BIG TIME Moments

Two days ago I came face to face with life, through death.

We lost a family pet, Lena. She was my son and daughter in-laws dog. She was a friend, family member, and companion. Christmas eve she sat beneath the Christmas stockings, and I was told from a reliable source, that she interfered with deliveries Santa would make. Two days later she gets sick, and two days after that she lost her life.

As we start the New Year and we look to the future we must not lose sight of today.  Each moment is precious. Each day is a gift, not to be wasted on a past that cannot be changed, or the future which is yet to be. Today is precious.

We do not know what the future holds, but what we can do is  make the most of today. Make each day count by making the most of the gift each day brings, we have no guarantees of tomorrow.

Often we can get busy with life and get on the fast track moving from day to day turning days into run away trains, losing focus on the “now” as we rush forward to tomorrow.  When we take each day as it is, a gift to treasure, we can slow down the pace.

Two years ago my sister fought a tough fight against ovarian cancer for six months, with the last three weeks of her life spent in a hospital bed.  She was brave, strong and an inspiration to all. Each day I came to visit here I would say, “how you doing today?”   The day before she died she answered me with, “It’s not the days, it’s the moments.”

I still find myself, every now and then, falling into the hurry of everyday life.  Lena’s death reminded me of my sister’s courageous words and about the importance

Brand Identity

Little did I know that a chance meeting would forever change how I viewed marketing and the building of brand?

It was in the early morning hours and I had just flown cross country for an event.  We had picked up our luggage and I was waiting for the car as there had been a mix up in reservations and it was taking longer than expected.  I sat down in a never ending row of stadium seats that trailed off into the distance. It was 12:30am and I was exhausted, we still had another hour or two to make it to our destination and I was anxiously waiting for the car to arrive.

I was looking to my left when I felt a presence on my right. A small framed, pretty woman, with grey hair dressed in a black wrap jacket and slacks had sat down next to me.  “All these chairs,” I thought to myself in a selfish moment, she started the conversation and we began visiting with the normal small talk.

I discovered that she was a nun traveling from California and was waiting to meet up with a friend; they were going to attend a conference in the city. She told me of her life and work in California. She shared with me her passion for nursing and in particular her work with aids patients.

I shared with her a fleeting aspiration I had as a young girl to become a nun. I had been inspired by a young woman, a nun Sister Mary Ivan.  She was nothing like the other nuns I had ever known. She was young, pretty, she loved to laugh, sing and ride horses.  For me seeing a nun out of her habit and in a pair of jeans was a curious site. I told her that I could remember playing monopoly and enjoying time with this special person. I remember with fondness those days, my grandmother used to house the nuns when they traveled around to rural communities during the summer and from time to time we would have them in our home, I remember the fun we had and how she made us feel.

There was some silence between us and then I asked her this question. “Where have all the nuns gone?” “You know,” she said, “when we began integration into the communities, we took off our habits’ and we lost our identities.”

This discussion, early in the morning hours, with a sweet gentle person would set the course for my marketing and branding efforts and dedication to staying true to who you are.  Your mark of distinction is your brand, it is your identity.  That identity along with the relationships we foster become cornerstones to our reputations and the impressions we make.

I asked this nun, “where had all the nuns gone” because I could no longer easily identify who they were. Their habit, and point of differentiation, made them visible; their goal to melt into the community, taking off the habits, had also made them melt into the crowd.

This moment in time was forever branded in my mind. Did I have fun that summer because I had seen this nun without her habit and in jeans? Was it because she seemed like one of us without the habit? With that thought I began to miss not seeing nuns in their habits, and the values and faith it represented to me with a simple glance.

The nun I had met that evening was doing great things in her community, she was serving a need, she was satisfied and growing in her life, and she was still a nun, but in different clothes.

