A little late, but today is the day that I finally announce my top 7 personal stories of 2011. Turning the year, 2011 ended and 2012 began with me at work. I didn’t mind because I had Christmas Eve 2011 off. Then, there were hopes as I began the 2012 New Year! But then there is more and more expected from leaders these days. So that is where the challenges are for me in the coming months. Last year, once again, there were some surprises that I didn't expect, but other things that I hoped for the changes to happen.
The # <7> personal story of 2011 …
Tornadoes scoot by locally in April; no electricity for a couple of days. It was one of the first times I was without electricity for over a day. Let me tell you, it was a period of time without electricity that I will not forget!
The # <6> personal story of 2011 …
Leaving the CB. There were months of uncertainty and the unknown of where I stood with the senior leadership. Most of the issues I would admit were solely my responsibility. I know as always, I committed the best I could offer. As much I like the fact that I resigned from the CB, I will miss the hard working team members I left behind. The good thing is that I can now stay in touch with their lives on Facebook. I learned that it's about the people, supporting what is best within them that anyone has to nurture and encourage. There is no doubt that helping someone be the best that they can be is more important than anything else.
The # <5> personal story of 2011 …
Multiple visits to Orlando, FL. First, it was a trip for my continued training for my present leadership position. The second opportunity was a four-day visit to the area with my Sunshine to visit Walt DisneyWorld and the Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. We ended up riding theHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ ride. So, after two visits to the park, I can say that I got the full experience of the park from the Dragon Challenge™ last year to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Jourrney™ ride this past year. We even got to listen to the majority of a concert by Manhattan Steamroller at Universal Studio!
The # <4> personal story of 2011 …
Moving on from the CB. I learned a lot from my three plus years working at Cracker Barrel, the old country store. I have no doubt that it has helped to assist me in everything that I am committed to do as I focused on succeeding in my role being employed at one of the top Fortune 350 companies in the USA! I am looking forward to the possibilities. I have options to transfer moving up to mostly any state in the nation. I know I can't beat that!
The # <3> personal story of 2011 …
Visiting the Islands; Sunshine's second time around. The first trip was in 2008. This trip in August turned out to be another interesting visit. I am disappointed that I didn't get to visit with several friends who I tried to meet up with; however, because I couldn't get a hold of them, or because of scheduling, I didn't get a chance to see them. I thank my wife because she allowed me to eat all the Hawaiian food--poke, lomi salmon, lau lau, and poi--I wanted. And, boy, did I fill up! It might have to last me at least a couple of years!
The # <2> personal story of 2011 …
Discovering Evernote. ... Where was this program when I needed it years ago? Of course, the Internet wasn't in existence back then. This software allows me to type something into my smartphone, and it automatically updates into my laptop with an Internet connection! Awesome! I keep a lot of my notes in this program. It even keeps attachments of .pdf files right where I need it with the heading of the notes. The cool thing is that I can do a search for a particular thing and it will even search within the .pdf file. I think it’ll be interesting to see all the different places on the map where I have visited all these years.
And the # <1> personal story of 2011 …
Introspection ... Constantly taking that inside-out look of my personality and character. I finally realize how it feels when I believe I am responsible for everything that happens, and constantly I am asked to take that inside-out look. I realize that it's the new leadership mode of committed to working. I have no doubt that this will be the start of the process. It’s all about realizing how my actions/inactions affect others, to make the changes needed to leave others’ lives better than when I first met them.
