A St. George "Christmas Tree"

I love St. George in the winter...and in the summer...and in the spring...and the fall. I had to stop again on the way to work this morning and take a picture. The contrast between the red rocks and the white snowy backdrop of Pine Valley Mountain is always impressive.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May you feel joy, gratitude, and reassurance as you gather around what is important to you at this time of the year!

Try the newest gadget on the blog. Weigh in on the poll.

"Just relax and have fun with it." How the Dixie Rotary Bowl confirmed some sage advice.

A classic scene from my all time favorite movie, "The Three Amigos". Chevy Chase (Dusty), Martin Short (Ned), and Steve Martin (Lucky) are heading into what they think is a scene for a movie, but it is actually a fight with a local village gang. As they casually make their way to face these villans, they are doing up their buttons, cuff links etc and a "wise" Steve Martin counsels a nervous Martin Short to "Just relax and have fun with it." These movie stars, now expected to defend the little village from terror, actually put on quite a show and appear to have what it takes to defend the village. Then one of them gets shot in the arm, falls off his horse and discovers that this is the real thing. "Great! Real bullets!" exclaims a now shaken Steve Martin. At that moment, they lose courage, wave the white flag of surrender, and leave the village to be plundered by El Guopo and his gang.

Why the long story? Even thought these three were in over their heads, there is wisdom to be found in Lucky's advice to Ned to "Just relax and have fun with it." An experience that I will never forget from this last weekend's Rotary Bowl illustrates this truth.

My wife and I attended the Dixie Rotary Bowl and watched two teams play a great game of football. My favorite part of the game, and the tie in to this little lesson, was at the beginning of the fourth quarter. During a thirty second time out, over the loud stadium speakers came music with a strong beat and words that instruct you to do a certain dance, "Now step to the left....now step to the right....once bounce this time..." I have never seen a sight quite like what happened next. A couple of the players on the side line started following the instructions to the music; "One bounce this time....now bring it back". Next thing you know, the whole team starts doing it, not only on the side lines, but the players on the field even joined in! It was hilarious, the fans in the stands started cheering on this dancing football team. You would have thought they just made a touchdown by the energy that was generated. The time out ended, the music stopped, the whistle blew and the game started back up. This team that was just dancing during the time out was playing defense; they grabbed an interception on the very next play. The next play; a great pass. Next play, a run into the end zone for a touchdown. They were having a great time! I believe the interception and the touchdown that followed that time out was a direct result of the fun, loose energy that was generated by their playful dancing. Power and energy that leads to success is often found when we finally "just relax and have fun with it."

Application:

1 - In what area of your life are you not having fun?

2- In what area of your life are you not having success?

3- What could you change to have more fun?

As you start to "relax and have fun with it" I am willing to bet you start seeing more success.

Ideas to help you weather the storm

http://www.teach-nology.com/finance/stretch_dollar/

As we look for budget tightening ideas, this short article give 5 tips to make your dollars stretch.

What would you do first?

I received an email last night from a friend in prison. (Yeah, I have a friend in prison) I was reminded of how much I have to be grateful for. His release date is coming up in April and he sent me an interesting question.

If you were gonna be FREE to do whatever (after being locked up for 20 months, or whatever) what would be your first meals? What would be ALL of your 'firsts"?


My friend's list came in a second email; it was surprisingly simple. He talked of going to Olive Garden, getting a frozen yogurt from Maverick, Eating a big Mac from McDonald's and a Whopper from Burger King, having a crispy chicken burrito from Taco Time, visiting Bryce Canyon and going camping and rappelling. He talked of going to plays, and attending any "event" that his nieces and nephews are in. He is even looking forward to attending his family reunions!

This Thanksgiving, as you ponder on your blessings, remember the little things that we so often taken for granted. Right now, you could go and order anything you want from any restaurant in town. You may choose not to, but you could. You have the freedom to do it. You could take your lunch break and go meet your child, a friend or your spouse for a nice lunch together. You could go camping tonight, a little cold probably, but you could do it. You have the option. You could put up Christmas lights, bake a pie, watch a movie, work out at the gym, go for a run, visit a neighbor, buy a pet, call a friend, go out to eat. All of these are available to you right now. If you want to do any of this and more, no one is stopping you. You have the freedom and the option to do them.

"If you were gonna be free to do whatever [and the great thing is...YOU ARE!]...what would you do first?"

