Goals – Dave Glardon

It Ain’t Over Til the Fat Lady Sings

April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope you’ve had an incredible week.

We got lucky here in southern Ohio and had a spectacular view of Monday’s solar eclipse. It was just like the book said it would be … a shadow from the bottom-right slowly spreading across the sun until suddenly, it got almost dark, a good bit cooler, and eerily calm. Two minutes later it was over, and the moon continued its journey. And I went back to work, so the cycle is complete.

Two things stand out that I’ll never forget. First was the naked-eyed view of the corona at the point of totality. It was a clearly visible ring of light around the moon’s shadow – just a reminder that our sun was still there. The other was how much the sun lit the earth up to the point of totality. With even a sliver of sun still showing, it was full daylight. Simply amazing.

We never did see complete darkness. It was inspirational, in the sense that if the sun can continue to provide that much light when it’s completely covered, we’re in good hands. Clouds will come and go, but nothing can block the light completely. Even when it sets in the west for an evening of darkened slumber, we know it’s just waiting to peek through again from the other side.

Which, if you think about it, is pretty much the cycle of life. You go to sleep, you wake up. You cut your finger, it heals. The light turns red, then it turns green. There are more, but you get the point. Nothing in this life is permanent, and if you miss an opportunity, odds are it’ll come back around again. If only Mrs. Kellogg had felt that way about missing homework assignments. “It’s coming!”

For more than ten years, I’ve messed around with a business that could be much more profitable with just a little effort. Several times over the years, I’ve made a declaration: “This is it! Time to get busy! I’m serious this time!” Yet, here I sit with more potential than I can ever appreciate, and a stack of bills growing faster than my excuses. If only I could sell them. The bills, not the excuses.

But here’s the thing. The factors that led me to start a business in the first place are still there. The dream hasn’t faded, and the opportunity I was so excited about is still there, quietly waiting for me to get off my keister and do something about it. And I can do that today. I can choose to pick up where I left off and start chasing that dream. Thankfully, the dream is waiting, too. It knows I’m old to keep up.

Goals have an expiration date. Dreams don’t. And whatever means you found to make those dreams come true ten years ago is probably still valid today. You just have to make the decision and stick with it. And there’s no better time than the weekend to reflect on your dreams, solidify a plan, and put it into action. Not Monday morning or next week or next month – now.

Take time this weekend to reimagine your dreams and commit to achieving them. And if you don’t mind, take a moment to share those dreams with me. You may just light a fire under my butt.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better weekend!

Don’t Blink!

April 8, 2024April 8, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a great start.

Today is a special day for much of the United States. In a few hours, most of us will be able to see the sun and the moon at the exact same place in the sky at the exact same time. Granddaddy used to always say it’s a lazy man who can see the moon in the daytime. Well, if it blocks out the sun completely, does that still count? I think nature has to take some of the blame for this one.

And if you think a full moon brings out the best in people, imagine a dark full moon in the middle of the day. People are traveling from around the country and spending more than $1000 for a single night in a fleabag motel to find a coveted spot in the roughly 110-mile-wide path of totality, where the moon will completely block the sun … for exactly four minutes. I get to see it for free.

Of course, based on the price of these high-tech disposable viewing glasses, it may be one of the last things I’ll ever see. I take some of the best vitamins known to man to help keep me from getting sick, but apparently my eyes are only worth $1.99. For the record, I spent six times that much on lottery tickets this weekend. Hey, you’ve gotta have priorities.

My grandson was asking why it’s such a big deal. Okay, he’s 24 and will likely live long enough to see another one. Odds are, I won’t. So, at the appointed time, I’ll be standing in my front yard with my $1.99 glasses protecting my eyes from what could be my last chance to view such an amazing event. I’m sure I won’t be alone.

Between inflated gas prices, astronomical lodging rates, and all the extras (tee shirts, anyone?), some of these people are paying a lot of money to watch a cloudy sky do what it does every night. According to the Carly Simon song, an egotistical acquaintance once flew his Learjet to Nova Scotia for the same view. Hopefully he was equally dedicated to his other endeavors.

