If you are having a rough time financially, don't panic. You're not alone. Here's a
way to face the fears that are coming at us full force. Take the storm you are in and turn it to your favor. Stop thinking of your trouble as a huge problem, but instead as a
challenge that you will overcome. Then, once you succeed in overcoming today's challenges, this will make you better tomorrow. How about this - let's stop saying, "We've
got a problem..., " and let's help one another learn to say, "We've got a challenge!" The word "challenge" elicits the thought of an opportunity to overcome, and can
create an exercise in the building of character and ability. Once the challenge is met and resolved, we are better on the other side of it.
These are challenging days. However, let's also remember how fortunate we truly are: We have freedoms that most citizens of the world do not have. We can: -worship freely and speak what we want -choose our own education and career path (and change it later if we want to) -elect and speak to our political leaders, we can remove them from office, or run for office ourselves -buy a home or start a business When we count our blessings we realize that most people in the world would be delighted to trade our problems for theirs.
One of the most important things we can have in our life is consistency. Consistency between what we believe and how we act. Consistency between what we say and what we do. It is important to have consistency in our conduct from one day to the next, one week to the next, and it is important to maintain consistency in our emotions. and perhaps the greatest consistency -- to speak the truth. When we are consistent, people know they can rely on us to be there when we are needed, and we don't have to wrestle with the internal conflict that comes from being two faced. So let's strive for consistency, and the good fruit it brings to our lives.
Let's work to be known: -not for what we take from this life, but what we give to it -not for who we know, but for those who are glad they know us -not for the things we own, but for what we give away -not for the places we travel, but for the people we help along the way Let's work to be known: -not for the school we attended, but for the kids we sent to school -not for what we know, but for what we teach -not for our bravery, but for the things we face despite our fear What really matters is not what we do for ourselves but for what we do for others. Let's choose to make every day count for something bigger than ourselves.
When times are lean, we frequently can not do everything we would like. We have to cut back, make do, and sometimes do without. And it can be easier for us to say no to ourselves than to people we care for. Long ago I received this counsel, "Don't be concerned about doing lots of things for the people you care for, just be sure to do lots of things with the people you care for. We might not be able to buy a gift, but there is no cost to give our time. We may not be able to take a friend to lunch, but we can treat them to a meal at home. When we revisit favorite memories, they are rarely about things -- they are about experiences we had with others.
Once I heard a person say, "If you've got things in your house that you haven't used for a year, get rid of them." It seemed extreme at the time, but I concluded it was good advice. After all, many of the things we own, actually own us. Our "stuff" has to be paid for, it has to be stored, cleaned, maintained, repaired and replaced. We frequently spend more time paying for and caring for our "stuff" than we spend using it. So before we buy that next thing that catches our eye, let's make sure it is something that is making our life better, rather than making our life more complicated.
When times are challenging like they are today, a lot can ride on our decisions. Put together a list of pros and cons over the course of a couple days. Be brutally honest with yourself, for it is easy to see only the exciting possibilities, and not the cost and setbacks. Another thing to do is to "knock on doors." Push them open a bit and look inside, but try to avoid forcing anything to happen. If you work hard enough or rationalize long enough, you can convince yourself to proceed with something that may not be good for you. Investigate the options, listen to the advice of those older and wiser than you, and wait until you are at peace with your choice.
Here in New Mexico, we are fortunate to be in better economic shape than most other places.So - why is it that we are so nervous about the economy? Could it be that our problem is not the economy?That it is, "a loss of nerve... none of us are willing to make a move...and our fear is reinforcing the prophets of doom...if all of us decided to get back to our normal economic behavior at the same time, the economy would get back to normal...each of us, in our own small way, needs to do something about it." Let's have some faith in one another, start doing business again, and let New Mexico show the rest of the country how close we are to recovery. How about you?If you are ready to see our economy get back to normal, pass this message on and call me.
Many of us are hesitant to make a move that involves money. Yet, most of us still have our jobs, our homes, and we're making our payments on time. So - why are we paralyzed and waiting for something to happen?Why are we waiting for someone else to do something? If all of us would get back to our normal economic behavior, this economy would get back to normal. So - New Mexico - let's put our best foot forward and show the rest of the country how close we are to recovery.I invite you to join me by getting back to our normal economic nerve. Let's start off by making a purchase that we've been putting off. My first purchase will be a new TV, and I'm going to buy it from a locally owned company so the money will stay in New Mexico. How about you? If you are ready to see our economy get back to normal, pass this message on and call me.
