Robert Story - Productivity» Inspiration

Great post today from [Jon Acuff] on “When should you quit your dream?”

Robert Story — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Jon really nails this one today. We all have (or should have) dreams that we’re pursuing…and the chase can get pretty uncomfortable at times, even when the destination is worth it. Keep working it!

(Via Jon Acuff’s Blog)

A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Arkansas.

Since I didn’t know the area that well, I decided to do my half marathon training in the hotel gym instead of outside. Like most hotel gyms, they had a large list of disclaimers on the wall, but the last sentence on the sign stuck out to me:

“At first sign of discomfort, discontinue use.”

Now, granted, the hotel has to legally protect themselves, but that sentence is ridiculous. Do you know when I tend to experience discomfort? Every time I exercise. It turns out that not running 9 miles is more comfortable than running 9 miles. If at the first sign of discomfort, I discontinued use, I’d never exercise.

Read the rest at When should you quit your dream?:

[Starbucker] One Of The Best Leadership Lessons Ever…..In Just 29 Words

Robert Story — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:24:02 +0000

This is short, to the point and right on target

Read the full article at: One Of The Best Leadership Lessons Ever…..In Just 29 Words:

(Via TerryStarbucker.com)

Extraordinary from the ordinary: Part 2

robert — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:30:32 +0000

As with a previous post, I am amazed (and a little convicted) to see the extraordinary things people create with the so very ordinary. In this case we’re talking packing tape…you know, that tinted tape we use when mailing off our latest ebay sale. How can it get more ordinary than that?

But Max Zorn has found a way to take that very ordinary tape and create incredible portraits out of them. Check his work out and while you are doing that, think about what opportunities you have to create meaning and value in your everyday life. [Max Zorn via Design Taxi via Gizmodo]

Making It Right: Apple impresses me once again

robert — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:23:23 +0000

Like many others, I sent my old iPod back to Apple during the recent product recall. And like many others, I waited quite a while for the replacement. The wait was over today and once again Apple has gone above and beyond with their customer service. Instead of taking the path of least cost that so many other business do, Apple sent me a new (or referb…can’t tell by looking) iPod Nano that is head-and-shoulders above my old one. Way to go!

Maybe this isn’t that uncommon, I mean many people received one just like me. But when I combine this experience with the time they replace my Magic Mouse that started acting quirky with no hesitation or questions, to the time they replace my entire MacBook Pro rather than making me wait while someone at a shop tried to figure out what was making it crash (and transferred over all my data while I waited)….that is uncommon.

There are people and companies who love to bash Apple about anything they can find, from price to ‘open source’ but if someone can show me a company who takes care of their customers better on BOTH sides of the buying transaction then I’d be surprised (and happy to find another great company to patronize).

It comes down to a culture of doing the right thing, every time you can…because it’s the right thing. And it’s something that every business and person can choose to do.

Extra-Ordinary – Candy Art WIN

Robert Story — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:24:40 +0000

How often do we miss the chance to do the extraordinary with the ordinary around us every day?

WIN!: Candy Art WIN:

(Via Epic Fail Funny Videos and Funny Pictures)

Sometimes, it’s so much more about what you CAN do…

Robert Story — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:57:41 +0000

It is often too easy to become so blinded by the problems that we don’t see what we can do to help, one person at a time. The Plaza Dry Cleaners in Portland, Oregon saw the opportunity and then did something about it.

In the case of Portland Oregon’s Plaza Dry Cleaners, a picture really is worth 1000 words.

Read more at: Your customer’s lowest low. Washed away.:

News story from the Oregonian

Visiting Portland? Live there? Get your stuff cleaned at Plaza

Plaza Dry Cleaners
909 NW Everett
Portland OR 97209
(503)241-5417

(Via Business is Personal)

Good weeks lead to good years (Sanders Says)

robert — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:30:10 +0000

Good weeks lead to good years Here’s a time management & goal setting system I learned 20 years ago: Good Weeks. Too often, we measure our progress yearly (annual resolutions and goals) or quarterly (the 90 day treadmill). The result is often cram-fests at the end of the year or quarter to meet a goal that’s “all made up” in the first place. Those time lines are usually too long to correct, once the finish line is in sight. When I was working for Bob May (Pat Summerall Productions) in Dallas, he taught me a simple weekly success system that I use to this day. His motto was: “Good weeks add up to good months – and good months add up to a great year.”

Read Tim’s full thoughts on this topic at Sanders Says – Good weeks lead to good years

Where Are You Going?

Robert Story — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:27:12 +0000

Chris Brogan poses an interesting (and possibly uncomfortable) question today. Read and think about it at Set a Course.

Photo credit Lisa Andres

Jon Gordon’s Blog: 7 LESSONS I LEARNED FROM COACH JOHN WOODEN

Robert Story — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:59:26 +0000

Success Is All About the Little Things
Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
There’s No Such Thing as an Overnight Success
Selfless Teamwork is Great Teamwork
There’s Power in Humility
Faith Matters
Your Legacy Matters

Read Jon’s thoughts on the above at Jon Gordon’s Blog

Are you celebrating your success?

Robert Story — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:03:52 +0000

Celebrate Success | Jon Gordon’s Blog | Developing Positive Leaders, Organizations and Teams

Teams and organizations that focus on and celebrate success create more success. Success becomes ingrained in the culture and people naturally look for it, focus on it and expect it. That’s why certain football coaches and business leaders are always successful. They implement systems and principles that create a culture that celebrates and expects success and this drives behavior and habits that create successful outcomes.

Celebrate Success | Jon Gordon’s Blog | Developing Positive Leaders, Organizations and Teams