It is often said our world’s woes can be traced to a “breakdown of the family.” So I got thinking, What exactly breaks a family down? What damages relationships, drives people apart, and creates estrangement?
I believe exploring what we might do wrong is as healthy a learning process as studying the right things to do. So let’s look at one dozen mistakes that when made truly hurt families.
I’ve always loved this question: “What’s the most important leg of a 3-legged stool?” The answer is, of course, obvious.
How about this question, though: “Who’s the most important member of a team?” Isn’t the answer also—all of them?
I’ve had some Big Bad Voodoo Daddy music for years and often jump right into it when exercising. Today, though, I decided to watch this terrific group here:
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In our blog, The Solution Is Right In Front of Me, I stated, “My life can and will be better when I choose to make it better. Anything else is blame, whining, procrastination, and victim thinking.”
Many Amen!-type comments arrived, but Alicia objected by email:
“John, self-effort will get a person off the couch and can improve a life (compared to being a slug), but self-effort alone is not the determining factor in achieving success. There are many other factors. To believe that is not ‘victim thinking.’”
That’s okay. Nice people can disagree nicely.
But then Lori sent a comment. Well, more of a story that we’ll share now.
The Lori Story
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On our QBQ! Facebook page, I posted, “My success begins and ends with my choices.” Many folks said, “Amen!”
Except for one guy. He wrote …
“How luck and random events play into the affairs of humankind must be considered. It’s surely fortunate to be born in the U.S., have the name of Trump, be healthy, and so on—but making good choices isn’t easy when the options are opaque, incomprehensible, or too numerous to master.”
Huh?
To be honest, this type of “rationale” exhausts me. Call me simple-minded, but I believe this:
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As Karen and I dined at a Denver-based restaurant chain, the manager, Nate, stopped by our table to see how we were doing. One thing led to another, and—as is my wont—I mentioned the QBQ! book to him and gave my usual 15-second book summary. It goes like this:
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How do you know if Personal Accountability is a core value of your organization? How about the QBQ! methodology for practicing Personal Accountability—is it inculcated in your culture? Let’s find out!
3 criteria to determine if “QBQ! Inculcation” has happened!
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Skimming a recent Facebook debate, a comment made by a dad caught my eye. In a good way, he masterfully shut down the argument.
As his debate opponent lamented what is “happening to our world” and fretted about how “the children” will be affected, this wise father calmly replied, “I don’t worry about my kids. I didn’t raise victims.“
Well done, Dad. As Shakespeare wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
Let me now say what that father said in different words:
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For a moment, do your best to ignore the beautiful little boy above. 🙂
I saw a poll indicating a record number of people fear politics-based family tension during this year’s holiday gatherings.
My first thought was, That stinks. Life is too short.
When I pondered what could make the difference, these words came to me:
Continue ReadingOutstanding! 47 Ways To Make Your Organization Exceptional
This organization with more than 2,630 stores is very likely outstanding, but on this day, a franchise owner and his manager were not. Read on …
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My 29-year-old son, Michael, and I met at a sub sandwich shop down the street. A handy location for us both—and now our former favorite place to eat.
After interacting with a friendly cashier, we got our sandwiches and sat down. When Michael realized we’d not received our sliced half-pickle, he said to the counter guy, “Excuse me, we ordered a pickle and didn’t get it.” His response?
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“Dad, I didn’t know you could do that!” declared thirtysomething daughter, Tara, grinning ear-to-ear.
Little 4-year-old McKenna loved what she was seeing, too.
What were they so amazed by?
The QBQ! Grandpa efficiently spinning a Hula Hoop around his waist and hips—and keeping it going!
Hula Hoops, what a fad they were.
From pet rocks to PEZ dispensers to parachute pants to spinners, fads can be fun for kids and adults. However, here’s a truth:
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