The market place is crowded and noisy; every brand will face some form of change. In this ever changing environment the importance of staying true to who are and what you value became real. Brand identity provides direction, purpose and meaning for the brand. Remaining true to the authenticity of the brand, focused, consistent, and credible establish lasting impressions and your mark of distinction.

doWIT-Brand Identity

-Go with conviction

-Stay true to who you are, authentic, focused, consistent, and credible

-Make you mark, focus on value

-Create a lasting impression

Pinterest; Circle of Influence

Riding the herd on the ranch or riding the herd of “pins” on Pinterest I have discovered a great truth, it’s personal. Pinterest is an experience that can both surprise and delight developing both passions and influence, while introducing new interest and trails to explore.

Ranch work often requires separating cattle into pens for branding, doctoring, transport and is done by cutting into the herd, this can be done in open fields or in the sorting pens. Cutting cattle into groups or pens, is part of rhythm of ranch life. Pinterest has a similar rhythm of sorting and pinning visually pleasing, message bearing, information and inspiration. Once you ride a cutting horse and experience the big stops and hard turns, there is no going back; it gets in your blood. The same can be said for the Pinterest participants, once you experience and share items of value on your boards of home, arts and crafts, style, fashion, and food  to name a few, there is no going back, you can are hooked; it gets into your blood.

Pinterest popularity comes from its image driven visual component. Pinterest is an easy to use melting pot of interests which is driven by participants and caters to those who like to tell a visual story.  Participants “pin” items they value and “like” photos or graphics that inspire them and will in turn “pin” to a personal board they create. Pinterest is entertainment powered by passions. Like any social network, and even maybe more because of this enthusiastic, growing demographic, Pinterest requires an investment in time that is both enjoyable and relaxing.

Pinterest is an ever changing assortment of interest thus keeping the field open for fresh, new experiences. A “pin” found and posted on a board is branded by the visuals, pin by pin, boards begin to share a story. Pinterest is a place to herd and corral what speaks to your heart that is fueled by inspiration, common interest, and the fun of the hunt. It’s instant gratification, discovery of a pin and then the experience of pinning and sharing what is treasured.

Pinterest  is a melting pot of value based, advocators and influencers. It is a holding pen for personalized wish list, holidays, kids, parenting, teaching tools, recipes, weddings, events, books worth reading, and how-to and more which is limited only to time and discovery. Pinterest is designed to curate and share the things you love while avoiding self promotion. Pinterest is an open range for those who enjoy sharing ideas, creating a circle of influence among followers that is easily organized to access at any time. The joy found on Pinterest is a platform of interest, sharing ideas and things of beauty through visually pleasing images, creating boards that are uniquely you, while avoiding blatant self serving advertising.

Although Pinterest is invite-only, it is not difficult to get an invitation. You can request an invitation from Pinterest home page, or have a friend who is already using Pinterest send you and invitation, that is faster.

For individuals, business, brand, nonprofits, sports teams, or publications to name a few, Pinterest establishes a “herd” of opportunity to meet and to get to know markets, best customers, future customers, and future friends. Pinterest is a place to study values and to delight customers. Pinterest is a place to tell stories while offering things of beauty and be helpful, it is an enjoyable gold mine of discovery .

doWIT: Increase your ‘Circle of Influence’

Be Authentic

•Share your story, share your promise, create and or utilize images and pictures that are relevant in your customer’s lives. It is tempting to promote products, but that can be obvious, opt instead to share insights to your company and products, share the history, and tell the story behind the story. Post other interest that make (you) your brand unique; related topics, educational items, info graphics, and inspirational things; teach and inspire.

Be a Value Creator

•Pin inside and outside your industry. Analyze how people follow and  share your images opening a window into what your customer’s and followers value, what they relate to, and what they view as relevant. Discover who is pinning your pins and follow them back. Add a Pinterest follow bottom to your website and promote your presence on other social networks to encourage followers.