If all of us would get back to our normal economic behavior, this economy would get back to normal. So - New Mexico - let's put our best foot forward and show the rest of the country how close we are to recovery.I invite you to join me by getting back to our normal economic nerve. How about this year's vacation? Start planning to take it right here in New Mexico so the money stays close to home. Get a good full dose of exposure to this amazing state. From the caverns to the snow capped peaks, the deserts to the lakes, from the solitude to the cities. And those of you in the tourism & hospitality industries - offer incentives to New Mexico residents that recreate close to home. How about you?If you are ready to see our economy get back to normal, pass this message on and call me.
If all of us would get back to our normal economic behavior, this economy would get back to normal. So - New Mexico - let's put our best foot forward and show the rest of the country how close we are to recovery.I invite you to join me - let's get back to our normal spending patterns. How about a home improvementproject that will put cash in your pocket and reduce your utility bills?For a limited time, the federal government is offering a rebate on energy efficient windows - approximately one third of the cost of an energy efficient window replacement can be returned to you. Windows that our company can install and provide you with all you need for the rebates. How about you?If you are ready to see our economy get back to normal, pass this message on and call me.
If all of us would get back to our normal economic behavior, this economy would get back to normal. So – New Mexico – let’s put our best foot forward and show the rest of the country how close we are to recovery.I invite you to join me – let’s get back to our normal spending patterns, but let's buy from New Mexico companies so the money stays close to home. Let's buy those new things from businesses that are locally owned so the money stays here and goes back into our own economy.If you shop the internet, then shop with New Mexico internet companies. How about you?If you are ready to see our economy get back to normal, pass this message on and call me.
Let's think about who we really work for. I remember a construction crew I was on in Tulsa, and a carpenter named Gary. Now Gary worked hard and he worked smart. He was super productive, and he had a great attitude. I recall him saying, "Every man works for himself. Don't you want every paycheck to be as big as possible? Well the better you work, the more you make." Gary had it right. And Gary had a tough job, working in the heat and cold, handling heavy form work materials, pouring concrete, and installing heavy sheets of wallboard. But he knew he was his own boss, regardless of who signed his paycheck.
When Maulden Mills experienced a fire a few years ago, three thousand workers expected to lose their jobs. However, an exceptional leader named Aaron Feuerstein made the decision to keep all workers on full pay and benefits for three months while the factory rebuilt.
Why? He believes his job is about more than making money and says, "I consider
our workers an asset, not expense. I have a responsibility to the worker (and)
the community. It would have been unconscionable to put 3,000 people on the street.
Maybe on paper our company is worth less to Wall Street, but I can tell you it's
worth more. We're doing fine."
If you would like to associate with a company that has similar goals of making a difference in the community and are ready to see this economy get back to normal, call me.
When former astronaut Frank Borman became head of Eastern Airlines, he wanted the company to be the best in the industry.When he saw an employee sitting with his feet on a desk ignoring a ringing telephone. He asked “Aren’t you going to answer the phone?” “This isn’t my department, I work in maintenance.” “Not anymore you don’t, “Borman said. No matter where we work, every one of us really is self - employed - an active part of the whole team.If we think otherwise, our company can never be the best it can be. If you would like to do business with a company that wants to be the best.Call me.
Our construction
company was asked to help a client with a headache. They had about two hundred
pieces of granite counter top material sitting on their loading dock that needed
to be installed at their facility. The granite had been custom fabricated in
Italy, and while being shipped to the US, the company responsible for the granite
installation had closed. The client was literally left with a two ton jigsaw
puzzle. Our company worked to determine what pieces went where, to re-fabricate
the pieces that were incorrect or missing, and got their granite counters installed.
We like to say we provide headache relief for property owners and business
managers. If you have a growing headache at your home or business call me.