There is so much to do, so much to enjoy, and so much to be thankful for right now in your life. When we complain about what we don't have, we miss finding joy in what we do have. We are free to do so many things! This Thanksgiving I am grateful to be free; grateful to be free to do whatever. Hm-mm...now what to do first!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Browse the Bookshelf

On the left of this blog is a bookshelf that shows a majority of the books we have in our company library. Click on the scroll arrow at the bottom of the shelf to see more books. This list is also available on the benefits web site under "Boulevard Stuff." We encourage you to check them out for your own personal/professional development. Many of these books are on CD also. If you would like one, just let HR know and we will get you signed out for one. The store's library is in "the fishbowl" by Brett's office. The DC's library is in Ben's office. If you have suggestions on books we should add to the library, please let HR know. If you have a book you have read, enjoyed and would be willing to donate to our library, we would be happy to take them. They should be related to personal and or business development.

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." - Mark Twain

Click here to request, or recommend a book now.

The Three P's

This weeks post stems from one of our fine Contractor Builder Salesman, Jeff Messerly. Jeff joined us last week in "The Boulevard Experience" program where we were taking some introspective time to put down on paper our purpose, our "Why are we here?" statement.
We have a company purpose, "To Create and Unforgettable Experience" We have department purposes. Have you stopped to think though; What is your purpose? This idea ties back to the very first post on the BLVD training blog. If you haven't done this "Why am I here?" exercise, I challange you to do so. It will make a difference in the way you do your work. Click here to read first post.

So back to Jeff; Jeff shared with the group the three P's. Purpose, Process, and Payoff. What is the purpose for what you do? What is the process? What is the payoff ? (By the way, Jeff was careful not to claim credit for the three P's. I did some digging and the three P's can be attributed to Spencer Johnson in "The One Minute Salesman" )

If you don't feel that your payoff is worth it, or if you are bored or frustrated with the process, take a look at your purpose. Is your purpose meaningful? Does it help someone? Does it make you feel that your day is well spent? Is it worth your effort? If you don't have a strong sense of your purpose, and if you don't align your process with that purpose, the process will be mundain and the payoff will not satisfy you.

If you are having a hard time figuring out a significant purpose, consider this as a start:

"For why else do we live, but to make life a little more comfortable for each other"

Why do you live? Why do you get out of bed? Why do you come to work? What is your purpose?

Try something...make a mistake...make a discovery!

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of our country during our last economic crisis tried some bold things, with which you may or may not agree, to try to pull us out of the great depression. He introduced what was known as "The New Deal" and established the FDIC, Social Security and other programs that carry on today. Whether or not his programs were the best answer, he tried something. Which sets the tone for his comment:

"It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

As we face tough times at work and home we can take this to heart. If what we have been doing has gotten us where we are, what do we need to do differently?

What if we do try something and it messes things up? I like what I have heard Jerry Sheridan and Jerry Thomas say, "You can always get back in the boat." The boat may have been rocked, and you might need to get out a bucket and bail some water, but you can get back in. You can start over.

I like this quote from Samuel Smiles, an early leader in self-help thinking and writing. He said, "He who never made a mistake never made a discovery." What discovery haven't you made as an individual because you are afraid to make a mistake? Is there a discovery we haven't made as a company because we are afraid to make a mistake?

By the way, as a side note, I find it interesting that Samuel Smiles great grandson is Bear Grylls. If you have ever seen Man vs. Wild on Discovery, he is the guy that gets dropped off in extreme places and shows his viewers how to "survive". Now in it's fifth season, there is a guy that is not afraid to make a mistake and as a result has made some amazing discoveries. I think Bear's great grand dad would be proud.

Gain Strength, Courage and Confidence

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience you really stop to look fear in the face...You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt


Here are a few team members who aren't afraid to look fear in the face!







Ryan, Craig and Jake finishing "Mystery Canyon" with a huge rapell down a waterfall into The Narrows at Zion Canyon.

Gratitude is the Noblest of Virtues...

In a meeting yesterday, Sheldon asked team leaders to focus on gratitude, reminding us that gratitude is the noblest of virtues. He had us do an exercise that brought a wonderful spirit to the meeting as we all took time to list and share things we were grateful for.


Can I share just one of the items from my list with you? I am grateful for my daily commute! As I was on my way to the Distribution Center a while back, I was looking around at the scenery, as I often do, (which is probably why people don't like driving with me) and just taking it in. Purple Mountains, Red Cliffs, and Blue Sky... I felt overwhelmed by the beauty of this area, as I'm sure you have felt before too. I had to stop, get off my bike and take a picture. Where else can you see this type of beauty on your way to work in the morning!? So much better than sitting in traffic staring at the bumper of the car in front of me. I am grateful to live in St. George!