The road to discovery started out like any other ride, Will Rogers said “A man only learns in two ways, one by reading, the other by association with smarter people.”  Over the horizon is Pinterest, a frontier of opportunity; it is a growing community that thrives on authentic, inspirational, visually appealing content. It is telling the stories through photographs and graphics, creating a lifestyle, value based snapshot, of personality, brand, and aspirations. Pinterest is a circle of influence that can be as much or as little as you like, it’s depends on how far you want to ride.

http://pinterest.com/ranchgrownlogic/

Day Maker

“Back at the ranch” looks like heaven when you are traveling. The hassle of travel can add to stress and thoughts of home, comfort, family, and friends pushes you to get to your gate and on your way.

While traveling through the airport on a recent trip I became hungry and dropped by a fast food restaurant to get something to eat. I looked at the menu and decided on number 1, but from that point on my experience was almost worse than the hunger, definitely more frustrating. They served the meal in random order, one item at a time, the sandwich, the fries, and the drink in non sequential places and not in that order. I watched the customer ahead of me; I copied her as it was more than a little confusing. Getting something to eat should not be this complicated, it should be a pleasure, and dare I say a fine dining experience even if it is fast food.

With meal now gathered I sat down to eat and noticed an elderly couple approaching the order window.  I watched them as they shuffled in confusion just as I had done. After some conversation his wife sat down not in disgust, not in a mad or argumentative way, but more of pure frustration and fatigue. Her husband stayed true to task, he ordered his burgers, found his fries and drink and made his way to the checkout stand only to have the person who was helping him go on break. He was rerouted in another direction, shoulders dropped he completed the transaction. I would guess that this couple valued a quick, hassle free meal; they did not get it and neither did I. The experience made an impression and not a good one; I am still talking about it.

Warning: Beware of the nice customer.  They rarely complain, and they don’t make noise. They may go unnoticed, but they don’t come back.  The nice customers, multiplied go away. I know it’s an airport and the odds of being there, being hungry, and visiting this establishment are slim, but the point is this story can be found every day. Experiences like the day I went to buy a jacket. I was treated with a lack of respect, almost like I was interrupting their day.  I went next door and purchased from the store next to them.  I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, I wanted to walk back in there and say “Big Mistake, Big.” I just wanted to say it!

As consumers we have more choices than ever before. Where there was once competition there is now a runaway herd. Consumers can buy and sell in any number of places, “We are not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.”

Day Maker

In today’s market as a person/business/ brand you must stand out in the crowd. It is show time, everyday in every way.   It has been said before “you may not get a second chance to make a first impression.”  Show your customer the best at what you do; capitalize on the things you do well and then identify what your customer’s value.  Whatever the customer values blazes the trail, cater to their values as it aids in credibility and results in delighting customers through the experiences.

As consumers of goods and services you are empowered and can access information 24/7, you are the jockey. What can you do about it as a business/brand/person? Do what you do best; make a difference, take nothing for granted, and add value.

doWIT: Make someone’s day the right way

Warning: Beware of the nice customer

Know:   Your product or service, know what your customer values

Provide: Value added meaningful goods and service

Opportunity Horizon

Miles and miles of beauty unfolded before us as we crested the hill, the view presented a fresh look at the world and gave me an immense appreciation of the majesty of it all.

I found myself thinking about nothing in particular and about everything under the sky, all at the same time. I breathed in a breath of gratitude just to have this opportunity to take this ride, and began enjoying the view from my saddle. It was breathtaking; we were trailing cattle back to the ranch from their summer pasture. The hard work was done as we had made the push up the mountain successfully, and with the trail stretching out below I began to relax and enjoy the ride.

Quite by accident I glanced at the ground and spotted a funny looking rock. It is true, I am amused by many things and this rock reminded me of a  turtle, which are a source of fascination not only for me but also for my dog.  While headed to the barn last summer I saw a rock get up and take a step. Ok maybe not exactly but it looked that way. Both of us unsure of what we just saw , we stood there,  frozen in time watching to see if ‘the rock’ would move again, our heads both cocked as we waited in anticipation taking a fresh look at this curious object.

