True story: A high school friend came to visit. We had not seen each other in 20 years. We have changed obviously, me more than she, as I am the one that left the city where we grew up. I said you let your hair go grey, she said no I didn’t, “it just is”. Every month when I get my hair colored to cover the grey roots I think of that, for a second, then move forward with what will not be grey. But it forced me to ponder and appreciate the things that just are in my life, like: core values that guide my actions, relationships and friendships that have endured over time, passionate pursuit of worthy goals, the joy brought by simple things, spring flowers, a picture of a new baby, a smile from a stranger at the grocery store. Think about it, it will work for you too.

Why are you different?

What’s important about you?

Why does the customer need you?

True Story:  Following a power outage I had to have my home alarm replaced as the power surge following the outage blew out the alarm panel.  The guys came to fix it and told me it would be a 6 hour job.  5 hours into it, they show me some wiring issue they can’t figure out and ask me what to do.  I said “if I knew I would have done this whole job myself and wouldn’t need you.”  Looking at them I smiled and said “If you can’t figure it out, reverse everything you have been doing for the last 5 hours and put it back to its original state (broken) and I will get someone else to do the job.”  I walked away.  Within 20 minutes, the job was completed and I had a new alarm system.  Hmmm…I am making sure to embrace my challenges and not shift the responsibility to anyone else! We all need motivation, encouragement, an inner boost, not just sometimes, daily.