I guess the question that comes to mind is, how many of these people would be willing to invest a fraction of the time, money, and effort, to build an income that would allow them to fly their own jet to the next one? How many, while driving days to witness four minutes of darkness, will pass the time sharing dreams and discussing ways they could work to achieve them?

We all like to say we’re too busy to take on anything new, but when something like an eclipse comes along, time just seems to materialize. And that’s okay, for a once in a lifetime event. But what about when the moon moves on, and the sun comes back out? Will we find the time to chase some of our own dreams? Or will we go back to whatever we’ve been doing all these years?

Thankfully, most dreams don’t come with an expiration date. You’re never too young or too old, and plans we made ten years ago can still be put into place. We just have apply the same sense of urgency with which we’d chase an eclipse. Or a new romance. My grandson has mastered that one.

That’s all for now. If you have the chance, get outside and enjoy the view. It’s an experience you won’t forget. Meanwhile, have an awesome day!

It’s a Puddle – Step Over and Move On

March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is starting off well. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, spring is almost here!

It’s been a while since my last post. I know, that happens now and then (more now than then, it seems). I’ve had lower back pain for several years and, the end of January, it paid me back for all those decades of abuse. Well, I should say it began to pay me back. The punishment lasted close to a month, and any time I tried to work around it, I found out real quick who’s boss. Here’s a hint – it’s not me.

Thanks to modern medicine, I’m about back to normal, or my interpretation of the word. I can sit and stand and walk, which is something I’ll never again take for granted. And thanks to modern insurance, I get to do it all again. Back pain can come from a lot of sources, and apparently one wildly successful pain injection doesn’t prove a thing. We have to prove it twice. Fun.

We were supposed to leave this frozen tundra a week after I went down, but it’s hard to drive 1800 miles when you can’t sit upright more than 3 minutes. And my wife refused to drive that distance with me laying across the back seat. One trip to the doctor was enough for her. Okay, so I complained about her acceleration and braking and turning and her uncanny ability to find every single bump in the road. Sue me.

But, when life hands you lemons, you make whatever drink takes your mind off the fact that you’re not where you want to be and way too old to throw a tantrum. Alcohol may have been involved. And in case you’re wondering how much bourbon it takes, don’t even try. I’m told there’s a limit, and it’s not nearly enough.

Since we couldn’t leave for warmer weather, we improvised. Which means we kept the blankets out a while longer. Meanwhile, my wife was able to reschedule her second hip replacement for last Thursday. With two brand-new hips, she’ll be running circles around me in no time. Actually, I’m okay with that. I can just sit there and watch. If she starts running in a straight line, it’s all over.

Life doesn’t always go the way we’d planned. I’ll wait while you pick yourself up from the floor. But following a plan is easy. It’s when the brakes go out that you prove your worth as a driver. You don’t cancel the trip. You change your pants, fix the car, and get back on the road. The destination hasn’t changed. Just your means of getting there.

We all have visions of where we’d like to be and how we’d like things to go. Call it what you want, but at its very essence, that’s a dream. It’s an imagined outcome we hope to achieve. That may be as complex as building a second income or as simple as getting to work on time. Regardless, there will be obstacles. But obstacles were made to be overcome. And with each one, you get stronger.

As you start your day and your week, expect the unexpected. Come to terms with the fact that, no matter what, the unexpected will not change your goals. The dream is still alive. You just may have to take a different path to get there.

That’s all for now. Follow your dreams, no matter what stands in your way. You’re bigger and stronger – trust me. Have an awesome day!

Confidence is So Under-Rated

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a great start.

As we move into the new year and toward the goals we’ve set for ourselves, it’s important to identify what’s standing in the way. It’s not so much about avoiding obstacles, but kicking them in the shins and showing them who’s boss. Now, if you have any ideas for making winter more accommodating to an old guy who needs to get out and walk, I’m all ears.

Today is my oldest granddaughter’s 16th birthday. Yes, I’m that old. She was born when I was 12. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Like most her age, she’s struggling to plan her path in life. What I wouldn’t give to be that age and have all those choices again. Okay, I’d probably end up right where I am, but hopefully with a smaller waistline. Hey, a man can dream!