It can’t always be easy for the turtle to venture out and push forward, just as it is never easy for people or business to take the steps necessary to break new trail.  But somebody has to lead; they always do, is that why cream always rises to the top?

If you treat each day like a milk run, routine in nature, you can find yourself at a stand still lacking creativity, energy, and the drive it takes to lead. It is safe to tread water and go with the flow, but true joy and gratification come from not just surviving but thriving.

Last year’s arena record is this year’s rookie’s template; the bar is continually being raised. Take the opening provided, like the coach who tells his team, “you can’t make baskets if you never shoot the ball.”

The opportunity on the horizon is- the best of you.  Keep taking steps, keep moving forward, take a fresh look at your surroundings, break trail just as the lead cows were doing this day and the turtle did as he made his way that sunny summer morning. Establish yourself as an expert in a distinct area. Focus on your strengths and do what it takes to keep yourself motivated and fresh, develop your talents, have faith in your ability to adapt and react. Be exceptional.

doWIT:

Lead the way, enjoy the view.

Keep Moving-take a fresh look, inspiration can come from anywhere

Keep Focused-Utilize you strengths and develop your talents

Be Exceptional- do what you do best!

It becomes you, “Some of the best cowboys are cowgirls”

“Keep your eyes on the road,” talking, excited, in the moment, we hurried as we drove to make the rodeo.  I wasn’t expecting ‘it’ that day, like most things in life ‘it’ shows up when you least expect it. This was one of those moments in time that gets branded permanently into your memory and on your heart.

This defining moment happened some years back while sitting in the stands at an evening performance of a PRCA rodeo in Casper WY. I was waiting to watch my daughter Tiffany run barrels in the short round on Dreamer. Her first run was a good one and we had made the trip back and forth from the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gillette, WY where she had also qualified for the short round. This had been an amazing week.

I made my way to find a spot to sit at the end of the grandstands overlooking the contestants as they warmed up.  As an observer of people and trends this was a perfect opportunity and I began observing this “event” of core customers as my laboratory. Many WNFR competitors were there in attendance and an enthusiastic diverse crowd provided me a wide variety of observations.

A woman caught my eye. She was walking in front of the crowd, nicely dressed in black jeans, no belt, a cowboy hat, turquoise shirt. She was walking with an intermittent limp and steadied herself occasionally along the arena fence, something about her was familiar but I could not put my finger on it. I wondered who she was.

My attention went to the arena as they were finishing up the saddle bronc riding and had cleared the arena for intermission. Trick riders, 3 of them performed. Then I spotted her, Lori of Ram Rodeo. I had no idea she had this talent. This professional woman had been trick riding her whole life. She told me that trick riding was her release. It was awesome.She is in shape, an athlete, and having fun! I could not help myself and I stood up giving them a standing ovation, I was so impressed. I asked Lori if she had a picture of her trick riding and she sent me this image along with the rest of “the story.”

“Some of the best Cowboys are Cowgirls”

“This photo is from Okeechobee FL the last year it was held in the old arena. This was a huge outdoor pen where it took over 30 seconds to make a lap. I rode with John Harrison that year, I think it was 2002.

The horse is “Junior” aka Parker JR, he is a 1984 model. Mike and I got him when he was 6.  I didn’t start trick riding on him until he was 17. He was always my back up horse as well as Mike’s team roping horse until I lost my regular “Joker”. He was so fast and it took a lot to get my head in the game and not be scared.  He turned out to be fabulous – one of my top two horses in my lifetime.  I wish I had a whole herd of horses just like him.

Dally (Lori and Mike’s daughter) has been riding him since she was born and by herself since she was 3. She currently rides him in barrel racing and poles and is learning to trick ride at age 6 on him.” Lori Orman

Much to my delight the evening was not finished with surprises. I went on to watch my daughter compete in short round of barrel race, she made a great run but tipped a barrel to place. And the lady I had observed earlier in the evening walking along the fence had just entering the arena. Turns out (Ruth), a WNFR qualifier and was making a run that had the crowd behind her, she was a cowgirl, a legend in her own right.