Here is an experience our company had a few years ago. We had provided a bid for a renovation project that we expected would take seven weeks. Then, our client's needs changed suddenly and told us the project had to be completed in three weeks. Our team went to work, put in some long hours, and completed the project in nineteen days! When you or I are faced with a difficult situation, let's see it as a challenge that can bring out the best in us. We like to say we provide headache relief for property owners and business managers. Call us with your headache, and we will turn it to a challenge to be overcome.
Be sure you have these things in hand before you hire a contractor to work on your property. - A copy of their contractor's license issued by the state. - Their business license from the city or county where you live. - Proof of insurance showing liability, worker's compensation, and vehicle liability insurance. This should come to you directly from the insurance company, and not from the contractor. I have had people try to give me fake certificates. - Regarding the term "bonded." Unfortunately, the bond which most contractors refer to is a "license bond" which offers very little in the way of protection for the consumer, it primarily protects the state that issues the license.
It is important to have a copy of your contractor's license, their business license, and proof of insurance. If you want to dig a little deeper, do these things: - Call the state offices to see if there are any complaints registered against the contractor - Ask the contractor for proof of their experience modifier. This number rates their safety record. "1" is average. Less than one shows a better than average record, and more than one shows a poorer than average safety record - If a large amount of money is involved, consider asking your contractor to provide performance and payment bonds. These bonds are insurance policies that assure the completion of your specific project.
A lot is riding your contractor's ability to work safely, so it is wise to select a contractor who has a written safety program. Ask for a copy of it. Such a program should require the safe use of tools, the appropriate handling of potentially hazardous materials, and regular training in safe work practices. When a contractor is safety conscious, they will be looking out for your best interest. They will keep a jobsite neat and orderly, cleanup the work area daily, and put barricades in place to limit access for people who will come and go on your property.This is for your protections as well as for the protection of your family and friends.
- Ask for names of clients and vendors they have worked with over a period of years.
- A long term client can attest to a contractor's consistency and longevity.
- A long term vendor can tell you whether a contractor pays their bills in a timely manner.
Can a homeowner apply for a building permit without a contractor?
- In Albuquerque, yes, if they are building their own residence. An electrical or plumbing permit can be issued to a homeowner who successfully completes a written exam.
Can a homeowner prepare their own drawings?
- In most cases, the answer is yes if the work is on their own residence.
I'm glad you're finding this information helpful as you're making your renovation decisions.
When interviewing a prospective contractor, here are some good questions to ask:
- Can you provide evidence that you have worked on projects similar to mine?
- Who in your company will work on my project, and can you provide their resume?
- Can you guarantee a maximum cost?
- How do you handle changes during construction?
- May I see a sample copy of the guarantee you provide?
- Can I see a copy of the contract you propose to use?
- Can you provide proof of insurance and a copy of your contractor's license?
Regarding construction permits: I often hear it said that interior work does not require a permit. In Albuquerque, this can be true if the work is limited to cosmetic work, cabinetry, a storage building of less than 120 square feet, or work that costs less than a thousand dollars.Permits and inspections are required if there are new walls, framing alterations, or if the work includes changes to plumbing, heating, air conditioning or electrical systems.Keep in mind that building codes are in place primarily for reasons of life safety. The code administration folks just want to make sure buildings are safe for the occupants.
When designing your construction project, take the time to think your wants and needs through very thoroughly.Think about your needs now and in the years ahead.You want to enjoy the function, quality, and appearance of your project for years, and a professional designer or architect can be very helpful with this process.It is very simple to make changes and fine tune your project during the design stage. Changes made after the plans are complete can result in costly design revisions. Changes made after construction begins can result in very significant cost and project delay.
It can be said that you have three choices in the type of construction you receive. You can get it fast, you can get it good, or you can get it cheap. But you can only have two of the three. If you want it fast and good, it won't be cheap. If you want it fast and cheap, it won't be good. And if you want it good and cheap it won't be fast. As with anything, you will get what you pay for. Ben Franklin said it well with this statement: "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
Have you hugged a plumber today?It might be a good thing to do.
When humanitarian organizations seek to make a difference in undeveloped countries, one of the first things they do is seek to provide fresh water and sanitation.It's sad that what most Americans take for granted at the turn of a faucet, can make the difference between health and disease, between life and death.How long would you like to be without running water and drains that remove waste from your home?Plumbers truly make a tremendous contribution to the quality of life in the world around us.So go ahead and hug the next plumber you see!