I would suggest that it is worth a few minutes of your time to grab a pen and try Sheldon's exercise in gratitude.


1) List at least four things you are grateful for in your personal life.



2) List at least four things you are grateful for related to work.



3) Write down what you will do to show that you are grateful?



At a time like this when we are all trying to do more with less, this short activity provides a great perspective check. Make it a great day as you live with an attitude of gratitude!

*Do you want to share what you are grateful for? E-mail me or post a comment and I will make a "What BLVD team members are grateful for" list and post it on one of the upcoming posts.

"Do one thing everyday that scares you"

The title of this post is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt.

What fears do you have? Public speaking? Jumping from an airplane? Talking to your boss? Do you fear being embarrassed or looking foolish? Do you fear failure? We can probably all relate to these fears to a degree. What are we not accomplishing because we allow these fears to limit us? What new power could you gain from attempting that thing that scares you?


For the last four years, I have had a quote from the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh taped to my computer monitor at work .

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?"

That quote has helped move me to action and over come fear. When I come up with an idea or plan and immediately begin telling myself all of the scary consequences that I might face if I mess up, I read that quote and remind myself that if I don't attempt anything,... I won't have much of a life.

What is that great idea you have that you have been afraid to do? Who is that person you need to talk to but have been shying away from? What is that thing you need to do, personally or at work, to show that you are bigger than your fears?

I wish you all the best as you do that thing that scares you.

Is it Within My Control?

I made a mistake...two days in a row. I listened to newstalk radio on the way to work. I heard about the economy crisis, the huge government bail out, the 2% increase in unemployment, the forecast for 1,000 more jobs being cut within the next year in Washington County and to top it off, another college shooting where nine students were killed. I felt like turning around, going back home, climbing under the covers and waiting for the world to collapse. I really felt for a brief moment, that there was no point to come into work today because the bottom is going to drop out anyway. How healthy is that? How productive is that? Well, I decided I better turn off the radio, quit worrying about what is out of my control, and get to work.

There are things that are within in our control, and things that are not. A major cause of stress and unhappiness is when we spend time uselessly worrying about things we have no influence over. Am I saying don't worry about anything and let yourself be pushed around without a fight? No. I am saying focus on the areas within your control. If the economy is slow, don't play victim and blame the government, or congress, or Wall Street, or anyone else for your tough economic situation. Figure out a way to save a bit more and spend a bit less. Focus on what is in your control.

A good golfer, (and I am not claiming to be one) when he finds his ball off the fairway and out in the long grass or stuck in a sand trap, does not blame the course for the faulty layout, or his golf club for it's poor quality or the wind for being too strong. He looks at the placement of the ball, the distance to the whole, the obstacles to be overcome and then he picks the club that will deliver the right distance and lift for that particular situation. He then squares up and takes his best swing. There is no government intervention to bring the ball back onto the fair way. There is not a golf course attendant to come and cut down trees that may be in the way. There is only the golfer, his clubs and the ball. And the golfer understands the overarching rule of the game: "You've got to play the ball where it lays".


So with the circumstances we find ourselves in right now, a few helpful questions we could each ask ourselves are:

1) Right now, what is within my control?

2) What can I do to successfully 'Play the ball where it lays'?

3) Am I ready to square up and take my best swing?

All the best as you focus on what you can control today!

Be a Hero! "WOW" the Customer!

According to Don Jones, our head bean counter as he calls himself, this is the one thing you need to know in order to succeed at the Boulevard. That was his advice to this month's Experience Program group. I think he is right on target here.

Have you ever used your own car to deliver a small item out to a customer after work? Have you ever helped a senior citizen carry their purchase out to the car or helped them operate the fancy electric scooters that we provide? Have you ever listened to a guest or a team member, figured out just what they needed, and then figured out how to get it for them? Have you attended a private sale where Jan Brown has catered the dinner? Now there's a hero!

It doesn't take a lot to be a hero for each other and our guests. Just a little extra time to do just a little bit more than what is expected. What have you done recently to deliver the "WOW" factor? What have you done recently to make someone say, "Wow, they really took care of me. I know where to go and who to ask for next time I need something."?

I would love to hear any hero stories you may have. Feel free to comment or send an email. Maybe we will post it on this blog next week.