That was “it,” once again I had to stand up and cheer, these three women were everyday heroes. On that day I had observed three great cowgirls who had my attention from the start, each from different generations, each at different times in the lives shooting for the stars while keeping their eyes on the road of their dreams, and each an inspiration to me.

That day I witnessed character, talent, spirit, courage, cowgirl. I knew it to be true, there was no doubt in my mind “some of the best cowboys are cowgirls!”

doWit: Harness- Ride- Rope- Be- “It”

• Harness your passion
• Ride your vision -till the horseshoes fall off
• Rope yourself a great life
• Be an Everyday Hero

Ranch Grown Logic

“The West –the very words go straight to that place of the heart where Americans feel the spirit of pride in their western heritage-the triumph of personal courage over any obstacle,whether nature or man.” John Wayne.

The term Ranch Grown Logic is hard to explain until you come face to face with the common sense of it all. Ranch Grown Logic is just that, the logic that I grew up with living on a ranch is western Montana. It is not rocket science, but a common sense approach to life, branding and marketing, that is best explained by saddling up.

Back at the ranch the ride today is shipping day, one of the best days of the year for ranchers, its pay day! There are also other great days to be championed on the ranch, like the last day of haying, or the day you turn the cows out to green grass, or come to think about it just about any other day you find yourself in the saddle and loving what you do.

We began this day in appreciation of  the value of this day, celebrating not only a rancher’s work year cycle culminating in pay day, but also celebrating a job well done for a year’s hard work and dedication to family, land, and livestock. The joys, sacrifices, and the passion that fuels a lifestyle become a reality on shipping day, a family affair; this day stops and starts the year.

The day began with words of instruction as my brother Joe headed out of the house, talking while walking on. “Be patient, wait till 8:30 then come to the corral.” Dressed to go to work we remained patient and had another cup of coffee.

The  “be patient” directive came in reference to timing but also bringing in the heard. Bring the heard in a quiet and orderly fashion; the words not said, but understood. The plan was methodic in the approach and strategic in application. We met at the corrals, our horse trailers in a row, cowboys and cowgirls made up of relatives and neighbors joining forces in a common goal to get the job done, our task to bring the calves in without a hitch.

Riding for the brand, we headed out on a cool brisk morning towards the cattle which were separated into different pastures of steers and heifers. That part of the preparation for shipping day had been done in advance so we could bring them into the corrals in bunches, the heifers would come first.

Horses are often “fresh” on mornings like this, cool, crisp, frosty, it takes a little time and miles to get them warmed up. In all honesty they can feel the anticipation as much as we do its horse sense. Your horse is your partner and no truer words have been said that “the best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse,” but no one ever said it was going to be easy.

About 30 feet inside the gate, where the heifers were pastured, was a swampy ditch to cross. Not a small one at that, it was about 3 feet wide and deep with swamp and rock on one side and swamp on the other. As I followed the other riders across the ditch my horse balked, after a little coaxing he jumped the ditch almost propelling me into next week if you know what I mean. Oh great I thought, I have a jumper and on a fresh morning like this a good jump sometimes lends itself to “let ‘er buck!” But luckily all went well and my focus went to splitting the heard, creating manageable numbers for sorts and trip to the scales.

The first cut went smooth and the cattle were moving out nicely, but now it was my turn to cross the ditch once more, and in rides trouble. My horse “G” short for Gentleman was going to have no part of it. I made the attempt and nothing. Looking at the crossing and assessing the distance, rocks and swamp, I determined in my mind that it was not looking pretty. The clock was ticking in my head; I did not want to be one to let the crew down. I made another attempt and nothing, and as fellow cowboys saw what was taking place my brother John took his horse over the ditch as to show my horse the way, but no luck-no way. Another place to cross I thought, I looked for options, whatever it takes (WIT), ride the ditch till you find a better crossing but this ditch provided no options, and time was moving forward, this was it!