Watching her navigate this phase of life, the things that stand out most are her creativity, sense of adventure, acceptance of others, and ability to find amusement in the simplest things. All those things will carry her far in this life. She just needs to know that. Of all the assets we can impart to our kids (and one another), none is more important than self-confidence.

Okay, my oldest grandson sometimes takes that to an extreme. It’s hard to control my facial expressions when he’s talking about buying a $150,000 sports car and can’t even afford a bicycle. But I have to remind myself, that’s his dream, not mine. Besides, there may be a reason he wants a car I couldn’t possibly fit into. I wouldn’t want to ride with me. Not with this attitude.

I try as hard as I can to be supportive, and to remind myself that they don’t have to live my life – my job is to help them live their own. Do I think my grandson will own a “Lambo” in the next twenty years? Not for a second. But I don’t have to share that sentiment. His bank will handle that all on their own. Right after they stop charging him overdraft fees.

But you know, I made some of the same mistakes when I was his age. Or five years ago, take your pick. I’m sure my dad would have advised me against spending six figures on a motorhome at this age, but I didn’t ask. We made our own decision based on our own goals in life. I’m such a rebel. Next thing you know, I’ll be tying my own shoes.

I’ve accomplished a lot in life, and I’m happy to be where I am. This is all I want for my kids and their kids. And I did it because my parents gave me the most wonderful gift of all. They believed in me and, as a consequence, I believed in myself. I never heard the words, “You can’t.” The worst Mom ever said was, “Go ahead – I dare you!” But that’s for another day.

Everybody, from the youngest child to the oldest senior, needs to believe in themselves. It’s as important as oxygen. And we are the ones who can inspire that confidence in them. If a simple smile can make a homeless person feel important, imagine what we can do with a few words of encouragement to those we love most. Friends, we could literally change the world.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better weekend!

It’s Your Year – Make it Count!

January 1, 2024January 1, 2024 by Dave Glardon, posted in Motivational Humor

Good morning, and happy New Year! I hope wherever you are, your day is off to a blessed start.

I know, I don’t usually write posts on holidays. But, being relegated to my own little corner in my own little chair (at the kitchen table) because of Covid, I find myself with all this creative energy and the need to do something constructive with it. I just hope this continues throughout 2024. The creative energy, not the Covid. All I can say is thank God for modern medicine. I’m much better.

I used to tell everyone my only New Year’s resolution was never to make another New Year’s resolution. It seemed to be the only one I could actually keep for 12 months. Over the years, I’ve resolved to get healthy (does surviving a stroke count?), write a book (don’t rush out to the store just yet), build my business (okay, laugh), and lose weight. That last one is the biggest joke of all.

I still want to do all those things, but I’ve learned you can’t just make a wish and expect those things to happen. Believe me, I’ve rubbed the finish off enough lamps over the years to realize there’s no genie waiting inside to magically grant my wishes. The only way for any of this to happen is for me to get up a little earlier each day and make it happen. So far all I’ve done is eat an earlier breakfast.

But you know, it all starts with a mindset. We can’t simply want to succeed; we have to focus on the reasons we want to succeed. Change for the sake of change is doomed to fail. I have a few bosses who could stand to learn that one. But change, based on a clear understanding of what was wrong in the first place, at least stands a chance. I’m not buying bigger pants. How’s that for motivation?

The other thing to keep in mind is that you can’t torment yourself to the achievement of a goal. You have to lighten up. That’s why I try so hard (and not always so successfully) to inject a little humor in what would be an otherwise boring message. It’s impossible to be miserable when you laugh. Okay, abdominal stitches aside. A comedy club is not the place to be right after hernia surgery.

But as a standup comedian, I usually ended my show by reminding my audience of the importance of laughter. I once did a tour with gout in both feet so bad I was nearly crippled. But from the start of my shows until the end, there was no pain – just exhilaration. Sure, the pain came back later, usually with a vengeance. “I’ll teach you to ignore me!” Oh well. It was worth it.