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."
- Jimmy Johnson

Being Personally Interested

This weeks post comes from the Experience Program group this month, courtesy of Mitch Hobson. The group was discussing how we could make sure people feel welcome and comfortable with our service.

Can you tell when people care about you? Can you tell when they don't?

Mitch has the task of delivering and installing our builder contractor appliances. He made the observation and commitment to be personally interested in the customer for whom he is installing. He could easily miss the mark by thinking, "I am here to install this range" his focus could be on the range and the installation. Although Mitch needs to be sure to do a clean and smooth install, he is really there for the customer, not for the range. He will be focused on and personally interested in the happiness and satisfaction of the customer. And you can bet that the customer will pick up on that.

How can you apply this to you and your job?

A service tech is not there to "fix the washer" he is there to make a customer happy. A salesperson is not there to sell a sofa, she is there to make Mrs. Johnson's room the room she envisioned. Customer service is not there to "write an exchange", customer service is there to make things right for the customer. So ask yourself, are you focused more on your job, or the customer? More on the item you are selling, fixing or installing or on the person who is buying, venting, or waiting?

We could all take Mitch's commitment to heart and be personally interested in the customer. Our customers, our guests, will pick up on it.

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." - Dale Carnegie

A customer that "complains" is doing us a great service.

Quote taken from our ARCO calendar today.

When we hear a customer complain that their furniture arrived damaged, that we didn't have what they were looking for, that it took too long to get their product etc. What do we do?
Take a minute to really look at their complaint and find the opportunity. Do not be too quick to label or frame the customer as "a complainer" or "a whiner" or "crazy". Dig deep, hold yourself accountable and find out what we could have done to prevent this opportunity to complain or what we can do now to remedy a bad situation and improve our process for next time.
Could we have prepped and loaded the product differently on the truck, could we have provided a better selection, could we have arranged faster shipping or placed an earlier order? Really, in the end, a customer who complains is doing us a great service.

Focus On What You Want To Hit

A simple yet insightful moment happened to me while we enjoyed a great time together at Sunset Bowl. It reminded me that we will ultimately get what we focus on. (By the way, that picture is Lloyd Warren, our high scorer of the event! Great job Lloyd!)

I was thrilled when I saw a yellow bowling pin in the head pin spot on my turn. If I got an actual strike on this turn that meant I could have my pick from the large basket of candy bars! This was the big challenge during this bowling tournament. As I raised my ball to the level of my shoulder, and eyed the pins; I was surprised to see that the machine had left two or three pins out of the set up. This left a gap to the right of the head pin that was just slightly wider than a bowling ball. As much as I tried to focus on the head pin to ensure a strike and claim my prize, as I made my approach my eyes kept fixing on that unusual gap in the pins. Sure enough, as I released the ball on its trajectory down the lane, I felt my arm turn just enough to send that ball directly towards the gap in the pins. I didn't knock over a single pin! The principle held true. I got what I focused on!

Now for the application. What are you getting? I am willing to bet you are getting what you are focusing on. As it relates to the Boulevard, to your team members, or the results of your department. What are you focusing on? Are you noticing the opportunities for success, are you focusing on the small victories that you and your team are making day to day? Or, are you focusing on the lack of traffic, the sluggish economy, and the day to day challenges that plague your team? All of these are there, and they are real, and they affect you. It may help us to remember at a time like this, we will get more of what we focus on.

Welcome to BLVD training!

This blog is dedicated to posts that will help Boulevard Team Members succeed. Enjoy the first post!

As the HR representative over education and development my purpose is:

1) To foster self improvement in each BLVD team member

2) To create a culture of learning

3) To inspire all team members to provide Customer Service at a level that will create "The Boulevard Experience"

What is your purpose? Have you taken time to think about why you are here? Are you here to collect a paycheck or make a difference? Take some time today to look at the core purpose of the BLVD and think about what that means. Then take a look at your team's purpose. How do you tie into that? How do you affect that? Next, write down your purpose. You will work with more energy and produce better results if you have a clearer picture and understanding of your purpose.

To wrap this up; consider the responses of two men who were asked the same question. As a passerby approached the first man who was laboring in the hot sun he asked, "What are you doing?" the man answered, "Cutting rock into bricks." The passerby walked on and approached another man who was working a few feet away on the same project, again he asked, "What are you doing?" the second man answered, "I am building a cathedral!" So my question to you..."What are you doing?"