easier but it does not, it just keeps getting harder" - This from a sales rep with the hottest brand on the market. That's a person that does not love his work.

"Do you know how old that man is? He's 91" - this after the 91 year old ran through the locker room encouraging his older set buddies to get fired up about their up coming swim.

You can control your attitude and your activity. Don't throw your tired overworked attitude on me, I will have none of it. A positive attitude and positive activity may just get you to a happy healthy 91. At least that's my attitude.

It's a good life....