The point is, no matter what your goals for the coming year, face them with a sense of humor. Get rid of that contorted face and stop telling everyone how hard you’re working and what you’re giving up. Nobody wants to hear it, and it’s not doing you any favors, either. Just focus on the reason and enjoy the journey. Who knows? You might even make a few new friends along the way.

I have some dear friends whose health challenges this past year make mine look like a walk in the park. Some of them have no idea what the future may bring, but they’re still out there making the most of each day, because they can. So can you. No matter what 2023 threw your way, you made it this far. So, put a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and get on with life. You ain’t dead yet.

That’s all for now, friends. May 2024 bring you all peace, prosperity, health, and happiness. Have an awesome day!

P.S. Those of you who have been with me over the years know how much I love hearing from you. I don’t write these posts for me – it’s all for you. Your feedback helps keep me inspired and on track. And if you know anybody who could use a little more positivity in their life, please share this link and invite them to come along. Together, we can make this thing rock!

Opportunity Knocks, But it Won’t Kick the Door Down

December 29, 2023December 29, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, folks! I hope your day is off to a great start.

Mine could be better, but that’s how it goes. The guy who NEVER gets sick woke up yesterday with an intense upper respiratory infection and, by the end of the day, testing confirmed Covid. I’ve had it twice before, but this one is absolutely the worst. No, I didn’t get the new vaccine yet. I was planning on it, but you know what they say about good intentions.

I’m not going to dwell on this. If it’s the worst thing that happens this year (you know, over the next two days), I’ve got it made. The only reason I mention it is to remind you all that vaccines are available, and this is a WHOLE lot worse than a sore arm. Not trying to tell anyone what to do, but I hope you’ll all give it some consideration.

We’ve talked a lot these past two weeks about not crawling into a grave before it’s time. Mostly, we talked about physical limitations and how we build them up in our mind. It’s hard to enjoy an active life when you hurt, and even harder when you convince yourself it’s worse than it is. Take it from someone who avoided energetic activities twenty years before he had a heart attack.

Another limitation has nothing to do with our physical condition, or our perception of it. In my business, I ask people all the time to dream a bit – make a list of things they’d like to do if money were no object. It’s amazing how quickly we all start to pare that list back, based entirely on our current financial resources. It’s almost impossible to see past the roadblocks right in front of us.

And when you press the matter further, they can all come up with a dozen reasons they’ll never have the money to do half the things they want. Born into a poor family, dead-end job, too many bills, no money to invest – the list goes on and on. And no matter how hard you try, some people just can’t accept the fact that every one of those challenges can be overcome with one thing – more money.

Yeah, I know. If earning more money would fix their problems, wouldn’t they be doing it? You’d think. But five years later, they’re still sitting there whining about their lot in life and how opportunity never knocks. Well, get a clue, knucklehead! It does knock, probably more than we think. But opportunity is not like a bill collector. If you don’t open the door, it moves on.

Take a few moments to think of all the times in your life you had the opportunity to increase your income. That may have been as simple as learning a new skill at work, applying for a new job, moving to a city with better opportunities, whatever. Do not … and I can’t stress this enough … do not try robbing banks. On the other hand, you don’t need a lot of money in jail. I’m just saying.

The point is we’ve all been faced with opportunities that we may have quickly dismissed or didn’t recognize in the first place. Most times, it’s just a mental block. “What would my friends say?” Are they paying your bills? “I don’t know anybody.” That’s a lie. You know me. “If it was that good, everybody would be doing it.” If you believe that, read these past few paragraphs again.

The new year is upon us, and resolutions are a traditional way to take our mind off the cold weather and mounting holiday bills. If you want to lose weight, you can. If you want to exercise, do it. And if you want to be able to afford those things you couldn’t until now, fix it. Will another year of doing the same thing magically turn things in your favor? Something to think about.

That’s all for now. Remember, the simplest ideas can often be the most profitable. Sometimes, it really IS that easy. You just have to take a gamble and put yourself out there. Have a safe & happy New Year!

Work Is Important – So Are You!

September 18, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a nice start.

At the start of a new week, we often take time to plan out the days ahead. What’s coming up at work, deadlines that are approaching, meetings we’ll have to attend, and so forth. We think about things around the house, especially anything outdoors, because weather may play a factor. Shopping, cleaning, laundry, repairs – it’s always something.