There he was frozen in his tracks, reminding me a lot of business ventures and life when we sometimes get frozen in our own tracks. Afraid to take the step, looking for reasons why we can’t do something instead of reasons we can, and the route to make it happen.

I heard my brother on the other side say “Look at me, look up.” That was it, Ranch Grown Logic; I knew it when I heard it. Look at where you want to go, not down, not at the issues that threaten, that you think are deep, swampy or rocky. Focus on your vision. Begin at the end then make you plan and work that plan. I took a deep breath of confidence for me and my horse and I looked ahead.  I looked up at my brother on the hill. One small leap for my horse resulted in one giant step for my appreciation of Ranch Grown Logic! I smiled at the common sense of it all and I headed in with the heard.  With the leap of faith I froze that image in my mind.

“Sit tall in the saddle; hold your head up high.

Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky, and live like you ain’t afraid to die.

Don’t be scared, just enjoy the ride.” Chris LeDoux

Come along on the trail of stories that journey into the heart of the ride; marketing, branding, motivation, inspiration as told through stories built on a collection of experiences. Ropin’ and rooted in the spirit of the West, Ranch Grown Logic is a common sense approach to marketing utilizing authentic, motivational, passionate, branding insights and stories of the West.

doWIT: “Don’t be scared, just enjoy the ride.”  

• Focus on your vision
• Utilize methodic and strategic planning
• Make your plan, work you plan
• Do whatever it takes: WIT
• When Ridin’ for the Brand, “Keep your eyes fixed where the trial meets the sky.”

No Fear

This morning I was thinking about all my friends, family, and colleagues that attended the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and how Facebook had linked them to me.

I knew almost instantly who was winning an event, receiving images as they posted the action.  It was an honor to see my nephew, Tyler Erickson receive his PRCA Rookie of the Year in Steer Wrestling buckle and title in the arena.  Thanks to my Facebook friends postings and what I saw on GAC, (side note, they did a great job with the WNFR- TV coverage) I was there!

I thought back to last year at the WNFR as I did some posting from the finals. New to the game, I did not know whose voice to use, business or personal.  I was tentative; my postings were more like whispers as I tested the water. That is unusual, because my voice, around our house, is sometimes known as “Judith Gap, “an inside family joke!

I was learning the ropes of social media, looking back now it was more branding than conversation, and frankly found myself lacking the confidence and the guts to go all in.  Truth be told, social media waits for no one. It is an instant conversation where I found myself frustrated by what I thought; I could not, instead of focusing on what I could do.

Social media started out as a trickle that has turned into an ocean. I admit I was afraid to put my toes in the water and just jump in. But as I have learned this new wave is waiting for no one, and to be relevant an online presence is a necessity requiring guts and time.  Social media is the new frontier, breaking trail for expression, business, value and connection.

Back some 20 years ago the Wagner family had a white 4-horse stock trailer that we used for everything and that we jokingly put a decal on the front of that read: NO FEAR. I loved seeing that trailer go down the road. Then it came to me, thanks to that memory, spend less time defining who you are and more time being who you are. NO FEAR I am, who I am.

I have always enjoyed marketing and telling stories. Story telling by nature, I write like I talk. I admit my wordsmithing leaves a little to be desired but I write with a passion that is heartfelt.

It came to me ….It’s WIT, Whatever It Takes; I am going to start my own blog and business Facebook page centered on WIT using Ranch Grown Logic. My goal, through this platform, is to build a network of likeminded people in the western lifestyle and western industry connected through stories, mentors, and leaders, with emphasis on value based marketing, branding, motivation and inspiration.

I am who I am, a marketer and a cowgirl who enjoys telling stories. Now is the time to pull my boots on, grab my hat, get on my horse, and ride the trail. Social media is the new frontier changing the way, the story, and the ride of the future.

