Category Archives: Life

How to ruin a good day

Life

There is an old saying that goes like this; “you can’t change the past and you can’t change the future, but you can ruin the present by worrying about both.”

There is difference between worry and anxiety. Worry resides in our mind and anxiety affects both mind and body. Worry is usually specific where anxiety is more general. Worry is about actual situations, anxiety is more, what-if thinking. Worry is usually more temporary where anxiety is longstanding. Worry doesn’t usually impair function, anxiety does. Last one – If worry persists, it can turn into anxiety.

Anxiety is like the old Lay’s Potato Chip commercial – “you can’t eat just one.” Anxiety feeds off worry and gets stronger each day you worry until one day you look up and you are gripped with a fear that can affect the way you live.

We can’t change past decisions because if we could, I would be a gazillionaire. We really (when you think about it) can’t change the future but we can have an impact on that future by the decisions we make today. Life is never carefree like the guy laying on some beach for the rest of his life, but we can choose today as the diving board toward a better future. KT

Underdogs

Career, Life

Babe Ruth said, “you just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”

I have always been drawn to movies that are based on true stories like, Rudy, Invincible, Miracle, Secretariat, etc. There is something about an underdog winning that I have always enjoyed. In every one of those movies, they all have one thing in common. An actor that portrays a real person that just wouldn’t give up.

The apostle Paul was much like that in real life. He was persecuted and beaten for the gospel’s sake, but he never gave up. One such story is the the book of Acts and took place in the town of Lystra. A mob of religious people dragged Paul outside the town walls and stoned him until they were sure he was dead and then left him there. Later Paul got up and brushed off his clothes and went right back to the town center and started preaching again. He just wouldn’t give up.

There are times and relationships that you have no choice than to give up on. We all know situations like that. What I guess I am talking about is the person that gives up quickly. When you make a habit of giving up easy, the problem is it becomes a habit that can affect your life for many years. I supposed the advice is to give your best and don’t leave anything on the table. Try as hard as you can. I believe when you do that, you can rest easy knowing you did everything you could. KT

Hunter / Miner

Career, Life

Over the years there have been many people that have tried the hotel brokerage business and only a small percentage have made it a career. The reason is simple, as with most any business and certainly the hotel business, you have to want it. There is no causal show up and lollygag through the day. When you think of every hotel broker that has made it in our business, that are all Hunters and Miners.

When think of a hunter, they wear all kind of gear.in preparation for the hunt including but not limited to a flashlight or headlamp to find their way. It’s the same for a miner. They are all geared up and have a headlamp to show the way. Sure, the weapons of their trade are important but its interesting that the most important equipment is the old fashion flashlight. Without that, there would be no mining and very little hunting.

In our business I have had maybe a handful of situations where an owner calls me and says upfront, I want to hire you to sell my hotel. It doesn’t work that way. Most of the time its like following the breadcrumbs. The brokers that have made it in our business find that first breadcrumb and then turn on their flashlight and dig out the business. Most brokers think they are above having to dig deep for a deal and that is why they last for a few years and then go on to an easier job somewhere.

Isn’t it kind of that way in many areas of our lives? Marriage, business, exercise, financial, relationships etc. You have to want it. Apathy (lack of interest) is the main reason that our efforts many times fail. If you are in sales, management, construction, office work or any other type of business, the one thing that clients and employers want to see the most when they talk to you, is the beam from your flashlight. It is right there in the eyes of the people that want it. KT

Wherever I go, there I am

Life

I was talking with a man the other day about his career and he was telling me about all the troubles he has had at the various places he has worked. It seems like there was always a boss that he didn’t like or visa versa and strife seemed to always follow him.

After a pause I ask him if maybe he was the problem. He looked at me like I had lost my mind because it couldn’t possibly be him. I then began to walk through the last several jobs and what the conflicts were, and I could see that he began to understand what I was saying.

Which brings me to the point of the blog. Wherever I go, there I am. The good thing about getting older is you have those memories of past experiences to pull from that help you know how to respond in the present. In my own life, I can remember many times I wished I hadn’t said what I said. The problem is that once it is said, it can never be unsaid. Even though the person may forgive you, that same person will always remember it. It never goes away.

The bible is full of wisdom and two quotes that have always stood out to me is, we should treat other people like we want to be treated. The second on the list is, you will reap what you sow. It means that how you respond is how other will respond to you. Its not only factual, its biblical.

If you fix the one in the mirror first, its amazing how it seems to fix all the others. KT

The Hereafter

Life

Since this past weekend, I have thought a lot about the hereafter. I had a good friend pass away on Saturday and he was far too young to have left us.

You will see and hear many people say and or write that there is nothing after death. I could be wrong, but I believe people say those things when they themselves are in health, bills paid and when life is good, and they are safe. I also believe that when those very same people find themselves at the one-yard line of life looking into eternity, I don’t think they really believe what they have been saying. Its like a soldier saying there is no God while he is still safe in his cot on base, but I suspect that very same soldier will start praying when he is in the heat of battle.

This morning I talked with an old friend of mine and he told me about when his wife passed away. He said “Keith, I was holding her hand and she looked up and said, there are two men coming to get me and then closed her eyes for the last time.” He said, “anyone that doesn’t believe in God and the hereafter should have seen my wife’s face relax in complete peace when that moment came.” He went on to say,” I have always believed in God but that day, and at that moment, I knew with certainly it was real.”

He also said something to me that I have never thought about. He said. “there are people that go through life tight-fisted, not letting go of money and sometimes hurting others to keep control of money.” He then ask me, “have you ever seen a body after death with their fists clenched?” No, you haven’t because regardless of how you live your life, with open hands you will leave it all when you pass away.”

Here is the thing, regardless of what you have been taught or believe, that moment is coming for everyone. For some, they won’t have time to make those final decisions so why not make them well in advance. KT