If you were to write down everything you plan to do during any given week, you’d quickly find out why next Monday’s list includes some of the same things because they didn’t get done this week. That’s the story of my life. Every time I tell my wife I need to do some cleaning in the basement, she just rolls her eyes. We both know it’s not gonna happen.

This past weekend, I had plans to start writing a book. The idea hit me last week and, after a couple of days excitedly churning through possible ways to approach the topic, I was ready to roll. I even set up a keyboard on the dining room table so I could work there. Well, as it turns out, keyboards are not telepathic … they only work if you sit down and use them.

I can point to any of a dozen different things that kept me from following through on my plans. Church, shopping, getting new glasses, adjusting to those new glasses, dinner with our grandson … the list goes on. But the simple truth is I just didn’t do it. I didn’t clean the basement, either. Just thought I’d put that out there before anybody asks.

Especially for those of us who work, our own goals always seem to take a backseat to everything else. The boss talks about prioritizing, but what they mean is we should prioritize the things they want done. But hey, once that’s all done, you can do anything you want. You know, in your spare time. Is it any wonder we never prioritize our own goals?

Work-life balance is a key part of our mental state. As humans, we need to be doing something productive. That’s just how we’re wired. But if the things we do are always for somebody else’s benefit, it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re doing it in the first place. Sure, we get paid. Awesome. But there has to be more to life.

Tombstones rarely mention a person’s profession or how many years they worked. Apparently, those things only matter to the coffin’s occupant. The rest of the world sees a name and two dates. But, between those two dates are the period we call life. And it’s up to us to cram as much living as possible into that time span. Not work – living.

As you look ahead to your week, don’t forget to make time for the things that matter most to you. That may be game night with the kids, a walk in the park, planting flowers, a special outing, starting a business, or writing a book. Whatever it is, if it was important enough to occupy your thoughts for more than a few moments, it’s important enough to make it happen.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day!

Waiting for Tomorrow? It’s Here!

June 16, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a nice start.

It’s been almost three weeks since my stroke, and I’m happy to report that I’m getting a little better each day. I’ve lost some strength on my left side, but that should come back. Other than a dull headache for the past two weeks, I feel pretty good. I guess God isn’t done with me just yet.

I can’t say enough about the staff at Tucson’s Banner University Hospital. Everybody there was just awesome, including the nurse who took the full brunt of my post-surgery nausea. I won’t go into detail, but if you’ve ever seen The Exorcist, that pretty much sums it up. She got two showers that day.

It’s hard going from working every day to full-time recuperation. Not that I miss work all that much, but sudden change is not always easy. I don’t plan to retire for another year, but one thing I can say for certain – I absolutely must find something to occupy my time before then. Sitting around is not my thing.

I’ve known for years that my retirement will involve some kind of ongoing income. That’s what happens when you wait until you’re almost 60 to start saving. Like most others, I spent my younger years scraping by, with little concept of the fact that time wasn’t standing still. Retirement is for old people, and only people like my dad planned for that eventuality.

Yet here I am. The young guy who used to live in the mirror has been replaced by the aging image I see each morning. Getting out of bed requires planning and pre-positioning, and even climbing the six steps into our motorhome can be an effort. Aging is definitely not for sissies. On the other hand, a little alcohol goes a long way, so that’s a plus.

The thing about aging is that, when we’re young, we wonder what tomorrow may bring. Later, we wonder where all those tomorrows went. All those things we planned to start “someday,” the trips we were going to take, the book we were going to write, the business we were going to build, the legacy we wanted to leave behind. What I wouldn’t do to have some of those tomorrows back.

Well, today is yesterday’s tomorrow. Waiting for “someday?” It’s here. Sure, there will be others, but how many are we willing to squander before we put our plans into motion? One? Ten? A thousand? They add up faster than we think.

Thankfully, I got through this challenge with the ability to continue my plans for the future. But that could have all changed in an instant. Nobody knows when a crisis may hit, or how severe it may be. All the more reason to plan for the future now and put those plans in motion while you still can. What’s the worst that can happen? Hitting your goal too soon?