All trails start with the first step: NO FEAR. You are invited, come along for the ride.

See you at the ranch.

 doWIT: NO FEAR

• Break Trail:
  • Utilize social media for expression, business, value and connection
• Fine Your Voice:
  • Start a conversation
• Got Business: Create a business Facebook page/Blog
  • Attract people by creating value.
• Brand “U.”
  •  Social networking is effective and personal and business branding platform for online presence and online outreach.

Catch the Ride of Your Life

I was blessed to have the opportunity to walk on a beach.  Not an everyday occurrence as my normal “beach walk” is to the barn to feed the horses, I set out to enJoy the moment.

I became mesmerized by the waves.  I became absorbed in the sound of the water as it approached and then gently swept over the sand.  With each wave I found myself taking stock and appreciating my life. I am so blessed and so grateful for all that I have: my relationship with God, my family, my friends, and my purpose. Yes my purpose!

Each of us have a purpose in life and our interest and passions lead us to that purpose.  The challenge is, and always has been, to identify our purpose while dealing with the waves of our own lives and the constant and predictable struggles that come our way. I heard once that “just because you’re on the inside rail it does not mean you can’t get to the outside and RIDE!”  There are many people out there who have faced challenges and have come out on top; they are the everyday heroes, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, triumphing over struggles and making a difference in people’s lives.

My mind traveled back to the last time I was in Cancun, Mexico walking on the beach. Only on that day my path lead me to a group of about 20 people on the beach, all were giddy with excitement. As I approached the small group I found out that this was a momentous day. The baby sea turtles had just hatched and were headed out to sea! This happens once a year usually late October or early November. I was in the right place, at the right time, to witness this century’s old tradition few people get to see in person.

Their story is historic; they have been doing same routine since prehistoric time.  There odds for baby sea turtles to reach adulthood are 1 in 100, they can grow to be six feet long, weight 450 Lbs, and live for 20-50 years.

I became caught up in the excitement as the baby sea turtles moved toward the water with speed and determination. The blue print of their life had been made long ago. They accepted their assignments catching the waves of their future at the same time I watched my own footprints in the sand disappear with the ride of their life.

As the sound of the waves coming in brought me back to the present, “live life purposefully” became clearer: share my talents, share my stories, those baby turtles took big steps, and so can I!

The answer came like a wave:  Just rope It, saddle up and enJoy the ride.

Catch The Ride Of Your Life

DoWIT: Catch the Ride of Your Life

• Identify your Purpose
• Identify Your Passion
• Position yourself to utilize your skills
• Be yourself, offer value, build your brand
• Rope yourself a good life-saddle up let’s ride

You May Never Know Whose Hero You Are

Preacher and author, Joel Osteen says, “Discover the Champion in You.” I was so excited when I learned I had an opportunity to see him personally at one of his services. I was in Houston Texas for convention a few years back and made arrangements to catch a cab to the service with some other attendees.

When we arrived we were greeted by a nice young gentleman who graciously took us to our seats. As if by special invitation we were escorted to the second row, in and arena that seats over 30,000 in weekend services! My seat was directly behind his mother in the first row. I have come to call these extraordinary meetings divine intervention, how else could you explain my ending up in his service in the second row?

Joel was talking about how each and every one of us can make significant and positive differences in people’s lives, on purpose or even by accident! When it is all said and done we will be remembered by what we give, not by what we won or what we have.

He reminded us that we must not lose track of where we came from or of the people that helped us along the way. He noted we are all Champions in our own right, and we many never know we are a hero to someone! I was blessed. I had heard an awesome message.

So inspired I headed to the bookstore to do some follow up reading, this led to a chance meeting. In the rows of books stood a CHAMPION, PRCA legend and world champion cowboy Trevor Brazile.

We visited for a moment then as he turned and walked away I thought back over the day and about the interactions I had that day. From the people who asked me to join them and share a ride to the service, to the nice man who escorted us to the second row, to the message that Joel gave, and finally to the chance meeting with a World Champion in a book store. Joel had reminded us that we never know when someone will be watching or whose hero you are.  How powerful is that? Every contact point is an opportunity to be a Champion.

