Kit Prendergast, PCC
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Category Archives: Navigating Change
Planes, Trains & New York Cabs
It’s an early, early Southwest morning flight from Reno, NV to the East Coast but it is one that I do many times a year now that daughter, Barbara and son, Davis, go to college out in New York and my twin sister, Diane, lives in Boston.
But I really should learn not to go in the middle of a hot, humid summer. It’s always an “historic” heat wave exactly when I’m due to arrive. And during the winter, it’s always the “worst storm in the century”. But plans are plans. So yes, I’ll be on those planes, trains and in lots of yellow cabs this July 4th holiday week.
I will be thinking of you all as I’m doing laps around Times Square searching for an air conditioned coffee shop or a cool, dark bar for a frosty beer. Can I sneak an underage daughter in? You bet, if I’m desperate enough! But I can tell you that I’ll be avoiding the subway system (despite daughter’s protests) because I always seem to get in the one that gets stuck underground. Those yellow cabs are worth every penny in my humble, older and wiser opinion.
Power outrages? Stuck in an elevator? I better avoid those too. I’m a bit claustrophobic which I blame on my twin sister, Diane, who is 100x worse than me. Now that’s not a pretty sight . . . two twins stuck on an elevator in downtown New York City during a heat wave. I actually would feel sorry for anyone stuck with us. First, we would chat them up until their eyes glazed over. Since both of us are social workers and psychotherapists we can find lots to talk about in someone’s family history – whether they want to or not.
Then we would move on to solving the world’s problems which could keep us entertained for hours. We could also try and learn how to work our fancy IPhones since we would have lots of uninterrupted time. I don’t know if cell phones work in a NYC long, tall elevator or not. But if they do, we could work our way down our contact lists just calling to say hello to all our old friends who are not stuck in an elevator. By the time we’re done with all that, the NYC fire department would be a very welcome sight . . . for both us and our fellow elevator hostages.
So off to pack up those bags for another East Coast adventure. Have a wonderful festive July 4th holiday week. Just don’t get on those subways or elevators – stick to the yellow cabs!
Posted in And a Bit More, Navigating Change, Networking, Your Time & Energy
Tagged communication, Networking
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Dogs Sit in the Front Row of Life
I had to look twice! It was early evening on a beautiful warm night in Greece. And here are two doggie pals sitting together on the tin roof of a house along the main street of Amadaoli, Crete. Would they slide off? Nope.
They were perfectly content to watch the action down below on the street and when something really exciting happened (like their Greek Orthodox priest owner coming home) they would dash down to the first floor barking wildly to greet him. After taking care of that task, they would scurry back up to the roof to take their front row seat again and resume watching the tourists, party-goers and Global Volunteers (that’s us) returning home from our day of work. It was the best seat in the house – they didn’t miss anything and were right in the middle of the action. Why don’t we all do that?
It’s Simply a Habit – Hiding in the Back Row
Every evening they were there . . . and I had to think they certainly had the right idea. They were positioning themselves to be right in on the action. Sitting in the front seat of life not hiding in the back row. How often do we figuratively sit in the back and avoid being front and center. We find lots of reasons to do that . . . it’s our personality; the situation isn’t right; it’s too risky, etc. But it’s actually simply habit. We simply go to that comfort zone and default to pushing the “No, I don’t think so” button over and over again.
But what does that get us? Not very far and probably a bit bored. Yes, it’s comfortable and there are no surprises. And that’s the problem . . . it’s very, very comfortable and there are no changes, challenges or opportunities to stretch our wings.
How’s It Working For You?
Sitting in the back row of life may have worked just fine for you over these last few years. But is it working now? Is it getting you to where you want to be next? For many of us, that answer would probably be no. So I encourage you to move up a row or two – stretch that comfort zone until you’re sitting in the front seat of life like the doggie pals sitting on the roof. And I bet they are still there too!
Push That “Yes” Button!
It was a small boat in a small town on the eastern shore of Crete. The winds were up and the water was rough. The regular tourist boats were closed due to the May 1st holiday but our taxi cab driver (in a pink tie & driving a Mercedes) had a “friend” who had a boat to ferry people out to the famous island of Spinalogue, an old leper colony and one time prison.
Did we want to go? My adventurous twin sister, Diane, said “of course” as I was still contemplating a cappuccino in a cozy tavern on the shore. But that’s Diane . . . she has always been the one to push the “Yes” button before me. And I’m so glad she does! We’ve had the best experiences over the years including on this special holiday seeing this piece of history from the sparkling blue waters off Crete.
One of our wonderful Canadian team members, Sheila Davis, embraced this idea and became our inspiration. She is more fun, full of life and certainly is willing to say “yes” to anything anywhere. I’ll travel with her anytime!
