This week's Pep Talk: "No Piling On"

I am wonderfully blessed with two great kids, a 21-year-old son and his younger sister, 14. But let’s be honest, parenting ain’t an easy job, right? I like to joke, but it’s the truth, “I’ve been a 14-year-old boy; father of a 14-year-old boy, but never the father of a 14-year-old girl, I need some help!”

I’m inexperienced in raising a teenage daughter, determined to improve and have been reading, The 10 Greatest Gifts I Give My Children, in trying to become superior to my former self.

I recently digested many pages on a flight home to Denver from Las Vegas where I had spoken to employees, of Mitch Murch’s Maintenance Management (MMMM), at their annual operations, sales and awards meeting. MMMM is a St. Louis-based facilities management company led impressively by Tim Murch, a college buddy. In our two hours together, the discussion focused on, especially in challenging times, keeping the faith, leading by example and caring for others, including our selves.

In modern-day America, integrity-based corporate leaders like Murch – he learned well from his dad, the company founder - would love to fret more about expansion of business and less about expansion of employee’s waistlines. Our economy is contracting but our bodies are expanding along with the challenging byproducts: high blood pressure, heart ailments and diabetes, to name just a few.

MMMM is dedicated to providing world-class services to its employees, clients and communities. This team is united, but if the employees, which MMMM calls Team Members, don’t have their health, it’s tough to serve others, isn’t it?

As the plane began its descent into the Mile High City I was reading about the importance of, when talking with kids, using “forward-thinking” words and emphasizing the positive. The thinking being if we want to encourage healthy and productive decision-making from kids – and employees for that matter – it’s wise to focus on what they’re doing right, not wrong.

The author’s reminder of that truth took me back to a short conversation I had, the night before, with one of MMMM’s star employees as they patted their protruding belly: “I have been with this company for almost 30 years and have expanded along with it.”

Focusing on the negative is really counterproductive. Whether it’s a Team Member who knows it’s time to lose some weight or a parent who can’t resist criticizing a child, do your best to avoid it. Take the author’s advice and utilize a forward-thinking, positive outlook.

Quit beating yourself up, okay? Life, with its tendency to throw unexpected, and unwanted, twists and turns our way does a fine job by itself. We don’t, through negative self-talk, need to pile it on.

This week's Pep Talk: "Irv, Thanks Buddy"

‘Twas a Saturday in late February, one of those spectacular Centennial State days that make you pause, mutter “wow”, and give thanks for living in Colorado. I’m reflecting on a chat, earlier in the day, with a friend. The conversation covered many topics but, at this time, was dialed in to the radio show I co-host weekdays, along with Jimmy Doogan, from 3-6PM on Mile High Sports Radio, AM1510 and FM93.7.

Our show is called, “Drive Time with Mac and Doog: Ain’t about us, it’s about YOU!” We really try and walk that talk in providing a forum where our listeners know their opinion is truly valued and respected. It’s like we’re a bunch of folks sitting around the bar, having a beer and, in a fun and competitive way, talking sports, and other stuff pertinent to playing like champions – sorry couldn’t resist the temptation.

Anyway, back to the story. I’m telling my friend how much fun its been to connect with Irv Brown and Joe Williams. The “Irv and Joe” show is on right before us, from 1-3. They are legendary Denver sports talk radio hosts and even better guys.

I knew Irv long before I met him. Back in the day when I’m was dreaming of big things in athletics, the Colorado native was considered one of the nation’s top basketball officials. Irv was always referring the big games. And as a young kid who wanted to play in those “big games” some day, I watched ‘em all. Irv was there. I saw him on television. He was respected by all and officiated seven national championship games, more than any referee ever.

After moving to Colorado in 1988, I’ve gotten to know Irv in different roles: husband, father and community leader at the top of the list. The father of three is one of those “fox-hole” kinda folks you like to hang with.

Irv played, through referring those big games, a part in forging my dreams. I will forever be grateful. And now today, his show with Joe - 30 years strong – airs live right before Doog and I take over at three. We see each other all the time while they’re departing and we’re entering the studio.

And then it hits me. This reflection on the condition we call life takes me to Irv Brown and, perhaps more important, to saying “thank you” to someone who helped shaped me. It takes me to being grateful, defined as: “feeling or showing that we value a kindness or benefit received.”

I’ve have certainly benefited from knowing Irv. Thanks buddy. Got somebody like that in your life? Reach out to them this week, okay? I promise, it will make you feel good.

This week's Pep Talk: "Healthy and Productive Engagement"

It was one of those days to remember for its joy. Sunday morning of President’s Day weekend 2011. After restful sleep, up early for an hour’s drive northward to Greeley, Colorado to watch daughter and teammates on the improving Juggernaut 14-2 volleyball squad play in an important three-day holiday tournament.

The drive went smooth; daughter’s team won all three of its matches; drive home equally smooth; as was car wash owner showing real class in making sure I’m a repeat customer; and finally, a beer with my neighbor buddy while watching an exciting hockey game between visiting Pittsburgh and Chicago. It had been a great day, and it got even better.

My buddy and I talk about many subjects, family one of them. It gets around to my mom. I tell the Pueblo native, “Hey, I talked with my mom yesterday and she had to hang up, because she had something to do.” I went on to say Patsy Sue Perry – my firecracker of a mom - had later sent an email stating the visit with my sister – her daughter- Sister Sue’s boyfriend Eldon and a long-time neighbor from long ago had been “much fun.”

I’m just a simple dude from Missouri, but, I think “much fun” is a good place to hang, ain’t it? It makes me think of the power of engaging with others. It is so wonderful – my opinion - to connect with others of like-mind and spirit! Damn, life’s tough enough, I sure want the folks that I choose to hang with to be easy to get along with, fun and, as former CU football coach Bill McCartney would say, “fox-hole kinda guys.” In other words, when it’s time to charge the hill nobody’s worrying about 100% participation because we’re one heart beat.

But that’s where it gets tricky. There are times we’re certain it’s one heartbeat and everything but materializes. Yeah, we’ve been kicked around a bit. But if we want to truly turn life’s lemons into - heck with lemonade – sweet and savory margaritas we have to promise ourselves, and seek encouragement from others – to be smart about it.

Let’s vow to do our best in engaging with others, whenever possible, do so in ways – for each participant – that honor, nurture and add value to the communities we serve. My mom’s optimistic email reminded me of this great life lesson.

What a day. Part of it spent with you writing this Pep Talk. Thanks and please, tell me what you think, okay? Teamwork, it’s the key to success, right? It starts with healthy and productive engagement with one another – like you and me. It’s a truth of life at home, work and elsewhere.

Always has been, always will be.