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day!

Gravity Too Strong for the Bathroom Scale?

January 27, 2023January 27, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a great start.

So, scientists have determined the earth’s core may be slowing down in its rotation and could be getting ready to turn the other way. Not the earth – just the core. Excuse me? Aren’t these things connected? When the outside of my tires turn in a different direction than the center, that usually means I’m about to have a really bad day.

But the experts say this is just a natural cycle, and nothing bad is about to happen. That’s comforting. Of course, these are geologists. Anybody who has watched Big Bang Theory knows how Sheldon Cooper feels about them. I have no real opinion except I doubt they actually took the elevator down to see what’s really happening.

Apparently, the core is molten rock that is free to sit still or spin in any direction, regardless of what we’re doing way up here on the surface. And when this happens it affects the gravitational pull of the earth’s core. I stopped reading at that point, because now I know why my weight is going the wrong way. It’s not me – it’s gravity.

Don’t take my word for it. A quick Google search will show your weight on any planet in the solar system, and they’re all different. On Mars, I only weigh 98 pounds. On the sun, I’d weigh closer to four tons. So, let’s not go there. I hear it’s hot all the time, and no beaches at all. As if I could find a bathing suit that big anyway.

In a nation where 41% of the adult population is obese, it’s safe to say I’m not alone. I don’t know who decides what we should weigh, but I’m not a huge fan. Still, I know I need to do something about it. You know, besides throwing away the scale. It doesn’t matter, because my doctor has one of her own, and hers is broken. Don’t argue.

At the start of each new year, weight loss ranks among the top in terms of personal improvement goals. We all want to look better and be healthier. But it’s hard, especially with our microwave mentality that says if the results aren’t evident in 60 seconds, we’re doing it all wrong.

Well, weight loss is like any other worthwhile goal. It takes time. Fad diets don’t work, at least not in the long term. Try making small changes, one at a time. Things you can live with for the long haul. When those are going well, make one or two more changes. It takes time, but the results will be worth it. That much I can promise.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day!

How’s That Brick Wall Treating You?

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 by Dave Glardon, posted in Uncategorized

Good morning, and happy Friday! I hope your day is off to a great start!

I went to work yesterday. You know, to the office. I haven’t been there in over three years. I had to program my GPS to even find the place. Most days, going to work means heading down the basement stairs. I spend my days ten feet from a refrigerator with 6 bottles of water and 42 bottles of beer. What could possibly go wrong?

In 2008, I asked my boss if I could work from home. He said, “Dave, the problem is, I’d be paying you for 8 hours, but I wouldn’t really know if you worked that long.” I told him he didn’t know that now. All he knew was my truck was in the parking lot and I was at my computer. Here’s a tip. Don’t say that out loud. The next day he installed a camera over my desk.

But along came 2020 and Covid left us with no choice. And with very few exceptions, we put the fears to rest and came out on top. Companies continued to grow. Profits were made and bonuses were earned. And we discovered we can still get the job done even if our pants are in the laundry. I’ve seen those videos. What’s wrong with you people?

The point is, we took a situation that could have been catastrophic and made the most of it. Giving up was just not an option. And, as a result, many of us continue to enjoy a work-life balance we would never have envisioned three short years ago.

So, where’s that sense of adventure when there’s something we want, something that’s not quite within reach? We’ll keep beating our head against the same wall for years instead of trying something new for even a day. And at the end of yet another year, we resign ourselves to the “fact” that what we want is just not possible.

Well, I’m glad my boss didn’t give up so easily. And I’m sure a lot of his trusted advisers gave him a dozen reasons why it would never work. But he put his faith in us, and we came through. Put that same amount of faith in yourself, and there’s not much you can’t accomplish. All it takes is a willingness to try something different, even if other people say it’s stupid.

Every challenge presents opportunity. And all opportunity asks is that we recognize it for what it is – a chance to make things better. Take the chance. Prove other people wrong. You may still miss your goal, but it certainly won’t be for lack of trying.

That’s all for now. Have an awesome day and an even better weekend!