When is the last time you said thank you to the people who keep your air conditioning and heating system in good order?
Air conditioning and heating experts give us that blissful experience of stepping out of a sweltering hot day into a cool building.They improve our health and well being by allowing us to retreat from a bitter cold wind into the comfort of a warm home or business building.Much of what is accomplished today in food service, medicine, business and technology could not happen without the climate control services these professionals bring.Their work truly enhances the quality of life.
Have you considered what life would be like without the electrician?To start with, you wouldn't be listening to the radio, or have movies, tv, or internet.We would return to back breaking work in the factories and mines.Health care would be stuck in the early 1900’s.There would be no machinery to build cars, and we would be lighting lanterns at night.The biggest industries would cease to be.
While most rural areas of our county were electrified by the mid 1900's, there are still a few areas of America and a large portion of the world where no power grid exists.The electrician's work dramatically affects the quality of life.So go ahead and hug the next electrician you see.
Many of us our concerned about whether we are going to have a job or not. And it is something to be concerned about. But let's look at it from a different perspective. If it happens to us - it is a new chapter in life. It opens the door to a change, so let's make it a change for the better. Perhaps it's time to go back to school, or make course corrections like living within our means, working for a company that's more family friendly, or a complete career change. If you're not working, take advantage of the extra time you have and spend it with friends and family, or work on a damaged relationship, and set short term and long term goals to help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
Yes, there are challenges
these days, but this land has prosperity that the rest of the world envies.
We are very fortunate to have:
-public servants who secure our borders, fight our fires, rescue us from accidents, bring water & electricity to our homes, and protect us from criminals -we have hospitals & health care unlike any other nation -we live in a land that recognizes the importance of civil rights, libraries, museums, interstate highways, and national forests It really is appropriate to count our blessings, and realize that most people in the world would be delighted to trade our problems for theirs.
While New Mexico is a great place to live, there are many who truly need help. Right in our own workplace, neighborhood, and community, every one of us can do something to make a positive difference such as: -babysit for a single parent -help a child learn to read -assist an elderly neighbor -volunteer at a homeless shelter, a hospital, or nursing home -send a care package to someone serving in the military -take a thank you note with a plate of cookies to the local fire or police station -get a grocery store gift card for someone who is out of work The list can go on. Take a look around and be creative in how you will help someone struggling more than you are.
Want to feel better about yourself and your situation? How about going out of your way to make a positive difference in someone's life? If we take a look around we will see opportunities to use our career skills and life experience to help someone else: -repair their car -plan a budget -use a computer -learn to cook, or -make repairs around their home We can help someone: -improve their career -take care of their kids -deal with grief -restore a relationship
Here are some good thoughts from the well known Chuck Swindoll: "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude...is more important than...education...money...circumstances, than failures...successes, than what other people think or say or do. Attitude is more important than appearance...or skill. Attitude will make or break a company, a church, a home. I believe we have a choice everyday regarding our Attitude. I believe that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent hoe I react to it." And so it can be with you. As life is changing all around us, this is the perfect time for us to change the on thing we are in charge of...our Attitudes.
I'm sure you can remember an occasion when someone dumped a load of anger on you. This is part of what I call the "Trash Can Principle." Just like our kitchen trash can fills up and needs to be emptied, many people are stuffing their disappointments into an emotional trash can that gets too full sometimes. When someone unloads their trash on you, remember not to take it personally. Do your best to give them an understanding response and remember that sometimes we are the ones doing the unloading. Now let's consider this: the next time someone gives us their load of garbage, are we going to pass it on to those around us, or are we going to be the better person and just let it roll off our back?
At a busy intersection,
I saw a man driving an old work van. As he began his left hand turn, he slowed
down a bit, reached to his visor for some paper money, and handed it out to
a man with a cardboard sign. The workman had given an ethical matter some thought,
and decided ahead of time what his response would be. Let's all decide ahead
of time what our response will be when faced with an ethical decision like
being asked to falsify records, finding a wallet full of cash, or how we will
respond to someone who verbally lashes out at us.
When we're at a point where we must make an immediate ethical choice, it's nice to know the decision has already been made.
