Think what the present administration in America is doing is bad?

Consider the alternative.

I've used this graphic in my teaching sessions since the early '90's. This is where America was heading. For too long we have been a debtor nation with policies established after WWII. We have allowed the world to take advantage of us. Our kindness and well-meaning appeasement policies.

But you can't buy friends or loyalty. It's true in your home, business and government policies.

FINALLY, we have a group who are interested in protecting the U.S. rather than appeasing the world who has taken advantage of your goodness for too long.

For years we've heard politicians use the old worn-out term "kicking the can down the road". We now have a leader who has enough courage to take action rather than talk about the problem.

16 Things That Live In My Head Rent Free, As I Strive To "Finish Well"

 

When I reached the stage of my life when most people retire, I made a conscious decision to use the God given gifts, opportunities and resources given to “re-direct” my life. As an entrepreneur, I’ve always kind of gone out on my own, not always clear of where it would take me, but convinced I didn’t want to stay where I was..
1.      Fear does not stop death; it keeps you from living.
2.      If it cost you your peace, it’s too expensive
3.      People only see the decisions you’ve made, not the choices you had.
4.      Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.
5.      The magic you’re seeking is in the work your avoiding.
6.      Ships are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what they were built for.
7.      Ambition without action turns into anxiety.
8.      To live a life most people don’t, they must be willing to do what most people won’t.
9.      I can do anything, but not everything—I must focus on purpose and my giftedness.
10.  If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone.
11.  Those who don’t move will never see what’s holding them in chains.
12.  It’s ok to live a life most people don’t understand. God said many will view it as “foolishness”.
13.  If someone could only see your actions and not hear your words, what would they say your priorities are?
14.  You can’t have a new reality with an old mind-set.
15.  No risk, no story
16. Plus ONE…I may not always be successful, but the one thing I know (in all matters of my life) God promised
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:6-8


(acknowledgement of points presented in part and edited from jayyanginspires)

How Much Do You Want To Cut?

 

It was said once that “Change is painful. Few people have the courage to seek out change. Most people won’t change until the pain of where they are exceeds the pain of change.” Change management is hard. Leading Change Management is harder.

I’ve spent my professional life walking with organizations through the “change management” process. I know first-hand the behavior of critics, the nay-sayers, the doubters and those who find the prospect of change very unsettling. I’ve consulted with many CEO’s and managers concerning the “process” of change management through our Continues Improvement Process. Many of them like the idea, but once the process begins, the change of THINKING and change of BEHAVIOR becomes unbearable for them and they retreat back to the way things were because it’s comfortable, it’s what they know and what feels good to them.

So, with a complete knowledge and experience with the process, I witness what President Trump is doing now in “draining the swap” and the resistance he’s facing rings very familiar to me. Many people who are in love with the status-quo will behave as if the sky is falling.
It’s not.
And it won’t.
Will things be different..You bet..
Will there be short term bumps in the road..Always!
I have the highest regard for those leaders who stuck with it during the rough times of the process and who endured the criticism and scoffing. These leaders are few and far between.
No pain….No story!

 

 

   

  Do YOU or Your Company need a shot of DOGE?

The idea that there is (finally) a concentrated effort by government officials in our country to get our financial house in order is amazing to me. Many will discount Trump and Musk just because it’s them who are taking action against a problem that Republicans and Democrats have ignored for years, but a least their doing something!

 The fact is, the well-being of my kids and grandkids has already been negatively affected because of wasteful spending and debt. INTEREST on our national debt will soon be the 2^nd largest line item expenditure of our country we (the tax payer) will have to pay, which means less money for other more important things. Already, the dream of owning a home is unattainable for many young people because of inflation along with high interest rates. If something is not done, the standard of living of those readers of this article in their 20’s’ and 30’s will never reach the level of those older readers, and sadly, many of them will have to work until they die or live a sub-standard existence because of their unhealthy financial choices along with incompetent politicians.

 Poor financial habits are not unique to the government. Governments like companies are made up of people. And many of those people are “financial pygmies”. This is not my first writing on the subject. You can go to my blog site and read for yourself. But rather than look at DOGE, let’s get personal, shall we? We’ll call it DOOE and DOYE

Company DOOE or Department of Organizational Efficiency

As a management consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to guide organizations in the area of “cost awareness” and through a focused process they not only are making more money, in addition they’ve realized substantial profit.

As a student of guys like Milton Friedman, Phil Crosby, Edward Demming and others I’ve guided companies to identify the two major areas of financial understanding.

1.       EC/Error Cost

2.       COI/Cost of Improvement.

Error Cost is “The cost of doing things wrong” e.g. rework, scrap, billing errors, waste etc. Most experts in the field agree that 25% of sales dollars in manufacturing firms have this level of Error Cost. For service industries it could be as large as 50% of their operating budget. That’s a huge amount of money and lost opportunity.

 On the flip side is the Cost of Improvement which is the cost of doing things Right… such as buying new equipment, investment in technology, training of employees etc.

Individual DOYE Department of YOU Efficiency

Our educations systems have done an extremely poor job of educating our kids on financial management or understanding. Sadly, parents have not done too well in this area in part because they never really knew the basic principles of money discipline. That’s why I’m a big proponent of company education in this area. Financially healthy employees will help make a healthy organization they work for.

Dave Ramsey a famous financial advisor says, “Rich people ask, “How Much Does it Cost?” Poor people ask, “How much is my monthly payment?”

The average credit card debt in the US is over $8K.. A minimum payment of $213.00 per month will take you 23 years to be clear of that burden..The average household debt is over $104K.

Most of the crippling debt is avoidable, but our society has encouraged spending. One credit card company advertising slogan is “Take the waiting out of wanting” in other words, “Don’t deprive your self of what you want! You deserve it! So put it on your card!” Enjoy now, pay later….

What must you do for a successful DOOE or my DOYE?

1.       Begin to educate yourself on financial matters (Youtube is a remarkable resource)

2.       Do an EC/COI analysis in your company or personal financial accounts

3.       Seek a financial advisor if necessary. (not a life coach, this no time for feel good, it’s time for serious discipline)

4.       Develop a plan…

5.       GET STARTED. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but most sacrifices do.

6.       Achieve financial independence at the earliest opportunity. It will give you freedom you never imagined.

I was blessed to be raised by a guy who taught me good work ethics and financial discipline. I’ve been blessed to help many organizations become profitable so I know it can be done.

 One of the issues in my “purpose statement” for business is to help them “get it” and to help organizations become successful. It’s all part of my quest to Honor God in what I do as I strive to

 Finishing Well!