Tag: OD

My Biggest Blind Spot

Biggest blind spot?  You really want to know?  It’s embarrassing actually.

What makes it embarrassing is the fact that I was so clueless about it. Seriously clueless.

To teach is to learn twice, and as I worked hard to apply what I was teaching (1999-ish), an epiphany appeared.

By the way, it’s likely that I hold some sort of State or National record for epiphanies.

It has been a life changing event for me.  Life changing!

Tomorrow, I’ll share it.  Sometime soon, why not give some consideration to a huge change you need to make, but are clueless you need to make it.

Oh, I get it, this is uncomfortable, and I’m full of garbage, right?

Anyone remember the Disney movie, Miracle?  The athletes literally hated their coach.  Yet their coach had them do something that no one had done in twenty years.

Click here to get a taste of how a jerk helped an team of non-superstars do the impossible.

PS.  If you didn’t click on the hyperlink Miracle, you owe it to yourself to do it now. Unless you’re a chicken$h!t.  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

The Power Of Our Example

In 2000, I began teaching world-class Leadership Excellence to others, and a key life lesson was revealed to me in the form of an epiphany.

While I judge myself on my intentions, everyone else judges me on my behaviors.

What a wake up call this proved to be.  (and the hidden message in this post is it’s the exact same for you)

To make a long story short, our son’s name is Chapin.  His name was partially inspired by the Harry Chapin song, “Cat’s in the Cradle“, from 1974.

He’s going to turn out just like me.  This is why it’s critically important I am obsessed with being a good and decent person.

It’s the same in business too. We’ve all seen leaders, who are too busy to notice key things – just like the father in the song – and therefore lack the awareness to set a better example.

I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about though.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

PS.  I’m not claiming to be a perfect leader by any stretch of the imagination.  Do claim to be proactively searching and addressing my blind spots.

Walt Disney Loved Pictures & Travel

Walt Disney Loved Pictures & Travel.  Who doesn’t?  Here are a few photos from this month’s travels to Finland & Chicago.

The Masters Track & Field World Championships in Lahti, Finland and the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building in Chicago: (note, you may click on photos to enlarge to read)


Thought representing the USA at World’s and stepping out on The Ledge, were impossible.

Disney has helped me realize the only limitations I have are those I impose upon myself.  In passing this on to our son, I am reminded, “To teach is to learn twice”.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Missing It?

Missing it?  Absolutely missing it.

What then?  And btw, this is today’s second post.  Read the next one after this, if you don’t want to miss a thing.

I miss posting about this Disney website.

What has just rattled my own cage is today’s post by Seth Godin. Click here to read “Competing with the Single-Minded” and be inspired to challenge the status quo.

Ignoring the facts does not change them.  If I have to explain this to you, you are in trouble.  Seriously.

It’s a wonder the Ostrich isn’t extinct.  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Don’t Get Arrested

Do what you fear, but don’t get arrested.  Sometimes, if not more often, we must do what we fear to overcome it.

This has been challenging, considering  all the places I’ve lived and worked – 35 years in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Idaho, Florida and Washington State.

Bottom line, my thirst for pushing boundaries tends to threaten others. Since turning 50 in June, I have flat out accepted this is who I am – a game changer.  Maybe this will be September’s theme.  Maybe not.

Let’s go back two days to The Ledge, at the western hemisphere’s tallest building:

Went out on The Ledge five times. Would have done it even more, except it was a very busy Friday night in Chicago.

“So what”? Exactly.  So what!  I’ve never been more impatient with the status quo.

Turbulent times call for unprecedented creative efforts.  In order to teach our son patience, I constantly remind myself to relax and be patient.  One day soon, some one will ask, “Will you share your vision with us”?

While I went to The Ledge five times that night, Walt Disney lived his whole life on The Ledge.  Wonder if we’re related. Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