Saying “No” Becomes a Boring Habit
It’s interesting how easy it is to get in the habit of just saying “No” to new things especially when they change up our normal daily routines or stretch our cozy comfort zones. We are quick to think of why it’s not a good idea . . . and much slower to think why it may be a good (even great) idea. It actually becomes a habit – saying no before we even really think about it.
But what does that kind of automatic response do for us? Not much. Sure, life rolls on very safe, comfortable and (dare I say) a tad bit boring. And we can find ourselves saying afterwards “Gee, I wish I had done that”. But we can if we get out of our own way and let those adventures in.
Building Your Resiliency Skills & Your Career
Challenging yourself to stretch, grow and learn benefits not only you personally (you’re much more interesting) but also your career. By using those adaptive, change muscles regularly you will be pleasantly surprised how much more resilient you are during times of significant change. You have that inner confidence and knowledge that you can be flexible, creative and adaptable. It actually very empowering – a real boost.
Make “Yes” Your Default Button
So my challenge to you is to make “Yes” your default button. Yes, default to yes as often as you can. It will take some practice to say “yes” first to new opportunities unless you can think of some really good reasons to say “no”. Now I’m not saying to do anything so wild and crazy that it’s foolish or unsafe. I’m talking about just adding a bit of spice and adventure to your life. Let me know how you do and then we can plan our next great adventure!
Supporting Families & Businesses in Greece
It was interesting to see that the majority of businesses in Crete, both in the main city of Heraklion and the outlaying communities, are all being operated by families. Aside for the occasional super market, the stores,restaurants and hotels appeared to be owned by individuals with their extended family members providing the extra hands to keep the doors open. Other people may also be working there but often there was a “family friend” connection. And if you asked, you learned about the wonderful Greek family culture.
Compared to the USA Business Model
That’s a real difference from how business is done here in the USA. The small business owner just can’t compete on any significant scale with the box stores and the chain restaurants here in the United States. Just look around you. Every mall in every community seems to have basically the same stores often built right next door to each other. A Best Buy is next door to PetCo which is next door to Barnes & Noble. It doesn’t change much whether you are traveling in Seattle, passing through Phoenix or stopping in Washington D.C.
And restaurant chains are the same way . . . you can find an Olive Garden, Claim Jumper, TGIF anywhere. Starbucks and McDonald’s have become incredibility successful offering the same products with the same brand of service anyplace you go. Same with hotels who offer creative rewards programs to encourage you to stay in their same hotels (even the floor plan is the same) no matter which city you are traveling too.
Customer Loyalty – It’s Different in Greece
But do we really feel loyal to those big box stores, restaurants and hotel chains? Only to the extent that we always know what to expect – what we’re buying – no surprises. It’s a given. That’s very different in Greece. When a business is owned by an individual there is a very different feel as soon as you, as the customer, walk in the door. It looks different, it’s unique and the people helping you seem to be more interested.
What makes the difference? When we as customers get the chance to meet the business owner and chat to them a bit about their business there is real observable shift in energy. Now you’re helping an individual, a family, a business stay afloat by doing business with them. You know where your money is going – not just off to corporate headquarters.
The result? People do business with people they know and like. The Greeks patronize their favorite cafe houses, taverna and shopping spots stores because they know who owns them and they want to support those businesses. And if you are invited for a coffee and conversation in the back of the store that’s even better. That’s where I’ll spend my money each and every time.
Shredding the BackPacks in Greece
We started off with six backpacks! Being super organizers, my twin sister, Diane and I had carefully planned out how to travel to Greece for a three week work assignment carrying various sized backpacks (including backpack purses). We were ready for any contingency, any emergency and any task.
But we didn’t need them and we didn’t miss them. We hadn’t even left home before we decided to leave the first two fancy North Face backpacks behind on the kitchen table. And then the two backpack purses (special “expensive” anti-theft bags) were swiftly stowed in the duffel bags as soon as we got to Greece. And we really didn’t need or want to carry two of the light weight Eddie Bauer backpacks because everything could easily fit in one. So we just carried one between the two of us. It was wonderfully simple.
And I had to laugh . . . on the last night in Athens we shred even that last backpack. Cargo pants with pockets and a passport holder around the neck was everything we needed. Of course, we had spent all our euros helping the Greek economy so the money envelope was pretty light!
Lighten Your Load
So what did I learn? I don’t need all that stuff. We don’t need all that stuff. Be willing to shred the extra baggage and lighten your load. And it actually clears your mind and gives you a feeling of space that feels really good. So go on ahead and simplify your life load. Your back will thank you!