You may never know whose hero you are!

DoWIT: “Discover the CHAMPION in You”

• It all counts
  • You never know who is watching.
  • You may never know whose hero you are.
• Every touch point is important: Every contact point is an opportunity to be a Champion
  • In business: merchandising, sales, customer service
  • In life: with friends,family,or acquaintances
• We are remembered by what we give, not what we have

Jingle Bell Blizzard

My favorite Christmas memory started out like any other Christmas with excitement and anticipation, I could not wait to go home. Home for me is a ranch in western Montana; I often tell people when they ask where I grew up, that I am a real live Avon lady. I grew up in the small ranching community on a ranch nestled in a valley, at the base of Luke Mountain.

It was a time when we had ‘big time’ winters in Montana; winters where the snow was plowed so deep it often blocked the view from our car windows.  It was one of those winters, it was Christmas Eve, and I was 3 months pregnant with my son Ross. My husband Alvin and I were going to tell the family on Christmas day, I could not wait, I was so excited.

The ranch is a mile and a half off the main highway and the road sometimes blew shut. I called the ranch to see how the road was as the last couple of days it had been snowing and drifting. They told us not to drive up the road and they (my brothers and sisters) would come meet us with a team and sleigh after they had finished feeding the cows. The county road had not been plowed yet.

I could hear the bells as they approached, it was early afternoon my brothers and sisters Jim, Joyce, Joe and Kathy came to greet us on a sleigh pulled by a team of horses adorned in ‘Jingle Bells.’ They had finished feeding and were in good spirits as they pulled up singing songs and laughing and joking. My brother John was also there but he was on a snowmobile. He helped us load some groceries and gifts and then made two gleeful laps around us and was off to the ranch to watch some football where my other sister Janet was cooking Christmas goodies.

The snow was glistening like a million tiny diamonds as we headed down the sunny path but  that was about to change. When we reached the first corner in the road the sky started to turn angry. Storms can come over the western mountain in a hurry and surprised you, just as they did this day. The clouds turned black and rushed into the sunlit sky. By the time we were half way down the long stretch of road we were right in the middle of a full fledged blizzard.

Snow blowing, wind howling, can’t see in front of your face. The horses stopped pulling into the force of the storm, so Jim and Joe took turns leading them forward; the pull was hard into that wall of snow and wind. Packages blew away, we could not hear each other talk; we motioned to each other at one point wondering if we should turn the sleigh over and shield ourselves from the front. We pushed on in silent, making our way from one telephone pole to the next (they lined the road) as we edged our way down the road, praying and believing we would make it home.

Meanwhile back at the ranch Janet and John had no clue we were in trouble. The ranch as it nestled in the valley at the bottom of the mountain was protected from the storm and they were experiencing only snowfall. Besides, the game was on and they were not too worried about us thinking we out playing in the snow. But as time went by, it took over 2 ½ hours to go that mile, they started to wonder about us and John searched and found us at the top of the hill cheers went up, we were almost home.

We ended up being snowed in till the day after Christmas. It was awesome. We met my mom on the road the next day with the sleigh. She brought the turkey for dinner. It was a great Christmas.

Isn’t it wonderful, that certain memories of home and Christmas seem to stick with us forever? Never had home looked so good.   The sound of everyone in the house, the smells of the holiday; fresh cut Christmas tree and fresh bake bread, or the sight of Christmas lights on the tree and the glow that shows through the windows just at dusk. It felt a like heaven; faith, family, friends, home.

DoWIT: BELIEVE

• Blizzards Happen: Always be prepared
• Don’t Give Up: DoWIT, Whatever It Takes
• Tell Them You Love Them: You never know what tomorrow will bring
• Be Thankful: Always for blessings, faith, family, friends
• Have a very Merry Christmas